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

"At times like these, your presence becomes crucial, Kakashi."

"You are both Obito Uchiha's former best friend, who knows his past, and now his enemy who personally injured him and exposed his true colors."

"Your very existence is Konoha's most powerful response to Obito Uchiha and the forces behind him, and it is enough to prove our determination to clean house and never tolerate such behavior."

"Regarding Obito Uchiha, details of his abilities and motives... no one knows better than you. You need to tell all of this to the other four Kage in person."

Having said that, Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze swept over the two young men before him once more, a gentle yet weary smile appearing on his face: "So, Yun Chuan, Kakashi..."

"Are you now willing to accept the commission to protect this old man?"

A brief silence fell over the ward.

Hinata Kumokawa and Kakashi's gazes met silently in mid-air.

No words needed.

Almost simultaneously, the two nodded slowly and solemnly: "We will do our best."

"Alright, it will be a while before we set off. We need to wait for those four Shadows to give us their answer."

Hiruzen Sarutobi patted Hyuga Kumokawa on the shoulder and laughed, "Use this time to get everything ready. We'll probably be gone for a long time this time."

“I understand, Third Hokage.” Hyuga Kumokawa’s face was solemn and slightly excited, seemingly moved by Hiruzen Sarutobi’s trust.

But in fact, he was very calm at this moment. He knew very well that even though he had done so much, it was still not as important as Kakashi's position in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart.

From what Hiruzen Sarutobi said to Kakashi, it's clear that Kakashi is the one who will truly appear before the Five Kage this time.

Moreover, putting everything else aside, if he dares to release the Caged Bird Seal now, Hiruzen Sarutobi will immediately become suspicious.

Because he had previously pulled out the 'Greed' weapon, and the word 'Greed' has always been associated with ambition.

Even Shimura Danzo could understand the implications, so how could Sarutobi Hiruzen not see it at all? The old man was just indecisive, not stupid.

Even without any evidence, it is enough for those in power to have doubts in their hearts.

As an aging politician, Hiruzen Sarutobi's continued "trust" in him is not due to any sense of gratitude or contribution.

It was because Hiruzen Sarutobi believed he held his life in his own hands; otherwise, how could he trust a member of the Hyuga branch family, and how could he dare to use someone whose life didn't even belong to him?

Hiruzen Sarutobi would indeed feel sorry for Hyuga Kumokawa because he was from the branch family, but if he were to suddenly release the Caged Bird Seal, the first to attack him might not necessarily be the main Hyuga family.

Because Hiruzen Sarutobi's trust in him was actually based on the Caged Bird Seal.

The Hyuga main family certainly held his life in their hands, but Hiruzen Sarutobi also held his life in their hands.

Therefore, Hiruzen Sarutobi never intended for him to become Hokage; at most, he just wanted to use him as an obedient and useful "sword."

It's highly likely that he plans to hand over this "sword" to his successor after he steps down.

Everything Hiruzen Sarutobi did without restraint, including making him a 'guard,' was based on the certainty that he would be a caged bird for life.

As long as the Caged Bird Curse on his forehead cannot be removed, his "knife" will remain just a "knife" for life, and no matter how high his reputation or status, it will be meaningless.

"Unfortunately."

Hinata Kumokawa lowered his eyes, his eyelashes casting a small shadow that concealed the indifference in his eyes, thinking to himself, "Your plan is going to fail."

The only solution to this situation is to use an absolutely reasonable method, through a lie that everyone believes, to break the caged bird curse under the watchful eyes of the public.

Coincidentally, Hinata Kumokawa had been preparing this lie for a long time...

"By the way, Lord Sandai."

Kakashi seemed to have thought of something and suddenly asked, "The village is already weak internally. What if the Espada attack again while we're away..."

Normally, the fact that 'Shadow' leaves the village needs to be kept secret to prevent the possibility of invasion by external enemies.

But this is a 'Five Kage Summit', which is impossible to keep secret. At most, one shadow clone can be left behind.

"I've thought about this issue."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed and said, "I have received replies from Tsunade and Jiraiya, and they are on their way back."

"Besides that, we should also strengthen the village's power before we leave."

As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Hyuga Kumokawa, or more precisely, at the 'Greed' sword at his waist.

Seeing this, Kakashi's pupils narrowed slightly, and he subconsciously looked at the wakizashi 'Jealousy' that he had placed to the side.

Without a doubt, it was during this chaos that the 'Jealousy' truly demonstrated its formidable power.

If Kakashi hadn't used 'Jealousy' to materialize Obito Uchiha's Hokage mirror image, Konoha would probably have faced two Susanoo and those three 'Espada'.

Now, Kakashi Hatake, free from the Sharingan's influence and possessing 'jealousy', could easily steal Naruto's later title of "Number One in Accidentality".

The stronger the ninja, the greater the effect he can have.

This also allowed Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had previously paid little attention to the 'Seven Deadly Sins,' to see the true power and terrifying potential of these seven weapons.

"Apart from the three weapons that already have owners..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes flashed as he said, "I plan to have all the currently active ninjas try to gain the approval of the remaining four weapons."

Besides 'greed', 'envy', and 'sloth', which are ruled by God, there are 'pride', 'wrath', 'lust', and 'gluttony'.

The conditions for choosing a holder of the 'Seven Deadly Sins' are not yet clear, but with so many ninjas in Konoha, surely they can't all draw one?

If they could just pull out another weapon whose power is no less than 'Jealousy', Konoha, which is currently lacking in combat strength, would have an extra layer of protection.

"Third Hokage, I shall take my leave now and return to prepare," Hinata Kumokawa said.

"Yes, remember to attend the Jonin meeting. I will announce the existence of 'Hollows' and 'Espada' and announce the Five Kage Summit, and I will have you and Kakashi serve as my guards."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, but then, as if remembering something, he looked up at him and slowly said, "Also, regarding the conflicts and disagreements between the main and branch families of the Hyuga clan..."

He paused for a moment, then sighed, "I understand your and the branch family members' dissatisfaction, but Yun Chuan, you should understand that Konoha cannot afford any more losses now."

"If another massacre of the Uchiha clan were to occur, and another 'Uchiha Fugaku' were to emerge, the 'Espada' would very likely turn their attention to us once again."

"so……"

Chapter 195 Did you participate in that beast's massacre of his clansmen?!

"so……"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked intently at Kumokawa Hyuga and said, "You understand, right?"

Hinata Kumokawa knew that he was implying that threatening the main family with mutual destruction was acceptable, but the branch family and the main family should not be allowed to truly split.

Since 'Hollows' are born out of hatred, given the branch family's dissatisfaction with the main family, if a large-scale death occurs, another Uchiha Fugaku might emerge.

Judging from the reasons why the 'Espada' appeared in various parts of the ninja world several times, they were probably collecting 'Hollows' of the level of Uchiha Fugaku.

Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to hold a meeting of the Five Kage, both to make the four Kage understand the threat of Hollows and to stop the long-standing war in the ninja world and minimize the number of Hollows being born.

"..."

Hinata Kumokawa was silent for a moment, then nodded calmly and said, "I understand, Third Hokage. I will try my best to restrain the branch family."

Actually, whether he makes a promise or not is no longer important.

Because of the current conflict between the main family and the branch family, the fuse has been lit, and only one final spark is needed to completely ignite it.

And wasn't the person who lit this fire found not long ago?

However, the result was different from what Hiruzen Sarutobi had imagined.

The one who died was not the one who separated from the family.

After offering a few words of comfort, Hiruzen Sarutobi let Hyuga Kumokawa leave the ward.

Click.

Hinata Kumokawa gently closed the door to the ward, but instead of leaving the hospital immediately, he walked deeper into the corridor.

He stopped outside the window of a private hospital room and looked through the glass at the scene inside.

Uchiha Shisui lay on the hospital bed, his face as pale as paper, his breathing still weak, clearly still in a deep coma.

Uchiha Sasuke sat in a chair and fell asleep, lying face down beside his bed.

Sasuke rested his face on his crossed arms, his eyelashes casting shadows on his pale cheeks, where traces of undried tears still lingered.

Even in his sleep, his brows were slightly furrowed, as if he were having a nightmare.

But unlike the boy in the original work who was completely twisted by hatred and exuded a cold and violent aura, he was different.

At this moment, Sasuke's brows were filled with deep weariness and anger, but he was not completely consumed by hatred and ferocity.

It's clear that because Itachi Uchiha couldn't keep tormenting Sasuke with Tsukuyomi, and because Shisui was also there, Sasuke Uchiha didn't become as extreme and insane as he was in the original story.

Hinata Kumokawa quietly watched the scene in the ward, his eyes reflecting Sasuke's sleeping face and Shisui.

But just then, a suppressed clamor of anger broke the silence of the corridor as it grew louder.

"Step aside!"

We must find out!

"Zhishui must give us an explanation!"

Several figures stormed into the relatively quiet ward area.

They were all clansmen who survived from Itachi Uchiha's clutches; they were either the elderly, women, or children, or clansmen with relatively mild personalities who did not belong to the radical faction.

However, their gentle nature does not mean they are incapable of anger; they all had family and friends who died at the hands of Itachi Uchiha.

At this moment, their faces were a mixture of grief, anger, and confusion. Ignoring the attempts of several doctors and nurses to stop them, they surged toward the ward where Uchiha Shisui was located.

Their purpose is clear.

They must know why Itachi Uchiha massacred his clansmen, question Shisui Uchiha about whether he knew about or was involved in the matter, and ask Sasuke why he was able to survive Itachi Uchiha's attacks!

They need an explanation, the truth, even if the truth is incredibly cruel.

"What are you doing?"

Standing outside the ward, Hyuga Kumokawa slowly turned around, frowned at the agitated Uchiha clansmen, and said, "This is a hospital, no noise allowed!"

The Uchiha clansmen paused in their tracks, and the one leading them was none other than Uchiha Yakumi.

That night, if Itachi had continued killing after killing Inahi Uchiha, his next target would probably have been the smell of Medicine Uchiha right in front of him.

The order of the elimination list made by Itachi Uchiha was based on strength, status, and degree of radicalism.

Uchiha Yakumi's overall ranking was just at the bottom, and he escaped unscathed because of his weak strength and low status.

At that moment, Yaowei suddenly stopped, his chest heaving violently, his face flushed red, clearly suppressing a surge of anger.

"you……"

He looked at Hinata Kumokawa, opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something.

But when that resentment met Hinata Kumokawa's calm Byakugan eyes, it was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over it and it was forcibly suppressed.

Because he and the Uchiha clan members behind him knew that it was this person in front of them who led the Anbu to save them in time that night.

Otherwise, they might have died tragically at the hands of Itachi Uchiha, just like the Uchiha Inahisa couple. Even the only child in the Inahisa family was saved by Hyuga Kumokawa himself.

This forced them to suppress some of their anger when facing Hyuga Kumokawa.

"Hyuga Kumokawa, we're not here to cause trouble."

Uchiha Yakumi took a few deep breaths, his voice still trembling with suppressed emotion, and asked, "We just want to get the truth out of Uchiha Shisui."

"I want to know why that beast Itachi Uchiha did this, why he killed his own clansmen, and didn't even spare his own parents!"

Hyuga Kumokawa's gaze swept over the group of grief-stricken clansmen, finally settling on Uchiha Shisui's face, which reeked of medicine. He sighed and said, "Uchiha Shisui is still unconscious and has not yet awakened."

"Uchiha Sasuke is indeed here, but are all of you here to interrogate a child who also lost his parents and everything overnight?"

The anger on Yaowei and the others' faces froze, replaced by a complex and indescribable sense of frustration.

Sasuke's father and mother also died at the hands of that beast Itachi Uchiha. It could even be said that Sasuke was the most cruelly affected victim in this tragedy.

However, Yao Wei's anger could not be quelled. As if he had suddenly thought of something, he abruptly raised his head and said, "In that case, I will ask him."

"Why, why was he the only one who survived? That madman Itachi Uchiha killed even his own parents, why did he spare Sasuke?"

These words instantly stirred up new waves in the hearts of the other tribesmen, and the resentment and suspicion that had subsided were stirred up again.

Then, just as this suppressed suspicion was about to erupt again.

squeak...