Uchiha's Arrogant Duo

Qian Yun still did not greet anyone. He looked ahead at the Third Hokage and the Uchiha A-and-B duo.

The Third Hokage was once again talking about the Will of Fire: wherever Konoha's leaves danced, the fire would burn on without end.

He then described the brutal fighting along the eastern coast of the Land of Fire. In short, medical ninja reinforcements were urgently needed there.

He did not mention the mortality rate among battlefield medical ninja, nor did he mention the shortage of supplies. They would be relying solely on medical chakra to treat injuries.

This time, the team leader was Shinku Yuhi, Kurenai Yuhi's father. His complexion looked utterly ashen.

It was unclear whether he was injured or ill.

Shinku Yuhi said nothing. Instead, the two vice-captains, the Uchiha A-and-B duo, began making threats.

Their meaning was roughly that they had the right to execute anyone who disobeyed orders on the spot.

The moment the speech ended, roll call began. Three people were absent.

One was from the Hyuga Clan. He was said to be sick and was staying at Konoha Hospital.

Another was from the Shimura Clan. He was also said to be ill and had already fallen unconscious.

The last was from the Utatane Clan. Koharu Utatane had personally come to request leave for him.

At first, it seemed like nothing much. The Third Hokage had no intention of pursuing the matter, and even Shinku Yuhi said nothing.

But the Uchiha A-and-B duo spoke up, their tone full of disdain.

"Lord Hokage, everyone on the roster is our subordinate now. That's correct, isn't it?"

The moment those words were spoken, Koharu Utatane's face darkened.

Those two Uchiha were notorious troublemakers.

If the matter of leave requests was blown up, the Konoha higher-ups would likely face public condemnation.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi was displeased, he still nodded.

"Gather at the village gate in one hour. We will not depart until everyone is present, even if we have to drag every last one of them out!

"If violence is necessary, then we, the Uchiha Clan, will accompany you to the bitter end!

"War is no game. If Lord Hokage believes we are in the wrong, then cancel our mission at any time!

"We don't mind!"

After Uchiha A finished speaking, Uchiha B shouted.

"Dismissed!"

The veteran medical ninja immediately used Body Flicker to rush back and prepare their ninja tool packs, even saying final farewells to family and friends.

The younger ninja hurried off to buy medicine. Nearly everyone had heard that the front lines lacked supplies.

As for people like Qian Yun, who were leaving the village for the first time, they were mostly buying rations and clothes. Some were even leisurely haggling with shop owners.

Qian Yun bought quite a few ingredients and prepared plenty of fresh water. He spent all his remaining money on medical supplies.

The few giant rats at home that had been grinding medicinal pills were set free. More than half of the golden-edged ground beetle ninja insects that could not be taken along were released, while those that could be taken were mostly sealed away in scrolls.

By the time Qian Yun reached Konoha Village's gate, roll call was underway.

The previous three still had not arrived, but Biwako had sent three replacements.

One was Hundred Herbs, his face gray with despair. Another was Biwa Miko, who was crying nonstop. The last was a girl from the Inuzuka Clan, Tsume Inuzuka.

Instead of Kuromaru, she was currently raising a very docile little white dog.

The Uchiha A-and-B duo were unhappy, but in the end, they said nothing further.

The atmosphere in the team was heavy. No one knew why Shinku Yuhi, the captain, remained silent.

More than a hundred people started running, and at first, everyone moved at roughly the same speed.

But ten minutes later, Qian Yun felt as though the blood in his body was burning, leaving his mind completely blank.

He grew slower and slower, on the verge of falling behind.

"Stop!"

Uchiha B shouted, then used Body Flicker to appear before Qian Yun.

"Why aren't you using chakra?"

He was shouting as he spoke. Everyone ahead turned to look, and Biwa Miko even said, "Serves you right!"

Qian Yun told the truth. "I never learned it. I only know the Mystical Palm Technique and the Three Basic Techniques!"

"Get up and watch carefully!

"I'll only teach you once. If you can't learn it, you can only fall behind—and anyone who falls behind will be executed on the spot!"

Qian Yun nodded. Uchiha B explained the essentials of Gale Step, then had Qian Yun give it a try.

Qian Yun tried it and found that it was indeed much easier than before.

"Thank you, Teacher!"

"Teacher?"

Uchiha B gave him a contemptuous look, then loudly said, "Do you think you're qualified to call a ninja of the Uchiha Clan your teacher?"

After saying that, he used Body Flicker to return to the front of the team. Uchiha A shouted, "Move out!"

The team continued onward. No one else spoke; only the Uchiha duo chatted.

Most of their conversation consisted of complaints about Konoha's higher-ups, discussions of the Uchiha Clan's future plans, and finally, insults about Fugaku Uchiha, the newly appointed clan head, for being weak and incompetent.

Qian Yun frowned as he listened. These two were obviously meant to serve as an example to intimidate others, while this batch of medical ninja was merely there as background.

Damn it!

The more Qian Yun thought about it, the angrier he became.

He was also wondering whether he should find a chance to escape or pretend to have caught an infectious disease and be quarantined.

Two hours later, the team stopped to rest. Qian Yun felt drenched from head to toe.

Drinking water, eating rations, relieving themselves—among more than a hundred people, no one had time to care about anyone else.

Biwa Miko was still crying within the group, even hitting and berating Hundred Herbs.

Suddenly, Uchiha B stood atop a tree and made hand signals. Qian Yun noticed everyone else hiding, and only then did he belatedly find a patch of grass to crouch in.

Three minutes later, a team of masked ninja approached.

The other side made hand signals, and only then did everyone emerge from the bushes.

It turned out to be a Konoha ANBU squad returning to the village to report. It had truly been a false alarm.

Qian Yun was still stunned when Uchiha B came over again.

That bastard was shouting again.

Qian Yun thought that next time, perhaps he should find an opportunity to let him have a taste of some virus.

"Don't tell me you haven't even learned the basic hand signals!"

Qian Yun shook his head. "I haven't!"

Uchiha B wanted to lose his temper, but when he saw Uchiha A holding back laughter, he could only resign himself to it.

Another on-the-spot lesson followed. Qian Yun studied earnestly, while everyone else gave him scornful looks.

Everyone kept their distance from Qian Yun. Some even muttered that if they encountered an ambush next time, Qian Yun would definitely drag them down with him.

Biwa Miko openly pointed at Qian Yun and shouted, "From now on, stay away from me. Understand?"

Qian Yun nodded. He did not want to argue with someone like her. Saying anything would only bring him more trouble.

Hundred Herbs also gave Qian Yun a disdainful look, sighed, and caught up to Biwa Miko.

The team continued forward. Ahead lay the forest of Kikyō Mountain, where ancient trees towered into the sky and even the mushrooms grew exceptionally large.

It was very quiet.

Qian Yun suddenly noticed black auras appearing around many people ahead. He was so startled that he nearly cried out.

Whether or not he should say something was a serious question.

What if, just like last time at Konoha Hospital, he could not find the cause of the illness?

Last time, Hiruzen Sarutobi had cared about appearances and had not cursed at him in public. The Uchiha's arrogant duo might not be so forgiving.

They even took offense at a commoner ninja calling them teachers. Getting himself beaten half to death would probably be the least of it.

Thinking of that, Qian Yun decided not to say anything for now.

He used Kakashi's concealment technique, quickly adjusted his breathing, slowed his pace, and then hid himself.

The middle of the forest was silent. There was not even birdsong, much less the chirping of insects.

The Uchiha A-and-B duo were still chatting, looking very relaxed.

Boom!

An explosion suddenly erupted at the front of the team.

Qian Yun watched as a female ninja was blown into pieces. A smoking shoe flew down beside him.

A terrifying atmosphere swept over him, and the hairs on his back stood on end.

Qian Yun clamped a hand over his mouth, refusing to let his presence leak out.

Boom! Boom! Boom...

Explosions rang out one after another, and the team's formation had already fallen into chaos.

Seven ferocious presences shot into the crowd. They killed anyone they saw, while the Uchiha duo rushed forward to fight them.

Shinku Yuhi, who had remained silent the entire time, drew his sword. But he could only hold back one of them, and he seemed unable to keep up.

He looked sickly and frail.