Chapter 282: Warmth

"I never expected to run into Xiao Mei this easily this time—what a surprise!"

Seeing Zhaomei Ming with black cursive marks all over her body, Dong Shilang was quite surprised.

Originally, I only saw that Bofeng Minato placed more importance on this matter, so I hastily brought him to the front lines for a look.

I really didn't expect that it would be this easy to meet them.

"Are you and that person quite familiar?"

"Not really! Last time I almost killed her, and she kept coming back with some strong companions to cause trouble for me."

Seeing Bofeng Minato show some curiosity, Dong Shilang briefly explained his grudge with Zhaomei Ming.

"First, let me introduce her: this is Zhaomei Ming, a genius girl of the Mist Ninja, eighteen years old, estimated height 172... measurements..."

Cough! Cough! Cough!

"Dong Shilang, no need to introduce her in such detail!"

Bofeng Minato finally understood why Zhaomei Ming wouldn't let go of Dong Shilang; seeing her face grow darker, he quickly coughed a few times to interrupt Dong Shilang's continued speech.

"Haha! I got a little overexcited, continue, continue..."

After Bofeng Minato interrupted his impromptu remarks, Dong Shilang quickly laughed it off, moved on, and reintroduced Guiding Manyue and another Mist Ninja.

He directly ignored Zhaomei Ming's almost murderous gaze, and after that, he still pointed at Bofeng Minato and said to them, "You probably don't need me to introduce this person, right?"

Indeed, with Leaf Village's publicity, plus the support of the Rock Ninja, and not to mention that signature blond hair of the Water Gate, there was no need for Dong Shilang to explain further; the three Mist Ninja already knew exactly who had ambushed them.

"Uh... why aren't you guys speaking?"

Seeing the three of them still grim and silent, Dong Shilang found it odd, but then realized something and glanced toward Bofeng Minato.

"This isn't the place to talk; let's move to a quiet spot where no one will disturb us."

It seemed he sensed something; Bofeng Minato didn't directly release the trio's bonds, but instead flew them, along with Dong Shilang, to a place he had prepared in advance.

Meanwhile, back at the original spot, different patrol units soon arrived to check the situation. Guiding Manyue's just-used ninjutsu made a sizable commotion, noticed by both Leaf Village ninjas and the Mist Ninja side.

But upon arriving at the scene, they found no trace of the mastermind behind all this; instead, they saw the opposing enemies, and another small-scale conflict broke out.

"In other words, you came here specifically to see us to discuss the Three-Tails matter with Grand Master?"

With the partial bonds released, Zhaomei Ming could finally move her limbs; after hearing Bofeng Minato's request, she didn't hesitate.

Nevertheless, she gave Dong Shilang a fierce glance and a big Byakugan.

"Yes, regarding this Three-Tails matter, Leaf Village wants to discuss it thoroughly with the Mist Ninja; regarding the ownership of the Three-Tails, we have some demands."

Bofeng Minato was very frank, hiding nothing, and told her the reason he had come to see her, also expressing his hope to meet Grand Master in person.

"Meet in person? No way!"

Taking in his blond spiky hair, Zhaomei Ming flatly refused; when he ambushed her, his speed was incredible—she had only just realized someone was attacking her from behind when he had already sealed her chakra and mobility.

If we were to directly bring such a person to Grand Master's side, and he harbored any ill intentions, wouldn't we regret it terribly?

"Oh, you won't? Actually, it doesn't matter; if we had Xiao Mei in hand, plus the Guiding Clan's genius, I'm sure Grand Master senior would still be willing to sit down and talk with us."

Seeing Zhaomei Ming not agree, Dong Shilang stepped forward and said to Bofeng Minato:

"Water Gate big brother, there's no need to entangle with them; with our two strengths plus Orochimaru senior's power, even if it's capturing the Detain Tangerine Arrow Warehouse, we could possibly take them alive, and then we wouldn't fear the Mist Ninja refusing to sit down and talk properly."

Dong Shilang played the bad cop very well, his voice threatening as he gave Zhaomei Ming a grim smile.

To strengthen the persuasiveness of his words, he also brought up Orochimaru's name, hoping to intimidate that woman.

"That's not good; it would only deepen the misunderstanding between both sides, which is not conducive to peace!"

"We still need to communicate properly; I believe that as long as both sides are sincere, clearing up the misunderstanding will be a good thing for both Leaf Village and the Mist Ninja."

"Uh..."

Looking at Bofeng Minato speaking earnestly, sincerely, with a face full of enthusiasm, Dong Shilang couldn't quite tell whether he was just playing along with his scheme to deal with Zhaomei Ming, or if he truly felt that way deep down.

The aura he just exuded really made Dong Shilang feel dazzled, not like idle talk.

Not only Dong Shilang, but even Zhaomei Ming, Guiding Manyue, and the other Mist Ninja opposite, looking at him like a small sun that could warm the heart, were somewhat dazed.

As Mist Ninja, they grew up under the harsh blood-mist policy, and most had gradually frozen their inner hearts; when had they ever seen someone with such an aura?

……

"Big sis, are we really supposed to help that Bofeng Minato pass the news to Grand Master?"

After a long time, only Zhaomei Ming and her two companions remained at the original spot.

"You're not falling for a pretty boy, are you?"

Seeing the expression on his face, Guiding Manyue looked at him with surprise, the fires of gossip burning fiercely within her.

"Shut up!"

A heavy punch smashed into Manyue's head, pulverizing her entire skull, while Zhaomei Ming remained dazed.

"Manyue, don't you think... our Mist Ninja... need someone like this?"

"Such a person?"

After thinking for a while, Guiding Manyue tossed Bofeng Minato's image out of her mind; before he could speak, the silent sealing ninja beside her spoke up.

"Miss, our Mist Ninja have had people like Bofeng Minato before, but... their eventual fate..."

He didn't specify the exact outcome, but as an elder of Zhaomei, he felt it necessary to shatter her lady's fantasy.

"Like that..."

Hearing his words, both Zhaomei Ming and Guiding Manyue were stunned for a moment, then expressed the same sentiment.