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, it was not hard to guess that they were a member of the veterinary team led by Hana Inuzuka.

"Captain Hana, Laiyun is missing. We've searched the area several times already." The person repeated why they had come.

"When did this happen?"

Hana Inuzuka's expression changed drastically. She knew Laiyun's condition very 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 bandages discovered it was gone. We searched the surrounding area but found nothing. Our preliminary conclusion is that Laiyun slipped away on its own."

"Send more people to search everywhere. We must bring Laiyun back as soon as possible." Hana Inuzuka looked solemn.

"Yes!"

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

Burning with anxiety, she did not even have time to say anything to Ye Fan on the roof before leading her Graymaru Brothers out of the courtyard.

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

He had heard the conversation clearly. Laiyun, Aoi Inuzuka's ninja hound, had sneaked out of the infirmary.

"Looks like I should do something too."

Having made up his mind, Ye Fan's figure abruptly vanished from the rooftop.

Under the cover of night, more than a dozen figures could be seen leaping across walls and rooftops throughout Konoha Village. They were the ninja responsible for searching for Laiyun.

Though their target was only a severely injured ninja hound, finding it was far from easy.

As Aoi Inuzuka's ninja hound, Laiyun possessed abundant experience in reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance. Naturally, it knew how to evade the ninja tracking it.

Splash!

From a flowing river, Laiyun poked out its head. Only after confirming there were no ninja nearby did it slowly climb ashore.

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

The pain radiating from its body was like countless sharp blades continuously cutting through every organ inside it. Even the chakra within it seemed to be fading away.

Yet this state could not stop its steps in the slightest.

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 all the way out here!"

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.

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

Laiyun's body swayed unsteadily again. More and more blood seeped from its bandages.

"With your current condition, you'll never make it out of Konoha Village." Ye Fan spoke with certainty.

Though he had never left Konoha Village, he knew something about its defense system. There were many ninja guards, both in the open and in the shadows. It would probably be spotted the moment it drew near.

Laiyun had no intention of paying attention 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 Laiyun could understand him, Ye Fan tried to persuade it.

Given Laiyun's current condition, the strength it could muster was probably inferior even to that of a dead-last 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 curling his lip, his tone growing slightly harsher. "Since I found you, I absolutely won't let you throw your life away."

Laiyun suddenly stopped and turned to glare at Ye Fan. The warning in its eyes was especially obvious: 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. "Don't look at me like you think you can defeat me easily. If I don't let you leave, the outcome 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 utterly unconcerned. If he could not even handle a ninja hound, what was the point of talking about founding a sect?

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

Whoosh!

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

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

That immediately enraged Laiyun.

"I'm quite interested in seeing how much strength you have, but with your current body, let's save that for later!"

Almost the instant Ye Fan finished speaking, his figure abruptly disappeared from Laiyun's sight.

A flicker of astonishment crossed 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 figure out what was happening, its vision suddenly went black. With a thud, it went limp and collapsed 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 plenty of room to improve. 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 still have plenty of room for improvement!" Ye Fan remarked with feeling.

In his view, Laiyun's injuries looked serious, but they were not difficult to treat. If he treated it, even if it could not fully recover yet, it definitely would not be in this state.

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

Then, he poured medicinal liquid from the other bottle and treated Laiyun's external wounds.

After doing all that, Ye Fan suddenly turned to look behind him.

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

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

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

Several ninja led by Hana Inuzuka arrived at the spot.

"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 ordeal.

That made no sense!