Chapter 46: The Worried Nara Shikawo

  Uchiha Mori's stubborn remarks earned him another scolding from Uchiha Yugu before they set off. However, seeing him whispering persistently to Uchiha Ryo during a break on the journey, it was obvious that he wasn't really reflecting. This gave Uchiha Yugu a huge headache.

  But Uchiha Ryo, the one being pestered, didn't mind answering Uchiha Mori's various Mondai. In fact, he seemed to enjoy it.

  It wasn't until Uchiha Yugu could no longer bear it and sent Uchiha Mori and Rin to scout the surrounding area for danger that the campsite finally became quiet.

  "Uchiha Ryo, don't spoil Mori too much. He's the kind of guy who'll take an inch and make a mile of it. If you give him an inch, he'll take a mile," Uchiha Yugu's usually calm voice now carried a faint hint of anger. "Moreover, even if you tell him now, he won't really remember. He'll just ask the same Mondai again next time. It's a total waste of time!"

  "Come on, don't be like that. Mori is actually helping me reinforce my memory," Uchiha Ryo said with a soft smile. "By the way, where are we now?"

  "We're currently at the border of the Land of Fire. I've sent a ninja crow to send a message. We'll set off again as soon as we receive a reply from the Nara cn. We'll reach our destination by tomorrow afternoon at the test."

  "I see. But I haven't really had a chance to show my skills on this journey..." Uchiha Ryo sighed with a smile. "I hope it'll be just as peaceful on the return journey."

  "Humph, that's not necessarily the case..." Uchiha Yugu sat down beside Uchiha Ryo. "There are plenty of people who have eyes but no sense. And don't try to change the subject. I'm serious. Don't spoil Mori too much."

  "Really... Yugu, you should be a little more lenient with Mori. Even though you're the same age, you're the older brother, after all."

  "I've already been very lenient with him. He's different from me. He has a talent for combat. While my potential is limited, he has far more room for growth. But that also means he'll face more dangers. If he continues to maintain this kind of personality because others are indulging him, it'll only lead to his early downfall. I'm doing this for his own good!"

  "So..." Uchiha Ryo sighed. "You should tell Mori all this. What's the use of telling me?"

  "Humph... That kid never listened to me when our father took him in," Uchiha Yugu lowered his eyes. "But he's so friendly towards outsiders."

  "Don't say that. Mori's cheerful and enthusiastic personality is just like yours," Uchiha Ryo said with a gentle smile. "How should I put it? You're like brothers from different families.

  In my opinion, it'd be great if you could smile more like Mori. You always have a cold look on your face, and many people are intimidated before even speaking to you. Who would know that you're actually a warm - hearted person?"

  "Everyone has a warm heart. It has nothing to do with one's expression."

  "… Well, you're right, but that's not what I meant."

  "Really?"

  "Well, perhaps it isn't..." Uchiha Yugu turned his head and looked at Uchiha Ryo, who had a helpless smile on his face. "Who asked you to always say things like being open - hearted with the Senju? Now, whenever I hear such words, I can't help but think in that direction."

  "Therefore, you should pay attention to my tone and the context! How can [being open - hearted with the Senju (enemies)] be the same as [being open - hearted with our own people]? It's obvious they're different, right?"

  "But you always have a big smile and a gentle tone no matter which situation you're talking about..." Uchiha Yugu looked away, but his tone was more serious than ever. "Actually, if you think about it carefully, you're quite scary. You're just like the wolf in the story that uses a fake smile to deceive people into being eaten."

  "...Didn't you ever think that wolves are pack animals?"

  "Yeah, I know, so I'm very relieved about you."

  Uchiha Ryo: … Ah, forget it. Just let it go. I'm so fed up.

  Uchiha Yugu saw Uchiha Ryo showing an impatient look and then flopped down on the grass in a star - shaped pose, clearly refusing to continue the conversation. He also stopped talking and started to think in his mind about what to do properly after getting a reply from the Nara Cn.

  But compared to the considerations of Uchiha Yugu and his group, Nara Shikawo, the leader of the Uchiha cn who received a message from a ninja crow at this moment, was really in a splitting headache.

  Although the Nara Cn has inherited secret techniques and is known as a great cn in the ninja world, in fact, they are in an awkward position - not as good as the top but better than the bottom (in an awkward middle position).

  Firstly, their inherited secret techniques mean they are not suitable for frontal combat. So, even though they have enough numbers, they are not a truly great cn, but they are much stronger than medium - sized ninja cns.

  Secondly, even now when the Nara Cn is in an alliance with two other cns and their combined strength is quite strong, there are still some powerful forces in the ninja world that they can't afford to offend.

  Not to mention the distant ones. Even nearby, there are three powerful ninja cns that can destroy their alliance - the Senju, who almost dominated the Land of Fire decades ago; the Uzumaki cn, who live by the sea and always use strange jutsu and have a good retionship with the Senju; and finally, the Uchiha, who are like crazy people with unpredictable moods but each member is beautiful and powerful.

  These three powerful ninja cns are difficult for ordinary ninja cns to handle. This is the fundamental reason why their ninja - cn alliance doesn't compete and tries to be kind to others. They even consider giving up missions when they meet ninjas from these cns - after all, if you lose ryo, you can earn it back; if you lose something, you can find a way to make up for it, but if you lose your life, there are no more chances.

  Because of this, these three cns don't really care about the development of their alliance. Sometimes, they even send people to trade supplies and information with them, which can be considered as making a good - will connection.

  But that's exactly the Mondai - look at the two trade letters on his desk now.

  One is from the Senju, and the other is from the Uchiha.

  Which ninja cn in the Land of Fire doesn't know that the two cns don't get along?

  If these two cns really meet, it'll be a mess!

  But if they reply to one cn before the other and both sides find out, things will get out of hand. They'll say, "How come you're putting the Senju/Uchiha before us? What do you mean by that? Are you implying that we're inferior to the Senju/Uchiha?"

  Well, then, as for not replying... The ones delivering the messages are all summoned beasts. If the news gets back, there's a risk of being accused of slighting the other party, which will only lead to suspicion.

  Nara Shikawo sighed. This whole thing is such a pain in the neck!