Chapter 444: Where is Lian Ye?

"Orochimaru, Gangshou, and Zilaoye?"

On the way back to the village, Lian Ye discovered that of the three disciples, only one remained.

"Teacher, Gangshou is behind with Jiatengduan."

Orochimaru said respectfully.

The three of them were assigned to a farther Battlefield and never had a chance to see the teacher.

Lian Ye turned his head and indeed saw Gangshou and Jiatengduan among the crowd.

The war ended quickly, and with Konoha Village's strength, Jiatengduan did not die in battle as in the original work.

Meanwhile, Shengshu had just graduated from the Ninja School and didn't need to take part in this war at all.

Now Konoha no longer needs Genin to go to war.

Naturally, Shengshu won't be blown up by an Explosive Talisman trap as in the original.

Seeing Gangshou and Jiatengduan chatting and laughing, Lian Ye knew that Zilaoye didn't have a chance.

By the way, what about Zilaoye?

Orochimaru saw the teacher's confusion and hurried to explain.

"Zilaoye previously met a few orphans, planned to stay in Rain Country to guide them in learning Ninjutsu, and didn't return with us."

Even though he thought Zilaoye was being a bit meddlesome, he said nothing.

Lian Ye raised an eyebrow at the words.

If I'm not mistaken, those orphans should be Xiao Nan, Miyan, and Zhang Men, right?

Although the Uzumaki Clan wasn't exterminated due to Lian Ye's interference, that doesn't mean Zhang Men was born into the Uzumaki Clan.

His mother was probably a wandering Uzumaki.

According to the story, Zhang Men should have been born in Rain Country from childhood.

In the original, Zilaoye stayed in Rain Country to teach the Three Little Ones.

However, without Ban Daye's interference, Zhang Men lacks the Rinnegan.

If he had, Lian Ye would have already gone to poke at his eyes.

So there's no need to worry that Zilaoye will later die at the hands of his disciples.

Without Zhi Cun Tuan Zang, Banzang, or Dai Tu's interference, the Akatsuki would never have taken the path of darkness.

Besides, collecting Tailed Beasts is his job.

Even if the Akatsuki turned dark, it wouldn't help; they're still over a decade early.

As long as Ban Daye is dealt with, they can rest easy from now on.

As for the future Otsutsuki invasion, that's not their concern.

Just thinking of Madara Uchiha makes Lian Ye's head ache.

To be safe, they can only stall for a few more years before revealing the truth.

A torn face doesn't matter.

If anyone's to blame, blame Heijue for directly tricking Ban Daye into a limp.

One can only say he's truly the mastermind behind the Ninja World!

Lian Ye has been in the Ninja World for decades and has never seen Heijue.

Does this guy not know where he hid?

Lian Ye had no idea that Heijue was hiding just nearby.

"Hehehe, didn't expect Chu Zi to be so capable; in a short time he captured two Tailed Beasts."

Heijue, hidden in the shadows, stared at Chu Zi with glowing eyes.

When the time comes, after Lian Ye gathers all nine Tailed Beasts to revive his mother, he will proudly praise him before his mother!

Chu Zi not only has outstanding cooking skills, but also took part in the Capture and Seize Tail Beast plan.

Heijue thinks the investment back then was very correct!

He only spent a trivial amount of money to find a Chu Zi who is also a thug.

It's literally a sure‑profit, no‑loss deal!

He believes that after his mother is revived, she will like this Chu Zi he prepared.

Perhaps Chu Zi can later assist his mother in fighting the Otsutsuki Clan.

The more Heijue watches Lian Ye, the more satisfied he feels; he can only say his luck is good to have met an all‑round Chu Zi like Lian Ye.

Three days later, Konoha Village.

News of the frontline's victory had already spread throughout the whole village.

That day, countless villagers spontaneously came to welcome.

Even Third Hokage Zhi Cun Tuan Zang himself personally came to greet the triumphant troops.

Perhaps because no one was stirring public opinion behind the scenes, Lian Ye has never encountered the kind of troublesome citizens found in the original.

The villagers he met all respected and adored him greatly.

He is still very satisfied with that.

"Tuan Cang, long time no see!"

Yuanfei Rizhan looked at Tuan Cang standing at the front and cheerfully greeted him.

Not having seen Tuan Cang for two months does indeed make one miss him!

Xiaochun Zhuanqin and the others also smiled and greeted.

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang merely gave a symbolic nod, his gaze constantly searching the crowd for a certain person's figure.

Unfortunately, after looking for a while, he found nothing.

This couldn't help but make him frown.

"Hehe, Tuan Cang, are you looking for Lian Ye?"

Ri Zhan leaned close to his friend's ear and said mischievously.

Tuan Cang directly ignored Ri Zhan's squinting expression and said, expressionless.

"Where is Lian Ye?"

He had been looking for a while just now and indeed hadn't seen any trace of Lian Ye.

It now seems that Lian Ye didn't return with the main force.

Did something happen on the road?

"I won!" Xiaochun Zhuanqin smiled, "I told you Tuan Cang would ask about Lian Ye's whereabouts right away!"

"I didn't expect you and Ri Zhan actually guessed right…"

Shuihu Menyan and Uchiha Jing looked somewhat helpless.

On the way here they bet whether Tuan Cang would inquire about Lian Ye's whereabouts immediately.

In the end, Xiaochun and Ri Zhan guessed correctly.

It seems they underestimated the relationship between Lian Ye and Tuan Cang…

"Alright, where exactly is Lian Ye?"

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang didn't care about the bet among a few people; he just wanted to know where Lian Ye was.

Why didn't he return with the team?

"Lian Ye said on the road that he had something to take care of and might not be back for a day or two."

Ri Zhan explained that, in fact, he also didn't know what Lian Ye intended to do.

They hadn't had time to ask when Lian Ye vanished.

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang heard that and couldn't help but furrow his brow.

What is Lian Ye up to now?

"Lian Ye Teacher learned that Zilaoye hadn't returned, so he went back to Rain Country to look for Zilaoye's trail," Orochimaru said as he stepped forward.

As the teacher's disciple, he naturally had to cover for his teacher.

Moreover, Lian Ye had given him instructions before leaving.

"So that's how it is."

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang calmly stared at Orochimaru and finally gave a slight nod.

Orochimaru kept a smile throughout.

He only needed to find an excuse for his teacher; whether the Hokage believed it was none of his business.

As for where Lian Ye really went?

Probably only the person himself knows.

"Poison Master, are you serious?"

Shanjiaoyu Banzang looked at Lian Ye with a complicated expression and asked in a deep voice.

The scroll Lian Ye left read: "Come after three days; there is an important matter to discuss."

He knew Lian Ye needed him to do something, but didn't expect it was to Capture and Seize Tail Beast!

"I'm not joking; I need you to Capture and Seize Tail Beast for me," Lian Ye said seriously, looking at Banzang, "I hope you won't disappoint me…"

Only by coaxing Banzang into the group can they lower Ban Daye's vigilance.

Thus they can smoothly buy time…

After a moment of silence, Shanjiaoyu Banzang nodded.

"I understand, Poison Master."

Although he didn't know the exact reason, to keep his promise he could only agree.

And this scene was observed by Bai Jue, who was hidden, watching from the shadows.