Naruto: I, Uchiha, Just Want to Die

Chapter 87: The Show Begins, Flying Razor Lines

On the other side—

A massive serpent's head loomed, with forests uprooted and gorges winding through the terrain. Shattered rocks were driven into the ground like spears. Atop the towering Rashomon gate, Orochimaru stood, overlooking the wrecked battlefield below.

His face looked grim.

"That guy actually managed to escape." Orochimaru's expression was gloomy, and a flicker of anger passed through his cold gaze as he glanced down at a large hole in the ground.

Orochimaru had come here to obtain the forbidden technique Body Revival in Shinno's possession.

The original plan was to drive Shinno into the underground caverns, using the advantage of the terrain to summon a horde of snakes and capture him.

But for some reason, Shinno spent ages stalling outside, never stepping into the trap.

Living Corpse Reincarnation required Shinno's ultra-fast regeneration technique to be completed, and with Orochimaru's morbid obsession for immortality, he finally lost patience and personally attempted the capture.

In their ensuing battle, Shinno, who barely controlled the incomplete Zero-Tailed Chakra, was no match for Orochimaru, one of the Sannin renowned throughout the ninja world. Sensing the unfavorable situation, Shinno faked an attack, forcing Orochimaru to unleash the Triple Rashomon. Then, activating Body Revival, he tunneled his way out.

By the time Orochimaru realized it, Shinno was already two kilometers away.

In an instant, Shinno summoned a flying machine and soared into the sky.

At that point, even the keen senses of Manda, Orochimaru's summoned snake, could no longer track his whereabouts by scent alone.

"Sky Ninja, huh." Orochimaru restrained the murderous intent surging within him, took a deep breath, and calmed himself.

After settling down, he pondered for a moment and furrowed his brow.

"Jiraiya's been dispatched to investigate movements in Iwagakure and Sunagakure. The Third Great Ninja War is about to break out, and the old man will probably assign me to either the Land of Rice Fields or the Land of Rain."

"Time is running out. I must obtain a suitable body regeneration technique while I still have this gap."

At that moment, the massive purple serpent below Rashomon looked up at Orochimaru, grumbling:

"Orochimaru, where are the 100 live offerings you promised me?"

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru's golden slit eyes narrowed slightly. He leaped onto Manda's head and replied calmly:

"Head underground. There are thousands of offerings waiting there."

As he spoke, his eyes narrowed, and he licked the corner of his lips.

"Perfect, let's see just how far this so-called undying body can go."

---

Underground Cavern

A faintly red barrier suddenly expanded.

Outside the barrier, footsteps echoed in a faint, rustling rhythm.

Leading the way were five Uchiha clan ninjas, with Uchiha Fugaku at the front. They emerged from an opening at the top of the cavern, clinging to the ceiling and looking down.

Fugaku's Sharingan flared red as he scanned the battlefield below.

When he noticed the barrier below, along with a young man within who was charging at the High Priest of the Jashin Cult, Fugaku's gaze sharpened slightly.

"This barrier resembles Kumo's Regeneration Barrier, but it seems even stronger."

"Was it released by the Jashin cult leader? To block others from interfering in this fight?"

"And that young man—is he Uchiha Ci?"

Fugaku raised an eyebrow slightly. The barrier was notable for its regeneration capability, but with all of them here, one coordinated Fire Release barrage would easily shatter it.

However, before Fugaku could strike, he suddenly looked up toward a dark corner of the cavern.

In that corner—

A small white snake regurgitated a scroll, which summoned a gray-black giant serpent with a loud bang. Emerging from the serpent's mouth was a human figure.

Upon seeing this figure, Fugaku's pupils contracted sharply.

The man had long black hair, golden slit-pupil eyes, and pale skin. Recognizing him immediately as Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin, Fugaku's expression tightened.

Having been denied intelligence earlier, Fugaku knew Orochimaru harbored some scheme regarding this minor cult in the Land of Hot Water. Now seeing him here, he pondered what role Uchiha Ci might play in Orochimaru's plans.

Likewise, Orochimaru, who had just emerged, sensed a prying gaze from above. He looked up, scanning the scene.

"That man… the head of the police force, Uchiha Fugaku?"

"And so many Uchiha ninjas… What do they want?"

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed, feeling the situation grow more mysterious.

He had intended to capture the Jashin Cult's leader immediately and interrogate him for information about their techniques.

But now, the Uchiha clan had inexplicably appeared here.

The Uchiha clan, with their pride in the Sharingan, generally looked down on other Bloodline Limits or secret techniques.

The two sides observed each other in silence, neither making a move.

For now, neither could determine the other's intentions. And, as it happened, Fugaku wanted to observe what Uchiha Ci could achieve, while Orochimaru was curious to study the effects of this so-called undying body.

Thus, both sides tacitly stopped, casting their eyes toward the barrier in the center of the cavern.

---

Deeper in the Cavern

White Zetsu looked on, bewildered by the sudden crowd in the cavern, unsure whether he should make an appearance.

Madara had instructed him to plant a Spore Technique on the kid inside the barrier.

But with so many Sharingan pairs around and the sharp senses of Orochimaru's summoned serpents, if he got too close, his Mayfly Technique might fail to avoid detection.

Feeling somewhat at a loss, White Zetsu mentally cursed, thinking that Madara-sama's hidden base, which had been secretly constructed over several decades, had never been this crowded before.

These people… had they nothing better to do?

With no other choice, he stayed hidden underground, keeping his eyes on Uchiha Ci.

The atmosphere in the cavern was tense.

---

Inside the Barrier

Uchiha Ci had no idea that the audience outside now included several top figures.

With the barrier in place, he squinted at Hayato Tōgō, who stood a short distance away. Dark Chakra surged across his body.

With the ultra-fast regeneration technique as backup, he felt unstoppable.

Abandoning all hesitation, Chakra surged through his body. He twisted his foot and flung a kunai forward as he lunged.

Hayato Tōgō's look of shock gave way to a grim expression as Uchiha Ci charged at him.

He finally realized he had been tricked by this kid.

Moments before, Ci's words to Hidan were merely to lower his guard and buy time for this very onslaught.

This kid was indeed a wildcard!

Such a person must be taken down without mercy!

With that thought, Hayato's eyes flashed with murderous intent. He sidestepped Ci's thrown kunai, then charged forward in turn!

He took a few strides, pulling out a black spear from his sleeve pocket. Swinging it wide, he thrust it directly at Ci's chest!

Ci's eyes narrowed. He leapt backward, kicking the spear aside, then pressed his hand to the ground to spring back up. Midair, he flipped, hooking his fingers.

The kunai embedded in the ground suddenly gleamed, a taut black wire stretching across the space—a blade-like edge!

Holding the wire, Ci slid swiftly across the ground, his Water Release technique coating his steps in a thin film, allowing him to slide forward in a low stance.

With expert control of his body and wire skills that blurred the eyes, he created the effect of a five-meter-long blade in his hands, slicing directly toward Hayato's spear-wielding hand!

Seeing this, Hayato's face turned pale.

Though the Jashin Cult's undying body could regenerate from grievous injuries, if a limb were severed, it would be difficult to reattach!

Ci's very first strike had nearly hit a vital spot!

"Like hell I'll let you succeed!" Hayato's face twisted with rage, eyes gleaming with malice.

He used his free hand to pull out a black spear, blocking the wire's edge!

However, this was precisely what Ci had anticipated.

This was an attack that forced him to defend!

Thus—

The trap hidden in Ci's seemingly straightforward move—

Sprang!

Six shuriken silently landed around Hayato's feet in a circle.

Ci leapt high again, snapping his thumbs against his middle fingers. His other fingers pressed together, pulling the threads taut above his head!

The six lines suddenly tightened toward the center, slashing upward!

Six razor wires glinted!

Hayato's eyes widened, fear crossing his face for the first time!