Naruto: I, who fooled the ninja world, was hailed as a savior.

Chapter 205 Long Time No See, Lord 'Shadow'

The setting sun sank heavily toward the western horizon.

As the afterglow of the setting sun spilled down, the meticulously trimmed pines and cypresses in the courtyard cast silent and rugged silhouettes in the elongated light and shadow.

The air was filled with a languid atmosphere of the approaching end of the day and the return of all things to stillness, mixed with the faint scent of grass and trees and the aroma of cooking smoke drifting from afar.

Deep within the mansion lies a spacious training room with smooth rush tatami mats.

A row of open edges allowed the last rays of sunlight to enter the room, casting a narrow, blurry band of light through which fine dust particles could be seen floating in the air.

"drink!"

A crisp shout broke the silence of the room, and Hinata Hyuga's figure moved in the dim light, her hands almost turning into a blurry afterimage.

Neji Hyuga's figure weaved through Hinata's palm strikes, his movements concise and precise. His Byakugan eyes gleamed with an all-seeing light, capturing the gaps and weaknesses in Hinata's movements.

The next moment, Hinata let out a low shout and unleashed both palms simultaneously.

However, Neji simply turned slightly to the side, his left hand reaching out precisely and gently flicking the skin.

Snapped!
Hinata felt a supple yet overwhelming force coming from her wrist, and her body was involuntarily pulled off course. She stumbled and fell towards the side of the edge.

Just a second before she was about to crash into the edge, she managed to steady herself and instinctively turned her head to look at her "father" standing in the distance.

Hyuga Hizashi stood there, like a silent sculpture.

The afterglow of the setting sun illuminated only half of his body, while the other half was hidden in deep shadow, seemingly carrying an indescribable sense of majesty and aloofness.

Seeing that his face was expressionless, Hinata's heart tightened slightly, waiting for the expected criticism or disappointment, but at the same time there was also a little bit of anticipation.

"Yes, you're making rapid progress."

Hyuga Hizashi slowly spoke, his voice low and calm: "I have basically mastered the Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms. Although my skills are still lacking, I have made great progress compared to before."

A strong sense of satisfaction surged into Hinata's heart, and her cheeks, damp with sweat, flushed slightly with excitement.

"Yes..." She nodded vigorously, her voice trembling slightly, "Yes! Father, I will continue to work hard!"

Standing to the side, Hyuga Neji looked at Hinata's undisguised joy, his eyes becoming complex and deep.

He could definitely sense Hinata's progress.

Although Hinata Hyuga's Gentle Fist technique is still immature and far from refined, her movements are still somewhat restrained, as if she has no intention of fighting at all.

However, compared to the timid and cowardly eldest daughter of the main family who used to be, Hinata Hyuga is now a completely different person.

Her gaze was no longer evasive, but held a newfound firmness; her movements were no longer hesitant, but imbued with a sharp edge.

Even when facing her own counterattacks, she is no longer defeated as she used to be. Instead, she grits her teeth and tries to find the next opportunity to attack.

Was it because of Hiashi Hyuga's inspiration?

Neji's gaze swept over Hyuga Hiashi's face, which remained expressionless.

Could mere encouragement and affirmation bring about such a significant change in Hinata Hyuga?
Or perhaps, deep down, Hinata Hyuga possesses a kind of resilience that he has never been aware of?
A strange sense of unease and disappointment welled up in Neji's heart. He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing these chaotic thoughts, and bowed slightly in the direction of 'Hyuga Hiashi':
"Lord Hiashi, it's getting late. Let's end today's training here. I'll take my leave now."

After saying that, he stopped looking at Hinata Hyuga and turned to walk towards the door of the training room.

"Please, please wait a moment, Neji-nii-san."

Just as Neji's hand was about to touch the door, Hinata's hesitant voice suddenly came from behind.

Neji paused but didn't turn around. Hinata quickly ran to his side and stopped, her face still flushed and covered in sweat.

She hesitated for a moment, but finally handed over the square lunchbox wrapped in white cloth.

"Neji-nii-san..." Hinata said with a hint of cautious flattery, "This is a bento I made myself, would you like it..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was already clear.

She held the lunchbox in both hands, her eyes filled with anticipation and trepidation.

The training room was silent. Neji stood there silently, his back to Hinata.

His tall, straight back appeared stiff and cold in the dim light. He could feel the expectant gaze behind him, piercing his back like needles.

The bento box made by the eldest daughter of the main family...

Neji felt only a chilling irony and sorrow at what seemed like a well-intentioned act.

He is no longer the naive and childish Hyuga Neji he once was.

This seemingly caring gesture, intended to bring the siblings closer, appears so pale, powerless, and even hypocritical in the face of the insurmountable chasm between the main family and the branch family.

He could not forget his father's death, nor could he forget the curse mark on his forehead that symbolized humiliation and bondage.

After a long while, Neji slowly turned around, his gaze falling on the bento box in Hinata's hand, his Byakugan eyes calm and unwavering.

“No need.” His voice was deep and clear, carrying a cold indifference that kept people at a distance. “I cannot accept the favor from the eldest daughter of the Zong family.”

Hinata's smile froze instantly, her hand holding the bento box trembled, and her expression was replaced by deep dejection. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, she just lowered her eyes helplessly.

Neji stopped looking at her, turned around, opened the door, and disappeared into the corridor outside.

Squeak.

The sound of the door gently closing was exceptionally clear in my ears.

Hinata Hyuga remained standing in the same spot, while Hizashi Hyuga stood in the shadows, silently watching everything with an expressionless face, though a complex look flickered deep in his eyes.

He slowly stood up and walked behind Hinata. His tall figure cast a shadow in the dim light, enveloping Hinata.

He didn't speak, but simply reached out his broad palm and gently patted Hinata's head.

This action made Hinata's body tremble slightly. She raised her head, her pure white eyes still moist, looking at her "father" with a hint of confusion and grievance.

"Go change your clothes," Hyuga Hizashi's voice was deep. "It's time to eat."

His calm tone temporarily calmed Hinata's chaotic emotions.

"...Yes, Father." Hinata's voice was slightly nasal. She sniffed and bowed slightly to Hyuga Hizashi before turning and leaving the training room.

As Hyuga Hizashi watched Hinata disappear from his sight, the subtle gentleness on his face vanished, replaced by a deep calm.

He didn't linger, but turned and walked deeper into the mansion, passing through dark and winding corridors, avoiding the occasional passing servants, and finally arrived at his room.

Hyuga Hizashi walked to a seemingly ordinary wall on the inside of the room, extended his right hand and quickly and precisely pressed the five fingers on several inconspicuous dents on the wall, while his left hand formed a hand seal.

Click...click...buzz...

A slight whirring sound of mechanisms turning and the sound of a seal being released rang out.

On the wall, a perfectly sealed hidden door slid open silently inward, revealing a narrow stone staircase that stretched downwards into an unfathomable depth.

Without the slightest hesitation, Hyuga Hizashi stepped into the darkness. The hidden door closed silently behind him, shutting out the last ray of light.

The passageway was pitch black. He walked down the steps, his footsteps echoing hollowly in the silent passage.

At the end of the passage was a heavy stone door. Hyuga Hizashi formed hand seals again, channeling chakra into the seal on the door, and the stone door silently opened inward.

Behind the door was a small, dark room, dimly lit by only a few lamps, with a chilly, damp atmosphere and an unsettling stillness.

Just as Hyuga Hizashi stepped into the secret room, a figure suddenly pounced out from the shadows!

However, just as that figure was about to touch Hyuga Hizashi.

His movements froze instantly, his body remaining in a forward-leaning posture, but he could no longer move forward an inch.

Hyuga Hizashi stood still, his face expressionless, not even a flicker of emotion in his eyes, his gaze calmly fixed on the frozen figure.

Without a doubt, it was the real Hiashi Hyuga.

However, Hiashi Hyuga today is different from the disheveled and emaciated figure he once was.

Compared to Hyuga Hizashi, apart from being slightly paler, they are exactly the same.

"Don't waste your energy." Hyuga Hizashi frowned as he looked at the face contorted with rage. "I told you, with that person's power, you can't kill me."

"If you want to leave this room tonight, you'd better behave yourself."

Over the years, he has become increasingly adept at portraying Hiashi Hyuga, and has seemingly been able to replicate Hiashi Hyuga's habits.

The only difference between him and Hiashi Hyuga is his attitude towards Hinata.

Compared to Hiashi Hyuga's harsh criticism, he mainly encouraged and affirmed him.

This is one of the few acts of kindness he shows now, and one of the few things he's willing to do.

However, there was one thing he simply couldn't do.

Hiashi's wife is still alive, and she wants a child.

He could make excuses to get by during that period, but he couldn't keep using excuses to evade and evade things.

Good thing...

"It seems the gift I gave you last time was quite useful to you?"

A hoarse voice with a hint of laughter reached his ears. Hyuga Hizashi looked in the direction from which the voice came, and a dark figure gradually emerged from the shadows.

"It's been a long time." Hyuga Hizashi bowed slightly, his attitude respectful, "'Kage'-sama."

"Your gift has indeed helped me solve a lot of troubles, and I am sincerely grateful."

Upon seeing the figure emerge from the shadows, Hiashi Hyuga froze on the spot, a look of violence and hatred appearing on his face.

It's that damn guy again!!
(I couldn't sleep until 1 a.m., and I knew I couldn't sleep, otherwise I'd miss today's deadline, so I just started writing. I've finally caught up for a day now, please give me your monthly votes QAQ)

(End of this chapter)