Chapter 104 Substantial Guarantee

If he had possessed enough strength from the start, would so many tragedies still have occurred? This question began to echo relentlessly in Kakashi’s mind, growing ever more insistent. He had just witnessed Uchiha Li’s battle, which had far surpassed his current level. As Uchiha Li had said, if something similar were to happen in the future, would he remain as powerless as he once was?

At this thought, a trace of resolve appeared on Kakashi’s face. After enduring so many tragedies, he was unwilling to let such things happen again.

“Li, as you said, will Terra truly not pose any threat to the village?” Kakashi asked.

Uchiha Li’s lips curled with a faint smile as he replied, “Of course. Have you ever seen me do anything to the village?” He paused, then continued in a voice full of temptation, “On the contrary, when the village faces a powerful enemy one day, I might be able to lend a hand, might I not?”

Kakashi pressed his lips together, the yearning in his heart growing stronger. After a moment, he spoke: “I want to enter Terra and gain strength. What must I do?”

“When we return, I’ll guide you,” Uchiha Li replied, glancing at Sara, who was openly listening in, and added, “I am Terra’s guide, responsible for exactly this sort of thing…”

“Alright,” Kakashi said, falling silent.

The three of them continued down the stairs and finally arrived at the true hidden location of the Dragon Vein. An enormous altar stood upon the earth’s ley lines, from which the violet energy of the Dragon Vein radiated. Surrounding the altar were four statues of the ancestors of Loran, standing vigil. At the center, under their joint guardianship, was the switch to the Dragon Vein.

“This is the true heart of the Dragon Vein,” Sara explained to Uchiha Li and Kakashi, her face full of reverence as she gazed at the altar. “Once it is sealed, it can never again be misused.”

With that, Sara stepped toward the sole bridge leading to the altar. But at that moment, Uchiha Li blocked her way, shaking his head. “I’m afraid it won’t be so simple for you to just shut down the Dragon Vein.”

His purpose in coming here was to obtain the Dragon Vein’s power; naturally, he could not allow Sara to seal it, or all his efforts would be wasted.

Sara froze, then shouted angrily, “Does Terra intend to steal the Dragon Vein’s power and misuse it, just like Hundred-Foot?”

Uchiha Li shook his head. “You’re overthinking it. The Dragon Vein’s power is great, but it is not invincible. If it were, we wouldn’t be the ones standing here now—Hundred-Foot would.”

Sara calmed slightly at his words and asked, “Then what is it you intend to do?”

Uchiha Li was about to explain, but just then, he felt the rejection of this space growing stronger. For now, it wasn’t a serious problem, but if it continued, he wouldn’t be able to remain here much longer.

Looking into Sara’s beautiful eyes, he hurriedly said, “Sara, you’re intelligent, so I’ll speak plainly. The Dragon Vein’s power is not something Loran can control. You lack the strength to guard it. Even without Hundred-Foot, others would eventually come to take it. If you continue to possess the Dragon Vein without the power to protect it, you invite destruction upon yourselves.”

Sara stood dumbfounded, staring at Uchiha Li as if her gaze could pierce his mask. His words stung, but she could not refute them. She and Loran had struggled even against a single foe like Hundred-Foot; if other ninjas coveted the Dragon Vein, how could they possibly resist?

Yet, Uchiha Li had said so much—surely he, too, desired the Dragon Vein. “So, as Terra’s guide, your goal is also the Dragon Vein. I should have realized... Terra appeared out of nowhere, claiming to help Loran without any interest in personal gain—how could that be possible? As for those Leaf shinobi, they likely destroyed Hundred-Foot to ensure his puppet army wouldn’t threaten the Leaf. After all, his goal was to control the world, and the five great villages would be his first obstacles. In the end, she and her people were just ordinary folk. She had just witnessed the power of the ninja world…”

After a long silence, Sara seemed to resign herself to fate, her voice low: “You may have the Dragon Vein, but please, spare Loran and my people.”

Uchiha Li assured her, “Rest easy. We have no designs on Loran. However, there is something you must be especially wary of.”

Sara breathed a sigh of relief and asked, “What is it?”

“Loran will be destroyed in a few years’ time. By the time we arrived, Loran had already been reduced to ruins; your kingdom was no more,” Uchiha Li said, guilt in his voice but choosing to speak plainly. “We don’t know who the attacker was, but from what we’ve learned, it’s tied to the Dragon Vein. So you’d best lead your people away from here, live hidden, and change your names.”

In the original story, the Dragon Vein was reinforced and sealed by Minato. But the problem was, sealing the Dragon Vein did not make it disappear. The old adage holds true: ‘An innocent man in possession of treasure invites trouble.’

Loran possessed the Dragon Vein without the strength to protect it; disaster was only a matter of time.

“What? How can this be…” On hearing this, Sara felt all strength leave her, her knees nearly giving way as she almost collapsed. Uchiha Li quickly reached out to steady her.

After a while, Sara finally regained her composure. She glanced at the statues of her ancestors as if steeling herself, then looked at Uchiha Li. “With my help, you won’t meet much resistance in claiming the Dragon Vein. But I hope you will protect me and the people of Loran…”

She had made up her mind. Rather than clinging to the Dragon Vein only to attract another Hundred-Foot and bring ruin to Loran, it was better to end things here and move her people away. But as Uchiha Li had said, this world was filled with danger. She alone could not guarantee her people’s safety. Thus, she sought Terra’s protection.

“Very well, I accept your request,” Uchiha Li replied after a brief consideration. Since the Dragon Vein’s power was tied to Sara’s bloodline, her cooperation would make the process much smoother—and with his abilities, it would not be difficult to protect them.

A trace of gratitude appeared on Sara’s face as she gazed at Uchiha Li. “Then, how can I contact you in the future?”

Uchiha Li stroked his chin, then said, “In a few years, Terra’s name will be known throughout the land. I will return to Loran to enter the Dragon Vein; when the time comes, simply wait for me here.”

Sara nodded, then shook her head. “How can you guarantee you’ll keep your promise?”

Uchiha Li responded, “And what do you propose?”

A sly glint appeared in Sara’s eyes. “I need something more tangible as a guarantee!”