Shimizu shook his head inwardly.
After all, in the world of Naruto, the concept of souls existed.
As the saying goes, it's easier to change a kingdom than one's nature. In the Naruto world, it was rare for someone's personality to undergo a drastic transformation.
The only exception was Yakushi Kabuto, who, under the influence of Izanami, repented his past, found his true self, and laid down his blade.
In the final battle, he even played a pivotal role, injecting Hashirama's cells into Sasuke to heal his wounds, temporarily preserving his life.
This bought Sasuke enough time to receive the power bestowed by the Sage of the Six Paths.
Shisui felt an inexplicable chill, his hair standing on end, sweat beads rolling down his face.
"Keep working hard."
With those words, Shimizu flickered and vanished into the night.
"Ha…"
Shisui leaned against the wall, panting.
He felt an immense pressure from Shimizu.
"Such strength."
Shisui was shaken by Shimizu's power, overwhelmed by his mere presence.
Soon, a puzzled expression crossed his face.
Why had Uchiha Shimizu suddenly acted this way?
Had he done something to offend him?
Morning.
Sunlight spilled across Nohara Rin's face.
She opened her bleary eyes and rose from her bed.
As was her routine, she donned her ninja attire and prepared her ninja tool pouch.
On the table lay a note—her parents had already left.
Rin's expression dimmed. It seemed her final farewell would not happen.
She carefully surveyed her room, taking in every detail.
Her gaze settled on a photograph.
In it, she was celebrating her birthday, happily blowing out candles. Obito was making silly gestures beside her, while Kakashi stood with his hands in his pockets, staring at the camera.
But those moments were gone forever.
Rin stepped forward to wipe the photo, cleaning it until it was spotless.
This would be the last time she looked at it.
Once she sacrificed herself, the condolence payment would go to her parents, ensuring their livelihood. She didn't need to worry about them.
"It seems Kakashi has no intention of saving you."
A familiar voice came from outside the window.
Rin's expression shifted, growing colder.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to save you."
Shimizu tapped on the window glass.
Rin stepped forward and pushed the window open.
As soon as Shimizu entered, he backed her into a corner.
Feeling the heat of Shimizu's breath, Rin was overcome with sorrow.
Was she not even allowed peace in her final moments?
Shimizu paid no mind to Rin's thoughts, his eyes scanning her face.
Her face was free of the purple markings, smooth and unadorned.
Those markings were temporary tattoos she applied daily.
Kakashi had used similar ones in the final episodes to cover the scar over his left eye, only to remove them later.
Rin gently turned her head, offering Shimizu only her profile.
Her short hair swayed lightly, her features softened by the morning's faint glow.
"Have you eaten? If not, I brought you something."
Shimizu stepped back and pulled out breakfast.
As always, it was his signature "Shimizu-brand" fried dough sticks—healthy and eco-friendly.
These were a rare treat you couldn't buy in Konohagakure, something only Shimizu could provide.
Rin bit her lower lip.
Shimizu waited quietly for her to start eating so they could get moving.
He had been manipulating Rin step by step, and his efforts had borne fruit.
By now, his influence was deeply rooted in her mind.
Rin knew what would happen if she refused.
It was an outcome she couldn't bear.
As expected, it didn't take long for Rin to crouch down, her face etched with misery.
Her eyelashes trembled, her gaze fixed on the distance as if escaping something.
Even with her head bowed, hiding her face, her eyes betrayed a mix of sorrow and resilience that tugged at the heart.
Unfortunately, Shimizu had no interest in showing tenderness.
"Hurry up. We've got to regroup soon."
"…Understood."
Rin mumbled, barely audible.
She dealt with the takeout food mechanically.
Time passed slowly.
As Rin's body began to ache, a splash of white milk accidentally spilled across her face.
It also splattered onto the nearby photograph.
Rin stared at the image of herself blowing out birthday candles.
The pose was so similar to her current one.
Yet no matter how alike they seemed, they could never be the same.
"Ugh…"
Grief overwhelmed Rin.
Shimizu slowly embraced her, pressing her against the window.
He began to console her.
His words were forceful, striking straight to her heart.
Each time he spoke with precision, Rin let out a sob of reluctant admiration.
When her strength waned, Shimizu considerately supported her, hooking his arms under her knees and folding her legs, cradling her like a helpless child.
The window was high, and even with Shimizu holding her up, only her head was visible.
Outside, passersby bustled with energy, starting their day.
"Little Rin, up so early?"
An elderly woman waved at her.
Rin nodded stiffly in response.
Shimizu remained hidden in the shadows, unnoticed by those outside.
Rin's cheek pressed against Shimizu's shoulder, tears sliding silently down her face.
Her hands hung limply at her sides, her entire being radiating fragility.
Shimizu's embrace was warm, yet it couldn't soothe the pain and helplessness in her heart.
The morning light bathed them, making them appear like lovers nestled together.
Splash…
Water dripped onto the floor.
Rin emerged from the bathroom.
Her wet, short hair clung to her cheeks and shoulders, water droplets sliding down her strands.
Her vacant eyes fixed on Shimizu.
It was as if she were silently protesting against a demon.
"What else do you want?"
"Nothing. Just to save you."
"Save me…?"
A faint spark flickered in Rin's hollow gaze, confused by Shimizu's words.
"Look into my eyes."
The moment Rin turned her head, Shimizu entered her mental world.
Mental World.
Cold tides floated in this boundless space, shrouded in deep darkness.
Shimizu glanced down at the water, which reached his knees.
It was the deepest he had ever seen.
Even the combined mental waters of Kushina and Yakumo didn't compare to Rin's.
Was it because the Three-Tails' chakra was water-aligned, or was Rin's heart simply drowning in deeper sorrow?
"Where… is this?"
Rin stared in shock at Shimizu and the massive tailed beast before her, speechless.
This was her first time in this mysterious place.
After the Three-Tails was sealed within her, Minato Namikaze had performed a sealing jutsu.
Upon returning to Konohagakure, Kushina had reinforced it with another.
For some reason, the tailed beast had never reached out to her.
Shimizu ignored Rin's question, slowly approaching the Three-Tails.
The beast resembled a giant turtle clad in angular armor, with only its forelimbs visible.
Three shrimp-like tails protruded from its back, exposing raw, crimson tendons. Its right eye was tightly shut.
It was confined behind a massive gate, bound by numerous iron chains.
"Human!"
The Three-Tails, Isobu, roared.
Waves rippled outward.
Rin stumbled back a step.
The thought of coexisting with such a terrifying creature was unsettling.
She looked at Shimizu, who stood unflinching.
Once again, she was struck by his strength.
Compared to battles against humans, the confrontation between the diminutive Shimizu and the colossal tailed beast was visually staggering.
"Three-Tails, or perhaps I should call you Isobu."
Shimizu crossed his arms, his black hair swaying in the wind, his body unmoving.
"How do you know my name?!"
Isobu's heart trembled.
In its millennia-long existence as a tailed beast, it had been sealed within humans before.
It had no trust in humans—greedy creatures, all of them.
The only thing it cared about was the prophecy of the Chosen One, spoken by the Sage of the Six Paths.
The Sage had foretold that a blue-eyed boy, laughing as he called the nine beasts by name, would bring change to the world.
That was the moment they had agreed upon with the Sage.
This human, with his crimson eyes, had nothing to do with the blue-eyed prophecy.
Well, not entirely unrelated.
The Sharingan was a legacy of the Sage's lineage, descended through Indra.
But the Sage never said anything about caring for his descendants.
"You don't need to know how I know. Release your control over your chakra."
Shimizu spoke calmly.
A faint blue glow emerged in his hand, forming a protective film over his palm.
"Dream on!"
Isobu was no fool.
Any being that lived for a thousand years would accumulate profound wisdom.
Many humans had tried to harm it.
Especially the one responsible for its current predicament—a man from the Uchiha clan, a descendant of the Sage, whose single glance had shaken its soul and trapped it in a genjutsu.
It had no goodwill toward Shimizu.
A massive chakra water orb formed in its mouth, larger than Shimizu's entire body, and hurtled toward him.
Water Release: Iron Cannonball!
"Must you learn the hard way?"
Shimizu didn't dodge, letting the water orb strike him.
This was the mental world.
Here, strength was determined by Yin Release chakra.
Boom!
The water orb shattered, and crystalline armor appeared on Shimizu's body, cracking apart.
"Two organs torn, three ribs broken."
Shimizu felt the pain.
But instead of anger, he smiled.
The Water Release: Iron Cannonball was weaker than the Tailed Beast Bomb, and in the mental world, its power was further diminished.
Still, if anyone from Konohagakure had taken that hit, they'd be gravely injured or torn apart on the spot.
"Now, it's my turn."
A faint green glow pulsed within Shimizu, instantly healing his wounds.
Forcing medical chakra accelerated recovery.
Over time, Shimizu's chakra reserves had grown even stronger.
A surge of chakra radiated outward.
Fire Release: Yasaka Magatama.
With a wave of his left hand, eight flaming magatama shot forth.
The Three-Tails was shocked that a human could withstand its attack.
Seeing the counterattack, it spat another massive water orb.
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