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

Chapter 49: Think again before you utter the next sentence.

"..."

Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Higo Hyuga paused for a moment.

Jonin?

Who?
Hinata Kumikawa?

"why?"

He blurted it out instinctively, and although he realized his mistake a moment later, he couldn't help but ask angrily when he saw that Hyuga Kumokawa was staring straight ahead and not even glancing at him: "Third Hokage, he's just a piece of trash!"

"Hiruzen Sarutobi," Hiruzen looked at him intently, then said calmly, "In your eyes, is a young man capable of protecting his comrades from being surrounded and killed by nearly a hundred Cloud Village ninja still a piece of trash?"

“I’ll testify,” Akimichi Tou, who was also present, suddenly said. “The importance that Yunchuan demonstrated during the escort mission and when they were ambushed was indeed indispensable.”

"Him? Hinata Kumokawa?"

Hyuga Higo glanced at Hyuga Kumokawa, as if he had heard a joke, and instead of being angry, he laughed: "A piece of trash who didn't awaken his Byakugan until he was thirteen? A piece of trash whose legs go weak at the sight of blood? A piece of trash who only wants me..."

Upon hearing this, before he could finish speaking, Hyuga Kumokawa, who had been silent all along, slowly turned his head to look at Hyuga Higo. His expressionless face softened, revealing a smile that was devoid of any genuine joy.

“Senior Higo, you don’t wear this outfit often, do you?” he said slowly and calmly. “You’d better think it over before you say the next thing.”

Upon hearing the first half of the sentence, Hyuga Higo, who had been interrupted, frowned, not understanding why Hyuga Kumokawa had inexplicably mentioned his clothes.

However, Hinata Kumokawa is right.

The clothes he was wearing were not the clothes he usually wore within the Hyuga clan, but rather the attire of a Jonin.

Like the other Jonin present, he wore standard green chainmail on the outside and a black inner lining with a protective mesh underneath.

Despite his advanced age, Hyuga Higo is actually a Jonin, just like Hyuga Hiashi.

Therefore, whether out of his status as the head of the main family or as a senior, Hyuga Higo never took Hyuga Kumokawa seriously.

"So what if I told you?" Higo Hyuga stared into his eyes and sneered, "She's just someone who would crawl over at the slightest beckoning of my finger..."

"Higo Jonin!"

Seeing Hyuga Kumokawa narrow his eyes and hearing Hyuga Higo's unrestrained words, Hyuga Hizashi, who had been lost in thought, suddenly snapped out of it and instinctively tried to sternly stop him.

Unfortunately, we were a step too late.

呲!
A gust of air rippled through Hyuga Higo's hair with a sharp whistling sound, and the wind pressure caused ripples on his face. His eyes remained fixed on Hyuga Kumokawa, but they were slightly fixed in place.

His mouth was still slightly open, but he stopped, swallowing back the words "domestic dog".

He felt a cold wind blow past, and a deep crack disappeared into the cement on the wall behind him. He felt a wetness on his cheek, which slid down his chin and soaked his collar.

A stinging sensation spread inch by inch to my entire cheek as an incredibly tiny cut appeared on my cheek.

At some point, Hyuga Kumokawa raised two fingers, which were then grasped by Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Upon seeing this, the expressions on everyone's faces changed, but Nara Shikaku's eyes showed no surprise or doubt, only a thoughtful look.

Seek benevolence and gain benevolence.

They wanted to use Hyuga Higo to test Hyuga Kumokawa, and now they have received the feedback they deserve.

However, things took some unexpected turns.

Wind Release ninjutsu without a seal? Is this still a member of the Hyuga clan?
In the instant Hinata Kumokawa made his move, only a very few people were able to react.

If he had truly intended to kill Hyuga Higo, Hyuga Higo would probably have had his throat slit.

"Hey, Yun Chuan, don't get so agitated."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, gently lowered his head, and said in a still gentle tone, "After all, Hirugo is your senior."

"I'm sorry, Third Hokage, I was impetuous." Hyuga Kumokawa, of course, did not resist. He lowered the two raised fingers and said sincerely, "I just feel that Higo-senpai has grown old and forgotten his identity."

"The comfortable life that his fellow villagers risked their lives for had gradually corrupted his heart, making him glamorous and arrogant, just like his clothes..."

As he spoke, Hyuga Kumokawa looked at the others present and said softly, "A Jonin's clothes are not this clean and tidy, nor are they scented with jasmine. They should be stained with the smell of sweat and blood. That is what a Jonin's clothes are like."

"Therefore, it is necessary to remind Higo-senpai that this is a meeting of Konoha Jonin, not a meeting of the Hyuga clan. You are a Jonin of Konoha, not an elder of the Hyuga main family, and I am also a Jonin of Konoha, not a dog of the Hyuga main family."

"I think what you just said can be seen as a threat and provocation from Higo-senpai to his colleagues and Lord Sandai."

"However, because he was a senior, he received a reminder."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and narrowed his eyes, seemingly showing no anger, and said gently, "Alright, alright, you've been a bit too harsh. I think Hiruzen just made an unintentional mistake."

Having said that, he turned to look at Hyuga Higo, his narrowed eyes slightly opening as he asked with a smile, "Right, Higo?"

"..."

Hyuga Higo seemed not to hear, his face pale and gloomy.

The paleness was due to the fear of what Hinata Kumokawa had done, and the gloom was naturally due to having nowhere to vent the resentment and anger in his heart.

"Rigo?"

The emotionless voice reached his ears, and Hyuga Higo suddenly shivered and came back to his senses. He looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen and lowered his head slightly, saying, "Yes, Third Hokage, I am very sorry. I spoke without thinking."

Facing Hiruzen Sarutobi's unsmiling gaze, he couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart, and finally realized his current predicament.

As the saying goes, some things may seem insignificant on the scale, but can weigh a ton on it.

Unlike genin who pass exams to become chunin, chunin are promoted to jonin directly by the kage of each ninja village. Only those who meet the standards after comprehensive evaluation of their abilities are promoted. It is the highest rank of ninja in the ninja village besides the kage.

Jonin are only divided into two levels: "Special Jonin" and "Jonin". There is no "Elite Jonin" title. Every Jonin is the backbone and top combat force of the ninja village.

Jonin are promoted directly by the Third Hokage without needing anyone's permission or being questioned by anyone.

His actions just now could be seen as targeting Hyuga Kumokawa, but they could also be seen as a rebellion against Hiruzen Sarutobi's authority.

The difference lies in what Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, was thinking.

So, what was Hiruzen Sarutobi thinking?

It's quite obvious now.

Hyuga Kumokawa is no longer the branch family member who could be beaten and scolded at will, but a Konoha Jonin who has gained the appreciation and attention of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

But is that all?

"Alright." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and smiled. "From now on, we're all colleagues. Apologize to each other, and no one is allowed to hold a grudge."

Upon hearing this, not only did Higo Hyuga suddenly raise his head with an incredulous expression, but even some of the people present changed their expressions.

What this Third Hokage probably wanted was not just to help Hyuga Kumokawa gain a foothold, but also to "make an example of him."

The chicken is naturally Higuchi Hyuga, and the monkey is, of course, the ninja clan.

Sometimes you can reach out your hand, but don't reach out too far, or you'll get cut by a knife.

"..." Hyuga Higo lowered his head, his eyes filled with venomous anger, and said in a trembling voice, "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry, Higo-senpai." Hyuga Kumokawa nodded and said casually, "I hope you can understand that even members of the Hyuga clan cannot become stronger solely through the Byakugan and Gentle Fist."

Upon hearing this, everyone recalled the tip of the iceberg that Hyuga Kumokawa had just revealed, and their expressions toward Hyuga Higo immediately became strange.

The Hyuga clan, which has always been conservative and stuck in its ways, has actually forced out a ninjutsu genius, and even caused him to become disloyal and act independently.
This is really...

(End of this chapter)