Naruto: I, Uchiha, Just Want to Die

Chapter 6: Ninja Cat Contract, The Way of the Ninja

After finishing a meal at Obito's house and listening to some advice his dear teacher, Minato, had shared with him, Uchiha Ci took his leave.

Ci became acquainted with Uchiha Obito because Obito's grandmother lived next door and frequently visited to say hello. Over time, they naturally became familiar with each other.

Unlike with other characters from the Naruto world, Ci felt at ease maintaining a relationship with Obito.

After all, anyone who understands Obito's will knows what it means.

No matter how deep the bond, it won't stop Obito from turning on you once he goes dark.

After leaving Obito's house, Uchiha Ci walked down the streets of Konoha, wallet in hand.

At this time, the shadow of war had not yet fully spread among the civilians, and the village of Konoha still appeared peaceful on the surface.

However, some signs had already begun to show.

Ci pulled back the curtain and stepped into a ninja tool shop.

"Yo, Brother Ci, here to buy explosive tags again?" The shopkeeper, a bearded man with a big grin, asked Ci.

"No, this time I'm here to buy shuriken."

"Well, you're out of luck. Prices for shuriken and kunai have gone up by 20%, and special steel wire by 30%. But I'd still advise you to stock up. According to Granny Cat, these essentials are likely to get even more expensive."

"Alright then, give me six sets of ninja tools with wire holes, two large rolls of thread, and a sealing scroll. Let me see... I have 200,000 left, convert it all into explosive tags." Ci touched his wallet and grinned, showing no regret.

D-rank missions usually paid between 5,000 to 10,000 ryo, though some only paid a few hundred. Ci didn't take on those lower-paying ones, and since he completed missions solo, he didn't have to share the earnings.

This year of hard work had allowed Ci to save up a seven-figure sum.

And all this money was saved for this very moment.

"Wow, Brother Ci, that's quite a purchase!" The shopkeeper was slightly taken aback. Ci's spending power even surpassed that of some special Jōnin.

Ci smiled slightly. He didn't have to worry about providing for a family; he only needed to explode his own account.

He was different from those ninjas who scraped and saved for their retirement.

Ninja tool prices were highly polarized in the ninja world. Explosive tags cost 2,000 ryo each, while shuriken were the cheapest at about 50 ryo. Kunai varied between 200 and 30,000 ryo, with significant price differences between those meant for throwing and those for blocking.

A high-quality set of ninja tools, including throwing tools, close-combat weapons, and protective gear, could cost nearly 200,000 ryo.

Samurai swords and ninja blades were even more expensive, with the cheapest training ninja blades starting at 3,000 ryo. Chakra-infused metal tools were sky-high, practically non-sellable items, and if sold, they'd be priced in terms of "Asuma units."

So why was Ci buying so many ninja tools and explosive tags?

The reason was simple.

Ci was preparing to die, but he couldn't intentionally get himself killed.

It sounds a bit convoluted, but that's the logic.

Deliberately committing suicide would be seen by the will of the world as fraud, resulting in nothing gained, and even his life would be lost in vain.

However, if...

A determined ninja, staking everything he owned and displaying his finest skills developed through hard work, fought valiantly for a noble cause...

If he died in such a battle, who could say he didn't die a worthy death?

Wouldn't that be akin to the early demise of a heroic leader who passed away before his enterprise was halfway done?

I'd have nothing left to give!

How could you not grant me my insurance card?

Soon, the shopkeeper emerged with a large pile of items, sweating from the weight of the six sets of ninja tools.

With a thud, he placed the tools on the counter.

Then, like dealing cards, he spread out the stacks of explosive tags into a fan shape for Ci to count.

"Brother Ci, buying so many tools at once—are you going on a dangerous mission?"

By now, the shopkeeper had realized that Ci wasn't buying all these tools just for practice.

Ci looked up and frowned at the shopkeeper.

"Don't blame me for being nosy. I know the confidentiality rules for ninjas, but I run my ninja tool business under Granny Cat's supervision and dabble in some intelligence work too."

"A dangerous mission within your clan could only mean going to the Rain Country battlefield or Hell Valley in the Land of Hot Water." The shopkeeper's expression grew serious.

"Either way, these aren't missions someone of your level should be involved in." The shopkeeper spoke frankly, without beating around the bush.

Then, he frowned and gave Ci a concerned look.

"In consideration of how much you've supported the Ninja Cat Clan's business, I'll give you something extra."

Saying this, the shopkeeper pulled out a parchment and placed it in front of Ci.

"This is a one-time contract with the Ninja Cat Clan. Once signed, you can summon a ninja cat servant using the Summoning Jutsu."

Ninja cat servants were elite cat ninjas of the Ninja Cat Clan.

They often operated in chaotic areas, with their main base located in a little-known ruined city.

However, unlike traditional summoning beasts, ninja cats were highly individualistic and almost impossible to enslave by ninjas.

This clan managed a ninja tool business and had a very close relationship with the Uchiha, who were skilled in using ninja tools.

Ci knew that Granny Cat, the head of the Ninja Cat Clan, was very fond of children.

If possible, Granny Cat would not hesitate to help children, especially Uchiha children.

Now, the shopkeeper took out this one-time summoning contract, indicating that based on the information he had gathered—

Ci was likely facing a life-or-death mission.

The shopkeeper offered this Ninja Cat contract as a way to help Ci, but more so as a way to dissuade him.

He wanted Ci to abandon this mission.

"You understand what I mean, don't you?" The shopkeeper stared intently at Ci, his pupils subtly shifting to vertical slits.

His tone became heavy.

Ci smiled and accepted the one-time contract from the shopkeeper.

Ninja cats were a neutral clan and wouldn't get involved in ninja conflicts unless paid handsomely.

So, this contract's primary use was to supply survival materials and battle tools on a chaotic battlefield, and it still required money.

However, for Ci, who had just spent all his money tonight, this was just a piece of scrap paper and wouldn't hinder his... strategic use of insurance.

With this thought in mind, Ci turned and walked straight out of the ninja tool shop.

He left with only a light remark:

"Uncle, thank you."

"But I have something I must accomplish, and I won't shy away from facing life and death."

"This is my ninja way!"

After delivering such a grand speech, Ci left the ninja tool shop, squeezed his wallet, and after feeling the balance inside,

He turned and headed into Konoha's red-light district.

Tomorrow, he would face the fear of death. Now that the moment was upon him, while his heart surged with excitement, a trace of fear lingered.

So, he decided to rid himself of that one last regret tonight.

Three minutes later—