Chapter 21: Dividing the Spoils, Shifting the Blame: Nara's Clever Maneuver

Uchiha Jin's mouth twitched.

After hearing Nara Kazuma's move, he instantly had a bellyful of complaints to vent.

Good heavens!

Itachi have learned the arms dealer's methods to perfection!

Not only can Itachi hide your strength, but Itachi can also make a small fortune.

The Nara clan is truly treacherous!

However, I like it!

Thinking this, he spoke immediately.

"No problem, I agree."

"Let's act quickly; delay brings change!"

Immediately after.

Both knew time was critical, so they immediately began acting on their own.

He took the scrolls provided by Nara Kazuma to collect the bodies of the Hidden Mist ninja killed by the two of them, while Nara Kazuma went to embezzle the two carts of supplies.

About three minutes later.

After the two met again, Nara Kazuma smiled and said quietly.

"I took a quick look."

"One cart of medicinal herbs, one cart of explosive tags."

"I made a rough estimate; it comes to about thirty million ryō."

"The cart I didn't take contained kunai, which are basically worthless, so I'll leave that one for the report."

"And, rest assured."

"When I checked, I didn't break the seals on the carts; I used the Nara clan's secret technique."

"I guarantee no one will notice anything amiss!"

Hiss!

Hearing Nara Kazuma say this, Uchiha Jin felt a bit excited too.

Good heavens.

Truly worthy of war supplies; even just what our squad was responsible for is worth such a huge amount.

No wonder the Eagle in the previous life liked to stir up trouble everywhere; making a fortune from war is indeed a windfall.

Once Itachi get used to it, Itachi simply cannot stop.

Itachi must understand.

Even in this ninja world where strength is paramount, wealth and supplies are equally crucial.

Especially Nara Kazama, who left him utterly astonished.

Absolutely, no bottom line at all.

It bears no resemblance whatsoever to the Nara clan's portrayal in the original story.

But upon reflection, it seems quite normal.

The original portrayal was too idealistic; concepts like the Will of Fire sounded like fairy tales.

But what about reality?

This is a faction; how could it be as perfect as in the original story?

Even Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Shadow of the Pot, who were so beloved in the previous life, only revealed their true faces because they were central to the main plot.

Families like Ino-Shika-Cho, Aburame, and Inuzuka, while depicted in the original, rarely appeared in the main storyline.

But just think about it.

How could a family that truly formed be naive and good-hearted?

Especially the Nara clan, who play with minds.

These families are like the capitalists of the previous life; no matter how glamorous they appear on the surface, they devour people without spitting out the bones.

This is what is truly normal!

As for the Uchiha?

Perhaps because they descend from Indra, the son of the Sage of Six Paths, their strength has always been too great, making them disdainful of such underhanded tactics.

Before the Hidden Leaf Village was established, it was an era dominated by clans.

Relying on their strength alone, the Uchiha could dominate a region; aside from the Senju clan, they had virtually no rivals.

But, unfortunately.

With the founding of the Hidden Leaf, the major ninja clans began to unite, compounded by the Uchiha's internal chaos.

The Uchiha did not understand political maneuvering, and their top geniuses were deceived by the Hokage's faction.

Otherwise, clan extermination?

What an international joke!

Having realized this, Uchiha Jin recalled a saying.

My lord, the times have changed!

Thinking of this, his mouth twitched; he then took a deep breath and spoke.

"Here is the deal."

"We will split the explosive tags evenly; Itachi handle the sale of the medicinal herbs."

"After all, the Nara clan's business is your own family's enterprise, so it will be more convenient for Itachi to sell them."

"As for splitting the money, we will do that after the war ends."

Nara Kazama, of course, had no objections.

He immediately produced a new scroll, placed half of the explosive tags inside, and then tossed the scroll to Uchiha Jin.

Uchiha Jin did not look at it and simply stowed it away.

He trusted Nara Kazama.

As the smartest of the Nara clan, there was no need to provoke him, an Uchiha, over such a trivial matter.

A few minutes later, Kudo Shin awoke.

Uchiha Jin and Nara Kazama had just finished dividing the spoils and arrived at that moment.

As the strategist, Nara Kazama naturally took it upon himself to explain the situation.

"Captain, I sincerely apologize."

"Although we drove back the Hidden Mist, my strength and Jin's were too low; we fought with all our might but only killed three, and as for supplies, we managed to save only one cart."

"The bodies of the three Hidden Mist ninja have been sealed within the scroll."

"As for Ishikawa Ki, ah!"

"This... is a long story!"

"..."

Nara Kazama was full of emotion.

Naturally, he began to speak, his acting talent being too good.

With a few words,

he not only highlighted the two of them as heroes but also pinned the blame for the lost supplies entirely on Ishikawa Ki.

In summary, it was all that fool's fault!

If only he had not ignored their advice and blindly trusted his own abilities.

Otherwise, with the combined strength of the three of them, even if they could not kill the Hidden Mist ninja, they could have at least defended themselves.

But there was nothing to be done.

This guy had no strength to speak of, refused to listen to their advice, and foolishly charged out, only to be beaten up by the Hidden Mist.

Now, he is critically injured.

It was only because the two of them, relying on the 'Will of Fire', guarded the supplies while barely managing to rescue this fool; otherwise, he would have been beaten to death long ago.

So, stripped bare, it is all the fault of this fool.

Otherwise.

If we all guarded the supplies together, why would there be so much nonsense?

Uchiha Jin was also greatly shocked upon hearing this.

This is... numb.

Truly a Nara!

If this guy hadn't spoken up, he really wouldn't have known that he was so great.

So I am also an inheritor of the Will of Fire!

Bang!

Just having woken up, Kudo Shin immediately punched a tree in anger.

"This Ishikawa Tree is truly useless!"

"I noticed this person was arrogant long ago, but I didn't expect him to be so unaware of when to stop."

"Don't Itachi know our mission is not to kill enemies but to transport supplies?"

"I understand this matter."

"Once we reach the front-line camp, I will report it to Lord Miyamoto!"

Yes.

Kudo Shin truly believed it.

Although he had not seen it with his own eyes and their contact had been brief, he understood Ishikawa Tree's character.

This was indeed something he could do.

Of course, more importantly.

Ishikawa Tree was not dead!

Once he woke up and was handed over to the front-line camp, the Anbu Black Ops would naturally pry the truth from his mouth.

Uchiha Jin and Nara Kazama had no need to tell such lies.

Of course, more importantly, since the supplies were lost, there must be someone to take the blame.

Otherwise, all three of them would be punished.

The village does not care about the reasons, only the specific outcome.

But now, it is different.

Since there is someone to take the blame, even if they have no merit, at least they will face no punishment.

As for Ishikawa Tree?

No one cares whether he lives or dies.

The three people present held no affection for him.