TitoVillar
patreon
OPI Chapter 466: The Terms of Annexation
🕑 Added 2025-07-16 01:10:18 +0000 UTC“You’re right, Lady Enma,” said Ōtsutsuki Hamura, nodding in agreement. “However, my elder brother had already set out for the Land of Swamp
“You’re right, Lady Enma,” said Ōtsutsuki Hamura, nodding in agreement.
“However, my elder brother had already set out for the Land of Swamps before I departed. I imagine by now he’s taken care of the ‘Gate of the Underworld.’”
Enma gave a faint chuckle. “Let’s hope so. Then, as for those Ōtsutsuki who will arrive in the ninja world twenty-three years from now—wouldn’t you prefer the World Government to be your ally?”
Ōtsutsuki Hamura responded with a question of his own.
“And what’s your side’s stance on that? I’ll say it again—it’s impossible for all the ninjas to fall under your control. What we want is alliance, cooperation. Basic autonomy and armed forces are our bottom line.”
Since he couldn’t think of a better response, he decided to throw the question back.
“In that case... how about leaving the choice to the ninjas themselves?”
Enma smiled faintly.
“What do you mean by that?” Hamura suddenly had a bad feeling.
“Exactly what it sounds like,” said Enma. “Whether it’s today’s ninjas or those who graduate from the major ninja universities in the future—let them decide for themselves. Do they want to join your Ninja Sect and defend their homeland? Or join our Umigakure and fight across the myriad worlds for the World Government? Or choose neither, and simply become independent ninjas roaming free, as long as they don’t break any laws or regulations? How about it—doesn’t that sound like a brilliant proposal?”
Enma’s lips curled into a smirk.
In truth, the World Government had already anticipated that Ōtsutsuki Hamura would never accept all ninjas falling under Umigakure's jurisdiction.
So they had come up with this seemingly fair and reasonable idea in advance.
Now it would come down to which side could attract more.
And frankly, Ōtsutsuki Hamura and Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo couldn’t possibly win against the World Government, which held the Dimensional Gate in its hands.
And sure enough...
From the grim look on Ōtsutsuki Hamura’s face, it was clear he understood as well.
But he couldn’t come up with any reason to object.
The proposal really was fair—and it granted the ninjas a great deal of respect.
What more could he say?
“…Fine. But I request that all ninjas originating from the ninja world be required to register their information with the Ninja Sect. No matter what, they are still people of the ninja world.”
Ōtsutsuki Hamura struggled to negotiate something for his side.
“Hmm… alright. We can allow Umigakure and the Ninja Sect to share ninja data.”
Enma gave it some thought and ultimately agreed.
“Then, please wait a moment while I look over the second document.” As he spoke, Ōtsutsuki Hamura casually picked up the file on the desk titled Proposal for the Establishment of a Ninja Education System and began reading.
This document was not only long, but also extremely detailed.
It proposed transforming the five great ninja villages—Konohagakure, Sunagakure, Kumogakure, Kirigakure, and Iwagakure—into comprehensive higher-level ninja universities.
In addition to these, five specialized higher-level ninja universities would be established, each focusing on one of the following disciplines: puppetry, genjutsu, sealing techniques, barrier techniques, and medical ninjutsu.
Beneath these ten higher universities, the remaining smaller ninja villages would be restructured into intermediate or elementary ninja schools. These would enroll children with ninja aptitude who were willing to become ninjas.
However, these intermediate and elementary schools would not have the authority to issue ninja certificates or forehead protectors.
Only those who graduated from one of the ten higher-level universities would be considered true ninjas.
Most of them would graduate as genin. Only a few exceptional individuals might graduate directly as chūnin.
As for jōnin… according to the plan, that title would require passing an examination conducted by Umigakure.
Seeing this, Ōtsutsuki Hamura’s mouth twitched.
If that were the case, wouldn't that mean the Ninja Sect would end up with not a single jōnin?
“Lady Enma, surely our Ninja Sect also has the right to conduct jōnin-level exams?”
“Of course, you may set your own standards. However, the World Government will only recognize the results of Umigakure’s assessments.”
Upon hearing this, Ōtsutsuki Hamura was speechless.
In other words, even if the Ninja Sect had jōnin, the World Government wouldn’t acknowledge them. At best, they’d just be playing around within their own little system.
Who would still want to be a jōnin of the Ninja Sect then?
Anyone with half a brain could see it—
The future would inevitably be an era of interconnected worlds.
And the number of worlds would only grow as the World Government’s conquests continued.
“Of course, we can also accept applications from chūnin—even jōnin—of the Ninja Sect to take the jōnin certification exam under Umigakure. If they pass, we’ll issue the appropriate ninja credentials.”
Enma wore the smug look of someone who believed they were being exceptionally generous.
But ninja rank wasn’t just about hierarchy. According to that proposal—
The benefits and privileges available under the World Government varied depending on the rank of the ninja.
For example, shopping discounts, medical expenses, and other services could be partially covered or reduced depending on the holder’s credentials.
Higher-ranked ninja could also access civilian-restricted zones of different clearance levels—and some were even granted law enforcement authority to apprehend criminals.
Currently, jōnin stood as the highest recognized rank among ninja.
“Can’t the World Government simply recognize the Ninja Sect’s ranks?”
Ōtsutsuki Hamura asked, clearly unwilling to accept the terms.
“That’s not possible. Umigakure is now a special operations unit under direct command of the Military High Command. We have to strictly control the overall qualifications of every single jōnin.”
Enma refused without hesitation, not bothering to soften the blow.
“‘Overall qualifications’?”
Ōtsutsuki Hamura let out a bitter laugh.
“Lady Enma, when it comes to training and evaluating ninja, I’d say we in the ninja world have more experience than you do. Shouldn’t it be us questioning your assessment methods and results instead?”
“Oh, by all means,” Enma said casually, waving her hand.
“The Ninja Sect is free not to recognize Umigakure’s ranks. That’s no problem at all.”
After all, the Ninja Sect only had jurisdiction over the ninja world. The World Government already controlled seven worlds—and soon, even the ninja world would be counted among them.
Each side could recognize its own system. Who cared?
But when it came to the majority of ninjas—
Who would they choose?
“…”
Ōtsutsuki Hamura was on the verge of blurting out: You're just bullying us because you’re stronger!
But then he remembered Imu—the enigma shrouded in mystery—and the terrifying power of the World Government.
He could only suppress the frustration burning in his chest and finally let out a long, weary sigh.
“…Then what about ownership and management of these ninja schools?”
“The World Government will fund the construction. Ownership will belong to the Rōran government, administrative rights to the school principals, and supervisory authority will be jointly held by our Department of Academic Affairs and your Shinobi Sect.”
“What about Umigakure?”
“Umigakure is a military department. Its only role is to recruit promising individuals. It will not interfere in school matters.”
After hearing Enma’s explanation, Ōtsutsuki Hamura looked even more puzzled.
No matter how he looked at it, it seemed like the shinobi world was getting the better end of the deal.
Ownership, administrative rights, and oversight—all fell to them.
After all, the principals were clearly going to be shinobi themselves.
In contrast, the World Government, which was footing the bill, only got a shared right of supervision.
The World Government’s goal in investing was to secure a steady, never-ending stream of shinobi.
Compared to that, the cost of construction meant nothing at all.
In fact, this arrangement was also intended to be a sweetener for the shinobi world—a way to get them to willingly accept the reality of annexation.
“Alright. Thank you very much to the World Government for supporting the development of the shinobi world.”
Seeing how things stood, Ōtsutsuki Hamura accepted it with a smile.
That the shinobi schools of the shinobi world would be managed by the shinobi world itself—this was certainly a good thing.
“Any other questions?” Enma asked.
“Yes.”
Ōtsutsuki Hamura nodded.
Since this concerned the fates of two worlds, he couldn’t afford to be careless.
“Please speak.”
Enma was clearly enjoying herself—after all, it was her first time dealing with something like this—so she showed no hint of impatience.
“It’s about the World Government’s plan to relocate the various shinobi clans to the Starfish World. I think that matter needs further discussion.”
Ōtsutsuki Hamura spoke in a serious tone.
“That order came directly from Lord Imu. It is final. All shinobi families with kekkei genkai must move to Wano Island on the Starfish World.”
But Enma made her stance clear.
Then, seeing Ōtsutsuki Hamura frown again, she offered an explanation: “That’s because Lord Imu has a fondness for collecting extraordinary creatures and unique races from every world and bringing them to the Starfish World.”
“It’s not just the shinobi clans—even the nine Tailed Beasts of the shinobi world are to be sent there.”
“What?!”
Ōtsutsuki Hamura was once again stunned.
“Absolutely not!”
“The Tailed Beasts belong to the shinobi world—more importantly, they belong to my elder brother. There’s no way we’re handing them over to you!”
Enma’s expression turned cold as she watched Ōtsutsuki Hamura rise again and shout.
“Lord Hamura, I’ll say it one more time—this is Lord Imu’s decision.”
“As for the shinobi clans, we are willing to accept that some may remain in the shinobi world. But the Tailed Beasts are not up for discussion. If you ever need to use them, you may submit an application to the World Government.”
There was a deeper implication in Enma’s final words.
Ōtsutsuki Hamura’s heart trembled. He thought to himself: So they really know everything... even about the Ten Tails.
A chill swept over him like ice water poured onto his soul.
All his anger was instantly extinguished. His earlier composure returned.
Imu’s profound and mysterious presence brought him tremendous pressure.
At least judging from the current situation—
Even if his brother were uninjured, he likely wouldn’t be a match for the other side.
Imu’s revealed abilities were simply too astonishing, too beyond comprehension.
But still—these were the Tailed Beasts! They were directly tied to the chakra of the Ten Tails!
Ōtsutsuki Hamura truly couldn’t accept letting them fall entirely under the control of the World Government.
What was he supposed to do?
