Konoha: I, Uchiha, Choose to Lie Down! Chapter 24 24: After a Round of Probing, Ishikawa Itsuki is

Nara Kazama fell silent.

Faced with Uchiha Kai's question, he didn't know how to respond.

But Kai didn't press further.

He only wanted to remind Kazama that everyone had their own secrets.

Since they weren't close enough, there was no need to pry.

Seeing Kazama's silence, Kai simply went back to basking in the sun.

He stayed there until the sky burned with sunset.

Even without the warmth of midday, he still enjoyed the relaxation it brought.

Unlike in the village, where every day was full of sches and calculations.

It was exhausting.

When it grew late, he stretched, yawned, and finally rose to head back—

only to notice Kazama still beside him.

"…Why haven't you left yet?" Kai asked, puzzled.

Kazama slowly lifted his head. He studied Kai for a mont before speaking in a low voice.

"My father was Nara Ruming, younger brother to Nara Shikaku.

He lost the clan leader's seat, and five years ago, died on a mission.

Before his death, he told and my brothers—never beco geniuses.

It's fine to live a diocre life.

But my two older brothers didn't listen.

They were the clan's prodigies from childhood… and one by one, they died in the past few years.

I listened. I acted diocre.

And so—I survived.

As for the Ino–Shika–Cho formation, yes, it's sacred to our clans.

But I chose to give it up.

Because my father… would never lie to ."

Kai's expression remained calm, though his mind raced.

This, he truly hadn't expected.

As for lying? Impossible.

A traditional Nara would never tell such a flimsy lie.

After a long silence, Kai murmured,

"…I can't work hard.

I can't endure hardship—I'm just a worthless Uchiha.

If I suddenly beca diligent, even a 'genius'…

there are people who'd choke on their als.

As a throwaway shinobi, I have to live up to the role of 'failure.'

You're clever—you understand without saying more."

Kazama laughed softly.

Yes. No need for Kai to explain further—he could work it out himself.

The Uchiha's situation was clear.

And once you understood that, the rest of Kai's thinking fell into place.

"You play your role well," Kazama smiled.

"In all these years at the Academy, I never paid you any mind.

I was sent here by Nara Shikaku.

He wanted to see what kind of person you are.

If I'm not mistaken, it's connected to those three dead Uchiha.

My uncle has his eye on you.

But don't worry.

Nara values stability. We don't recklessly make enemies, least of all the Uchiha.

If he's certain about you, he'll quietly invest in you instead.

That's our clan's way—we never put all the eggs in one basket."

Kai's eyes narrowed slightly.

So, his guess had been right—his act hadn't fooled Nara Shikaku.

A trace of killing intent flashed through him, but he quickly buried it.

The Nara were an old clan—not as strong as the Uchiha, but not to be trifled with.

And more importantly—

As Kazama said, Shikaku had no malice toward him.

Otherwise, he would've exposed him right there in the Hokage's office.

"…I see."

Kai drew in a deep breath, then said nothing more as he strode back toward camp.

Kazama followed, then after a long pause, couldn't help but mutter,

"Kai-kun, are you really an Uchiha? You don't act like one at all.

Maybe when you were born in the hospital, they swapped the babies?

You're more like Nara!"

Kai's mouth twitched.

He hadn't expected that remark.

But thinking about it… it wasn't entirely wrong.

Shaking his head helplessly, he replied dryly,

"You're overthinking. I have the Sharingan."

"Now let's head back."

Sothing like this wasn't worth hiding.

With Kazama's brains, he would've figured it out anyway.

Besides—

Kai was starting to think about drawing Kazama closer.

This guy had real talent, a sharp mind.

With him offering counsel, Kai's path could be much smoother.

Of course—there was plenty of ti. No need to rush.

Kazama, hearing that, just nodded knowingly.

Night fell.

The sky was ink-dark, the full moon hanging high.

The frontline camp was quiet—apart from patrolling shinobi, no one lingered outside.

But inside Uchiha Kai's squad tent, an unexpected visitor arrived.

"After ANBU investigation, it is confird that Ishikawa Itsuki disobeyed orders,

leading to the failure of Team Seven's mission.

The facts are undeniable.

However, given warti circumstances, Ishikawa Itsuki is permitted to return to his squad,

to atone through rit.

Here is your new mission. You will set out tomorrow morning."

The ssenger handed a scroll to Kudo Shin and left without another word.

The tent fell silent.

everyone turned to stare at Ishikawa Itsuki—

no one knew what to say.

Damn it.

They'd sent him back!

Faces soured all around.

After all, reporting Itsuki had already torn apart any pretense of camaraderie.

Now… How were they supposed to work together on missions?

Kudo Shin's face was like thunder.

Though he was deeply displeased, he couldn't go against the higher-ups.

He shot Itsuki a cold look and said,

"Take this as a lesson. Don't cause trouble for us again.

We have a mission tomorrow. Rest while you can."

With that, he lay down on his cot.

Kai and Kazama exchanged a glance, then both sighed and turned in as well.

Itsuki's face darkened.

When his eyes fell on Kai and Kazama, they brimd with anger and resentnt.

Yes—

he didn't believe he'd done anything wrong.

No—

He blad them.

In his mind, he was one of the top three in the class.

How could he possibly need saving from two bottom-feeders?

"Bunch of bastards…"

"It must've been their fault! Otherwise, how could I have failed?"

"Just you wait. I won't forgive you!"

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