Naruto: I, Uchiha, Just Want to Die

Chapter 65: The Blood Pact, Drawing the Fierce Gun!

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

In the underground plaza, a member of the Jashin Cult hurriedly approached, kneeling before the leader as though reporting to a superior in the ninja ranks. He spoke urgently:

"Squad leader, um... Bishop!"

"The kid who fought Kakuzu has disappeared. It's highly likely he's already infiltrated our headquarters."

"He's accompanied by a female ninja from the Hidden Mist Village. She can perform the Hidden Mist Technique and a Bloodline limit. She's very powerful and probably difficult to deal with."

The Bishop of the Jashin Cult shook his head and glanced upward at the cavern ceiling.

"With the defenses we've set up at the entrance, we shouldn't have any issues unless enemies of the Three Sannin's level attack."

"But... but..." The cult member hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and reported:

"Orochimaru, one of the Three Sannin, appeared outside just now. He summoned a massive snake that crushed quite a few of our members."

The Bishop: "..."

He took two deep breaths, his expression darkening as he coldly asked, "How many died?"

The cult member licked his dry lips, replying heavily, "Over twenty of our elite, almost half of our strength."

Upon hearing this, the Bishop closed his eyes, his breathing becoming more rapid, and he muttered under his breath:

"Again!"

"Again!"

"These sudden calamities, this powerless humiliation!"

His bloodshot, pale-purple eyes suddenly opened wide, filled with deep hatred.

His molars ground together audibly, and under his black robe, his hand gripped a pitch-black spear tightly, the tip piercing into his palm.

Blood dripped continuously onto the ground.

Yet despite the pain, his face returned to an expression of cold indifference, and he spoke calmly:

"Go tell your superior to continue guarding the entrance."

"There's no need to worry here. Soon, it will all be over."

The cult member couldn't help but urgently say:

"Wait, Bishop! Those two kids might sneak into the castle above, and if they use Earth Style to infiltrate the cave from above..."

"It doesn't matter," the Bishop shook his head and replied calmly.

"The Hidden Mist girl is probably connected to the Mist ninja who was healing inside the castle earlier. Once she finds what she wants, she'll leave."

"If she continues deeper, someone will take care of her."

He looked upward at the top of the cave, revealing a sinister grin.

"After all, we're just parasites living in this cave. The true master of this place won't tolerate anyone uncovering his secrets."

"Heh..."

"As for the other kid," the Bishop turned slightly, squinting at the blood pool and the cross at its center.

There, hanging from the cross, was Hidan, both hands nailed in place.

"Hidan, is that your new friend?"

"No matter, no matter. Let him come and witness the birth of Jashin-sama."

"Since you've already sacrificed your family, colleagues, and elders for favor, for attention, for pain."

"Maybe adding a friend will make it even more interesting?"

The cult member was silent for a moment before lowering his head and speaking:

"In that case, I'll take my leave."

"Wait."

At that moment, the Bishop turned around, narrowing his eyes and staring coldly at the member.

"If I remember correctly, your name is Fangsuke? You're the only one in this batch who hasn't completed the initiation ritual, right?"

"Y-yes, sir." Fangsuke bowed his head even lower.

"Then let's do it now." The Bishop smiled kindly, like a benevolent elder, pulling out a vial and handing it over.

"Just cut your finger and drop a bit of blood into this vial. It's easy, nothing to worry about. Go on."

Staring at the vial in front of him, the cult member swallowed hard, his eyes filling with fear.

Suddenly, he leapt back, drawing a short blade from behind him.

Then, gritting his teeth, eyes wide with fury, he lunged at the Bishop, stabbing toward his chest!

"You demon! You've gone mad! You want to sacrifice everyone who follows you to create a monster!"

"Die!"

Thud!

The blade pierced through the Bishop's chest, straight into his heart, blood pouring out.

Yet the Bishop sighed, as though nothing had happened. He leaned in close to Fangsuke's ear and calmly asked:

"Fangsuke, are you done playing?"

---

Meanwhile, atop the inner castle wall.

"Wait, why are you giving this to me?"

Uchiha Ci looked up in surprise at Shinno.

Upon realizing that the scroll in his hand contained incomplete Zero-Tails chakra research, Uchiha Ci felt as though it were burning his hand, nearly tossing it away in shock.

He stared at Shinno, his expression shifting, feeling an overwhelming urge to grab him by the collar and shake him:

"Bro, I'm already strong enough. Why are you giving me more power-ups?!"

"Why?" Shinno sneered, then his expression turned serious as he scolded:

"Fool!"

"You have no idea how vast the gap is between you and true masters."

"Your fundamentals in ninja knowledge, taijutsu, kenjutsu, ninjutsu, and chakra reserves."

"Not a single one meets the standards of a real Jōnin."

"You're just relying on your imagination to combine your limited abilities into something unique."

After delivering a comprehensive criticism of Uchiha Ci, Shinno added in a grave tone:

"But once your abilities are exposed, once intelligence is gathered, and a proper counter is set up, you'll die."

Shinno wasn't wrong. Uchiha Ci's talents had combined existing abilities from the ninja world, but as long as they remained within the scope of the ninja world, they could be countered.

After all, ninja battles are battles of information.

Just like with Kakuzu—once he saw through Uchiha Ci's abilities, he avoided a direct clash, and with one tactical maneuver, Uchiha Ci was defeated.

Even so, Uchiha Ci furrowed his brow deeply, cold sweat running down his back as he looked at Shinno with growing unease.

Shinno's demeanor reminded him of that terrifying elder, Uchiha Setsuna.

What's wrong with these people? How could he still come to deliver a scroll in the middle of the night while fighting Orochimaru?

Uchiha Ci sighed and helplessly asked:

"Shinno, why do you care whether I live or die?"

Shinno's eyes flickered for a moment, then he let out a self-deprecating laugh and spoke calmly:

"Maybe it's because I, too, want to see..."

"This hopeless world brought to its knees by someone, screaming in agony, heh..."

"Don't you think that's interesting?"

He raised an eyebrow and let out a deep breath, then placed his palm on Uchiha Ci's forehead:

"Kid."

"If you want to be a hero, then go for it without hesitation."

"Childish dreams will turn into lifelong regrets as you grow older."

"Dreams that once shone brightly will fade under the harsh blows of reality."

"If your heart burns with passion, you should let it burn, let it roar, let it fight!"

"Don't leave any regrets for yourself."

"Even if it means death!"

At that moment, Shinno's face bore an expression so heavy that even he seemed unaware of it.

He gazed into the distance, as though seeing a homeland he could never return to, and sighed in sorrow:

"Because guilt like that will cling to your bones, tormenting you for a lifetime."

With that, he shook his head.

After taking a few steps, he grabbed the massive tower beside him.

Boom!

Lifting it effortlessly, like holding a spear, he then leapt far into the distance, the ground rumbling as he landed.

A cruel smile appeared on Shinno's face:

"Orochimaru, you destroyed my home and still want my technique?"

"Then, let's begin round two!"