Naruto: I, Uchiha, Just Want to Die

Chapter 167: Orochimaru's Shock and Rage, The Reboot of the Wood Release Experiment!

"Return home?"

Hearing Nara Shikaku's words, Uchiha Ci suddenly tensed up, his body stiffening as he raised his head abruptly.

"What? When did I ever apply for something like that?"

"I didn't! Wait, I'm not injured! I can still fight! Tatakai! One more round!"

"Tsk, tsk, kids these days are such a hassle." Nara Shikaku impatiently dug a finger into his ear and knocked on the table with a face full of exasperation.

"Go ask your superior, will you? Every one of you just dumps your problems on me."

"Or, would you like to help me handle this mountain of paperwork?"

Leaning lazily behind his desk piled high with documents, Nara Shikaku slumped like a salted fish. He gave Uchiha Ci a deadpan look and pushed a stack of files—taller than a person—toward him.

Rustle!

The precarious pile of documents wobbled slightly.

Gazing at the mountain before him, Uchiha Ci gulped involuntarily, suppressing the complaints rising in his throat.

After thinking it through, he realized that, given his current rank and combat capabilities, even Nara Shikaku—Jiraiya's strategist and deputy—wasn't qualified to decide his deployment.

There was no point in continuing this back-and-forth.

"Alright, seems like you've figured it out."

"Even though this is only our second meeting, I suppose we're acquainted now."

"Let me formally introduce myself. I'm the 'Deer' of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, future head of the Nara clan—Nara Shikaku."

Nara Shikaku straightened his posture and smiled slightly, a hint of admiration flickering in his eyes as he looked at Uchiha Ci.

He reached under his desk and brought out three gift boxes, pushing them forward.

"I personally dislike ceremonial formalities—they're too much trouble. After some thought, I figured this would be the best option."

"Well then, Uchiha Ci—"

"Congratulations on becoming a Jonin!"

---

Still holding the three varying-sized gift boxes, Uchiha Ci stepped out of the tent, looking bewildered.

He still couldn't wrap his head around why he was being sent back to the village.

Looking around the bustling camp, it became clear:

The Konoha forces were undergoing a massive reconstruction. Most of the Konoha shinobi were carrying planks and hammers, shuttling back and forth transporting materials for building structures.

It was obvious that Konoha anticipated a prolonged war, as they were transitioning from tents to wooden buildings. The earlier racket he heard came from the construction work.

If the frontline was going to remain in such a deadlock, Orochimaru should still want him to fight—battling various formidable enemies!

By staying here, he could continue to sabotage the alliance between Iwagakure and Sunagakure, face Rasa, Chiyo, Iwagakure's tailed beasts, the Four-Tails and Five-Tails, and even Onoki and other strong opponents!

So why? What exactly happened?

At that moment, Aburame Ryoma, waiting outside the tent, smoothly took the gift boxes from Uchiha Ci's hands and gave them a quick look.

"Tsk tsk, kid, you've got connections, huh? Even the Ino-Shika-Cho trio sent you gifts?"

"Let's see… Hmm, the Yamanaka clan sent flowers—Anthuriums—with a card wishing you continued success."

"The Akimichi clan gave you a cured ham leg, and Nara Shikaku, that lazy bum, went straight for cash: 500,000 ryo."

Uchiha Ci turned to his superior, who was scrutinizing the gifts, and frowned.

"Ryoma-senpai,"

"Why?"

Aburame Ryoma knew exactly what Uchiha Ci was asking. He casually handed the boxes off to a Root ninja who appeared behind him and disappeared with the gifts.

With a heavy sigh, he looked at the now gaunt Uchiha Ci and countered,

"Do you know how long you were unconscious?"

Uchiha Ci froze, scratching at his slightly itchy neck. Confused, he asked,

"Half a day? Maybe a day?"

He had no sense of how much time had passed. His last memory was of being bitten by a summoned white snake, his body drained of natural energy.

Aburame Ryoma exhaled heavily and said gravely,

"You were unconscious for half a month."

"Half a month. Do you understand what that means?"

"The war… is over."

---

"In this campaign, the Konoha assault unit led by Asura destroyed Sunagakure's camp, creating a massive breach in their defenses and paving the way for our counteroffensive. Subsequently, Asura also killed Sunagakure's top commander, Ebizo. His achievements stunned every Konoha ninja!"

"After Asura and the Yellow Flash eliminated Ebizo, Konoha extracted crucial intelligence from his brain. Orochimaru used this intel to launch a counterattack, swiftly conquering Sunagakure's positions in the Land of Rain. Bereft of command and embroiled in internal chaos, Sunagakure had no choice but to retreat to an oasis near the Land of Wind's borders."

"Konoha claimed a massive victory—an achievement that shook the nations!"

"Afterward, Sunagakure secretly reached out to Iwagakure, sending envoys to negotiate with Onoki. Jiraiya-sama led a team to disrupt the alliance but encountered the Four-Tails and Five-Tails, forcing a retreat."

"The Sunagakure-Iwagakure alliance has now been established. Fortunately, our success in the Land of Rain has given us the upper hand, and Iwagakure remains entangled in a drawn-out conflict with Kirigakure."

"For the moment, the situation is stable, and no large-scale battles are expected for at least six months."

---

Uchiha Ci stood frozen, stunned.

Half a month. Half a month had passed?

I've been asleep this whole time?!

And during that time, so much happened: Konoha's counteroffensive, the Sunagakure-Iwagakure alliance, Jiraiya's failed raid, the tailed beasts…

His eyes sharpened as he stared at Aburame Ryoma and asked,

"What about Orochimaru? Why didn't Orochimaru-sensei wake me up?"

"Where is he now?"

What on earth was Orochimaru up to? A thrilling battle like that, and he left me out?

Hearing this, Aburame Ryoma's anger flared.

He gritted his teeth, glaring at Uchiha Ci.

"Do you even realize how close you came to having your soul permanently twisted into a snake?!"

"Who the hell taught you to recklessly use the Curse Seal of Heaven and meddle with sage powers?!"

"Listen up,"

"This is what Orochimaru asked me to tell you,"

"The power of Ryuchi Cave is incredibly dangerous. You're teetering on the brink of losing yourself, and you don't even realize it."

"Moreover, your body has already overdrawn its life force."

"You're still alive only because your pseudo-immortality grants you the 'concept' of not dying. But that's not true immortality."

"It's fine if you don't understand. The point is—"

Aburame Ryoma sighed and suddenly embraced Uchiha Ci.

"Welcome back,"

"My student."

He paused, then added, "Welcome back, my subordinate!"

Releasing Uchiha Ci, Aburame Ryoma looked toward Konoha with a solemn expression.

"To save you, Orochimaru stepped down as commander after the counteroffensive and returned to Konoha."

"Now, you must immediately return to Konoha as well."

"There are three reasons for this."

"First, our superior—the one who controls the shadow of the ninja world—wants to see you."

"Second, the Uchiha clan has demanded your immediate return to the village!"

"And third, most importantly—"

"To survive, you need a new power!"

"For that, Orochimaru has restarted the Wood Release experiment!"