Chapter Twenty-Five: The Plan!

On the way back to the Kurama Clan, Ming Jing remained silent. Tsukishiro Yuexi and Qing Yan didn't dare to speak either, thinking their Young Master was displeased with the previous battle. Asuma was also bewildered; these three youngsters had performed perfectly! What could Ming Jing possibly be unhappy about?

Meanwhile, Ming Jing's mind was preoccupied with a single question: if the hypothesis from the previous chapter was true, should he intervene? According to Uchiha Itachi, Ming Jing currently felt a strong urge to go out and eliminate Naruto. Kidnapping his most beloved little sister was simply unforgivable!

But all of this was based solely on his own speculation. To put it nicely, he had concocted an entire dissatisfied storyline in his head and was now going to beat up the protagonist... In reality, such behavior would get him locked up in a mental hospital!

"Whether it's true or not, taking Yakumo away is definitely the right move!" Ming Jing decided. He accepted the SSS-rank mission issued by the Daimyo. He refused to believe that if he took Yakumo to the Royal Capital, Naruto, who was in Konohagakure, could still snatch her away!

Since he had decided to accept this mission, he would complete it perfectly! Honestly, he doubted the entire Naruto anime could find a mission this difficult. He hoped the Hokage wouldn't be late with the mission rewards!

With that thought, Ming Jing instructed Tsukishiro Yuexi, "Yuexi, gather information on the flood disaster at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain. I need firsthand data. After we get home, pack your bags. We'll depart in two days and head directly to the border for an on-site investigation. Also, inform the Clan Head to prepare food and clothing; they might be needed."

"Yes, Young Master!" Tsukishiro Yuexi nodded, committing Ming Jing's instructions to memory.

Seeing that Ming Jing no longer seemed to object to the mission, Asuma smiled and asked, "Did you suddenly develop a ninja's resolve?"

"It's nothing, just wanted a challenge," Ming Jing replied with a smile. Of course, he wouldn't tell Asuma that this decision was entirely due to him fabricating a lengthy plot and his sister-complex going into overdrive!

"Haha, no matter what, it's good that you agreed. I'll go report to the Hokage! The Daimyo is still waiting for news!" Asuma laughed heartily, waved his hand, and turned to leave.

"Young Master, you didn't decide this because the Daimyo pressured you, did you?" Qing Yan asked, speaking for the first time in a while, as he watched Asuma's retreating figure disappear.

"No, I didn't." Ming Jing shook his head. He just felt that leaving Konohagakure was the right thing to do!

Receiving his answer, Qing Yan asked no further questions, trusting Ming Jing implicitly. Yuexi, however, thought more deeply, but her thought process couldn't keep up with Ming Jing's pace. After pondering for a long time, she still had no clue.

Upon returning to the clan, Ming Jing was surprised to find Hyuga Hiashi had arrived. After dismissing the maids, Ming Jing and Hyuga Hiashi sat facing each other. Tsukishiro Yuexi knelt respectfully to the side, serving them. Between them sat a tea tray with a pot of green tea and a plate of pastries, the aroma of tea filling the room.

"May I ask what brings you here, Mr. Hiashi?" Ming Jing asked calmly as he poured tea for Hyuga Hiashi.

"I heard you accepted an SSS-rank mission to manage the Land of Fire?" Hyuga Hiashi countered.

Ming Jing gave a wry smile and nodded. "Indeed! The Daimyo's hospitality was too great to refuse, so I was essentially forced into it."

"For a ninja to manage a country, isn't that a bit unprofessional?!" Hyuga Hiashi's tone intensified. Your Kurama Clan's business ventures at least brought in money to supplement your household, so as an ally, Hyuga Hiashi had grudgingly tolerated it. But now, you've gone too far! What does a ninja have to do with politics?!

"Mr. Hiashi, you are right. As a ninja, it is indeed somewhat unprofessional," Ming Jing nodded. He himself felt that transmigrating to the world of Naruto and becoming an official instead of training and fighting was a bit off-key!

"Since you understand, why did you still accept this mission?" Hyuga Hiashi frowned. Initially, he thought Ming Jing was young and had made an impulsive decision, attracted by the superficial title of "managing a country." Now, it seemed the situation was not that simple!

Tsukishiro Yuexi, kneeling nearby, explained, "Because this is a designated mission. The Daimyo specifically requested our Young Master."

"Nonsense!" Hyuga Hiashi snorted coldly. The Daimyo held no fear for him; after all, the pressure from the Daimyo was borne by the Hokage, not him.

"Actually, it's not entirely without merit," Ming Jing added at the opportune moment. "The Land of Fire is Konohagakure's support and benefactor, possessing vast lands and population. As the saying goes, a wise rabbit has three burrows; we can't put all our eggs in one basket!"

"Ming Jing, are you... planning to betray Konohagakure?" Hyuga Hiashi's pure white eyes reflected a calm light. While he didn't have a strong sense of belonging to the Land of Fire, he valued Konohagakure immensely. If Ming Jing truly intended to betray Konohagakure, the Hyuga Clan would have absolutely no involvement with him, even if Hizashi died before his eyes.

"Mr. Hiashi," Ming Jing's expression also turned serious. He looked directly at Hyuga Hiashi and said, "If I were alone, perhaps I would. But I have a family, relatives, and friends. These are called bonds, and they cannot be severed."

Hyuga Hiashi stared at Ming Jing, and Tsukishiro Yuexi dared not even breathe. She could feel Hyuga Hiashi preparing to attack. After a few breaths, Hyuga Hiashi spoke, "Alright, I believe you."

"Whoosh..." Tsukishiro Yuexi glanced at Hyuga Hiashi with lingering fear. At that moment, she truly understood how inadequate her own strength was.

"It's also my fault for not explaining clearly, causing Mr. Hiashi to misunderstand. Doesn't Mr. Hiashi want to resolve the Hyuga Clan's branch family system?" Ming Jing, however, showed no ill reaction and continued to speak with a smile. Yuexi sighed inwardly; this was the difference in their abilities!

"How do you propose to resolve it?" Hyuga Hiashi asked.

"Mr. Hizashi can accompany me on this mission!" Ming Jing said with a smile. "Currently, Mr. Hizashi is in a state of suspended animation, and his identity cannot be revealed. It would be best for him to act with me. Firstly, it would help him avoid the scrutiny of those with ulterior motives. Secondly, it would allow him to scout the areas around Konohagakure and find a suitable location for the branch family to settle in the future."

"More importantly, Hizashi can protect you, can't he?" Hyuga Hiashi picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said slowly.

"If Mr. Hizashi is willing," Ming Jing added, pouring more tea for Hiashi.

Hyuga Hiashi closed his eyes and pondered for a moment. "The solution you proposed, which is to completely separate the branch and main families, is not a clever one, so the second reason is invalid."

Ming Jing was slightly taken aback. He had failed to deceive him?! It seemed he needed to improve his skills!

"However," Hyuga Hiashi continued, "the first reason has convinced me. I will arrange for Hizashi to accompany you."

"Thank you, Mr. Hiashi!" Ming Jing cupped his hands in a salute. With Hyuga Hizashi, a master of Byakugan Taijutsu, by his side, Ming Jing's safety would have an additional layer of protection. More crucially, the Byakugan Kekkei Genkai was truly incredibly useful.

"I know you are a smart person, and your vision differs from ours. But I hope you understand that as a ninja, one must have the resolve of a ninja. I see a terrifying talent in you, yet at the same time, there's a rejection of the ninja world. Ming Jing, tell me, what is your ultimate goal?" Hyuga Hiashi sighed. If it weren't for Hinata, he wouldn't have said this. A person who dared to challenge the order of the ninja world, who knew how far he would go.

Ming Jing looked at Hyuga Hiashi with some surprise. He hadn't expected this man to perceive such subtle details. Facing this sudden question, Ming Jing didn't panic. He straightened his back and said, "I have witnessed the cruelty of war, so I desire peace. But ninjas clearly cannot achieve this anymore. The Daimyo's request made me realize that perhaps a different approach could fulfill my dream?"

This was the so-called universal value!

Ironically, people in the Naruto world were very receptive to this. From the Sage of Six Paths, the founder of Ninjutsu, to the First Hokage, then the Third Hokage, Jiraiya, Nagato, Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Itachi, and finally Naruto, they all strived for the noble ideal of world peace.

But had any of them considered this issue from the perspective of the nation or the common people? No. Their so-called peace relied on the harmonious coexistence between ninja villages. The Kage Summit also completely disregarded the Daimyo, as if the ninja world had nothing to do with the common people.

In reality, was this possible?

Huh? It seems I've digressed!

However, thinking about it this way, Ming Jing suddenly felt so great! He felt like a great sage possessing the spirit of liberation of thought!

Damn it, I just wanted to keep my sister away from Naruto!...