Chapter 449: Kushina

One week later, at the entrance of the Ninja School.

"Lian Ye, don't you know I'm very busy?"

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang looked at Lian Ye with displeasure, his tone filled with helplessness.

He was handling paperwork in the office when someone pulled him over.

Don't you know his time is precious?

"Tuan Cang, don't you want to see how the Uzumaki Clan freshmen are doing at school?"

Lian Ye wants to investigate Uzumaki Kushina, but doesn't want to go to the school alone.

So he coaxed and tricked Tuan Cang into coming along.

"You're at least the nominal principal of the Ninja School, yet you don't care about the students at all."

"And you hardly ever appear, just staying in the office handling paperwork."

"After a long time, who still remembers you as Hokage?"

"You need to give occasional speeches at the school, so the students will respect you from the bottom of their hearts, recognize you as Hokage, and later be able to serve the village better…"

Education must start from childhood; it has no effect once grown up.

Otherwise, how does Konoha Village's Will of Fire manage to mislead people into a limp?

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang heard that and a trace of helplessness flashed in his eyes.

Lian Ye, that guy, has been nagging all the way.

But his words are indeed very reasonable…

As Lian Ye said, he indeed rarely appears in public, only giving a symbolic speech on stage when the Ninja School opens.

At other times he never comes to the school.

"You're right, let's go in."

Although Tuan Cang knows Lian Ye has ulterior motives for coming to the Ninja School, he doesn't ask further.

"Lord Hokage!"

The school gate guard saw Tuan Cang and opened the gate without hesitation.

The two entered the school smoothly.

"Has the Ninja School changed that much?"

Lian Ye looked at the huge school and couldn't help feeling amazed.

Back when he came to the school as Team Leader Jonin, the school wasn't this big.

He didn't expect that after just a dozen years away, the school's size had multiplied several times.

Had he known earlier, he should have built school district houses around here; it would have been hugely profitable.

What a pity.

He hadn't considered this aspect then, feeling like he lost several hundred billion.

No profit means a loss.

"Tell me, what exactly do you want to do at the school?"

Tuan Cang walked around the school with Lian Ye for half a day before finally couldn't help asking.

He still has to return later to handle state affairs; describing it as managing countless tasks daily would not be an exaggeration—where does he have time to stroll around the school with Lian Ye?

"I just want to find someone," Lian Ye scratched his head apologetically and explained, "But coming to the school alone is a bit awkward, so I called you over."

To be honest, he's a bit afraid of encountering those Cultural Class teachers from back then.

There are some unbearable memories he doesn't want others to know.

The last time, because of this reason, he delayed the school dismissal and then went to the school to escort Gangshou and two others away.

As for accidentally falling asleep, it was just a cover excuse.

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang: "…"

Just this, just this?

He thought there was something big, but it turned out to be simply looking for a person.

Does this guy not know he's very busy?!

Although he wanted to land a punch on Lian Ye's handsome face, he restrained himself in the end.

Fine, since they're already here.

"Who are you looking for?" Tuan Cang asked patiently.

"Uzumaki Kushina," Lian Ye immediately said the name of the student he was looking for.

Originally Lian Ye wanted to go straight to Minato's class to look for someone, but now, unlike the original work, the Uzumaki Clan's students aren't just Kushina.

If he isn't assigned to a class, he'll have to spend time searching.

And whether Kushina is in the school or not is another matter…

Better to ask Tuan Cang directly, to avoid trouble for himself.

Anyway, he's the principal of the Ninja School; investigating a student's information is just a matter of a single sentence.

And this way he won't have to worry about meeting those Cultural Class teachers from back then.

"Alright, I understand," Tuan Cang said with a dark face, leading Lian Ye toward the principal's office.

Although Tuan Cang only has the title of principal, he still has a private office.

Passing the Training Ground, Lian Ye saw a group of red-haired students, evidently all Uzumaki Clan freshmen.

From this, they have all been assigned to a class.

The two had just arrived at the teaching building when they saw the Dean of Education already standing at the doorway to greet them.

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang didn't make small talk and directly asked him to find a student.

The Dean of Education immediately went to make arrangements.

During this process, Lian Ye still anxiously looked around, fearing he might encounter the Cultural Class teacher from back then.

"What are you afraid of?" Zhi Cun Tuan Zang asked with a strange expression.

He noticed that ever since Lian Ye entered the school gate, he had become furtive.

It felt just like being a thief.

He didn't understand what Lian Ye was actually afraid of.

"Ha ha, it's fine, I'm fine."

Lian Ye forced a smile, his eyes darting around.

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang: "……"

This guy must have taken the wrong medicine.

In no time, the Dean of Education led a red‑haired little girl to the two of them.

The little girl had waist‑length fiery red hair, a round face, and fair skin.

She was Uzumaki Kushina.

From a distance she truly looked like a tomato.

No wonder the original work had classmates call her "Tomato".

But now they probably wouldn't dare call her that, otherwise they'd be beaten into Blood Mist by other Uzumaki students.

One should know that there are indeed several hundred Uzumaki students now.

Other students simply don't dare to provoke them.

"Hokage, Lian Ye, this child is Uzumaki Kushina."

Kushina lowered her head, not daring to look up at the two.

She didn't understand why the Hokage wanted to summon her alone.

Could it be that her assault on a classmate was discovered?!

But that can't really be blamed on her; after all, those people gave her the nickname.

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang said nothing, turned his head toward Lian Ye, his expression seeming to ask, "Is this the child you found?"

He didn't understand why Lian Ye wanted to find a little girl…

Wait, this guy can't have a special fetish, can he?!

For a moment, his gaze at Lian Ye grew increasingly wary, and he instinctively stepped in front of Kushina.

He must not allow such a thing to happen, even if it's his friend!

Lian Ye: "???"

What wind is Tuan Cang catching, why is he looking at me with that kind of gaze?

Is there something on his face?

"Hokage, is there something you need me for?"

Kushina lifted her head and asked weakly.

She was already prepared to be criticized by the Hokage.

But regarding the assault on a classmate, she didn't regret it at all…

"Lian Ye, do you have business with her?"

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang watched Lian Ye warily, ready to seize him if the situation turned bad.

He would never allow Lian Ye to go down the wrong path!

"There's nothing now."

Lian Ye only wanted to verify whether Uzumaki Kushina had arrived at Konoha.

Since he saw her, naturally there was nothing else.

But his demeanor seemed, to Tuan Cang, like a clumsy cover‑up.

"Is it really nothing now?"