The Kurama Clan's Future Plans

Outside, the white snow still fell, blanketing everything in silver. Inside, however, the lights were bright and the atmosphere was peaceful. Koji Kurama and his wife, Mai Kurama, sat at the head of the table. Ming Jing sat to their left, and to their right was another recently awakened Bloodline Limit member of the Kurama Clan – Hisashi Kurama.

Today was January 1st, the most important festival for the Japanese people. All direct members of the Kurama Clan had gathered in this hall to celebrate the New Year together.

Koji Kurama was very happy today, his eyes filled with affection as he looked at Ming Jing. It was this child, only seven years old, who had led the dying Kurama Clan to its current prosperity in just two years. Although outsiders might only see the Kurama Clan as wealthy, Koji Kurama, as the Clan Head, knew exactly how strong the Kurama Clan was now.

The Kurama Clan had gone from having no Jonin-level experts to having several. The year before last, he was the only Special Jonin. Today, there were himself and Hisashi Kurama, both Jonin, sitting in the hall.

There were many promising individuals who could become Jonin: Tsukishiro Yuexi, Qing Yan, Taichi Odagiri, Kanon Kurama, and Mirai Kurama. The future of these five was immeasurable. And then there was Hong Lian, who had always been by his side. Although her strength wasn't comparable to the top five, she was still a genius among geniuses for her age.

Most importantly, there was Ming Jing!

Even though Koji Kurama had become a Jonin, he still couldn't discern Ming Jing's strength. The child seemed to be perpetually shrouded in mist, making it impossible to know what trump cards he truly held.

Koji Kurama even had a feeling that as long as Ming Jing lived, the Kurama Clan's reign over the world would absolutely not be a dream!

Ming Jing didn't care what Koji Kurama was thinking. He currently found the act of nurturing a clan quite interesting. Seeing that everyone had mostly finished eating, Ming Jing gently called out to Koji Kurama, "Clan Head?"

"Yes!" Koji Kurama nodded, putting down his wine cup. The previously lively hall gradually fell silent. Everyone knew that Koji Kurama, as the Clan Head, had something to say.

"First, I thank everyone for their hard work this past year. Currently, our Kurama Clan has opened Zhonghua Cuisine Restaurants all over the Land of Fire. Our monthly income has also been steadily increasing. As of the end of December, our net profit exceeded seven hundred million!" When Koji Kurama announced this figure, the entire hall was astonished. The Kurama Clan hadn't been particularly poor before, but they were certainly not wealthy. Today, however, which family in Konohagakure could boast such wealth?

"Now, please let Ming Jing tell everyone about our plans for the new year!" Seeing that everyone had discussed enough, Koji Kurama pushed Ming Jing forward. Everyone in the hall stared intently at Ming Jing, knowing full well who had brought them such immense wealth.

"Esteemed uncles and elders, happy new year." Ming Jing walked to the center of the hall and politely greeted everyone.

"Last year, we gained immense wealth solely from Zhonghua Cuisine. I believe no one here will deny that. However, we must also face the reality that the wealth brought by Zhonghua Cuisine has reached its peak. Its development space is limited to expanding outside the Land of Fire, and there's no other way. But you are all aware of the current situation in various countries. The Third Great Ninja War ended not long ago, and trust between nations is limited. If we were to open shops there, we'd likely be collecting bodies of our employees within a few days." Ming Jing paused here to give everyone time to think, then continued, "Therefore, our safest place to earn money remains within the Land of Fire. Since the restaurant business has reached its bottleneck, I believe it's time to explore other industries!"

"Explore other industries? What industry could be more profitable than the restaurants?"

"Wouldn't that be too risky? The restaurant business is still doing very well!"

"I agree. Isn't the current situation perfectly fine?"

Listening to the discussions of the elders below, Ming Jing couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the Kurama Clan had few elders. If it were the Hyuga Clan, a few elders would have their discussions cut short any plan.

"Ordinary people's lives revolve around food, accommodation, transportation, travel, shopping, and entertainment. We already have an advantage here. The Kurama Clan's research into food is already renowned. Therefore, our next plan is accommodation!" Ming Jing looked at everyone's expressions and saw they were all utterly bewildered.

"This is why I insisted on expanding the land for the restaurants as much as possible. This is my 'hotel' plan." Ming Jing felt a surge of excitement as he said this.

To personally build a chain of hotels! It felt incredible!

"Cough... Cough... Ming Jing! This hotel... how should we understand it?" Koji Kurama coughed and asked dazedly.

"The basic definition of a hotel is a commercial establishment that provides a safe, comfortable space for customers to rest or sleep for short periods. Generally speaking, it is a place that provides lodging and food for customers. Specifically, a hotel uses its building as collateral, providing services to guests by selling rooms, food, and comprehensive service facilities to obtain economic benefits. Hotels primarily provide accommodation services to tourists, as well as living services and facilities (pre-sleep services), dining, games, entertainment, shopping, business centers, banquet and conference facilities." Ming Jing explained patiently, but everyone's expression remained one of bewildered awe, as if thinking, "I don't understand, but it sounds amazing."

Alas, Ming Jing couldn't help but feel disheartened. It seemed building a five-star hotel in the Naruto world was still a long and arduous journey!

"It still feels a bit risky..." a few elders began to murmur again.

Ming Jing sighed helplessly and said, "Everyone, hotels are not built in a day. Our plan is also step-by-step. The hotel plan I just mentioned is our goal. For next year, our task is to build hotels in the Royal Capital, the Secondary Capital, and Oita Prefecture. Other places will remain as they are for now."

After the clan meeting concluded, Ming Jing felt an unprecedented exhaustion. Tsukishiro Yuexi tenderly massaged his head, feeling a bit guilty that she couldn't help her Young Master more.

"Yuexi, go to the training camp and call the four brothers, Upper, Lower, Left, and Right, over!" Ming Jing instructed after resting for a while. Upper, Lower, Left, and Right were quadruplets. When the Kurama Clan's spies discovered them, they felt it would be a terrible waste if these rare quadruplets starved to death, so they brought them back from the Land of Grass. Ming Jing had personally visited them then and was surprised to discover a subtle telepathic connection between them. This intrigued him. So, Ming Jing playfully named them Upper, Lower, Left, and Right, and personally tutored them in reading and cultivation for two months. He then asked Qing Yan to look after them, which yielded unexpected results.

After a year of training, these four children finally cultivated Chakra. Upon examination, it was discovered that these four children possessed four different elemental affinities: Wind, Lightning, Fire, and Water. Ming Jing immediately had an idea: if he could train these four children to be his personal attendants, it would be incredibly impressive when he traveled!

This idea took root and couldn't be shaken. He specifically procured various rare materials and custom-made Seed Golden Elixirs for the four brothers. This time, the requirements for the Seed Golden Elixirs were not as stringent as the first time, and the success rate naturally increased. The four elixirs were: Fire Source, Lightning Kirin, Wind God, and Water Lord. They had two main effects: first, to purify Chakra, and second, to increase affinity with Chakra elements.

Led by Yuexi, Upper, Lower, Left, and Right entered with unified steps. They simultaneously knelt on one knee and shouted, "Greetings, Young Master!"

"Upper, Lower, Left, Right, I called you here today for only one reason. The promise I made to you back then is about to begin!" Ming Jing said with a smile, looking at the identical teenagers.

"We are willing to die for Young Master!" The four teenagers' expressions brightened, and they immediately lowered their heads and shouted. Yes, these four boys had been thoroughly brainwashed by Qing Yan. Ming Jing didn't even need to use genjutsu; they were already completely devoted and loyal to Ming Jing! Qing Yan had truly awakened an incredible ability!

"It's not that serious. Here are four Seed Golden Elixirs. Eat them according to your Chakra affinities!" Ming Jing beckoned, and Qing Yan walked over with a tray. On the tray were naturally the items for these four young men.

"Yes!" Without hesitation, the four teenagers grabbed the elixirs and swallowed them.

Ming Jing smiled inwardly. He truly had to thank the Uchiha Clan! If they hadn't selflessly drawn all the attention to themselves, how could Danzo have failed to notice the Kurama Clan's peculiarities until now?