"Lord Tobirama, please don't misunderstand me—I haven't betrayed Konoha."
"You haven't? Then why did the monkey say you betrayed Konoha?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't say that, did he?
Chen Baojun wore a helpless expression.
As a former elite of Konoha, he naturally understood this man's temperament and could only explain with a reluctant but patient tone.
"Second Lord!" He bowed first in respect.
"Second Lord, I have not betrayed Konoha. The reason I clashed with Hiruzen was simply to keep a promise."
"A promise? What kind of promise dared pit you against the Hokage?" the Second asked.
"A promise that changed everything—my very destiny!"
"Hmm?" Upon hearing Chen Baojun's words, Hashirama Senju leaned in closer. His curiosity sparked instantly.
For someone to become Konoha's hero yet stand against Konoha—that must be one fascinating promise indeed, thought Hashirama.
"I met someone while cleaning a grave," Chen Baojun explained.
"At first, we had nothing to do with each other. But after a misunderstanding, he imparted to me an extraordinary Taijutsu insight!"
"A Taijutsu insight?"
The First grew even more intrigued.
"Go on!"
"This Taijutsu insight breaks tradition entirely—it enables a Taijutsu expert to progress rapidly within a short time, reaching Jonin-level mastery, even ascending beyond the Kage level!"
"Beyond Kage level?" Hashirama Senju was momentarily stunned.
He hadn't expected such an answer.
At this moment, Tobirama Senju also raised his eyebrows and turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Monkey, is what Chen says true?"
"Uh… Probably." Hiruzen replied, uncertain about what Chen meant earlier. Yet recalling how drastically Chen's strength had improved, he could only agree.
"Could the one who trained Chen in this Taijutsu insight actually be plotting Konoha's destruction?" Hashirama asked again.
"I don't know."
Chen Baojun shook his head, still unsure about Ye Liang's true intentions at first. But for a girl to risk her life to save him, he couldn't possibly be some despicable villain.
Chen Baojun had lived most of his life and prided himself on understanding people's hearts—that was why he was determined to protect Ye Liang.
It was because of Hinata that he made this choice.
Hmph! It wasn't because of the *Nine Yin Manual* at all!
"Monkey, exactly what's going on?" Tobirama asked coldly.
At this point, he began to suspect something was wrong. Chen had been under his guidance for years; there was no way he would truly protect someone harmful to Konoha. There must be a misunderstanding.
This...
Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated but finally started explaining everything honestly.
After a while...
"So because of that, you ordered the hunt on Ye Liang?!" Tobirama slapped Hiruzen across the face with a sharp crack. His fury was unmistakable!
Beside him, Hashirama Senju's expression darkened as well.
Based on what Hiruzen had said, Ye Liang, though known for making wild claims, had caused no real harm to Konoha. On the contrary, he had trained four powerful elite Jonin!
What a rare talent!
Hashirama had always valued peaceful coexistence. As long as someone hadn't harmed the village, he shouldn't be treated as an enemy directly. Hiruzen Sarutobi's approach was inappropriate.
"Actually, whatever Danzo provokes..." Hiruzen muttered softly.
"You're no better than him!" Tobirama snapped back.
Though his personality somewhat resembled Danzo's, Ye Liang's significance intrigued him far more. Someone who had not harmed the village and had contributed to it—how could he bear to harm such a person?
"Smack!"
Danzo received a slap across his face too.
What the hell kind of misfortune was this! Danzo began resenting the murmuring Hiruzen.
After a while.
Inside the room, Ye Liang's head finally reached his body.
Hinata Hyuga followed closely behind. She really couldn't understand why Ye Liang refused to let her carry him and insisted on crawling over by himself.
Why do guys always want to do things on their own?
Ye Liang grew more anxious inside.
Ever since the past Hokages were revived, the outside world had grown quiet. He was afraid Chen Baojun might go back on his word. If he decided to stab him at this moment, then it would truly be over.
"Hurry up and place me back on my head!" Ye Liang called out.
He had tried commanding his body several times but failed.
Each attempt left him stuck either on his stomach or under his arm!
No choice!
His body didn't have eyes.
Hinata obeyed the order. She grabbed Ye Liang's head and carefully placed it at the cross-section of her neck.
Originally, the Immortal Body required stitching, but Ye Liang possessed [Creation Rebirth]. As long as the severed neck ends connected, he could use Yin Seal to reattach his head back into place.
He closed his eyes. A strange warmth slowly spread through him.
The severed neck had started healing—the skin was reconnecting, and the internal meridians were visibly mending themselves.
The broken bones reconnected. The trachea rejoined.
Ye Liang was finally resurrected!
Damn it!
Took me forever, but I'm back at last!
"Danzo, I'll tear you limb from limb!"
He left Hinata behind and proudly strode toward the door.
Outside.
Chen Baojun stood aside and made no move to block the Hokages. However, the likes of Hiruzen Sarutobi did not rashly attack either.
They had cleared up the misunderstanding between them.
Now, Hiruzen just wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
The First Hokage Hashirama and Second Hokage Tobirama had already clearly stated their positions.
As long as Ye Liang agreed not to oppose Konoha, they must invite him back with the highest possible honors, offer him a permanent place among the village's elite, and formally apologize!
Hiruzen had lost face, and Danzo even more so.
This whole incident had been his idea, pushing Hiruzen into action. He had even severed Ye Liang's head in anger. Who would've guessed the outcome would turn out this way!
What the hell kind of monster doesn't die with his head chopped off!
This was something everyone found deeply puzzling.
They stood quietly at the door.
Since they had decided to formally invite Ye Liang back, they naturally needed to show sincerity.
Ye Liang walked out.
"Danzo, you damned bald fool!" he shouted in rage.
The moment he exited the house, he was shocked by the scene outside the door!
Several Hokage, led by the First Hokage, bowed deeply to him. Of course, not all of them did — Tobirama, Danzo, and a few Anbu under Danzo's orders stayed put.
"The hell is going on here? What the heck do you think you're doing?!" Ye Liang asked in confusion.
He saw the First Hokage bowing to him and felt completely stunned.
"I've reviewed everything that happened. It seems… Konoha was at fault. If you're not still bearing a grudge, then please accept my deepest apology on behalf of Konoha."
"Let me kill Danzo, and I'll forget the whole thing!"
Ye Liang shot back at Hashirama.
Danzo?
Hashirama blinked in shock!
He hadn't expected Ye Liang to say something like that. Could it be he had a personal vendetta against Danzo?
"Mr. Ye, Danzo is one of Konoha's highest-ranking elders. I'm afraid I can't grant that demand."
"Then quit yapping. Let's just cut the crap and get this fight started!"
Everyone stared at him like he'd just gone completely mad.
"You really want to go up against every single Hokage who ever lived?"
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