Chapter 9

Uchiha Clan Territory, Orphanage.

Lian Ye had finished his meal, wasn't in a rush to return, and instead wandered to the clan territory.

Compared to the Senju Clan, he would be better off living at the orphanage.

"Lian Ye, you're back!" Uchiha Shun saw Lian Ye arrive, ran up to him, and exclaimed excitedly.

He had already learned that his friend had been adopted by Qianshou Feijian.

"I came back to see you all…" Lian Ye explained.

This time returning to the clan territory, it wasn't just to see his friend; he also wanted to ask the Director for a ninjutsu scroll.

The Uchiha Clan has its own clan storehouse, which keeps various strategic supplies, including a large number of ninjutsu scrolls.

These ninjutsu scrolls are a uniform reward for the younger generation of clan members, and also a way to show the clan's heritage to the younger generation, motivating them to contribute more to the clan.

Usually, each Uchiha clan member, once they can draw chakra and have the potential to become a ninja, can go receive a ninjutsu scroll.

However, if one wants to obtain another ninjutsu scroll, it usually requires merit or an equivalent exchange.

Senju Feijian has not yet established a ninja school; for now, clan ninjas are basically self-sufficient, and there is no such thing as civilian ninjas.

Civilian ninjas only begin to emerge after the ninja school is established.

Without a ninja school, ordinary people almost find it difficult to become ninjas.

Lian Ye's current chakra amount is already enough to release some low-level ninjutsu, so he urgently needs a ninjutsu scroll to improve himself.

Ninjutsu is the most commonly used and important means of attack and defense for ninjas in battle.

Mastering several powerful ninjutsu allows one's own strength to become stronger.

Thinking thus, Lian Ye chatted with Uchiha Shun for a while, then bade farewell and left, arriving at the Director's office.

The bearded Director saw Lian Ye arrive, obviously somewhat surprised: "Lian Ye, how did you come back?"

Could it be that this child has been bullied in the Senju Clan?

He began to regret letting Lian Ye go with the Senju brothers earlier.

But there's nothing to be done—after all, who made Senju Hashirama the Hokage?

Since Lord Ban defected, he has clearly noticed that the village has tightened its guard against the Uchiha.

Under these circumstances, they had no choice but to agree.

While the bearded Director was lost in thought, Lian Ye spoke up: "Director, I want to ask you for a ninjutsu scroll."

The Director came to his senses, somewhat curious: "Lian Ye, is your chakra enough now?"

"Don't worry, Director." Lian Ye confidently said: "Releasing a few ninjutsu is still enough!"

Upon hearing that, the Director nodded satisfactorily, his eyes showing praise: "Not bad, it seems you're training very seriously."

Lian Ye's training speed is among the top in the orphanage, even not inferior to some geniuses of the clan.

Uchiha clan children receive specialized Jonin instruction after age eight; before that, they are taught by elders in the family.

The orphanage is somewhat special: they have no parents to teach them, and the Director can only spare time to teach them, so efficiency is naturally much lower than that of normal Uchiha—there's nothing to be done about it.

"Lian Ye, I hope you continue to train hard." The Director opened the drawer and took out a scroll from within.

"I will." Lian Ye received the scroll, his expression solemn.

After saying goodbye to the Director, Lian Ye left the office.

After Lian Ye left, the Director sighed helplessly: "Ah, what a fine child, a pity…"

If Lian Ye hadn't been adopted by the Senju, he would have wanted to personally mentor Lian Ye—he's really a fine prospect.

The Director knows full well that Lian Ye is not valued in the Senju household; otherwise he wouldn't have come back specifically to ask him for a ninjutsu scroll.

Senju Feijian is so strong—how could he possibly lack a Fire Release Ninjutsu scroll?

"Perhaps Lord Ban's approach is correct…"

————

Senju Clan Land.

Lian Ye, holding the scroll, returned to Senju Clan Land, already eager to go back and study ninjutsu.

"I wonder what ninjutsu it is?" Lian Ye said eagerly.

Just then, two somewhat sturdy little rascals suddenly darted out from ahead, arms crossed, blocking the road completely.

The taller one lifted his chin, his face full of provocation:

"Hey, kid, you're the Uchiha adopted by Lord Feijian?"

As for how the two knew Lian Ye's identity—

Naturally, it was the Uchiha clan emblem on Lian Ye's clothes that gave him away.

The shining emblem made it hard not to recognize him…

Lian Ye frowned, a hint of displeasure rising in his heart.

He hadn't expected to run into trouble-makers; he was still preparing to go back and train ninjutsu.

"Get lost, I don't have time to play house with you."

The two brats wouldn't let it go; the taller one launched the first attack, swinging his fists as he charged over.

Lian Ye lightly sidestepped, easily dodging; the taller one staggered, nearly falling.

Seeing that, the shorter one pulled a kunai from his waist and thrust it wildly at Lian Ye.

A cold glint flashed in Lian Ye's eyes as he suddenly reached out and grabbed the opponent's wrist; the man winced, and the kunai in his hand fell to the ground.

"You really are annoying!" Lian Ye showed no mercy, kicking the short one away with a foot.

Since this bastard even used a weapon, Lian Ye naturally wouldn't hold back.

The taller one recovered and charged again, but unfortunately they were no match for Lian Ye at all.

Not long after, the two brats lay on the ground, wailing continuously.

Lian Ye picked up the kunai from the ground and threw it at the short person.

Only a "whoosh" was heard as the kunai grazed the short person's cheek, flying past and leaving a bloodstain, then it plunged straight into the soil beside his head, half-buried, still trembling slightly.

The short person turned deathly pale with fright, frozen on the spot, not daring to make a sound.

He was so close, he almost died!

The tall person was also frightened badly, shrinking to the side, not daring to breathe.

This Uchiha is really too cruel and terrifying!

Lian Ye brushed off the dust from his clothes, looked down at the two from above, his voice ice-cold, without a trace of emotion:

"If you dare to cause trouble for me again, I'll kill you!"

The two were instantly scared out of their wits, feeling that Lian Ye wasn't joking and would really kill them!

Ignoring their bodily pain, they struggled to get up from the ground and fled as if escaping.

Lian Ye watched the two leave without expression; in the Ninja World, responding to violence with violence is always the simplest way.

In the shadows.

Qianshou Feijian quietly watched the scene, took out the notebook he carried with him, and began recording on it.

On the notebook was written 【Uchiha Observation Handbook】.

After Lian Ye's figure had completely disappeared, Qianshou Feijian flickered and appeared before the two little brats.

The two little brats, seeing Qianshou Feijian arrive, wailed:

"Wuu wuu wuu, Lord Feijian, he was too ruthless..."

They were actors specially hired by Qianshou Feijian, the purpose being to observe Uchiha Lianye's reaction.

Qianshou Feijian comforted them: "You've worked hard; this is your payment."

Saying that, he pulled out a stack of banknotes and handed them to the two.

"Hehe, thank you, Lord Feijian."

The two little brats, upon receiving the money, instantly broke into smiles.

"Uchiha brats are really troublesome..."

Qianshou Feijian looked at the content in the notebook, his expression complex.