Chapter Sixty-Five: The Rules of Terra

A dreamless night passed.

As the sun rose, Uchiha Li stretched lazily and climbed out of bed. Stepping out of his room, he saw the breakfast left out on the table, a smile spreading across his face, tinged with a trace of emotion. Since joining the Guard Division, he’d noticed that Yao had grown much more diligent. Every morning when he awoke, Yao had already gone to work.

Without dwelling on it, Uchiha Li casually picked up his breakfast and ate, savoring the beauty of the morning. Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Uchiha Li glanced through the window; as expected, it was Shisui.

He welcomed Shisui inside and feigned ignorance, asking, “What brings you here so early today?”

Shisui didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he glanced around, wary and cautious. Uchiha Li immediately understood and chuckled softly, “Don’t worry, I’m the only one home right now.”

At this, Shisui finally relaxed. Sitting down, he could hardly contain himself. “Li, last night the Leader summoned me!”

Uchiha Li pretended mild surprise, stroked his chin, and said, “Oh? I suppose he has a mission for you, then.”

“Didn’t the Leader tell you about my mission?” Shisui asked, puzzled.

From his perspective, Uchiha Li ought to hold considerable status within Terra; otherwise, he couldn’t have recommended Shisui’s entry, nor have the means to come and go at will. Yet now, it seemed Uchiha Li knew nothing of his mission. This struck Shisui as odd. Had he guessed wrong about Li’s true standing in Terra?

Uchiha Li, meanwhile, was waiting for Shisui to reveal his orders. He explained, “For the sake of confidentiality and the safety of the apostles, missions are typically only disclosed to those directly involved. Even in joint operations, details are only revealed at the start. So even though we’re close, the Leader would never divulge your mission or information to me.”

Shisui’s expression cleared, and he sighed with admiration, “So that’s how it is. No wonder the Leader is so meticulous.”

Uchiha Li kept his smile, declining to elaborate. He’d crafted this explanation deliberately, aiming to establish the impression that Terra’s rules were strict and inviolable. After all, rigid discipline inspires greater respect than loose disorder. And for him—it didn’t matter; he was both the Leader and a member, untouchable by any rule.

But for everyone else, especially future recruits, the weight of those rules would be deeply felt.

Leaning forward slightly, Uchiha Li put on an interested expression. “So, what was it like meeting the Leader for the first time?”

Shisui pondered for a moment before answering in a grave tone, “To be honest, I was quite nervous when I saw him yesterday. I didn’t dare scrutinize him closely. But just from the way he carried himself, I could tell he was unfathomable. Li, you must have seen it—the Leader can create objects from thin air, conjuring them from mist! Isn’t that the sort of thing only legendary sages in myth can do?”

A deep reverence and a trace of envy shone in Shisui’s eyes. He then asked, “And you? What did you feel when you first saw the Leader?”

Hearing this, Uchiha Li was thoroughly reassured. Since Shisui had no suspicions at all, his performance yesterday must have been flawless. He clapped Shisui on the shoulder and, stifling his amusement, sighed, “My impression was much the same as yours.”

“I knew it,” Shisui replied, as if it were only natural.

Uchiha Li rubbed his face and changed the subject. “Let’s discuss the mission. We can talk about the Leader another time.”

At this, Shisui sat up straight and replied without hesitation, “You make the arrangements, Li. I’ll follow your lead.”

Uchiha Li didn’t stand on ceremony. “Very well. I’ll handle the details. Pack your things—we’ll set out this afternoon and try to finish the mission as soon as possible.”

“In that case, I’ll need to request leave from the ANBU,” Shisui said, pausing with a hint of uncertainty. “What if the Third asks about it?”

Uchiha Li considered for a moment before replying. “The clan’s recent activities are too conspicuous—there’s no hiding some things from him.” Suddenly, something occurred to him and he smiled slightly. “Here’s what you’ll do. Go to the Third now and tell him you’ve discovered I’m planning to leave the village…”

As Uchiha Li spoke, Shisui exhaled softly, looking at him with a complex expression. After a moment, Shisui pressed his lips together and replied, “Understood.”

Seeing that Shisui comprehended, Uchiha Li said no more. After seeing Shisui off, he returned to his room to prepare what he needed for the journey. Shisui, meanwhile, set out for the Hokage’s office, a trace of anxiety in his heart.

…

“Come in,” called Sarutobi Hiruzen from the Hokage’s office after hearing the knock.

At that moment, he was puffing on his old pipe, brow furrowed in evident anxiety. When Shisui entered, Hiruzen set the pipe aside, put on a smile, and asked, “What is it, Shisui? Has something happened?”

Looking at the Third’s familiar, infectious smile, Shisui felt a mix of emotions. The smile was the same as always, yet now it seemed hollow to him. Concealing his thoughts, Shisui spoke calmly, “Lord Third, I’ve made some discoveries concerning the clan and Li.”

Hearing this, Hiruzen’s eyes narrowed, his speech quickening. “Tell me.”

Shisui bowed his head slightly, his gaze flickering. “It’s like this—these past days, I’ve been secretly watching Uchiha Li and have finally uncovered some of his secrets…”

As Shisui spoke, Hiruzen tapped the tabletop lightly, a look of realization dawning. He’d been troubled recently by the Uchiha’s covert operations. Unfortunately, his own agents had failed to uncover what the Uchiha were up to. All he knew was that Uchiha Li was leading the effort, with Fugaku personally overseeing it. That, in itself, unsettled him. After the previous incident, he had already placed Uchiha Li under the highest scrutiny.

“You’ve done well,” Hiruzen nodded approvingly. “Continue to follow him and record his every action in detail.”

Shisui raised his head and replied solemnly, “Yes, Lord Third.” But he did not leave, remaining silent and standing his ground.

Hiruzen looked at him in confusion. “Is there something else you haven’t reported?”

Shisui shook his head, then suddenly spoke with grave earnestness, “Lord Third, if we do all these things, will our Uchiha clan finally live in harmony with the village?”

Hiruzen’s brow creased, then smoothed as he replied slowly, “If we work together, we will succeed. Remember, Shisui, where the leaves dance…”

As the familiar Will of Fire resounded, Shisui’s body trembled. When Hiruzen finished, a resolute light shone in Shisui’s eyes. “I understand, Lord Third.”

Without another word, Shisui vanished from the Hokage’s office, never looking back.

Watching Shisui’s determined expression, Hiruzen nodded with satisfaction, picked up his old pipe, and fell into contemplation…