Leaf Village: I, Uchiha, Am Done Lying Flat! Part 31

Nara Kazama wore an awkward expression.

However.

Hearing an Uchiha call his own clan "evil" was truly eye-opening.

To be honest, Nara Kazama was genuinely surprised that Uchiha Jin had thought so deeply about something he had merely hinted at.

Since when did the Uchiha have brains like this?

More importantly.

Even after understanding everything, Uchiha Jin apparently was not angry.

That last remark sounded more like a sigh of emotion.

Clearly.

Even with the Nara clan's quick-thinking minds, Nara Kazama could not make sense of it for the moment.

In the end, he could only conclude that his teammate was not Uchiha-like at all.

"Ahem, you thought of that yourself."

"It has nothing to do with me, and you absolutely can't tell anyone else."

"Otherwise, I'm dead!"

Nara Kazama looked miserable.

He truly had not expected Uchiha Jin to be this clever.

Had he known, he would not have done this.

Honestly.

He really regretted it.

If his actions made those stubborn Uchiha fully understand why they could not become Hokage, and why no one supported them...

Hiss!

Just thinking about it made his scalp go numb.

But there was nothing he could do.

Now that things had come to this, what else could he do?

He could only pray that Uchiha Jin was not the sort with a big mouth.

"Don't worry, I won't say anything." Uchiha Jin smiled. "I'm not someone who meddles in other people's business."

"It won't affect you, so rest assured!"

Unfortunately.

Even though Uchiha Jin said that, Nara Kazama's brow remained tightly furrowed as he kept sighing.

Clearly.

Uchiha Jin's assurance could not truly put him at ease.

Meanwhile.

Led by a ninja, Kudo Shin headed straight to the Frontline Command Tent.

Facing Miyamoto Yukie, Kudo Shin immediately dropped to one knee.

"Jonin-sama, I'm very sorry."

"Our squad encountered two elite Mist Village squads. Squad member Ishikawa Itsuki disobeyed orders, causing the mission to fail. We only barely managed to save one cart of supplies."

"Please review the detailed account of what happened, along with the bodies of the Mist Village members."

Frontline Recuperation, Nara's Curiosity

Kudo Shin knelt on one knee.

He raised two scrolls high with both hands, then lowered his head respectfully.

Miyamoto Yukie frowned slightly, but still took the scrolls and began reading.

A moment later.

After finishing the mission report, he slammed his hand against the table in fury.

"Hmph, damn it!"

"What the hell did that Ishikawa Itsuki learn at the Ninja Academy?"

"Doesn't he even understand a ninja's most basic code of conduct?"

"Disobeying orders, charging in blindly, and being weak to boot!"

"Seriously injured?"

"Heh, why didn't he just die?"

Miyamoto Yukie was utterly enraged.

Yes.

He had been a Jonin for a long time and had seen all kinds of ninja, whether arrogant or cowardly.

But obeying orders was the absolute minimum for a ninja.

Therefore.

No matter how arrogant someone might normally be, they would still follow command when carrying out an actual mission.

He had truly never seen someone like Ishikawa Itsuki in his entire life.

More importantly.

This was his first time serving as a Frontline commander, and Ishikawa Itsuki had already given him such a huge surprise.

One could imagine it.

Even if he earned merit in this war, Ishikawa Itsuki would still become a stain on his record.

How could he possibly have a good temper toward such trash?

If that guy had come from a great clan, then perhaps, as a commoner himself, he would have shown the other party a little consideration.

But, heh.

Ishikawa Itsuki was merely a commoner, so there was nothing for him to hesitate over.

Taking a deep breath, he immediately spoke.

"Bring someone from the Anbu."

"Chunin Kudo Shin, hand Ishikawa Itsuki over to the Anbu when they arrive."

"As for this mission, there will be neither reward nor punishment."

"Make up for your crimes with merit from now on."

"After handing Ishikawa Itsuki over to the Anbu, your squad may rest and await the next mission."

Thank goodness!

Only after hearing Miyamoto Yukie's words did Kudo Shin finally breathe a sigh of relief.

No matter what, they had managed to muddle through this time.

As Kudo Shin thought of this, he cursed Ishikawa Itsuki half to death in his heart, while also feeling grateful that his other two teammates had been dependable.

Not only had they saved a cart of supplies, they had even found someone to take the blame.

As expected of people from great clans—their minds really worked fast.

About ten minutes later.

An Anbu wearing a fox mask appeared. Kudo Shin followed behind him all the way to the Medical Camp and formally handed the unconscious Ishikawa Itsuki over to the Anbu.

Only after finishing all that did he return wearily to the squad's tent.

Upon returning, he lay directly on a folding bed and rubbed his brow with lingering fear.

After glancing at the two before him, he smiled and began to speak.

"You two, don't worry."

"Ishikawa Itsuki has already been handed over to the Anbu. Our mission will count for neither merit nor punishment."

"For now, get some proper rest."