One Person Dares, A Crowd Dares to Listen

Under the tree.

"What do you think the Hokage is? Do you have some misunderstanding about the Hokage?" Qing Xuan looked at the stunned Asuma with a look of annoyance and sighed, "Why did the Third Hokage think of sending you here? Even Shin'nosuke would be better than you!"

Sarutobi Shin'nosuke, squatting on the tree: ...

Asuma also got annoyed and retorted, "My brother only knows fighting, he's not as good as me!"

Then he pointed the spearhead at Qing Xuan, "Since you know so much, why don't you tell me what the Hokage is?"

Qing Xuan raised an eyebrow, "It's not that you are recognized after becoming Hokage, but that you become Hokage after being recognized by everyone."

Asuma was shocked and pondered for a moment, then was shocked again. His gaze towards Qing Xuan immediately changed.

This kid has something going on...

Then he heard again, "You think this is the Hokage? This is clearly just an empty phrase!"

"Is... isn't it?" Asuma hesitated, wasn't this the perfect interpretation of the Hokage?

Qing Xuan spread his hands and asked again, a question from the soul, "What do you think the Hokage is?"

"I... I don't know?" Asuma was completely confused and even felt like he didn't want to listen to Qing Xuan speak anymore.

"The Hokage is the highest ninja leader of the Land of Fire."

Qing Xuan gave a simple explanation, "Being recognized is just a trivial final product of becoming Hokage. As Hokage, you must either have the absolute strength to suppress other hidden villages, or you must have the strong political maneuvering skills to deal with various countries."

"Why did Konohagakure become the strongest in the ninja world when it was founded? Because Konohagakure at that time perfectly met all the conditions. The First Hokage's strength combined with the Second Hokage's intellect made Konohagakure invincible among all villages!"

"As the Kage of a village, you have to consider all aspects of the village, deal with tedious matters and decisions, and ensure that your own strength is not too embarrassing. It's not comparable to a mere bandit leader!"

Asuma blinked his eyes and completely gave up, "Although what you said makes a lot of sense, why are you telling me this?"

Qing Xuan snorted coldly, tilted his chin, and looked at him with his nostrils flared, "This is why the Third Hokage chose to let you follow me!"

Follow... follow?

Meeting Asuma's shocked gaze, Qing Xuan pointed forward with full momentum, "It's to let me help you cultivate sensitive political acumen! Asuma!"

Huh~?

The people on both trees were stunned!

Asuma was even more deceived to the point of losing his soul. He tremblingly pointed at himself, his face full of disbelief.

"Is that so?"

Qing Xuan ignored his shock and sat directly on the ground, looking calm.

"My lessons are very expensive, don't waste time on these trivial matters, let's get started directly!"

It's starting already?

Asuma hesitantly sat down. Qing Xuan's pace was a bit too fast, leaving him unable to react.

Qing Xuan didn't intend to give him a chance to react. Without any preamble, he began cultivating the political path of the Hokage's foolish son.

"A keen political sense is an indispensable excellent quality for the Kage of a village. Coincidentally, the Kumogakure envoy is coming to Konohagakure, so let's discuss it based on this!"

His eyes stared at Asuma, making Asuma feel a little creeped out. This sense of tension, like being called up by a teacher in the ninja academy to answer a question, hadn't appeared in years.

He was a little worried that he wouldn't be able to answer later and become a laughingstock.

Qing Xuan saw his worry and smiled slightly, comforting him, "Don't be nervous, it's very simple."

He said, and directly asked, "Just simply state the purpose of the Kumogakure envoy's visit to Konohagakure."

Hearing this, Asuma immediately relaxed, "I know this, they are here to sign a peace treaty. Although the war is over, with the treaty in place, the ninja world will be completely stable."

Then he saw Qing Xuan shake his head in disappointment and couldn't help but swallow, asking dryly, "Is that not right?"

"Signing a peace treaty is just a superficial cover. How can things that hidden villages put on the surface be easily seen through by others?" Qing Xuan shook his head, "We are talking about something deeper."

His profound gaze made Asuma nervous again. He didn't know what was happening to him? But at this moment, the sense of authority emanating from Qing Xuan was incredibly strong!

The wind blew through the forest, rustling the treetops. Even the Anbu and Uchiha on the trees couldn't help but become serious. They involuntarily put themselves in the position of the problem Qing Xuan raised and pondered the answers.

However, facing Asuma's silence, Qing Xuan did not give the answer but asked another question.

"What kind of person do you think the current Fourth Raikage is?"

Overbearing, violent, reckless...

A strong, brawling image appeared in everyone's minds, but Qing Xuan told them it wasn't like that.

The Fourth Raikage was very good at accepting others' opinions, he had a powerful think tank, and he had a good relationship with the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning!

His violent and reckless demeanor was just a disguise; his true personality was fearless!

This person had his own considerations and would resolutely pursue his goals by any means necessary, even disregarding his reputation. This determination, however, was misinterpreted as overbearing.

Kumogakure had become increasingly powerful since the Fourth Raikage took office, and it was now subtly showing signs of surpassing Konohagakure. Could a brawler achieve this?

The Fourth Raikage displayed his recklessness without reservation to everyone, yet Kumogakure had been continuously developing and growing under this recklessness.

"So, is the Kumogakure envoy really just here to sign a peace treaty this time?"

Qing Xuan's words echoed again in the quiet wind, carried by it, and everyone suddenly felt a chill...

A few days later.

A light rain began to fall sporadically, shrouding all of Konohagakure in a hazy mist. The threads of rain pierced the forest, striking the leaves with a rustling sound that was particularly gloomy.

In Neji's memory, this day was supposed to be rain-free, but the rain continued to fall until the Kumogakure delegation arrived.

The cold raindrops landed on his face. Under the backdrop of the overcast sky, the Kumogakure ninja leader's smiling face took on a hint of coldness.

On this day, almost all of Konohagakure's ninja lined the streets to welcome the Kumogakure delegation, except for two clans.

The Hyuga and the Uchiha!

The members of Konoha's two great clans were almost all gathered at their respective clan grounds today, holding a grand celebration for this long-awaited day.

However, unlike the Uchiha's joyous festivities, everyone in the Hyuga Clan was somewhat subdued.

Although this day was the third birthday of the main family's direct heir, it was also the day the branch family's direct heir officially lost his freedom.

"Father."

Four-year-old Neji shyly hid behind Hizashi, peeking through the gap at the adorable figure behind his uncle.

"Is that Hinata-imouto? She's so cute!"

Hizashi's expression was cold, like the gloomy sky filled with haze.

He knew what he would lose today, and he also knew what Neji would lose.

The innocent question felt like a knife twisting in his heart.

"Hizashi, please entrust Neji to us."

A faint voice, like an irreversible fate.

A low rumble of thunder sounded from the sky, and the pattering rain intensified