Naruto: I, Uchiha, Just Want to Die

Chapter 92: Near-Death Crisis, The Curse Seal of Heaven

On the Scene

With the last trace of chakra infused into the blazing sword in his hand, Uchiha Ci collapsed onto his knees, gripping the hilt.

At this moment, his body had been entirely incinerated, reduced to a carbonized mass devoid of flesh and blood.

From head to toe, his body had transformed into something resembling a carbon-fiber-like material. From afar, he appeared to be a glistening black crystalline figure.

This bizarre appearance was the result of the secret technique, Earth Grudge Fear, whose threads replaced his burnt flesh, forming substitute tissues that were then continually burned.

The prolonged burst of this time far exceeded the duration and intensity of his battle with Kakuzu on the cliffside.

The threads of Earth Grudge Fear formed his body, while the forbidden technique Body Revival continuously regenerated his flesh, only to have it immediately incinerated by the flames.

The Dark Chakra gathered by Zero Tails sustained his state of Dark Awakening, supporting the ongoing operation of the forbidden technique Body Revival.

Finally, everything was ignited and burned to ashes by the Fire Release: Chakra Mode.

Uchiha Ci didn't have the time to assess his appearance; instead, his gaze was fixed on the fiery pit before him. He opened the interface, determined to confirm whether Hayato Tōgō had truly perished.

Ding!

You fiercely counterattacked and killed the evil cult bishop Hayato Tōgō who sought to end your life.

Due to the intensity of your counterattack, the opponent has died. A critical reward has been generated.

You obtained a random skill from the opponent: Immortality (Timed, Incomplete, A+).

The skill has undergone a critical upgrade and has been solidified as a talent: Immortality (Incomplete, S-).

Your Heartsteel layers have increased.

Notice: You are being observed by a creature from the interdimensional void. The Heavenly Dao has shielded you from this observation.

Notice: Immortality is not true immortality. You are on the brink of death. Please take immediate action to save yourself.

After reading the notification on the interface, Uchiha Ci let out a sigh of relief.

Killing Hayato Tōgō was revenge for his younger comrade, Hidan.

In the future, the Akatsuki organization would lose a capable member, which would inevitably impact their tailed beast capture operations, albeit slightly.

At least this would indirectly prevent Shikamaru's cries of grief and the tragedy of Asuma's death during their first encounter.

It could be considered a small alleviation of the pressure on the protagonist group.

If the bigger picture was positive, then his death would be worthwhile.

As for the notification urging him to save himself, he found it laughable.

He had no friends here.

The lurking Orochimaru was probably itching to dissect him. Who would come to his rescue?

At this moment, not even the King of Heaven could stop him from embracing his demise!

"Finally… finally…"

"I've finally… reached this moment."

A faint smile appeared on Uchiha Ci's lips as he prepared to close his eyes in relief.

However, just then—

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed from the entrance of the cavern!

A figure, pierced all over like a human pincushion and carrying a massive scroll, staggered in.

When he saw the charred remains of Uchiha Ci, his crimson Sharingan spun wildly, evolving instantly into a three-tomoe Sharingan.

"Uchiha Ci!"

Uchiha Seijiro couldn't believe his eyes. Tears streamed down his face as he collapsed to the ground with a thud.

His trembling hands reached out to touch Uchiha Ci, his voice filled with grief and despair.

"How… how could this happen?"

"Am I… too late?!"

Uchiha Ci raised an eyebrow involuntarily, a piece of carbonized debris falling from his forehead.

When he realized the newcomer was another Uchiha and not someone like Tsunade, Shizune, or Chiyo, he finally felt at ease.

This worked out fine.

Seijiro lacked the ability to save him but could at least collect his remains.

This way, his body could be brought back for Obito to see one last time, sparing him from Orochimaru's manipulations.

That… was enough.

With this thought, Uchiha Ci gave Seijiro a gentle smile. He raised his charred arm, intending to pat his shoulder.

But midway, his hand lost strength, landing on Seijiro's brow before sliding down his cheek and hitting the ground.

Uchiha Ci completely lost consciousness, his eyes closing.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Eight figures landed simultaneously, standing beside Uchiha Ci.

The eight Uchiha stared at the charred young man, momentarily scratching their heads.

Killing was within their expertise, but saving lives? That was a different story.

"What now, Captain?" one of them frowned, addressing Fugaku.

"This kid still has a faint breath left; we need to save him immediately!"

Uchiha Fugaku rubbed his temples. "I know, but where are we supposed to find a medical ninja in this wilderness? Besides, with injuries like this… sigh."

At this moment, Seijiro, who had been cradling Uchiha Ci's body, suddenly raised his head.

The three tomoe in his eyes spun frantically, his bloodshot gaze locked onto Fugaku.

"Why… why won't you save him?"

"You clearly arrived earlier, didn't you?"

"You just watched as your clansman died in front of you?"

"What is your strength even for?"

With bloodshot eyes and a furious glare, Seijiro roared, "Answer me, our respected next clan leader, Uchiha Fugaku!"

Fugaku opened his mouth to explain but quickly fell silent.

He had his reasons.

He had been observing whether Uchiha Ci would awaken the forbidden eyes, but he hadn't expected the boy to open another forbidden door instead.

Anything he said now would sound hollow and meaningless.

The other eight Uchiha, their crimson Sharingan glowing, all turned to Fugaku with questioning looks, awaiting his explanation.

Fugaku could have easily intervened in the earlier battle. Even sending one Uchiha to use genjutsu on the ninja from the Land of Hot Water would have prevented this tragedy.

But he had done nothing.

"Hah… hahaha… hahahahaha!!"

Seijiro burst into bitter laughter, his voice tinged with agonizing pain.

Tears streaming down his face, his gaze turned venomous, his eyes bloodshot and menacing.

"Now I understand, Fugaku. I understand why, despite being the strongest man in the Uchiha clan, the Elders refuse to name you the next clan leader."

"You're unworthy!"

"Do you hear me? You're unworthy!" Seijiro roared.

"If someone like you becomes the clan leader, that will be the Uchiha's greatest disaster!"

"I'd rather pledge allegiance to this two-tomoe kid than ever support you again!"

"Compared to him, your resolve is as weak as filth!"

"Uchiha Fugaku, you're nothing but trash! Trash! Trash!"

With that, Seijiro struggled to his feet, delivering a solid punch to Fugaku's face.

Bang!

The punch landed squarely on his nose, breaking it and knocking Fugaku to the ground.

Seijiro leaped onto him, ready to rain down more punches on his seemingly fierce but spineless face.

The other Uchiha quickly intervened, pulling Seijiro off.

"Orochimaru is still nearby. Take this matter to the Elders when we return. Don't make a spectacle of the Uchiha clan here."

"What about Uchiha Ci?" Seijiro, his eyes bloodshot, roared in fury.

"Who will save him now?! Are you only capable of protecting this spineless coward? Who will save Ci?!"

No one responded. The gazes of all the Uchiha turned to the charred body of Uchiha Ci lying silently on the ground.

The atmosphere was suffocatingly tense.

Just then—

A calm set of footsteps echoed.

A man with golden snake-like eyes, his gaze filled with amusement, stepped out of the shadows.

Illuminated by the torchlight, his pale and handsome face appeared eerily sinister.

Orochimaru smirked slightly, his hoarse voice dripping with mockery.

"If none of you can save him," he said, "why not leave the boy to me?"

As his words fell, the eight Uchiha frowned simultaneously. Even Fugaku got up from the ground, stepping protectively in front of Uchiha Ci, glaring coldly at Orochimaru.

"What are you planning, Orochimaru?" Fugaku demanded.

"Don't come near this boy!"

"Heh…" Under the intense gaze of eight Sharingan, Orochimaru remained unperturbed.

"This boy still clings to life," he said flatly.

"I have a method that might save him, but I can't guarantee success."

Hearing this, Uchiha Fugaku frowned and asked solemnly, "What method?"

"How confident are you that he can be saved?"

Orochimaru glanced at Uchiha Ci's body on the ground and let out a mocking, raspy laugh:

"It's a power that transcends the mundane. I whimsically call it—"

"The Heaven's Curse Seal!"

"As for how confident I am that it will save him?"

"Apologies, but I haven't had a successful case so far."

"In other words, the chances of saving him are—"

"Ten deaths, no life!"