After just a single night of training, achieving such astonishing results…
Shimizu's confidence had completely skyrocketed.
Right now, he almost wanted a few unlucky Iwa ninja to show up—
just so he could let those ignorant fools experience the power of his newly developed, no-seal, long-range Lightning Release.
But reality had other plans.
The rest of the journey went surprisingly smoothly. Shimizu carried Satomi all the way back into the Land of Fire without encountering a single obstacle.
"We're… back?"
"Yeah. We're back," Shimizu said, a hint of regret in his voice.
Didn't even get a chance to test the new technique…
But soon enough, fate gave him an opportunity.
Not long after entering the Land of Fire, Shimizu sensed a small squad ahead—four ninja.
"Southeast, 400 meters. Four targets," he said, already eager.
"Senpai… are you going to check it out?"
"Yeah. If they're Iwa ninja, I'll deal with them on the spot."
"…Only someone at your level could say something like that so casually."
"…Huh."
Only then did Shimizu realize—
he hadn't even considered the possibility of losing.
That kind of overconfidence… could get him killed.
So he added,
"If I can't win, I can always run. There's only four of them—they won't be able to stop us."
"That's true."
And yet, fate played another joke on him.
When Shimizu arrived, he found that the four ninja…
…were wearing Konoha forehead protectors.
"…Forget it. There'll be other chances," he muttered to himself.
…
...
...
January 14th, Year 44 of Konoha
Hokage's Office
"It's been a while, Shimizu. You've grown stronger again," the Third Hokage said with a smile, puffing on his pipe.
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Shimizu replied with a nod.
"I've carefully reviewed the mission reports you submitted. You've done very well."
"…What about the confidential letter I gave you and Jiraiya-sama?"
"You're referring to that retired jonin—Masakazu Kurokawa. Your former subordinate." The Third Hokage shook his head and sighed. "Unfortunately… he was a fake."
Even though Shimizu had prepared himself mentally, hearing it confirmed still hit hard.
"…How could he disguise himself so perfectly?"
"That's what puzzles us as well. But the evidence is undeniable—ANBU discovered proof that he was leaking information."
"A large part of Konoha's intelligence network being compromised… can be traced back to him."
"…Where is he now?" Shimizu asked.
"He's dead," the Hokage replied with another sigh. "A suicide operative. He strapped himself with explosive tags and blew himself up."
"…Were there casualties?"
"No. He chose to do it inside his ninja tool shop—within Uchiha territory. The area isn't very crowded."
"So the trail goes cold?"
"ANBU is still investigating," the Hokage said, though he clearly didn't expect results. "But… we likely won't find much."
"…What about Kikyō Mountain?" Shimizu asked, changing the subject.
"We've been avoiding direct confrontation. The Sand has attempted several assaults, but failed each time. They know it won't be easy to take, so now they've surrounded it instead. Both sides are locked in a stalemate."
"Shouldn't they be aiming for a quick resolution?" Maintaining an army of that size would be a massive drain on supplies.
"They're likely waiting for a signal from Iwagakure," the Hokage said gravely.
"…So the Stone really is preparing to move against Konoha?"
"Not long ago, they sent an envoy to Konoha, proposing the 'lease' of the Land of Grass and the Land of Waterfalls."
Shimizu blinked.
The sheer audacity…
"They actually dared to say that? What's their justification?"
Making such an outrageous demand—they had to have some kind of excuse.
But the Third Hokage's expression turned… strangely complicated.
He reached into his drawer and pulled out several photographs.
"They claim our ninja 'invaded' their territory."
Shimizu froze.
These photos…
…were taken when he had passed through the Land of Earth, carrying Satomi.
"…That counts?!" he blurted out, dumbfounded.
He had somehow—
become the trigger for Iwagakure's declaration of war against Konoha?
This was just… unbelievable.
Alright then—looks like he'd end up with a bold entry in Konoha's history textbooks someday…
Though, to be fair, the photo quality was excellent.
At least, Shimizu thought he looked pretty good in it.
Come to think of it… those Iwa ninja weren't completely useless after all.
"Their envoy even lodged a formal protest, demanding we hand over your head immediately," the Third Hokage said with a chuckle. "I couldn't embarrass their envoy too much, so I had no choice but to remove you from your position first."
Shimizu frowned slightly.
Being stripped of his ANBU captain rank didn't bother him much—he'd already been thinking of leaving.
But there was a difference between resigning on your own terms…and being kicked out.
"After that, I've appointed you as the commander of Konoha's 17th Regiment."
"…What?"
Now that caught him completely off guard.
"A young man like you deserves a broader stage. I'm looking forward to your growth."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage!" Promotion and authority? Shimizu had no complaints—especially if it meant leaving ANBU. There was nothing to lose.
ANBU's small numbers had always limited their impact on the front lines.
And in war, numbers mattered.
More importantly, Shimizu no longer wanted to play the role of a mere intelligence operative in the Third Shinobi War.
Perhaps ANBU had once been a form of protection for him…
But now that his strength had undergone a qualitative leap, that confined structure had become a cage.
"Oh, right, Shimizu. I saw in your report that you developed a new technique?"
"Yes. They're all Lightning Release."
"And that no-seal Lightning technique—what's it called?"
"…White Lightning." Shimizu came up with the name on the spot.
"But you didn't include many details about it."
"I haven't tested it in real combat yet. There are still a lot of uncertainties."
"That's fine… no rush." The Third Hokage's tone turned serious. "Also—about your 'death and revival.' I'd like to hear it directly from you."
Shimizu nodded and quickly recounted everything.
Madara. Tobi. The truth behind the Second Hokage's death. Their reason for targeting Minato. The hidden cave they used as a base…
Aside from the changes to his own body—
he held nothing back.
"…Konoha may be facing serious trouble," the Hokage said quietly, extinguishing his pipe.
"It's likely the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water will be dragged into this war as well," Shimizu added. "Also… I suspect the mole within Konoha might be Lord Danzo."
"Do you have any evidence?"
"…Just a feeling."
"I'll keep that in mind," the Hokage said. Then, more gently, "You haven't visited Kosuke yet, have you? You can go see him first… though there's no rush. You've just returned—get some rest."
"There's a meeting this afternoon. Once everyone arrives, ANBU will come notify you."
"Yes, sir!"
Shimizu left in a hurry.
Moments later, Jiraiya slipped quietly into the room.
"Jiraiya… do you think what he said is true?" The Third Hokage had lost his earlier smile, his expression now grave.
"That kid wouldn't make up a story like that to fool you," Jiraiya said plainly. He chose to believe Shimizu without hesitation.
"Uchiha Madara… still alive. It's hard to accept."
"Didn't Shimizu say it? He's basically on his last legs—barely clinging to life through some kind of method."
"Even so… it's still Madara," the Hokage sighed. "And now he has accomplices. This involves far too much."
"That's why, old man—until we confirm the truth, none of this can be shared," Jiraiya said seriously. "Not with the higher-ups. Not with Tsunade or Orochimaru. Not even Minato."
"…You sound certain. Did you learn something?"
"I told you—I was surrounded by the Sand. After breaking out, I used reverse summoning to return to Mount Myoboku… and I met the Great Toad Sage."
"…That one…" The Hokage's eyes narrowed slightly. The ancient being had existed since the age of Kaguya, even teaching sage arts to Hagoromo.
"He gave me a new prophecy," Jiraiya said slowly. "There is a ninja who has broken free from the shackles of fate—tearing apart the destiny that was once foretold."
"He is like a vortex of fate. Anyone who draws near may be swallowed… their destiny ended."
"…Or they may be saved—and granted a new fate."
Jiraiya paused.
"…That ninja is Shimizu Uzuki."
...
...
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