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

Chapter 325 Old dog, isn't it better to hide in a dark corner and live a life of ignominy?

The night was deep and all was quiet.

In Hinata Kumokawa's study, even the air seemed to freeze, leaving only the soft glow of the desk lamp.

Shimura Danzo stared at Hyuga Kumokawa in front of him, his increasingly cold aura becoming even more oppressive.

However, Hinata Kumokawa did not answer immediately, nor did he even look at Danzo's narrowed single eye. The light barely outlined the calm and unwavering contours of his profile.

Under Danzo's gaze, Hyuga Kumokawa simply stood up, turned around, and walked towards the mahogany tea cabinet placed against the wall.

Click.

The cabinet door opened slightly, revealing several tea canisters displayed quietly. The aromas of different types of tea intertwined and wafted out, creating a rich and calming fragrance.

"What would you like to drink?" Hinata Kumokawa asked, his back to Danzo, his voice calm and devoid of any emotion, as if he were simply entertaining an ordinary late-night visitor.

Danzo glanced at the simple tea set on the table, as well as a few slices of senbei roasting on the edge of the stove, clearly to prevent drinking tea on an empty stomach from harming his spleen and stomach.

"Hmph." He couldn't help but let out a cold snort, a mocking smile creeping across his gloomy face. "You certainly have a refined taste."

After a brief pause, he said in a hoarse voice, "Genmaicha (brown rice tea)."

Hinata Kumokawa reached into the middle shelf of the tea cabinet and took down a dark-colored purple clay teapot, then returned to his desk.

The small iron kettle sat on an exquisite stove, where the charcoal fire glowed faintly red, and fine wisps of steam rose from the spout.

Hinata Kumokawa used a teaspoon to scoop a small pinch of deep-steamed sencha mixed with roasted genmai (brown rice) from the jar, the dark green tea leaves intertwining with the golden genmai, and then poured it into the cup.

Then, he lifted the iron kettle that was already boiling on the stove, and the clear tea poured out from the spout, drawing an arc as it poured into the kettle, with wisps of steam rising up.

The tea leaves and brown rice unfurled instantly, releasing a rich aroma of roasted rice mixed with the fragrance of tea.

After a short while, Hinata Unkawa filtered the brewed tea into the fairness cup, then poured it into two tasting cups, where the amber-colored tea rippled.

Fill the pot to seven-tenths full, then stop the flow of water abruptly. Gently place the teapot down, producing a soft, rounded tapping sound.

Watching Hyuga Kumokawa's unhurried movements, Shimura Danzo felt his rhythm being quietly disrupted, and a strange anxiety and unease grew stronger in his heart.

"Are you wasting my time, Hinata Kumokawa?"

Danzo's voice was deep and hoarse, and the cold light in his eyes pierced through the wisps of tea smoke.

Hinata Kumokawa did not answer, but gently pushed one of the cups of tea in front of Danzo.

The glass shimmered, reflecting the flickering lamplight and Danzo's blurred face. A few grains of brown rice settled quietly at the bottom, creating ripples that disturbed the reflection.

"what a pity."

Hinata Kumokawa lowered his eyelids and sighed softly, saying, "I thought that with your courage, you would at least have the courage to drink this cup of tea."

Danzo's face darkened instantly when his thoughts were so bluntly exposed.

He certainly wouldn't dare to drink the tea brewed by Hinata Kumokawa himself so easily. Who could guarantee that there hadn't been any tricks involved?
"Stop talking nonsense!"

Danzo suppressed his anger at being seen through and said in a deep voice, "As agreed before, I have completed my part."

"Now, it's time for you to keep your promise and repay me!"

Hyuga Kumokawa slowly raised his eyes, a smile in them as he looked at Danzo: "Repayment?"

"Isn't what's before you my repayment?"

what?
Danzo was taken aback at first, his gaze unconsciously falling on the cup of tea that was still steaming, before he suddenly realized what was happening.

"Are you playing me?" His face was so dark it could drip water.

Faced with this killing intent that was almost tangible, Hyuga Kumokawa showed no fear whatsoever; instead, a smile appeared on his face.

"No, Lord Danzo."

Meeting Danzo's murderous gaze, Hyuga Kumokawa said with a smile, word by word: "I am humiliating you. Your contributions are only worthy of a cup of tea from the Fifth Hokage."

Bang!
Danzo Shimura could no longer contain his anger. He suddenly stood up and slammed his hand on the solid table!
The force was so great that it overturned the ceramic cup filled with hot tea, and the warm tea mixed with tea leaves and brown rice spilled out, quickly spreading across the table.

"Hyuga Kumokawa!"

Danzo stood up, leaned forward, and looked down at Hyuga Kumokawa, spitting out cold words through clenched teeth: "Aren't you afraid that I will expose your true colors to the world?"

"Then everyone will see what despicable ambitions lie hidden beneath your gentle mask!"

The teacup overturned, spilling tea that reflected Danzo's face, twisted with rage.

The aroma of tea and a sinister killing intent mingled strangely in the study, instantly creating a tense atmosphere.

However, faced with this obvious threat, Hinata Kumokawa's reaction was surprisingly calm.

He didn't even get up; he simply raised his eyes and looked at Danzo.

There was no fear or anger in those eyes, but rather a clear and discernible trace of pity.

Despite being in a high position after standing up, Danzo suddenly had an absurd illusion.

It's as if I'm the poor wretch being looked down upon and scrutinized.

“Who will believe you?”

Hinata Kumokawa's voice remained calm, a cold smile playing on his lips. But his words were like knives, piercing Danzo's deepest wounds.

"An old dog who had long since lost all prestige in the village, publicly dismissed from all his posts by Hiruzen Sarutobi, and now homeless like a stray dog..."

He deliberately slowed down his speech, making each derogatory word feel like a slap in Danzo's face.

"After you were relieved of your position as leader of 'Root', you came to me immediately. To be honest, it's really quite pitiful."

“But, unfortunately.”

Hinata Kumokawa's smile widened: "This isn't a shelter for stray dogs."

Danzo stood frozen in place, his face turning from black to green, then from green to red, the coldness burning in his eyes gradually replaced by anger.

That damn guy!!
How dare you humiliate me like this?!

"Fine...fine! Fine! Fine!" Danzo was so angry that he could barely utter a complete sentence, only managing to squeeze out a few broken syllables through his teeth, filled with murderous intent.

"Who gave you the courage to be so arrogant!"

He exuded a chilling aura, his voice hoarse: "You think that just because I've lost power, I can't do anything to you? Hyuga Kumokawa!"

"I'm curious too." Hinata Kumokawa sighed softly. "Isn't it better for a homeless old dog to hide in a dark corner and eke out a living?"

"Who gave you the courage to think that you could threaten me now with just a shadow clone?"

Before he could finish speaking, Hinata Kumokawa suddenly swung his arm, and a dark shadow emerged from his sleeve.

It was a black rod, dark and gloomy, tearing through the air with a sharp whistling sound, shooting towards Danzo's chest.

Danzo's pupils suddenly contracted, completely unexpected that the other party would dare to attack him, his face filled with disbelief and horror.

Bang!
The black rod pierced through Danzo's chest without any resistance. The shadow clone didn't even have time to scream before it exploded into a thick cloud of white smoke and dissipated into the air.

The black rod continued its trajectory without slowing down, shooting forward and easily piercing the study wall with a soft sound, leaving a smooth-edged round hole.

In the darkness outside, the blurry black figure that was trying to escape was caught up by the black stick.

"what!!"

A piercing scream immediately came from afar.

However, without daring to linger for even a moment, Danzo disappeared into the depths of the night without hesitation, even disregarding his injuries.

Hinata Kumokawa stood still, not chasing after them, but simply raised his hand and grabbed in the direction where the black rod had disappeared.

hum...

The black rod that had sunk into the ground in the distance was drawn by an invisible force, and in the next moment it transformed into a black streak of light, flying back and being caught in Hyuga Kumokawa's hand.

The few drops of blood on the black stick looked particularly glaring under the light.

Almost at the same moment the black rod was retracted, several whooshing sounds came from afar.

Swish!Swish!Swish!
Three Hyuga branch family ninjas appeared instantly at the study door, kneeling on one knee in perfect unison.

Their clothes are different now than before; there is a smear of blood on the right sleeve.

This is the uniform worn by the Hyuga branch family now, in commemoration of the incident when Hyuga Kumokawa led the branch family to cut his arm and resist the main family with blood.

"Lord Yun Chuan," the leader said, bowing his head, "I just noticed some unusual noises here. Are you alright? Have any enemies invaded?"

"No problem."

Hinata Kumokawa remained calm, waved his hand lightly, and laughed, "It's just that a restless mouse slipped in from somewhere."

"I've already sent them away."

"Let's all go back."

Although the three branch family ninjas still harbored doubts, seeing that Hyuga Kumokawa was unharmed and unwilling to speak further, they dared not ask any more questions and replied in unison, "Yes, Lord Kumokawa."

After saying that, his figure flashed again and quickly disappeared into various parts of the courtyard, re-entering his hidden sentry post.

With Xiang Yunchuan's current reputation and power, it's no wonder he can't cover up any unusual sounds.

If he were to say now that Hiruzen Sarutobi was an enemy in disguise, all these branch families would dare to grab their swords and rush to the Hokage Building to kill Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The study returned to silence, with only the night breeze blowing in from the window gently stirring the curtains.

Hinata Kumokawa walked to the window, looking at the deep night outside, a smile appearing in his eyes.

A few rays of moonlight filtered through the lush leaves outside the window, casting a dim and indistinct shadow on his profile.

This idiot probably still thinks the "Caged Bird Seal" will work on me.

I have absolutely no idea what the "Tensekaigan" means.

Danzo.

You must try your best to radiate your last bit of warmth.

(End of this chapter)