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

Hyuga Hizashi, who was standing to the side, witnessed the whole process. While he felt even more awe for Hyuga Kumokawa's methods, he also looked at Hiashi with a hint of pity.

As the proud head of the main family, he now has his eyes gouged out and is about to be replaced by a branch family member, ultimately becoming a puppet who has lost his freedom...

Thinking of this, a sickly flush appeared on Hyuga Hizashi's face.

Brother, can you now truly understand the despair and pain of separating from the family?

In fact, Hiashi Hyuga was truly feeling the despair, helplessness, regret, and pain of being manipulated by fate.

Everything that happened today had a profound impact on his mental state, almost causing the patriarch to collapse.

Especially after hearing that he would remain in this state indefinitely, Hiashi was frantically and silently begging in his heart, "Kill me."

He would rather die at the hands of the Hidden Cloud Village than become a puppet against his will.

But it was no longer up to him.

When he, as the head of the main family, decided to abandon Hyuga Hizashi, he had no choice but to accept it.

Now, the daily routine is merely a repetition of what he has been doing.

"grown ups."

At this moment, Hyuga Hizashi suddenly knelt down, bowing deeply with his forehead touching the ground. His plain robes spread out on the ground as he respectfully asked, "I apologize for not asking your name before..."

Unlike before, when he was bound by the cursed seal and had no choice but to be respectful to the main family members, Hyuga Hizashi, who was kneeling at this moment, was genuinely in awe of this lord.

Is this a respectful name?

Hyuga Kumokawa lowered his gaze slightly, looking down at Hyuga Hizashi kneeling before him, and slowly said, "I haven't used my real name for a long time, but speaking of which, your Hyuga clan should also be considered my relatives."

Upon hearing this, Hyuga Hizashi, whose gaze had been fixed on the ground, paused for a moment, not expecting that this lord had a connection with the Hyuga clan.

“My surname,” Hinata Kumokawa said softly, “is Otsutsuki.”

A stirring that seemed to come from the depths of his blood made Hyuga Hizashi lower his head even further, his eyes flickering as he reminisced.

The Otsutsuki clan?

Does this ninja clan exist in the ninja world?

Could it be some reclusive clan?

He had no doubt about Hinata Kumokawa's lie, and even felt that he was not knowledgeable enough, so he planned to go back and consult ancient books after this matter was over.

【Ding! 】

[Your lie [Otsutsuki Kumoshiki] has been judged as [a fabrication], causing Hyuga Hizashi to experience emotional fluctuations, reaching the level of [complete belief], and gaining 1000 truth points.]

[Remaining realization points: 11651]

Upon hearing the system notification in his mind, Hinata Kumokawa subconsciously raised his eyebrows.

Is it fair to say they are the "Otsutsuki clan"?

He only used a surname and still managed to scam 1000 points.

It seems this lie still has considerable value.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Click.

The door opened.

With a blank expression, Hyuga Hizashi walked out carrying Hyuga Hiashi's "corpse".

He held a scroll in his hand, and Hiashi was covered with a white cloth.

Of course, in the eyes of Hyuga Higo, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and the others, it was 'Hyuga Hiashi' who walked out carrying 'Hyuga Hizashi's' corpse.

"Hiashi, have you already destroyed the Byakugan with the cursed seal?" The cautious Higo Hyuga still asked.

Hyuga Hizashi gently placed Hiashi's "corpse" on the ground, his head bowed, and did not answer Hyuga Higo's question. Hyuga Higo assumed that Hiashi was simply lost in grief.

He bent down and lifted the white cloth covering the "corpse," pried open the eyelids to look at the dim white eyes, and the tense old face finally relaxed slightly. He turned his head and nodded to the elder of the Zong family behind him.

Seeing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Doing things like in Chapter 29 will only reveal your weakness.

【Ding! 】

[Your lie has been judged as [hypocritical], [deceptive], [substitution], and [switching the beams and pillars]. Hyuga Higo, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and others experienced intense emotional fluctuations, reaching the level of [complete belief], and you have gained 3000 truth points.]

[Remaining realization points: 14651]

The system notification sounded in Hinata Kumokawa's mind, but he remained standing there, unmoved, with a sorrowful expression.

"Then let's send the body to the Land of Lightning."

Hyuga Higo looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had remained silent throughout, and said respectfully, "Third Hokage, I'll trouble you to send someone to escort us."

"rest assured."

Sensing Hyuga Higo's change, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew in his heart that the Hyuga clan had been taught a lesson this time, but on the surface he sighed deeply: "Konoha will remember the Hyuga clan's righteousness, and I will never let Hizashi's sacrifice be in vain."

Having said that, he was about to leave with the body when a voice suddenly entered his ears.

"Third generation master... Third generation lord."

With slightly reddened eyes, Hyuga Kumokawa stepped forward, took a deep breath, and said respectfully, "Please allow me to join the team escorting Lord Hizashi to the Land of Lightning."

The resounding words echoed in the reception room, causing the people present to instinctively turn their gazes towards them.

Several elders of the clan sat up slightly, avoiding the candlelight in front of them, concealing half of their aged faces in darkness, and peering at the unruly youth with cold eyes.

"Hyuga Kumikawa! You..."

Higo Hyuga was clearly a bit agitated, raising his voice as if to reprimand the other person for their status.

However, before he could finish speaking, the first person to refuse was someone else entirely.

"no!"

Upon hearing Hyuga Kumokawa's request, Hyuga Hizashi, who had been kneeling silently before the "corpse," suddenly looked up and blurted out the request instinctively.

That lord said he would bring Hiashi back, but who knows what he will do during the escort.

What if something unexpected happens if Yun Chuan joins the escort team?

However, to others, his behavior seemed somewhat abnormal.

The people present turned their heads in surprise to look at "Japan's Foot" who had reacted somewhat excessively.

Hyuga Hizashi only then realized that he was now "Hyuga Hiashi". He broke out in a cold sweat under everyone's gaze and said in a cold tone, mimicking Hiashi's, "You are too weak."

Hyuga Higo and the others were stunned for a moment, but quickly remembered that Hizashi had called Hiashi away before he died, probably to leave a will asking Hiashi to take care of Neji and Kumokawa.

"Hmph, so what if Hiashi is protecting him?" Hyuga Higo glanced at Hyuga Kumokawa with a gloomy look in his eyes, thinking to himself, "One day I'll reunite this brat with his dead father!"

Hyuga Neji is Hyuga Hizashi's son, and he is indeed untouchable now. However, if Hyuga Kumokawa is killed, so be it. As long as the crime is not committed in public, Hiashi will not cause too much trouble for him.

However, the next sentence that reached his ears caused Hyuga Higo to show a look of astonishment.

"Let him be."

The one who spoke was not Hyuga Kumokawa, but Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was standing to the side.

“Third Hokage, this…” Several people, including Hyuga Hizashi, cast surprised and doubtful glances at him.

"Richa must be the last family member in this child's heart."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, looked at Yun Chuan with kind eyes, and said gently, "Even if we don't let you join the escort team, you will definitely try your best to follow, right?"

Meeting Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze, which seemed to see right through him, Hyuga Kumokawa almost couldn't help but laugh. On the surface, his eyes reddened as he bowed deeply and said gratefully, "Thank you, thank you, Third Hokage. Thank you so much. I just wanted to see Hizashi-sama off on his final journey."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction, looked at the Hyuga group with their complicated expressions, and comforted them, "Don't worry, I will send ANBU to escort Hizashi's body. Taking care of this child will not be a problem."

Actually, he just wanted the ANBU ninjas to take a look at how Hyuga Kumokawa had performed along the way and whether he was qualified to be that "needle".

"..."

The room fell silent. Several elders of the clan exchanged glances in the candlelight, but no one spoke. In the end, this silence became their tacit agreement.

Higo Hyuga's expression was grim, and he could clearly see Hiruzen Sarutobi's affection for Hikawa Hyuga, which made him feel somewhat aggrieved.

If Hyuga Kumokawa really becomes the Third Hokage's subordinate, he really won't be able to bring himself to harm that damned brat anymore.

I really don't understand what's so good about this brat. First he was Hizashi, then my own ignorant eldest daughter, then Hizashi, and now even three generations of people value this damned brat!

Hinata Kumokawa slightly turned his head to look at Hinata Higo, who was secretly gritting his teeth in the distance. He wondered when this old codger's blood vessels would burst due to high pressure. Perhaps if he made a few more sarcastic remarks, he could force the other party to die of a cerebral hemorrhage.

However, he eventually abandoned this seemingly interesting idea.

For this old man, dying from a cerebral hemorrhage was far too easy...

boom! !

A sudden loud noise shattered the tranquility of the room, and a chilling wind swept into the room from outside. Everyone frowned and turned to look in the direction from which the sound came.

A short figure stood in the doorway, his wet black hair dripping with rain, his chest heaving violently.

The newcomer immediately spotted the "corpse" covered with a white sheet, and stood there with his mouth agape as if struck by lightning.

"finally come."

Unnoticed by everyone, Hinata Kumokawa's lips curled into a smile.

It sounded like a sneer, like a mockery.

Neji?

Upon finally seeing the person's face clearly, Hizashi's expression changed slightly.

How did Neji end up here?

Hyuga Neji walked stiffly like a walking corpse, his legs buckled and he knelt down next to the "corpse".

"Your father sacrificed himself for the Hyuga clan." Hyuga Higo tried to soften his tone. "To be able to fulfill his loyalty as the head of the branch family was his..."

As if he had finally confirmed something, Hyuga Neji, who had been hanging his head, suddenly stiffened, and his body trembled uncontrollably.

The grief on his face was gradually replaced by anger, while Hyuga Higo continued to ramble on arrogantly.

But just as Neji was about to raise his head, a warm hand pressed down on his head.

"Don't make boastful remarks lightly; doing so will only reveal your weakness."

Hinata Kumokawa's voice was soft as he slowly said, "Now, all you need to do is calm down."

"..."

Hyuga Neji still kept his head down, tears streaming down his face like a burst dam, but his slightly trembling body gradually calmed down, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

However, where no one could see, the anger on Hyuga Neji's lowered, youthful face had turned into a ferocious expression.

Others thought Hyuga Kumokawa was just trying to comfort him, but Hyuga Neji, feeling the warmth and gentleness of that hand, inexplicably understood the true meaning behind those words.

You are too weak.

No matter what you say now, nothing will change.

You need to calm down now, hide the hatred in your heart, and don't let anyone find out.

Then, remember all of this, engrave it into your very bones, and then destroy it all.

Just like that figure in my dream.

Chapter 30 The storm is coming

The leaves in the rain were especially desolate at night.

The rainwater, like silvery-gray, sticky spider silk, wove a web that clung to the building complex.

The villagers of Konoha, wearing raincoats, hurried along the street, creating an uneasy atmosphere as if a storm was brewing.

The cold streetlights on the road, one after another, resemble the moons rising and falling in the sky, creating a path leading to boundless darkness.

On the edge of the remote village, a dense and heavy shadow lies hidden underground.

Inside the Root Base, several short figures were fighting in a closed room, while Danzo Shimura watched it all with an expressionless face.

"Lord Danzo."