Chapter 91: The Hokages' Official Chu Zi

Hashirama Residence.

Lian Ye hadn't even stepped into the courtyard when he heard Hashirama's bright laugh.

This vigorous demeanor makes it hard to believe the owner of that voice doesn't have much time left.

In the courtyard, Senju Hashirama sat cross‑legged at a stone table, a gentle yet slightly sly smile at the corner of his mouth.

Lihua lay on his shoulder, snoring loudly.

Gangshou's chubby little hand clenched a pouch embroidered with a kitten pattern, puffed up as they tiptoed onto the table edge, eyes fixed on the dice cup on the table.

"This time I will definitely win!" Gangshou bit their lip, forcefully lifted the dice cup, "Four, two, three!"

Their voice carried a hint of anticipation, but when their gaze swept over the dice before Hashirama, their little face instantly fell.

In front of Hashirama, three perfect sixes lay there in a row.

"Hahaha, Gangshou, may the gambler accept defeat," Hashirama's bright laugh echoed through the courtyard; he reached out and patted Gangshou's bun, "Hand over the money quickly."

Gangshou stomped their foot in frustration, pulled copper coins from the kitten‑embroidered pouch, and placed them one by one into Hashirama's outstretched palm, muttering softly:

"Grandpa must have cheated; why do I always lose?"

They had played several rounds with grandpa, and never won even once.

The pocket money grandma gave her was almost all spent.

Thinking of that, Gangshou stared with watery eyes at Hashirama.

Senju Hashirama slipped the copper coins into his pocket, smiled and gently brushed Gangshou's nose tip.

"That's not cheating; it's experience. When you grow up, you'll be as strong as grandpa, and then you can win all this back."

"I understand, grandpa!" Gangshou nodded seriously.

They firmly believed that as long as they kept gambling, someday they'd be as great as grandpa!

"Gangshou, don't let grandma find out about this," Hashirama reminded, unable to hold back.

He took the chance while the Mito Clan was away from home, and only then dared to teach Gangshou gambling.

If he accidentally let the Mito Clan know, he'd be finished.

"Don't worry, grandpa." Gangshou patted their chest, "I won't let grandma know; this is a secret between us!"

Hashirama saw this and nodded with satisfaction.

Since the Mito Clan learned he had taken up the vice of gambling, they stopped giving him pocket money, so he could only swindle a few coins from Gangshou as starting capital.

Today his touch was scorching; he didn't lose a single hand to Gangshou.

Going to the casino tonight will definitely bring a bounty...

Thinking of that, Hashirama couldn't help but laugh loudly upward.

Though Gangshou didn't know why grandpa was laughing, they laughed along.

Lian Ye had just entered the courtyard when he saw a tall one and a short one laughing skyward.

"Uncle Hashirama, what's making you so happy?"

Hashirama heard this, stopped laughing, "Lian Ye has arrived."

Gangshou blinked their big watery eyes and, subconsciously, swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

"Uncle Lian Ye, are you here to cook for me again?"

Lian Ye's mouth twitched; this gluttonous girl really treated him as a chef?

Ever since Gangshou tasted his cooking, every time they come they have to ask him to make a meal before leaving...

Hashirama also looked at Lian Ye with an expectant face, "Lian Ye, are you really going to cook for the two of us, grandpa and grandchild?"

Being stared at by two pitiful gazes, Lian Ye could only agree.

The grandpa and grandchild, seeing Lian Ye's agreement, excitedly slapped each other's hands.

"Yay, we get to taste Uncle Lian Ye's cooking again."

"Hahaha, Lian Ye, you'll have to work hard tonight."

Lian Ye, seeing this, couldn't help but mutter in his heart:

He came here to visit Uncle Hashirama's health, didn't he?

How did he end up foolishly becoming a chef again?!

He had just cooked for Qianshou Feijian at noon, and now in the afternoon he was cooking for Senju Hashirama.

Wait, it seems he has to cook every time he comes here...

He really has become the Senju family's Official Chu Zi.

Lian Ye could someday publish a book titled "The Hokages' Official Chu Zi."

After all, the First, Second, future Third, Fifth, and the Pot Kage all raved about his cooking.

This will definitely establish him in the culinary world...

Lian Ye's gaze swept over Hashirama's slightly gaunt face, which seemed even thinner than before.

"Uncle Hashirama, is your health still okay..."

Before the words finished, a burst of bright laughter cut them off.

"Lian Ye, look, that Gangshou girl is getting angry from losing again."

Hashirama suddenly raised his voice, reached out and pinched Gangshou's cheek, and Wood Release Vines coiled around Gangshou's pouch, pulling out several copper coins.

"May the gambler accept defeat, Gangshou."

Gangshou hummed, turned and winked at Lian Ye, "Uncle Lian Ye, don't believe grandpa! He definitely cheated; I never won a single hand."

Watching Gangshou's solemn expression, Lian Ye smiled and shook his head.

So Gangshou's plump sheep‑like physique has been there since childhood?

He really has been losing since he was a kid...

Senju Hashirama, seeing that Lian Ye did not continue to press, felt relieved.

He didn't know how to respond to Lian Ye's concern.

Hashirama knows his own condition; he doesn't want those who care about him to worry.

Whether it's Mito Clan, Feijian, or Lian Ye, he refuses to speak.

The three, knowing Hashirama didn't want to speak, courteously did not press further.

But they all knew clearly that Hashirama's condition was probably more serious than expected.

Otherwise, Hashirama wouldn't have been unwilling to tell them.

Lian Ye watched Hashirama gambling with Gangshou and sighed helplessly.

He watched for a while, then took his leave.

"Uncle Hashirama, I'm heading back now; I'll come later to cook."

"Alright, sorry to trouble Lian Ye."

Lian Ye had just stepped out of the courtyard when he ran into Xuanwo Mizuto.

"Mizuto Ayi, long time no see."

"Is that Lian Ye? Haven't you been on a mission these past few days?" Xuanwo Mizuto said with a smile.

"Mm." Lian Ye nodded.

Then he told her about coming over in the evening to cook.

Xuanwo Mizuto naturally agreed wholeheartedly, saying she would prepare the ingredients.

Lian Ye hadn't gone far when he heard Xuanwo Mizuto's roar.

"Hashirama, you actually taught Gangshou to gamble!!!"

"Mito Clan, listen to my explanation... I'm wrong! Ah—"

Hearing the commotion, Lian Ye said nothing, his complexion growing even worse.

"Uncle Hashirama wouldn't even bother using his perception."

With Senju Hashirama's power, it would be impossible not to sense Mito Clan's arrival.

But he was still caught, which only shows his condition has deteriorated to the point where he can't constantly employ perception.

Of course, we can't rule out that Hashirama was distracted by gambling and missed it.

However, that possibility is probably very low…

In any case, it's an undisputed fact that Senju Hashirama's health declines day by day.

No one knows when he will fall.

Life and death are unpredictable for anyone.

He might be lively one day and bedridden the next.

ps: Yesterday's power generation was enough, but I really didn't have time to write; as usual, I'll make it up this weekend!!!