Chapter 446: Uncle, you're hungry, aren't you?

"Lian Ye, where have you been these past two days?"

In the Hokage Office, Zhi Cun Tuan Zang couldn't help but frown as he asked.

Why didn't this guy return with the main force?

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang was skeptical of Orochimaru's earlier statements and now only wanted to hear someone explain personally.

Lian Ye felt a bit helpless about this; the moment he returned to the Village, he went to the Office to report.

In the end, Tuan Cang still pressed him about his movements.

Fortunately, he had already colluded with Orochimaru on a story, so he could easily brush it off.

"I went back to Rain Country to look for Zilaoye."

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang stared intently at Lian Ye's eyes and asked in a low voice.

"Then did you find Zilaoye?"

He examined Lian Ye's eyes closely, trying to detect any sign of lying.

Unfortunately, in this regard Lian Ye was already a seasoned pro.

How could anyone possibly spot it so easily?

"Found him. Zilaoye met three orphans in Rain Country and decided to stay to teach them Ninjutsu, so the three youngsters could survive there…"

Lian Ye described it vividly, as if he had seen it with his own eyes.

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang observed him carefully for a long time but found no sign of lying on his face.

Could it be that this guy was telling the truth?

Although the surface evidence indicated Lian Ye wasn't lying, intuition told him that Lian Ye was definitely lying.

The two had known each other for about twenty years; they knew exactly what kind of person this guy was.

But lacking concrete evidence, they could only turn a blind eye.

"I'll tentatively believe your story," Zhi Cun Tuan Zang snorted coldly.

Lian Ye merely smiled and gave no further explanation.

What he said was true, so there was no need to be nervous.

Zilaoye was indeed teaching three orphans in Rain Country…

One must know that the highest level of lying is selectively telling the truth!

A mix of truth and falsehood makes it hard to detect.

"How does it feel on the Battlefield?" Zhi Cun Tuan Zang stopped dwelling on the matter and instead asked about Lian Ye's situation on the Battlefield.

He knew that Lian Ye was unstoppable on the Battlefield, even having single‑handedly slain three Shadow-level Strongmen.

It could be said that without Lian Ye, the war could not have ended so quickly.

Normally a war would last several years.

"Rain Country's environment is terrible; there's essentially no sun there."

Lian Ye pulled a chair, sat down, and began to vent his grievances.

He complained about the lack of sunlight, the poor Battlefield rations, and the Three Shadow Alliance's lack of martial virtue.

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang listened silently as Lian Ye kept talking, showing no sign of impatience on his face.

He merely muttered to himself that this guy couldn't stop mentioning the sun in three sentences.

Honestly, who knows what's so great about sunbathing?

But he said nothing; after all, the person had outstanding achievements.

Why would a great contributor receive special treatment?

If someone else had such merits, Tuan Cang would certainly become wary, fearing the other's prestige might surpass that of this Hokage…

But this guy is Lian Ye, so there's no need for concern.

And others' prestige is nowhere near Lian Ye's, making it even less worrisome.

As long as Lian Ye is around, he can comfortably serve as Hokage for thirty years and then retire.

Lian Ye truly is his best friend!

He believes that, no matter what, Lian Ye will steadfastly stand on his side…

That's the bond they have cultivated since childhood!

"I dislike Rain Country's environment; when war breaks out again, we can switch to a Battlefield with ample sunlight."

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang said softly.

Konoha, as the strongest Village in the Ninja World, designates a combat site during war.

Isn't that perfectly normal?

If anyone refuses, we'll place the Battlefield in that person's country!

Of course, first we must ensure sufficient sunlight.

We trust the other Villages will give Konoha that courtesy.

It's just that the Battlefield has just ended, and the other countries have witnessed Konoha's strength.

Probably, in the next few decades, no war will break out again.

Choosing a combat site can only be discussed when war erupts again.

But saying it now is just painting a picture.

"Tuan Cang, you're literally a genius!" Lian Ye couldn't help praising.

He hadn't thought of that at the time.

Otherwise, there would have been no need to endure two months of punishment.

Hearing Lian Ye's praise, Tuan Cang's mouth twitched upward slightly.

The defeat‑compensation situation of the Three Villages, have you already discussed it on the Battlefield?

The victorious nation can naturally demand reparations from the defeated country.

"No, the envoy will come in person then; you handle it when the time comes."

Lian Ye shook his head; matters like negotiating reparations should, of course, be left to the Hokage.

What does he have to do with bargaining the compensation amount when he's idle?

These things drag on for a long time, and finally reach a level both sides are satisfied with.

As a military commander, he hates this sort of thing the most.

It would be better to hand it to Tuan Cang; after all, he likes handling state affairs.

"If there's nothing else, I'll head back first."

There's still a mouth at home waiting for me to go back and cook.

If I return late, someone will start nagging again.

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang saw Lian Ye out of the office, then continued to bury himself in state affairs.

Yuanfei Rizhan had just returned from the Battlefield; he told him to rest a few days first, then come back to assist with state affairs.

For two months, he alone reviewed the documents.

To be honest, Tuan Cang has gotten used to it.

He suddenly felt that Ri Zhan's position as Hokage Assistant was dispensable.

Whether it exists or not seems to make little difference.

Looks like I need to find a suitable opportunity to abolish Ri Zhan's post.

To avoid occasional quarrels caused by ideological differences…

Yuanfei Rizhan, enjoying a rare moment of peace at home, suddenly felt an inexplicable ominous foreboding.

Qianshou Feijian Residence.

"Kid, why didn't you come back with Ri Zhan and the others?"

Qianshou Feijian squinted his eyes as he watched Lian Ye walk into the courtyard.

His intuition told him that the kid had probably slipped away to meet Madara Uchiha.

Intuition is a strange thing; guesses are usually nine or ten out of ten.

Especially when it involves the inherently evil Madara Uchiha!

Lian Ye repeated the Hokage Office's explanation once more.

Even though he spoke vividly, Qianshou Feijian's face showed no change, still regarding the explanation with suspicion.

Although he had no evidence, his intuition told him the kid was lying.

Seems that over the years he really learned bad habits from Madara Uchiha.

It's all big brother's fault; why did he have nothing better to do than introduce Lian Ye to Madara?!

Now it's fine; neither of them tells the truth anymore.

What on earth did that Madara guy pour into him, a mind‑altering drug?!

Lian Ye, after speaking for ages, saw the old kid's incredulous face and felt a bit helpless.

Seems Qianshou Feijian, that old kid, isn't as easy to fool as Tuan Cang.

Sometimes once the seed of doubt is planted, everything said feels like a demonstration…

Between people, even the most basic trust has vanished.

If Ban Daye doesn't believe him, that's one thing; even this old kid doesn't believe him either.

I'm hurt.

But it's okay; Lian Ye has his own way!

"Uncle, you're hungry, aren't you?"

Upon hearing that, Qianshou Feijian's expression finally changed.