Naruto: I, Uchiha, Just Want to Die

Chapter 97: Ci: I Want to Discuss a 100,000 Ryo Business Deal! Terumi Mei: No, You Don't!

Uchiha Ci admitted to himself—he was a failure of a man.

Despite living this long, he had yet to experience the forbidden realm, the idyllic "Peach Blossom Land" that would set his heart racing with just a glance.

He had always wanted to try the sweet allure of foreign sakura blossoms!

And today, today!

His wish was finally about to come true!

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Uchiha Ci looked at the figure in front of him. She wore intricately crafted, luxurious wooden sandals and a beautifully tailored kimono. Her waist was as slender as the willows by the river, and her figure curved like a ripe peach.

Just the sight of her back made one want to give in to the impulsive urge to spank and tease her.

Nervously swallowing, Uchiha Ci combed back his hair, revealing a smile.

He politely raised his hand and greeted the woman in front of him,

"Hi~!"

The woman, with her enticing curves, turned her head in surprise, looking at Uchiha Ci.

"Huh? Little brother, do you need something?"

Hearing this, Uchiha Ci was immediately struck speechless, his mind stuck on one thought: Stop underestimating me! I'm not little at all!

And with that, he completely forgot what he had intended to say.

"Uh, well, this, that…"

For a moment, he stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence.

Looking at himself in such a state, Uchiha Ci wanted to slap himself.

Uchiha Ci, oh Uchiha Ci, you're so useless! Can't you be a bit more assertive?

He steeled himself internally and decided to say it outright:

I've got a 100,000-ryo business deal for you!

With newfound determination, Uchiha Ci straightened his gaze and looked up—only to see a towering mountain before him.

His breath hitched, his face flushed, and the words that had been forming in his throat were forcibly swallowed back down.

"Cough, cough, cough…"

"Hey, are you okay, little brother?"

"Uh, actually, I… I have a 100,000-ryo business deal…"

Uchiha Ci swallowed hard again, shakily raising the money in his hand.

However, just as he did, a fragrant breeze passed by. A delicate, pale hand suddenly reached out and snatched the 100,000-ryo note.

Then, a clear, bell-like voice unexpectedly rang out:

"No, he doesn't."

The familiar voice made Uchiha Ci shiver. He turned his head immediately, only to see Terumi Mei descend like a fierce tiger guarding her prey. With a swift leap, she landed before him, her expression devoid of any warmth as she stared at him.

Stared.

The surrounding air seemed to freeze in that instant.

"Ah, it's a kunoichi!" The woman in the kimono immediately panicked, fear evident on her face. These days, ninjas are truly ahead of the curve. Getting caught in broad daylight in this sort of scandalous scene—how bold!

She quickly bowed and apologized to Terumi Mei, "I'm so sorry, ma'am ninja, I don't even know this little brother!"

As she bowed, the kimono's design left a window open, revealing an expanse of snowy, tender skin to Uchiha Ci's eyes.

The trembling peaks seemed to sway along with his already unsteady heartbeat.

Uchiha Ci felt his breath hitch, and a warm stream surged in his nasal cavity.

It was as though a puppet master had taken control of his neck—no matter how much he tried, he couldn't tear his gaze away.

Smack!

Terumi Mei's hand chopped down onto his forehead, her expression tense with a throbbing vein visible.

She immediately grabbed his head, forcing him to face her as she snapped coldly, "It's nothing, it's fine. Now hurry up and scram!"

Though her tone tried to sound nonchalant, there was a sour note in her words.

Seeing this, the woman in the kimono didn't dare linger. She fled into the bathhouse, pulling out a sign that she solemnly placed at the entrance:

This establishment is legitimate. Minors under eighteen are strictly prohibited!

Watching this unfold, Uchiha Ci felt a cold breeze pass through his heart. It was as if the melancholic soundtrack of One Plum Blossom began playing around him.

Terumi Mei turned her head to face him directly, her eyes carrying a dangerous gleam.

"Well? Was it nice to look at?" she asked, her expression void of warmth.

Uchiha Ci, for reasons unknown, suddenly shuddered and instinctively shook his head.

"No, not at all! Not one bit!"

He even let out a disdainful snort, raising three fingers as if to emphasize his resolve. "Hmph, all just tacky mediocrity!"

Only then did Terumi Mei relax, smiling slyly. Waving the 100,000-ryo note in her hand, her eyes sparkled as she looked at him.

"So, what were you saying earlier? What did you want to do with this 100,000 ryo?"

Uchiha Ci chuckled awkwardly, reaching out to retrieve the money from her hands as casually as possible. He planned to take it back and complete his "business deal" later.

However… the money didn't budge.

Cautiously, Uchiha Ci glanced at Terumi Mei's expression.

She was smiling sweetly, her emerald-green eyes gleaming with a subtle light.

The early spring breeze carried scattered sakura petals through the air behind her. They danced lightly under the warm sun, blending with the steam from the city's hot springs and her flowing auburn hair.

The bustling sounds of the city faded into the distance—the chatter, the clatter of hooves, the rhythmic pounding of rice cakes. All of it blurred, leaving only the warmth of her breath close to his ears.

At that moment, all Uchiha Ci could hear was his own suddenly rapid heartbeat.

He stood dazed, and before he knew it, an awkward phrase slipped from his lips:

"I just remembered… I want to treat you to sakura mochi."

"And… I also…"

A soft finger pressed gently against his lips, silencing him.

Terumi Mei's lips curled into a bewitching smile, her voice like the soft whisper of the spring breeze. She lightly took his hand, pulling him back to reality.

"No need to treat me."

"I have money."

"Let's go shopping together!"

"Whatever you want, I'll buy it for you~"

Uchiha Ci felt like Tom being toyed with—completely out of control. His brain froze, and all he could do was nod dumbly.

Hand in hand with her, he stepped into the warmth of spring.

---

Elsewhere…

At the entrance of an izakaya, Hidan was sent flying out by a strong kick from Uchiha Seijiro.

Seijiro threw two rock-hard buns at him and crossed his arms, looking down coldly at the boy in front of him.

"Kid, get lost and run back to the Hidden Steam Village."

Hidan, disgruntled and dusty, stuffed the rock-like buns into his pockets and retorted, "You're done for! Once Uchiha Ci finds out how you treated me, he'll definitely come after you!"

Seijiro sneered, "Oh? You're arguing with me now?"

"Your boss said he doesn't want to see you right now. If you know what's good for you, scram."

"Otherwise, I don't mind helping you 'move on' a bit."

As he spoke, Seijiro placed a hand on the hilt of his sword, his expression menacing like a devil scaring a child.

Hidan's face was full of disbelief. "What did you just say? He doesn't want to see me?!"

Holding back tears, Hidan wiped at his eyes. Seeing Seijiro draw his sword halfway, seemingly serious, Hidan's heart skipped a beat.

Using both hands and feet, he scrambled away down the alley.

After running for two streets, he finally stopped. Still chewing on the dry, rock-hard bun, he muttered angrily, "How could he do this to me after all I've done for him?"

"This is impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Just then, a familiar, stammering voice reached his ears:

"I just remembered… I want to treat you to sakura mochi."

"And… I also…"

Hidan looked up, shock written all over his face.