Chapter 81: Uchiha Tanaka

Fire Country, in a forest.

After traveling for some time, the three prepared to rest here.

Lian Ye leaned against a tree, looking at the Mission Scroll in his hand.

Zhi Cun Tuan Cang and Xiaochun Zhuanqin sat not far away.

"Lian Yejun, why is the mission location so far this time?" Xiaochun Zhuanqin asked, her face showing confusion.

Zhi Cun Tuan Cang heard this and turned his head to look.

Indeed the mission was rather distant; just the journey would take three days.

It didn't fit the squad's usual mission criteria at all:

"High pay, little work, close to home."

Lian Ye explained, "The reward for this mission is relatively large."

He couldn't tell the two that he had to stay away from Qianshou Feijian during this period, which is why he took the long‑distance mission, right?

The two subconsciously nodded at his words.

They accepted Lian Ye's explanation.

The reward for this mission was indeed far higher than usual.

It involved serving as a bodyguard for a wealthy merchant for a period of time.

A rich man, caring for his own life, naturally paid handsomely.

Lian Ye, seeing the two did not probe further, breathed a sigh of relief.

Including the round trip and the time spent protecting the merchant, the mission would take at least two weeks.

When he returns, that old kid Feijian should have recovered, right?

Lian Ye sensed something and suddenly stood, looking toward somewhere.

"What is it, Lian Yejun?"

The two instinctively followed Lian Ye's gaze.

They saw a middle‑aged man standing not far away; before they could react, his crimson Sharingan met theirs, and they froze on the spot.

"Pa‑pa‑pa."

The middle‑aged man clapped his hands and praised,

"Lian Yejun, truly worthy of the Uchiha Clan's genius, you discovered me so quickly."

"Who are you?" Lian Ye gripped his Tachi at his waist with his right hand.

Even when encountering a clan member, he would not let his guard down.

After all, the other appeared in such a place and immediately used Genjutsu to control the two teammates; it's hard not to suspect his motives...

The middle‑aged man was taken aback, apparently not expecting Lian Ye not to recognize him.

He frowned and said displeasingly, "Lian Yejun, as a member of the Uchiha, how could you not recognize me, the clan head?"

Seems this kid truly doesn't care about the clan at all…

Lian Ye was somewhat surprised; he truly didn't know about this.

"Sorry, I didn't know you were the clan head."

"Since that's the case, let me tell you, I am Uchiha Tanaka, the newly appointed clan head," Uchiha Tanaka said.

"Clan Head Tanaka, what do you want with me?" Lian Ye asked.

He didn't fully trust the fellow's words and remained vigilant.

Uchiha Tanaka noticed Lian Ye's slight movement, but he paid it no mind, or rather, didn't care.

"Lian Yejun, I'm here to ask you…" Uchiha Tanaka narrowed his eyes, "Are you still a member of the Uchiha?"

Lian Ye was stunned, "Clan Head Tanaka, what do you mean by that?"

Uchiha Tanaka sneered, "It means nothing, just that people in the clan are saying you don't deserve the Uchiha name."

Hearing this, Lian Ye immediately understood; it seemed the Uchiha were displeased with his actions…

Thinking of that, he found it somewhat amusing.

These guys are really something; they deliberately distanced him back then.

Now that he's stronger, they throw an olive branch his way again.

If he refuses, they'll blame themselves for not recognizing his worth.

"Clan Head Tanaka, how do you view me?" Lian Ye asked expressionlessly.

Uchiha Tanaka looked at Lian Ye but did not answer immediately.

Both remained silent; the silence lasted a long while.

"Of course I think you are a member of the Uchiha Clan," Uchiha Tanaka suddenly laughed, "Lian Yejun, what do you think?"

"Ha ha." Lian Ye also laughed, but quickly restrained his smile, "Does how you view me have anything to do with me?"

Uchiha Tanaka's smile froze; he frowned at Lian Ye, "Yuzhi Bo Lianye, are you really going to betray the clan?"

"Clan Head Tanaka, are you labeling me?" Lian Ye narrowed his eyes, a crimson hue flashing, three black Tomoe appearing at the base of his pupils.

Uchiha Tanaka saw Lian Ye's Three Tomoe and a fleeting shock crossed his face.

"You call me a traitor?" Lian Ye sneered, "When Senju Hashirama came to adopt me, you wouldn't even dare to fart, and now you criticize me."

"Yuzhi Bo Lianye, do you know what you're saying?" Uchiha Tanaka's complexion turned sour, clearly angered by Lian Ye's words.

"You guys think that because I was adopted by the Senju, I'm a disgrace to the Uchiha, right?" Lian Ye smiled, "Wrong. The real disgrace isn't me, but you arrogant fools."

"Shut up!" Uchiha Tanaka cut Lian Ye off.

"Tsk tsk, I only said two sentences, and you're already upset?" Lian Ye sneered.

"Yuzhi Bo Lianye, let me ask you again: do you refuse to return to the clan?" Uchiha Tanaka's face turned ashen.

Heh, you still don't believe me when I call you idiots.

On what grounds do you think I'd be willing to return to the Uchiha Clan?

Even if I were willing to go back, would you dare to let me?

Can the Hokage agree? Can you persuade the Hokage?

Lian Ye had little interaction with the Uchiha before, so he didn't think much of it.

The recent conversation with Uchiha Tanaka made him realize that some Uchiha are the very embodiment of arrogant, brainless swagger.

Never mind whether he himself wants to go back.

Just say whether they can persuade Qianshou Feijian.

No need to think; Qianshou Feijian would never agree to this.

Without having thought anything through, he hopped over, asking whether he's still a member of the Uchiha Clan.

On what basis? Just because of his Uchiha identity?

Damn, I'm speechless…

No wonder Qianshou Feijian has always been wary of the Uchiha Clan.

Uchiha Tanaka was stunned by Lian Ye's question, taking a while to recover before glaring angrily at Lian Ye.

"You traitor, unworthy of bearing the Uchiha surname!"

"Whether I deserve the Uchiha surname is not for you to decide." Lian Ye sneered: "Calling you clan leader twice, you really think you're a big deal?"

The Uchiha Clan has too many fools who can't see the situation, leading them toward ruin…

"Alright, alright!" Uchiha Tanaka laughed wildly, "Today I'll eliminate you, this Uchiha traitor!"

As he said, he drew his Tachi from his waist.

"Damn it, I've tolerated you, you idiot, for far too long!"

Clang—

Lian Ye drew his Tachi, the Three Tomoe in his eyes whirling rapidly.

His blade is coated with deadly Poison; just employ a hit‑for‑hit tactic.

The one who will die is Uchiha Tanaka!

Just as the two were about to clash.

A white‑haired figure suddenly appeared between them.

"Tanaka Clan leader, what do you want to do?"

ps: five minutes late, eee—