Chapter 160: As You Command

Having obtained a definite answer, Kakashi took the initiative.

He believed that, given his abilities, general missions would pose no problem for him to complete.

Although the leader mentioned that the intelligence he desired required quite a high amount of contribution points, he trusted that as long as he was willing to work hard to complete missions, he would surely be able to accumulate enough points.

"Why is this Michael in such a rush? Just what kind of intelligence makes him care so much?"

Kakashi's actions naturally could not escape the notice of Shisui and Itachi, both of whom wore thoughtful expressions.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Jun remained in standby mode, looking completely indifferent.

Kakashi paid no heed to the gazes of others, keeping his eyes fixed squarely on Uchiha Ri.

After a moment of contemplation, Uchiha Ri suddenly chuckled softly and said, "Since you are in urgent need of contribution points, I happen to have a mission for you."

With a flick of his wrist, Uchiha Ri tossed out a scroll. "This is Volume Two of *The Legend of Terra*, which happens to tell some stories concerning Michael. Therefore, you shall be the one to publish it."

Hearing about such a mission, Kakashi did not have time to react before Uchiha Ri turned his head slightly to look at Shisui beside him and continued, "Bakal is already familiar with this process, so the two of you will complete this operation together. I will record one contribution point for each of you."

"..."

After listening, Kakashi fell into a state of bewilderment. He had not expected the leader to assign him a task of this nature.

It was not because the mission was too difficult for him to accomplish, but because the published work had to be signed under his own alias.

As a loyal enthusiast of *The Legend of Terra*, he was naturally well aware of the supplementary content attached to the back of the book.

The question, then, was whether Volume Two of *The Legend of Terra* would also have supplementary content attached at the end.

If not, that would be fine, but if it did, wouldn't that mean he would have to bear the consequences of all of it?

"What is it? Are you unwilling to take on this mission?"

Seeing Kakashi's silence, Uchiha Ri tilted his head and asked.

Kakashi pressed his lips together, shook his head, and replied, "No, no. I am willing to do it."

In order to uncover the truth, even if he had to shoulder this reputation, he was... no longer going to care too much.

Seeing Michael so readily agree, Shisui gave him a deep, lingering look.

Even though he had already been forced to do such things himself, deep down, he remained extremely reluctant.

Yet Michael was actually willing to do something like this just for the sake of some intelligence; it only showed that the information he sought must be truly vital.

However, suddenly being told to act alongside Michael left Shisui feeling somewhat uncertain.

Within Terra, veiled by the white mist, there was naturally no need to worry about the exposure of one's identity.

Once they met in the real world, however, extreme caution would be required. A single moment of carelessness could expose their true identities.

By then, his reputation would be utterly ruined...

At this thought, Shisui secretly glanced at the leader on the main seat, harboring a strong desire to decline the mission.

Yet Uchiha Ri, anticipating Shisui's small movements, spoke up with ready preparation:

"Bakal, you need to accumulate contribution points more quickly. The trouble I helped you extricate yourself from last time requires at least three contribution points to offset."

"The specific intelligence you subsequently manage to investigate can be counted as one point for you."

"Therefore, after this mission, you will still need to complete one more task before the debt is cleared."

Hearing this, the words that Shisui had been about to speak vanished back into his mouth, and his lips snapped shut.

Subconsciously reaching up to scratch the back of his head, Shisui had no choice but to say, "Understood, Lord Leader."

The leader's words left him completely speechless; he even felt as though he had come out ahead.

If the leader had not intervened back then, he would still be trapped within the space-time channel of the Moon Lake right now, likely having starved to death by this point.

The leader's intervention amounted to saving his life.

Thus, requiring three contribution points as repayment could already be considered remarkably cheap.

Therefore, he had no grounds for rebuttal and could only carry out this mission.

"This feeling of being in debt is truly unpleasant."

Sighing inwardly, Shisui resolved to pay off his owed contribution points as soon as possible.

Moreover, if possible, he hoped to soon exchange for a method to resolve the hidden dangers of the Mangekyo Sharingan.

Only without any worries for the future could he execute various missions with greater ease and freedom.

"It would be best to find an opportunity to discuss this matter with Ri."

Shisui instinctively thought of Uchiha Ri, the clan brother whom he had long regarded as an idol.

Over the past two years, he had witnessed with his own eyes the harmonious coexistence between the clan and the village.

Using his unique methods, Uchiha Ri had step-by-step accomplished changes that Shisui had once never dared to imagine.

With this thought, Shisui recalled the days when he used to work under the Third Hokage, a trace of self-mockery crossing his eyes.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Shisui stated, "I will pay off the contribution points as soon as possible."

On the main seat, Uchiha Ri nodded. Sensing that the meeting had run its course, he spoke in a deep, measured tone, "Very well, let us conclude today's meeting here."

With those words, Uchiha Ri cast his consciousness into Uchiha Jun to make a statement before the others, intending to impress a certain rule upon them all.

Controlling Uchiha Jun, Uchiha Ri stood up directly, bowed slightly, and saluted with lowered head, "Obey your will."

In fact, this very phrase had originally been spoken by Shisui.

Since Karas's codename happened to be 'The Great Will', the phrase 'Obey your will' fit the context perfectly.

Witnessing Uchiha Jun's action, Shisui, Kakashi, and Itachi all snapped to attention.

Following Uchiha Jun's example, the three of them likewise saluted, "Obey your will."

They found nothing inappropriate about it; after all, the figure before them was their unfathomable leader.

As he opened the teleportation array for the group, Uchiha Ri spoke calmly, "Michael, Bakal, the gathering place for the two of you will be communicated to you later."

"Cooperate well. I shall be watching over you from Terra..."

A twisting vortex of the teleportation array materialized, engulfing everyone, including Uchiha Jun.

Hearing the leader's words, both Shisui and Kakashi wore stern expressions.

Affording them no further time for thought, accompanied by the vortex, their figures grew increasingly blurred and illusory.

In less than a second, Uchiha Ri was the only one left within Terra, and the Apostle Hall returned to stillness.

Transporting his shadow clone, Uchiha Jun, right back into the hall, Uchiha Ri remained seated in the chief seat, sitting face-to-face with his own clone.

He reflected upon the entire process of the Apostle Meeting, checking for any potential flaws or omissions.

After a long moment of sorting through every detail, Uchiha Ri's gaze deepened.

"There are no flaws or oversights. Future meetings can be conducted following the experience gained today."

"Now, the issue that needs to be addressed next is the recruitment for Akatsuki."

At this thought, Uchiha Ri looked across at his clone, Uchiha Jun.

Embodying the persona of the leader, Uchiha Ri suddenly smiled and said, "Then, this task shall be entrusted to you, Hilder."

A beautiful and delicate expression blossomed into a smile upon Uchiha Jun's face as well: "Obey your will..."