Chapter Thirty-Five: Peaceful Years

On this side, Uchiha Li watched Shisui’s hesitant expression and felt a sense of satisfaction. Yet he believed the time was not yet ripe; Shisui still needed to witness more, to experience true despair firsthand.

With this thought, Uchiha Li spoke directly, “I’m preparing to return to the village. Are you planning to stay on the battlefield, or something else?”

Shisui snapped out of his reverie and replied after a moment’s consideration, “Until I find the answers to those questions, I’ll keep watching you.”

Uchiha Li wasn’t surprised. Without further words, he turned and led Miri and the other members of his squad back to the base.

From Shisui’s recent behavior and response, Uchiha Li had already achieved what he wanted.

The fish was close to biting the hook; all that remained was to wait for the right moment…

After returning to the base, Uchiha Li immediately applied for a transfer order from Shikaku Nara.

After nearly a year of confrontation, both Cloud and Leaf were at their limits.

During this time, both sides had been quietly withdrawing their forces.

Moreover, Uchiha Li’s achievements on the battlefield made it impossible for Shikaku Nara to deny his request.

Thus, the transfer order was approved in less than half a day.

After a few days, Uchiha Li led the Uchiha clan members back to Leaf.

Standing before the familiar Konoha gates and the four statues on Hokage Rock, Uchiha Li’s gaze lingered on the Fourth’s monument for a long time.

“Just a little more, and soon…” he murmured inwardly, withdrawing his gaze.

The Uchiha around him clearly felt a sense of relaxed joy—it was only natural, for they had returned alive.

Such feelings are only human; even though Uchiha Li had long known he would never be in danger on the battlefield, he couldn’t help but feel the same.

Without dwelling on it, Uchiha Li led the group through the Konoha gates, where several ninja in Uchiha attire awaited them.

Uchiha Li recognized most of them, though aside from the clan head, Fugaku, he had little direct interaction with the others.

In truth, even with Fugaku, their relationship had only deepened after the Nine-Tails incident.

Usually, Uchiha Li managed his squad in the Police Force quietly, ignoring other matters.

But he knew well that as his strength grew and his influence within the clan increased, he would inevitably interact with more clan members.

For example, those standing beside Fugaku now were some of the clan elders.

Compared to his own clan head, Uchiha Li was even less satisfied with the elders.

In his view, a large part of the clan’s destruction in the original story could be blamed on these people.

At every clan meeting, these elders argued endlessly, just as Uchiha Li had previously analyzed.

Some wanted to rebel, some sought peace, and others simply followed the prevailing winds.

Under such circumstances, the clan inevitably weakened and ultimately fell into ruin.

Returning to the present, Uchiha Li turned to Shisui, who had followed him back, and asked:

“Will you come with me to see the clan head, or report to the Third Hokage?”

Shisui shook his head, now accustomed to Uchiha Li’s bluntness. “As a member of the Anbu, I must first fulfill my duties to the village.”

“Of course,” Uchiha Li replied calmly. “Report everything you’ve seen.”

Shisui nodded slightly, donned his Anbu mask, and vanished in a flash.

Uchiha Li glanced toward the Hokage building, then returned his attention and strode toward Fugaku.

“Li, welcome back.”

Seeing Uchiha Li approach, Fugaku stepped forward to greet him.

As for the elders beside Fugaku, they only nodded slightly, showing no warmth.

On the contrary, Uchiha Li sensed a faint hostility from several among them.

He swept his gaze across the group, ignoring it, and walked up to Fugaku with a smile. “Clan Head, it’s been a while.”

Though his clan head was typically indecisive, since they had spoken candidly, things had changed.

At least in some matters, Fugaku had begun to assert himself.

But in Uchiha Li’s view, it was still far from enough.

Naturally, there was no need to rush; now that he had returned, he had plenty of time to act as he wished.

“You’ve done well. You handled the battlefield admirably,” Fugaku said with a smile. “This time, the clan can hold its head high.”

After a brief pause, Fugaku glanced at the elders and continued, “The clan will reward you in due course, but the details will be discussed at the clan meeting.”

Uchiha Li glanced meaningfully at the elders, then nodded. “Understood.”

With that, Uchiha Li shifted his attention to the distance, searching for the figure he wished to see.

At last, he spotted Uchiha Yao at the end of the distant street, quietly watching him.

It had been nearly a year since they last met, and Yao seemed to have matured, her figure more graceful, her face as exquisitely elfin as ever.

With a hint of excitement, Uchiha Li quickly said to Fugaku, “Clan Head, if there’s nothing urgent, I’ll take my leave.”

Seeing Uchiha Li’s anxious and somewhat fearful demeanor, Fugaku’s expression turned strangely complex.

The elders beside him wore similarly odd expressions.

Yet those looks were quickly concealed, leaving Uchiha Li momentarily perplexed.

He pondered for a moment, then asked, “What’s wrong? Did Yao have trouble in the Police Force recently?”

Fugaku shook his head, coughed lightly, and replied, “Nothing of the sort. Hurry along—your sister has probably been waiting impatiently.”

Uchiha Li grew more puzzled, thoughts racing in his mind.

But after considering it, he could not fathom the reason.

So, he bid farewell and hastily made his way toward Yao.

As Uchiha Li approached, Yao’s face unconsciously blossomed into a smile, but she quickly suppressed it and said coolly, “Our great hero finally deigns to return?”

With an apologetic look, Uchiha Li hurriedly replied, “Sorry, Yao!”

Yao turned away, feigning anger, and walked toward the clan’s quarters.

Seeing her retreating figure, Uchiha Li wanted to offer an excuse.

At that moment, Yao’s voice drifted back, “What are you standing there for? Planning to wander the streets?”

Hearing this, Uchiha Li broke into a smile and caught up with her, steps light.

On the street, their bickering echoed, carried by the winds of longing—a peaceful moment in the flow of time.

“If you dare disappear for so long again, don’t ever come back!”

“I won’t dare, never again.”

“…”