Naruto: I, Uchiha, Just Want to Die

Chapter 98: Uninvited Guests, the Great Explosive Water Burial!

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Land of Hot Water, outside the izakaya.

After driving Hidan away, Uchiha Seijiro shook his head and looked up at the azure sky with slightly narrowed eyes.

"The package sent from the clan should be arriving soon."

As the head of the Police Force, Uchiha Fugaku had accepted a mission from Konoha that required him to leave the village. After handling affairs and dealing with Uchiha Ci, he departed with his squad to the Land of Water to complete a more dangerous task.

All matters in were left in Seijiro's hands.

The fact that Uchiha Ci had become a disciple of one of the Three Legendary Sannin was considered a significant event within the clan.

Along with the headband and identification documents, a green flak jacket and a full set of Chūnin equipment from Konoha should have been delivered as well.

However, after passing through the hands of the elder Uchiha Setsuna, the Chūnin flak jacket was disdainfully discarded. The elder had declared it ugly and unworthy of an Uchiha, insisting that it lacked the dignity of their great clan.

The clan had expedited the crafting of a custom-made combat uniform, one that befitted the prestige of an Uchiha.

Since this involved Uchiha Ci, Seijiro was especially attentive to the matter.

He was now waiting for that very package.

Just then, a sharp cry pierced the air.

"Screech!"

A hawk descended from the sky, its wings slicing through the air as it glided down.

Seijiro's eyes lit up as he raised his arm to catch the hawk. From the pouch on its back, he retrieved a palm-sized storage scroll.

This type of scroll was exceedingly valuable, boasting a large storage capacity that far surpassed the basic scroll Uchiha Ci had once used for storing ninja tools. This was true high-end shinobi equipment.

The package it carried was the clan's reward for Uchiha Ci.

As Seijiro held the scroll in his hand, he couldn't help but wonder about the combat uniform inside. What could it look like? Just how stylish was it?

He thought of taking a sneak peek for his younger brother's sake.

Breathing slightly faster, Seijiro placed his hand on the scroll and began to open it.

Suddenly, a cold voice rang out beside him.

"Do you think you're worthy of seeing what's inside?"

Startled, he looked up sharply to see a group of four ninjas dressed in Konoha's Anbu uniforms approaching.

The leader, cloaked in black with dark sunglasses and a purple mark on his right cheek, spoke in a commanding tone:

"Where is Uchiha Ci? Take me to him now."

Seijiro's pupils contracted as he instantly recognized them from their distinctive masks:

They were from the Root.

Unlike the animal-themed masks of Konoha's regular Anbu, the Root's masks had a variety of designs.

And the man in the sunglasses? Seijiro had heard of him.

He was Aburame Ryōma, a captain-level member of the Root and a peer of Orochimaru.

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Meanwhile, on the bustling streets of the Land of Hot Water…

By the time Uchiha Ci regained his senses, Terumi Mei had already dragged him through the crowded streets, weaving through the throngs of people. They turned a corner into a quieter alley and stopped in front of a quaint little shop.

The shop stood serenely amidst the misty atmosphere of the town, its whitewashed exterior and torii-style eaves exuding tranquility.

Steam puffed from bamboo steamers at the entrance, carrying the sweet floral aroma of sakura blossoms.

The display cases showcased a variety of confectionery treats, the most prominent being seasonal sakura mochi. These delicate pink sweets, filled with red bean paste and wrapped in salted leaves, came in various shapes—rolled, folded, or dumpling-like.

"Welcome, young guests. What would you like today?"

The shopkeeper, a man in his sixties, bowed slightly and smiled politely.

Uchiha Ci glanced at the sakura mochi, his gaze immediately freezing at the price.

What the…? 10 million ryo for one?

His eyes widened in disbelief. Was this mochi encrusted with diamonds? Could buying it come with a wife?

The absurd price made him break out in a cold sweat. This single bite-sized treat cost more than 1,053 bowls of Ichiraku Ramen!

Before he could speak, Terumi Mei turned back to him and smiled.

"What's wrong? Don't worry. The sweets here are amazing. They're said to be an annual tribute to the daimyo—a specialty of Yutamachi."

Looking at the beautifully crafted confections, Uchiha Ci had no doubt they were leagues above the 20-ryo dumplings sold on the roadside.

But could he admit that he was broke and could only afford one?

Forcing an awkward smile, he nodded and asked, "Uh, Mei, which one do you want?"

Squatting slightly, Mei propped her chin on her hand and studied the display. Finally, she pointed to an exquisitely arranged sakura mochi and turned to him with sparkling eyes.

"That one, Uchiha Ci! I want that one!"

Pain pierced his heart as he slapped down ten million ryo onto the counter.

"Alright, I'll buy it!"

Mei smiled at his gesture but then shook her head. She pulled out a small wallet and placed a bankbook on the counter.

"Shopkeeper, I'll take all of them," she said casually, pointing to the entire display. "Wrap them up as a gift for him."

The shopkeeper froze in surprise before breaking into a delighted grin. Quickly, he packed all the sakura mochi and handed them to Uchiha Ci.

Holding the bags of sakura mochi, Uchiha Ci stared blankly at Mei.

At that moment, he realized the vast disparity between the wealthy and the poor in the shinobi world.

And what kind of elite-level rich lady was she to casually give away the equivalent of an S-rank mission's pay?

Walking alongside Mei, who nibbled on a sakura mochi like a little hamster, Uchiha Ci heard her speak in a gentle yet pointed tone:

"Uchiha Ci, next time, don't waste your hard-earned money on frivolous things."

"And treat yourself better—eat something nice for a change."

She then turned to show him the now-empty packaging in her hands, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Looking at the bag of sakura mochi in his hands, Mei whispered softly, "I want more."

Hearing her words and noticing the subtle change in the atmosphere, Uchiha Ci felt his face heat up. His heart pounded as he realized the implications.

Did she mean for him to feed her?

His eyes widened, and with a newfound determination, he held up a piece of sakura mochi to offer it to her.

Mei froze, blinking rapidly, her emerald-green eyes trembling as her ears flushed bright red.

She had only wanted him to hand it to her, but this? This was too bold!

Did their relationship already warrant such intimacy?

It was too fast, wasn't it?

Meanwhile, Uchiha Ci realized he might have misunderstood her intentions. However, retreating now would make him look weak. And…she didn't seem to be rejecting the gesture.

Heart racing, he held the mochi closer.

But before anything could happen, a loud thud broke the moment.

Turning in alarm, they saw Hidan standing behind them, glaring. His hard-as-rock bun had fallen to the ground with a dull thump.

And behind Hidan, the rooftops of the alley were suddenly crowded with Mist shinobi, all wearing three-waterwave masks.

They performed hand seals in unison.

A cold command echoed through the air, shattering the peaceful façade of Yutamachi:

"Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"

Uchiha Ci's Sharingan flared to life, his scarlet eyes narrowing in alarm.

There was no time to waste.