Declare War on Your Future Self! Step Onto the Lonely Road of Certain Death!

As Uchiha Ci's words fell, a sudden gust of wind blew in, scattering the Thin Mist beneath the moon and stirring the flames until the campfire flared violently.

Sparks crackled and flew into the air.

Beneath the radiance of the enormous Full Moon, the youth's profile was deeply imprinted in the eyes of the three present.

Though he was wrapped head to toe in bandages, looking like a battered wreck fresh off the battlefield, the arrogant curl of his lips

held a suffocating kind of handsomeness!

Looking at Uchiha Ci's confident smile, the Emerald Pupils of the maiden with Brown-Red Long Hair went slightly unfocused.

As their gazes met, it was as though she were about to be drawn into the grand vision within the youth's ideals.

But Soon, she came back to her senses and could not help curling her lips, as if she had thought of something amusing.

"Is that so?"

"In that case, I acknowledge you as my Opponent."

"Uchiha Ci."

She curved her Emerald Eyes, brushed the Brown-Red Long Hair tassels that had fallen by her ear behind it, glanced up at the Full Moon In the Sky, and carefully considered her Words.

Then, she smiled.

"Let's get acquainted again. My name is—"

"Mei. Tsukikyuu Mei."

"Though this may be a bit discouraging to hear, neither you nor I have yet reached the moment when we can truly stand upon the brightest stage of the ninja world."

"However,"

"as long as you still dream of becoming the conqueror of the world, carrying such a mad ambition,"

"then one day, we will meet again on the battlefield."

The maiden's Emerald Eyes gleamed with gentle sincerity, yet deep within her pupils, a cold and rational Killing Intent quietly flashed.

"When that time comes, I will show you no mercy."

Uchiha Ci still had his Sharingan activated.

Naturally, he could take in every change in expression on the face of the maiden named "Tsukikyuu Mei."

That name, that hair color, that beauty, coupled with such resolute will.

Uchiha Ci finally recognized her true identity.

Tsukikyuu Mei, or rather—

Mei Terumi.

The future Fifth Mizukage of the Misty Water Village!

A powerful Female Ninja who possessed the one-of-a-kind Dual Kekkei Genkai and ended the chaotic era of the Blood Mist Village!

Uchiha Ci could not help wanting to laugh. Looking at Mei Terumi's adorable Little Face, still not quite free of its childishness, he nearly blurted out:

You're actually kind of nice!

This inexplicable feeling of suddenly setting up a formidable enemy for himself, one who declared she would scatter even his ashes.

Honestly, it felt kind of good.

But could you not wait until the future and scatter me right now instead?

Uchiha Ci raised a brow. His tone carried thirty percent strangeness, thirty percent arrogance, and forty percent indignation as he provocatively asked, "Are you declaring war on me?"

Mei Terumi shook her head, somewhat regretfully saying, "Uchiha Ci, even I have to admit that your battle in the village was truly spectacular."

"Your outstanding Shurikenjutsu, your relentless Fire Release, and the combat intelligence you displayed at the Crucial Moment—even in my village, you could be considered a capable talent."

"But I'm sorry—"

"At your current level, you probably aren't my Opponent."

"Much less the Opponent of those true Geniuses among our generation, whose strength surpasses mine."

"Namikaze Minato of Konoha, Hozuki Mangetsu of Kirigakure, Sasori of the Red Sands who disappeared from Suna, Killer B of Kumogakure—these are the ones currently riding the tides of the ninja world. Even I envy their talent."

Mei Terumi paused, earnestness showing in her Emerald Clear Eyes.

"You possess such trembling ambition and bear the Uchiha name. In the future, you may yet surpass those who came before you."

"You may take this as my declaration of war against you."

"Against the future you—"

"I declare war!"

The maiden's words drifted on the wind, the steadfast resolve within them gleaming beneath the moonlight.

Hearing this, Uchiha Ci felt rather helpless.

As Kirigakure's genius, Mei Terumi should have already mastered both of her Kekkei Genkai by this point. Whether Lava Release or Boil Release, killing him now would be as easy as playing around.

As long as she showed hostility, he would have a reason to fight her!

He could collect his bento at light speed, claim Five Hundred Million, then go home and enjoy himself.

But if she did not want to kill him, he could hardly hold a blade to her neck and force her to gun him down.

Still, Uchiha Ci was not discouraged. He merely snickered to himself. You probably will not live to see that day.

How hilarious.

He, Uchiha Ci, was about to go offer himself up to the Evil God Cult.

A whole row of blades was waiting ahead for him to stick his neck out.

Mei Terumi, you would never live to see the day you chopped me down!

Of course, he would not let this opportunity slip by. After all, it counted as a decent insurance policy, did it not?

So, Uchiha Ci looked seriously at Mei Terumi, then suddenly smiled and spoke with utter confidence:

"Very well, Tsukikyuu Mei."

"Then I'll eagerly await the day you come to kill me."

"I hope that on that day, you, who seek to stand in the way of my charge, will be able to satisfy me!"

However, Uchiha Ci's words made Mei Terumi's mind jolt the moment they entered her ears.

"Await," "that day," "charge," "satisfy."

The words automatically rearranged themselves in her mind, forming a love confession that made her blush and her heart race.

Mei Terumi blinked fiercely and sucked in a breath. Her Jade Green Clear Pupils began to quake, while her tiny white ears instantly flushed red with blood.

She immediately turned her back to him and gave an awkward, cold snort.

"Do whatever you want. It's not like I'm happy about it."

The smile on Uchiha Ci's face froze. Why are you blushing like a teapot?

I was still trying to confirm exactly what day you planned to come chop me up!

If you come too late, you will not even be able to find my ashes.

What was with this sudden tsundere act?

Uchiha Ci shook his head, not daring to dwell on such matters any longer.

He turned to Hidan, who had already climbed back to his feet, slapped him on the shoulder, and grinned.

Then, he said seriously:

"Hidan."

"The Evil God Cult is no good. Killing everything around you will not solve the problem."

"On the contrary, for the current Land of Hot Water, the Evil God Cult cannot save This Country—

"It is instead a threat."

"This parasite has latched onto the Land of Hot Water's main artery, constantly draining fresh blood and abducting children to carry out its so-called rituals. In the end, it will only accelerate This Country's decline."

"I think that since you have read books, you should understand this."

Hidan nodded heavily, then fell silent.

The light in his eyes seemed as though it were about to fade away.

Knowing did not mean one could make the painful choice to cut off an arm to save the body.

Because of the war, the Yugakure Ninja, and the Land of Hot Water Noble's inaction, the Evil God Cult had brutally grown and expanded across this land, and it had now reached a point where it could no longer be controlled.

Hidan was merely a Ninja Academy student who was not even a genin.

The only choice he could make was to choose the lesser of two evils.

Seeing that Hidan had regained his senses, Uchiha Ci smiled, gratified by Little Brother's awakening.

The reason he had said so much

was because he himself was the sort of awkward person who hated owing favors.

Hidan had saved him twice, so he ought to repay him.

And the only way to repay him was to keep Hidan from coming into contact with the Evil God Cult.

The Little Brother Hidan before him had read books and newspapers, possessed his own understanding of the ninja world's situation, and had keen instincts.

He could even be called clever.

He was clearly a completely different breed from the deranged, fun-loving Hidan who was as stupid as an idiot in the future.

The only cause Uchiha Ci could infer for this change was the Evil God Cult's bloody and cruel ritual.

Exchanging power with a demon came at a price.

Among a large batch of Test Subjects, only Hidan, tortured into madness, had ultimately succeeded in pleasing the evil god and obtaining an immortal body.

He had offered up his mind for the tomorrow of the Land of Hot Water, yet after gaining power, he lost that mind and went mad, turning around to slaughter all the Yugakure Ninja who had raised him.

There was no doubt

that this was a tragedy.

Uchiha Ci would never allow such a tragedy to repeat itself.

"Quit looking so miserable. Isn't your big brother here?"

Uchiha Ci laughed heartily and gave Hidan's shoulder another hard pat.

"Since I said I'd bring peace to This Country, then I'll definitely do it!"

"Those the Yugakure Ninja don't dare deal with, I'll deal with!"

"Those the Yugakure Ninja don't dare kill, I'll kill!"

"The Evil God Cult that the Yugakure Ninja don't dare provoke, I'll destroy it!"

"Old Brother, all you need to do is hide behind me and watch me shine to my heart's content!"

Uchiha Ci draped an arm over the shoulders of Hidan, who was a head shorter than him, thumped his own chest with his fist, and laughed softly.

"That will be enough."

Uchiha Ci released Hidan.

Without saying anything further, he turned around and strode forward.

"No need to see me off, Hidan. Go back home and wait there for my good news."

With that, Uchiha Ci Raised Hand and waved at the three of them in farewell.

Alone, he faced the magnificent moonlight.

He crossed the bonfire, passed the three of them, and walked toward a road of loneliness and certain death.

Thanks to Nanguo Yutong, Puppet Master, lsp You Can Rest Assured, and DERORO for one Monthly Ticket each, and to the Companions over at Q Reading for two Monthly Tickets.

Thanks to Galactic Defense Force Earth Branch for the 1,000-point coin reward, and to a Netizen who often revealed his name for the 500-point coin reward.

Thanks to all the Adoptive Fathers above for your tremendous support.

Thanks, Sirs, for the Recommendation Tickets.

Requesting continued reading, Request Collection, Request Recommendation.

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