Chapter Sixty-Two: Students and Teachers

After bidding farewell to the weasel he had encountered by chance, Uchiha Li returned home. To be honest, he had harbored murderous intentions just moments ago, wondering if he should deal with the weasel before it grew stronger. Yet after careful consideration, he decided to set aside that idea for now. He still needed the power of his clan, and there was no reason to become enemies with the weasel and the clan head over such a matter. The current situation was vastly different from the original, and his ambition ought to extend further and deeper.

Rooting himself and Terra within the Leaf and the clan, leveraging their power to secretly develop his own forces—this was the most appropriate and efficient course. "The focus should remain on Terra; strengthening our abilities is the only real path." Uchiha Li pushed aside further thoughts and prepared to examine Terra’s newly acquired communication feature.

But just then, he noticed a white snake suddenly emerge from the grass outside his courtyard. Seeing the snake’s silhouette, Uchiha Li felt a surge of joy, knowing that the first-generation cell transplantation technique he had longed for was now within reach. Without hesitation, he took out the box Fugaku had given him, separated ten glass jars containing Sharingan eyes, and sealed them into a scroll. He then fetched a brand-new towel from his cabinet before heading outside.

Following the white snake through winding paths, he finally stopped in a secluded alley. Staring at the familiar snake before him, Uchiha Li calmly said, "Master Orochimaru." The white snake raised its head, flicked its tongue, and hissed, "Tsk tsk, Li-kun, you’ve been quite the sensation lately. Just a few words last night have left the village and that old man at a loss."

Uchiha Li tensed ever so slightly, his expression unchanged. "Master, your intelligence is impressive. Even outside the village, you hear of its affairs so quickly." Not even a day had passed since last night’s events; the news should only have spread within the village. But for Orochimaru, who was far away, to receive it so swiftly could mean only one thing: Orochimaru’s forces within the village hadn’t been thoroughly eradicated during his defection. Still, considering Orochimaru had operated in the Leaf for so many years, it was reasonable for him to have hidden hands.

The snake’s tongue flicked incessantly as it slithered to Uchiha Li’s feet, saying coolly, "That is not your concern. Do you have what I want?" Without hesitation, Uchiha Li pulled out the scroll containing the Sharingan eyes from his robe and placed it on the ground. "Ten pairs of Sharingan, three of which are triple tomoe. This should meet your requirements, yes?"

The snake stretched forward, its golden vertical pupils sweeping over the scroll, and said coldly, "Barely. But your clan has more eyes than just these." Uchiha Li shrugged, tilting his head. "Master, Sharingan aren’t cabbages. Besides, this was just your additional condition."

The snake paused briefly, then nodded its head and snorted, "Remember to collect the intelligence I need as soon as possible." With that, the snake opened its mouth and, after a bout of retching, spat a scroll covered in saliva onto the ground. It then swallowed Uchiha Li’s scroll whole. Uchiha Li watched the scene, unfazed. He’d witnessed it before, and last time had been forced to tear off a piece of his clothing to wipe the scroll clean. Fortunately, he was prepared this time, having brought a towel from home and thus no longer worried about damaging his clothes.

"These are what you asked for. I’ve also prepared a set of experimental materials and equipment for you," came the voice from the snake’s mouth. "But you must understand, losses are inevitable in the process. At that point, it’ll be up to you." Hearing this, Uchiha Li nodded, indicating his understanding. Any experiment required a great deal of manpower and resources to succeed. As a complete novice, starting from scratch, his expenses would likely exceed his expectations.

Among the Uchiha, he was relatively well-off, owning a private courtyard and enjoying a decent salary from the police force. He’d received five million in compensation from the village after the war, and had accumulated some savings from childhood—he was hardly poor. But if he invested all his money into genetic research, it would barely make a ripple. The realization brought a sense of urgency; he needed to find ways to earn more.

For now, though, making money wasn’t so simple, and he’d soon be busy seeking the Grell Stone. He set aside thoughts of finances and addressed the white snake: "Master, if I had sufficient funds, could I purchase experimental equipment directly from you?" Such equipment wasn’t available on the market, especially the special items that required custom orders. Even if he got the money, finding a supplier would take time. Buying directly from Orochimaru was convenient and fast, with doorstep delivery.

"Instruments? That’s possible," the snake’s eyes spun, its voice hoarse. "After all, you are my ‘good’ student. This little favor is no trouble." The snake paused, its tone suddenly heavier. "Provided you collect the intelligence I require." Uchiha Li replied, "Don’t worry, the intelligence will be ready soon." In the past, gathering information on Shisui so suddenly would have alerted him, but now Shisui was on his side.

In a few days, he could have Shisui leak something, modify it slightly, and it would suffice for Orochimaru. Itachi happened to be Shisui’s friend, so he could easily acquire the necessary information through him. As for whether this intel would have adverse effects, Uchiha Li cared not; Orochimaru’s current power was insufficient to threaten Shisui. As for Itachi, though Uchiha Li disliked him, he doubted Orochimaru’s chances of success. Itachi spent most of his time within the clan, protected by Fugaku and allied with Shisui. With such a formidable lineup, if Orochimaru tried to cause trouble based on the intel, he would surely meet a bad end…

"Well then, let’s leave it here for today." Having received Uchiha Li’s assurance once more, Orochimaru prepared to withdraw the white snake. But Uchiha Li, compelled by some impulse, suddenly spoke, "Master, are you interested in intelligence on others? For example, the Third Hokage."

At these words, the snake’s body paused, then turned back. It stared intently at Uchiha Li, Orochimaru’s voice sounding through it: "Li-kun, what do you mean by that?" At that moment, Orochimaru far away was visibly unsettled.

Uchiha Li shook his head, speaking calmly, "No particular meaning. I just thought you might be interested." The corners of his lips curled ever so slightly as he continued, "Coincidentally, I happen to have some ideological differences with the Third." Hearing this, Orochimaru’s gaze was fixed on Uchiha Li. After a long silence, Orochimaru’s voice came through the snake’s mouth: "Li-kun, I wasn’t mistaken. You really are a lot like me."

With that, the snake lingered no longer and vanished into the alley. Uchiha Li watched its departure, a faint smile appearing on his lips. He pulled out the towel and began wiping the saliva-soaked scroll clean…