Laiyun's Escape

The newcomer wore a white medical uniform and a forehead protector, looking extremely flustered.

Although Ye Fan had never met this person before, it was not hard to guess that he was a member of the veterinary team led by Hana Inuzuka.

"Hana, Laiyun is gone. We've searched the area several times."

"When did this happen?"

Hana Inuzuka's expression changed drastically. She knew Laiyun's condition all too well. Although it was no longer in mortal danger, its injuries were severe. Without prompt and effective treatment, it might suffer lasting complications.

"A quarter of an hour ago. The team member who went to change Laiyun's medicine discovered it missing. We searched the surrounding area but found nothing. Our preliminary conclusion is that Laiyun snuck away."

"Send more people to search everywhere. We have to bring Laiyun back quickly." Hana Inuzuka's expression was stern.

"Yes!"

"Laiyun must be trying to find Aoi." Hana Inuzuka bit her lip.

Burning with anxiety, she did not have time to acknowledge Ye Fan on the roof. She immediately led her "Graymaru Brothers" toward the courtyard exit.

Watching Hana Inuzuka's retreating figure, Ye Fan's expression turned serious as well.

He had heard the conversation clearly. Aoi Inuzuka's Ninja Hound—Laiyun—had slipped out of the medical room.

Looks like I should do something too.

Having made up his mind, Ye Fan vanished from the rooftop in an instant.

Under the night sky of Konoha, more than a dozen figures could be seen leaping across walls and rooftops. They were the ninjas tasked with finding Laiyun.

Although their target was merely a heavily injured Ninja Hound, finding it would not be easy.

As Aoi Inuzuka's Ninja Hound, Laiyun had extensive experience in reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance. Naturally, it knew how to evade the ninjas pursuing it.

Splash!

Laiyun poked its head out from a flowing river. Only after confirming that there were no ninjas nearby did it slowly crawl ashore.

The river water had soaked its fur, while blood seeped through the bandages wrapped around its body. Its body suddenly swayed, and it nearly collapsed.

The pain coursing through its body was like countless sharp blades constantly cutting through every organ within it. Even the chakra in its body seemed to be fading away.

Yet this state did nothing to stop its steps.

It had to go back!

It had to return!

No matter what, it had to find its master—Aoi Inuzuka!

"You're quite capable, running this far away!"

Just as Laiyun reached the shore, a boy's voice suddenly entered its ears.

Turning around, Laiyun saw a familiar figure. It was Inuzuka Ye Fan.

"Do you want to find Sister Aoi?" Ye Fan asked as he walked toward Laiyun.

At that moment, Laiyun's body began to sway again, and more and more blood seeped through its bandages.

"With your current condition, you definitely can't leave Konoha." Ye Fan spoke with certainty.

Although he had never left Konoha, he had learned about its defense system. There were many ninja guards, both in the open and in secret. It would probably be discovered the moment it got close.

Laiyun had no intention of responding to Ye Fan. Its understanding of him was likely no different from everyone else's.

"Go back. Sister Hana is worried about you, and besides, what can you even do in your current state?"

Knowing that Laiyun could understand him, Ye Fan tried to persuade it.

Given Laiyun's current condition, the strength it could wield was probably inferior even to that of a bottom-tier Genin.

To put it bluntly, even if it truly evaded Konoha's defenses, it might not be able to find Aoi Inuzuka.

Laiyun completely ignored Ye Fan and resolutely continued forward.

Being ignored by a dog did not feel particularly good.

Ye Fan could not help pursing his lips, his tone growing slightly heavier. "Since I found you, I absolutely won't let you throw your life away for nothing."

Laiyun suddenly stopped, turned, and glared at Ye Fan. The warning in its eyes was unmistakable: Kid, I don't have time to waste on you right now!

"Looks like you still haven't recognized the situation!" Ye Fan bent down and picked up a pebble from the ground. "Don't look at me as though you can defeat me easily. If I don't let you leave, the result will be the same even if you weren't injured."

Laiyun suddenly bared its teeth, its warning intensifying another level.

"If you don't believe me, you can try."

Ye Fan looked completely unconcerned. If he could not even handle a Ninja Hound, how could he talk about founding a sect?

Laiyun stared at Ye Fan for several seconds. Perhaps deciding it could not waste any more time, it turned and walked away.

Whoosh!

The pebble in Ye Fan's hand suddenly shot out.

Hearing the wind behind it, Laiyun instinctively dodged to the side. However, due to its injuries, it no longer possessed its former agility, and the pebble ultimately struck its hind leg.

That blow immediately enraged Laiyun.

"I'm quite interested in seeing how strong you are, but with your current body, we'll leave that for later!"

Almost as soon as Ye Fan finished speaking, his figure vanished from Laiyun's sight.

A flash of astonishment appeared in Laiyun's eyes.

It had never imagined that this kid, who could not even become a ninja, possessed such terrifying speed.

Was this really the kid it knew?

Was this really the kid who could not even graduate from the Ninja Academy?

Before Laiyun could understand what was happening, its vision suddenly went black. With a thud, it collapsed limply to the ground.

At the same time,

Ye Fan appeared beside Laiyun.

Looking at the Ninja Hound he had knocked unconscious, he could not help muttering, "If it's properly trained, it should have a lot of room for improvement. For now, let me take a look at your injuries."

After examining it, Ye Fan had gained an understanding of Laiyun's injuries.

"Looks like Konoha's medical techniques have plenty of room for improvement too," Ye Fan remarked.

In his view, Laiyun's injuries looked serious, but treating them would not be troublesome. If he were the one treating it, even if it could not fully recover right now, it certainly would not be in this state.

Reaching into his clothes, Ye Fan took out two small porcelain bottles. He poured a dark green pill from one of them and placed it into Laiyun's mouth.

Then he poured medicine from the other bottle and treated Laiyun's external wounds.

After finishing all this, Ye Fan suddenly turned to look behind him.

"They've already found their way here. Then it's time for me to leave too."

Hearing ninjas approaching, Ye Fan did not linger. With a flash, he disappeared into the forest to one side.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

Several ninjas led by Hana Inuzuka arrived there.

"Laiyun!"

Seeing Laiyun lying by the riverbank, Hana Inuzuka cried out and hurriedly crouched down to examine it.

After checking it, Hana Inuzuka froze.

She could not understand why Laiyun's injuries had improved after all that turmoil.

This wasn't scientific!