Plans Can't Keep Up With Change (Part 2)

Ming Jing and Yakumo arrived at the agreed-upon location early. A while later, they suddenly noticed a commotion in the crowd. Before they could figure out what was happening, a path cleared.

A mature woman with long, straight black hair and an imposing aura was dragging a child out. Ming Jing looked closely and exclaimed, What the hell! Isn't that child my fiancée, Hinata?! Has she been kidnapped again?

"Everyone... I'm sorry I'm late. Ah, Brother Ming Jing... H-hello..." Hinata said happily, greeting Ming Jing and Yakumo with a blush.

"It's alright, we just got here too. Hinata, you've gotten even cuter," Ming Jing said with a gentle smile, reaching out to pat Hinata's head. But as soon as he extended his hand, a figure blocked him. Ming Jing froze, only then realizing the other person had already activated their Byakugan. Combined with her cold expression, it was quite intimidating!

Ming Jing narrowed his eyes. This was a threat only a fellow competitor could sense!

This guy likes Hinata too, doesn't she!

Ming Jing thought silently, raising his guard. He had finally managed to snatch Hinata from Naruto's grasp; it would be a huge loss if he was cuckolded by a woman!

"Huh? Hinata, who is this older sister?" Yakumo emerged from behind Ming Jing, tilting her head as she curiously asked Hinata Mai.

Oh!!! Another cute loli! While she's a little less than my Lady Hinata, she's still really cute! Especially that yandere vibe she has, unlike Miss Hinata. That's a bonus!

Hinata Mai's breathing quickened. She wondered how likely it was that she could abduct Yakumo. After all, the Kurama Clan members present didn't seem very strong!

Ming Jing was stunned. This woman dared to set her sights on his adorable little sister! Konohagakure was truly too dangerous; he had to leave with his sister immediately. It would be even better if he could take Hinata with them, but thinking of Hyuga Hiashi, Ming Jing decided against it. He had just kidnapped her dear brother, and now he was going to show up and ask to take his precious daughter? Hyuga Hiashi would probably unleash his inner rage and blast Ming Jing on the spot...

"This is Sister Mai. Father arranged for Sister Mai to take care of me," Hinata introduced.

"Oh, oh! Just like Sister Mirai! Sister Mirai was also arranged by Daddy to take care of me. Hello, Sister Mai," Yakumo greeted Hinata Mai with a grin. Hinata Mai nodded coldly in response.

"Don't mind her, Yakumo. Sister Mai doesn't like to talk much usually," Hinata quickly explained, not wanting her good friend to have an unpleasant interaction with Mai.

"It's okay, it's okay. Our Sister Kanon is pretty much the same, I'm used to it. Right, Hinata, let's go try those red bean dumplings! I can't wait," Yakumo said, hugging Hinata and not seeming to care.

Ming Jing sighed inwardly. Silly sister, Kanon and this Mai person are nothing alike! And who told you Kanon likes Qing Yan?

"Mhm, Sister Mai already told me where they are when we arrived. I'll take you," Hinata said, smiling and patting Yakumo's head with a very sisterly air!

Ming Jing and Mai, who had been secretly observing the two lolis, both jolted simultaneously, then revealed blissful expressions. Lolis were truly so lovable! Immediately after, they exchanged glances, and the intense hostility confused Yuexi behind them. Weren't the Kurama Clan and the Hyuga Clan allied? What was the situation between these two?

Behind the two giggling lolis followed a pair of men and women with ulterior motives, and further behind were the bewildered trio: Yuexi, Qing Yan, and Mirai. When the group arrived at the red bean dumpling shop, they unexpectedly found another acquaintance there.

"Yo, long time no see, Itachi," Ming Jing walked over and greeted him naturally. He glanced at the food Itachi had ordered. Sure enough, red bean dumplings. Ming Jing directly picked up a skewer and tasted it, then frowned and said, "Dried tangerine peel, glutinous rice flour, raisins, red beans soaked beforehand, hmm... unfortunately, they weren't soaked long enough!"

Itachi looked up at Ming Jing, his deep eyes seeming to say, Are you f*ing kidding me?

"Having a sensitive palate is the most basic requirement for a chef!" Ming Jing said triumphantly, waving the bamboo skewer in his hand and grinning. In reality, he couldn't tell how long the red beans had been soaked. He only said these things to Itachi to pretend... cough cough... maintain his awesome image.

Itachi said nothing. He took money from his pouch to pay for his food, then got up and left. He didn't pay for the skewer Ming Jing had eaten...

"Who was that older brother? He looked so cool!" Yakumo asked curiously, watching Itachi's retreating back. Hinata, however, shook her head with little interest.

"Uchiha Itachi, a genius of the Uchiha Clan. He was once considered a prodigy alongside your brother," Hinata Mai said coldly. Although this guy's heart melted when he saw lolis, she was also a Jonin of the Hyuga Clan and paid close attention to their rivals, the Uchiha Clan.

"Why isn't he considered a prodigy anymore?" Yakumo asked innocently, looking up at Mai.

Mai's cold expression faltered. She didn't know how to answer. Cute loli, it's your brother who's not considered a prodigy! Uchiha Itachi is at the peak of his career right now!

Ming Jing stared at where Itachi had been, then said to Tsukishiro Yuexi, "Keep an eye on Yakumo and Hinata. I'll be right back."

"Yes, Young Master," Tsukishiro Yuexi nodded. Together with Mirai Kurama, they stayed by Yakumo and Hinata's side. With a Jonin from the Hyuga Clan present, Ming Jing was assured of the two little lolis' safety.

Ming Jing led Qing Yan through winding streets, and before they knew it, they had arrived at Uchiha Itachi's secret training ground. As soon as they stepped onto the training ground, a kunai flew at them from an unknown location. Qing Yan stepped forward and caught the flying kunai with one hand.

"Itachi, you're treating me like this as soon as I arrive? That's not very friendly, is it? We're best friends, after all!" Ming Jing said with feigned heartbreak.

"I know about your situation," Uchiha Itachi emerged from the shadows, his expression somewhat lost as he asked, "Ming Jing, is this your choice?"

"I just want to try a different approach. Perhaps we can achieve our ideals?" Ming Jing thought for a moment and decided to use the same rhetoric he used to fool Hyuga Hiashi to deal with Itachi.

Uchiha Itachi frowned and asked, "You believe ninjas cannot bring peace?"

"Isn't that obvious?" Ming Jing spread his hands. "Ninjutsu wields power, and power is neither good nor evil. Regardless of the purpose, it will cause harm."

"I see!" Uchiha Itachi remained silent for a moment before speaking, "But your method won't work. The real decision-making power lies with the ninjas."

"How do we know it won't work if we don't try?" Ming Jing retorted.

"That would just be a futile effort," Uchiha Itachi said.

Ming Jing sighed and said, "Whether it works or not, someone has to try. How about this! Itachi, let's make a pact. We'll strive towards our goals in our own ways. Let's see the results in ten years, what do you say?"

"Okay!" Itachi nodded, looking at Ming Jing's earnest expression. He said leisurely, "Ming Jing, don't get lost in worldly power!"

Ming Jing, however, gave a wry smile. Even Itachi thought the ninja world and the civilian world were separate!

Ming Jing looked at Itachi, opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say. In the end, it turned into a "Okay."

Itachi watched Ming Jing and Qing Yan's figures slowly disappear around the corner. His heart was not as calm as it appeared. He was half-believing, half-doubting his best friend's choice. Having known each other for so many years, he was one of the few people in this world who truly understood Ming Jing. If this friend was truly doing this for peace, he felt it was unlikely deep down.

But someone with god-tier cooking skills wouldn't likely instigate war, as cooking also required a peaceful environment. So, what Itachi was truly confused about was Ming Jing's real motive.

Well, I think Itachi would understand if I told him the truth. As for others...