Farewell

"Being so cold to a loyal subordinate doesn't quite match your usual character!" A middle-aged man stepped out of the darkness. It was the person Ming Jing had been waiting for all along—Hizashi Hyuga.

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. I'm sure she understands." Ming Jing sighed. Perhaps he had been too worried, letting himself lose his composure. It was almost funny—he had actually been made this nervous by a child.

"My brother told me, but there's something I want to ask you. When can I truly return to Konoha?" Hizashi Hyuga could not be bothered to dwell on how Ming Jing trained his subordinates. Looking at Ming Jing's back, he asked, "I don't want to live in the darkness for the rest of my life. I want to see Neji openly and honestly."

Ming Jing turned to look at Hizashi Hyuga and smiled. "Don't worry. You won't miss Neji's growth. I've met that child before. He's quite an outstanding kid."

"Of course!" Hizashi Hyuga smiled proudly. After all, Neji was the pride of his life and his finest work.

"For the next day, please stay with the Kurama Clan, Mr. Hizashi. We'll leave tomorrow afternoon." Ming Jing nodded. Among the Konoha 12, Neji Hyuga was the one he admired most. The others all had obvious flaws to varying degrees. Shikamaru Nara was smart, but only smart; he lacked a sense of the bigger picture. Aburame Shino was one of the few who could remain calm and think clearly, but he was not good at expressing himself and was often overlooked. There was no need to even mention Second Pillar—his personality flaws were far too obvious. His life had basically gone like this: fooled by his Brother as a child, fooled by Obito after his Brother died, and once Obito stopped fooling him... he lost his purpose in life and went off to travel the world... As for the rest...

Most of them were hot-blooded idiots. There was no point comparing them with Neji.

"Why wait until tomorrow afternoon?" Hizashi Hyuga asked.

"Because we need to prepare some relief supplies, and I need to say goodbye to Hinata. Oh, Mr. Hizashi, I have a task for you. Consider it an initiation test!" Ming Jing looked harmlessly at Hizashi Hyuga and said, "Please find a way to lure away the guard by Hinata's side."

"That girl Mai?" Hizashi Hyuga frowned. In a sense, Hinata Mai could also be considered his student. Hizashi understood Mai's abilities, so the task Ming Jing had given him was not without difficulty.

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

Hizashi Hyuga stared awkwardly at Ming Jing and could not help asking inwardly, Since when was there ever something like friendship between us?

"Why not ask my brother to replace Hinata's guard? That way, you wouldn't have to go through so much trouble, would you?" Hizashi Hyuga asked curiously. He knew that Hinata Mai was extremely dedicated to her duties. If she were replaced with someone more flexible, Ming Jing probably would not have such a hard time.

"Even I have to rack my brains just to get close to Hinata. Other people would surely find it even harder to approach her. That way, I can be a little more at ease about Hinata's safety." Ming Jing sighed softly, then revealed a gentle smile.

Hizashi Hyuga smiled faintly. Ming Jing's words made him acknowledge the boy a little more. At least where Miss Hinata was concerned, Ming Jing was sincere. Hizashi's tone softened as well. "Aren't you skilled in genjutsu? With your strength, it should be easy to put Mai to sleep, shouldn't it?"

"Not to make you laugh, Mr. Hizashi, but although my genjutsu is powerful, I can never control the force properly. Mai sticks to Hinata all day long. I'm afraid I might accidentally hurt Hinata, and that would be troublesome." Ming Jing explained with a bitter smile.

"So that's what it is! No wonder you chose to give me pills." Hizashi Hyuga nodded, then thought for a moment before saying, "So I just need to lure Mai away from Hinata?"

"Yes!" Ming Jing thought about it and felt there should not be any problem.

"Hmm... That does seem easier..." Hizashi Hyuga stroked his chin, thinking of a plan.

"Actually... it isn't that difficult." Ming Jing stared at Hizashi Hyuga.

Hizashi Hyuga suddenly sensed a wave of malice. He looked at Ming Jing, only to see the boy smile slightly as he said, "Mr. Hizashi can impersonate Mr. Hiashi, then tell Mai that he wants to personally teach her the techniques of the Gentle Fist so she can protect Hinata better..."

Hizashi Hyuga sighed. He did not even need to think to know where that malice had come from. Impersonating his Brother—how had this kid even come up with that?

"Do you think I'd agree to that?" Hizashi Hyuga asked irritably.

"Why wouldn't you agree to something so interesting?" Ming Jing asked curiously. Hizashi Hyuga thought about it. It did seem to make sense!

No, no. I'm an adult. How can I go along with a little brat like Ming Jing?

Hizashi Hyuga quickly suppressed that restless urge in his heart. Ming Jing sighed soundlessly. Why did it feel as though, after entering the realm of Self-Belief, his use of the genjutsu in The Goose Illusionary Book had become worse than before? Something must have gone wrong somewhere.

"Sigh... In that case, let's leave tomorrow morning!" Ming Jing said dejectedly. Oh, right, Qing Yan still needed to notify Asuma. Without a team captain leading them, they could not even leave the village!

"Wait, is it really okay to change the departure time so casually?" Hizashi Hyuga's expression turned awkward. He realized he had just been tricked by this little brat. Sure enough, his own little Neji was much cuter!

"The few of us can leave first. The main group can follow slowly behind. Mr. Hizashi, get a good rest tonight. We leave at seven tomorrow morning, so don't be late." After saying that, Ming Jing turned and walked away at an unhurried pace. Hizashi Hyuga watched his back and shook his head helplessly.

By the time he reached the home theater, the movie had already started. Ming Jing first quietly had Mirai Kurama go out and check on Yuexi's condition. Only then did he sit beside Hinata in the dark, occasionally turning his head to look at the little girl. Just like the song said: I fear time moves too slowly, worrying day and night that I might lose you. I wish we could grow old overnight and never be apart.

Hinata turned to glance at Ming Jing, and their eyes met. The little girl quickly turned away, pretending to watch the movie intently. In truth, she had no idea what was happening on the screen anymore...

By the end of the movie, Yakumo and Mai were both crying their eyes out, clearly moved by it. Hinata, however, was flushed from head to toe. When Yakumo discussed the movie with her, she could only nod and mumble vague responses. Fortunately, Hinata was usually shy anyway, so Yakumo did not become suspicious. The two little girls held hands and went to the dining room together. Before the movie began, Yakumo had specifically ordered several snacks, which should be ready by now.

Ming Jing found Mirai Kurama and asked about Yuexi's condition. Hearing that it was only a flesh wound and nothing serious, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. Mirai Kurama then took out a jar of ointment and handed it to Ming Jing. "Young Master, this is a healing medicine I developed. Apply some every night before bed, and she'll be fine in seven days."

"Thank you!" Ming Jing accepted the ointment gratefully.

"Hehehe... It's what Mirai should do. This ointment works really well. I've tried it myself." Mirai Kurama smiled shyly, though she sounded quite proud.

"Mm!" Ming Jing nodded. He was now thinking about who would apply Yuexi's medicine. It seemed rather appropriate for him to do it himself!

Since there were no male guests this time, Mai Kurama joined them for dinner as well, making the table much livelier. Ming Jing took the opportunity to explain the situation to Mai Kurama and express his hope of taking Yakumo to the Royal Capital to visit the Clan Head.

Mai Kurama hesitated before asking, "Yakumo isn't in good health. Would it be dangerous for her to travel so far?"

"It won't." Ming Jing shook his head. "Mirai will be coming too, and we have the Shock-Absorbing Carriage, so there's no need to worry about the hardships of the journey." At this point, Ming Jing paused. Why had he not thought of bringing Mirai along earlier? It seemed applying Yuexi's medicine would not be his responsibility after all.

"Then... let's see what Yakumo herself thinks!" Mai Kurama said after thinking it over.

"All right." Ming Jing nodded, turned to Yakumo, and asked, "Do you want to go see Father with Brother?"

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

"Then it's settled. Yakumo, remember to get up early tomorrow!" Ming Jing smiled, then looked at Hinata. "Hinata should know that Yuexi, Qing Yan, and I are ninjas now. We received a mission yesterday and need to go to the Royal Capital to carry it out. We may be away for quite a while. During that time, Hinata mustn't forget us."

"I won't." Hinata shook her head firmly, then said with a red face, "W-when you come back, will Brother Ming Jing come see me?"

"Of course. As long as I return, I'll definitely come see Hinata." Ming Jing made the promise solemnly.