Nara Kazama looked embarrassed.
However.
To hear his own clan described as 'evil' from the mouth of a Uchiha?
He truly had his eyes opened.
To be honest, he was quite surprised that Uchiha Jin could think so deeply just from a slight hint he gave.
When did the Uchiha get such brains?
Moreover, the important thing was...
Even after understanding everything, Uchiha Jin didn't seem to be angry.
His last remark sounded more like a sigh of emotion.
Clearly.
Even with Nara's quick wit, he couldn't figure it out at once.
He could only conclude that his squadmate was truly not like a Uchiha at all.
"Ahem, this is what you thought,"
"It has nothing to do with me, and you absolutely cannot tell anyone else."
"Otherwise, I'm dead!"
Nara Kazama's face was full of bitterness.
He truly hadn't expected Uchiha Jin to be so intelligent.
If he had known, he wouldn't have done it.
To be honest.
He truly regretted it.
If his actions really made those stubborn Uchiha fully understand why they couldn't become Hokage, and why everyone didn't support them...
Hiss!
Thinking of this made his scalp tingle.
But, there was nothing he could do.
Since things had come to this, what else could he do?
He could only pray that Uchiha Jin wasn't a bigmouth.
"Don't worry, I won't say anything," Uchiha Jin said with a smile, "I'm not one to meddle in others' affairs."
"It won't affect you, so rest assured!"
Unfortunately.
Even though Uchiha Jin said so, Nara Kazama still frowned, sighing constantly.
Clearly.
Uchiha Jin's assurance couldn't truly put his mind at ease... Meanwhile, on the other side.
Kudo Shin, led by a ninja, went directly to the front-line war council tent.
Looking at Miyamoto Yukie before him, Kudo Shin immediately knelt on one knee.
"Superior Ninja, I am very sorry."
"Our squad encountered two elite Kirigakure squads. Squad member Ishikawa Itsuki disobeyed orders, which ultimately led to the mission failure, barely salvaging one cart of supplies."
"Please, Superior Ninja, review the detailed circumstances and the bodies of the Kirigakure members!"
Chapter 23: Frontline Respite, Nara's Curiosity
Kudo Shin knelt on one knee.
He held two scrolls aloft with both hands, then bowed his head, maintaining a respectful posture.
Miyamoto Yukie's brows furrowed slightly, but she still took the scrolls and began to read them.
A moment later.
Only after finishing the mission scrolls did she angrily slam the table.
"Hmph, damn it!"
"What exactly did that Ishikawa Itsuki learn at the Ninja Academy?"
"Does he not even know a ninja's basic conduct?"
"Disobeying orders, blindly charging in, and weak to boot!"
"Severely wounded?"
"Heh heh, why doesn't he just die?"
Miyamoto Yukie was extremely furious.
Yes.
In all her time as a Jonin, she had encountered all sorts of ninjas, whether arrogant or cowardly.
But as a ninja, following orders was the most basic requirement.
Therefore.
No matter how arrogant their usual personality, during actual missions, everyone would still obey orders.
This was truly the first time in her life she had seen someone like Ishikawa Itsuki.
More importantly.
This was her first time serving as a front-line commander, and Ishikawa Itsuki had given her such a 'surprise'.
One could imagine.
Even if she earned merit in this war, Ishikawa Itsuki would become a blemish on her record.
For such a person, how could you expect her to have a good temper?
If this fellow had come from a powerful clan, perhaps she, a commoner, might have given him a little face.
But, heh heh.
Ishikawa Itsuki was merely a commoner, so she had nothing to hesitate about.
Taking a deep breath, she immediately spoke.
"Please summon the Anbu-sama."
"Chunin Kudo Shin, later you will hand Ishikawa Itsuki over to the Anbu."
"As for this mission, there will be no reward and no punishment."
"From now on, atone for your misdeeds."
"After handing Ishikawa Itsuki over to the Anbu, your squad can rest and then await the next mission."
Thank goodness!
After hearing Miyamoto Yukie's words, Kudo Shin finally breathed a sigh of relief.
No matter what, they had managed to muddle through this time.
Thinking of this, Kudo Shin mentally cursed Ishikawa Itsuki to death, and also felt fortunate for the reliability of his other two teammates.
They not only saved a cart of supplies but also found a scapegoat.
Truly worthy of being from a powerful clan; their minds worked so brilliantly.
Approximately ten minutes later.
An Anbu wearing a fox mask appeared. Kudo Shin followed behind him all the way to the medical camp and formally handed over the unconscious Ishikawa Itsuki to the Anbu.
After completing all of this, he returned to the squad's tent, exhausted.
Upon his return, he immediately lay on the folding bed, rubbing his temples with a look of lingering fear.
Looking at the two people in front of him, he smiled and began to speak.
"Don't worry."
"Ishikawa Itsuki has been handed over to the Anbu. Our mission will not be counted for merit, nor will there be any punishment."
"Now, get some good rest."