Chapter 36

As long as this plan succeeds, or even succeeds halfway, it will allow them to advance on the offensive or retreat to a defensive position.

After thinking for a moment, he slowly nodded.

"I... I understand."

"Kudo Shin, this commoner ninja, will serve as the first step of our plan."

"Itachi handle this matter."

Nara Kazuma, of course, had no objections to this.

Without even thinking, he nodded and agreed.

"This matter is easy to handle."

"But let us wait a while longer. We will speak only when he truly faces peril and comes begging to us."

"Chasing after someone is not a deal; we cannot be too eager."

"There is no need to worry that he will not come to us, after all, the survival rate for commoner ninjas during wartime is far too low."

"His character and abilities are good; at the very least, he is not someone who clings stubbornly to principles."

"Of course, if he does not come begging for their help until the moment before his death, that can only prove his capacity is nothing more than that."

"If he dies, then he dies."

Uchiha Jin, of course, had no objections either.

Since the matter had been handed to Nara Kazuma, he had no interest in asking too many questions.

Do not ask about the process; only demand the result!

This was something he had learned from those capitalists in his past life.

Afterwards.

The two began discussing other matters, and this brief alliance was thus established.

Although at this moment, the two did not yet trust each other very much.

It was a good start; the rest could only be left to time.

This indulgence lasted until evening.

Nara Kazama could barely hold on and fell asleep in bed, while Uchiha Jin had a higher tolerance for alcohol.

Though he felt dizzy, he showed no signs of drunkenness.

He lay in bed, staring blankly out the tent window.

He was thinking!

How likely was Nara Kazama's plan to succeed?

Of course, more importantly,

could this person be trusted?

He did not know!

But it did not matter.

For now, their contact was merely tentative; Uchiha Jin would never reveal his true trump cards.

Even if Nara Kazama's side truly went wrong, he was confident he could escape unscathed, or simply defect if needed.

As long as the system's abilities remained hidden, nothing else was a major issue.

At worst, he could just hide out a bit longer.

Once he truly grew strong through hiding, he would make a triumphant return in Konoha.

The only thing troubling him was that, before he had enough power to protect his family, he could only apologize to those beautiful young women.

At that moment,

the tent curtain was lifted, and Uchiha Shisui, covered in the scent of blood, walked straight in.

Then, the next second,

he was so overwhelmed by the strong smell of alcohol that he began coughing.

It was not that he could not tolerate the smell of alcohol, but he had no preparation for it.

After all,

what normal person would think to drink in the front-line camp?

Especially with the enemy possibly launching an attack at any moment?

Wasn't that pure suicide?

After coughing for a long time, Uchiha Shisui finally spoke.

"Jin, Itachi..."

"How much did Itachi drink? Are Itachi crazy?"

"This is the front-line camp!"

He was truly speechless.

In contrast, Uchiha Jin, lying in bed, showed not the slightest change in expression at Uchiha Shisui's sudden appearance.

After all, knowing Uchiha Shisui, he understood that this person would definitely come to find him.

To his question, he merely shrugged.

"What's the big deal? Isn't this normal?"

"Itachi must know our squad just survived life and death, and our nerves were stretched to the limit."

"Anyway, no missions will be assigned in the short term."

"Why not use this time to relax and recover properly?"

Uchiha Shisui had no reply.

Looking at Uchiha Jin before him, he truly felt helpless.

Since when did this guy have excuses?

He really could not argue with him.

Truly, not at all like an Uchiha!

After helplessly shaking his head, he wasted no more time on this matter.

Rolling his eyes, he took a deep breath and said,

"Itachi don't seem drunk. Come out with me."

"There are things I need to discuss with Itachi!"

Uchiha Jin did not refuse.

He had expected this day, so there was nothing surprising.

Rising with a yawn, he followed Uchiha Shisui out of the front-line camp once more, arriving at a quiet seaside.

The two sat on the beach.

Facing the gentle sea breeze, gazing at the endless blue sky and white clouds.

Their moods gradually calmed.

After a long while,

Uchiha Shisui's face was calm as he spoke casually: "On the day Itachi left Konoha, why did Itachi say those words to me?"

"Itachi were too good to me; I did not want to deceive Itachi," Uchiha Jin said calmly.

Uchiha Shisui fell silent.

He could tell that Uchiha Jin was not lying.

Moreover,

recalling their many interactions, it indeed seemed so.

His countless acts of kindness toward him had only earned those few short words from Uchiha Jin before his departure.

But he did not understand.

Yes.

For someone like him, who had shown talent since childhood and had constantly strived for peace between the Uchiha and the village, it was natural that he could not comprehend Uchiha Jin's thoughts.

Especially after learning that Uchiha Jin truly regarded him as a friend, he naturally had no desire to test anything.

"Your strength is formidable!" Uchiha Shisui's tone was calm, yet his gaze was sharp: "Even stronger than what the Anbu Black Ops have uncovered these past few days!"

"Leading a squad through the Land of Whirlpools for a full six days, evading the Hidden Mist's main force countless times, and still slaying so many Hidden Mist ninja."

"Especially when facing one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Zabuza Momochi, escaping with two ninja for half a day and successfully holding out until the Hidden Leaf's main force arrived."

"But why?"

"If Itachi have this strength, why not reveal it?"

He was slightly agitated.

Regarding Uchiha Jin's behavior, he had pondered it for several days, yet still could not figure it out.

He simply stared at Uchiha Jin, his eyes filled with contemplation and confusion.

He truly did not understand.

However, on the other side.

Uchiha Jin, however, spoke with a very relaxed tone: "What else could it be? I just didn't want to."

"Why don't Itachi want to?" Uchiha Shisui hurriedly pressed.

"The mess between the village and the Uchiha, I don't want to get involved." Uchiha Jin's tone was steady, carrying a hint of disdain: "In my opinion, the Uchiha are doomed, destined to face the fate of clan extermination."

"If I displayed my talent, I would definitely be recruited by those fools within the clan."

"And I don't want to get too deeply involved with the Uchiha; otherwise, when the clan is exterminated, I will definitely face retribution from the village."

"Although I bear the Uchiha name, I am not deeply bound to the clan."

"Why should I die alongside the Uchiha?"

"Look at the situation now; when the Uchiha are exterminated, I will likely be spared as an orphan, since I have no real affection for the Uchiha anyway."

"Even in the worst-case scenario, the best I can do is become a rogue ninja."

"Since my bond with the Uchiha is not deep, the intensity of the village's pursuit will surely be low, likely just posting a bounty in the black market."

Hiss!

After hearing Uchiha Jin's words, Uchiha Shisui was completely stunned.

His mind went blank.

He had considered countless possibilities before, but never this one.

But how is that possible?

How could the Uchiha be exterminated? The village...

No!

It's absolutely impossible!

Uchiha Shisui took a deep breath and quickly spoke in a low voice to comfort him.

"Jin, rest assured; the clan and the Hidden Leaf will not clash."

"I have been working towards this for years; I guarantee the thing Itachi worry about will not happen."

"I will definitely find a way to deal with the radicals within the clan."

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Hearing these words, Uchiha Jin could not help but laugh out loud.

"Um, sorry."

"Normally I don't laugh, unless I really can't help it."

"But Uchiha Shisui, can Itachi stop telling jokes?"

"What radicals does the Uchiha have? If there really were radicals, would the Uchiha be in this state?"

"In my opinion, the clan currently only has moderates and surrenderists, plus a useless clan leader."

"But then again, it's normal!"

"An old relic from the Warring States Period like the Uchiha is destined to be unable to adapt to the rules of the new era."

"Being exterminated is just a matter of time."

"Whether it happens a day earlier or later makes little difference."