Chapter 73: Murphy's Law

With the threat eliminated, Danzo’s assassination squad was wiped out. Shisui stood amidst the corpses scattered around, and asked, “What now? Do we return to the village and confront them directly?”

Uchiha Li took a sealing scroll from his robes, sealing the bodies one by one as he spoke, “I've already confronted them once before. Now, we need to go further.”

“Last time, when the ‘Anbu’ stole corpses, Danzo took the blame, but this time, the Root division—which should have been disbanded—attacked me. There's no way to excuse this.”

“Our Third Hokage, acting as regent, has made two major errors during his tenure. Such negligence is unacceptable for someone in power.”

“So this time, we must force the Third Hokage to step down, and Danzo must pay for his actions.”

Shisui was taken aback, uncertain. “But… what if they refuse to admit it?”

In the past, he wouldn’t have imagined the esteemed village leaders shirking responsibility. But now, he no longer trusted those men.

“Some events don’t disappear simply because people deny them,” Uchiha Li replied calmly. “Once we display the corpses, all the clans—even if they say nothing aloud—will know what happened.”

“But is that really enough?”

“I know. That’s why, when we return, we must seek out Minato-senpai.” Uchiha Li continued, “Some matters are best handled by the true Hokage.”

As he’d said before, Minato had finished his recuperation and was fit to resume leadership of the Leaf.

As long as the scandal was exposed, the Third Hokage would lose all moral authority and face—he would be unable to remain in office.

As for Danzo…

Uchiha Li’s eyes glinted coldly at the thought. He had resolved long ago to eliminate Danzo, but had yet to act, mainly because the Mangekyo’s power was precious, and he didn’t want to waste it on that man.

But now, with no urgent worries about Terra, he could focus wholly on genetic research.

Once he successfully transplanted the First Hokage’s cells, Danzo’s end would be assured.

It was only a matter of time, and Uchiha Li could wait.

Shisui nodded, still unsure. “Alright, but are you certain Lord Fourth Hokage will help us?”

Uchiha Li answered seriously, “Shisui, remember this: We aren’t forcing the Fourth to act; we’re not staging a coup, only upholding the village’s rules.”

“So even if Minato-senpai doesn’t agree to help, he won’t oppose us—he has no reason to.”

Shisui frowned heavily, unable to grasp Li’s confidence.

Seeing this, Uchiha Li spoke again, “Let me tell you a story. In ancient times, there was a man who didn’t want to be king, but his followers all wished it. One morning, he awoke to…”

“Will it really work like that?” Listening to Li’s tale, Shisui swallowed reflexively.

It wasn’t that Li’s story was too strange or difficult.

On the contrary, it was almost too simple—so simple it felt excessive.

He worried, what if their plan backfired?

Uchiha Li patted Shisui’s shoulder and said gently, “Shisui, you should have more faith in yourself. And besides, don’t we have our trump card?”

Shisui blinked. “Trump card?”

“Exactly.” The corners of Li’s mouth lifted as he met Shisui’s gaze. “Aren’t you our trump card? If all else fails, we overturn the table.”

“I…”

Seeing Shisui’s hesitation, Uchiha Li pressed earnestly, “Shisui, you don’t want harm to come to your clan or the village, do you? When the time comes, we must act. We’re not staging a coup—this is all for the village’s sake.”

Hearing this, Shisui finally nodded. “Alright, I understand.”

Seeing Shisui agree, a smile blossomed across Li’s face.

When the Third Hokage was confronted by Shisui—someone he trusted implicitly—turning against him, it would be quite the spectacle…

Without further words, the two parted, hurrying back to the village, arriving before nightfall.

Standing at the village gates, gazing at the missing statue on the Hokage Rock, Uchiha Li drew a deep breath.

Compared to facing the Third Hokage and Danzo, he was more anxious about confronting Yao.

All the way, he prayed Yao wouldn’t be home as he walked back to his house.

But seeing the light in Yao’s room, Li’s heart leapt to his throat. He tiptoed, hoping to slip quietly through the living room to his own room.

“Stop!” Just as he was about to enter, Uchiha Yao’s voice rang out, “If you’re back, come in properly. Why are you sneaking around? Turn around.”

Li felt utterly hopeless. Without turning, he said, “What is it, Yao? It’s late—let’s talk tomorrow.”

He desperately wished Yao would just say yes.

But fate, as ever, was fickle.

According to Murphy’s Law, the things you least want to happen are precisely what happens.

Seeing Li refuse to turn, Yao strode quickly to stand before him.

“…”

The air fell silent—only quiet, and more quiet.

After a moment, Yao’s face was filled with worry, her tone forceful. “What happened? Why do you look like this?!”

“Uh…” Li paused, forcing a weak smile. “It’s nothing. I’ve just been exhausted these past few days, and haven’t rested well.”

As he spoke, he patted himself, continuing, “See, there’s not a scratch on me.”

He sighed inwardly. He’d meant to be honest.

But seeing Yao’s concern, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

If he told her, she would only worry more.

Once the genetic research was successful, he’d recover. For now, it was best to hide it.

Unless absolutely necessary, Li didn’t want Yao to be involved in any danger.

Still, he knew Yao was sharp—his excuse likely wouldn’t fool her.

As expected.

Suspicion filled Yao’s eyes; she didn’t believe him, and reached out, “I don’t believe you. Let me check.”

Li quickly caught her hand, preventing her from poking around, and said, “Really, I’m fine. Just blood deficiency. A bit of rest and I’ll be alright.”

Yao scrutinized Li’s body, her gaze sweeping from head to toe.

Confirming there were no wounds, she reluctantly stopped.

Yet she remained unconvinced, and asked skeptically, “Let me ask again—are you sure it’s blood deficiency?”

Li could only smile helplessly. “Of course. What else could it be?”

If he didn’t give her some reason tonight, Yao would never be reassured. Even if it wasn’t true, he had to agree.

After the Third War, when he was badly wounded, Yao was terrified once.

This time, he would not allow Yao to be frightened for his sake.

After verifying repeatedly and finding no flaws, Yao finally said, “Since you’re blood deficient, didn’t I mention before I’d help you recover with dietary therapy? Well, starting tomorrow.”

With that, she walked off.

But soon her voice came again, brooking no argument, “You’ll keep at it until your blood is restored.”

Li didn’t think much of it, and replied, “Alright, I’ll do as you say.”

In his mind, dietary therapy was nothing more than chicken soup or herbal broth—nothing to worry about…