Chapter 58: The Hidden Hand Behind the Ninja World

The next morning.

Lian Ye scrambled out of bed, feeling sore all over.

He strained his neck and muttered, "Damn uncle, you really don't hold back."

He didn't think further, instinctively attributing it to yesterday's battle.

Lian Ye's words reached Qianshou Feijian's ears, and the meaning became entirely different…

He was about to call Lian Ye up to make breakfast, but as soon as he reached the doorway, he heard Lian Ye's words and froze in place.

Qianshou Feijian's pupils contracted, his hair stood on end, the usual composure gone, and only one question filled his mind: "The experiment… could Yuzhi Bo Lianye have discovered it???"

Damn it, I clearly increased the dosage, how could this happen!

I can't imagine what would happen to him if this got to big brother.

And it's not just big brother; big sister‑in‑law would probably tear him to pieces!

After all, big brother and big sister‑in‑law are very fond of this kid Lian Ye.

If they found out I used Lian Ye for research, they would never let me off!

What scares me even more is how Yuzhi Bo Lianye will regard me now.

His lifelong reputation is about to be ruined in an instant…

Lian Ye was unaware of Feijian's mental turmoil; when he opened the door, he saw the other standing there.

"Uncle, what are you doing?"

Hearing that, Qianshou Feijian finally snapped out of it.

Though he was extremely flustered, he still carefully observed Lian Ye's expression, and seeing no anger or irritation, he instantly understood.

It's just a misunderstanding!

With that thought, Qianshou Feijian finally relaxed.

He told himself how could he possibly make such a basic mistake?

Lian Ye, puzzled, asked, "Uncle, are you okay?"

Why does this old kid's complexion flash green and then white…

"I'm fine," Qianshou Feijian urged, "Hurry and make breakfast; I have to leave in a bit."

Lian Ye's mouth twitched as he muttered softly, "Calling me to cook first thing in the morning, uncle, you're really something…"

He said that, but honestly headed to the kitchen.

Seeing Lian Ye leave, Qianshou Feijian wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

He was truly terrified just now, almost thinking the secret had been exposed.

…………

After breakfast, Qianshou Feijian went to the Hokage Office, saying he needed to handle documents for big brother.

Before leaving, he told Lian Ye to summon Tuan Cang and Xiaochun at noon; he wanted to inspect their cultivation results.

Lian Ye's expression grew solemn as he whispered, "Has Uncle Hashirama's condition deteriorated to this level already?"

It's only been ten years into the Ninja World, and logically Hashirama should still have another four or five years; this shouldn't have happened so soon.

Thinking that, he planned to go himself to investigate.

"Hope Uncle Hashirama is alright…"

————————

Hashirama Residence.

Lian Ye stepped into the courtyard and saw Hashirama half‑kneeling on a soft mat.

Xiao Gangshou waved his arms like lotus‑stem segments, babbling as he tugged at grandpa's long hair, drool streaming down his chubby chin.

"Uncle Hashirama!" Lian Ye shook the milk he was holding, "This is for Gangshou."

The swaddled Gangshou suddenly stopped fussing, eyes fixed on the milk box stamped with a little deer.

Hashirama lifted a hand to take the box, then noticed his clothes were splattered with Gangshou's saliva, and he gave a helpless, indulgent smile:

"You're just in time; this little guy has recently taken to the bottle, and he won't sleep unless we rock him for a long while each day."

Lian Ye crouched, gently poking Gangshou's chubby cheek with his fingertip; the infant immediately clutched the finger and shoved it into his mouth.

Seeing this, Lian Ye carefully withdrew his finger and placed the bottle at Gangshou's mouth.

At that moment, he noticed Hashirama in a home‑style kimono and asked, "Uncle Hashirama, aren't you handling state affairs today?"

He had assumed Hashirama's health was poor, which is why Feijian was standing in for him, but this vigorous appearance showed no sign of illness.

A wind chime in the hallway suddenly rang, startling the infant into a milk burp; Hashirama quickly patted the baby's back, "Getting ready to retire and raise a granddaughter."

He looked at the Xiao Gangshou in his arms, a gentle smile curving his lips, "Recently I've been letting Feijian get familiar with the procedures; by this time next year…"

Before he could finish, Gangshou suddenly scrunched his "bun‑shaped" face and began to whimper; Hashirama instantly produced a clapper, shaking it before Gangshou, "Good boy, grandpa's here."

The early morning breeze, scented with flowers, swept through the courtyard, causing the hallway bells to tinkle delicately.

Lian Ye watched Hashirama coaxing the child and fell silent.

He knew that the former God of Shinobi Senju Hashirama was gone.

Or perhaps, when he personally killed Madara Uchiha, the God of Ninja's beating heart died…

After a while, Hashirama finally soothed Gangshou to sleep.

Xiao Lian Ye, do you think Feijian can become a qualified Hokage?

Xiao Lian Ye?

Seeing Lian Ye still silent, he instinctively turned his head, but Lian Ye's figure had already vanished.

"That kid leaves without even telling me…"

————————

Lian Ye walked alone through the Senju Clan Land.

He knew clearly that Uncle Hashirama's death could no longer be avoided.

If there were no Gangshou, he might have died even sooner…

Lian Ye rubbed his temples and muttered inwardly, "Madara Uchiha is really a jerk, pulling a Fake Death stunt to deceive Uncle Hashirama's feelings."

The poor Senju Hashirama, immersed in sorrow for having killed his close friend, could only meet a bleak end.

And Madara Uchiha, however, hid in the shadows, scheming everything!

Lian Ye felt somewhat helpless; if Madara Uchiha hadn't staged this, the Ninja World could have enjoyed at least fifty years of peace.

Then he could just lie flat…

But he also knew the matter couldn't be blamed entirely on Madara; many factors were involved, and even Madara was merely a pawn.

The real mastermind behind the scenes is Heijue!

Heijue has been lying dormant in the Ninja World for a thousand years, orchestrating a split between Indra and Asura, secretly altering the Uchiha Clan's Stone Tablet, leaving Madara Uchiha utterly lost.

"Fine, we'll take it one step at a time," Lian Ye thought, seeing that the time was about right, and prepared to call Tuan Cang and Xiaochun over.

He hasn't forgotten Qianshou Feijian's instructions.

————————

In a Ninja World Cave.

Madara Uchiha was stitching Hashirama's flesh onto his chest with needle and thread.

"Hashirama, you didn't see that coming, did you?" Madara whispered softly, "I never died."

Now, following the description on the Stone Tablet, he has merged Hashirama's cells into his own, and the rest is to await the Power of All Things.

"Hashirama, only I can achieve true peace." Madara Uchiha looked at the flesh on his chest, his eyes flashing, "Believe that day; it will arrive soon!"

He didn't notice at all that in a corner of the cave, a pitch‑black silhouette silently merged into the stone wall.

PS: I'm lacking motivation to write; how about adding a gift rule?

If I generate over three hundred units of love power in a single day, I'll add an extra chapter—no upper limit!

Donations count as gifts too; what do you big guys think?