Naruto: Fooling the Ninja World, I'm Hailed as a Savior

"..."

Hyuga Higo was stunned by Hiruzen Sarutobi's words. Jōnin? Who? Hyuga Kawa?

"Why?"

He blurted out instinctively. Although he immediately realized his impropriety, seeing that Hyuga Kawa was still looking straight ahead, not even glancing at him, he couldn't help but ask, annoyed, "Third Hokage, he's just a waste!"

"Higo," Hiruzen Sarutobi looked deeply at him, and said calmly, "In your eyes, is a young man capable of protecting his comrades and escaping a hundred Hidden Cloud ninjas still a waste?"

"I can vouch for that." Akimichi Doto, also present, suddenly spoke. "Kawa's crucial importance during the escort mission and the ambush was indeed indispensable."

"Him? Hyuga Kawa?"

Hyuga Higo glanced at Hyuga Kawa, as if he had heard a joke, and even chuckled without any hint of anger. "A waste who only awakened the Byakugan at thirteen? A waste who gets weak in the knees at the sight of blood? A waste who, as long as I..."

Hearing this, before he could finish his sentence, the previously silent Hyuga Kawa slowly turned his head to look at Hyuga Higo. His expressionless face softened, revealing a smile utterly devoid of warmth.

"Higo-senpai, you don't wear this outfit often, do you?" he said, his words slow and his tone calm. "Before you say your next word, you'd best think again."

When he heard the first half of the sentence, the interrupted Hyuga Higo frowned, not understanding why Hyuga Kawa was suddenly bringing up his clothes.

However, Hyuga Kawa was right. The clothes he was wearing were not his usual Hyuga clan attire, but a jōnin uniform. It was basically identical to the other jōnin present, consisting of a standard green mesh armor on the outside and a black inner lining with protective netting.

Despite Hyuga Higo's advanced age, he was, in fact, like Hyuga Hiashi, also at the "jōnin" level. Therefore, whether due to his status as a member of the main family or as a senior, Hyuga Higo had never truly paid any attention to Hyuga Kawa.

"What if I did?" Hyuga Higo stared into Kawa's eyes, sneering, "He's just someone who would crawl over if I just crooked my finger..."

"Higo-jōnin!"

Seeing Hyuga Kawa narrow his eyes and hearing Hyuga Higo's unrestrained words, Hyuga Hizashi, who had been lost in thought, suddenly sobered up and instinctively wanted to reprimand him sharply. However, unfortunately, he was a step too late.

Hiss!

A wave of air let out a piercing shriek, rustling Hyuga Higo's hair. The wind pressure created ripples on his face, and his eyes, still fixed on Hyuga Kawa, subtly froze.

His mouth was still slightly open but stopped moving, the unspoken words "house dog" swallowed back. He felt a chilling gust of wind pass by. On the wall behind him, a deep crack plunged into the concrete.

He felt a dampness on his cheek, which trickled down his jaw and soaked his collar. A stinging sensation spread inch by inch across his entire face; an incredibly fine cut had opened on his cheek.

Unbeknownst to them, Hyuga Kawa had raised two fingers, which were now held by Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Seeing this, the expressions on everyone present changed. Nara Shikaku's eyes showed no surprise, only thoughtfulness. He got what he asked for.

They wanted to use Hyuga Higo to test Hyuga Kawa, and now they had received the expected feedback. It was just a little more than they anticipated. Unsealed Wind Release ninjutsu? Is this still a member of the Hyuga clan?

In the brief moment Hyuga Kawa made his move, only a select few were able to react. If he had truly intended to kill Hyuga Higo just now, Higo would probably have had his throat slit.

"Sigh, Kawa, don't get so agitated."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, gently pressing down, his tone still warm and persuasive. "Higo is your senior, after all."

"I apologize, Third Hokage, I was rash."

Hyuga Kawa, of course, did not resist. He lowered his raised two fingers, his tone sincere. "I just feel that Senior Higo has grown old and has forgotten his place."

"Other comrades in the village risk their lives, buying him a comfortable life, which has gradually corrupted his heart, making him outwardly polished yet arrogant and rude, just like his clothes..."

Saying this, Hyuga Kawa looked at the others present and said softly, "A jōnin's clothes aren't this clean and tidy, nor do they smell of jasmine. They should carry the scent of sweat and blood; that is what a jōnin's clothes are like."

"Therefore, it's necessary to remind Senior Higo that this is the Konoha Jōnin meeting, not a Hyuga clan meeting. You are a jōnin of Konoha, not an elder of the Hyuga Main Family. I am also a jōnin of Konoha, not a house dog of the Hyuga Main Family."

"I think the words just now can be regarded as a threat and provocation from Senior Higo towards his colleagues and the Third Hokage."

"However, because he is a senior, he received a warning."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled, narrowing his eyes, seemingly showing no anger. He said gently, "Alright, alright, that's a bit harsh. I think Higo's just a slip of the tongue." With that, he turned to Hyuga Higo, his narrowed eyes slightly opening, and asked with a smile, "Right, Higo?"

"..."

Hyuga Higo seemed not to have heard. His face was pale and grim at this moment. Pale from the fear of Hyuga Kawa's actions, and grim, naturally, because he had nowhere to vent his resentment and anger.

"Higo?"

An emotionless voice entered his ears. Hyuga Higo suddenly shivered and snapped back to reality, looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi, he slightly lowered his head and said, "Yes, Third Hokage, I apologize. I spoke out of turn." Faced with Hiruzen Sarutobi's unsmiling gaze, a chill ran down his spine. He finally realized his current predicament.

Again, some things don't weigh much until they're put on the scale. Once on the scale, they can weigh a thousand pounds. Unlike genin becoming chūnin through exams, chūnin are promoted to jōnin directly by the Kage of each village, based on a comprehensive assessment of their various abilities.

Only those who meet the standards are promoted. This is the highest rank for ninjas in a village, apart from the Kage themselves. Jōnin are only divided into "Special Jōnin" and "Jōnin" (there is no "Elite Jōnin" title). Every jōnin is a pillar and top combat force of their village.

A jōnin is directly promoted by the Third Hokage, without anyone else's permission, and without allowing any questioning. His behavior just now could be seen as targeting Hyuga Kawa, but it could also be seen as resisting Hiruzen Sarutobi's authority.

The difference lay in what Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, thought. So, what did Hiruzen Sarutobi think? It was already very clear. Hyuga Kawa was no longer the branch family member who could be freely scolded and beaten.

He was now a Konoha jōnin, appreciated and valued by Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage. But was that all?

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

At these words, not only did Hyuga Higo suddenly look up, incredulous, but even some of the others present changed their expressions.

What the Third Hokage wanted, it seemed, was not just to help Hyuga Kawa gain a firm footing, but also to "kill the chicken to scare the monkeys." The chicken, of course, was Hyuga Higo, and the monkeys, naturally, were these ninja clans.

Sometimes, hands can reach, but they shouldn't reach too far, or they'll get cut by a knife.

"..." Hyuga Higo lowered his head, a venomous rage flickering in his eyes. He said with a trembling voice, "My apologies."

"My apologies, Higo-senpai," Hyuga Kawa said lightly, nodding. "I hope you understand that even members of the Hyuga clan don't only become strong by relying on the Byakugan and Gentle Fist."

Hearing this, everyone connected it to the glimpse of power Hyuga Kawa had just displayed, and their expressions towards Hyuga Higo immediately became strange. The Hyuga clan, always so set in their ways and resistant to change, had actually, quite literally, forced out a ninjutsu genius, and even driven him to become alienated and independent? This was truly…