Chapter 24: After a Round of Probing, Ishikawa Ki Returns!

Nara Kazama fell silent.

Regarding Uchiha Jin's question, he did not know how to answer.

And, regarding this.

Uchiha Jin did not press further; he merely used this to tell Nara Kazama that everyone has their own secrets.

Since their relationship had not reached that stage, there was no need to pry into others' secrets.

Seeing the other fall silent, he resumed sunbathing.

Until the sky was filled with the setting sun.

Though not as warm as the midday sun, he still liked this feeling of relaxation.

Unlike in the village, where every day was filled with schemes.

Exhausting!

Seeing that time was growing late, he stood up and yawned, but only when he turned to leave did he notice Nara Kazama beside him.

"Why haven't Itachi left yet?" Uchiha Jin asked, full of confusion.

Hearing this, Nara Kazama finally raised his head.

After looking at Uchiha Jin for a moment, he spoke in a somber tone.

"My father is Nara Ruming, the younger brother of Nara Shikaku."

"But he failed in the struggle for the clan head position and died on a mission five years ago."

"Before he died, my father told us brothers never to become geniuses in this life; living an ordinary life was fine too."

"But my two older brothers did not listen. They were the clan's genius ninjas from childhood, and they died one after another in recent years."

"I listened and have always acted mediocre."

"So, I survived."

"The Ino-Shika-Cho trio is indeed inseparable, but I voluntarily gave it up."

"Because a father would never lie to me."

Uchiha Jin's face remained calm.

He simply stared at Nara Kazama, his mind beginning to race.

He truly had not expected Nara Kazama to be in this situation.

As for lying?

Impossible!

A traditional Nara would never tell a lie so easily exposed.

After a long silence, he finally spoke softly.

"I cannot make an effort."

"I cannot endure hardship; I am a useless Uchiha, after all."

"If I suddenly became diligent, or even a genius, some people would lose their appetite."

"As a cannon fodder ninja, I must live up to the role of a loser!"

"Itachi are a smart person; I need not say more."

Nara Kazama smiled.

Yes.

There was no need to say much; he would think for himself.

He understood the Uchiha situation; as long as he grasped that point.

He could naturally guess Uchiha Jin's thoughts with near certainty.

"Your disguise is very successful!" Nara Kazama said with a smile. "During these years at the academy, I never paid attention to Itachi."

"I was sent here by Nara Shikaku; he wanted me to see what kind of person Itachi are."

"If my guess is correct, it should be related to the three dead Uchiha."

"This clan uncle of mine must have set his sights on Itachi."

"However, do not worry."

"The Nara clan seeks stability in their actions; they do not easily provoke enemies for the family, let alone enemies like the Uchiha."

"Even after confirming it, he would invest in Itachi secretly."

"The Nara clan's way of doing things is not to put all their eggs in one basket."

Uchiha Jin narrowed his eyes slightly.

He had guessed correctly; his explanation had indeed failed to deceive Nara Shikaku.

This sparked a flicker of killing intent within him, but he quickly suppressed it.

The Nara clan has a long heritage; while not comparable to the Uchiha, they are not easy to provoke.

Not to mention.

Just as Nara Kazama said, Nara Shikaku held no ill will toward him; otherwise, he could have exposed him directly back in the Hokage's office.

"Oh, I see."

Uchiha Jin took a deep breath, said no more, and headed straight for the front-line camp.

Nara Kazama followed beside him, unable to hold back his complaint after a long while.

"Lord Jin, are Itachi truly an Uchiha?" Nara Kazama asked. "In terms of conduct, Itachi do not act like an Uchiha at all."

"When Itachi were born in the hospital, could it be that Itachi were switched at birth?"

"Itachi actually look more like a Nara!"

Uchiha Jin's mouth twitched.

He truly had not expected Nara Kazama to say such a thing.

But thinking it over, it seemed to be true.

After helplessly shaking his head, he spoke softly again.

"Itachi are overthinking it; I have the Sharingan."

"Enough, let us return."

There was no need to hide such a trivial matter.

After all, with Nara Kazama's mind, he would have guessed it even if it was not said.

More importantly, he now truly had the idea of recruiting Nara Kazama.

This fellow's strength is not bad; he is definitely a genius.

The key is, his mind works well!

With him strategizing by my side, I can walk a steadier path in the future.

Of course.

There is plenty of time; no need to rush.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Hearing Uchiha Jin's words, he wore an expression of "as expected."

Evening.

The night was as dark as ink, with a full moon hanging high.

The front-line camp was silent; except for the patrolling ninjas, almost no one moved outside.

Inside the tent of Uchiha Jin's squad, an uninvited guest had now arrived.

"According to the Anbu investigation, Ishikawa Ki failed to follow orders, resulting in the failure of Team Seven's mission."

"The facts are undeniable; there is no room for rebuttal."

"However, considering we are in wartime, Ishikawa Ki is permitted to return to his original squad to atone for his crimes."

"This is your new mission; act immediately at first light tomorrow!"

The ninja beside Miyamoto Yukie handed a mission scroll to Kudo Shin, then turned and left without another word.

Inside the tent, silence reigned.

Everyone looked at Ishikawa Ki before them, momentarily at a loss for words.

It was utterly numbing.

They had brought that guy back again!

The expressions on everyone's faces were far from pleasant.

After all, by exposing Ishikawa Ki, they had already torn the fabric of their relationship.

This...

How was their squad supposed to coordinate the upcoming operation?

Kudo Shin's face was dark with gloom.

Though deeply displeased, he truly could not refuse the orders from above.

[74] He glanced at Ishikawa Ki, then spoke coldly.

After glancing at Ishikawa Itsuki, he spoke coldly.

"I hope Itachi remember this lesson and do not cause trouble for everyone again."

"There is a mission tomorrow; everyone, get some rest."

Having said that,

Kudo Shin lay down on the folding cot to rest. Uchiha Jin and Nara Kazama exchanged a glance, helplessly shook their heads, and retired to their own rest.

Ishikawa Ki's face was grim.

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

Yes.

He did not believe he was in the wrong; instead, he blamed those two for failing to cooperate properly with him.

He was among the top three in his class; how could he have been saved by two dead last?

"A bunch of bastards!"

"It must be their fault; otherwise, how could I have failed?"

"Just Itachi wait; I will not let Itachi off!"