Chapter 97: Lian Ye's Method

Qianshou Feijian, as soon as he got home, locked himself in the study.

Lian Ye sat alone on the doorstep, staring blankly at the full moon.

At that moment he suddenly realized that the person who was always dazzling like the sun could also have a day when his light would fade.

"No, there must be a way, there has to be!"

He began recalling details he had never paid attention to before…

In Senju Hashirama's battle with Madara, he sustained very serious injuries.

Logically, given his physical constitution and recovery speed, those wounds should have healed quickly.

After all, Hashirama didn't seem to have any fatal injuries.

Injuries of this magnitude simply cannot be irreparable!

Unless his cells were exhausted—Hashirama's self-healing works by accelerating cell division, and in the fight with Madara he may have overused it, pushing cell division to its limit, depleting his life force and causing death.

One must know that Hashirama's cells are extremely resilient and aggressive.

Even if his bodily cells were exhausted, he wouldn't die that quickly.

With proper rest, living another few decades would be no problem at all.

At worst his combat power would be severely reduced, but why he is like this now…

It is very possible that Hashirama's instinct is resisting his body's recovery…

The reason is simple: he personally killed his dear friend, Madara Uchiha, who had once shared his dream of co‑founding Konoha Village.

Even though later their ideals diverged and they walked entirely different paths.

Hashirama still regarded Madara as his sole close friend.

To protect the village, he personally killed Madara…

The guilt in his heart tormented him far more than any physical pain.

He probably felt he had betrayed Madara, betrayed their shared ideal, and could not forgive himself.

Both body and soul suffered unprecedented devastation; the psychological trauma combined with the severe physical wounds caused his life force to drain rapidly.

In just a few short years he became a shadow of his former self.

Lian Ye rose excitedly, his eyes flashing with hopeful light.

He seemed to have figured out why Hashirama was gravely ill.

If Hashirama learned that Madara hadn't died, his decaying body might regain vitality!

"Uncle, Uncle Hashirama might still be saved!"

Lian Ye shouted toward the house, then left the courtyard.

Qianshou Feijian flung open the study door and followed.

————————

Mito Clan sat on the bedside, trembling fingertips brushing Hashirama's pale cheek, tears welling in the eyes.

"Hashirama, are you really not going to call Feijian and the others over?"

After returning home, Hashirama's injuries worsened.

She had a premonition that her husband might not make it.

Hashirama shook his head, "No need, I don't want them to worry."

He strained to lift his hand and gently clasped his wife's hand.

Mito Clan bit her lower lip, turning her face away so her husband wouldn't see her collapse, but her trembling shoulders still betrayed her sorrow.

Gangshou lay on the bedside rail, golden hair cascading down, covering her reddened eyes.

"Grandpa, you're lying!"

The little girl's fist pounded the bedding, tears streaming down uncontrollably.

"Didn't you say you'd get better? Wuwu, I haven't won my money back yet, you can't die!"

Seeing Gangshou's tear‑streaked, rain‑kissed face, Hashirama laboriously reached out to pat his granddaughter's head.

"Sorry, Gangshou," Hashirama forced a wry smile, "The money I won from you back then I already lost all at the casino."

Hearing that, the little girl cried even louder.

"Wuwu, Grandpa, you big villain!"

"Gangshou, don't cry… Grandpa won't gamble anymore. From now on listen to Grandma; if anything… you can go to Second Grandfather and Uncle Lianye…"

Before the words finished, a violent cough erupted.

He covered his mouth, and specks of crimson seeped through his fingers, blooming into a glaring blood flower on the bedding.

Hashirama slowly closed his eyes, feeling an unprecedented lightness.

In his mind, Madara's figure appeared, his mouth curling slightly upward.

He finally could go down and personally say sorry to his dear friend.

Madara's death was like a thorn constantly lodged in his heart, making him feel pain at every moment.

Given his physique, while he might not return to his original state, some improvement was still achievable.

It was merely his subconscious resisting…

Though he left with some reluctance, his ideal had already been fulfilled.

Leaving like this is fine; the rest now depends on Feijian.

Nevertheless, Hashirama believed Feijian could handle everything.

"Madara, I've come for you…"

Bang—

At that moment, a deafening crash sounded from outside.

Lian Ye kicks open the courtyard gate and walks straight into the house.

Hashirama looks at the boy's scarlet eyes, a pale corner of his mouth pulling a bitter smile: "Lian Ye, you still came."

In fact, he didn't want Lian Ye to see how he looked now.

Gangshou turns, embraces Lian Ye's thigh, and cries out loudly:

"Wuwuwu... Uncle Lianye, grandpa seems about to die!"

"Mizuto Ayi, please take Gangshou away first," Lian Ye says in a low voice, "I have something to discuss with Uncle Hashirama."

Mito Clan hesitates a bit, but seeing the boy's serious expression, nods and pulls Gangshou away.

Seeing the two leave, Lian Ye sets up a Jutsu Barrier to prevent anyone outside from hearing.

This matter, he intends to tell only Hashirama.

Some things become worse when too many know...

The hastily arrived Qianshou Feijian sees the barrier inside and suddenly frowns.

"What does this kid want to do?"

Whatever Lian Ye wants to say to his older brother, even they must stay on guard.

Though he has doubts inside, he is still willing to trust Lian Ye.

"Lian Ye, what do you want to say?" Hashirama asks weakly.

He now just wants to send Lian Ye away quickly, then catch up with Madara's steps.

If there is a Pure Land, he could still apologize to Madara.

"Uncle Hashirama, are you really planning to leave like this?"

Lian Ye's scarlet Sharingan stares directly at Senju Hashirama.

In Hashirama's eyes, Lian Ye's figure gradually overlaps with Madara's, and in a daze it seems he sees his deceased close friend.

He murmurs softly, "Madara, I'll be with you soon."

Hearing that, Lian Ye can't help but frown.

Obviously, Hashirama had already harbored a death resolve.

But at least the reason was finally found...

Lian Ye's tightly furrowed brows eased as he watched Hashirama ignore him.

He prepares to change his way of speaking.

A way that Hashirama can actually hear...

"Uncle Hashirama, do you really think Madara Uchiha is dead?"

When he heard this, Senju Hashirama suddenly opened his eyes, and those dim eyes actually...

He struggled to sit up from the bed, his eyes fixed intently on Lian Ye.

What did he just hear?

It seemed Lian Ye was saying Madara wasn't dead!

The originally decayed body seemed to rejuvenate again

"Lian Ye, what does that mean?!"

ps: Actually I wanted to write Hashirama's death, but seeing the seniors didn't want it, I'm preparing to try a different approach...