Naruto: I, Uchiha, Just Want to Die

Chapter 122: Science Sharpens My Mind, Orochimaru's Night Attack!

The operations of Root were efficient and to the point.

After Aburame Ryoma briefed him on the mission, a Root ninja wearing a bird-patterned mask led Uchiha Ci to his designated tent. Ci was then guided to collect supplies like bedding and food from another part of the Konoha ninja camp. Once that was done, the Root ninja left him alone.

Standing in the shadow of his tent, Uchiha Ci watched as Root ninjas dashed through the rain, moving between Orochimaru's main tent and the camp where Aburame Ryoma resided. It was evident that both his superiors were very busy during this wartime, as were the other Root ninjas he encountered, all appearing hurried.

On the battlefield in the Land of Rain, most deep infiltration intelligence missions were handled by this silent group. No one paid attention to Uchiha Ci, nor did anyone provide him with formal Root training. As a clan ninja whose skills were limited to throwing shurikens, fighting, and eating, Ci had no idea what they were doing, nor could he be of any help.

Feeling idle, Uchiha Ci retreated into his tent, reluctantly sitting on his bed and opening the scroll Orochimaru had given him: "Orochimaru Style: Substitution Jutsu".

Soon, his brows furrowed. This version of the jutsu was clearly not the regular Orochimaru-style Substitution Jutsu. It wasn't the simplified version taught to Uchiha Sasuke, which consumed a lot of chakra. Instead, it was Orochimaru's enhanced version, featuring his signature technique of regurgitating snakes and other entities in a cycle.

This bizarre substitution technique required super-speed regeneration and vast chakra reserves to use. At this point, it was still in a prototype phase, far from being a complete jutsu and more like a research project. The scroll contained dense notes on Orochimaru's ideas and analysis, filled with professional terms that Ci couldn't comprehend, including aspects of human, tissue, and genetic modification.

Looking at this seemingly ordinary scroll, which, when unfurled, stretched from one end of the tent to the other, containing over 100,000 words, Uchiha Ci found himself bewildered. He recognized every individual word, but together they formed content that was completely unintelligible to him.

He felt a headache, reminiscent of cramming for exams back in his school days.

"Damn it, you expect me to memorize this in one day?"

While the Sharingan did enhance his perception, making him feel slightly sharper, it wasn't enough to allow him to read and remember everything instantly. Swallowing hard, Uchiha Ci braced himself and started reading from the beginning of the scroll. If he didn't memorize it, Orochimaru might cancel his mission, and he wouldn't be able to participate in the battlefield.

In the first hour, Uchiha Ci was full of enthusiasm, his mind clearly feeling stimulated by the scientific content:

"By exchanging homologous sequences, exogenous DNA fragments replace genes at the original site, achieving inactivation or correction of specific genes."

His recitation echoed from the tent, impressing passing Root ninjas with his dedication. Even during wartime, he could immerse himself in study, making him a role model.

However, by the second hour, the recitation in the tent turned into gibberish:

"Ah ba ba ba ba..."

The passing Root ninjas shook their heads in sympathy, thinking about how specialized skills are necessary. A kid like Ci, only good with kunai and combat, was being driven mad by studying.

By the fourth hour:

"Zzzz~ snore, snore..."

Root ninjas outside heard the loud snores, louder than a pig's, and exchanged silent glances, saying nothing.

---

As night deepened, the skies of the Land of Rain cleared, revealing a starry sky. A full moon quietly illuminated the moist earth. In one of the tents in the Root camp, under the dim candlelight, a young boy lay slumped over a desk, drooling onto a scroll.

Suddenly, the candlelight flickered. A man in a black kimono appeared silently in the tent. His jade earrings and purple eye markings revealed his identity: Uchiha Ci's mentor, Orochimaru.

Seeing his student in such a state, drooling on a precious scroll written by his own hand, Orochimaru fell silent. Fortunately, the scroll was made of waterproof material, as Orochimaru often produced things from his mouth. Despite this, the thunderous snoring grated on his nerves, causing a vein to bulge on his forehead.

He narrowed his golden snake-like eyes and released a sliver of killing intent. Instantly, Uchiha Ci, who was sleeping soundly, bolted upright.

His right hand grabbed the sealing bracelet on his left wrist, instantly summoning the Kusanagi sword. His left hand reached for his ninja pouch, retrieving four shuriken, with strings from his wrist automatically wrapping around them.

Only after taking a combat stance did Uchiha Ci realize where he was. He opened his eyes, shouting, "Who's there?!"

Orochimaru, observing the instinctive reaction beyond conscious thought, remarked with interest, "Such a reflex, ingrained into your very being."

Seeing Orochimaru, Ci frowned slightly, "Huh? Orochimaru? What are you doing here?"

Before he could finish, Orochimaru shook his head and coldly said, "Though you are cautious, you are still too weak." He waved his hand:

"Ninja Art: Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

From the ground of the tent, four giant serpents burst forth, coiling around Ci's limbs. Startled, Ci swung the Kusanagi sword:

"Uchiha Style: Momentary Slash!"

A crescent-shaped arc of light flashed, severing the four thick serpents. He then hurled four shuriken at Orochimaru, targeting his head, eyes, throat, and heart. Landing from his jump, Sharingan glowing, he infused fire chakra into his sword, extending it with a fiery blade thrust towards Orochimaru.

However, in the next moment:

"Genjutsu: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique."

Orochimaru's raspy voice sounded, and darkness engulfed Uchiha Ci. Though blind, he remembered Orochimaru's position and swung his sword. The tent lit up briefly, but his strike only hit a watery sensation, indicating a Substitution Jutsu. Ci quickly realized it was Orochimaru's Earth-Style Substitution.

Caught off guard, Ci tried to sense incoming danger, preparing to defend blindly. Orochimaru, noticing his combat intuition, mused on how to attack without Ci's awareness. His calm voice echoed again:

"Nirvana Temple Technique!"

Feathers began falling in the dark, inducing drowsiness. Ci attempted to disrupt his chakra to dispel the illusion, but a sharp chop hit his neck first.

"Bam!"

Ci's eyes widened before he collapsed. Orochimaru frowned, standing over his unconscious disciple.

"Strengths are obvious, but so are weaknesses," he muttered. "Ninja battles aren't always in your favor. Illusions, poisons, seals, advanced ninjutsu, special tools, or sheer speed can easily defeat you."

He spat out another scroll, marking it with notes on Genjutsu and Ninja Senses. Then he performed a hand sign:

"Ninja Art: Snake Mouth Binding!"

A giant snake emerged from the ground, swallowing both Orochimaru and Ci. The snake slithered away under the moonlight towards a secluded training ground.

Ci awoke to warm, sticky mucus on his face and a massive purple head staring at him. It was Orochimaru's strongest summon, Manda.

"Haha! This brat woke up from my spit!" Manda laughed, causing the ground to tremble.

Under the moonlight, Orochimaru's cold, raspy voice came from a distance, "You can eat as much as you like in the next battle." Ci looked up, horrified, seeing Orochimaru standing atop a cliff, operating on a bound Sand ninja without anesthesia.

The ninja's screams were so haunting that Ci's scalp tingled. Orochimaru turned, blood dripping from his face, his golden eyes locking onto Ci.

"Awake? Good, I'll be done soon. Now, tell me," he asked softly, "how much of the scroll have you memorized?"

Sweat dripped down Ci's forehead as he stammered, "I-I've memorized quite a bit."

"Really?" Orochimaru smirked. "Explain the principles of base editing techniques then."

Ci's mind went blank; he could only recall a dream of shopping with Mei Terumi. Base editing techniques? Why would a substitution jutsu involve such knowledge?

"Hahahahahaha! Orochimaru, this kid is clearly an idiot!"

"You actually tried to teach him your techniques?!"

"Hahaha, I can't stop laughing! Hahahaha!"

Manda couldn't help but burst into laughter at the sight of Uchiha Ci's expression. The sheer amusement made him throw his head back, his laughter shaking the very ground.

Orochimaru's hand trembled under Manda's thunderous laughter, causing him to accidentally end the life of the Sand ninja he was experimenting on.

Frowning, Orochimaru turned around, aligning his head back with his body. He cast a cold, indifferent gaze at the two fools standing in the valley.

He shook his head and tossed aside the bloodied scalpel in his hand. His golden, snake-like eyes stared at Uchiha Ci with a sneer.

"If reciting theory doesn't work for you, let's try a different approach."

"My dear disciple," Orochimaru said with a chilling smile.

"Aren't you so eager to die?"

"I've found an opponent for you. Now, it's time for a fight to the death!"

Hearing this, Uchiha Ci was stunned. "An opponent? Where's the opponent?"

He looked around, but the valley was empty except for him and Manda.

Both man and snake exchanged confused glances, wide-eyed, clearly not understanding what Orochimaru meant.

For a moment, the atmosphere grew tense. They thought, "Why fight when there's no bad blood between us?"

Just then, Orochimaru turned his head towards Manda, a sinister grin spreading across his face.

"Hehehe... Manda, kill this kid, and I'll offer you 100 more sacrifices!"

At these words, Manda's eyes widened in shock. He lowered his head, staring at Uchiha Ci, who was now drenched in its saliva.

Manda's pupils narrowed instantly.

Right at this moment, a line of text appeared in front of Uchiha Ci's eyes:

[Manda has developed killing intent towards you!]

In the next second, Uchiha Ci felt a chilling sensation explode across his scalp. His vision blurred momentarily as if a massive building were collapsing before him. Manda's enormous purple tail whipped up a terrifying sandstorm and came crashing down towards him with immense force!

In an instant, the air was shattered layer by layer!

The ground shook and the sky roared as a deafening boom erupted!