Although this might have been a shortcut, determination filled Sasuke's eyes. He didn't want to rely on such emotions. What he wanted was not only revenge—but also to live the life he truly desired.
From Xia Li, he realized that his life shouldn't revolve solely around revenge. Revenge was just one stage of his life.
Even though Sasuke hadn't yet seriously thought about what kind of life he ultimately wanted, completing his revenge first and then slowly searching for his path wasn't a bad idea.
As for reviving the Uchiha clan, Sasuke had no particular thoughts about it. After all, it would take many generations before such a burden would fall entirely on him alone—and by then, it wouldn't really concern him anymore.
Seeing the dazed expressions on their faces, Xia Li understood that even though they had been treated, they still needed rest.
"You two should get some proper rest. If you want to move to separate rooms for some quiet time, just let me know," Xia Li said.
"No, this is fine. Thank you, Xia Li," Kakashi was the first to recover and respond. After glancing at Sasuke thoughtfully, he spoke.
"Alright. If anything comes up later, ask the nurses. I still have things to take care of."
"Hm? Did the negotiations succeed?" Kakashi asked in surprise.
"Of course. It was mutually beneficial," Xia Li replied with a slight smile. In truth, the negotiations had gone even more smoothly than he expected.
Xia Li had originally thought the talks would take several days, but the Sand Village shinobi had been more sincere than expected. Perhaps Gaara's status was higher than he had assumed—or maybe it was due to Kankuro and Temari, as children of the Fourth Kazekage.
In short, the Sand Village had formed an alliance with Konoha. They requested approval from the daimyo to erase the name of the Sound Village and redefine it as Orochimaru's rebel base. At the same time, they began mobilizing their remaining forces, preparing to locate and eliminate the Sound Village.
Clearly, their enthusiasm wasn't just due to Konoha's request—it was also driven by their hatred for Orochimaru, especially after discovering the Fourth Kazekage's corpse.
Xia Li also believed that, compared to Konoha, the Sand Village had a greater need to demonstrate its strength quickly. If they didn't act now, smaller forces might challenge their position later.
This time, although Konoha would participate, the operation would be carried out as a joint force between the Sand Village and Konoha. Even though the Sand Village had been weakened, Konoha's reputation alone was enough to stabilize the situation.
As for survivors on the Sand side—there were still some, such as Chiyo, who should still be alive.
"You should be careful. The battlefield is very different from ordinary combat," Kakashi warned.
"Don't worry. Calling it a 'battlefield' is a bit exaggerated. Realistically, this is more of an extermination mission. Orochimaru doesn't have the power to wage a full-scale war," Xia Li replied.
Kakashi nodded in agreement.
Beside them, Sasuke was confused. Why did he feel like he couldn't keep up with what they were talking about? War? Had things progressed that far already?
"Alright, I'll go now," Xia Li said, noticing that Kakashi seemed to want to speak privately with Sasuke.
After Xia Li left, Kakashi leaned back against the bed.
"Sasuke… do you want me to tell you what you did wrong this time?"
"I was too impulsive. I didn't think about the consequences," Sasuke admitted, recalling the earlier events. If Xia Li hadn't arrived in time, the outcome would have been disastrous.
"But when I saw him… I couldn't control myself. All I could think about was killing him," Sasuke said, clenching his fists.
Seeing this, Kakashi relaxed slightly.
"Sasuke… do you want to hear a story from someone who has lost almost everything?" he asked.
Sasuke hesitated, then slowly nodded.
Kakashi began recounting his past. Even for him, speaking about it reopened old wounds—but compared to Sasuke's pain, he felt it was worth it if it could help his student avoid the same path.
Meanwhile, Xia Li returned home.
Even though the negotiations were complete, there was still preparation to be done—approval from the daimyo, locating the Sound Village, and planning the final operation.
After calculating the timeline, Xia Li realized he needed to go to Mount Myoboku.
His goal: Sage Mode.
Chapter 151: The Three Great Sage Regions, The Three Great Sages
The next day, Xia Li used the Flying Thunder God technique to arrive at Mount Myoboku.
He had already set up teleportation markers at home, so he no longer needed reverse summoning.
Along the way, he encountered many familiar toads and, under their guidance, found Fukasaku.
"Oh? Xia Li, what brings you here today?" Fukasaku asked in surprise.
"Things have settled down recently, so I came to take a look—and also to learn Sage Arts," Xia Li replied with a smile.
"So you've come specifically to learn senjutsu," Fukasaku said, smiling.
"Alright then, follow me."
Fukasaku led Xia Li to a familiar pool.
"Normally, to learn Sage Mode, you must first achieve harmony with nature. Since you've already reached that stage, you can skip ahead to the second phase—using toad oil."
He explained:
The treasure of Mount Myoboku—toad oil—helps attract natural energy into the body.
Once it enters, the practitioner must balance it with their own physical and spiritual energy in a perfect 1:1:1 ratio.
Too little natural energy—no transformation.
Too much—and the body turns into a frog… or worse, into stone.
Fukasaku pointed at the stone toads nearby.
"Those are the ones who absorbed too much."
Xia Li listened carefully.
"Grandpa, I want to try without the toad oil. I think I can absorb natural energy on my own," he said.
Fukasaku stroked his beard.
"That's fine. Toad oil is just a shortcut. If you don't need it, even better."
"Sit here and try. If anything goes wrong, I'll stop you."
Xia Li nodded and sat down, entering a deep meditative state.
Soon, he sensed the natural energy around him—and this time, he tried to absorb it.
Immediately, the energy surged toward him.
"?!" Fukasaku's eyes widened.
Absorbing energy was normal—but why was there so much?!
Before he could react, the Great Toad Sage appeared.
At the same moment—
In Ryuchi Cave, the White Snake Sage opened its eyes.
In Shikkotsu Forest, the Slug Sage did the same.
All three sensed something unusual.
They disappeared—and appeared at Mount Myoboku.
Fukasaku stared in shock.
The White Snake Sage… the Slug Sage… and the Great Toad Sage—all gathered in one place?!
After a long silence, the three finally relaxed.
"Gamamaru, give him to me," the White Snake Sage said.
"That's not my decision. He must choose," the Great Toad Sage replied.
Meanwhile, Xia Li felt something was wrong.
The natural energy flooding into him far exceeded expectations—and he couldn't stop it.
Then—
He felt a terrifying gaze.
Just a glance—but it felt like his life could be taken at any moment.
Though it disappeared quickly, it left a deep shadow in his mind.
Then pain spread through his body.
The natural energy was changing him.
"Am I… turning into a frog?!" he thought in shock.
He tried to escape—but couldn't.
The once gentle natural energy now felt like a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Yet something seemed strange.
Why hadn't Fukasaku stopped him?
Days passed.
His body continued to transform.
But gradually—he realized this change might not be harmful.
On the seventh day, his energy surged.
The transformation was complete.
Finally, Xia Li regained control of his body.
He opened his eyes—
And saw three enormous figures standing before him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
for 30 advanced chapter, visit my patreon
'patreon.com/fatimasoomro123'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"