Chapter 6: The Ninja Cat Contract, and the Way of the Ninja
After finishing dinner at Obito's house and listening to some advice from his beloved teacher Minato, Uchiha Ci excused himself and left.
He had become acquainted with Obito because Obito's grandmother lived next door and often came by to chat. Over time, they became familiar with each other.
Unlike other major characters in the Hidden Leaf, Uchiha Ci could maintain a friendship with Obito without worry.
After all—those who understand Obito's will, understand.
No matter how deep the bond, it wouldn't stop him from cutting you down after his fall into darkness.
After leaving Obito's house, Uchiha Ci slipped his wallet into his pocket and strolled along the streets of Konoha.
At this time, the shadow of war had not yet fully spread among the civilians.
On the surface, the village still appeared peaceful and prosperous.
However, certain signs of unrest had already begun to show.
Uchiha Ci lifted a curtain and stepped into a ninja tools shop.
"Yo, Ci-boy, here to buy more Explosive Tags?"
The bearded shopkeeper grinned broadly at him.
"No, not this time. I'm here for shuriken."
"That's unfortunate. The prices for shuriken and kunai have both gone up by twenty percent, and special steel wire has increased by thirty. Still, I'd advise you to stock up. According to information from Granny Cat's side, the prices of these hard goods are going to rise even more."
"Alright then. Give me six sets of ninja tools with wire holes, two large rolls of steel wire, and one sealing scroll. Let's see... I've got two hundred thousand left—convert the rest into Explosive Tags."
Uchiha Ci patted his wallet with a grin, showing no hesitation.
D-rank missions usually paid between 5,000 and 10,000 ryō.
Some paid only a few hundred, but Uchiha Ci never took those.
Since he completed missions solo, he didn't have to split the pay.
After a year of relentless grinding, he had managed to save up a seven-figure amount.
And all that savings was for this very moment.
"Ho, Ci-boy, that's quite a splurge!"
The shopkeeper widened his eyes slightly. Even compared to some Special Jonin, Uchiha Ci's spending power was impressive.
Ci smiled faintly. He didn't have a family to support—just himself.
He wasn't like those stingy ninjas who saved money for retirement.
In the ninja world, tool prices varied wildly.
Explosive Tags cost 2,000 ryō each; shuriken were the cheapest, around 50 ryō apiece. Kunai ranged from 200 to 30,000 ryō depending on quality—the difference between throwing and blocking types was enormous.
A high-quality ninja tool set—including ranged weapons, melee gear, and armor—could easily cost around 200,000 ryō.
As for swords and ninja blades, the prices were even more absurd.
Even a basic practice blade started at 3,000 ryō.
Chakra metal tools were practically priceless, considered non-sellable items—if sold, the price was measured in "Asuma units."
So why was Uchiha Ci buying so many ninja tools and Explosive Tags?
The reason was simple.
He was going to die—but he couldn't deliberately die.
It sounded complicated, but it wasn't.
If he intentionally took his own life, the will of Heaven would see it as insurance fraud. He'd lose everything—and his life would be for nothing.
However...
If a ninja, full of fighting spirit, wagered everything he had—his savings, his strength, and his resolve—
and died in battle for a noble cause…
Who could say that wasn't a worthy death?
Wasn't that the shinobi version of "the late emperor's grand work left unfinished"?
I've burned my life to the very last ember—
and you still won't hand over my insurance card?
Soon, the shopkeeper came out carrying a heavy pile of tools. The six full sets nearly made him sweat buckets.
Bang!
He set them down on the counter.
Then, like spreading cards, he fanned out the stack of Explosive Tags neatly for Uchiha Ci to count.
"Ci-boy, buying this many tools all at once—don't tell me you're going on a dangerous mission?"
The shopkeeper had begun to realize that Uchiha Ci wasn't buying these for fun.
Ci frowned slightly and looked up at him.
"Don't mind me for asking too much," the shopkeeper said. "I know the confidentiality rules for ninjas, but I do business under Granny Cat's network—and dabble in a little intelligence trade as well."
"Among the clan's dangerous missions, there are only two likely options: the Land of Rain frontlines or Hell Valley in the Land of Hot Water."
His expression grew grave.
"Either one is beyond your level to participate in," he said bluntly.
Then, frowning with some hesitation, he gave Uchiha Ci a long look.
"Since you've supported the Ninja Cat clan's business for so long, I'll offer you something extra."
He took out a parchment and placed it in front of Uchiha Ci.
"This is a one-time contract from the Ninja Cat Clan. Sign it, and you can use the Summoning Technique to summon a Ninja Cat Messenger."
The Ninja Cat Messengers were elite nin-cats—
often active in chaotic regions, with their main base in a ruined city known only to a few.
However, unlike traditional summoned beasts, the ninja cats were highly independent creatures—almost impossible to enslave.
Their clan ran the ninja tools business and had deep ties with the Uchiha, who excelled in weapon manipulation.
Uchiha Ci knew that Granny Cat, the head of the clan, was fond of children.
If possible, she wouldn't hesitate to help—especially Uchiha children.
Now, seeing the shopkeeper produce a one-time summoning contract, Ci could tell from the man's tone and expression what it really meant—
He likely believed Uchiha Ci had little chance of returning alive.
The shopkeeper's gesture was both a show of help and an attempt to dissuade him—to make him abandon the mission.
"You understand what I mean, right?"
The shopkeeper's pupils subtly changed into vertical slits, his voice turning solemn.
Uchiha Ci smiled faintly and accepted the one-time contract.
The Ninja Cats were a neutral ninja tribe—they never interfered in human conflicts, unless paid handsomely.
Thus, this contract's greatest value was in obtaining supplies and equipment in chaotic war zones—but again, it cost money.
However, to Uchiha Ci, who had just spent every last coin he owned tonight, the parchment was nothing more than a piece of waste paper.
It wouldn't hinder his "insurance-eligible" death in any way.
With that thought, he turned and walked out of the ninja tools shop—
leaving behind only a quiet sentence:
"Uncle, thank you."
"But I have something I must do. Even if it means facing death head-on, I will not flinch."
"This... is my Ninja Way!"
After delivering his impassioned words, Uchiha Ci stepped out of the shop, squeezed his now-empty wallet, felt the emptiness within—
and turned into Konoha's red-light district.
Tomorrow, he would face the terror of death itself.
Though his heart burned with resolve, a trace of fear still lingered within him.
So tonight, he decided to erase that final regret.
Three minutes later—