Farewell

"So cold to a loyal subordinate, that doesn't quite fit your usual character!" A middle-aged man emerged from the darkness. It was the person Ming Jing had been waiting for—Hizashi Hyuga.

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. I believe she'll understand," Ming Jing sighed. Perhaps it was worry, but he had lost his composure. It was almost laughable that he was so tense over a child.

"My brother told me, but I have a question for you: When can I truly return to Konoha?" Hizashi didn't care to dwell on how Ming Jing disciplined his subordinates. He looked at Ming Jing's back and asked. He didn't want to live in darkness his whole life; he wanted to see Neji openly.

Ming Jing turned to face Hizashi and smiled, saying, "Don't worry! You won't miss Neji's growth. I've met that child; he's a very good kid!"

"Of course!" Hizashi smiled proudly. After all, Neji was the pride and most outstanding creation of his life!

"For the next day, please stay at the Kurama Clan's residence, Mr. Hizashi. We'll depart tomorrow afternoon!" Ming Jing nodded. Among the Konoha 12, Ming Jing admired Neji Hyuga the most. The others all had more or less obvious flaws. Shikamaru Nara was smart, but only smart; he lacked a grand vision. Aburame Shino was one of the few who could maintain calm thinking but was poor at expressing himself, so he was often overlooked. Uchiha Sasuke, needless to say, had too obvious personality flaws. His life was basically this: deceived by his brother as a child, deceived by Obito after his brother died, and when Obito stopped deceiving him... he couldn't find his life goal and went to travel the world... As for the rest...

Most of them were the hot-blooded idiot type, so there's no point comparing them to Neji...

"Why do we have to wait until tomorrow afternoon?" Hizashi asked.

"Because we need to prepare some relief supplies, and I also need to say goodbye to Hinata. Oh, right, Mr. Hizashi, I have a task for you, consider it an initiation test!" Ming Jing looked at Hizashi with a harmless expression and said, "Please find a way to lure away Hinata's guard."

"Mai, that girl?" Hizashi frowned. Hinata Mai was, in a sense, his disciple. Hizashi knew Mai's abilities, so the task Ming Jing gave him was quite difficult.

"Yes," Ming Jing nodded, then said with a serious expression, "Mr. Hizashi, my happiness is in your hands. You must succeed! For our cooperation and friendship!"

Hizashi looked at Ming Jing with a bewildered expression, inwardly asking, When did we ever have anything like friendship between us?

"Why don't you ask your brother to assign Hinata a different guard? That way, you wouldn't have to go through so much trouble," Hizashi asked curiously. He knew Hinata Mai was a person who took her missions very seriously. If a more flexible person were assigned, it probably wouldn't be too difficult for Ming Jing, right?

"Even I have to rack my brain to get close to Hinata. Others will definitely find it even harder. This way, I can be a little more at ease about Hinata's safety!" Ming Jing sighed slightly, then revealed a gentle smile.

Hizashi smiled slightly. Ming Jing's words made him agree with the other party a little. At least regarding Miss Hinata, the other party was sincere. Thus, Hizashi's tone softened, "Aren't you skilled in Illusion Techniques? With your abilities, making Mai fall asleep should be simple?"

"I'm not afraid you'll laugh at me, Mr. Hizashi, but although my Illusion Techniques are strong, I always struggle to control the intensity. Mai is with Hinata all day. I'm afraid I might accidentally injure Hinata, and that would be troublesome," Ming Jing explained with a wry smile.

"So that's what happened! No wonder you chose to give me the pill," Hizashi nodded. He thought for a moment and said, "So, I just need to lure Mai away from Hinata?"

"Yes!" Ming Jing thought about it and felt there shouldn't be any problem.

"Hmm... it seems a bit easier..." Hizashi stroked his chin, thinking of a plan in his mind.

"Actually... it's not that difficult," Ming Jing said, staring at Hizashi.

Hizashi suddenly felt a sense of malice. He looked at Ming Jing and saw the child smile slightly, saying, "Mr. Hizashi, impersonate Mr. Hiashi and tell Mai that you'll personally teach her Gentle Fist techniques to better protect Hinata..."

Hizashi sighed. He didn't even need to think to know where this malice came from. Impersonating his brother – how could he think of such a thing!

"Do you think I'll agree?" Hizashi retorted irritably.

"Why not agree to something so interesting?" Ming Jing asked curiously. Hizashi thought about it, and it seemed to make sense!

No, no, I'm an adult. How can I go crazy with a kid like Ming Jing?!

Hizashi quickly suppressed the restless urge in his heart. Ming Jing sighed silently. Why does it feel like after entering the realm of "Self-Belief," my application of Illusion Techniques from the Goose Illusionary Book is not as good as before? Something must have gone wrong.

"Sigh... If that's the case, let's depart tomorrow morning!" Ming Jing said dejectedly. Right, I still need to have Qing Yan inform Asuma. They can't leave the village without a captain's lead!

"Wait, is it really okay to change the departure time so casually?" Hizashi's expression turned awkward. He understood that he had just been tricked by this kid. As expected, his own little Neji was cuter!

"A few of us will depart first. The main group will follow slowly. Mr. Hizashi, get a good rest tonight. We depart at seven in the morning. Don't be late," Ming Jing said, then turned and walked away slowly. Hizashi watched Ming Jing's retreating figure and shook his head helplessly.

He walked all the way to the home theater, and the movie had already started. Ming Jing quietly asked Mirai Kurama to check on Yuexi's condition before sitting down next to Hinata in the dark. He occasionally turned his head to look at the little loli, just like the song said: I fear time goes too slow, worrying day and night about losing you, wishing we could grow old together overnight, never to be apart.

Hinata turned her head to glance at Ming Jing. Their eyes met. The little loli quickly turned her head back, pretending to watch the movie intently. In reality, she had no idea what was playing on the screen...

During the movie, Yakumo and Mai were in tears, clearly moved by the film. Hinata, however, was blushing furiously. When Yakumo discussed the movie with her, she could only nod vaguely. Fortunately, Hinata was usually shy, so Yakumo didn't suspect anything. The two little girls went to the restaurant hand in hand. Yakumo had ordered several snacks before the movie started, so they should be ready by now.

Ming Jing found Mirai Kurama and inquired about Yuexi's condition. He breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing it was just a flesh wound and nothing serious. Mirai Kurama then took out a jar of ointment and handed it to Ming Jing, instructing, "Young Master, this is the healing ointment I developed. Apply some every night before you sleep, and you'll be fine in seven days."

"Thank you!" Ming Jing took the ointment and expressed his gratitude.

"Hehehe... It's what Future should do. This ointment works wonders; I've tried it myself," Mirai Kurama smiled shyly but said proudly.

"Mm!" Ming Jing nodded. He was now contemplating a question: Who would apply the medicine to Yuexi? He felt like he himself was quite suitable for the task!

Since there were no male guests, Mai Kurama also joined them for this meal, making the dinner table livelier. Ming Jing took the opportunity to explain the situation to Mai Kurama and also hoped to take Yakumo to the Royal Capital to see the Clan Head.

Mai Kurama hesitated for a moment and asked, "Yakumo's health isn't good. Wouldn't traveling far be dangerous?"

"No, it won't be," Ming Jing shook his head. "Mirai will also be going, and we have the shock-absorbing carriage, so you don't need to worry about the fatigue of the journey." Ming Jing paused here himself. Why didn't I think of bringing Mirai along earlier? It seems I won't be the one applying medicine to Yuexi.

"Then... let's see what Yakumo herself thinks!" Mai Kurama said after some thought.

"Alright," Ming Jing nodded and turned to look at Yakumo, asking, "Do you want to go with Brother to see Father?"

"Eh?" Yakumo blinked and asked, "Isn't Father in the Royal Capital? Are you going to the Royal Capital, Brother? Take me with you! I want to go to the Royal Capital!" Seeing Yakumo's reaction, Mai Kurama could only smile wryly and then nod helplessly at Ming Jing.

"Okay, Yakumo, remember to wake up early tomorrow!" Ming Jing smiled and looked at Hinata, saying, "Hinata, you should know that Yuexi, Qing Yan, and I are now ninjas. Yesterday, we received a mission to go to the Royal Capital and will be away for a long time. During this period, Hinata, you mustn't forget us!"

"I won't," Hinata said, shaking her head firmly, then added with a blush, "When you come back, will Brother Ming Jing come to see me?"

"Of course, I will. As long as I'm back, I will definitely come to see Hinata," Ming Jing solemnly made his promise.