Naruto: I, Uchiha, Just Want to Die

Chapter 118: Uchiha Ci, Become My Son!

What does it mean to be a shinobi?

When Uchiha Ci heard this question, his first instinct was to recall Jiraiya's answer from the original story to refute Orochimaru.

He wanted to shout that a shinobi is someone who endures everything.

Just as he had once used bold rhetoric to shock Hidan and disarm Hozuki Mangetsu, he thought to disguise himself as a champion of justice or a comrade of evil, using lofty, borrowed words to deal a psychological blow to his enemy.

However, when the words reached his lips, Uchiha Ci couldn't say them.

Orochimaru wasn't a hotheaded fool like Hidan. Such words wouldn't shatter his resolve, nor would they deceive him. They would be immediately exposed as empty and powerless.

In truth, as Uchiha Ci's opponents grew more formidable, the effectiveness of psychological tactics had significantly diminished.

During his confrontation with Yagura Karatachi, Uchiha Ci was nearly convinced by the enemy's rhetoric.

Even more troubling, Uchiha Ci himself didn't truly understand Jiraiya's words.

All along, others had guided him forward, making choices for him.

So, what exactly is a shinobi?

This question left Uchiha Ci deeply uncertain for the first time in his life.

He had never aspired to become a shinobi nor considered what a shinobi should accomplish.

His desires were simple: wealth and family—childlike and immature.

Externally, he was a web of lies, spewing grandiose but hollow declarations even he didn't believe.

He distorted perspectives, embellished schemes, and deceived through combat. Words had been his weapon in turning the tide of battles when he was at his weakest.

But now,

under Orochimaru's intense and fervent gaze,

Uchiha Ci's eyes flickered, his steps faltered, and he clenched his teeth.

For the first time, he couldn't muster a convincing answer.

Orochimaru leaned down, observing Uchiha Ci's struggling expression with a raspy chuckle.

"Hmm, isn't this honesty?"

Hearing such patronizing words, as if mocking a child,

Uchiha Ci's temper flared.

His gaze darkened, and gripping the hilt of the Kusanagi Sword with both hands, he twisted it violently inside Orochimaru's abdomen, carving out a gaping wound before yelling furiously:

"Stop joking around!"

"Orochimaru, listen carefully! My shinobi path is to level the entire shinobi world, sweep its outdated systems into the trash, and rewrite every tragedy of this world!"

"This is something I cannot escape!"

"Is that so?"

Orochimaru sneered, his lips curling into a sinister smile.

Lowering his head, he studied Uchiha Ci with amusement, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth down to his chin.

Scarlet droplets splattered onto Uchiha Ci's brow.

Then, in his hoarse yet oddly gentle tone, Orochimaru mocked:

"Should I get you a mirror?"

"So you can see the look in your eyes right now."

"The heart doesn't lie. You don't truly believe in the significance of your own words."

"Hmm-hmm-hmm~"

Orochimaru's cold laugh echoed as he leaned closer to Uchiha Ci's ear and spoke hoarsely:

"My disciple, you don't actually have an answer."

"This world holds no absolute truths. But by living, you can discover fascinating things."

"Just as you've sought answers in death, I found you in my pursuit of immortality."

Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with fervent intensity.

He fixated on Uchiha Ci, on the 'Flower of Heavenly Misfortune' formed by three tomoe at the back of his neck.

Taking a deep breath, Orochimaru declared solemnly:

"Uchiha Ci, you lack a guiding force to reveal your true desires!"

Orochimaru's voice grew urgent, his ravenous gaze scrutinizing Uchiha Ci's body inch by inch—

This body that had inherited Orochimaru's essence, perfectly assimilating the Heaven Curse Mark.

A physique capable of harmonizing an impossible combination of forbidden techniques.

Such talent, such a body.

Uchiha Ci had surpassed Orochimaru by far.

This boy, undoubtedly, possessed a terrifying aptitude even he hadn't realized.

The potential to inherit Orochimaru's dream, his shinobi path.

A cold, damp wind brushed past, sending a chill through Uchiha Ci. He looked up at Orochimaru, startled and confused.

"Guidance? And… my desires?"

For the first time since arriving in this world, someone had dissected him so thoroughly.

Not just his body, but also his mind, exposing every part of him.

And then, with unwavering conviction, this person claimed to understand him, to help him find his true desires.

Even Uchiha Ci couldn't help but tremble slightly.

"Heh…" Orochimaru smiled even wider at Uchiha Ci's reaction, satisfied.

However, he didn't elaborate.

Calmly, he pulled the Kusanagi Sword from his abdomen, wiped it clean with his sleeve, and slid it back into the scabbard at Uchiha Ci's waist.

As his wound closed entirely in a puff of white smoke, Orochimaru turned away, walking to the cliff's edge.

Standing tall amidst the cold winds of the Land of Rain, his golden snake-like eyes gazed indifferently down at the battlefield below.

Reeds grew wildly among severed limbs. Kunai and swords were embedded across the land, while rain poured incessantly from the oppressive sky.

Apart from the ceaseless patter of rain, the world was silent.

Thick, dark clouds churned, parting briefly to reveal a gap.

A beam of golden sunlight pierced through, illuminating the ruined land,

finally resting on the man standing at the cliff's edge.

It shone on him, making him radiant.

In this almost divine, artistic scene, Orochimaru spread his arms and spoke hoarsely:

"My disciple, as you can see—

Shinobi are not noble beings.

They die when stabbed, suffer when sick, and degrade with age."

"A shinobi, by definition, is merely someone who uses ninjutsu."

"And only by mastering every ninjutsu in this world can one become the ultimate being!"

"That's all there is to it."

"And you—"

Orochimaru turned, his gaze sharp as a blade piercing through Uchiha Ci's every pretense, dissecting his very soul.

A crazed smile spread across Orochimaru's face.

"Unknowingly, you've already set foot on this path!

To grasp all truths, to master ninjutsu, forbidden techniques, secret arts, and even bloodline limits, bloodline selection, and beyond."

"In unimaginable battles, you'll integrate everything!"

"Reaching the pinnacle, becoming the supreme being!"

Orochimaru's voice grew fervent, his certainty unshakable:

"My disciple!

This is your future!

This is what you've been ignoring!

This is what your soul desires!

You and I are the same!"

"You share my grand ambition!"

"And your talent far exceeds my expectations!"

"As long as you fight, your eyes can replicate any technique they see!"

"Be it secret or forbidden, nothing escapes your eyes!"

Orochimaru fully turned to face Uchiha Ci, standing in the radiant light, his excitement palpable.

With labored breaths and a sickly flush of exhilaration, he stared intently at Uchiha Ci, swallowing hard before speaking with uncontainable enthusiasm:

"This is a miracle!

Far beyond ordinary Sharingan, surpassing even the legendary Sage's eyes!"

"Uchiha Ci, you are the perfect successor for Orochimaru!"

"To inherit my dreams, my forbidden techniques, my ideals!"

"So—"

"Whatever I have, I'll give it to you!

The Kusanagi Sword, Flying Thunder God, Living Corpse Reincarnation, Eight-Headed Serpent, Reanimation, living bloodline limits, and even the unique bloodline selection of the ninja world—I'll bring them to you!"

Orochimaru stepped toward Uchiha Ci, his excitement causing him to stumble.

The beam of golden light followed him like a spotlight, illuminating the rain-soaked battlefield and the still corpses.

Finally, it rested on the cliff, lighting up Orochimaru's fanatical expression.

He placed his hands on Uchiha Ci's shoulders, unable to suppress his smile.

Looking deeply into Uchiha Ci's eyes, his golden snake-like pupils revealed sincerity and determination.

Then, Orochimaru spoke earnestly:

"So!

Uchiha Ci, become my son!"

"Let us seize everything and uncover the truths of this world together!"

Uchiha Ci blinked, suddenly snapping back to reality.

He stared at Orochimaru in shock.

What the hell?

I thought you were a cheap mentor, and now you want to be my father?

"Orochimaru! What the hell are you rambling about?!"

Uchiha Ci abruptly pulled away Orochimaru's hand from his shoulders and stepped back repeatedly. The shock in his heart was no less than a little boy's mind exploding with a thunderous roar.

His brain froze instantly.

However, judging by Orochimaru's demeanor and the sincerity in his eyes—

He... he seemed serious?!

It wasn't until this moment that Uchiha Ci truly and deeply felt—

The storm caused by his small butterfly wings flapping,

and the true meaning of plot collapse.

For a moment, Uchiha Ci was utterly unable to accept this absurd reality. It was completely contrary to his long-held belief that Orochimaru wanted to harm him. This Orochimaru before him actually wanted to be his father and pass on all his skills.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

"You want me to be your son, to acknowledge you as my father? Orochimaru, stop dreaming!"

Uchiha Ci's face twisted into a grimace. He suddenly drew the Kusanagi Sword and pressed his palm against his heart.

If Orochimaru dared to take even one step closer, he'd blow himself up right then and there!

"Heh heh..."

Orochimaru chuckled hoarsely at Uchiha Ci's reaction, withdrawing the fervor from his expression and regaining his composed cold sovereign demeanor.

His gaze turned icy as he sized up Uchiha Ci from head to toe. Then, he sneered coldly.

"It seems... the time isn't ripe yet."

"But do you think you can escape?"

"Don't forget—you are my disciple."

"In this Third Shinobi World War,"

"I will continually place you in battles against formidable enemies, including myself, forcing you to fight to the death. You'll master a wide variety of techniques."

"In the end, you will become exactly what I want you to be."

"Heh heh heh."

Orochimaru let out a chilling laugh and turned away. He stepped back to the cliff's edge, standing tall as he gazed out silently at the barren battlefield.

His voice turned cold and indifferent as he ordered:

"Go find Aburame Ryoma. Your mission will be assigned shortly."

"For the next battle, I will withdraw all Konoha shinobi—"

"You will fight alone!"