Under the tree.
"What do you think the Hokage is? Do you have some kind of misunderstanding about what being Hokage means?" Qing Xuan looked at Asuma's stunned expression, his face full of dismay. He sighed. "Why did the Third Hokage think of sending you here? Even Shin'nosuke would be better than you!"
Sarutobi Shin'nosuke, crouching in a tree: ...
Asuma was annoyed too. "Big Brother only knows how to fight. He's not better than me!"
Then he turned his attention to Qing Xuan. "Since you know so much, why don't you tell me what the Hokage is?"
Qing Xuan raised an eyebrow. "You don't become Hokage and then earn everyone's recognition. You become Hokage because everyone recognizes you."
Asuma's heart jolted. He thought it over carefully, then jolted again. In an instant, he looked at Qing Xuan differently.
This kid knew his stuff...
Then he heard him say, "You think that's what being Hokage means? That's nothing but an empty slogan!"
"B-but isn't it?" Asuma hesitated. Wasn't that the perfect definition of the Hokage?
Qing Xuan spread his hands and posed another question that seemed to come from the depths of his soul. "What do you think the Hokage is?"
"I... I don't know?" Asuma was completely bewildered. At that moment, he almost didn't want to hear Qing Xuan speak anymore.
"The Hokage is the biggest shot among the ninja in the Land of Fire."
Qing Xuan gave a simple definition. "Being recognized is only the final, insignificant byproduct of becoming Hokage. As Hokage, you either need overwhelming strength that can surpass the other hidden villages, or the political skill to outmaneuver the other nations."
"Why did Konoha become the strongest in the shinobi world when it was founded? Because back then, Konoha met every requirement perfectly. The First Hokage's strength and the Second Hokage's brains made Konoha invincible among all the villages!"
"As the leader of a village, you have to consider every aspect of it, handle countless affairs and decisions, and make sure your own strength isn't a joke. That's nothing like being some petty bandit chief!"
Asuma blinked, then gave up trying to keep up. "What you're saying makes a lot of sense, but why are you telling me all this?"
Qing Xuan snorted and lifted his chin, looking down his nose at him. "That's why the Third Hokage chose to have you stay by my side!"
S-stay by his side?
Asuma stared at Qing Xuan in shock. Qing Xuan pointed at him, radiating confidence. "So I can help you develop a keen political sensibility, Asuma!"
Ooh~?
The people in both trees were stunned!
Asuma had been completely hoodwinked. His soul practically left his body as he shakily pointed at himself, unable to believe it.
"Is that really it?"
Ignoring his shock, Qing Xuan sat down on the ground, perfectly composed.
"My lessons are expensive. Don't waste time on such trivial matters. Let's get started!"
Get started already?
Asuma hesitantly sat down. Qing Xuan was moving too fast for him to keep up.
Qing Xuan didn't intend to give him time to catch his breath. Without even an opening, he launched straight into educating the Hokage family's idiot son on a career in politics.
"Political acumen is an essential quality for any village leader. Since the Cloud's envoy delegation has come to Konoha, let's use them as our topic."
He stared right at Asuma, making him feel unnerved. How many years had it been since he'd felt that nervousness from being called on by a teacher at the Ninja Academy?
He worried that he wouldn't be able to answer and would make a fool of himself.
Qing Xuan saw his concern and smiled reassuringly. "Don't be nervous. It's easy."
Then he asked, "Just tell me why the Cloud's envoy delegation came to Konoha."
Asuma immediately relaxed. "I know this one. They're here to sign a peace treaty. The war is over, and once the treaty is signed, the shinobi world will finally be at peace."
Then he saw Qing Xuan shake his head in disappointment. He swallowed and asked hoarsely, "Am I wrong?"
"Signing a peace treaty is only a cover. How could something a hidden village puts on display be so easy for others to see through?" Qing Xuan shook his head. "We're going to discuss what's really going on beneath the surface."
His piercing gaze made Asuma tense up again. He didn't know what was happening to him, but Qing Xuan had an incredibly imposing air about him at that moment!
The wind swept through the forest, rustling the treetops. Even the Anbu and Uchiha in the trees grew solemn without realizing it. They found themselves considering Qing Xuan's question and thinking through their own answers.
But when Asuma fell silent, Qing Xuan didn't give him the answer. Instead, he asked another question.
"What kind of person do you think the Fourth Raikage is?"
Domineering, hot-tempered, reckless...
An image of a brawny hothead appeared in everyone's mind, but Qing Xuan told them that wasn't the case.
The Fourth Raikage was good at taking advice. He had a powerful team of strategists, and he had a good relationship with the daimyo of the Land of Lightning!
His hot temper and recklessness were only a disguise. His true nature was fearless!
He had his own reasons for what he did. He was unwavering in his pursuit of his goals, willing to stop at nothing—even risking his own reputation. People mistook that resolve for arrogance.
Ever since the Fourth Raikage took over, Kumogakure had grown stronger and stronger. Now, it was showing signs of surpassing Konoha. Could a hothead really have accomplished that?
The Fourth Raikage openly displayed his recklessness for all to see, while Kumogakure continued to develop and grow stronger under the cover of that very recklessness.
"So, did the Cloud's envoy delegation really come here just to sign a peace treaty?"
Qing Xuan's voice rang out again amid the still wind. A gust swept past, and everyone suddenly felt a little cold...
A few days later.
A light drizzle fell, and all of Konoha was shrouded in a hazy mist. The rain pattered through the forest and against the leaves with a rustling sound, lending the scene a gloomy air.
In Neji's memories, it hadn't rained that day. But the rain continued to fall even after the Cloud's delegation arrived.
Cold raindrops landed on his face. Against the gloomy sky, the smiling face of the delegation's leader seemed to hold a hint of coldness.
That day, nearly every Konoha ninja had come to the streets to welcome the Cloud's delegation. There were only two exceptions.
The Hyuga and the Uchiha!
Nearly everyone from Konoha's two great clans had gathered in their compounds that day to hold a grand celebration for a long-awaited occasion.
But unlike the Uchiha's festivities, everyone in the Hyuga Clan was subdued.
It was the third birthday of the main family's heir, but it was also the day the branch family's heir would officially lose his freedom.
"Father."
Four-year-old Neji shyly hid behind Hizashi, peering through a gap at the adorable figure behind his uncle.
"Is that little Hinata? She's so cute!"
Hizashi's face was cold, as gloomy as the sky above.
He knew what he would lose that day. He also knew what Neji would lose.
The innocent question felt like a knife twisting in his heart.
"Hizashi, hand Neji over to us."
The calm voice sounded like an inescapable fate.
A dull rumble of thunder came from the sky, and the pattering rain grew heavier...
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