Naruto: I, Uchiha, Just Want to Die

Chapter 188: Sudden Change in the Letter, Storm Approaching!

(Unfolding the letter)

Dear Brother,

How have you been? I have something to say:

I'm terrible!

An idiot!

After the war between the Stone and Mist Villages began, I fled with the survivors of Yugakure to a cave near Hell Valley.

When I woke up in the morning, the air was filled with unending explosions.

It seems like it was Iwagakure's demolition squad?

(Note: They weren't wearing headbands—two burly men with dark skin, one large and one small, and a beautiful blonde girl around my age.)

Birds scattered in panic, stalls collapsed with a roar.

We crawled out of the rubble time and again, fleeing through barrages of ninjutsu.

The plains, the sea, the cities, the paths—everywhere we looked, ninjas were fighting to the death.

No one spared us.

I'm no longer lost.

The places I could cry in have all been reduced to ruins.

Crying won't save the Land of Hot Water.

In short, brother, thank you for giving me courage.

From now on—no, since that day—I've realized what I truly want.

Now, I've gathered many people around me.

We're called the Undying Cultists.

(Note: Actually, I'm the only one who doesn't die, damn it!)

Now, this lord is embarking on a journey—

We're going to do something that will shake the entire ninja world!

After much hesitation, I've decided to tell you my plan.

I really hope I survive this and can see the day you fulfill your great ambition.

This lord is off!

April 6th, Year of the Shinobi Calendar

Hidan

To Uchiha Ci

---

Standing still with the letter in hand, Uchiha Ci fell into silence.

This insincere promise—

A promise so grandiose and fake it was laughable—

Hidan truly believed it.

And he was risking his life to act on it!

That foolish younger brother truly thought Uchiha Ci could sweep across the Five Great Nations, unify the ninja world, and bring peace to it all.

Ridiculous!

Thinking of this, Uchiha Ci couldn't help clenching his fist, crumpling the letter.

Beside him, Fugaku frowned at his expression, his face growing solemn as he asked:

"Ci, what's wrong? Why would you say that?"

Fugaku was referring to why Uchiha Ci claimed a war was about to erupt.

But Uchiha Ci shook his head, his expression grim. He didn't know how to explain.

The letter mentioned Hidan and his group encountering ninjas without headbands near Hell Valley.

This vague description was enough for Uchiha Ci to deduce their identities.

Two of them fit the description: the burly dark-skinned duo from Kumogakure and Nii Yugito, the Two-Tails Jinchūriki.

Given his knowledge from his past life, Uchiha Ci concluded that Kumogakure's elite had arrived.

But how could he explain this future-based deduction? How could he prove it?

Jinchūriki information was highly classified.

If he blurted out that Kumogakure sent two Jinchūriki and a future Raikage heir to Hell Valley, claiming the current Two-Tails Jinchūriki was an eight-year-old girl, who would believe him?

Still, Kumogakure's actions pointed to one possibility:

Iwagakure was already retreating.

Once the war between the Stone and Mist Villages ended, Kumogakure would likely launch a hungry assault on the Land of Fire.

This time, they seemed determined to claim Hell Valley, unlike in the original timeline, where they bypassed it.

Uchiha Ci had studied the map of the ninja world upon transmigrating.

Hell Valley was a natural barrier on the path from the Land of Lightning to the Land of Fire. If Kumogakure gained control of the Blood Pool Clan within Hell Valley, they could use them as guides to cross the terrain and invade Konoha directly.

Thinking of this, Uchiha Ci's expression darkened—not because Konoha might fall, but because his clan members were stationed in Hell Valley.

This included the elder who had shown him great kindness, Uchiha Setsuna.

Now, with so many lives and dreams riding on him, Uchiha Ci felt a heavy burden.

But there was no time to hesitate.

Taking a deep breath, Uchiha Ci turned to Fugaku and asked:

"Brother Fugaku, can I trust you?"

Fugaku raised an eyebrow, pausing before asking directly:

"What do you want to do?"

"I don't have time to train anymore," Uchiha Ci said gravely. "I need to leave the village immediately! I'm heading to Hell Valley!"

Fugaku shook his head, his tone resigned.

"That's impossible. You're Konoha's second Jinchūriki. The village would never allow it in these critical times."

After a moment's thought, Fugaku hesitated and added, "Unless…"

"What?" Uchiha Ci's eyes widened.

Fugaku didn't answer immediately but instead asked, "What exactly happened, or what do you think will happen?"

After a brief hesitation, Uchiha Ci responded bluntly:

"I suspect the war between the Stone and Mist Villages is ending. Kumogakure is moving to seize the Blood Pool Clan from our watch. They've sent two Jinchūriki and the future Raikage heir."

"If nothing is done, everyone in Hell Valley—including Elder Setsuna—will die!"

Hearing this shocking information, Fugaku remained composed, frowning slightly before asking, "Do you have proof?"

"No," Uchiha Ci replied firmly. "But I'm certain it will happen!"

"That makes things difficult," Fugaku muttered, his brows furrowed.

Frustrated by Fugaku's hesitation, Uchiha Ci grabbed his collar and shouted:

"'Difficult'? It has to be done! Brother Fugaku, I'm the clan leader now!"

Fugaku looked stunned but quickly regained his composure.

He began considering the situation not as a leader but as a member of the Uchiha clan.

Finally, Fugaku's expression steadied. He clapped Uchiha Ci on the shoulder and said firmly:

"Go find Orochimaru. Tell him everything. He'll know what to do."

After a pause, he gritted his teeth and added, "I'll handle the rest!"

Surprised by this shift, Uchiha Ci smiled broadly. He straightened Fugaku's collar, playfully punched his chest, and said:

"Thanks!"

Without hesitation, Uchiha Ci leapt onto the roof, invoking a small white snake to guide him to Orochimaru.

Meanwhile, Fugaku watched him disappear into the night, glancing at his rumpled collar.

A faint smile tugged at his lips.

"Being called 'big brother'… It's been years."