The war of words.
Ended with the defeat of the invincible A.
Although the Ninja World had settled down, Qingwu said, "The seeds of hatred have already been planted. When the time comes, all it'll take is a little nudge, and they might beat each other's brains out."
"After all, they're young right now."
"They've got drive."
"And even greater ambition!"
Afterward, the Hyuga Clan cooperated with various Factions, and shops sprang up like mushrooms after the rain.
Qingwu began expanding his businesses: hot pot restaurants, Chinese stir-fries, spicy hot pot, milk tea...
"Dongguan-style massages, Thai-style services, moxibustion, acupuncture and massage, karaoke, Heaven on Earth, Vini lingerie shows... newspapers, novels, comics, movies." They covered every aspect of entertainment.
Jiraiya said, "Hehehe~ Paradise..."
Everyone could make money together.
Every Faction in the village participated. Since these were all entertainment and supplementary businesses, they barely encroached on the established interests of other Factions. It was largely a win-win partnership.
Anyone who refused the win-win arrangement had been laid flat.
Qingwu said, "Come on. Any faction that can get its hands on a Youth-Preserving Pill is a major power. If they can't even handle these little things, they might as well quit. Trash deserves to get wiped out."
In short.
In everyone else's eyes, the Hyuga Clan had gone off course.
It had transformed from a ninja clan into a business clan. Apart from a few essential posts the village insisted they retain, its ninja abandoned the profession entirely and went home to do business and have children.
The Konoha F4 said, "A shortsighted clan. Nothing to worry about."
Danzo said coldly, "Without strength, no matter how much money the Hyuga have, they'll only be our future wallet. Just like the Uchiha." Since regaining his youth, he had become even more confident and composed.
"Exactly. The Hyuga are nothing to worry about, but we absolutely mustn't let them sit idle." Mitokado Homura hurried to agree. If Sarutobi and Danzo said it was good, then it had to be good.
"Boil the frogs slowly. Wear them down until they die." Utatane Koharu still remembered the humiliation she had suffered and spoke viciously.
"Yes, let's do that." Sarutobi Hiruzen was very pleased. They had come up with all the ideas and said everything themselves.
A shadow flashed through Danzo's eyes. Damn Hiruzen, pulling this trick again. Just you wait. Once my influence expands a little more, you'll be stepping down and retiring.
Yes, severing all his chakra pathways should do.
Let him be an ordinary old man.
In the end, he still had some affection for Sarutobi Hiruzen.
He didn't want to go too far.
After that.
The F4 often secretly helped the Hyuga expand their businesses, leaving the clan even less time to train.
Qingwu laughed. Ever heard of the training room in the Small World with its 1:10 time ratio? We've still got time to spare, okay?
As the Hyuga Clan's influence grew, its affairs became increasingly numerous, even with the elders and the Hiashi brothers helping.
Great Elder Hyuga Hoze said, "Qingwu, you little brat. You can't just watch us old folks work hard while a youngster like you takes a break..."
Staring at the mountain of documents, Qingwu looked miserable. "Grandpa, I'm still a child." He was faking it. A scan with divine self resolved any issue, providing all sorts of recommendations.
He was simply afraid of getting more work. Qingwu thoroughly enjoyed the sneaky thrill of slacking off on the job.
Hyuga Hoze laughed and scolded him. "Cut it out, brat. In our day, we were already on the battlefield at six or seven. Plenty of us had wives and children and were heads of our households in our teens... You little brat just want to slack off. Don't think you can fool me..."
Qingwu dreaded lectures most. "Grandpa, I was wrong. I'll work hard and study hard..."
"Good. I'll leave this stack of documents to you, then. I've got some tricky matters to deal with..." Hyuga Hoze moved a pile of documents over to Qingwu, regardless of whether he wanted them.
"What is it, Grandpa? Do you need help?" Qingwu still asked out of concern. What could be giving the old man trouble?
"No need. I'll handle it myself..."
"All right. Just say the word if you need anything, Grandpa." Qingwu assumed the old man was being stubborn and didn't want to show weakness in front of his grandson.
Hyuga Hoze nodded in satisfaction, then lowered his head and continued working. The document before him bore the title "Jin Ping Mei." It was none other than the novel Qingwu had published under his clone's name.
"What wonderful stuff..."
Qingwu would probably have cried if he knew.
Tricky matters.
This?!
"That old man, honestly~"
For once, Qingwu hadn't sent a Shadow Clone to school that day. He came in person to slack off, joke around with his friends, unwind, and hug and kiss his big and little wives along the way.
He hadn't expected Sasuke to block his path.
"Hyuga Seigo, fight me."
He refused at first, but Sasuke pestered him until Qingwu had no choice but to play along.
"Take this! Crow Sits on Plane!
Fierce Tiger Shadow Climbs Mountain!
Tornado Destroys Parking Lot!
Black Tiger Steals Heart!
Poison Dragon Drill!" Sasuke unleashed a storm of attacks, using all the fist techniques and Taijutsu Qingwu had taught his friends.
"Look! Someone's fighting..."
"I think it's Sasuke and Qingwu..."
"Amazing! I can't even follow how fast they're exchanging blows. Those two are so strong..."
The people around them began whispering. After all, one was the Clan Head of the prestigious Hyuga Clan, and the other was a member of the Uchiha Clan. A fight between them naturally drew everyone's attention.
"Hahaha~ This is killing me."
"How does Sasuke shout these while fighting without cracking up? Holy shit~ Guanyin Makes Face... Incredible... Hahaha~"
Qingwu was secretly delighted. Fortunately, Sasuke didn't know the hidden meanings behind these moves. Otherwise, who knew whether he'd die of humiliation?
Awei Eighteen Styles.
Qingwu himself had almost forgotten teaching them.
"Old Man Pushes Cart!" Sasuke launched another move.
While blocking Sasuke's attacks, Qingwu praised him. "Impressive, Sasuke. You actually learned all of these. You're a real genius~ A Taijutsu genius." His tone was peculiar.
"Hmph~ Was it supposed to be hard? I'm an Uchiha." Sasuke Uchiha snorted, pride gleaming in his eyes.
"Pfft~ Hahaha..." He couldn't hold it in anymore.
"Okay, okay. You're awesome, you're amazing. Bro, top marks~" Qingwu gave him a thumbs-up and smiled. He was more than happy to have some fun with a friend.
"Zhongchu... Zhongchu... Consecutive Zhongchu!"
As time passed, however, Sasuke's attacks grew fiercer, and he put more and more force into his blows. "Then get a taste of your own moves! Hah~ Poison Dragon Drill!"
"Oh, oh~ That move's way too dangerous. Pfft..."
Qingwu was really struggling, fighting while trying to suppress his laughter. Sasuke shouting these moves with such a straight face was just too funny.
"Hyuga Seigo, I've put up with you long enough! Laughing? What's so funny? Dragon Claw Hand Grabs Breasts!" Sasuke was rather bewildered, but he knew he was being mocked, and his attacks grew even more frenzied...
"No, no. I'm just being an idiot myself. Pfft... Hahaha..." Hearing the name, Qingwu lost control again.
Holy shit~ When did I teach that?
I'm a genius.
A tall figure watched from the shadows. Sasuke has grown up and gotten stronger, all thanks to Qingwu. But he's too wicked. How could he teach Sasuke these things...
"Aaaah~ Shut up! Stop laughing!"
Unfortunately, using the moves Qingwu had taught him against Qingwu was like showing off an axe in front of a master carpenter.
"That's a powerful strike, but it won't work on me."
Qingwu effortlessly countered every one of Sasuke's moves and pinpointed his openings. "Okay, finally some proper moves. Otherwise, I really was afraid I'd die laughing."
"Are you messing with me? Take this seriously!"
This left Sasuke feeling utterly humiliated.
"Not good enough? Then try this! Yama's Three Point Strike... Tiger Claw Extinction Strike... Raptor Predation!"
Sasuke didn't back down. Instead, he grew increasingly violent, even showing a trace of killing intent.
"Lost your head?! Or have you been nursing a grudge..."
Qingwu narrowed his eyes slightly. Whatever the reason, it didn't justify daring to direct killing intent at him. He wasn't going to indulge Sasuke, and his hands sped up.
At the same time, he inwardly shook his head.
Is there something wrong with Sasuke? Shouldn't you be happy that I'm pointing out your problems? You can only get stronger by recognizing your flaws and correcting them. Why do you look so resentful instead?
(Sasuke: Bastard! You've been laughing at me since the fight started. How could I not get angry? You bastard, for three years...)
You can't face your own shortcomings honestly. Sigh~ With that attitude, how are you going to beat Itachi?
As he thought this, Qingwu struck even faster, never considering that his own mockery had caused Sasuke to lose control.
"Urgh~" A punch landed in Sasuke Uchiha's stomach. Sasuke groaned in agony, then dropped to his knees.
"Impossible. Even my Sharingan couldn't see it." Sasuke's face filled with disbelief. Once again, he hadn't seen it.
"Sure enough, Lord Qingwu is stronger..."
"Of course. Qingwu is the Hyuga Clan's rich Clan Head, after all. Obviously, he'd be stronger...~"
The other onlookers weren't surprised by the result. After all, Qingwu was the Hyuga Clan Head. (Outsiders didn't know what had happened at the Hyuga ceremony. Having outsiders penetrate their inner grounds was a scandal, after all.)
"Pat, pat~"
Qingwu dusted off his hands and straightened his clothes. "Sasuke, the winner's been decided. Let's end the spar here. I'm going to find Hinata and the others. Let's head in together..."
"Hmph~ I haven't lost yet. You're not allowed to leave..." Sasuke climbed to his feet and shouted coldly, "Again..."
"Or are you scared..."
Before you continue