Naruto: I, Uchiha, Just Want to Die

Chapter 110: Interlude, The Greater Good

Uchiha Ci panted heavily, his breaths uneven.

He watched as Hozuki Mangetsu was engulfed by the pillar of flames from the Dragon Fire Technique. However, there was no trace of victory in his gaze—only exhaustion and a deep sense of helplessness about the uncertain future ahead.

Reaching this point, he had given his all.

His chakra reserves were nearly depleted, and even the stockpile from the miniature Zero-Tails within his abdomen had been completely drained.

The Forbidden Technique: Body Revival was forcibly interrupted. The partially healed abdominal wound resumed bleeding profusely, though the Immortality Technique slowly worked to repair it at a snail's pace.

Uchiha Ci's complexion visibly paled.

In just five days, he had gone from a disposable Genin who could barely execute the Fireball Technique and hadn't even unlocked his Sharingan, to what he was now—a battle-hardened warrior.

But even with the Immortality Technique, he was only at the level of a specialized Jonin, difficult to deal with but far from invincible.

In this Third Ninja World War, where countless legendary figures fought for dominance, his achievements barely qualified him as a mid-level asset.

But what next?

How could he continue to fight?

Suddenly, a black-robed figure staggered forward, vomiting blood mixed with a swarm of dead insects. He was sent flying by a massive water dragon and collapsed at Uchiha Ci's feet.

"Ugh..." Aburame Ryoma struggled to stand, coughing as he silently positioned himself in front of Uchiha Ci.

For a moment, he didn't know what to say.

When he arrived, he had confidently vowed to protect this young boy.

After all, according to his intel, both he and Yagura were elite Jonin. Victory might not be guaranteed, but he expected to at least hold their ground.

However, he never imagined that the Mist Shinobi captain leading the charge would be this formidable.

The opponent wielded chakra like it was limitless, combining Water and Wind Release techniques with unparalleled mastery.

At the moment, Ryoma's black robe was in tatters, hanging off him like shredded cloth, making him appear utterly battered.

Though the Root operative had declared himself strong, the man who would become the Fourth Mizukage clearly outclassed him.

After a moment of silence and a brief adjustment of his mindset, Aburame Ryoma finally muttered:

"Uchiha Ci,"

"My mission is to deliver you to Orochimaru."

"Underneath this lake, I've filled the area with my parasitic insects. Soon, I will use the Secret Technique: Insect Bog to destroy everything here. Take that chance to escape."

"Head straight for the camp in the Land of Rain and report to your teacher."

After a pause, Aburame Ryoma added, "If possible, please tell him to look after Shikuro, who will replace me in Root."

Uchiha Ci furrowed his brow and immediately shook his head, interrupting coldly:

"Spare me the noble self-sacrifice act."

"Besides, I'm not interested in doing you any favors."

"Can't you see?"

"If we don't fight to the very last moment, none of us are getting out alive today."

As he spoke, the waters engulfed in Dragon Fire surged violently.

A bizarre and fearsome ninja sword emerged, tearing through the flames to reveal its true form.

The giant blade was shaped like a fish, its deep blue surface covered with barbs. Its massive fangs and long tongue added to its grotesque appearance, while even the hilt was composed of interlocking spikes.

Samehada—the Shark Skin Sword!

Moments later, Hozuki Mangetsu rose atop a massive water beast as tall as a building. His face, covered in severe burns, twisted into a ferocious grimace.

Clutching the sword in one hand and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen's summoning scroll in the other, he glared intently at Uchiha Ci.

A chilling murderous intent permeated the air.

Uchiha Ci retracted the threads connecting his Kusanagi Sword, taking it back into his grip. His gaze turned solemn as he said:

"The only way out is to stall until their reinforcements arrive."

"And their reinforcements are Mist Tracking Ninjas."

Aburame Ryoma fell silent.

Mist Tracking Ninjas, or the Mist Hunter-Nin Division, were infamous for leaving no survivors in their missions. They had no qualms about executing prisoners; killing captives was as natural to them as drinking water.

Stalling for the Hunter-Nin might provide a slim chance of survival, but it was more likely to lead to certain death.

"Ugh," Ryoma groaned, acknowledging the grim truth of Uchiha Ci's words.

In the domain of water-style ninjutsu, his Secret Technique: Insect Bog would have little effect.

Still, he couldn't help but furrow his brow in frustration.

"You certainly have a way with words, very typical of an Uchiha."

"Not even a shred of respect when addressing a senior, are you?"

Uchiha Ci glanced at the Root operative, who was still a stranger to him, then smirked confidently:

"Compared to your immature suggestions,"

"I have one last move. Although I don't want to use it, it should buy you all a chance to escape."

"So, take Seijiro with you."

He cast a brief look at the Kusanagi Sword in his hand before raising it to Aburame Ryoma.

"This is a gift from Orochimaru, isn't it?"

"It's quite valuable. It would be a shame for it to be destroyed with me."

"I'm giving it to you."

With that, Uchiha Ci casually tossed the Kusanagi Sword to Ryoma.

Aburame Ryoma caught it in stunned silence, staring in disbelief.

He couldn't help but ask, "Wait, what are you planning to do?"

Ryoma acknowledged that this boy was strong, but in their current dire circumstances, what could he possibly have left to offer?

Even with his remarkable resilience, his body must already be on the verge of collapse.

Uchiha Ci gave no explanation. Instead, he waved his hand dismissively and took a deep breath.

Alone, he stepped toward the battlefield's center—toward Yagura, the future Fourth Mizukage.

Yagura squinted at the blood-soaked boy approaching him. Observing the slowed healing of the boy's injuries, he concluded:

"So, this kid has reached his limit?"

Shaking his head slightly, Yagura sighed in regret.

"You're a worthy opponent, but unfortunately, you haven't matured yet."

"For the greater good—and to eliminate future threats—"

Yagura raised his hooked staff, his smile turning icy.

"I will kill you here and now."

Uchiha Ci sneered, his voice laced with disdain:

"The greater good?"

He gestured to the devastated land around them, his voice rising in anger:

"Is this so-called greater good what you see before you?"

"Families torn apart, floods raging, homes destroyed—"

"Listen to the cries of despair!"

"Doesn't your conscience feel any guilt?"

Yagura's expression flickered, a trace of unease flashing across his face.

Even he was troubled by the devastation caused by the Third Mizukage's decision to use large-scale ninjutsu in a civilian-populated area just to capture him.

However, Yagura forced himself to suppress his emotions and responded coldly:

"I do feel remorse."

"But this is the burden of starting a revolution, the sins we must bear."

"I've long since prepared myself for this."

His gaze gleamed with an almost blinding radiance, filled with conviction.

"The world is as it is. Shinobi are but individuals struggling within the cycles of pain."

"No one can save everyone."

"For every child living in sunlight, another is dancing with rats in the sewers."

"But even so, I will protect what is dear to me!"

"Even if it means endless graves and rivers of blood,"

"Even if I become an unforgivable sinner, I will create a new Mist Village that can bask in the light of day!"

"This is my way of the ninja."

Uchiha Ci clenched his fists, momentarily lost in thought.

Was Yagura wrong? Did he have any standing to judge him?

Why was this world like this?

Why had he, a man without answers, been brought here and burdened with the title of "Heaven-Sent Savior" to save a world with no clear solutions?

Everyone was right—in their own perspectives, in their chosen paths of the ninja, in their collateral damage, in their manipulation of the world's fate, and in their endless cycles of mutual slaughter.

Yagura scoffed and demanded coldly:

"Are you sympathizing with them? Pitying them? Spreading your saintly ideals?"

"Don't be naïve!"

"You're a Konoha ninja. In this Third Ninja World War that engulfs the entire world,"

"You're also an executioner!"

"Konoha ninja have killed just as many civilians as we Mist ninja, if not more."

"Get a grip, boy! On what grounds are you questioning me?"

Uchiha Ci shook his head.

As expected, he couldn't understand these things, nor did he have an answer.

But—

Uchiha Ci raised his head, smirking provocatively. Then, his expression turned ferocious as he glared at Yagura and roared:

"You're asking about my stance?!"

"Listen up!"

"I'm just a crude, greedy, and lustful bastard!"

"But that doesn't mean I'll tolerate someone acting without decency in front of me and getting away with it!"

"You enjoy exploiting others for your benefit?"

With his chin raised, Uchiha Ci's piercing Sharingan glowed brilliantly, his gaze cold as it locked onto Yagura. His voice boomed like thunder:

"Yagura Karatachi!"

"You'd better kill me here and now!"

"Otherwise—"

"I'll make you regret it immediately!"

"And if you manage to survive into the future, to the day I overthrow the Five Great Nations, unify the entire ninja world, and end this wretched cycle of suffering—"

"The first thing I'll do—"

Uchiha Ci's crimson eyes contracted sharply as he bared his teeth, his voice cold and deliberate:

"Is destroy the Land of Water!"

"And raze Kirigakure to the ground!"

As soon as these words left his mouth, everyone present began to question if they'd misheard him.

The dumbfounded Aburame Ryoma gripping his Kusanagi Sword, Hozuki Mangetsu glaring angrily from atop the water beast, the masked Root ninjas raising their heads in shock, Yagura Karatachi, Mei Terumi—

Even a Kirigakure ninja with a Four-Water Ripple forehead protector and bluish hair tied back, running toward them, froze in disbelief.

Everyone, at this moment, put aside their pride and prejudices.

Faced with such brazen words, they all turned to look at the young boy before them.

Their eyelids twitched, and their gazes trembled involuntarily.