Chapter 109: The Choice of Succession

Uttering a teasing remark, Uchiha Li did not linger any longer. He feared that if he continued, Kakashi might become mortified and angry.

Yet, seeing Kakashi engrossed in the book he had written stirred some emotion in Uchiha Li. Someone like Kakashi, who should have been a devoted fan of "Intimate Paradise," was now captivated by his work, "The Legend of Terra."

This could only prove that his marketing strategy had been extraordinarily successful.

“Perhaps, the second volume can be released soon,” Uchiha Li thought as he returned to his room and locked the door behind him.

Entering Terra, he donned the mask and cloak befitting a leader. While waiting, he gazed at the Apostle statues and began to ponder.

He currently held two slots; Kakashi would receive one of them. Aside from his own Caroso and the silent Bakal, he needed to select a suitable Apostle for Kakashi.

In choosing an Apostle, he took many factors into account—their strengths and weaknesses, the compatibility between the Apostle and successor’s personalities, among others.

There was no absolute priority; generally, he made a comprehensive evaluation.

As for Kakashi, his undeniable specialty was Lightning Release. Moreover, with the Sharingan, he excelled at copying others’ ninjutsu.

But the problem was, none of the Apostles were explicitly associated with lightning.

Perhaps the third Apostle, Isis Pre, nicknamed “Prodigy,” could be loosely connected, but her dominion was more over the sky and speed, which did not fully align.

Regarding the copying of ninjutsu, this was more directly enhanced by the Sharingan itself, so there was no need to rely on an Apostle for improvement.

Considering this, enhancing these strengths was not particularly suitable for Kakashi.

However, he could look at the matter from another angle: Kakashi’s existing shortcomings.

Possessing a Sharingan that was not originally his own, Kakashi’s chakra reserves were insufficient.

In that case, one Apostle was a perfect fit. Given that Apostle’s various amplification abilities, they could greatly enhance Kakashi, a well-rounded elite.

With this in mind, Uchiha Li turned his gaze to the second-to-last Apostle statue and opened his heart to anticipation.

…

In the rented courtyard, inside Kakashi’s room.

Kakashi sat on a chair, carefully examining a packaged box in his hands.

“According to the records, Bakal must be the dragon depicted on the box,” he murmured.

“But so far, only two have appeared in Terra. Which one is Li among them?” Kakashi pondered, recalling the contents of "The Legend of Terra."

He had indeed been drawn to the book by certain details, though he had already read the earlier parts.

He knew not only that the book was written by Bakal but also that the first volume told Bakal’s story.

Unfortunately, he could not confirm if Uchiha Li was Bakal or not.

If not, then what was Li’s Apostle’s name?

A thousand thoughts raced through Kakashi’s mind. Time slipped by, and an hour passed.

Ceasing his speculation, Kakashi returned to the present and, with a trace of caution, opened the box.

“Eyes? No, these are no ordinary eyes—these are Sharingan…”

Startled, Kakashi stared at the eyes resting in a petri dish inside the box.

He had never imagined that Uchiha Li’s so-called Terra key would be an eye.

More importantly, the Sharingan he wore, hidden beneath his forehead protector, sensed the eyes in the dish—they were Sharingan!

Though puzzled, Kakashi recalled Li’s prior instructions.

Setting aside his doubts for the moment, he placed his hand gently on the eye in the petri dish and began to infuse chakra.

As the chakra flowed in, the eye emitted a magnetic pull, and a twisting vortex suddenly appeared.

Kakashi struggled to suppress the urge to retreat and allowed the vortex to envelop him.

Finally, his figure vanished from the room.

…

In a daze, Kakashi felt the world darken before his eyes, and a spinning sensation left him slightly nauseous.

Fortunately, the feeling did not last long.

As his body relaxed, Kakashi felt his feet touch solid ground.

He opened his eyes to an endless sea of white mist and, in the distance, a towering statue faintly visible.

“So this is the world of Terra…” Kakashi murmured.

Turning his head, he looked around, trying to assess his situation.

Unfortunately, he could only sense that this place was entirely different from where he had been, seemingly an entirely new world.

Beyond that, he could perceive nothing.

Gritting his teeth, Kakashi fixed his gaze on the distant statue and cautiously moved forward.

Before long, he arrived at the entrance to the Apostle Hall, the statues becoming clearer.

Having just examined the packaging box, Kakashi instantly recognized these statues as identical to those depicted there.

Looking further ahead, he spotted a mysterious figure shrouded in mist, clad in a cloak and mask.

The figure stood silently, and Kakashi could see someone but could not sense any presence.

Forcing himself to stay calm, Kakashi spoke, “Are you the leader of Terra?”

On the other side, Uchiha Li deliberately paused for a few seconds before replying in a disguised, calm voice, “Yes, I am the leader of Terra.”

Upon hearing this, Kakashi nodded silently.

Though he wished to join Terra, uncover the truth, and gain power, that did not mean he had accepted Terra. He remained wary.

Observing Kakashi’s demeanor, Uchiha Li spoke first.

“Caroso has informed me about your situation.”

“According to Terra’s rules, if an outsider learns of our identity, they must be eliminated.”

“However, since you are Caroso’s friend, I will grant you the opportunity to join Terra.”

Hearing these harsh words, Kakashi’s heart sank. He was about to respond.

Though uncertain of the leader’s strength, if they became adversaries, he would fight to the end.

Yet, Li’s words had also answered a question for him: Li was an Apostle named Caroso.

Therefore, Uchiha Li was not the author; Bakal was someone else.

Anticipating Kakashi’s reaction, Uchiha Li waved his hand.

“Enough. Sit down; let us talk.”

As he spoke, Uchiha Li invoked his authority within Terra.

Unlike before, when he had to use it cautiously without transplanting the First’s cells, this time was different.

The surrounding white mist began to churn rapidly.

In an instant, the mist shaped swiftly around them and solidified.

A white conference table emerged, accompanied by fourteen chairs.

One chair at each short end, and six on each long side.

Each piece of furniture was adorned with patterns representing the various Apostles—mysterious and noble.

Kakashi stared at this sudden spectacle, stunned and unable to react for a long moment…