Chapter Sixty-One: The People of the Wandering

With the thought in mind, Uchiha Li made his way to the Security Department headquarters. He walked the familiar corridors and stopped before the clan leader’s office, pushing open the door and stepping inside.

Immediately upon entering, Li noticed the addition of a bed beside the desk, with Fugaku Uchiha busy laying out bedding.

Witnessing this scene, Li smiled and said, “Clan Leader, are you planning to sleep here from now on?”

Fugaku paused in his work, sat back in his chair, and replied with a hint of annoyance, “You still have the nerve to ask?!”

If not for Li’s plan, his courtyard would never have been burned down, and he wouldn’t be forced to live at the Security Department.

“But isn’t this convenient? You come here for work every day anyway—it saves time,” Li replied, showing no sign of remorse.

Fugaku shook his head with a sigh. “Tell me, what is it this time? I’m warning you, don’t cause any more trouble. My heart’s not what it used to be.”

Last night, Li had suddenly and publicly admitted the Nine-Tails had been under Uchiha control, giving Fugaku quite a scare. Fortunately, Li managed to shift focus to the method of controlling the beast, averting further complications.

“I need the clan to send people out to gather information on certain individuals,” Li said directly. “They’re known as the Wandering Folk.”

“The Wandering Folk?” Fugaku frowned slightly, unfamiliar with the term.

Li explained, “They’re said to be a group who lost their country and have been traveling as merchant caravans, which is why they’re called the Wandering Folk.”

The reason for seeking these people was their connection to a mysterious mineral.

This mineral, called the Grell Stone, contained vast reserves of chakra. Legends claimed that, in ancient times, it was used to create a great and advanced civilization—one that was ultimately destroyed by its own power. Yet the Grell Stone did not perish with that civilization; it was sealed away.

In Li’s memory, the Grell mine was sealed somewhere on the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, though the exact location eluded him. However, the Wandering Folk, as direct descendants of that ancient civilization, knew the secret.

Thus, finding them would yield clues to the Grell Stone. For Li, searching alone would be far too time-consuming and uncertain. With the clan’s resources, however, the situation changed entirely.

“Such caravans won’t be easy to find,” Fugaku mused, stroking his chin. “If we proceed discreetly, it will take time. If we want speed, we’ll need to mobilize many people, and it’s bound to attract attention.”

Searching all the shinobi world for a single wandering caravan was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Even for the Uchiha, it would likely require placing bounties through black market channels to have any chance of a quick result—though such actions would certainly draw attention, especially from the village.

Li considered this, then replied, “Don’t worry about whether it draws the village’s or others’ attention. Just find them as quickly as possible.”

Efficiency was Li’s priority; being noticed was a secondary concern. With his current strength, he could handle most complications, especially with Shisui by his side—two pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan were a force to be reckoned with, aside from the Akatsuki, none were truly a threat.

Seeing Li’s determination, Fugaku nodded. “If that’s your decision, I’ll set things in motion immediately. We should have news before long.”

“Clan Leader, your wisdom is unparalleled,” Li complimented, preparing to take his leave.

But Fugaku spoke first. “Don’t forget, you’re now a squad captain in the Security Department. Once your business is done, report back promptly.”

Li smiled. “Don’t worry, I won’t forget.”

He then added, somewhat pointedly, “In fact, I have some proposals I’ll raise at the next clan meeting, so be prepared.”

“Prepared for what?” Fugaku was taken aback, a sense of foreboding rising within him. “You’re not planning anything reckless, are you? The clan has only just found some peace—don’t stir up trouble again!”

Li shrugged innocently. “Clan Leader, you jest. Everything I do is for the clan—how could that be called trouble?”

With that, he strode out of the office.

Watching him go, Fugaku’s body trembled slightly. He called out loudly, “Uchiha Li, stop right there!”

But Li only waved without slowing. “Clan Leader, when you have time, pay a visit to Minato. He’s Konoha’s true Hokage.”

At this, Fugaku fell silent. Gazing at the now-empty doorway, he drummed his fingers restlessly on the desk. With Li’s restless nature, there was no doubt the next clan meeting would bring some grand upheaval. And now, mentioning the Fourth Hokage so suddenly—could he be planning…

Fugaku’s pupils contracted, his heart pounding fiercely, though whether from excitement or something else, he wasn’t sure.

Meanwhile, having taken his leave of Fugaku, Li exited the Security Department building.

Just then, a small figure approached him head-on. Catching a glimpse from the corner of his eye, Li narrowed his gaze. The boy was none other than the one he’d been “concerned” about all this time—Itachi Uchiha.

Though only six or seven years old, Itachi’s demeanor already held a maturity far beyond his years, much like Shisui. Yet Li harbored a much colder impression of Itachi.

If Shisui was a naive soul misled by the village elders, ultimately choosing despair and suicide out of weakness, then Itachi, in Li’s eyes, was a true traitor—beyond redemption.

True, Itachi slaughtered the clan to protect Sasuke, but what of the countless innocent Uchiha?

As Itachi drew closer, Li’s hands unconsciously tightened into fists.

“Brother Li!” Itachi greeted him respectfully, having come before him.

Li relaxed his hands and replied coolly, “Here to see the clan leader?”

“Yes,” Itachi answered quietly. “Mother sent me to find Father.”

Li nodded slightly. “Go on, the clan leader is in his office.”

With that, he paid Itachi no further mind and walked toward the clan compound.

Itachi watched Li’s departing figure, a look of confusion and doubt on his young, adult-like face.

“Brother Li seems to dislike me…”

Ever sensitive, Itachi had felt a dangerous aura from Li for a fleeting moment, though he couldn’t understand why. This was their first proper meeting; he’d never offended Li before.

Unable to make sense of it, Itachi could only bury his questions for now and step into the Security Department building.