Naruto: The Savior of the Shinobi World is a Liar?

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"..."

At Sarutobi Hiruzen's words, Hyuga Hiashi froze.

Jōnin?

Who?

Hyuga Kumo?

"Why?"

He instinctively blurted out, realizing immediately it was inappropriate to question. Yet, noticing that Hyuga Kumo continued to gaze forward without even looking his way, his irritation surged as he shot back, "Third Hokage, he's nothing but a waste!"

"Hiashi."

Hiruzen looked deeply at him, speaking calmly, "In your view, does a young man capable of protecting his companions and escaping from over a hundred Kumogakure ninjas still remain a waste?"

"Witness!" The suddenly verbal Todo interjected, "Kumo's contributions during the escort mission and his valor in combat against the ambush were indeed crucial."

"He? Hyuga Kumo?"

Hyuga Hiashi cast a disdainful glance at Kumo, finding it almost laughable. He ceased showing anger and even chuckled, "A waste who only awakened his Byakugan at thirteen? A waste who can't even stand the sight of blood?"

Before he could finish his thought, Hyuga Kumo, who had been silent, slowly turned to face Hiashi. His expression softened, revealing a smile devoid of amusement.

"Hiashi-senpai, you're not accustomed to wearing that outfit, are you?" Kumo spoke slowly, his tone calm. "Before you say your next sentence, it would be wise to think it through."

Upon hearing the first part, Hiashi furrowed his brow, confused by Kumo's seemingly random observation.

However, Kumo was indeed correct.

The outfit he wore wasn't the usual garb of the Hyuga clan but rather the jōnin vestment.

Similar to the other jōnin present, he wore the standard green flak jacket over a black armor shirt.

Though Hiashi was considerably older, he was on par with Hiashi in rank, as both held the title of jōnin.

Therefore, regardless of clan seniority, Hiashi had never treated Hyuga Kumo seriously.

"What of it?" Hiashi continued to stare into Kumo's eyes, sneering as he spoke, "He is just someone who would crawl back to me with a beckon…"

"Hiashi!"

Seeing Kumo squint his eyes and noting Hiashi's unabashed remarks, Hyuga Hizashi, who had been dazed earlier, finally snapped to his senses and was about to reprimand him.

But alas, he was too late.

Shlick!

A gust of air stirred up, whipping through Hiashi's hair, causing ripples across his features as he faced Kumo, his eyes momentarily frozen.

His mouth opened slightly in shock, but the pejorative "lapdog" remained lodged in his throat.

An icy wind swept through the room, leaving a deep crack in the cement wall behind Hiashi, and he felt a wetness on his cheek that slid down to soak his collar.

A piercing pain gradually spread across his face until a fine trickle of blood split his cheek open.

He had not noticed when Hyuga Kumo had raised his two fingers, but at that moment, they had been caught by Sarutobi Hiruzen's grip.

Seeing this scene, the expressions of those present shifted; Nara Shikaku's eyes reflected thoughtfulness instead of surprise.

"Be careful what you wish for."

They had wanted to use Hiashi to test Kumo, and now they had their feedback.

Yet, it was more surprising than expected.

A jutsu without hand seals? Was this still a member of the Hyuga clan?

In the moment Kumo made his move, very few managed to react.

Had Kumo truly wanted to kill Hiashi, he would have likely slit his throat before anyone could intervene.

"Sigh, Kumo, don't be so impulsive."

Hiruzen sighed, applying gentle pressure on Kumo's shoulder as he spoke with a placating tone, "After all, Hiashi is your senior."

"Apologies, Third Hokage; it was my recklessness."

Hyuga Kumo would not resist, lowering his fingers and speaking sincerely, "I just feel that Hiashi-senpai has become old, forgetting who he is."

"While our comrades put their lives on the line, the comfort his position affords has corroded his spirit, making him arrogant and vain, just like his outfit…"

As he spoke, Kumo looked at those present and softly suggested, "The garb of a jōnin does not remain pristine; it should smell of sweat and blood, not of jasmine. That's what a jōnin's outfit symbolizes."

"Thus, it's necessary to remind Hiashi-senpai that this is a Konoha jōnin council meeting, not a Hyuga clan meeting. You serve as a jōnin of Konoha, not as a clan elder of the Hyuga house. Likewise, I'm a jōnin of Konoha, not a mere lapdog of the Hyuga clan."

"I believe what you said earlier can be viewed as a threat and provocation towards your fellow jōnin and the Third Hokage."

"However, being your senior gives you the benefit of a reminder."

Sarutobi Hiruzen squinted, his expression nonchalant, yet his voice was warm as he said, "Alright now, let's not take things too seriously; I believe Hiashi merely misspoke."

He then turned to Hyuga Hiashi, his narrowed eyes widening slightly as he asked with a smile, "Right, Hiashi?"

"..."

Hyuga Hiashi seemed not to hear it; his face was pale and gloomy.

The pallor stemmed from fear of what Kumo had just done, while the gloom emerged from his inability to express the resentment and anger bubbling within him.

"Hiashi?"

The emotionless inquiry from Hiruzen snapped Hiashi back to reality as he glanced at Hiruzen and lowered his head slightly, muttering, "Yes, Third Hokage. I sincerely apologize; my words were ill-considered."

Faced with Sarutobi Hiruzen's steely gaze, Hyuga Hiashi felt an involuntary chill run down his spine, making him finally realize his situation.

It was like the old saying goes: some matters carry no weight unnoted; once measured, they can't be ignored.

Contrary to the exams that promoted genin to chūnin, the ascension from chūnin to jōnin was determined directly by the Hokage, based on comprehensive evaluations of various capabilities. Those who qualified would receive advancement, making them the peak powers within a ninja village aside from the Hokage.

There were no grades separating jōnin into "elite jōnin" or "standard jōnin." Each jōnin was a crucial pillar for the village and a top combatant.

Jōnin promotions are directly decreed by the Third Hokage without needing anyone's approval or scrutiny.

Hiashi's recent behavior could be seen as a direct challenge against Hyuga Kumo, but it also appeared to defy Sarutobi Hiruzen's authority.

The distinction lay in how Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, perceived it.

So how did Hiruzen perceive it?

It was becoming clear.

Hyuga Kumo was no longer the easily bullied member of the branch family whom Hiashi could belittle but rather a jōnin esteemed and recognized by the Third Hokage.

But was it simply that?

"Alright."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, smiling, "We are colleagues moving forward; let's apologize to each other; I won't allow any malice to linger."

Upon hearing this, not only did Hiashi's head jerk up, his expression filled with disbelief, but even some of the people present couldn't help but gasp.

Hiruzen wanted to reinforce Kumo's position while simultaneously "setting an example."

The 'chicken' was certainly Hyuga Hiashi, and those 'monkeys' were undoubtedly the rest of them.

Sometimes, hands can reach, but one must be careful not to go too far lest they get cut.

"..."

Hiashi lowered his head, resentment painted across his features, as he murmured with a trembling voice, "I apologize."

"Apologies, Hiashi-senpai."

Hyuga Kumo nodded dismissively. "I hope you understand that even if you are a member of the Hyuga clan, you cannot only rely on the Byakugan and Gentle Fist to grow stronger."

Hearing this, the onlookers reflected on Kumo's recent display of skill, and their expressions turned odd as they gazed at Hiashi.

Could it be that a traditionally insular and obstinate clan like the Hyuga had inadvertently squeezed out a genius of ninjutsu, prompting splits and divergence?

This was truly…

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