Chapter 271: Perhaps, This Is a God

Lian Ye plans to leave the Village in three days, and before that he wants to say goodbye to the people he knows.

Otherwise, if he suddenly disappears, people would think he's dead.

Especially that guy Tuan Cang, who always likes to assume the worst about others. He certainly doesn't want to go out for a trip and come back, only to be branded a traitor.

Tuan Cang could actually pull off something like that…

He intends to tell Tuan Cang about this first, and then have Tuan Cang pass it on to Ri Zhan and the others.

"Are you going on a trip?"

In Zhi Cun Zu Di, Tuan Cang's eyebrows knit instantly when he heard Lian Ye's explanation.

He doesn't know what sudden whim Lian Ye has caught, why he suddenly wants to travel?

Could it be that he's been provoked by something?

His reaction mirrors Qianshou Feijian's, which only proves that the two truly have a master‑disciple relationship.

"How long do you plan to be away?" Tuan Cang asked.

If it's a short time it's fine; if it's long—

The small team they barely managed to assemble would have to disband again.

If Lian Ye hadn't invited him, he wouldn't undertake missions with others.

If Lian Ye doesn't take on missions for a long stretch, there's no need for him and Zhuan Qin Xiaochun to execute missions together.

"I secured half a year from the uncle," Lian Ye explained with a smile. "I originally wanted a year, but he flat‑out refused."

Tuan Cang's mouth twitched at the words; the teacher letting him leave for a year would be a miracle.

Honestly, Tuan Cang never expected Lian Ye could get the teacher to agree to half a year.

If it were him, a month away from the Village would be the limit.

One must know that ninja of a Ninja Village, without special reasons, cannot leave the Village arbitrarily for long periods; the stronger the ninja, the tighter the restrictions.

This is a consensus reached among the major Ninja Villages…

Otherwise, several Elite Jonin wandering the Ninja World after leaving the Village would keep anyone up at night worrying.

Who the hell knows what they might do?

Moreover, ninja who stay away from the Village for long periods are hard to restrain, making it easy for them to act out.

At the end of the day, ninja are powerful killing machines to ordinary people, so Daimyo of various nations naturally dislike seeing this happen.

Thus, the major Ninja Villages treat ninja who leave the Village without cause as traitors, to prevent their actions from tarnishing the Village's reputation.

Ordinary ninja, aside from missions, spend all other time in the Village, rarely staying away for long.

"You don't plan to come back even after half a year?" Tuan Cang couldn't help asking.

He can't be waiting to burn the whole half‑year before returning to the Village, can he?

"I guess so," Lian Ye nodded. "Half a year isn't quite enough for me."

This time he leaves the Village not only to travel, but also to find Madara Uchiha to explain the situation.

Just dealing with Madara alone will take some time; barring accidents, he'll have to stay by his side for a while.

Moreover, this trip isn't a quick check‑in; it's to experience life in various nations, and the remaining time is simply insufficient.

Lian Ye could never tell Tuan Cang that, for their safety, he's forced to join Madara Uchiha's side, could he?

"Half a year is enough for you to tour the entire Ninja World," Tuan Cang snorted.

He doesn't understand why Lian Ye would be away so long; there's nothing in the Ninja World worth visiting or lingering over, so he'd rather stay in the Village.

"In two days I'll leave, see you in half a year," Lian Ye patted Tuan Cang's shoulder and instructed, "When you're on a mission stay safe, don't show off when danger comes, because if you die you lose everything."

"Hmph, I don't need your reminder," Tuan Cang brushed Lian Ye's hand away. "It's you who needs to stay safe when you leave the Village—don't get killed in the shadows out there, otherwise no one will even find your corpse."

He doesn't want Lian Ye to fall into danger; otherwise he'd have to inherit the Hokage Position through tears.

Wait, thinking that way… Lian Ye dying out there would actually be fine.

But that thought was quickly dispelled; he doesn't think anyone in the Ninja World could kill Lian Ye.

This guy's life is tougher than anyone's.

"Haha, got it," Lian Ye replied with a smile.

"Whenever you can, boost your presence in front of the uncle, talk to him about the Village's future development, let him see your worth, and it'll be easier to become Hokage later."

Before leaving, Lian Ye offered Tuan Cang a scheme.

Having been teammates for nearly ten years, his relationship with Tuan Cang is naturally better than with Ri Zhan.

As the saying goes, good resources shouldn't go to outsiders; as long as Tuan Cang stays clean, he'd rather see Tuan Cang become Hokage than Ri Zhan.

Lian Ye doesn't want his teammate Zhi Cun Tuan Zang, driven by the Hokage obsession, to become an unscrupulous Mu Ye Nao Wang…

Hearing that, Tuan Cang's eyes lit up, his breathing quickened, clearly taking it to heart.

"I understand, thank you."

Even though he doesn't know why Lian Ye told him this, he still sincerely thanks Lian Ye.

If he truly becomes Hokage in the future, he'll never forget this favor.

In his eyes, Lian Ye's figure suddenly became towering and majestic, radiating a holy glow.

Perhaps this is what a god looks like!

"That's all, Tuan Cang, see you in half a year," Lian Ye finished his greeting and left Zhi Cun Zu Di.

Tuan Cang watched his retreating back, instinctively clenching his fist, muttering to himself.

"Lian Ye, I will become Hokage!"

Little does he know, from this moment his life's trajectory begins to shift.

…

In front of the Ninja School.

"Uncle Lianye, why are you here?!"

Gangshou left school, stepped out, and at a glance saw Lian Ye waiting at the doorway, then hurriedly ran over, excited.

Zilaoye and Orochimaru exchanged a glance, then followed.

Gangshou had been taking the two of them to Lian Ye's place every day to mooch dinner, and as a result was sanctioned by Xuanwo Mizuto.

Except when scoring full marks on an exam, they could go mooch a meal; at other times they were not allowed to disturb Lian Ye.

There is only one exam each month, meaning she can only eat a delicacy once a month; this makes the little girl feel terribly aggrieved, and she can only beat Zilaoye to vent.

Lian Ye, upon learning the truth, was at a loss between laughing and crying.

Zilaoye is really pitiful, being beaten from childhood to adulthood…

"Gangshou, invite Mizuto Ayi tonight to come eat at my house."

"Really? Uncle Lianye!" Gangshou's eyes brightened; after many days she could finally eat a delicacy!

"Of course it's true." Lian Ye patted the little girl's head, then looked at Orochimaru and Zilaoye, smiling, "You both come as well."

"Great, thank you, Lord Lian Ye!" Zilaoye jumped up happily.

He had thought such a home banquet wouldn't invite him, but didn't expect Lord Lian Ye to invite him; it was truly unexpected.

Orochimaru wore a puzzled expression; seeing Lord Lian Ye like that, there must be some important matter to announce.