Chapter 448: This is a good thing!

"Lian Ye, if you have time, come to my house and sit down."

Hashirama couldn't find the answer he wanted here with Lian Ye, so he left dejectedly.

Back then, he accidentally exposed his identity, so Ban refused to pay him any attention.

But he believes Ban will eventually forgive him.

If that fails, he'll secretly follow Lian Ye next time to locate Ban's hideout.

He wonders whether Ban lives alone in a cave.

Hashirama longs for the days he secluded in a cave with his close friend.

Those were his lost youth!

Unfortunately, they're gone forever.

Hashirama Residence.

"Hashirama, haven't you tracked down Ban's whereabouts?"

Xuanwo Mizuto saw her husband hanging his head dejectedly and guessed he hadn't gotten any information from Lian Ye.

Although she dislikes her husband constantly staying by Ban's side, seeing his sorrow makes her feel reluctant to let him suffer.

"No, Lian Ye refuses to tell me," Hashirama said with a bitter smile.

"I believe Lian Ye will eventually tell you Ban's location," Xuanwo Mizuto gently squeezed her husband's hand, comforting him.

"Thank you, Mizuto..." Hashirama said, his face moved.

All those years his wife had silently supported him from behind; otherwise he could never have spent decades with Ban.

Now that he finally returns to the village, he still worries his wife.

To be honest, he feels guilty about it; he's truly not a good husband.

"Hashirama, look at this," Xuanwo Mizuto pulled a letter from her sleeve.

Hashirama took the letter and began to read it carefully.

The contents were simple: it concerned matters of education in Whirlpool Country.

Konoha Village is now the strongest ninja village in the Ninja World, and it ranks at the top in education.

The Ninja School has produced countless outstanding ninja.

The Spiral Clan Leader coveted Konoha's educational resources and wanted the Uzumaki Clan's children to study in Konoha.

He hopes Aunt Xuanwo Mizuto can bring this up with the Hokage.

But since the matter is significant, she cannot decide alone and must ask her husband's opinion.

Although the Uzumaki Clan isn't large, there are nearly a hundred children of schooling age.

Coordinating education for so many worries her that it might trouble Tuan Cang.

"This is a good thing!" Hashirama said cheerfully.

Back when Konoha Village was first founded, he had invited the Uzumaki Clan to settle there.

But the Spiral Clan Leader rejected the invitation.

Now the new generation of the Uzumaki Clan wants to study in Konoha, and he naturally won't refuse.

Whether it's a hundred or even a thousand students, there's no problem!

"Leave this to me; I'll tell Qianshou Feijian tonight," Hashirama agreed without hesitation.

When problems arise, he usually goes to Qianshou Feijian, who then approaches Tuan Cang, or he sends Lian Ye to see Tuan Cang.

Night, Qianshou Feijian Residence.

"Big brother, big sister, why are you here?"

Qianshou Feijian was a bit surprised by their sudden visit.

It was mealtime, so their arrival was quite timely.

"Perfect timing, come in and have a meal."

He said this to a busy figure in the kitchen.

"Kid, make two more dishes!"

"Got it."

Soon a lavish spread was carried to the table by Lian Ye.

"Haha, it's been ages since I've tasted Lian Ye's cooking," Hashirama said, gazing at the feast.

He couldn't help recalling the days he spent with Ban in the cave.

Back then, they occasionally got to eat Lian Ye's dishes.

But most of the time Ban prepared all three meals.

Although Ban only knew how to make Grilled Fish, it wasn't particularly tasty.

Hashirama was still remarking that Qianshou Feijian had already served several dishes.

The big brother and sister arrived just in time; four dishes and a soup turned into eight dishes and a soup.

Tonight they could finally enjoy a proper feast.

"Lian Ye's cooking is as delicious as always," Xuanwo Mizuto said with a smile.

"Mizuto Ayi, where's that kid Shengshu?"

"Shengshu went out on a mission."

Hashirama ate while giving a vague explanation.

For some reason, Shengshu's Team Leader Teacher wasn't Orochimaru.

It was a veteran Jonin of the Senju Clan.

Come to think of it, Lian Ye also knows him; he was the team leader they dismissed years ago.

The pleasant dinner ended quickly.

"Feijian, may I discuss something with you?" Senju Hashirama's face showed a flattering smile.

Qianshou Feijian heard this and his brows twitched slightly.

Whenever the big brother says something like this, good things rarely happen.

Fortunately, this time was an exception.

Senju Hashirama produced the letter sent by the Spiral Clan Leader.

After Qianshou Feijian finished reading its contents, his tightly furrowed brows finally eased.

"This is good news."

The Uzumaki Clan has always been an ally of Konoha, and its relations with the Senju Clan are good.

When the war first broke out, the Spiral Clan Leader wanted to dispatch troops to Rain Country to aid Konoha.

But he was rejected by Zhi Cun Tuan Zang.

Regarding the Spiral Clan Leader's request, Qianshou Feijian naturally had no reason to refuse.

"Kid, hand this letter to Zhi Cun Tuan Zang."

Lian Ye, just having finished his meal, said: "…"

That old kid is really getting better at ordering people around!

"Remember to tell Zhi Cun Tuan Zang to properly settle these students."

"Got it."

Unlucky Lian Ye could only go to the Hokage Office late at night.

"Lian Ye, why are you here?"

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang, who was struggling with a pile of documents, asked in puzzlement upon seeing his good brother arrive late at night.

At this hour, shouldn't this guy be lying in the courtyard enjoying the breeze?

Why did he come all the way here?!

"In a while, the Uzumaki Clan's children will come to Konoha to study; the elder wants you to handle their enrollment matters."

Lian Ye concisely conveyed his purpose to Zhi Cun Tuan Zang.

"I understand," Zhi Cun Tuan Zang nodded slightly.

Arranging student enrollment is not a big deal; it can be handled easily.

"Lian Ye, exactly how many students are there?"

"About a hundred or so, I guess."

Lian Ye had just heard Mizuto Ayi and Qianshou Feijian mention it at the dinner table.

That number isn't actually many; it's only about three or four classes.

"Alright, I'll arrange it right away."

Because Konoha's birth rate is rising, more children with Ninja Talent are being born.

The Ninja World School has long been expanded countless times.

It is more than enough to accommodate several hundred new Uzumaki Clan students.

Xuanwo Mizuto wrote a letter informing the Spiral Clan Leader of the village's situation.

Moreover, Zhi Cun Tuan Zang also dispatched ninjas to protect these newcomers on the road.

A few days later, under the escort of Konoha Ninja, the age‑appropriate Uzumaki Clan children arrived safely at Konoha.

The streets were filled with red‑haired children, drawing passersby to stop and watch.

Lian Ye estimated roughly a hundred, not far off from Mizuto Ayi's expectation.

I wonder if Naruto's mother is present?

Normally, Uzumaki Kushina should be among these children.

If she isn't, Naruto is most likely gone.

To be safe, we'll have to go to the school ourselves later.

Honestly, he doesn't really want to return to the school.

…

…

ps: Today's National Day is still three chapters, I'm working too hard, yīng yīng yīng…