Chapter 717: Actually, the food you make isn

The days passed one by one, and before we knew it a year had gone by.

Forty years of Konoha.

"Uncle Hashirama and Lord Ban haven't come back yet?"

At the Hashirama Residence, Lian Ye lay on a chair basking in the sun, speaking idly.

Since Qianshou Feijian returned, they wouldn't let him stay in Tuan Cang's house.

Honestly, I don't want to go home, so I stay at my older brother's place.

Under someone's overbearing pressure, Lian Ye could only move to Hashirama's house, but he managed to coax Tuan Cang over with his silver tongue.

The excuse was simple: essentially, "Since you're living alone, why not move over and live with me."

"Seeing that you're unmarried, the lonely old man feels sorry for you…"

The naive Zhi Cun Tuan Zang was so duped he was clueless, and, with a moved expression, moved in with Lian Ye to Hashirama's house.

Only after arriving did he realize that his good brother wasn't reluctant to part with himself, but didn't want to lose a diligent servant.

Fortunately, later Qianshou Feijian and Yuzhibo Quannai also moved in.

Under the two's strong insistence, Lian Ye was forced to become a Chu Zi.

And normally he only needs to buy groceries and wash dishes.

Compared to being squeezed by his good brother at home, his current life feels like heaven!

"Perhaps they have important matters…"

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang hasn't stopped hearing his good brother complain all year about how the two haven't returned.

Each time he uses the same excuse.

Given Madara Uchiha's strength, it's impossible for him to face mortal danger!

So they all speculate that the two are delayed by something in another timeline.

"They can't just be living happily in the mountains and forget how to go home, right?"

From Lian Ye's understanding of Hashirama and Madara living in the mountains for decades, it doesn't seem impossible!

If Madara Uchiha hadn't awakened the Rinnegan back then, the two would likely have spent their whole lives in a mountain cave!

Now that no one disturbs them, they might be secluding themselves in a cave.

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang: "……"

Actually, he feels the same; otherwise it wouldn't make sense at all.

"You two, stop sunbathing."

Uchiha Jing entered the courtyard and, looking at the two lounging on chairs, said helplessly.

Every time they come here, they're either sunbathing or sunbathing.

The once diligent Tuan Cang has been completely led astray by Lian Ye.

Remembering the past, during the Third Hokage era Tuan Cang was extremely disciplined, but now he, like Lian Ye, spends each day lying around, eating and waiting for death.

Indeed, those who hang with the red become red, those with the black become black!

"Hey, what's with that look!"

Lian Ye noticed Uchiha Jing's regretful gaze toward his good brother and instantly became displeased.

That guy seems reluctant to see his good brother enjoy life!

"No, nothing."

Stared at by Lian Ye's sharp gaze, Uchiha Jing quickly averted his eyes and changed the subject.

"Didn't we agree? Let's meet at the Barbecue Restaurant at noon."

"If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten."

Lian Ye and Tuan Cang have clear daily roles—one cooks, the other buys groceries and washes dishes—spending all day serving Qianshou Feijian and Yuzhibo Quannai's three meals.

Indeed, they haven't had a proper rest in a long time.

Now they can finally take a full day off during today's gathering!

Lian Ye and Zhi Cun Tuan Zang rose together and followed Uchiha Jing out.

"Uncle, we're going out for a meal today; at noon you can just have a bite however you like."

The two were watching TV in the living room.

Hearing Lian Ye's words before leaving, Yuzhibo Quannai turned his head and said bluntly.

"Qianshou Feijian, Lian Ye isn't home; hurry up and cook for me!"

Qianshou Feijian: "……"

Since that kid's gone, this guy started bossing himself around.

Born evil, Yuzhibo Quannai actually spat into the dish!

He just stood up to head to the kitchen when he heard someone nearby mutter softly.

"Lian Ye isn't home; we'll have to make do with a couple of bites."

Qianshou Feijian, with a dark line over his head and an annoyed expression, said, "Yuzhibo Quannai, if you think it's not tasty, make it yourself!"

"I just tossed a casual jab; why did you get so worked up?"

Yuzhibo Quannai shook his head helplessly, "You really are as petty as ever."

Seeing Qianshou Feijian's increasingly grimace, Yuzhibo Quannai's smile grew wider.

He loves watching someone get seriously angry!

"Tch, I don't bother arguing with you!"

Qianshou Feijian, being older, doesn't want to argue with the youngster; after so long together, he's used to it.

Sometimes, not getting a couple of jabs from Quannai feels a bit odd.

Wait, Qianshou Feijian!

Yuzhibo Quannai stopped Feijian as he headed to the kitchen, his tone a little softer than usual, clearly a pleading attitude.

"Don't you care about my brother and your brother?"

Since the last group trip, he hasn't seen his brother again.

A whole year passed without his return; he was truly worried about his brother, fearing they might meet misfortune in other timelines!

Qianshou Feijian, seeing this, gently soothed, "They should be hiding in a cave as Mountain Top Cave Men; you shouldn't worry pointlessly. When the time comes, they'll return on their own."

He hadn't forgotten the matter of the two living in the cave for over a decade!

They even used the Fake Death method to live in seclusion!

Yuzhibo Quannai had long learned from Lian Ye about the two's deeds back then.

Combined with Qianshou Feijian's comfort, the uneasy feeling in his heart dissipated.

"Alright, I understand," he said casually, "You hurry and cook; I've been hungry for a long time."

Qianshou Feijian nodded, turned, and walked straight into the kitchen.

Watching the busy figure in the kitchen, Yuzhibo Quannai moved his lips but made no sound.

If Qianshou Feijian were present, he would surely see that what he said was—

"Actually, the food you make isn't hard to eat..."

Warring States timeline, inside a cave.

Two "savages" wearing grass skirts sat before the bonfire, eyes fixed on the Grilled Fish ahead.

"Madara, I want the biggest one!"

Senju Hashirama pointed at the biggest Grilled Fish, drooling.

"No, that's the one I caught, so I want the big one."

Madara Uchiha didn't agree, handing the smaller Grilled Fish to his close friend.

"Madara, you've changed..."

Senju Hashirama looked pitifully at his friend's stern face.

"Fine, here you go."

Madara Uchiha ultimately lost the battle.

Even after all those years, he still couldn't bear Hashirama's dejected look.

Even knowing that the guy was faking it...

"Ha ha, I knew you wouldn't refuse me, Madara!"

Senju Hashirama, delighted, hugged the Grilled Fish and began gnawing.

The two had lived in the mountains for a year; their clothes were already tattered.

They simply fashioned a grass skirt from local materials.

Anyone unaware would think they truly were savages living in the mountains.

After the meal, Senju Hashirama patted his round belly.

"Madara, we've lived here for a year; when do we plan to go back?"

Madara Uchiha paused, then realized they'd been in this timeline for a year.

If they don't return soon, Quan Nai will surely worry.

"Let's go back the day after tomorrow."

"Okay."