Shimizu had yet to discover the ultimate limit of what the Cursed Seal could currently accommodate. It likely correlated with the physical strength of the host's body.
If he could replicate every living creature in this world, just how powerful would the Cursed Seal become?
"Isn't this essentially a Chakra Fruit?" Shimizu suddenly realized.
The formation of a Chakra Fruit was the condensation of immense energy and the genetic information of biological organisms. It recorded the data of every creature that had ever lived and died on the planet. Replicating the biological information of every creature through a Cursed Seal and layering them would effectively complete the same process.
As for the immense energy required, that was simply Natural Energy and the planet's chakra. The Cursed Seal Mode naturally and continuously absorbed external Natural Energy; the upper limit for this was likely dependent on the individual.
If both steps could be completed, could the final Cursed Seal Mode be called the "Cursed Seal of the Chakra Fruit"? Would it be equivalent to Kaguya Ōtsutsuki after she consumed the fruit?
"It's just too tedious," Shimizu remarked as he rearranged the furniture that had been tossed aside when he activated his Cursed Seal Mode earlier.
For the current Shimizu, such a goal was still a distant dream. Even if he were to pursue it in the future, he wouldn't research every creature one by one. Instead, he should develop a special type of Cursed Seal Mode—one that, like the God Tree, could directly harvest information from the earth itself.
After a moment of contemplation, Shimizu set the thought aside. He increased the passive power consumption of the Raiton: Saisei Rentai (Lightning Style: Regenerative Body Refining) within his body and waited for Hinaka Hyuga's visit. Through his simulator, he already knew she was coming.
"A noble lady's dance... I'm truly looking forward to it."
Shimizu's eyes flickered. He was becoming less and less inclined to suppress his desires. Strength, after all, was the ultimate justification for doing exactly as one pleased.
In the streets of the Uchiha district, Mikoto walked home carrying a bag of groceries, her pregnancy becoming increasingly noticeable. She subconsciously caressed her abdomen.
This child... was a child of sin. Born out of transgression. His very birth was a mistake. Yet, Mikoto was powerless. She could only accept it in silence.
She prayed fervently that the child would not grow up to look too much like Shimizu Uchiha. If he did, certain observant individuals would surely notice. The mere thought of her reputation being destroyed and seeing Fugaku's eyes filled with loathing made Mikoto tremble with fear.
Her family would be shattered. She couldn't imagine how it would end, but she would undoubtedly become a pariah, loathed by all.
"Who is that?"
Mikoto suddenly noticed a woman walking stealthily down the street. She wore a white robe and held it tightly against her chest as if trying to keep it closed. Her pace was hurried, and she covered a significant distance in the blink of an eye.
"Is there someone like that in the Uchiha clan?" Mikoto wondered briefly.
She couldn't tell anything just by looking at the woman's back, and she didn't want to use her Sharingan to investigate.
"I should get back." Mikoto shook her head and turned down another street with her groceries.
The suspicious figure ahead was indeed Hinaka Hyuga. With every person she passed, she instinctively tightened her coat, terrified that someone would discover the secret hidden beneath.
"Hopefully, no one noticed," Hinaka whispered. She glanced left and right, and seeing no strange looks directed her way, she quickened her pace.
At Shimizu's house, the courtyard was overgrown with weeds. Natsu Hyuga was busy trimming them with gardening shears. In the Hyuga clan, this was part of her required training. After working for a while, she gathered the weeds into a bucket and moved to the next spot.
She glanced up at the second floor. The dark windows shrouded the interior, making it impossible to see anything inside.
"Shimizu Uchiha... what kind of man is he really?"
Natsu's gardening today wasn't her primary task; it was merely a cover. Her real mission was to perform a dance alongside Hinaka Hyuga. Natsu was curious—was Shimizu Uchiha really so certain that Hinaka would come?
Knock.
A soft sound at the door. Natsu put down her shears and opened the courtyard gate.
"Natsu," Hinaka said, forcing a smile.
"Madam, this way." Natsu paused for a moment, then ushered Hinaka inside and closed the gate. She led Hinaka upstairs.
"So, she came after all?" Natsu thought with a secret smirk. Even the supposedly invincible Main Branch would choose to compromise when faced with an irresistible force. It was the typical behavior of those who bullied the weak but feared the strong.
"Natsu, are you helping Shimizu tidy the yard?" Hinaka noticed the bits of grass on Natsu's clothes and looked up to see the neatly trimmed lawn.
"Is there a problem, Madam?" Natsu asked neutrally.
"Haha... of course not." Hinaka frowned slightly but said nothing more. For a Hyuga to serve an Uchiha like a common servant was a blow to the clan's pride. But since she was here to beg a favor from Shimizu, she couldn't afford to be confrontational.
They entered the house. In the living room, Shimizu was playing with a white pigeon, gently stroking its head and smoothing its feathers.
"Shimizu Uchiha..." Hinaka's fingers gripped her robe. Soon, the air might feel much colder without the warmth of her heavy outer garment.
"Write down some high-level Jutsus from the Main Branch for me to see." Shimizu placed several blank sealing scrolls on the table.
The Hyuga clan specialized in the Jūken (Gentle Fist). This method of chakra application was fascinating and something he could learn from. He already possessed some data on Jūken, but it wasn't enough. The more he collected, the greater his inspiration would be.
Hinaka nodded. She had mentally prepared herself for the fact that Shimizu would continue to demand the Hyuga's secret techniques. She just didn't understand why an Uchiha was so obsessed with Jūken. No matter how much an Uchiha practiced, they could never surpass a Hyuga who possessed the Byakugan.
Naturally, Hinaka kept these thoughts to herself. She knelt before Shimizu, unrolled a scroll, and began writing down the techniques she knew. As a member of the Sōke, she had access to many advanced forms of Jūken reserved for the Main Branch. She wrote out three sophisticated Nintaijutsu techniques. She couldn't provide more; her own aptitude was limited, and there were techniques she hadn't been able to master.
"It's done." Hinaka put down the brush and stole a glance at Shimizu. Seeing him nod in satisfaction and pick up the scroll to read, she waited silently. Every second of delay was a second of relief. Faced with what was to come, Hinaka tried to hide like an ostrich.
"?"
When she happened to turn her head, she realized that Natsu had already changed her clothes and was standing respectfully to the side. She was wearing the exact same style of outfit as the one Hinaka had hidden beneath her robe.
"Natsu, you..."
"Madam, shouldn't we be prepared while Lord Shimizu is reading?" Natsu's voice held a hint of provocation, as if reminding Hinaka that her former status meant nothing here.
Natsu had seen right through Hinaka's desire to maintain her dignified image for as long as possible. That wouldn't do. Could a Main Branch member maintain their "noble" appearance while dancing in such clothes?
Hinaka instinctively glanced at Shimizu, but he made no comment, his eyes still fixed on the scroll. She could feel the hem of her skirt becoming damp in her palms—her hands were sweating. For Nobuhiko's sake, was she really going to commit such a shameless act?
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her heart, and slowly stood up. She walked back to Shimizu, knelt again, and lowered her head, waiting for his next instruction. Watching Natsu's delighted expression, Hinaka silently endured the humiliation.
After an unknown amount of time, Shimizu put down the scroll and looked at Hinaka, a smile playing on his lips. He made a hand seal. In the shadows, the white pigeon flew over carrying a miniature video recorder, filming the room from a hidden corner.
"Good. First, perform a set of the most ornamental Jūken forms of the Hyuga clan, and then perform the techniques you recorded on the scroll."
Shimizu sat in his chair, his Sharingan already active. Between daily cultivation and researching the Cursed Seal, one had to stop and enjoy the scenery occasionally—a balance of work and rest. Besides, using the Sharingan to copy Nintaijutsu meant no time was truly wasted.
Hinaka looked up, confused by the hand seal Shimizu had made. But seeing his cold Sharingan, she knew she had no choice. She nodded in humiliation, her heart filled with gloom.
She stood up slowly and began the movements of the Jūken. Every motion was familiar, yet in this moment, they felt incredibly heavy. Her fair skin shivered in the cold air as if pricked by needles.
Natsu stood beside her, following along with the movements. Their actions were identical, as if cast from the same mold. The difference was that Hinaka's eyes were filled with tears and her spirit was broken, while Natsu wore a faint smile. Seeing Hinaka like this made Natsu feel significantly better.
"Very good," Shimizu said after they finished several sets. "Continue."
The Jūken techniques they had just performed were already copied by his three-tomoe Sharingan. As his ocular power repeatedly broke through its limits and accumulated, copying such Jutsus became easier and easier. He now possessed all chakra natures; unless it was a Kekkei Genkai or a specific clan secret requiring specific biology, he could copy almost anything.
Hinaka's movements grew faster, as if she were trying to use speed to escape her internal agony. She felt like a stranger to herself. Her cheeks were burning. Even though the sun was high outside, Hinaka felt as though she had fallen into a pit of ice.
Hinaka didn't even remember how she put her clothes back on. She only realized she was back at the entrance of Shimizu's house when she turned around.
"I will visit tomorrow," Shimizu promised.
With his affirmative answer, Hinaka finally dragged her exhausted body away.
"Keep a close eye on her. I don't want to find that the information I collect differs from what you two report," Shimizu said to Natsu.
"Yes."
"You may leave now." Shimizu dismissed her.
He hadn't physically done anything more to Natsu or Hinaka. He had other matters to attend to. Towards the end, only Hinaka had performed the Jūken because those specific Nintaijutsu were exclusive to the Main Branch. Having successfully copied several Jutsus, Shimizu had achieved his goal.
Natsu bowed respectfully and left.
"Next is Nonō Yakushi." Shimizu tapped the table. Today was quite busy.
Coo.
The white pigeon flew back in. Shimizu removed the chip from the recorder, rubbed the pigeon's head, and said, "Good bird."
Now he had even more leverage over Hinaka. The audio recorder from last time was just a bonus; this video was the blade that could determine Hinaka's life or death. How could anyone Shimizu set his sights on ever escape his control?
He would weave one web after another, waiting for the prey to enter. By the time the prey realized the truth, it would be too late. Dense silk already bound their bodies.
Step by step into entrapment, step by step into corruption. Until they fell into the bottomless abyss.
Konoha Hospital
Hinaka felt cold all over. The lingering glow of the sunset fell on her, but it couldn't warm her frozen heart. She wiped the tears from her eyes, forced a smile, and pushed the door open.
"Hinaka, where did you go?" Nobuhiko Hyuga asked impatiently as he heard the door open.
"I went to see Shimizu Uchiha. He said he would treat you tomorrow," Hinaka said softly.
"Really?" Nobuhiko's face lit up with joy. So, Hinaka had gone to beg Shimizu on his behalf. He could finally escape these miserable days of being "blind"!
After the initial excitement, Nobuhiko hesitated and asked, "Did he make any demands?"
Shimizu had delayed the treatment for so long. Nobuhiko couldn't help but suspect that he had raised his price.
"No. Just wait for the arrangements tomorrow," Hinaka sighed silently.
Now, she was truly on equal footing with Natsu. Both had leaked many of the Hyuga clan's Nintaijutsu. Jūken was a secret family art; outside of the Hyuga, almost no other ninja used it. If this were discovered, they might be exiled or even executed. There was no precedent for such a thing, and no one could predict the consequences.
Looking at Nobuhiko, who seemed more spirited after hearing the news, Hinaka suddenly felt they were quite a matched pair. One had surrendered a Byakugan to an outsider, and the other had surrendered the clan's secret Jutsus.
Hokage Building
"Has Kirigakure finally decided on a ceasefire?" Hiruzen Sarutobi murmured, looking at the report in his hand.
"Hmph. Hiruzen, have you made up your mind about the Fourth?" Danzō Shimura's lone eye outside his bandages stared at Hiruzen, suppressing his inner excitement.
Iwagakure had signed a peace treaty a while ago because Hiruzen had waived Konohagakure's interests and refused to hold the other villages accountable. He had personally announced his intention to abdicate. He was only still in charge because the war was in its final stages and stability was paramount. Once everything settled down, it would be time to decide on the Fourth Hokage.
"Danzō, remember: one must be recognized by everyone to become Hokage." Hiruzen glanced at his old friend. He knew exactly what Danzō was thinking. His old friend's greatest wish was to become Hokage. If Danzō had been faster to volunteer as a decoy years ago, the seat might have been his.
"Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, is recognized by plenty of people," Danzō snorted. If it weren't for the fact that he operated the Foundation in the shadows and rarely appeared in public, how could he lack people to sing his praises? The members of the Foundation who knew of him were mostly fanatics. Once he became Hokage, the Foundation would simply become Konoha. Plenty of people would recognize him.
"Orochimaru..." Hiruzen took a puff of his pipe. Orochimaru was a hero of the last war; he certainly had prestige. "Orochimaru can be a candidate. Minato Namikaze is also a candidate. As for others, we need to deliberate further."
"You are the Hokage; you have the final say." Seeing Hiruzen acknowledge Orochimaru as a candidate, Danzō pushed the door and walked out.
Next, he had to get Orochimaru back as soon as possible. If they didn't take this time to build more connections, the Hokage position would be completely out of reach.
"The Fourth Hokage..."
The office was filled with smoke. Hiruzen frowned slightly. The Uchiha clan's votes were almost entirely behind Fugaku Uchiha. Given the Uchiha's population, their voting power was becoming something that couldn't be ignored.
"Lord Third, you sent for me?" Just then, a yellow-haired ninja pushed the door open.
"Yes. I have decided to step down as the Third and make way for the Fourth. You are one of the candidates I have selected."
"A Hokage candidate?" Minato Namikaze was stunned, his heart filled with surprise. Then, he let out a genuine smile. Becoming Hokage was his greatest dream. Once he became Hokage, he would surely mediate the conflicts between the various clans and help the great tree of Konoha grow even stronger.
"I believe in you. Remember to show your face around the village more to deepen your impression on everyone," Hiruzen said earnestly.
"Yes, Lord Hokage!" Minato nodded solemnly.
Shimizu's House
"Please, have some tea." Shimizu set a cup down in front of Nonō Yakushi.
"Thank you." Nonō nodded. "You didn't need to do all this."
She looked at the massive feast on the table, feeling a bit awkward. Since becoming the head of the orphanage, she knew exactly how expensive daily necessities were. The ingredients for the food before her looked incredibly costly; it must have been a small fortune. Even back when she was an active ninja, she ate very simply. She couldn't even name 70% of the dishes on this table.
"If this meal were converted into food for the children, it would probably be worth 50,000 Ryō... maybe enough for..." Nonō guessed a value. To her, 50,000 Ryō for a single meal was the height of luxury, and she was already calculating how many children it could feed.
"It's Sister Nonō's first time visiting my home, and you haven't been back to Konoha in years. A grand meal is only appropriate," Shimizu said with a slight smile.
The food on the table was exquisitely presented, looking more like works of art than sustenance. With his three-tomoe Sharingan, Shimizu's culinary skills had long since reached the pinnacle. As long as he was willing to learn, he could master anything in one go. Much like Itachi in the Infinite Tsukuyomi, who used his Mangekyō Sharingan to capture every detail of an egg to fry the perfect sunny-side up for Sasuke, Shimizu's precision was absolute.
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