Chapter 71: Recuperation and Return to the Village

Three days later, in the morning.

Within a certain border town of the Land of Fire, inside an inn.

After relocating the Grell mineral vein, Uchiha Li and Shisui did not return directly to the village, but chose to rest outside. The main reason was the immense toll of the large-scale transfer; Li simply had no energy to travel for several days. Even after three days of rest, pallor was still visible on his face—he would likely need more time to recover fully.

"Once we're back, I must immediately start studying genetic techniques," Uchiha Li murmured with a wry smile, gazing at his dull eyes in the mirror. Terra could absorb various chakra and nourish the Sharingan, but it could not help Li restore his ocular power. Moreover, Terra's absorption was not instantaneous; it required a process, digestion over time, accumulating steadily. Only when a critical point was reached would it need a burst of absorption to break through and achieve overall enhancement.

This was precisely why Li sought a 'stable, long-term absorbable chakra.' He knew well that it was unrealistic to expect the Grell stone to be absorbed quickly enough to evolve the Mangekyo in the short term. Until his eyes evolved into the Eternal Mangekyo, his only hope for restoration lay in the cells of the First Hokage.

His thoughts were interrupted as Shisui entered, setting down breakfast. "How are you feeling after these days?" he asked.

Li began eating, replying, "Though not fully recovered, I can handle ordinary combat now."

Shisui nodded, then took a deep breath. "Just now, outside, I overheard some talk about us and Terra. I suspect it's intentionally spread by the Akatsuki..."

Li frowned at this. "They probably can't find us and are trying to flush us out."

"Should we do something?" Shisui asked.

Li considered, then shook his head. "No need. Even if information about us and Terra spreads, the impact will be minimal." For a long time to come, he would remain in the village, with Terra taking no external action—unless the transplantation technology for the First Hokage's cells succeeded, or Terra used the Grell stone to further awaken and evolve his eyes to the Eternal Mangekyo. Only when he had no more worries would he pursue new plans. So, even if Akatsuki tried something against Terra, there was little cause for concern.

"Wait... Perhaps I can use this opportunity to resolve my funding issues," Li suddenly thought. With Akatsuki spreading news about them, two pairs of Mangekyo would surely attract immense attention; leveraging this popularity, he could accomplish much.

A smile appeared on his face, and he felt a surge of energy. Shisui noticed the change in Li's expression, puzzled. "What's wrong? Did you think of something?"

Li smiled. "Nothing, just considering matters for when we're back in the village."

"Oh," Shisui said, seeing Li unwilling to elaborate. He asked no further.

Li quickly finished breakfast. "Let's go. We've rested enough—it's time to return."

As he spoke, Li sighed inwardly. This outing had left him in such a state—he feared Yao would misunderstand, and wondered how long he might be lectured.

...

After a day's travel, the two were already close to Konoha.

Shisui spoke, "Let's part ways here." Officially, he was sent by the Third Hokage to monitor Li; to avoid exposure, it was best to maintain some distance at this point.

Li nodded. Shisui slowed his pace, and the distance between them gradually widened.

After another ten minutes, Li was about to step into a dense forest.

Suddenly, he sensed something and halted abruptly, leaping upward.

In the next instant, several kunai, each adorned with explosive tags, struck the spot he had just occupied.

A moment later, explosions rocked the area, turning the road into deep craters.

"Come out!" Li called coldly, facing the woods ahead.

Yet, from deep within the trees, there was not the slightest sound, as if no one was there.

Li shook his head and muttered, "What's the point? Even without my eyes, do you think you can escape my senses?"

Seeing that the hidden attackers would not reveal themselves, Li began weaving hand seals, then unleashed a grand fireball toward an inconspicuous tree in the distance.

This forced nearly thirty masked ninja hiding among the surrounding trees to spring into action, leaping down and attacking Li simultaneously.

Li's expression did not change; he threw dozens of shuriken while completing another set of seals.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Crimson Claw!"

Flames enveloped the spinning shuriken, scattering them like petals toward the attackers.

Faced with the dense fire petals, the ninja had to dodge, inevitably creating openings in their coordination and attacks.

Li drew a kunai, seizing the opportunity to rush forward, weaving between his foes like a wolf among sheep—every second, another ninja fell.

Moments later, with the last enemy defeated, the battle ended.

Yet Li did not pause; he charged toward a nearby thicket.

"Damn it, the intel was wrong! Uchiha Li's strength already surpasses that of elite jonin..." The ninja hiding in the grass, codenamed Hunter, was full of shock. He had not expected the ambush to fail so quickly. After all, nearly thirty had been deployed, including five jonin. Such a force, coordinating properly, could threaten even a Kage caught off guard.

But Li had dispatched them with ease—it made no sense!

Hunter knew Li had discovered him, and dared not linger. He hurriedly pulled out brush and paper, swiftly sketching a giant ink bird.

The bird formed instantly; Hunter leapt onto it, preparing to escape.

But Li was already in front of the bird, striking it into a splash of ink midair.

Hunter landed in disarray, forced to face Li directly.

Li's expression was cold as he asked calmly, "You're from the Foundation, aren't you? Did Danzo send you to kill me?"

Hunter stood silently, picking up his brush and paper without a word.

Li laughed at himself. "I forgot—you emotionless guys won't divulge mission information."

After a pause, Li continued, "But since you dared to attack me, I'll have to ask you to die!"

Before the words faded, he was already in front of the Foundation ninja, kunai aimed at the man's face, with no intention of leaving survivors.

If it were the Anbu, Li might have pressed for information, but with Foundation operatives, there was no need—they would never reveal anything.

As for why Danzo would target him and believe he could succeed, Li was not surprised.

In the original story, Danzo even sent a team to attack Hiruzen Sarutobi, then smugly sat in the Hokage's seat, thinking he'd secured his position—only to be thoroughly humiliated by the Third Hokage, as expected.