Leaf Village: I, Uchiha, Am Done Lying Flat! Part 33

"Because Father would never lie to me."

Uchiha Jin's expression remained calm.

He simply looked at Nara Kazama, while his mind raced.

He truly hadn't expected Nara Kazama to be in this sort of situation.

As for lying?

Impossible!

A traditional Nara would never tell such an easily exposed lie.

After a long silence, he finally spoke in a faint voice.

"I can't work hard."

"I can't endure hardship. I'm a worthless Uchiha, after all."

"If I suddenly became diligent, or even turned into a genius, some people wouldn't be able to eat in peace."

"As a cannon-fodder ninja, I have to live up to my worthless persona!"

"You're a smart man. I'm sure I don't need to say more."

Nara Kazama smiled.

Yes.

There was no need to say too much. He could think it through himself.

He understood the Uchiha's situation. Once he understood that—

He could naturally guess most of Uchiha Jin's thoughts.

"You disguised yourself very well!" Nara Kazama said with a smile. "Throughout all these years at the Academy, I never paid any attention to you."

"Shikaku Nara sent me here. He wanted me to see what kind of person you were."

"If I'm not mistaken, this should be related to the three dead Uchiha."

"My clan uncle has probably set his sights on you."

"But don't worry."

"The Nara Clan acts cautiously. We won't easily make enemies for the clan, much less an enemy like the Uchiha."

"Even once he confirms it, he'll only invest in you in secret."

"The Nara Clan's way of doing things is never to put all its eggs in one basket."

Uchiha Jin narrowed his eyes slightly.

He had indeed guessed correctly. His little act had truly failed to fool Shikaku Nara.

A trace of killing intent arose within him, but he quickly concealed it.

The Nara Clan had a long history. Though it couldn't compare to the Uchiha, it was still not something to be provoked lightly.

Besides—

Just as Nara Kazama had said, Shikaku Nara bore him no ill will. Otherwise, back in the Hokage's office, he could have exposed him directly.

"Oh, I see."

Uchiha Jin took a deep breath. He said nothing more and headed straight for the Frontline camp.

Nara Kazama walked beside him. After a long while, he couldn't help but complain.

"Jin-kun, are you really an Uchiha?" Nara Kazama asked. "The way you conduct yourself is nothing like an Uchiha."

"When you were born at the hospital, could they have mixed up the babies?"

"You're more like a Nara instead!"

Uchiha Jin's mouth twitched.

He truly hadn't expected Nara Kazama to say that.

But after thinking it over carefully, it did seem to be true.

After shaking his head helplessly, he spoke in a faint tone.

"You're overthinking it. I have the Sharingan."

"Enough. Let's head back."

There was no need to hide something so trivial.

With Nara Kazama's brain, even if he said nothing, the man could still figure it out.

Of course, more importantly, he really did have some thoughts of drawing Nara Kazama over to his side.

This guy wasn't weak. He absolutely counted as a genius.

The key was that he had a good head on his shoulders!

With him by his side to devise plans, Jin could proceed more steadily in the future.

Of course.

There was plenty of time. No need to rush.

Meanwhile—

Upon hearing Uchiha Jin's words, Nara Kazama wore an expression of complete understanding.

Evening.

The night was ink-black, with a full moon hanging high in the sky.

The Frontline camp was deathly quiet. Aside from the patrolling ninja, almost no one was walking outside.

Yet an uninvited guest arrived at Uchiha Jin's squad tent.

"An Anbu investigation has determined that Ishikawa Itsuki disobeyed orders, resulting in Team Seven's mission failure."

"The evidence is conclusive and cannot be disputed."

"However, given that this is wartime, Ishikawa Itsuki is permitted to return to his original squad and redeem himself through meritorious service."

"This is your new mission. You will act at dawn tomorrow!"

The ninja beside Miyamoto Yukie handed a mission scroll to Kudo Shin, then turned and left.

The tent fell silent.

Everyone looked at Ishikawa Itsuki before them, unsure what to say.

Damn it.

They'd sent this guy back again!

No one looked particularly happy.

After all, reporting Ishikawa Itsuki had already torn away any pretense between them.

This...

How were their squad supposed to cooperate during the coming mission?

Kudo Shin's face darkened.

Though he was extremely displeased, he truly had no way to refuse the arrangement from above.

After glancing at Ishikawa Itsuki, he spoke coldly.

"I hope you remember this lesson and don't cause trouble for everyone again."

"There's a mission tomorrow. Get some proper rest."

After saying that—

Kudo Shin lay down on his folding cot to rest. Uchiha Jin and Nara Kazama exchanged glances, shook their heads helplessly, and went to rest as well.

Ishikawa Itsuki's expression was ugly.

Especially when he looked at Nara Kazama and Uchiha Jin, his eyes were filled with anger and resentment.

Yes.

He didn't think he had done anything wrong. Instead, he believed it was because those two hadn't cooperated with him properly.

He was one of the top three in the class. How could he possibly be saved by two Dead Lasts?

"A bunch of bastards!"

"It must have been their fault. Otherwise, how could I have failed?"

"Just wait. I definitely won't let you off!"

Chapter 25: Heading to the Garrison Point, the Thick Fog Slowly Rose