Chapter 96: Big Brother, Seems He

Lian Ye these days, besides cooking for Gangshou, has been training at the Training Ground.

We thought Hashirama and his spouse would be gone for several days, but they returned on the third day.

Qianshou Feijian learned that big brother had returned, and brought Lian Ye and Gangshou to the gate early to welcome him.

"Feijian, Lian Ye, they said you don't need to come pick us up…"

At Muye Dameng, Senju Hashirama's face was pale as he forced a faint smile upon seeing the three.

Lian Ye saw Hashirama's condition and felt his heart sink.

How is Uncle Hashirama's health getting worse?

It was only three days away—how could this happen?

Qianshou Feijian, seeing this, couldn't help asking, "Big brother… are you alright?"

He truly worries about big brother's health.

Had we known it would turn out like this, we shouldn't have let him leave in the first place!

Senju Hashirama waved his hand, smiling, "Feijian, don't worry, I'm fine; a nap will fix it."

"Right, a nap will fix it!"

"These days of traveling have been tiring; going back to sleep will be enough."

His tone grew increasingly firm, as if it were truly what he said.

It was caused by extreme fatigue…

Beside them, Xuanwo Mizuto's eyes reddened, and she gently clasped her husband's hand.

"Hashirama, if we're tired, let's go home and rest."

Her voice trembled, revealing inner unrest.

Had she known it would turn out like this, she wouldn't have agreed to go with Hashirama to Whirlpool Country.

When the two had just left, Hashirama's health was fine.

Just after leaving Fire Country, Hashirama suddenly collapsed without warning and fell into a coma.

That terrified Mito Clan, but fortunately Hashirama revived shortly after.

The problem arose here: after waking, Hashirama's complexion was as pale as a patient long tormented by illness.

Obviously, an old wound had relapsed.

After waking, Hashirama saw Mito Clan's worried expression and said only,

"Sorry, Mito Clan, I don't think I can accompany you to Whirlpool Country."

Mito Clan said nothing, supporting her husband as they retraced their steps.

At this point, returning home no longer mattered; she only wanted her husband safe…

Hashirama, hearing Mito Clan's words, gently patted the back of her hand.

"Alright, let's go home and rest."

Saying that, the two stepped forward into the Village.

Lian Ye and Feijian instinctively yielded their spots to let the pair pass.

Hashirama, passing by them, slowly halted his steps.

"Feijian, I want to rest properly for a few days, so don't come disturb me."

"Gangshou, let's go home," Mito Clan smiled, extending a hand to Gangshou.

"Yay, grandpa and grandma, you finally returned," Gangshou said, holding grandma's hand and leaving with grandpa and grandma.

"Grandpa, aren't you feeling unwell?"

"Mm, not a big issue, two days of rest will be fine."

"Grandpa, rest well; when you're healthy we'll play dice together."

"Haha, no problem, Xiaogang wants to win back the pocket money he lost before?"

"Of course, this time I'll definitely win!"

Lian Ye and Feijian silently watched the three generations walk away.

"Uncle, is Uncle Hashirama's health really at that point?" Lian Ye's expression was complicated as he murmured softly.

Hashirama's earlier impression was like that of a waning old man, exuding a strong aura of death…

That oppressive feeling made it hard for him to breathe.

Qianshou Feijian crossed his arms, expressionless.

Only his slightly trembling fingers showed he lacked outward calm.

His mind was churned into a tangled mess by surging emotions, making even breathing labored.

Qianshou Feijian has always been a calm person.

But seeing big brother like this, his usually iron‑hard heart seemed tightly clenched by something.

"Big brother, seems like he's about to die…"

He had thought big brother could hold on for a few more years, but fate played a joke, and this day arrived so quickly.

Lian Ye, seeing Qianshou Feijian like that, knew the old fellow was uneasy, said nothing more, and silently stood by his side.

He clearly knows that, given Senju Hashirama's current state, he likely won't live for many more days.

Lian Ye recalled the moments spent with Hashirama over the years, and his fist clenched unconsciously.

Although he has always considered himself an outsider, he is still a person.

A living, feeling, flesh‑and‑blood person!

Who treats him well, who treats him poorly, he always keeps in mind.

Seeing Hashirama's condition, Lian Ye inevitably feels sorrow.

And Qianshou Feijian, as Hashirama's younger brother, need not have his feelings explained as he watches his big brother turn this way.

The night sky devours the last strand of sunset; Lian Ye and Qianshou Feijian stand side by side before the Muye Dameng.

The evening breeze lifts a few dead leaves that skim past their feet.

Qianshou Feijian keeps his arms crossed over his chest the whole time, the hem of his dark robe fluttering up and down in the wind.

After an unknown amount of time, the bright moonlight spills onto Qianshou Feijian's face.

Their Adam's apple twitched, and in a hoarse voice they said, "Kid, you go back first."

Lian Ye subconsciously lifts his head, only to see the moonlight split that stern face into light and shadow.

The half of the face hidden in shadow is indistinct, while the portion bathed in moonlight remains cold, with only the reddened veins at the corners of the eyes betraying a barely perceptible fatigue.

Lian Ye opens his mouth, but swallows the words before they can be spoken.

In the end he merely nods heavily.

Lian Ye walks ahead, and in a daze hears a faint rustle of fabric behind him as Qianshou Feijian's footsteps, unhurried yet steady, fall into step.

Two shadows overlap and stretch on the stone path, extending toward the depths of Konoha.

Along the way, Lian Ye thinks a great deal in his mind.

The power of the Zhuan Cells, the cause of Hashirama's deteriorating body, and whether there is any solution…

He thinks for a long while, yet remains clueless.

Qianshou Feijian does not wish Hashirama to die like this, but there is simply no way.

At some point Qianshou Feijian arrives in front of Lian Ye.

Has Qianshou Feijian never been pondering a solution?

In these years Qianshou Feijian has tried many methods, even resorting to human experiments, yet still has not found a way to improve his big brother's condition.

Unwittingly, the two reach Hashirama's door.

They instinctively halt, looking toward the tightly shut gate.

Qianshou Feijian intends to go up and knock, hesitates for a moment, and finally gives up.

The big brother once said, "Do not go disturb him."

Qianshou Feijian knows that his big brother does not want him to see his gravely ill state…

Lian Ye sees the scene, presses his lips together, his expression gloomy.

"Uncle, let's go home."

Qianshou Feijian nods, casts one last glance at the gate, and then departs.

When the two have fully left, a weak voice of Hashirama comes from inside the house.

"Mito Clan, have they left?"

Immediately after, a choking voice of Mito Clan is heard.

"Hmm, they have returned."

"That's good, that's good…"

"Hashirama, you must hold on!"

"Sorry, Mito Clan, I may have broken my promise."