Chapter 233: The Price of Gossip

"Boss, this fish, remove the scales and guts."

The Konoha morning market was bustling, and Lian Ye crouched at the seafood stall, his fingertip gently picking up a plump salmon.

The ingredients Qianshou Feijian bought last night were devoured by Senju Hashirama and Madara Uchiha, those two foodies.

I had no choice but to buy a portion at the market and bring it back.

I'll have it ready by noon and deliver it to him.

Cooking for Madara and Hashirama behind that old guy's back is seriously thrilling!

... just like having an affair.

Lian Ye worries that Feijian might suddenly return and see this, but fortunately that old guy is busy handling affairs in the office and has no time to come back.

From now on there's no need to fear exposure; before leaving, Madara had him sign a Spirit Summoning Contract, so he can deliver the goods himself and no longer worry about that old guy finding out.

The only trouble is finding an excuse to leave the village.

But Lian Ye has already thought of a plan: simply taking on a mission will let him leave openly and honorably.

As a Mission Maniac of Konoha Village, isn't it perfectly normal for him to pick up a few missions from time to time?

That old guy would never notice any problem.

He never expected his encounter with Madara to turn out like this; not only did he fail to punch Madara, but he was forced to become a delivery chef.

True to a Ninja World Asura, he kept awkwardly pouring tea into Madara's cup, and the other side drank an entire teapot without ever getting up to use the bathroom.

Lian Ye is thoroughly impressed by his bladder capacity.

The point is, cooking for Madara and Hashirama is one thing, but doing it covertly feels just like an affair...

Lian Ye is terrified that the old guy will find out; otherwise he wouldn't know how to explain.

Even though he officially changed his surname to Senju, he still has an ambiguous connection with the former Uchiha clan head.

Based on what he knows about Qianshou Feijian, who can say what insane actions the truth might provoke?

The bond the two have painstakingly built could very well fall apart because of this.

Actually Lian Ye doesn't want this... but who can blame him after he promised Uncle Hashirama?

For Senju Hashirama's sake, he can only sacrifice Qianshou Feijian.

He wonders whether Hashirama, who hangs out with Madara daily, can persuade him to abandon the Moon's Eye project.

Lian Ye thinks the chances of success are low; Madara's will is steadfast and he will never abandon his ideals because of a few words from others.

He has that obstinate personality of never turning back until he hits a dead end.

This matter isn't his to handle; it should be left to the future Protagonist Party.

The harsh truth is that whether he can live to the Fourth Battle remains an unknown.

After all, no one knows whether tomorrow or an accident will come first.

Lian Ye is curious: when he dies, will someone Impure Earth Reincarnate him?

If he truly gets Impure Earth Reincarnated, wouldn't he get to live for a while longer?

Just as Lian Ye was daydreaming, a slightly teasing female voice came from behind—

"Lian Yejun, are you up early to buy lunch ingredients for Teacher Feijian?"

Lian Ye turned around and saw Xiaochun Zhuanqin holding a vegetable basket behind him, smiling brightly at him.

She wasn't wearing ninja attire today; instead she wore a simple tea‑colored kimono that was strikingly fresh‑looking—

if you ignore the gossip‑sparkle in her eyes.

Xiaochun Zhuanqin has always liked the dynamic between Lian Ye and Teacher Feijian; although they are adoptive father and son, their bond is more enviable than a typical father‑son relationship.

She often discusses this privately with Uchiha Jing and the others.

"Xiaochun," Lian Ye nodded, as a greeting.

Xiaochun Zhuanqin leaned closer, lowering her voice: "Lian Yejun, you forgot to cook for Teacher Feijian yesterday..."

She mischievously blinked, "Did you get scolded?"

Lian Ye let out a light hum, a tsundere expression flashing across his face.

"That old guy doesn't dare scold me."

Xiaochun Zhuanqin was startled, then burst into laughter, unsure whether she was amused by Lian Ye's demeanor or his words.

"What are you laughing at?" Lian Ye said irritably, "Everything I said is true."

"Mm‑mm." Xiaochun Zhuanqin nodded, still covering her mouth and giggling.

In all of Konoha, only Mito elder and Lian Ye are bold enough to call Teacher Feijian that way.

If she hadn't seen Lian Ye hurriedly rush away yesterday, she might have almost believed it.

Lian Yejun is so tsundere.

In her mind, she pictured Lian Ye pitifully apologizing to Teacher Feijian.

"Hey, everything I said is true," Lian Ye, unwilling to give up, repeated.

He sensed that Xiaochun's mind wasn't thinking about anything clean...

Girls his age just love to think about all sorts of messy stuff.

Lian Ye took the fish the boss handed him, placed it in the basket, and said, "Take your time laughing; I'm heading back now."

One explanation is enough for this; repeating it feels like trying to hide a missing three hundred taels of silver.

He's not bragging; that old kid Qianshou Feijian really doesn't dare scold him.

If he ever does get scolded, he'll simply go on strike and let that old guy cook for himself.

After serving as a chef for so many years, even without accolades, there's still toil.

And that old guy wouldn't dare complain about the chef after being full.

"Lian Yejun, don't go!" Xiaochun Zhuanqin tried to stop him, but Lian Ye had already left.

She still wants to pry some gossip out of Lian Ye's mouth.

Looks like we'll have to wait for the next time.

"Young man, you haven't paid yet!" the stall owner only then remembered that the youth who bought fish hadn't given any money.

He was just about to go after him, but found that the other had already melted into the crowd and disappeared.

The owner sighed in annoyance, then fixed his gaze on the girl who had been talking with the youth earlier.

"Miss, what do you think?"

Xiaochun Zhuanqin: "……"

That must be the price of liking gossip, I guess.

In the end, Xiaochun Zhuanqin paid for the salmon on Lian Ye's behalf.

……

Qianshou Feijian Residence.

Lian Ye had just returned home when he saw Xuanwo Mizuto already standing in the courtyard waiting.

"Mizuto Ayi, why are you here?"

He vaguely guessed that she had come because of Hashirama's matter, but didn't know what Uncle Hashirama had told her.

"Lian Ye, you know about Hashirama returning to the Village, right?" Xuanwo Mizuto showed a happy smile.

Fake Death's husband, who had been away from the Village for two years, finally returned today to see her.

"I know." Lian Ye nodded.

He had expected Xuanwo Mizuto to follow up on Hashirama's matter, but she didn't ask further; instead she proactively changed the subject—

"Lian Ye, Xiaogang is about to reach school age, please let Feijian know."

"Sure thing, Mizuto Ayi." Lian Ye didn't hesitate and agreed immediately.

As the principal of the Ninja School, Qianshou Feijian finds assigning Gangshou to the best class to be a one‑sentence matter.

Moreover, with Gangshou's talent, even without special favor she could get into the top class.

Since he has the authority, why not use it?

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye that Gangshou girl is about to attend the Ninja School as a Jonin.

When the time comes, Lian Ye plans to personally escort Gangshou to school, and see if he can run into the future Orochimaru and Zilaoye.

Both of them are talents.