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

Chapter 242 That direction is... Konoha?!
The bewildered demon finally recovered from the torrential attack.

"Enough!!" it roared hysterically, reaching out desperately to grab Hyuga Kumokawa's wrist, forcibly interrupting the terrifying combo!

Its mask opened its mouth, and crimson light gathered within.

It stared intently into the eyes of Hyuga Kumokawa, who was so close, trying to see fear, to see retreat...

but none!
In Hinata Kumokawa's eyes, there was only pure fervor immersed in battle, an ultimate pleasure of enjoying the clash of power!

"This guy is a monster!"

Suddenly, a thought that even the monster found absurd popped into its mind.

However, in the next instant!

The ring-pommel sword that had been flung away by the demon seemed to have a life of its own, tracing a graceful arc in the air before flying precisely back into Hyuga Kumokawa's other empty hand!
Hinata Kumokawa gripped the hilt of the sword, and using the force of the grip, he spun around violently. A sharp, piercing glint of light flashed before the demon like a full moon!

puff!

The arm of the demon that was grabbing Hyuga Kumokawa's wrist was severed at the shoulder, and thick, black 'blood' gushed out!

"Roar!"

The excruciating pain of losing his arm caused the demon to let out a roar filled with agony and disbelief!

How, is it possible?!

Fear, for the first time so clearly, gripped its heart!

From the open mouth of the demon, a hastily condensed crimson beam of light burst forth instantly.

It wasn't aimed at Hyuga Kumokawa, but rather swept past him, blocking his path.

laugh!
Wherever the crimson beam passed, the ground was cut and melted, and it continued to sweep upwards toward the already crumbling dome.

Boom! !

Countless enormous rocks crashed down, instantly piling up into a tall, thick barrier of rubble between the demon and Hinata Unkawa, billowing smoke and dust that obscured their view.

At the spot where the demon's arm was severed, dark purple mist surged, and a new arm grew out at a speed visible to the naked eye.

But it showed no intention of lingering or retaliating at all, and turned around without hesitation, spreading its huge bat wings!
escape!
Must escape!
It has not yet fully mastered the true power of this body, and it cannot gain any advantage in front of this monster in human skin. It may even die here!
As long as, as long as we escape from here...

Once you find a place to thoroughly understand this body, you will be able to perfectly control this power!
When the time comes, it will definitely come back and completely destroy this damned guy, along with the entire ninja world!

With a fierce determination, it acted without hesitation, flapping its wings to create a powerful gust of air!

Its body shot into the sky like a black arrow released from a bow, heading straight for the dome above, the passage that had been pierced through and led directly to the night sky outside!

Almost there! We're about to break free!
The cold wind from the canyon was already blowing on my face, and the bright moon hanging high in the night sky was within reach!
However, just as its body was about to burst out of the cave and was already bathed in moonlight!

Swish!
A white streak of light swept past its side.

Immediately afterwards, in the crimson pupils of the demon that reflected the cold moon, Hinata Kumokawa's figure hovered above it!
Those pure white eyes were fixed on it as it swung its knife!

Time seemed to stand still at this moment.

The next moment, the ring-pommel sword that Hyuga Kumokawa drew lost its shape due to the terrifying speed. The speed at which he swung the sword was so fast that the whole shape of the sword could not be seen!

All that could be seen was the blade's gleam, tinged with a thin halo of cold moonlight, tracing a hazy path, so sharp it seemed to tear through the silent night!

All that could be heard was that terrifying, sharp, tearing wind that pierced the air!

Seven blades of light, as cold as moonlight, bloomed silently at the same moment!
The world seen through the eyes of the demons was instantly torn apart!
Its arms were severed at the shoulders, a cold sensation of separation came from its waist, its upper and lower body were smoothly cut apart, its flapping left and right wings were cut off, and its legs were also severed!
There was no pain, only a deep, soul-chilling coldness and deathly stillness.

boom! !

The mangled remains of the demon, dismembered into several pieces, crashed heavily from the sky back down, raising a cloud of dust that blotted out the sun above the altar where it had just fled!

Hinata Kumokawa's figure slowly descended, his pure white wings gently folding as he landed outside the smoke and dust, his gaze piercing through the smoke and dust to look at the broken body of the demon.

In the distance, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others stared intently at this scene, their hearts pounding in their throats.

"Roar!!"

A roar filled with fear and rage suddenly surged out from the depths of the smoke and dust, like the last howl of a dying beast!
With this roar, the eyes of the stone statues that had been lifeless in the underground space lit up with a crimson light once again!
Like a tidal wave, the stone statues suddenly rose up and rushed towards the direction of Hinata Kumokawa!

Without a doubt, this was the last struggle of a trapped beast.

"Stop them!" The Fourth Raikage shouted, forcing his still-healing body to meet the rioting stone statue soldiers without hesitation, as did the others.

Among them, only Hinata Kumokawa, who has mastered the priestess's legacy, can truly kill the demon. They must buy time for Hinata Kumokawa!
At that moment, Hinata Kumokawa walked into the smoke and dust and saw the demon that had been chopped into a human stick.

However, at this moment, on the dismembered remains of the demon, thick black-purple mist surged, and the severed limbs were regenerating at an extremely fast speed, with wings and legs already taking shape!

"Why……"

The demon roared hoarsely, filled with resentment, as it struggled to its feet from its knees in the deep pit: "I should be an existence above all humans!"

Maitreya! Who exactly have you brought here?!
This is neither the power of a priestess nor a power that humans can wield!
escape! Must escape!
It struggled to its feet, its newborn feet already supporting its weight on the ground.

However, when it raised its head, it was met with a pair of calm, expressionless white eyes.

Hinata Kumokawa stood in front of it, looking down at it, and slowly raised his right hand.

The bell on her wrist emitted a faint light, and the dim patterns engraved on the altar beneath her feet seemed to be activated, shining with a soft white light!
The goblin's pupils suddenly contracted, and fear appeared in its eyes.

Having lived for over a thousand years and experienced countless seals and escapes, this was the first time it had felt such a clear and real fear of death!
It could sense that once it was killed by the human in front of it, it would have no chance of being resurrected!

"no no!"

The demon's millennia-old majesty and arrogance crumbled before death. Looking up at Hinata Kumokawa, his voice was distorted with fear: "Spare me! I'll give you anything!"

"Power! Authority! Wealth! Immortality! And..."

But it couldn't even finish its pleas for mercy.

Under the desperate gaze of the demon, Hinata Kumokawa's raised hand suddenly clenched into a fist!
hum!
A gentle force, completely contrary to the demonic entity, descended, and the demonic entity's body, which was frantically regenerating and churning with black and purple mist, seemed to be gripped tightly by an invisible hand!
then……

Bang! !

The body of the demon, along with its desperate howl, exploded instantly, turning into a huge, surging cloud of dark purple mist!

Only that pale, cracked, bone-like mask remained in the mist.

Hinata Kumokawa reached out his hand, and the bone surface fell into his palm.

The surrounding swirling, dissipating dark purple mist seemed to be drawn by an invisible vortex, rushing wildly into the mask.

At the same time, the shadow beneath his feet wriggled and surged like a living thing, and a black shadow completely shrouded in a black robe rose from it, quietly appearing beside Hinata Kumokawa.

There was no breath, only deathly silence.

It is the clone now constructed from the "Ghost Mask", "Shadow Robe" and "Yin Escape Consciousness" - 'Shadow'.

"We can begin in Konoha now," Hinata Kumokawa said, casually tossing the pale bone mask in his hand to 'Kage'.

A hand, also shrouded in shadow, emerged from beneath 'Shadow's' sleeve and caught the mask steadily.

Immediately afterwards, its figure slowly sank into the shadow beneath Hyuga Kumokawa's feet, completely disappearing from the spot as if it had never existed.

The current 'Shadow' is similar to Black Zetsu, but is much stronger.

With the addition of the Hōgyoku crafted from the Wraith, the strength of 'Shadow's' body can also leap forward, just like the original body.

The Hogyoku itself absorbs the pure spiritual energy of others' positive emotions such as respect, admiration, and love.

The Hōgyoku of the 'Kage' absorbs the spiritual energy of others' negative emotions such as fear, hatred, and resentment towards him. The moment when both Hōgyoku are fully replenished is the moment when the 'Kage' returns to his original body with the other half of his power, and it is also the moment when Ōtsutsuki Kumoshiki truly manifests in the world.

call!
The smoke and dust finally dissipated slowly.

The stone soldiers also stopped after the demon died, and everyone subconsciously looked at the figure in the center of the altar.

In the center of the altar, only Hinata Kumokawa remained, standing quietly, along with the lingering purplish-black mist in the air.

Those who had escaped death finally relaxed a little upon seeing this scene, and subconsciously let out a long sigh of relief.

Hyuga Kumokawa's figure flashed, instantly appearing in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was leaning against the rock wall with a pale face, and Hatake Kakashi, who was supporting him.

"Third Hokage, your injuries..." Hyuga Kumokawa's gaze fell on Hiruzen Sarutobi's obviously sunken waist and abdomen, which had been simply treated, and his brows furrowed.

"It's already been treated urgently, and there's nothing seriously wrong for now." Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, enduring the excruciating pain, took a deep breath, and asked, "Mouryou, it..."

"We've used the methods of the Priestess Cult, combined with the remaining sealing power of this altar, to completely kill it," Hinata Kumokawa nodded and said with certainty.

But his expression did not relax because of the victory; instead, it became even more solemn.

“But…” his voice lowered, “after killing the demon, I saw some trivial scenes.”

"What scene?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's brows furrowed instantly, while Kakashi Hatake beside him wore a solemn expression.

The other shadows and survivors also gathered around involuntarily.

"Is it a shrine maiden's prophecy?" Mei Terumi couldn't help but ask.

Hinata Kumokawa took a deep breath, as if trying to banish the heavy image from his mind. His gaze swept over everyone present, and finally he said in a deep voice:

"I saw that Konoha was shrouded in towering flames and the shadow of death."

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Kakashi's expressions changed drastically.

"No, it's not just Konoha." Hyuga Kumokawa's voice grew heavier as he glanced at the people present. "I've seen other ninja villages doing the same thing, and I've even seen tailed beasts being released!"

"What...what are you saying?" The Fourth Raikage exclaimed in shock and anger upon hearing that his younger brother Killer Bee was involved. "How could this be..."

Before he could finish speaking, Hinata Kumokawa glanced at him.

The lingering chill in his eyes made him subconsciously swallow back the words he was about to say.

“Raikage!” Hiruzen Sarutobi said, “The priestess’s prophecies have never been wrong. We should trust each other more now.”

However, his face was equally gloomy, as if it could drip water, and he looked at Hinata Kumokawa and asked, "Are you sure, Kumokawa?"

"The scenes are fragmented, but incredibly realistic," Hinata Kumokawa said in a deep voice.

[Ding! Your lie has been judged as [blank fabrication], [fabricated], and [misrepresentation]. Hiruzen Sarutobi, Onoki, Yagura Karatachi, and others experienced intense emotional fluctuations, reaching the level of [complete belief]. You have gained 8000 Truth Points.]

[Remaining realization points: 10874]

Upon hearing this, everyone present turned extremely pale.

If it were just one village, it could perhaps be considered an accident or a localized conflict, but the attack on all ninja villages, and even the involvement of tailed beasts...

Those in the shadows knew all too well what this meant!

This is yet another massive crisis affecting the entire ninja world!
"We must return to the village immediately!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi answered without hesitation. He tried to stand up straight, but couldn't help swaying. Fortunately, Kakashi caught him in time.

"But, Third Hokage, your injuries..." Kakashi said anxiously.

"We can't worry about that now." Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head. "If the prophecy is true, every second of delay increases the danger to the village!"

After saying that, he turned his gaze to the other shadows and representatives and said in a deep voice, "The same goes for you all, hurry back to your villages as soon as possible."

"If nothing unexpected happens, that would be best, but if something unexpected has already happened..."

Upon hearing this, everyone's gaze sharpened, and they no longer hesitated.

"Let's go!" The Fourth Raikage took the lead, his body crackling with lightning. He didn't even have time to say a word before rushing out of the underground space like a bolt of lightning.

"Let's go back right away!" The others also left without hesitation.

"Yunkawa, Kakashi, let's go too!" Hiruzen Sarutobi, supported by Kakashi, gave Hyuga Yunchuan a deep look.

Hinata Kumokawa nodded, his wings unfurled, and he reached out to grab the two of them.

The survivors transformed into streaks of light and rushed out of the canyon, which had just witnessed a fierce battle, at top speed.

They rushed anxiously towards their respective villages!

Meanwhile, in the eastern part of the Land of Fire, along the coastal border.

The setting sun casts its golden rays across a wide, verdant lawn.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and wildflowers, mixed with the faint salty smell of the sea breeze from afar.

Three little girls of similar age, dressed in simple clothes, were playing and laughing on the green carpet-like lawn, their laughter carried far on the wind.

"I found the prettiest one!" a girl exclaimed excitedly, carefully picking a small, pale purple wildflower.

"Weave it in the very middle!" Another short-haired girl reached out to take it.

Three little heads huddled together, squatting on the grass, intently selecting the prettiest wildflowers, their delicate fingers weaving them into a colorful wreath.

With a smile on her face, the girl put the woven flower wreath on her head. The petals on the wreath trembled slightly and emitted a faint fragrance.

However, just then!

call! !

A whooshing sound, unlike the natural sea breeze, suddenly swept across the sky!
The sound was low and suppressed, tearing apart the tranquility of dusk.

A powerful gust of air pressed down and swept across the lawn, flattening the knee-high grass at the girl's feet and creating a violent green wave.

The flower wreath on the girl with the ponytail was swept away by the strong wind, its petals torn to pieces and scattered in the chaotic airflow.

"Ah!" the girl exclaimed instinctively, reaching out to grab it, but grasping only air.

She subconsciously raised her head and looked up at the sky.

Under the dim yellow sky, dozens... no, hundreds of dark figures were flying at an extremely low altitude toward the inland of the Land of Fire.

The shadows of these birds swept quickly across the ground, covering the entire lawn and the three tiny figures.

"What, what is that?" The short-haired girl looked up, staring blankly at the sky, the wildflowers she had just picked falling to the ground without her noticing.

“So many…” another girl murmured to herself, a look of bewilderment and unease on her face.

The deep rumble gradually faded away, and those strange flying machines continued their relentless advance into the heart of the Land of Fire.

On the lawn, the bent grass slowly straightened up.

But that tranquility and ease seemed to vanish without a trace, along with the flower wreath that had been blown away.

Only three little girls and the commoners busy in the fields remained, standing there looking up at the direction where the dots were gradually turning into small black dots, a trace of fear appearing on their faces.

That direction seems to be...

Konoha?

(QAQ I still have over 8,000 words today, please vote for me! I also posted a video bonus chapter.)
(End of this chapter)