A crisis was averted thanks to Natsume's efforts.
It's a pity that no one knew about it.
He truly kept a low profile and hid his achievements.
Due to Yoru Satsuma's actions, Hinata Hyuga's birthday party came to an end.
The guests left one after another.
In this situation, it would be really inappropriate to 'keep the music playing and the dancing going', which would be utterly insensitive.
Only the drunk Tsunade was confused.
"Here comes the wine! Why aren't you guys drinking?"
"Shizune - sis, let's take Teacher home together."
Natsume sighed. Supporting Tsunade on one side each, they left the Hyuga mansion.
Kabuto Yakushi returned to the orphanage to rest.
Back home, Natsume put Tsunade on the bed and said, "Shizune - sis, help Teacher change her clothes."
He wanted to do it himself, but to avoid confusing Shizune, he'd better leave it to her.
Natsume returned to his room and communicated with Katsuyu for visual sharing.
He wanted to bring food to Hinata Hyuga, but he couldn't be seen by others. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to explain himself.
A few seconds later, he connected to Katsuyu's vision.
It was a bit dark.
He scanned the surroundings and found that Katsuyu was in the wardrobe.
Hinata didn't expose the fact that he had come tonight.
Natsume looked out through the gap in the wardrobe.
What came into view was the scene of Rinka Hyuga holding Hinata Hyuga.
This lady's face was full of fear. She was just a little bit away from never seeing her daughter again.
"It probably won't end anytime soon."
Thinking this, Natsume disconnected the visual sharing, went out directly, and ran to the barbecue restaurant.
"Boss, open the door!"
"Who is it? It's so late at night."
The boss opened the door, looking annoyed, and said, "No more sales. Go away!"
"One hundred thousand ryo."
Natsume held up his index finger and said, "Give me ten servings of barbecue."
"Hey, dear customer, please come in! Come in quickly!"
The boss instantly did a 180 - degree turn in attitude, as enthusiastic as if he'd seen his long - lost brother, just like a performer in a Sichuan Opera face - changing show! "Please wait a moment. I'll start the fire and cook for you right away!"
Natsume smiled. Sure enough, money talked.
An hour later, he left the barbecue restaurant carrying ten plastic bags.
"Come again next time!"
The boss shouted with a beaming smile.
Back home, Natsume first summoned a second Katsuyu, then connected to the vision of the first one.
Rinka Hyuga had left, and only Hinata Hyuga was left in the room.
Reverse Summoning Jutsu!
He disappeared from the room.
The Summoning Jutsu is used by ninjas to summon summoned beasts, while the Reverse Summoning Jutsu is used by summoned beasts to summon ninjas.
However, this ninjutsu has great limitations. Ordinary summoned beasts simply can't learn it.
Even in the Three Great Holy Places, there are very few who can use it.
But all the Katsuyu slugs in the Shikkotsu Forest are part of a single entity, the Katsuyu Sage.
Naturally, it can use this jutsu.
A cloud of smoke flashed by.
Natsume appeared in Hinata Hyuga's room.
She was sitting on the edge of the bed at this time, her little head bobbing as she dozed off.
She should have gone to sleep, but she kept waiting because of what Natsume said.
"How obedient."
Natsume opened a plastic bag, took out a skewer of barbecue, and held it in front of Hinata's nose.
He thought she would be startled, but unexpectedly, she didn't even budge.
In her sleep, Hinata licked her lips. The aroma was so strong that it seemed real.
Salivary glands secreted saliva, which flowed down and formed a thread.
Natsume couldn't help but smile.
What an adorable thing in the world!
"Hinata."
After Natsume called out a few times, Hinata Hyuga woke up.
Looking at the barbecue in front of her, she realized that what she had just experienced was not a dream but reality.
"Come here and eat."
Natsume reached out his hand and wiped the saliva from the corner of her mouth.
Hinata Hyuga reacted, immediately blushed and steam seemed to rise from her head, turning into a steam maiden.
She was super shy and felt so embarrassed.
For a young lady who adhered to elegance, it was really too embarrassing to be seen drooling in her sleep.
Natsume didn't mind at all. He liked having a steam maiden around.
While he was playing the feeding game, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was sleeping, was awakened by the Anbu.
"What did you say?"
The originally somewhat drowsy Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly woke up.
"Hiashi Hyuga, the head of the Hyuga clan, is holding Yoru Satsuma and twelve other Cloud Ninjas and waiting for you in the Hokage Building."
The Anbu Ninja repeated.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared in disbelief.
Hiashi Hyuga, you thick - browed and big - eyed guy, have you also betrayed Konoha?
Catching the messenger group from Kumogakure, are you trying to start a war right away?
Could it be that you didn't get any merit in the last war and want to have another go?
In just a few seconds, Hiruzen Sarutobi's intelligent brain was working rapidly.
But soon he dismissed the speculation.
All joking aside, Hiashi Hyuga wouldn't dare mess around with war.
Hiruzen Sarutobi put on his clothes and quickly rushed to the Hokage's office.
He glanced at Yoru Satsuma and the others and asked, "Hiashi, what's going on?"
Hiashi Hyuga immediately told him what had happened.
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.
At this critical moment of the peace talks, why is there such a hitch?
This is such a pain.
At this moment, what he was thinking about was not Hinata Hyuga's safety, but the peace of Konoha Village.
After fighting for so long, they couldn't afford to fight anymore. They needed to recuperate.
But they couldn't just ignore the Hyuga clan either.
"Yoru Satsuma, is this the sincerity of your Kumogakure?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked angrily, looking dissatisfied.
"This was just a moment of madness on my part. It has nothing to do with Kumogakure."
Yoru Satsuma knew he was in the wrong and chose to take the blame.
Oh!
"But you're a ninja from Kumogakure. How can you be absolved of responsibility?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't believe his nonsense. He slammed the table and roared, "Your village must give us Konoha an explanation!"
"During this peace talk, our Kumogakure is willing to make concessions and agree to Konoha's conditions. What do you think, Hokage - sama?"
Before coming, Yoru Satsuma had discussed with the Fourth Raikage how to deal with the situation if they were captured.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was immediately tempted. The conditions put forward by Konoha Village are really good, which can let them make a big comeback.
Moreover, the more victories they achieved in the peace talks, the more it would solidify his reputation and status.
He originally thought Kumogakure wouldn't agree, after all, they had been haggling for several days.
Sure enough, the gods are on Konoha's side!
Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed lightly and said, "Hiashi, Hinata wasn't injured, and now Kumogakure has offered compensation. Let's just let it go."
Hiashi Hyuga was filled with question marks in his mind.
What did he mean by letting it go just because Hinata wasn't injured?
Did someone have to die for it to be considered serious?
At this moment, Hiashi Hyuga felt somewhat disheartened and dejected.
He believed that ever since the Hyuga clan had followed Hiruzen Sarutobi, they had been dedicated and loyal.
But he never expected to be treated like this.
"As the Hokage-sama says."
Hiashi Hyuga turned away listlessly.
"Please rise."
Hiruzen Sarutobi warned, "Yoru Satsuma, I don't want to see such a thing happen again."
"Hokage-sama, I won't make the same mistake again."
Yoru Satsuma showed a very humble attitude. "We'll leave immediately after signing the treaty tomorrow."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction.
Although he had created a rift with Hiashi Hyuga, it was worthwhile to obtain such favorable peace - talk conditions.
It was no big deal. He could take better care of the Hyuga clan in the future.
He believed that with Hiashi Hyuga's wisdom, he should understand that the Hokage must have an overall perspective and cannot let a single ninja clan affect the safety of the whole Konoha.
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