However, their silent expressions led Urashiki to believe they were afraid.
Urashiki laughed out loud. "Now can you finally understand how vast the gap between us is?"
Minato asked solemnly, "If that's the case, why would someone like you from the gods want to capture Naruto?"
Urashiki shrugged. "Didn't you hear me? The nine Bijuu are parts of the Ten-Tails. Although the Ten-Tails is merely a pet to guard and protect our home, it's not something you mortals can even touch!"
"Now then, would you kindly step aside? Hand him over to me, and we can prevent a war from breaking out!"
In an instant, everyone's eyes focused on Naruto.
To many, handing over one person to calm an impending war seemed like a practical solution!
However, Naruto was after all the son of the Hokage, and this approach went strongly against mainstream public opinion.
Therefore, no one spoke up for now.
Seeing the scene suddenly fall into an eerie silence, Urashiki grinned toward Naruto, "Shouldn't you be volunteering to sacrifice yourself at a time like this? Letting the entire world fall into danger for your own sake is really selfish!"
After he spoke, Naruto instantly felt the pressure on him skyrocket, as if every gaze directed at him was filled with malice!
Although those people dared not loudly express their opinions, they did find the courage to whisper among themselves, creating a resonating chorus of judgment!
"It may seem harsh, but isn't it better for one person to die than for many to perish?"
"That's right! Isn't it a ninja's way to sacrifice themselves?"
Boruto watched in furious disbelief. "These people are disgusting! I'm going to—"
Middle-aged Sasuke held him back. "Wait a little longer. Don't ruin Lord Seiki's trial!"
"Trial... huh? Uncle, are you saying Lord Seiki is watching this?"
"That idiot Urashiki was probably noticed the moment he stepped into the Alliance by Lord Seiki!"
"Then why doesn't Lord Seiki come out?" Boruto asked confusedly.
"My guess is, Lord Seiki probably wants to use Urashiki's words to awaken everyone's sense of crisis!" middle-aged Sasuke explained.
These voices seemed like Demonic Sound pierced Naruto's ears. He clenched his fists. "I..."
Before Naruto could finish, Sasuke strode forward, not looking at Urashiki, but coldly scanning the places from which those voices had come. "Cowards! Useless trash!"
The more insecure people easily became enraged by such simple words, and many immediately started cursing angrily.
"What did you say, Uchiha brat?"
"You're saying this only because he's your friend, right?"
Sasuke said contemptuously, "Did I say anything wrong? People who don't dare to raise their blades against enemies but instead send their own comrades to their deaths are scum of the earth!"
"You're all speaking so boldly now simply because you haven't felt the pain yourselves! But have you ever considered that if today he can make Naruto die, tomorrow he can make you die too. When that time comes, do you really think anyone will stand up for you?"
"I don't expect any of you cowards to actually stand up, but at least shut your mouths while we protect the Alliance!"
Sasuke, feeling satisfied, turned and saw determination burning in Naruto's eyes. He quickly looked away and continued, "Besides, no matter who he chooses to send to their death, my answer will always be the same. It has nothing to do with the identity of the person chosen!"
After Sasuke stepped forward, many of the newer generation of ninja also began coming forward one after another.
"That's right! Ninja nowadays are no longer those easily disposable tools like in the past. We are people too, soldiers protecting the Alliance. Don't you feel ashamed sending those who protect you to certain death?" Neji spoke from personal experience, for his own father had nearly been sacrificed as a tool, only saved thanks to Lord Seiki's intervention.
"The Jinchuriki, as the vessels containing the sealed Bijuu within them, have already borne unbearable pain and pressure for your protection. And what do you offer in return? To discard them like expendable sacrifices?" Gaara said coldly, his face filled with disdain.
"Exactly! These guys are nothing but rejects among rejects! Compared to us true works of art, they're just an eyesore!" Deidara wholeheartedly agreed. "They should be destroyed humanely through the means of art!"
"Hmm, maybe that's taking it a bit too far..."
More and more people stood up. The voices of the initial opposition gradually quieted down, eventually fading into silence.
Naruto felt moved inside, as if he had found his life's purpose—to protect everyone, and to struggle toward changing an unreasonable world!
The Five Kage above were deeply moved as well. Onoki sighed, "Those outdated traditional thoughts will inevitably be replaced by vibrant new ideas!"
Rasa praised, "Fools resist the world, wise men adapt to it, but great men are those who change the world!"
Mei Terumi gave him a strange look. The Kazekage's flattery game had clearly improved again, now reaching the level of imperceptible subtlety... though what he said was indeed correct!
"This is indeed the future of our world!" Middle-aged Sasuke mused emotionally, patting Boruto's shoulder, "Alright, it's time to end this debate!"
Boruto excitedly stood up and shouted, "Haven't you ever wondered why he wants Dad's... cough, cough... wants Naruto's chakra? Why did he call this place a pasture?"
"The reason is simple: he plans to use the Ten-Tails to devour the chakra of the entire world. At that time, everyone will die!"
"What? Is that actually true?" Everyone turned their shocked and furious gazes toward Urashiki.
With the Otsutsuki's inherent arrogance, Urashiki naturally saw no need to lie to them. Concealing part of the truth earlier had already been his limit. "Isshiki-senpai really messed up this world! Why didn't the other worlds behave like this and just knelt down begging us to devour them?"
Everyone remained silent for a moment before their fury erupted like a volcanic explosion.
"Damn it! Who would want to be devoured by monsters like you!"
"You won't be leaving this place alive!"
At this moment, many examinees recalled the last question of the first exam, suddenly realizing the truth.
"Indeed, peace is something that must be fought for!"
"Worthy of Leader-sama! He foresaw events like this happening long ago!"
"Well then, time for the second exam to begin, right?"
"
"As long as we work together, there is no enemy we cannot defeat!"
Seeing everyone's passion, Urashiki chuckled and said, "That's the thing about ignorance—it's a kind of happiness! You fight with all your strength, yet in the end you'll only be devoured by the Ten-Tails in despair. You'd be better off knowing nothing from the start, and being devoured by the Ten-Tails in the bliss of hopeful expectation!"
Minato firmly declared, "We will never lose! Behind us are our beloved families, our homeland worth living for, and a civilization that has passed down its flame for thousands of years! We will show you that a mortal body is capable of slaying the gods of heaven!"
"A mortal body can kill gods?" Urashiki laughed. "Fine, cling to your ignorant fantasies. But even after you defeat me, there are still hundreds of my Clansmen waiting behind. Each of our Clansmen rules an entire world. Do you really think you can stand against us—who rule over hundreds of worlds—with only the might of one?"
"Foolishly overestimating your strength—what arrogance. Truly pathetic!"
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