Uchiha Jin's mouth twitched.
After hearing Nara Kazama's plan, he had a thousand things to spit about.
Good grief.
This was arms-dealer logic to a tee.
Hide strength, make a little fortune.
The Nara were sly.
But he liked it.
"No problem. I agree."
"Move now, before something changes."
They knew time was tight and split without another word.
Jin took the scroll Kazama handed over and started sealing the slain Mist shinobi. Kazama went to "audit" two wagons of supplies.
Three minutes later they met again. Kazama's voice dropped to a pleased murmur.
"I checked quickly."
"One wagon of medical stock. One wagon of explosive tags."
"By my estimate, the lot is worth thirty million ryo."
"The one I left is full of kunai, barely worth anything. We keep that to turn in."
"And relax."
"I did not break the cart seals. I used a Nara secret method."
"No one will spot the difference."
Jin drew a sharp breath.
War supplies were fat. Even one squad's load was a treasure.
No wonder the big nations loved to stoke wars. Once you tasted the money, you could not stop.
Even here, strength ruled, but money and logistics mattered.
Kazama's brazenness surprised him too. Bottomless.
It did not match the fairy tale impression from stories. In truth, clans were power groups. Pretty words were for the surface.
"All right. Split the tags fifty-fifty. You handle the medical stock."
"Your clan runs the channels. It is easier."
"Split the cash after the war."
Kazama had no objection. He produced a fresh scroll, sealed half the tags inside, and tossed it to Jin.
Jin did not count. He stored it.
He trusted Kazama. The smartest clan had no need to pick a petty fight with an Uchiha over crumbs.
A few minutes later, Kudo Shin stirred.
Jin and Kazama finished and walked up just in time.
As the strategist, Kazama naturally took point.
"Leader, our apologies."
"The Mist were driven off, but Jin and I are small fry. We only managed to kill three and save one wagon."
"The three Mist bodies are sealed here."
"As for Ishikawa Itsuki, sigh."
"This is a long story."
Kazama's delivery had feeling to spare.
He gave credit where it flattered them, and hung the missing supplies around Ishikawa's neck.
In short, it was all the idiot's fault.
If he had not brushed off every warning, they could have fought together and at least held the line.
Instead he ran out in blind pride, got cut to pieces, and nearly died.
They had to defend the goods and still drag him back because of the so-called Will of Fire.
Jin was almost impressed.
So that was what they had done. He, too, was an heir to the Will of Fire.
THUD!
Kudo slammed a fist into a tree.
"That Ishikawa is dead weight."
"I knew he was arrogant, but not this blind."
"Does he not know our mission is supply, not glory."
"I understand."
"When we reach the forward camp, I will report to Lady Miyamoto."
He believed them.
He had not seen it with his own eyes, and they had not known each other long, but Itsuki's temper was no mystery.
It fit.
More importantly, Itsuki was alive. When he woke, the forward camp's investigators could pry the truth out of him. There was no reason for Jin and Kazama to lie.
Most of all, someone had to carry the blame for lost cargo.
Otherwise all three would be punished. The village cared for outcomes, not excuses.
With a scapegoat, there would be no penalty.
Itsuki's survival did not stir sympathy.
None of the three liked him.
If he died, they would probably sleep better.
Jin and Kazama were truly sharp. Kudo had survived a war and was no fool.
Together, they could keep each other alive.
Add Ishikawa, and everything turned. A fool without sense was a perfect storm of risk.
He would get everyone killed.
No one was going to pity that.