Chapter 307: Shengshu

Wua— wa— wa— wa— —

Lian Ye heard a sudden wailing from inside the house; his mind instantly crashed, and bewilderment and disbelief flashed in his eyes.

Mizuto Ayi… where did she get the child from?!

His mind involuntarily recalled various news from his past life— a husband away for three years, returning to find his wife had given birth to a child.

Uncle Hashirama could use Wood Release to weave a green hat for himself.

A Wood Release master having an extra straw hat on his head is indeed normal…

No, that's not normal at all!

Damn it, where did the kid come from?!

Lian Ye was completely disheveled like a wind‑blown mess, his thoughts in his mind turned into a tangled, sticky mush.

He had only been away from the Village for half a year, and Mizuto Ayi already had a child.

Even though Uncle Hashirama publicly performed Fake Death, he didn't actually die! Isn't Mizuto Ayi's action too much!

"Lian Ye, wait a moment." Xuanwo Mizuto turned and entered the house, soon emerging cradling a baby.

She noticed Lian Ye's constantly shifting expression, soothing the baby in her arms while gently explaining, "You left the Village only a few months ago; Tōin and Sakurako handed the newborn over to me to raise."

Tōin and Sakurako are Gangshou's biological parents, and they have always lived in the capital of Fire Country.

"Ha ha, so that's how it is…" Lian Ye's reaction snapped into gear; it turned out that the kid Shengshu had been born.

A false alarm.

He just said that Mizuto Ayi isn't that kind of person!

If anyone's to blame, blame his mind crashing at the time; he couldn't think straight for a moment, which caused him to forget that Gangshou also has a little ten‑something‑year‑old brother, Shengshu.

"Mizuto Ayi, may I see the child?"

"Of course, no problem."

Lian Ye cradled Shengshu in his arms, looking at the teary‑eyed little one before him, and knowingly asked, "Mizuto Ayi, what is this brat's name?"

In the original story, this kid was brainwashed by the Will of Fire at a very young age, charging to the front lines with blazing zeal, only to be blown up by an Explosive Talisman trap the enemy had pre‑placed.

He can only be described as an unlucky fool who has a protagonist template but no protagonist fate.

His death dealt a considerable blow to Orochimaru and Gangshou, indirectly affecting their destinies.

"This child is named Shengshu," Xuanwo Mizuto said, showing a gentle smile as he mentioned his grandson, briefly casting away the displeasure Hashirama had brought from his mind.

"Hmm, Shengshu," Lian Ye nodded, returning Shengshu back to Mizuto.

From now on, keep an eye on this kid, lest he gets blown up by an Explosive Talisman again.

"Mizuto Ayi, I'm heading back now; in a couple of days I'll have Uncle Hashirama return to the Village to see you," Lian Ye said a farewell.

"Okay, you go back first," Xuanwo Mizuto nodded, gently rocking Shengshu in his arms.

Lian Ye glanced at Shengshu, then turned and left the courtyard.

Mizuto Ayi stays at home every day; having a baby companion isn't bad at all.

Qianshou Feijian Residence.

"Tuan Cang, why are you here?" Lian Ye, just back, saw Zhi Cun Tuan Zang standing at the gate.

"Teacher Feijian said you were back, so I thought I'd come and chat," Tuan Cang said, excitement unmistakable in his eyes; he seemed noticeably brighter than before, no longer the lifeless demeanor he once had.

He was practically brimming with vigor! Like he'd won the lottery.

"Let's go inside and talk," Lian Ye pulled out a key, opened the gate, and led Tuan Cang into the courtyard.

"Lian Ye, did you know?" Tuan Cang blurted as soon as he entered, "Teacher Feijian intends to have me become Hokage!"

He had kept this to himself, never telling anyone. It was suffocating him, and now that Lian Ye just returned, he came in to brag, didn't he?

After all, Teacher Feijian had said that Lian Ye once recommended him for the Hokage Position.

It shows that Lian Ye truly has no interest in the Hokage Position; this matter is perfectly suited for Lian Ye to discuss.

After learning the truth, Tuan Cang completely regarded Lian Ye as a friend.

"Congratulations, Tuan Cang," Lian Ye said with a smile.

Given his understanding of that old kid Qianshou Feijian, there's no way he'd hand the Hokage position to Tuan Cang so easily; a series of assessments would be required.

In the original story, circumstances forced the direct appointment of Yuanfei Rizhan as Hokage, but now that old kid is alive and well, so he naturally can't easily elect the next Hokage.

That old kid definitely wants to select an outstanding Hokage to lead the Village toward prosperity…

As for whether Tuan Cang can truly achieve his wish, it depends on his future performance.

Qianshou Feijian's words to Tuan Cang can only be considered encouragement, not a genuine intention to pass the position to him—

The heir is often ill; you should encourage him.

From ancient times to the present, this saying has harmed countless people seeking power.

Obviously, Tuan Cang is being heavily misled by Qianshou Feijian right now.

But Lian Ye has no intention of dousing his enthusiasm; perhaps he truly can pass the test and become Hokage.

"When you become Hokage in the future, you have to look out for me," Lian Ye teased with a smile.

He wasn't joking; once Tuan Cang becomes Hokage, taking leave won't be as troublesome as it is now.

Traveling abroad will no longer require begging that old kid Qianshou Feijian!

"Heh heh, that's natural," Tuan Cang said, his mouth curling up to his ears.

The Genjutsu from back then will soon become reality!

Ri Zhan, the position of the Yondaime Hokage has already been earmarked for me.

You can only wait for me to retire before vying for the Yondaime position…

Tuan Cang doesn't think he'll retire early; he probably intends to sit in the Hokage seat until his last breath!

Only in that way can one be an outstanding Hokage!

In other words, as long as he is still alive, Ri Zhan cannot become the Hokage.

"I hope you can become an outstanding Hokage in the future," Lian Ye said sincerely.

In the original work, the Pot King Tuan Cang, unable to fulfill his dream for a long time, committed a series of actions that harmed the Village.

He does not want Tuan Cang to turn into the Pot King.

A Root leader can make Konoha a haze of smoke and stench; if he later becomes Hokage, how could he manage?

The Pot King had just taken the Hokage position and hadn't had time to pursue great ambitions; after merely attending a simple council meeting, he was slain by King of Pressure Er Zhu Zi, and because Dai Tu was applying pressure nearby, he ultimately, in frustration, sealed a bridge and died.

"Hmph, no need for your reminder," Tuan Cang clenched his fists, "As long as I become Hokage, I will definitely govern the Village earnestly and lead the Village to prosperity!"

Moreover, he wants to develop the Village into the strongest Ninja Village in the Ninja World!

"Mm-hmm," Lian Ye nodded.

Now Tuan Cang is a lively ambitious youth, but if he doesn't become Hokage, he will definitely turn dark just like in the original work.

He might even become more extremely terrifying than in the original.

The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.

If he fails to become Hokage as he wishes, wouldn't he just turn dark on the spot?

We can only hope this guy can fulfill his wish and become Hokage.