Naruto: I, Uchiha, Just Want to Die

Chapter 72-73: Exploding Water Colliding Wave, Whirling Water Blade!

In the dim corner of the hall, Uchiha Madara raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing Uchiha Ci's declaration.

"Assassinate the Mizukage, incite a coup, control the daimyo, launch a war."

"Hmph, what a mouthy brat."

Madara chuckled lightly, as if he saw a reflection of his younger self in this boy's expression.

However, his face soon returned to its usual calm, as he remarked in a low tone:

"But merely spouting words is meaningless."

"Power is unlike will—it's a material interaction. Failing to grasp this simple fact only leads to unnecessary suffering."

Beside him, White Zetsu sneered, "Lord Madara, it's been a while since you've shown interest in someone, hasn't it?"

"Should we add him to the observation list?"

Madara cast a sidelong glance at the boy, his Sharingan flickering as he scrutinized Uchiha Ci, frowning.

"We'll see."

From the Warring States era until now, this was the first time he'd seen such a peculiar expression.

Clearly terrified of death, yet his gaze and body thirsted for a fight to the death.

And this look wasn't what one would usually call bravery.

Fear of death and a desire to embrace it—both fused in one person at the same moment, creating an intense emotional surge,

And yet, he was merely a two-tomoe "weakling."

Such a paradoxical talent had Madara momentarily stumped.

On the battlefield,

Standing ankle-deep in water, Terumi Mei gazed at Uchiha Ci's back in front of her, momentarily silent.

The downpour outside battered against the walls, sending up droplets like scattered pearls.

She understood well that Uchiha Ci was merely an unfortunate caught up in this Hidden Mist infighting.

Yet here he was, standing before her, his voice steady and determined, saying he would fight to the end, that he'd try to help her escape.

Only minutes ago, this guy had been cursing her, cruelly mocking her, declaring he wanted to sever all ties with her.

Terumi Mei herself wasn't sure what she felt inside.

However,

A smile suddenly broke across her face.

Looking at the boy before her, she couldn't help but smirk.

Yes, this boy was nothing but a stubborn fool!

With that thought, her gaze steeled as she stepped forward, her jade-green eyes scanning Hozuki Mangetsu and the five pursuers, mentally simulating the battle strategy.

Her expression turned calm, her eyes growing icily resolute.

Although she was still young, Terumi Mei, who would one day end the Bloody Mist coup and become the Fifth Mizukage, was no ordinary girl.

"Ci," Terumi Mei murmured gravely, "I have four chakra natures, though I'm not very skilled in Lightning Release, I have a few jutsu on hand."

"So, I'll take on Hozuki Mangetsu."

"You must disrupt their ongoing Water Release: Cutting Rain Technique, or else the fight will only grow harder."

"And this is a gamble. We have to hope your hunch is correct, or else…"

"If he manages to summon a vast amount of water and cast his next secret jutsu, our odds of victory will plummet."

"Got it." Uchiha Ci nodded, raising his gaze to the five pursuing shinobi in the distance, his eyes cold.

He knew what jutsu Terumi Mei was referring to.

Water Release: Shield of Eboshi.

With ample water at his disposal, Hozuki Mangetsu could use this technique, transforming into a monster on par with the complete Eight-Tails.

At that point, they wouldn't stand a chance, even if he refrained from summoning the Seven Ninja Swords with his secret scroll.

Upon receiving Uchiha Ci's response, Terumi Mei's eyes narrowed, and she formed hand seals.

Boar-Snake-Ram.

Water Release: Hidden Mist Jutsu!

Exhaling a thick mist, it spread across the entire hall.

Using the mist as cover, she drew a kunai from the pouch at Uchiha Ci's waist, formed the Snake seal, and conjured a Water Fang Blade, hurling it at Hozuki Mangetsu.

Whoosh!

Following the Water Fang Blade, Terumi Mei leaped into the air, rapidly forming hand seals, gathering chakra in her throat, then expelled a wave-like torrent toward Hozuki Mangetsu.

Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!

Seeing her move, Hozuki Mangetsu's face remained unfazed; instead, he wore a faint, mocking smile.

The distant pursuing shinobi, hearing the commotion, laughed mockingly and taunted:

"Terumi Mei, have you lost your mind? Using the Exploding Water Colliding Wave against someone with the Hydrification Technique like Mangetsu?"

"You're practically asking to die!"

Terumi Mei scoffed, "Then how about this?"

Once more, she formed seals, channeling a massive amount of chakra despite the rain severing effect, summoning lightning into her hands and slamming it down on the surging water wave.

Lightning Release: Earth Walk!

Electric arcs erupted and surged alongside the Exploding Water Colliding Wave toward Hozuki Mangetsu.

Boom!

The tsunami-like wave surged outward, splitting the battlefield.

A mist filled the air, waves swirling madly!

Within the white haze, a pair of crimson eyes suddenly flared.

Uchiha Ci had been ready, chakra infused into his soles as he rode the waves, rushing toward the five shinobi casting the Water Release: Cutting Rain Technique at the far end of the hall.

This simple coordination with Terumi Mei created an effect akin to Water Release: Surfing Strike.

Riding atop the crest, Uchiha Ci sprang into the air, hurling a handful of shuriken toward the pursuers.

He then spun mid-air, launching his sword with a powerful shot!

Next, he pulled two wire-tethered kunai, anchoring them to the hall's pillars, and, gripping the wires, altered his descent, swinging in an arc to land from another angle.

Flipping his kunai deftly, he charged at the five shinobi.

Alert to the approaching footsteps, an older pursuer lifted his head, shouting:

"Watch out, that brat's coming straight for us!"

"He's on the left—"

Before he could finish, a barrage of shuriken tore through the mist, hurtling in from the right.

The elder pursuer's eyes widened as he drew his blade to block, the clang of metal striking continuous,

Sparks flying!

But,

A sword hidden within the shuriken rain shot through the air!

Splat!

It pierced his throat, silencing his shout.

[Ding!]

[You fiercely challenged a Chunin pursuer who thought you're arrogant!]

[Heart Upgrade: Water (100%); you have mastered the nature transformation of Water Chakra.]

[Skill acquired: Water Release: Water Severing Wave Technique (Basic, C-rank).]

The remaining four pursuers were stunned, staring at Uchiha Ci charging in from the left, utterly confused.

Yet, realizing the urgency, one of the shinobi urgently shouted:

"I'll maintain the secret jutsu, you three handle that brat!"

The other three nodded, stabilizing themselves on the water's surface, then drew long chakra whips.

Crack!

The tips of the three whips cracked the air, snapping toward Uchiha Ci, sealing off his every escape.

This was the Water Release: Water Whip.

It allowed the user to bind enemies with water, its restraining force immensely powerful.

Yet Uchiha Ci didn't dodge. He pulled out a kunai from his pouch, charging forward.

In his eyes, the three water whips reflected sharply as he quickly formed seals.

Hare-Ram-Snake!

Water Release: Water Fang Blade!

The water blade glowed, refined and razor-sharp now that he had fully mastered the nature transformation of Water Chakra.

Water churned around the blade at a terrifying speed, producing a high-pitched whine.

With a sudden slash, Uchiha Ci drew an arc like a crescent moon!