Naruto: I, Uchiha, Just Want to Die

Chapter 126: Wild Lion's Mane Technique, Jiraiya's Request!

Seeing this memorable scene from the anime play out in reality, Uchiha Ci felt a slight stir in his gaze, filled with nostalgia. In his previous life, his favorite character in Naruto was this unrestrained hero before him. Meeting his idol face-to-face now, he felt a mix of surprise and excitement.

Just as he was about to respond, a panting, chubby ninja rushed over from behind Jiraiya.

"Lord Jiraiya, there's information from the Root Division."

"It's about tomorrow's operation; you need to confirm it immediately!"

Hearing this, Uchiha Ci looked up to see a young man with long red hair, a chubby build like a wild boar, wearing a Konoha forehead protector and an armored vest with a large "Food" character printed on it.

Recognizing him instantly, Uchiha Ci realized this was the current "Butterfly" of the "Ino-Shika-Cho" trio — Akimichi Choza.

Hearing what the chubby ninja said, Uchiha Ci couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Information from the Root Division? And about tomorrow's action? This reminded him of the mission that Aburame Ryoma had mentioned yesterday about infiltrating the rear of the Sand Village. Could something have changed?

"Eh?" Jiraiya frowned slightly upon hearing the news. He quickly exchanged a few whispered words with Akimichi Choza. Soon, Choza's expression turned serious as he nodded and ran off toward the main tent.

Jiraiya then turned to Uchiha Ci with an apologetic look.

"I originally planned to spend the whole day teaching you this technique, but it seems there's no time now."

Jiraiya smiled helplessly, then swiftly took out a scroll with a red cover from his large red robe and pressed it against Uchiha Ci's forehead.

"This set of ninjutsu is called—"

"Secret Ninjutsu: Wild Lion's Mane Technique!"

"Kid, don't underestimate its fame."

Uchiha Ci was momentarily stunned. Taking the scroll from his forehead, he felt a sudden rush of excitement, as if his idol had just gifted him five million dollars. He then regained his composure and looked at Jiraiya in surprise.

"Lord Jiraiya, why would you give me such a precious technique?"

Secret ninjutsu are typically exclusive to specific clans in the ninja world. They are incredibly valuable. Moreover, Jiraiya referred to it as a "set," which implies this scroll contains three of his self-created techniques:

Ninjutsu: Needle Jizo

Ninjutsu: Needle Hell

Ninjutsu: Wild Lion's Mane Technique

These techniques manipulate chakra to harden and extend hair like a forest of needles. Whether attacking with Needle Hell, defending with Needle Jizo, or binding with the Wild Lion's Mane Technique, they excel in close, mid, and long-range combat. This set is one of the most versatile defensive ninjutsu in the ninja world.

Many ninjas can manipulate their hair, but neither the Needle Senbon of Hoshigaki Fuguki from the Mist nor the sound-based hair attacks from the Sand Village can match Jiraiya's comprehensive techniques. In the current ninja world, only Kushina's red hair summoning technique could reliably suppress this set.

The most critical aspect is that this technique requires no special prerequisites or chakra nature transformations—just long hair. It could easily create a specialized jonin.

Uchiha Ci looked at the scroll, feeling a bit troubled. He knew Jiraiya, but he was sure Jiraiya had never met him before. Why would the highest commander of Konoha at the Rain Country border suddenly gift him such a valuable item? It seemed strange.

"This is too precious; I can't accept it. Besides, I don't lack techniques," Uchiha Ci shook his head decisively and pushed the scroll back.

However, Jiraiya pressed his hand on Uchiha Ci's head, leaned down, and looked into his eyes with a deep, dark gaze.

"Uchiha Ci," he said heavily, "consider this a personal request from me."

"I can tell that Orochimaru values you highly."

"When we reunited and drank together that night, I saw a rare excitement in his eyes when he mentioned you. I haven't seen that look in years."

Jiraiya's eyes dimmed slightly with a hint of regret.

"War took Orochimaru's parents from him early on. Soon after, his disciple Nawaki, his close friend Dan, and even his mentor and friend Sakumo Hatake all passed away."

"I feel like Orochimaru is now a kite with a broken string, drifting away from Konoha. I no longer see the light in his eyes."

"But—" Jiraiya took a deep breath, ruffling Uchiha Ci's messy hair with a big hand.

"Your presence has brought back a spark in his eyes!"

"I know you are an Uchiha, with the Sharingan and a vast arsenal of jutsu. You likely don't need this technique. But this is the most valuable thing I can offer."

Jiraiya exhaled deeply, pushing the scroll back into Uchiha Ci's chest, locking eyes with him earnestly.

"Please!"

"Orochimaru, your teacher, means a lot to me!"

"Think of it as an S-rank mission. I'm paying the reward."

"I beg you to be the string connecting the kite, preventing him from straying further down the wrong path."

"So—"

"Uchiha Ci, please live well!"

Uchiha Ci looked up, utterly stunned. Hearing Jiraiya's heartfelt plea, his heart sank. He never imagined Orochimaru valued him so much. Nor did he expect to become part of the emotional bonds unique to the Naruto series.

When Orochimaru joked about making him his son, Uchiha Ci had thought it was just a jest. He assumed Orochimaru only saw him as a simulation tool, wanting to extract answers for himself. But now...

Jiraiya patted Uchiha Ci's shoulder, straightened up, and then laughed heartily.

"Well, don't feel too pressured, kid."

"As a senior, it's only natural to protect the juniors."

"I'll look out for you!"

With that, Jiraiya flashed a carefree smile, waved goodbye, and walked away with his back turned. The clogs on his feet clattered against the ground, the sound fading into the wind. Soon, Uchiha Ci was left standing alone in the street.

Holding the scroll, Uchiha Ci stood silently in the middle of the road for a moment. He wasn't sure what he was feeling, but he suddenly realized that his plan to fake his death had just become much more complicated.

"Haah..."

He exhaled deeply, tucking the scroll into his chest. Since he had accepted it, he had to give his all. He would fight with everything he had.

This wasn't just a single choice.

With a subtle shift in his mindset, Uchiha Ci shook his head. For someone who was barely capable of being a ninja, with a frail body, the only thing he could rely on was battling at the edge of death to maximize his inner resolve.

If he wanted to fake his death and go home, he had to fight to the death. If he wanted to save the world and change its tragic fate, he still had to fight to the death. There was no room for holding back or intentionally losing. Not fighting meant he was worthless; not fighting meant a guaranteed dead end.

Thus, regardless of the reason, the only path before Uchiha Ci was to fight.

In tomorrow's battle, the assassination of Rasa, the charge into Iwagakure, the confrontation with the Tailed Beasts—from Konoha to the Land of Hot Water, from the Land of Hot Water to the Land of Rain, from the Land of Rain to the Land of Earth.

Die on the path of endless battles, or cut through the Third Great Ninja War!