Naruto: From Fake to Real, Deceiving the Ninja World.

However, due to the solemn atmosphere of the hospital, no one tried to approach and start a conversation.

Hinata Kumokawa walked to a double hospital room, nodded slightly to the two ANBU ninjas guarding the door, and then raised his hand to gently knock on the door.

dong dong...

"Please come in."

A slightly hoarse, tired but still steady voice came from inside the door.

Click.

Hinata Kumokawa gently pushed open the door and entered. The room was softly lit and filled with the distinctive bitterness of herbs.

Two hospital beds were placed facing each other. Kakashi was lying on one of the beds, flipping through "Make-Out Paradise" in his hand.

One of his eyes was wrapped in bandages, leaving only a dead fish eye showing, which was squinted with a sly smile.

Upon seeing Hinata Yunchuan enter the ward, he quickly hid the erotic book in his hand and waved to Yunchuan, saying, "Hey, good afternoon."

"Good afternoon," Hinata Kumokawa said lightly. "You still have the mood to read that kind of book. It seems that Kakashi-senpai's injuries are not serious."

Kakashi blushed at her words, while Hyuga Kumokawa looked at the other hospital bed.

On the other bed, Hiruzen Sarutobi was sitting up, leaning against the backrest. His face was pale from recovering from a serious illness, and his wrinkles seemed deeper, revealing an undeniable weariness and vicissitude.

His once vigorous spirit had been largely drained away, leaving only an old man who seemed to be crushed by a heavy burden.

He held an open scroll in his hand, his brows furrowed, his gaze sweeping over its contents with a serious expression.

When he saw Hinata Kumokawa enter, he slowly raised his head, forcing a gentle smile that couldn't hide his weariness.

"Yunkawa is here." Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice carried a hint of relief, but also a subtle sense of heaviness. "Please sit down."

Hyuga Kumokawa sat on a chair by the bed, leaning forward with a hint of concern on his face and asking, "Third Hokage, are you feeling better?"

“I wasn’t really injured.” Hiruzen Sarutobi put down the scroll in his hand and let out a barely audible sigh. “It’s just that these old bones of mine can’t take any more damage.”

"It's you..."

His gaze fell on Hinata Kumokawa, and he knew very well that beneath that plain white dress, there were actually many simply bandaged wounds.

"Thank you for your hard work this time. Without you, the casualties would probably have been even greater," Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

"It is my duty, Lord Third Generation." Hinata Kumokawa shook his head slightly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the document in his hand and asked with a hint of urgency, "Is this the research report from the institute on 'Hollows'?"

However, Hinata Kumokawa did not immediately hand over the research report.

He frowned slightly, carefully examining Hiruzen Sarutobi's face and deep-set eyes, and asked, "Third Hokage, how long did you...sleep last night?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was clearly taken aback for a moment.

He hadn't expected Hinata Kumokawa to suddenly ask this, instead of giving a proper work report. He subconsciously looked away, his lips moved, but he was speechless for a moment.

A brief silence fell over the ward.

"You only slept for two hours."

A soft, airy voice came from the opposite hospital bed.

Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly turned his head and glared at Kakashi with annoyance.

Kakashi's one exposed dead fish eye curved slightly, then he continued flipping through his copy of "Icha Icha Paradise," which he had somehow pulled out again.

"My Lord, this won't do."

Hyuga Kumokawa sighed softly and looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, saying gently, "Your body and mind are extremely exhausted right now, and what you need most is rest and recuperation."

"The village affairs are being handled by the advisors, Tōshin and Mitomon. You should trust them and trust everyone in Konoha."

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a surge of warmth mixed with embarrassment welling up inside him, but he still shook his head with a wry smile and said hoarsely, "I am mostly responsible for the situation we have today."

"How could I possibly lie here and rest with a clear conscience?"

He paused, his gaze falling back to the scattered scrolls in front of him, and sighed, "Moreover, there are many things that are beyond their control."

He reached out and picked up a scroll from among them, his tone heavy: "Take a look, these are the latest intelligence on 'Void'."

Hinata Kumokawa looked at the scroll he handed over, then at his tired but determined eyes, and could only sigh helplessly once again.

"I understand, but please take good care of yourself."

Hinata Kumokawa stopped insisting, placed the research report he had brought next to Sarutobi Hiruzen's hand, reached out and took the intelligence scroll handed to him by Sarutobi Hiruzen, and slowly unfolded it.

His gaze swept quickly across the lines of text, his pure white eyes flickering slightly.

On the border of the Land of Wind, an unknown 'monster' attacks a caravan. Its characteristics closely match those of the 'Hollows' encountered in Konoha. The Sand Village dispatches a ninja team to investigate, but they are all killed...

In the mining area of ​​the Land of Earth, an unidentified 'ghost' has appeared deep within the mines, attacking miners. Survivors' descriptions match the characteristics of a 'hollow' (illusionary). Iwagakure (Hidden Stone Village) has now sealed off the relevant area...

Along the coast of the Land of Lightning, several fishing boats have gone missing. The surviving fishermen have gone mad, describing being attacked by a 'white-masked monster,' but the monster has vanished without a trace...

In Kirigakure, the Hidden Mist Village of the Land of Water, a rebellion by the Kaguya clan has occurred, with a high-level Hollow suspected to have appeared, forcing the Fourth Mizukage to intervene.

The Espada No. 1, 'Uzumaki', appeared, severely injuring the Fourth Mizukage who had fully transformed into a tailed beast, and then left with the 'Hollow', a special individual transformed from the Kaguya clan.

After the Fourth Mizukage awakens, he claims that he was previously controlled by Obito Uchiha, who was disguised as Madara Uchiha, using genjutsu. Kirigakure then puts a bounty of 100 million ryo on his head...

Hinata Kumokawa narrowed his eyes slightly as he continued to look at the most detailed information at the back.

On the battlefield of the Land of Hot Springs, a high-level Hollow was suspected to have appeared. Jiraiya made his move, and the third Espada, the Puppet Master, appeared. Jiraiya used Sloth, and the two fought for a long time.

While the two were locked in combat, the 'Evil God Cult', disguised as Cloud Village ninjas and Leaf Village ninjas, suddenly appeared, disrupting the balance between the two sides and plunging them into another chaotic battle.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Hidan, the leader of the "Evil God Cult," killed "Hollow" and used his powerful and bizarre blood-draining ability to drain the blood of nearly a hundred Konoha and Kumogakure ninjas.

The Puppet Master attempted to kill Hidan using his thread abilities, but Hidan displayed powerful regenerative abilities, allowing the Puppet Master to leave. Hidan and the Jashin Cult then slaughtered the Cloud Village ninja, escaping before the Fourth Raikage arrived...

The Daimyo's residence in the Land of Fire suffered a large-scale attack by Hollows, resulting in heavy losses to its guards. Tsunade happened to be nearby and rushed to the rescue, working with the remaining guards of the Daimyo's residence to successfully kill the Hollows.

Although the daimyo was not injured, he was greatly frightened and, in a fit of rage, issued a questioning to Konoha...

"..."

Hinata Kumokawa slowly closed the scroll, and the air in the ward seemed to freeze, with only the faint noise coming from outside the window and the sound of Kakashi gently turning the pages.

"See that, Yun Chuan?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at Hyuga Kumokawa, a bitter look on his tired face: "'Hollows' are no longer limited to Konoha, nor are they just enemies of ninjas."

"They are spreading throughout the entire ninja world, and have even threatened the safety of the daimyo. This is directly shaking the core of the Land of Fire!"

He leaned slowly against the headboard, his voice filled with helplessness: "Luckily, Tsunade was there, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable..."

Hyuga Kumokawa placed the scroll back beside Sarutobi Hiruzen, his gaze falling once more on the haggard old man, and said, "Third Hokage, 'Hollow' is not without its solutions."

"Although the current situation is very serious, I still want to say that you should have faith in the power of everyone."

After saying that, he looked out the window, and Hiruzen Sarutobi also subconsciously followed his gaze and looked out the window.

What comes into view is Konoha shrouded in a light black smoke. Even with the sunlight and the swaying of the remaining green plants, it cannot conceal the disheveled state of Konoha after the battle.

Large amounts of greenery were burned, leaving only blackened shells. Ash covered everything like an early August snowfall, and buildings were riddled with cracks and ruins.

Some places suffered more, like the Hokage Building, which was reduced to ruins. Others fared better, such as Konoha Hospital and the Ninja Academy, which remained undamaged.

Amid the ruins, one white tent after another sprang up, blooming in the village like white flowers that sprouted from the ground overnight.

In the large camp made up of tents, many people and medical ninjas moved about, and the noise and a fragrance hidden in the smell of gunpowder were carried from afar by the breeze.

That's the smell of food.

Even under these circumstances, they can still find joy amidst hardship.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's worries inexplicably dissipated, and his gaze returned to the research report in his hand. After opening it and reading it, the unknown fear gradually faded away.

Although 'emptiness' remains a problem, at least there are ways to deal with it.

However, traditional ninja tactics and ways of thinking will face a severe challenge in the face of such an existence.

After pondering for a long time, he slowly raised his head, looked at the almost perfect young man in front of him, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.

"Yun Chuan," he said.

“I am here, Third Hokage,” Hinata Kumokawa replied.

Hearing his voice, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a little relieved, let out a deep breath, and said, "Send letters to the other four great nations, including this research report."

"The Hollows and the Espada are not only enemies of Konoha, but they must also know this."

Upon hearing this, Hyuga Kumokawa's pupils narrowed slightly, and he asked, "Third Hokage, what are you planning to do..."

“I want to invite them to the Five Kage Summit.” Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, looking at Hyuga Kumokawa’s face, and said softly, “And I hope you can come with me…”

(12,000 words a day, please vote with monthly tickets QAQ!)

Chapter 194 You are a "knife," and will always be just a "knife."

"And I hope you can come with me..."

Hinata Kumokawa's eyes narrowed slightly, and a perfectly timed look of surprise appeared on his face.

It seems that they were not surprised by the convening of the "Five Kage Summit," as this was almost an inevitable choice under the current circumstances, but rather by the second half of Hiruzen Sarutobi's statement.

"Me?" Hinata Kumokawa's tone held a hint of doubt. "Third Hokage, you mean..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked out the window, gazing into the distance, and said, "As a guard."

This identity may sound ordinary, but if there's anything special about it, then its meaning is quite profound.

Because the "Five Kage Summit" convened by Hashirama Senju last time can be said to have completely laid the foundation for the current state of the ninja world.

The five people who served as the guards of the Five Kage all later became the Five Kage themselves.

Aside from the First Mizukage's bodyguard who failed to defeat Hozuki Gengetsu and later became the Third Mizukage, the other four bodyguards all became Second Mizukage.

Undoubtedly, this outcome has added some political factors and influences to the identity of 'guardian'.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi had said these words to Danzo Shimura at this moment, even if it was just to have him accompany him as a bodyguard and subordinate, Danzo would probably have been overjoyed.

However, Hinata Kumokawa was actually quite calm inside.

Because he knew that he was definitely not the only one who went to the 'Five Kage Summit' with Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Because of the special nature of the "guardian" identity, the other four "shadows" would never bring only one person to the meeting.

This is a decision that any competent leader would make without hesitation.

Sure enough, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly changed the subject and looked at Kakashi in the other bed.

“Of course, besides you, there’s Kakashi,” he said.

pat!

Upon hearing this, Kakashi, who was lying on the bed holding "Icha Icha Paradise," had the book slip from his hand and hit him in the face.

Then he sat up abruptly, his one exposed dead fish eye widening instantly, filled with incredulous astonishment.

"I?"

Kakashi pointed to himself, as if he couldn't believe he'd heard correctly, his voice noticeably hoarse as he said, "Third Hokage, you...you mean I want to too..."

“Yes, Kakashi.” Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. “You and Yun Chuan will both attend the Five Kage Summit as my bodyguards.”

“This…” Kakashi frowned. “Third Hokage, shouldn’t Shisui Uchiha be more suitable than me?”

The Uchiha clan has been almost completely wiped out, while the rest of Konoha escaped unscathed, leaving all the blame to Itachi and Obito.

Even Danzo had no reason to target the remaining elderly, weak, women and children, and Uchiha Shisui, who once belonged to the Hokage faction, was naturally also clean.

"There are still many unanswered questions about the Uchiha incident. Shisui, who was once close to Itachi Uchiha, cannot be completely cleared of suspicion in this incident."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed and said, "Besides, do you think Shizuru's injuries are less severe than yours?"

"After taking the blow from the 'vortex,' half of his body was shattered, and coupled with the excessive mental and physical exhaustion, he has not yet woken up from his coma."

"Based on the medical ninja's examination and speculation, even if he wakes up and the subsequent treatment goes smoothly, it will be difficult for him to continue as a ninja given the extent of his injuries."

Upon hearing this, Kakashi, who was learning about Shisui's injuries for the first time, fell silent.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him and continued, "After all, you single-handedly defeated Obito Uchiha, who called himself 'Madara Uchiha,' and exposed his false identity as 'Madara Uchiha.'"

"The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, will definitely attend this meeting. As a victim who was also manipulated by Obito Uchiha using genjutsu and suffered greatly, Kirigakure has suffered heavy losses."

“Yagura, and the entire Hidden Mist Village, will inevitably feel strong resentment towards Konoha. After all, Obito Uchiha was once a ninja of our Konoha.”