96-100

*Chapter 96: Should He Save Them or Blow It All Up?*

It was noon.

Basking in the warm sunlight, Shinji stepped out of the izakaya.

Walking through the quiet alleyways, he brushed past one masked ninja after another, each carrying out their secret missions.

Finally, he stood on the bustling and lively streets of City.

The vibrant chatter and peaceful atmosphere gave him an almost surreal feeling—like one moment he was struggling to survive the nerve-wracking battles of the Shinobi World War, and the next, he found himself in the daily life of a tranquil city.

At this moment, two new items appeared in his pocket.

One was a forehead protector symbolizing his identity as a Konoha ninja. The other was an official ID proving the same.

However, this ID had a slight twist:

*Name:* Uchiha Shinji

*Rank:* Chūnin

*Ninja Number:* 009888

*Completed Missions:*

- S-Rank: 1

- D-Rank: 855

It was clear:

Shinji had been promoted—somehow inexplicably—to the rank of Chūnin.

Additionally, he now had one completed S-Rank mission on his record.

Konoha had apparently reclassified the Uchiha clan’s mission to aid Jigoku Valley as a task under the village’s banner.

This was no coincidence.

At a time when Minato Namikaze was not yet renowned as the "Yellow Flash" and was still on his way to becoming a deterrent to the entire ninja world, another contender for the title of Fourth Hokage emerged: Orochimaru.

As the inheritor of the Fire Shadow legacy and Sarutobi Hiruzen’s chosen successor, Orochimaru wanted to take on an Uchiha as his disciple.

In the tense climate of the ongoing ninja wars, even if Orochimaru and the Uchiha clan agreed to this arrangement, it would have been nearly impossible to get approval from the Third Hokage or the elders—especially with the anti-Uchiha sentiments of Shimura Danzo, head of the Root Division.

To make this happen, both sides must have paid a hefty price.

What Orochimaru sacrificed was unknown to Shinji, but he speculated that the Uchiha clan’s contribution included ceding a lucrative mission—one they’d taken on from the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning, worth tens of millions of ryo annually.

Thinking about all this gave Shinji a headache.

Orochimaru had set his sights on Shinji’s body. However, the obstacles created by the Uchiha clan, which seemed oddly protective of him, prevented Orochimaru from simply taking what he wanted by force. Instead, Orochimaru had chosen a roundabout way to claim him as a disciple.

The Uchiha, misunderstanding Orochimaru’s intent as goodwill, went all in. They poured resources into pushing Shinji into the Fire Shadow faction, mistaking this as an opportunity to improve clan relations.

These mutual misunderstandings led to this absurd situation.

With both the Uchiha clan and the Root division involved, could Orochimaru still defect? Would Minato Namikaze still end up as the Fourth Hokage?

Thinking further:

If Orochimaru didn’t defect, would the Uchiha clan, with Orochimaru’s backing, still be driven to the point of planning a coup?

Damn it, what kind of mess is this?

Shinji thought to himself, *I really didn’t want to save the Uchiha clan; I just wanted a life insurance scam!*

Why did the plot veer so wildly off course?

Before he knew it, as a middleman, he had unwittingly taken on the burden of his clan’s survival.

And yet, only he seemed to be aware of this. Orochimaru and the Uchiha clan were both convinced they were gaining the upper hand, smiling smugly at their perceived success.

This left all the pressure squarely on Shinji’s shoulders.

Now he faced a serious question:

To save or not to save?

If he wanted to save the Uchiha clan, he would have to maintain his position as Orochimaru’s apprentice, stay on guard against his beloved teacher’s sudden betrayal, pull Orochimaru back from the brink of ethical ruin, help him campaign for the Fourth Hokage position, suppress internal dissent within the clan, contend with Konoha’s master manipulator Danzo, and avoid being stabbed in the back by the clan’s two infamous "filial sons."

*Ugh, what a pain!*

Shinji decisively chose option two:

Forget it—better to stick with the insurance scam.

Why should any of this matter to a mere Chūnin who just wanted to pass through this world and die in peace?

With that thought, a wave of relief washed over him, clearing his mind and illuminating his path forward.

As Orochimaru’s disciple, he knew betrayal was inevitable.

When the time came, he’d seize the opportunity, blow the whole thing up, and walk away with five billion ryo in hand. Wouldn’t that be a sweet deal?

Chuckling to himself, Shinji stepped into the bustling streets of City, savoring a brief moment of tranquility after the battles he’d endured.

Before leaving, he had borrowed 100,000 ryo from Kiyoshiro.

After all, this wasn’t Konoha anymore!

Here, there were no meddlesome Hyūga or Inuzuka clans.

He didn’t even need transformation jutsu to walk openly into the famed hot spring paradise!

---

Meanwhile,

In the heart of City’s most vibrant red-light district,

At the highest point of a six-story pavilion,

Mei Terumi leaned lazily against a doorframe, stretching her body with a languid yawn.

Under the sunlight, her youthful figure swayed like a blossoming flower, catching the attention of passersby, who couldn’t help but steal a second glance.

Three days ago, she brought Hozuki Mangetsu, who was willing to accept the seal, to the place where Yagura left his mark.

This place, the largest hot spring entertainment venue in the Land of Soup, is none other than Kabukicho Street.

After Hozuki Mangetsu entered the room to meet Yagura, intense arguments quickly erupted inside.

For three whole days, no one came out of that room.

If it weren’t for the meals being delivered on time every day and actually eaten, Mei Terumi would have thought that Yagura and Hozuki Mangetsu had starved to death in there.

Although Mei Terumi was still young, she wanted desperately to contribute to saving Kirigakure.

However, the terms they used in their arguments were far too complex. Having not officially been involved with the Hidden Mist's political affairs, she found it difficult to fully understand what they were talking about.

She could only grasp the gist of it:

The two were divided over a key issue regarding the coup. The moment Hozuki Mangetsu mentioned "killing the daimyo and the Third Mizukage together," Yagura would immediately retaliate, spitting with fury.

"Are you insane? If you kill the daimyo, who’s going to pay for everything? You? Or your Hozuki clan?"

Then they would dive into heated debates about this issue, arguing from border defenses all the way to what a new political system should look like.

Neither could convince the other.

Mei Terumi could tell that Hozuki Mangetsu's ideas were rooted in the radical words spoken by Uchiha Shinji at the time.

Whenever she thought of that brave young man, she couldn’t help but drift into a daze.

Resting her chin in her hand, Mei Terumi leaned against the railing. Her gaze wandered aimlessly, always circling back to Uchiha Shinji as the center.

Every now and then, her face would flush red, and she would take a couple of deep, shy breaths, feeling as though her entire body was about to melt into a puddle.

After leaving the cult of the Evil God, what had happened to him?

Was he still alive?

Had he managed to rescue Hidan?

Where was he now?

At that moment, Mei Terumi suddenly blinked, as if Uchiha Shinji figure had appeared before her eyes.

She quickly slapped her cheeks and rubbed her eyes.

"Mei Terumi, you can’t let yourself sink any further!" she told herself.

"You’re supposed to be a strong kunoichi who will save Kirigakure, not someone who spends all day thinking about men from other villages."

But not thinking about him was so difficult. It felt like roasted chestnuts without the chestnuts—completely uninteresting.

Fine. Ten times a day—she would only think about him ten times a day!

However…

After rubbing her clear green eyes, the boy’s figure not only failed to disappear but became even clearer.

Mei Terumi froze and quickly looked downstairs.

There, a nervous-looking boy with cat-like steps was pacing back and forth in front of the loft door. Clutching a 100,000-ryo bill, his forehead was covered in sweat.

His eyes darted around as he swallowed nervously.

Then, trembling, he reached out toward a geisha standing on the street, smoothing his hair and flashing what he thought was a suave smile.

"Hi~!"

Mei Terumi’s pupils shrank to pinpoints.

"U-chi-ha Shin-ji!"

(End of this chapter.)

**Chapter 97: Shinji: I Want to Make a Big Deal Worth 100,000 Ryo!

Mei Terumi: No, You Don’t!**

Shinji admitted it—he was a failure of a man.

Up until now, he had never stepped into that forbidden paradise, a place so alluring it could make his heart race and cheeks flush just by thinking about it.

He had always wanted to experience the sweetness of foreign cherry blossoms.

And today—today!

It was finally going to happen!

Taking a deep breath to compose himself, Shinji looked at the woman before him. She was wearing high-heeled wooden sandals and a beautifully crafted kimono of exquisite quality. Her slender waist swayed like a willow by the riverbank, and her figure boasted curves as enticing as a ripe peach.

Just her silhouette was enough to ignite an overwhelming urge to give her a hard, satisfying slap on her backside.

Shinji nervously swallowed, brushed his hair back, and put on a polite smile.

Raising his hand respectfully, he greeted her, “Hi~!”

The woman, with her seductive curves, turned around, looking at Shinji in surprise.

“Huh? Little boy, do you need something?”

Her words instantly hit Shinji like a slap. His mind blanked, and the only thought echoing was, Don’t underestimate me! I’m not a kid! Yet, he completely forgot what he was going to say next.

“Uh, um, well, this, uh...”

For a moment, he stammered and couldn’t get a single word out.

Seeing himself like this, Shinji wished he could slap himself.

Shinji, you’re pathetic! Can’t you be a little more assertive?  

Just say it outright—

I have a deal worth 100,000 ryo to discuss with you!  

After mentally psyching himself up, Shinji’s gaze steadied. He raised his head, determined—

Only to be greeted by a mountain towering into the clouds.

His breath hitched, his face turned red, and the words that had reached his throat were swallowed back down.

“Ahem, ahem!”

“What’s wrong, little boy?”

“Uh, actually, I, uh, have a deal... a 100,000 ryo deal I’d like to...”

Shinji gulped again, trembling as he held up the 100,000 ryo bill in his hand.

But before he could finish, a fragrant breeze brushed past him, and a delicate hand suddenly appeared, snatching the money away.

Then, a crisp voice, as clear as a silver bell, interrupted him coldly, “No, he doesn’t.”

Hearing that familiar voice, Shinji’s entire body froze in fear. He turned his head immediately, only to see Mei Terumi descend from above like a tiger pouncing to protect its prey. She landed gracefully, staring at him with a blank expression.

Her piercing gaze froze the air around them.

“Ah! A ninja!” The woman in the kimono paled, clearly terrified. Her thoughts raced—Ninjas these days are really ahead of the curve. They’re already involved in scandalous love triangles in broad daylight? How bold!  

Hurriedly, she bowed to Mei Terumi and apologized, “I’m sorry, ninja lady. I don’t even know this little boy!”

As she bowed, the special design of her kimono revealed a tantalizing view, a snowy expanse that bloomed like a flower before Shinji’s eyes.

The gentle sway of her figure seemed to shake his very soul.

Shinji felt his breath hitch again, and a warm flow surged in his nose.

It was as if a puppeteer had seized control of his neck.

Help! My neck won’t move! I can’t look away!  

BAM!  

Mei Terumi struck his forehead with a swift karate chop, her temple pulsing as she forced a strained smile.

She immediately transformed into the ninja world's version of Hua Tuo, twisting Shinji’s head toward her.

“No problem, no problem. Now, scram!”

Her tone dripped with sarcasm, but the sharp edge in her voice betrayed her jealousy.

The woman didn’t dare linger a moment longer. She quickly darted back into the hot springs bathhouse.

Before leaving, she placed a sign at the entrance:

*This is a proper establishment. No one under 18 allowed!*

Seeing this, Shinji felt as though a chilling wind had swept through, leaving him desolate as a sorrowful tune played in the background.

Mei Terumi turned to face him directly.

“So, did you like what you saw?” She stared him down, her emerald-green eyes flashing with dangerous intent.

Shinji suddenly shuddered and instinctively shook his head.

“N-no, not at all! Not in the slightest!”

He even let out a disdainful snort, raising three fingers in defiance. “Hmph! Just a bunch of cheap, ordinary women!”

Mei Terumi’s mood finally seemed to improve. She playfully twirled the 100,000 ryo bill between her fingers, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him.

“You were saying? What do you want to do with this 100,000 ryo?”

Shinji awkwardly laughed, reaching out to casually retrieve the bill from her hand.

“Nothing much, nothing much at all!”

As soon as Mei Terumi let her guard down, he planned to circle back and finish what he’d started!

*“Didn’t flinch?”*

Shinji cautiously lowered his gaze, observing Terumi Mei’s expression.

Terumi Mei smiled back at him, her emerald-green eyes sparkling faintly.

The early spring breeze lifted fallen cherry blossoms along the street, sending them dancing gracefully in the air around her.

With the warm spring sunlight, the rising mist from the town’s hot springs, and the girl’s chestnut-red hair flowing in the wind,

the surrounding noise—the chatter of people, the clatter of horses and carriages, the rhythmic pounding of mochi in the shopfronts, and even the warm breath from the adorable girl’s delicate nose—

all seemed to fade into the background, becoming mere lines.

In that moment, the only sound that seemed to reach him was the sudden, rapid beating of his own heart.

Shinji was momentarily stunned.

An awkward sentence, somehow, slipped from his lips:

*“I just remembered… I want to treat you to some sakura mochi.”*

*“I-I also…”*

A slender, pale finger suddenly pressed against Shinji’s lips.

Terumi Mei’s lips curled into an enchanting smile. Like a spirit of spring itself, she gently but deftly grasped Shinji’s hand, pulling him back to reality.

*“You don’t need to treat me.”*

*“I’m quite wealthy.”*

*“Let’s stroll around the streets together!”*

*“Whatever you want, I’ll buy it for you~”*

At that moment, Shinji felt like a helpless Tomcat being toyed with, his thoughts utterly scrambled.

His mind went blank.

All he could do was nod foolishly before being led forward by the girl,

stepping into the springtime light.

---

*Meanwhile…*

At the entrance of an izakaya, Hidan was unceremoniously kicked out by Uchiha Seichiro.

Two rock-hard buns followed him out.

Seichiro stood at the doorway with his arms crossed, glaring down at the younger man with a cold sneer.

*“Kid, you’re done here. Get lost and run back to the Village of Hot Springs.”*

Hidan, covered in dust and visibly frustrated, grabbed the two buns—hard enough to be used as weapons—and stuffed them into his pockets.

Then, while muttering curses under his breath, he yelled:

*“You’re screwed! When Shinji finds out you treated me like this, he’s definitely going to make you pay!”*

Seichiro let out a cold laugh.

*“Oh? You think you can talk back to me, huh?”*

*“Your big bro told me himself—he doesn’t want to see you right now. If you’ve got any sense, scram!”*

*“Otherwise, I wouldn’t mind helping you end your misery.”*

With that, Seichiro placed a hand on the hilt of his sword, a menacing glint in his eyes and a wicked grin on his face, as if to terrify the younger man.

Hidan’s face filled with shock and disbelief.

*“What did you say? He said he doesn’t want to see me?”*

Struggling to hold back his tears, Hidan wiped at the corners of his eyes. But seeing Seichiro remain silent as he slowly drew his sword, clearly meaning business,

Hidan’s heart skipped a beat. He scrambled to his feet and immediately bolted from the alleyway.

He didn’t stop until he had run through two streets, far away from the izakaya.

Fuming, he pulled out one of the rock-hard buns and took a bite, growing more indignant by the second.

*“No way. I’ve risked my life for that bastard, and this is how he treats me?!”*

*“Impossible. Absolutely impossible!”*

Hidan chewed the dry bun with a gloomy expression, sitting in the corner of the street, covered in dust.

At that moment,

he suddenly heard a familiar, unmistakable voice nearby. It was awkward, stumbling, and utterly unmistakable:

*“I just remembered… I want to treat you to some sakura mochi.”*

*“I-I also…”*

Hidan raised his head in surprise,

and his expression quickly turned to one of utter shock.

(End of chapter)  

*Chapter 98: Uninvited Guests, A Grand Water Burial!*

Land of Hot Water, in front of an izakaya.

After driving off Hidan, Uchiha Kiyoshiro shook his head lightly, then looked up at the azure sky, squinting slightly.

"The package sent from the clan should arrive soon."

As the captain of the Police Force, Uchiha Fugaku had accepted a mission from Konoha, which required him to leave the village. After handling the matters in Yumemachi and dealing with Shinji, he left for the Land of Water with his squad to undertake a more dangerous mission.

The affairs in Yumemachi were handed over entirely to Kiyoshiro.

The fact that Shinji had become a disciple of the Sannin was a significant event within the clan.

Along with the forehead protector and credentials, the package was supposed to include a green Konoha Chūnin vest and a full set of equipment.

However, after the package passed through the hands of the clan elder, Uchiha Setsuna, he disdainfully discarded the Chūnin vest, claiming it was too ugly and not befitting of the Uchiha.

Instead, the clan expedited the creation of a custom-tailored combat uniform to match the prestige of the Uchiha clan.

Because this concerned Shinji, Kiyoshiro was especially attentive to the matter.

Now, he was waiting for the package.

Just then—

Screeech! 

A piercing eagle cry suddenly echoed from the sky, carrying a soul-stirring power.

An eagle soared down from the horizon, its wings cutting through the air.

Kiyoshiro's eyes lit up. He quickly raised his arm to catch the bird and retrieved a palm-sized storage scroll from the pouch on its back.

This type of scroll was incredibly valuable, with an enormous storage capacity that dwarfed the scrolls Shinji had previously used to store ninja tools. It was true high-end gear in the ninja world.

The contents of the scroll were the clan’s true reward for Shinji.

Looking at the scroll in his hands, Kiyoshiro couldn’t help but feel curious. What kind of combat uniform, so costly to deliver, could it be? Just how impressive would it look?

Should he, as the elder brother, take a sneak peek first?

Kiyoshiro’s breathing quickened slightly as he placed his hand on the scroll, opening it just a fraction.

However—

"Do you think you’re worthy of looking inside?"

A cold voice suddenly sounded in Kiyoshiro's ear.

He snapped his head up, only to see a group of four ninjas wearing Konoha’s Anbu uniforms approaching.

The leader wore a black cloak and sunglasses, with a purple mark etched on his right cheek.

His tone was icy and authoritative as he addressed Kiyoshiro directly:

"Where is Shinji? Take me to him!"

Kiyoshiro's pupils contracted. Based on the masks worn by the squad members, he instantly identified them.

These individuals were from Root.

Unlike Konoha’s Anbu, whose masks were modeled after animals, Root masks had more varied and intricate designs.

Moreover, Kiyoshiro had heard of the man in black sunglasses before.

This was none other than Aburame Ryoma, a squad leader of Root on par with Orochimaru.

---

Meanwhile, on a bustling street in the Land of Hot Water...

When Shinji came back to his senses, Terumi Mei was already dragging him through the busy streets. They dodged the crowds, turned a corner, and slipped into a quiet little shop.

The shop stood amidst a hazy steam, its whitewashed walls and torii-style roof exuding a serene and peaceful vibe.

Steam billowed from a steamer basket at the entrance, carrying the delicate fragrance of sakura blossoms on the breeze.

Inside the display case were an array of sweets and pastries of various shapes and sizes.

At the forefront were seasonal sakura mochi, their pink exterior wrapped around red bean paste, encased in salted cherry leaves, and shaped into elegant rolls, bamboo folds, or dumpling forms.

"Welcome, young guests," greeted the shopkeeper, an elderly man nearing his sixties. He bowed slightly with a warm smile.

"What would you like to try?"

Shinji glanced at the sakura mochi in the display case, and his eyes widened at the sight of the price.

What in the world? Are these pastries encrusted with diamonds? Ten million ryō for one?!

Dumbfounded, he looked up at the shopkeeper, tempted to ask if purchasing a pastry came with a wife as a bonus.

This tiny treat costs more than 1,053 bowls of Ichiraku Ramen! 

At that moment, Terumi Mei turned back to him and said, "What’s wrong? Don’t worry. The sweets from this shop are delicious. They’re said to be offered to the daimyō every year and are famous throughout Yumemachi."

Tsu looked at the sweets in front of him. He could tell they were far superior to the dango sold for 20 ryō at roadside stalls.

But how could he admit that he was too broke to afford even a single pastry in this situation?

So, he awkwardly nodded and asked with a forced smile, "Uh, Mei, which one do you want?"

Mei crouched down, resting her chin on her hand as she examined the display. After a moment, she pointed at an intricately arranged sakura mochi and turned to Tsu with a soft glimmer in her eyes.

"This one, Shinji. I want this one!"

Tsu felt a pang in his chest. Gritting his teeth, he pulled out a ten-million ryō bill and slapped it onto the counter.

"Alright. I'll buy it!"

Terumi Mei smiled faintly at the scene, then shook her head. With an air of generosity, she took out a small wallet, pulled out a checkbook, and pointed at Shinji while speaking to the confectionery shop owner.

"Boss, please pack all of these up."

"I'll take them all and give them to him."

The confectionery shop owner was momentarily stunned, then grinned so widely that his eyes nearly disappeared. Without hesitation, he packed all the sakura mochi in the display case and handed them to Shinji.

Hearing this, Shinji froze for a moment. He raised his head to look at Terumi Mei.

At that moment, he finally realized the staggering disparity in wealth within the ninja world.

Also, what kind of wealthy lady was this woman? She casually gave away the equivalent of an S-rank mission reward as if it were nothing!

Holding a bag full of sakura mochi, Shinji walked alongside Terumi Mei, who was nibbling on one like a small hamster.

Then, he heard Terumi Mei speak in a soft, meaningful tone:

"Shinji,"

"Next time, don’t spend the money you worked so hard to earn on things like that."

"And be kinder to yourself—eat something nice~"

With that, she turned around, showing him the now-empty box in her hands.

Then, with a slight blush on her face, she stared at the large bag of sakura mochi in his hands and murmured softly:

"I want more."

Hearing this, Shinji realized the atmosphere was becoming a little peculiar. His face flushed, and he swallowed nervously, his heart pounding.

What was this expression? What did these words mean?

Was she implying that she wanted him to feed her?

Shinji’s eyes widened slightly as he came to this realization. Without hesitation, he picked up a piece of sakura mochi and offered it to Terumi Mei.

When Terumi Mei saw Shinji directly feeding her a piece of sakura mochi, she froze on the spot.

She blinked rapidly and drew a sharp breath. Her clear, green eyes trembled like an earthquake, and her delicate white ears instantly turned red with a rush of blood.

She had only wanted him to hand her one, but he was being so bold.

Feeding her directly? Were they already this close?

This… this was too fast!

At the same time, Shinji noticed Terumi Mei’s expression, her face now redder than a teapot about to boil. His eyes widened, and he realized he had misunderstood her intention. But at this point, the arrow was already on the string, and there was no turning back.

If he withdrew now, wouldn’t that make him seem unmanly?

Besides… she didn’t seem to be rejecting him!

Shinji took a deep breath, his heart pounding like a drum.

However, just at that moment—

A certain someone who had been silently trailing them from behind while nibbling on a hard, dry steamed bun, curious about what his teammates were sneaking off to do, was now stunned by the romantic scene unfolding before his eyes.

It was Hidan.

His jaw dropped, and the rock-hard steamed bun fell from his hand with a loud thud.

Plop!

The crisp sound of the bun hitting the ground startled both Shinji and Terumi Mei. Like frightened birds, they turned their heads abruptly.

Then, Shinji saw—

A very angry Hidan glaring at them, pointing at the bag of sakura mochi in his hand as if about to say something.

Behind Hidan, on the rooftops of the alleyway, an uncountable number of Mist Village hunter-nin, wearing masks adorned with the three-water-wave pattern, had appeared at some point.

They looked toward the six-story building in the center of the street, their hands forming seals.

In the next moment—

A cold shout shattered the facade of peace in Yumegakure:

"Water Style: Grand Water Surge!"

Shinji's pupils contracted sharply, his crimson Sharingan glowing fiercely!

There was no time to lose. Another chapter will follow later—posting this one now for revisions later.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 99: Flooding the Capital, Wails Across the Land

The streets and alleyways were already filled with the shadows of Mist Village's pursuit ninja, though no one knew exactly when they had appeared.

This organization seemed to have poured out from the depths of Mist Village, surrounding the six-story pavilion at the center of the street.

“Not good!”

Shinji immediately recognized the hand seals being formed by the enemy—a collaborative Water Release technique, *Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave*.

This jutsu covered an extensive range, capable of creating a small ocean. The immense water pressure generated upon its release could crush steel plates!

If the jutsu unfolded completely, half of City would be submerged!

And the three of them stood squarely within the most forceful impact zone of the first wave.

Shinji’s eyes narrowed. With practiced ease, he retrieved four kunai from Terumi Mei’s tool pouch at her waist.

Hooking his index finger, he generated a mass of black threads from his wrist, attaching them to the kunai rings. He flung them out, embedding the blades into the rooftops of nearby buildings.

Without hesitation, he grabbed Terumi Mei and leaped upward. In mid-air, he pulled on the taut threads, swinging them higher.

He even found the time to shout back to his companion:

“Hidan! Play dead where you are—don’t make a sound!”

Hidan had just opened his mouth to curse when he saw Shinji skillfully execute his plan, fleeing with Terumi Mei in his arms.

Dumbfounded, Hidan muttered to himself, Seriously? I just wanted some food. Did you have to freak out this much?  

The next moment, dozens of water pillars crashed down behind him. Tens of thousands of tons of water slammed into the ground, obliterating the six-story pavilion at the center of the street.

Massive waves surged, forming a tsunami over ten meters high, sweeping everything in its path.

In an instant, the overwhelming shadow of the waves engulfed Hidan’s view entirely.

He turned his head in stunned disbelief, his expression shifting from shock to terror.

*Boom!*

The waves smashed down, plunging City into eerie silence.

The storm carried icy spray that stung like needles.

Breaking the silence were the figures leaping from the wreckage of the pavilion—warriors whose blood still burned hot.

Bearing their missions, steeped in darkness, drowning in hatred, they fought relentlessly under the banner of their conflicting ideals.

Within moments, the city echoed with the cries of injured civilians.

Amid the anguished wails, the clash of kunai marked the onset of the Third Great Ninja War.

---

Swinging through the air, Shinji narrowly dodged the oncoming tsunami. He repeatedly launched kunai and shuriken, embedding them into higher points along his path, pulling the threads taut to leap again and again.

Terumi Mei, momentarily too stunned to berate him for raiding her tool pouch, quickly regained her composure.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, she turned to gaze past the towering waves at the crumbling pavilion in the distance and exclaimed,

“How could the Third Mizukage know Lord Yagura’s location? This was a secret only I and Mangetsu Hozuki knew!”

“I kept a close eye on Mangetsu Hozuki the entire time and ensured he was sealed. He shouldn’t have been able to leak anything.”

Eliminating all other possibilities, the most unlikely scenario might actually be the truth.

Terumi Mei froze, her expression stiffening as she muttered to herself,

“Could it… could it have been me who leaked it?”

In a way, she wasn’t wrong.

Hearing her words, Shinji fell silent for a moment, recalling the mysterious subtitles that had appeared in the castle previously.

*“The Third Mizukage scorns you.”*

In hindsight, that wasn’t a glitch in his talent.

The Third Mizukage had likely been present at the time, silently trailing Mangetsu Hozuki, suspecting his disloyalty and biding his time to act.

Unable to discern the full truth, Shinji refocused on the present. Terumi Mei’s tool pouch was now empty.

Still clutching her, he swung through the air, avoiding the cresting waves and landing on the roof of a four-story building outside the main blast zone.

He prayed the building wouldn’t collapse under the pressure of the raging waters.

Once on the rooftop, Shinji scanned the surroundings. The once-lively capital of the Land of Hot Water had become a scene of devastation and despair.

The sudden attack had shattered the dreams of civilians peacefully enjoying their hot springs.

Pavilions crumbled, the city submerged in an expanse of water.

Every visible rooftop teemed with terrified civilians.

Mothers clutching their children wept in despair; merchants who had lost everything stared blankly into space. Middle-aged men, paralyzed by the sudden loss of loved ones, sat in stunned silence.

Corpses rolled in the churning waves, one drifting past that Shinji found disturbingly familiar.

It was the confectioner who had recently earned a hefty sum from Terumi Mei.

Moments ago, he might have been grinning while counting his money, amused by the budding relationship between the young pair.

Now, his mangled body—half-crushed by debris—floated lifelessly, his face frozen in utter terror.

*"To die with eyes unclosed."*

Not even knowing the reason for one’s death.

Shinji's expression grew cold.

"Hisssss."

He took a deep breath, suppressing the anger buried deep in his heart—the fury of witnessing an unjust tragedy unfold before his eyes while being powerless to stop it.

Suppressing the hatred of wanting to confront the true culprit and demand an explanation for all of this.

Suppressing the desperate urge to change everything.

He reminded himself over and over: Wasn’t this something you, Shinji, had already foreseen? This world, in its unvarnished truth, is cruel.  

In this world where power reigns supreme, you, Shinji, are merely a passerby.

"Huff."

Shinji shook his head, exhaling a long breath. His expression blank, he reached out to pick up a roof tile from beneath his feet. Using black threads of Earth Grudge Fear, he tied the tile tightly and flung it toward the living survivors slipping away in front of him.

He pulled them ashore.

Beside him, Mei Terumi helped rescue two more people, then immediately furrowed her brows and said:

"Ci, we need to leave here quickly."

"That group of pursuers is after Lord Yagura. A far more terrifying battle could break out here at any moment."

Her brows knit tighter, and worry flashed in her eyes.

"Even the Third Mizukage might show up."

Shinji frowned slightly but did not respond. He merely narrowed his eyes, continuing to save survivors while using the Sharingan in his gaze to survey the distance.

Far ahead, two figures dashed across the turbulent water as though walking on flat ground, racing toward them.

One had green hair, purple eyes, and a doll-like face. A scar resembling a stitched wound stretched beneath his left eye. Shorter than Shinji, he held a long, hook-shaped staff with a green flower-like ornament at the top.

This was none other than the future Fourth Mizukage of the Mist, Yagura Karatachi!

The other had white hair and purple eyes, his face devoid of emotion. On his back was a broad ninja sword wrapped tightly in bandages.

It was none other than the Mist’s "Prodigy" whom Shinji had fought fiercely not long ago—Hozuki Mangetsu!

"Is it them?" Mei Terumi, now able to discern their forms, was delighted. Her eyes lit up, and she let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness they’re safe."

However, beneath Mei Terumi’s relieved voice, Shinji silently stood up.

He then pulled back his shirt, revealing his abdomen.

His fingers pressed against the ouroboros pattern of the Zero-Tails carved into his stomach.

His eyes suddenly grew icy cold.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 100: Facing Two Opponents Alone - You Know Too Much!*

The arrival of Yagura Karatachi and Mangetsu Hozuki might have been a good thing for Mei Terumi.

But for Shinji…

Well, it seemed to be a good thing for him as well.

Shinji immediately realized that these two would never let someone who knew the secrets of Kirigakure off the hook so easily—especially since Mangetsu Hozuki had joined Yagura’s faction.

Unaware that the Third Mizukage already knew about this situation, Yagura likely believed this wild card would be a decisive move against the Third Mizukage.

However, with these secrets exposed to an Uchiha, a ninja from Konoha, the positions of both parties immediately clashed, creating irreconcilable conflict.

Any rational person in this situation would wish they had a pair of extra legs to turn and run as fast as possible.

But Shinji?

Running never crossed his mind.

In a flash, two black figures approached from the distance, stepping across the waves before landing on the rooftop.

Yagura Karatachi’s expression was grim. With a single hand forming a seal, he maintained contact with the water’s surface, continuously sensing the surroundings, which led him to Mei Terumi’s location.

When he saw that Mei was unharmed, he sighed in relief.

For Yagura, who was determined to change the state of Kirigakure, the support of the bloodline clans and elders behind Mei was essential.

He quickly shifted his gaze to Shinji and the threads in his hand, confirming that the marks he’d seen on rooftops along the way had been caused by this young boy.

It seemed to be a unique thread-based technique, somewhat reminiscent of the "Unforgiving" organization he’d encountered during a mission in the Land of Forests.

Assuming that this boy was a friend Mei Terumi had made in a small nation, Yagura smiled warmly and politely addressed Shinji:

"You’re the one who saved Mei Terumi, aren’t you?"

Shinji raised an eyebrow slightly. The man’s demeanor made it seem like he hadn’t recognized him.

With a faint "Mm," Shinji’s gaze subtly shifted to Mangetsu Hozuki beside him.

Yagura nodded, committing Shinji’s face to memory. He then smiled and said,

"The situation is urgent. We need to leave here immediately."

"If there’s a chance, please visit Kirigakure. I’ll be sure to thank you properly then."

After speaking, he turned to Mei Terumi. Just as he gestured for her to follow them, Mangetsu Hozuki furrowed his brow, grabbed Yagura’s shoulder, and said coldly, "Wait, Yagura."

"Hmm? What is it?" Yagura asked, puzzled, looking up at Mangetsu.

Mangetsu, however, was staring coldly at Shinji. His voice turned icy:

"This brat is a ninja from the Uchiha clan."

"Uchiha?" Yagura frowned slightly, looking at the calm Shinji standing silently on the rooftop.

Indeed, an Uchiha, with their Sharingan, would excel in manipulating threads and shuriken.

After a moment of thought, Yagura shook his head at Mangetsu:

"It doesn’t matter. We currently have no conflict with Konoha. Right now, completing that mission is the priority."

"Let’s not cause unnecessary trouble. We need to leave now."

Kirigakure’s pursuit ninjas were out in full force, aiming to capture Yagura. Every second they delayed increased the risk.

But even in such a critical situation, Mangetsu Hozuki didn’t move. He turned his head and said firmly, "No, Yagura."

Raising his hand, he pointed to the eye wrapped in bandages on his face, his voice icy:

"Do you remember how I told you this eye went blind?"

"Wait, you mean…"

Yagura was stunned, looking at Shinji with disbelief.

Could this be the Uchiha mentioned in Mei Terumi’s report?

Mangetsu let out a cold snort, a glint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes. He confirmed,

"That’s right. It’s this brat’s doing."

He bared his sharp teeth, sneering as he asked,

"Isn’t that right, Shinji?"

Shinji’s Sharingan lit up, glowing a vivid crimson. He smiled and responded:

"What, are you hoping to lose your other eye now too?"

Mangetsu let out a mocking laugh and shook his head.

Reaching for the massive sword on his back, he unwrapped the bandages to reveal the wide, heavy blade glinting with a cold edge—Hiramekarei.  

In an instant, murderous intent surged in his gaze.

The atmosphere on the rooftop grew oppressively tense.

The civilians Shinji had rescued, sensing the impending clash, recoiled in fear. Some even leaped into the turbulent waves below, preferring the water over the risk of being caught in a ninja battle.

Honestly, they’d rather take their chances in the water.

Mei Terumi, realizing something was wrong, hesitated, unsure of what to do in the face of such a rapid escalation.

Steeling herself, she stepped forward, positioning herself between the three and awkwardly pleaded,

"Wait, Lord Yagura, Mangetsu, you can’t—"

Before she could finish, Shinji shook his head and interrupted her with a calm, steady voice:

"Go back, Mei Terumi."

Mei turned to look at Shinji, her clear green eyes filled with conflict. She seemed to want to say something but hesitated.

However, Shinji's gaze remained exceptionally calm, so calm that it seemed almost indifferent:

"Mei Terumi, this is the fate of a shinobi."

"As long as we remain trapped in this cycle, it’s an inevitable truth."

"I remember you once said that we would eventually become enemies, destined to meet again on the battlefield."

"Although it hasn’t been long,"

He narrowed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

"But now, it seems we’ve reached that point."

In the next moment,

Shinji suddenly reached out and pressed his abdomen!

A pattern resembling an ouroboros appeared on his stomach, circling around his palm.

The raging dark chakra was fully unleashed, surging into every corner of his body!

The sudden glow of Shinji's Sharingan made him appear even more sinister!

The forceful chakra shook the roof tiles, causing them to rattle and creak.

Another battle begins!

Now, as the Jinchūriki of the Zero-Tails, in peak condition and once again capable of using forbidden death techniques,

What kind of outcome awaits Shinji against Mangetsu Hōzuki, who had previously been utterly defeated by his three blades?

Shinji didn’t know, but he was eager to find out!

The storm roared, lifting the deep green hair of Yagura Karatachi at its roots.

The astonishment, surprise, and hesitation in his eyes vanished entirely, replaced by an icy coldness.

"I understand."

"Although I don’t want to waste time here,"

"Sorry, but you know too much."

He took a deep breath, raised his hook-shaped staff adorned with floral designs, and pointed it coldly at Shinji.

"For the sake of the Hidden Mist’s greater good, you must die here."

"Don’t worry; I’m quick. You won’t feel much pain."

Hearing this, and looking at the hellish scene of destruction before him,

Shinji didn’t know why, but he just wanted to laugh.

His gaze turned fierce, and he stomped hard on the ground!

The roof tiles jumped into the air, and with a wave of his hand, he hurled more than a dozen tiles, turning them into spinning shuriken flying toward the two opponents!

Using the storm of tiles as cover, he charged forward in a blur,

forming a seal with his hands and drawing forth the Water Style: Water Fang Blade.

His crimson Sharingan darted from side to side, finally locking onto a swirling whirlpool on a nearby water surface.

(End of this chapter)