Chapter 2: Adoption

Uchiha Clan Territory.

Senju Hashirama arrived in Uchiha Clan Territory with Qianshou Feijian, whose head was drooping.

The Uchiha Elder learned of it and hurriedly led the clan members out to greet them.

After Clan Head Madara Uchiha defected, the Uchiha were leaderless, and the clan affairs were handled by the Great Elder.

"Hokage, why have you come?"

The Uchiha Elder trembled, fearing that Hashirama had come to accuse them because of Lord Ban's affairs.

Lord Ban left Konoha; a nicer way to say it is that he vanished without a trace, a harsher way is that he defected from Konoha.

If Hashirama took advantage of Lord Ban's departure and acted against the Uchiha Clan, what would we do?

Without Lord Ban, no one can stop Hashirama!

"Ha ha, Great Elder, don't be nervous; I'm here to discuss something with you," Senju Hashirama said with a smile.

"What brings the Hokage here?" the Great Elder asked tentatively.

As long as it's not to wipe out the Uchiha Clan…

"Here's the thing: my younger brother wants to adopt an orphan of the Uchiha, and I wonder if the Great Elder would agree?"

Those words shocked all the Uchiha present!

They, incredulous, turned to Qianshou Feijian, their expressions as if saying, "Are you kidding me?"

If we speak of Konoha Village, who hates the Uchiha the most? None other than Qianshou Feijian.

Of course, the Uchiha Clan likewise harbors no goodwill toward Qianshou Feijian.

It's hard to imagine that this guy wants to adopt members of the Uchiha.

After the shock, the Uchiha looked at Qianshou Feijian with unfriendly faces, wondering whether his adoption of Uchiha had some hidden secret.

Qianshou Feijian was stared at by a group of red-eyed men, his forehead veins bulging, and he lowered his head in embarrassed silence.

If not forced by his elder brother's overwhelming pressure, how could he have come?

Hashirama ignored Feijian, smiled, and looked at the Great Elder, "Great Elder, would you be willing?"

Hearing this, a fine cold sweat broke out on the Great Elder's forehead.

To be honest, he did not want to agree to this.

If the Uchiha Clan members were adopted by the Senju, and this got out, how could the Uchiha still have a foothold in Konoha?

But the person before them is the God of Ninja, Senju Hashirama! It wouldn't be good to refuse.

Lord Ban has now defected, and no one in the Uchiha Clan can match Hashirama; if they refuse, who can guarantee Hashirama won't act against the Uchiha?

Perhaps this is an excuse to strike the Uchiha!

After all, Konoha now bears the Senju name, not the Uchiha.

The Great Elder felt some regret, thinking they should have left with Lord Ban back then.

Of course, that's just wishful thinking…

The Uchiha, who have endured war for years, have finally welcomed peace; how could they abandon this hard-won peace?

After much deliberation, the Great Elder could only agree: "Hokage, I will now take you to the Orphanage."

The Uchiha's expressions were complicated as they silently watched the three of them leave.

They all knew this was the Great Elder's compromise to Konoha.

If Lord Ban had not left, perhaps this would not have happened…

The Uchiha will tolerate once and then a second time, but they no longer have any room for choice.

……

Uchiha Orphanage.

The Director of the Orphanage, a bearded uncle, learned of the Hokage's purpose and hurriedly gathered the children to line up.

There were about fifty children, each showing curiosity, not knowing what had happened.

They have lived in the Orphanage for years and do not know Hashirama at all.

The Director introduced, "Children, this is the Hokage!"

At these words, the crowd instantly erupted into a commotion.

The name of a man and the shadow of a tree, the God of Ninja's reputation has long resonated throughout the Ninja World.

In Konoha Village, almost no one fails to respect and worship him!

Even the proud Uchiha are no exception; admiring the strong is the Uchiha's nature.

Especially since this strong man is kind and has no airs.

Hashirama warmly greeted the children and told them the purpose of his visit.

Upon hearing this, the Uchiha orphans were stunned.

Although they revere Hashirama, it does not mean they are willing to be adopted by the Senju.

Being adopted by the Senju would be an utter disgrace for the Uchiha!

If this matter were spread, it would certainly be nailed to the Pillar of Shame, have its spine pierced, and never be able to raise its head for a lifetime!

Especially these orphans, who are basically grateful to the Senju for what they have.

If there were no Senju Clan, their parents wouldn't have died in war, and they wouldn't have become orphans.

……

Qianshou Feijian wore a stern face as he walked toward the Uchiha orphans, his expression uglier than a mother's death.

He glanced around casually, shook his head and said, "Brother, I'm not interested in any of these children."

He only hoped his brother would quickly let him leave, and that the matter of adopting Uchiha orphans would stop being a joke.

Upon hearing this, the children let out a sigh of relief.

It's fine as long as I wasn't chosen…

"Feijian, don't be scheming!" Senju Hashirama frowned and scolded.

Senju Feijian crossed his arms and muttered, "What's the point? I didn't like any of those children…"

"You…" Senju Hashirama was about to speak when the Orphanage Director stepped forward and said, "Lord Hokage, actually the orphanage still has a child, but he moved out a while ago."

Senju Hashirama's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly said, "Then please have the Director take us to find that child!"

Speaking, he looked at Feijian with a solemn expression, displaying a rarely shown elder brother's authority.

"Since none of those children are liked, then the last child… I hope you will like him!!"

Hearing that, Senju Feijian clenched his teeth in anger.

He glared at the Director with such displeasure that, if a gaze could kill, the Director would already have been torn apart.

His earlier words were only meant to make his older brother give up, but the Director stepped forward, forcing them to adopt that child.

The threat in his older brother's earlier remark was obvious…

The Uchiha Clan truly is a naturally evil lineage!

The Director who was leading the way suddenly felt a cold shiver down his neck, making him very uncomfortable.

"Feijian!"

After a light sigh, that feeling vanished.

————

Lian Ye's residence.

"Lian Ye, open the door quickly, I'm the Director!"

Lian Ye was drawing chakra inside the house; hearing the commotion, he quickly got up and opened the door.

When the door opened, Lian Ye noticed three people standing behind the Director.

One of the elders he recognized was the Great Elder of the Uchiha Clan.

His eyes flickered at the other two.

One wore a green kimono and had black hair; the other wore blue armor and had white hair.

He easily guessed their identities—Senju Hashirama and Senju Feijian.

Lian Ye felt a bit panicked; why were these two looking for him?

Could it be that his transmigration identity was exposed?!

It shouldn't be; he never mentioned it to anyone.

And also, Senju Feijian is being way too exaggerated, right?

Wearing armor inside the Village, are they really that wary of the Uchiha Clan?!

He steadied his emotions, pretended ignorance, and said, "Great Elder, Director, why are you here?"

"Lian Ye, someone wants to adopt a child, so I brought them to find you," the Director explained.

Lian Ye's pupils contracted sharply, looking like he'd seen a ghost.

What the heck? Senju Hashirama wants to adopt him?

His mind completely crashed; he couldn't grasp the current situation at all.

"Lord Hokage, what do you think?" the Great Elder asked.

Senju Hashirama examined Lian Ye, nodded approvingly, "Not bad, this child is independent at such a young age, he'll do!"

He didn't even ask Feijian's opinion, making the decision on his own.

"Older brother!" Senju Feijian shouted furiously, "You really want me to adopt a Uchiha!"

Only at this moment did he realize his older brother wasn't joking with him…

Senju Hashirama patted Feijian's shoulder and gently guided:

"I hope that while you interact with this child, you can let go of your hatred toward the Uchiha!"

After speaking, he turned to the dazed Lian Ye and said:

"Xiao Lian Ye, from now on he'll take care of you! If he bullies you, come find me, and I'll punish him!"

Hearing that, Lian Ye finally came to his senses.

He stared blankly at Senju Feijian, realizing it was Senju Feijian who was to adopt him!

This is damn absurd!

Senju Feijian also looked at Lian Ye; the two big eyes faced the small eye.

Both were completely blown about in the wind.

Finally, Senju Feijian, with a dark face, lifted the bewildered Lian Ye and left the Uchiha Clan Territory.

Lian Ye never even dreamed that Senju Feijian would adopt him; after all, that old guy is famously averse to the Uchiha…

Senju Feijian felt the same; he never expected that in his lifetime he would adopt a little Uchiha brat.

The Great Elder watched the scene, sighed helplessly, "I hope Senju Feijian won't abuse this child."