Naruto: I, Uchiha, Just Want to Die

Chapter 3: Three Words to Make the Uchiha Awaken the Sharingan!

"Heartsteel" is a powerful piece of equipment in a certain game.

Its effect is straightforward: hit someone hard with it, and you'll grow stronger.

Uchiha Ci was no stranger to this concept. After all, he was a veteran player of the chaotic battles, holding a level seven badge as a seasoned Sion player, known for tanking damage like a pro.

His strategy was simple: taunt the opponent, let them hit you, and then hand over the kill to your teammates.

The more you give away, the stronger you become, and the tougher you get!

Now, as he contemplated his own death, a talent like this appeared.

Surely, it wouldn't interfere with his grand plan to fake his own death for insurance money... right?

Uchiha Ci's face remained expressionless, but deep down, a sense of unease began to creep in.

However, he knew nothing about this talent yet, and the Will of the Heavens didn't provide an instruction manual.

For now, his priority was to accept the mission from Uchiha Setsuna, the great elder.

Before this cheat ability kicked in, he needed to get himself to the battlefield and let the Iwagakure or whoever else kill him quickly.

Completing his insurance scam plan was the top priority!

But Uchiha Ci couldn't shake the feeling of unease in his heart.

He turned around,

only to find that the source of his anxiety was standing right beside him—

the one named Uchiha Shisui, who was in reality a little devil, suddenly smiled gently, his expression impossibly kind as he whispered softly:

"Uchiha Ci, don't worry. I'll take on the mission assigned by the elder!"

"You should stay in the clan and train yourself."

A chill ran down Uchiha Ci's spine, and sweat beaded on his forehead. He thought, Big brother, why aren't you harassing Fugaku's eldest son? Why are you always after me?

Without hesitation, Uchiha Ci dashed out of the crowd with a single leap, before Uchiha Shisui could react,

Excitedly raising three fingers, he swore to the heavens with a high-pitched voice:

"Elder!"

"Rebuilding the glory of the Uchiha is our duty!"

"I'm not afraid of danger. Please send me to the battlefield!"

With a determined face, Uchiha Ci cried out passionately, his voice resonating like a melodious song.

He raised his arm with conviction, his expression resolute:

"Neither the torrential rain of the Land of Rain nor the warm springs of the Land of Hot Water can shake my will to dedicate everything to the Uchiha clan!"

"If there has to be a sacrifice, then I hope that person—"

"Must be me!"

As his words fell, the crowd couldn't help but turn to look at him, their eyes filled with a hint of admiration.

Whose subordinate is this, to be so valiant?

"Ci-kun! What are you..."

Uchiha Shisui wanted to stop him, but it was too late. His face immediately turned to one of shock, his tone filled with sadness.

Though they hadn't known each other long, he had already decided—

Uchiha Ci was a comrade with a similar will, someone he could entrust his back to!

But—

Why did he just go and throw himself away like that...?

???

Is this what it feels like to lose a comrade?

This, this, this...

Uchiha Shisui's face turned bright red, and he felt a strong urge to drag Uchiha Ci back home and give him a good whipping.

Unbeknownst to him, his eyes, already trained to a critical point, had turned crimson.

A single tomoe spun rapidly in his scarlet Sharingan, exuding an aura of sorrow.

The catalyst for awakening his Sharingan: the loss of a comrade.

As if by fate, it triggered prematurely within him.

However—

"You're useless, too weak."

Great Elder Uchiha Setsuna frowned, glancing down at Uchiha Ci, thinking, Where did this idiot come from?

He's just a Uchiha genin who hasn't even awakened his Sharingan, no different from trash!

Upon hearing those words,

Uchiha Ci's determined expression froze.

The tension was so sharp it could cut.

The boy's awkwardness was deafening!

Did you hear that? Uchiha Ci's heart is crying out!

Uchiha Setsuna has just disrespected you.

At this moment, Uchiha Ci saw a large, glaring red spot suddenly appear on Uchiha Setsuna's face.

It blotted out the sun, almost covering his entire face, yet the pair of contemptuous eyes remained visible, as if they were engraved on Uchiha Ci's heart.

He felt a surge of anger.

Sure, I might be a bit useless right now,

But, Great Elder, tearing open wounds like that will really make me angry!

If you break my wings, I'll destroy your paradise!

"Great Elder!" Uchiha Ci's expression hardened as he took another step forward, speaking loudly:

"This isn't about being weak or strong!"

"I know my abilities are limited, and I haven't awakened the Sharingan!"

Uchiha Ci raised his voice and declared:

"But, genin going to war,"

"Isn't about holding the front line anyway!"

"Mostly, they just roam the edges of the battlefield, doing auxiliary tasks."

"Besides, other clans are sending their genin to the Land of Rain, but the Uchiha aren't? Wouldn't that make other clans look down on us?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned, then they looked at Uchiha Ci in horror.

He's not wrong,

But, the person you're arguing with,

Is the guy who assassinated the Second Hokage!

And he's also the leader of the hawkish faction, the Uchiha Great Elder!

His power in the Uchiha clan can only be described as—

Overwhelming authority!

And you're challenging him like this?

Where did you get the courage?

Hearing this, Uchiha Setsuna's face darkened, thinking, Have I given this kid too much face?

This genin who hasn't even awakened the Sharingan,

dared to contradict him?

This... this is like a pig climbing a tree... too much audacity...

However,

Uchiha Setsuna suddenly had a change of heart.

Isn't this exactly the kind of person he needs?

Uchiha Setsuna narrowed his eyes, pondering for a moment,

As the leader of the hawkish faction, responsible for expanding its influence within the clan,

He didn't just value talent.

Personality was even more critical!

Especially those with a stubborn streak, a radical nature, who wouldn't hesitate to shed blood and fight for the Uchiha's future until they were eighteen again!

The more stubborn this kid was, the more loyal he'd be to the clan!

When the coup d'état comes, won't he be the first to enthusiastically behead Hiruzen Sarutobi?

To Uchiha Setsuna, a coup expert, he could confidently say:

No one understands a coup better than him!

Someone like Uchiha Ci is the perfect cannon fodder for a coup!

So,

He absolutely couldn't let this kind of talent die in some ridiculous mission serving Konoha!

With that thought,

Uchiha Setsuna's expression softened, even a sinister smile crept onto his face.

Everyone present shivered at the sight of Uchiha Setsuna's smile, a chill running down their spines.

Even Uchiha Ci felt a little uneasy.

It wasn't that he was scared of the old man,

He just wondered,

If the old man gets so angry that he chops me up, would that still count under my insurance coverage?

Yes.

The Will of the Heavens immediately gave him an answer in his mind.

Uchiha Ci's eyes lit up.

Now, I'm no longer nervous or anxious, he straightened his back and stared directly at Uchiha Setsuna.

Uchiha Setsuna almost laughed out loud at the defiance in Uchiha Ci's gaze.

Uchiha Setsuna barely restrained his strong urge to beat the kid up, and thinking of his grand vision, took a long breath.

He decided...

To give the kid a way out...

He immediately returned the glare, scolding coldly:

"Naive, ridiculous!"

If the battlefield were as pleasant as Uchiha Ci described, Uchiha wouldn't mind sending some genin to gain experience.

But reality is much harsher... those sent to the battlefield can hardly be called shinobi—they're cannon fodder.

Uchiha Setsuna stared coldly at Uchiha Ci: "Kid, are you deaf?"

However,

Uchiha Ci grinned widely, baring his teeth, and patted his neck as if he were a piece of tough meat on a butcher's block:

"What's up, Great Elder, if you've got the guts, chop me up!"

"If you can't kill me, send me to the battlefield!"

With that defiant comeback, it seemed as if something had reached a critical point.

Uchiha Ci immediately heard a crisp sound ring in his ears—

Ding!