Kakashi Hatake gazed at himself in the mirror after removing his black mask. His handsome features were slightly distorted, the mole on the side of his chin trembling faintly. He lifted the silver hair covering his brow, revealing a scar that cut across his eyebrow and eye socket. In the socket, the crimson Sharingan reflected a face etched with pain.
He could clearly see the confusion on his own face, as if the mirror's reflection was silently staring back, wordlessly mirroring the struggle deep within his heart.
"Obito, I've been ordered to monitor Rin," Kakashi said in a low voice.
At some point, he had developed a habit of talking to himself. Sometimes it was at Obito's grave. Other times, like now, it was in front of the mirror at home. Staring into the Sharingan in his eye, Kakashi always felt as though Obito was still with him, as if he were still alive.
"The Third trusts me enough to tell me about this. Monitoring Rin is for the village's sake—I know it's the most ninja-like thing to do, but it still hurts."
His murmured words echoed in the cramped bathroom.
Shimizu Uchiha had saved Nohara Rin. He had returned to Konohagakure with Minato's team. That should have been the end of it. But now, Kakashi realized it was only the beginning.
The Three-Tails sealed within Rin's body by Kirigakure seemed to be of great importance. It was clear that Kirigakure valued it highly, and even Konoha placed significant emphasis on it—because it held the power to destroy the village.
Rin had to be watched, and so did the power within her. If anything unusual happened, she would need to be subdued immediately. Kakashi wasn't the only one assigned to this task; another unfamiliar Anbu operative was also involved. And so was Shimizu.
Kakashi figured Shimizu must be under just as much psychological strain as he was. Monitoring a comrade was a blatant declaration of distrust, treating them like a potential criminal.
"You entrusted Rin to me, and yet here I am, watching her," Kakashi said, the irony biting at him.
Was this really fulfilling his promise to Obito? Treating Rin like a potential threat, stripping her of her dignity? If Kirigakure demanded the return of the Three-Tails within her, Rin would die. Kakashi had realized the consequences the moment he was informed of the surveillance mission. Shimizu had told him that a Jinchuriki would inevitably die if separated from their Tailed Beast.
Even if Rin survived, she would be taken to Kirigakure—merely trading one place of surveillance for another, one group of watchers for a different one. When that time came, what would Kakashi choose? The village or his comrade?
His grip tightened. Why had he joined the Anbu? Why did he have to carry out this mission? The memory of his promise to Obito played over and over in his mind, like a silent accusation, leaving him ashamed and exposed.
Crack.
The mirror shattered. Kakashi's fist, embedded with glass shards, bled profusely.
"What am I supposed to do, Father?" he whispered.
His father, Sakumo, had failed a mission, causing great loss to the village. He had chosen to take his own life in atonement. If Kakashi failed to handle the Three-Tails situation properly, it could lead to catastrophic consequences for Konoha. Would he, too, have to atone with his life?
Kakashi was lost. If there truly was a soul after death, how could he face Obito in the Pure Land and explain this?
A deep sense of powerlessness surged within him, as if invisible chains bound him tightly.
Silence.
Only the faint sound of the wind came from outside. Kakashi's home was as still as death.
Whoosh…
The faucet gushed water. Blood and glass shards washed away with the stream. A sharp sting pulsed through his hand, and Kakashi felt a strange intoxication in the pain. Only in moments like this could he briefly escape the troubles of reality.
Far away, in Konohagakure's orphanage, a plump nun climbed to the second floor and looked at the visibly weary headmistress, Yakushi Nonou, with a pang of sympathy. But knowing the matter couldn't be delayed, she steeled herself to speak.
"Headmistress, the orphanage… I'm afraid we'll be completely out of funds in a month or two."
"Any work lately?" Nonou set down her account book, looking at the nun.
The nun, aside from doing chores at the orphanage, was also responsible for finding small jobs to sustain them.
"Lately, the ninja haven't been passing through here. It seems they're off fighting elsewhere," the nun replied.
Nonou sighed softly, a trace of uncertainty about the future crossing her saintly face. The orphanage's finances were in the red again. To make matters worse, rogue ninja had been causing trouble, and Nonou knew exactly who was behind it. But she was powerless to act and could only pretend to be ignorant.
Having spent years in the system, she understood how vast and formidable the Root organization was. She alone couldn't stir up any waves. For now, all she could do was earn money honestly to cover the orphanage's needs.
For a ninja, abandoning moral boundaries opened up countless ways to make money—especially for someone as skilled as Nonou. But stepping back into the ninja world would inevitably draw attention from others. Her peaceful life would end, and it could even jeopardize the orphanage. If she reentered the ninja world now, she would no longer be a Konoha ninja but a rogue one—unless she accepted Danzo's invitation to join Root.
"Headmistress, don't you have a wealthy disciple? The Uchiha surely aren't short on money. With the war going on, ninja have even more opportunities to earn," the nun said hesitantly.
"No," Nonou rejected the idea firmly.
Shimizu was her disciple. What kind of master would she be if she kept asking her student for help? Besides, the fact that Shimizu had already given hundreds of thousands of ryo last time was proof enough of his devotion. To keep demanding more would be nothing short of greed.
"Well then, I'll check the nearby villages for work," the nun said, pushing open the door and leaving the room.
Alone, Nonou stared at the bills in her hand, resting her forehead in thought. Was there anywhere else she could find money?
At the Uchiha residence, Shimizu read a letter with a smile. Miroku was pregnant with Shion. The daimyo of the Land of Demons was no longer necessary.
Shimizu sent a coded message to a designated location, signaling Suzumebachi, his subordinate, to deal with the daimyo. This was the advantage of having underlings—tasks he couldn't handle personally could be resolved with a single order.
Once Miroku took power, the Land of Demons would become Shimizu's personal domain, where he could search for orphans suitable for the Ten no Moryo curse seal. So far, Suzumebachi hadn't found any qualifying candidates. After all, the Kamizuru Clan was just a ninja clan, whereas the Land of Demons, though small, was a nation with far greater efficiency.
Back home, Shimizu checked on Guren's training progress before heading to the courtyard to train himself. Soon, he would test his strength against Obito. To counter Kamui, speed was key—it was Kamui's only weakness, with its long activation time. Interrupting or dodging it before it could take effect would make things much easier.
Whoosh.
Flames surged around his feet as Shimizu attempted to layer lightning over them. During his battle with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, his Fire Release Chakra Mode had sparked faint arcs of electricity due to the Lightning Release: Regenerative Body Refinement running internally, activating the nerves in his spine.
Now, Shimizu focused on activating the nerves in his legs, making his cells faster and more agile.
Crackle!
Crimson arcs of electricity crawled up his pant legs, charring the fabric and exposing pale skin. Faint traces of blood seeped out, mirroring the lightning's path.
"No good. One internal and one external layer is manageable, but two layers of chakra on the surface is too hard to control," Shimizu muttered, halting the chakra flow.
Blood dripped down his pant legs, pooling on the ground. Deep gashes marred his skin, but a faint green glow appeared, slowly healing the wounds.
"If someone else tried this, they'd be bedridden for a week," Shimizu said, shaking his head.
His talent for Lightning Release was strong, but it paled in comparison to his Fire Release. Developing this technique would take far longer than mastering Fire Release ninjutsu.
Even so, just the Fire Release Chakra Mode, coating his body in flames, had significantly boosted his combat power. Every move became a lethal strike—enemies would be scalded with a light touch or have entire body parts incinerated if the contact was severe. If he could add Lightning Release, creating a Fire-Lightning Release Chakra Mode, both his speed and power would increase dramatically.
If he eventually managed to layer all chakra natures onto his body, Shimizu couldn't even imagine how strong his physical form would become. Hard enough to withstand a Tailed Beast Bomb head-on?
Crackle!
Shimizu continued his practice.
On Konoha's main street, Uzumaki Kushina walked arm-in-arm with Uchiha Mikoto, occasionally touching Mikoto's belly.
"How long until this little one is born?" Kushina asked.
"A few more months," Mikoto replied with a smile, shaking her head.
The joy of new life allowed her to momentarily escape the hellish memories of her past. From now on, a quiet life raising her child with her husband didn't seem so bad. Or so she thought. Yet her smile faltered slightly.
Would Shimizu stop touching her now? It was her greatest wish, so why did she feel hesitant? Was this truly the best outcome?
Kushina, oblivious to Mikoto's conflicted expression, continued, "That long, huh?" Her face scrunched up like a bitter melon. Months felt like an eternity.
"How about you and Minato?" Mikoto asked, steering the conversation away from Shimizu.
"Oh… uh, that," Kushina giggled, scratching the back of her head.
Mikoto, experienced in matters of the heart, caught the sweet smile tugging at Kushina's lips. Things must be going well with Minato lately.
"How soon will you two get married?" Mikoto asked, curious about her best friend's plans. After all, Kushina had been dragging her feet for years.
"After the war, I guess," Kushina said, her face falling.
Minato was constantly sent to the front lines. How could he possibly have time? And when she suggested he make time, he'd go on about how a ninja's life was uncertain, how he might die on the battlefield, leaving her a widow.
Kushina wanted to retort that Shimizu's Body Flicker Technique was so flawless it left enemies grasping at air. If anyone was going to die, it wouldn't be Minato, the Yellow Flash of the Leaf.
"I'll help you get ready for the big day," Mikoto teased.
"Sounds good!" Kushina replied cheerfully.
Truthfully, she wasn't sure how many people would attend her wedding. Her sensitive status as a Jinchuriki kept most at a distance. Her social circle was painfully small, and she could probably count her wedding guests on one hand. She wondered how many would show up for Minato's sake.
"Hey, isn't that Sunagakure attire? Why are they in the village?" Kushina suddenly pointed into the distance.
A group of Sunagakure ninja, escorted by Konoha shinobi, was heading toward the village center.
Mikoto followed her gaze and confirmed it.
"Shimizu's there too," Kushina noted, pointing at Shimizu walking at the rear of the group, chatting with a female ninja in a sleeveless outfit. The woman had dark green hair, but the strands framing her face were yellow, an odd contrast.
"Shimizu's grown up, hasn't he?" Kushina remarked with a sigh.
"Yeah… he has," Mikoto echoed softly.
Watching Shimizu laugh and talk with another woman, Mikoto unconsciously clenched her fists. Was Shimizu like this with every woman?
Suddenly, she didn't want to stay any longer. She tugged at Kushina's arm, pulling her away. Though confused, Kushina followed her friend.
Their departure didn't disturb Shimizu. He had noticed Kushina and Mikoto earlier but saw no need to greet them. For now, his focus was on the conversation with Yagura.
"I never imagined that since the Chunin Exams, you'd become 'Shunshin no Shimizu,'" Yagura said, glancing at the handsome man beside her, inwardly marveling at the Uchiha's exceptional nature.
"The hero of Sunagakure? My reputation doesn't hold a candle to yours. That title sounds far more impressive," Shimizu replied with a smile, though his mind was calculating.
Sunagakure was the first village to seek an alliance with Konoha after the start of the Shinobi World War. The two had been allies before, though relations had lapsed. Now, with the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, in power and considering Sunagakure's harsh geographical conditions, they couldn't afford prolonged conflict. Thus, they sent envoys to reestablish—or rather, repair—the alliance.
Yagura was one of the escorts accompanying the delegation to Konoha.
"Hmph," Yagura huffed, secretly pleased by Shimizu's flattery.
She still hadn't forgotten her loss to him in the Chunin Exams, but with Sunagakure seeking an alliance, she couldn't afford to act cold. This was a matter of great importance between two nations, and even Yagura, headstrong as she was, wouldn't recklessly offend a Konoha ninja.
Seeing her smug expression, Shimizu only smiled, saying no more as he followed her into the Hokage Building.
Step, step, step.
--
Support me & read more advance & fast update chapter on my patreon:
pat reon .com/yuuwand