Fire Release: Flame Palm can heat the palm to a degree capable of scorching internal organs with a single strike.
Fire Release: Fire Hand, on the other hand, is the youthful version. Its heat is low, only slightly warmer than normal body temperature, perfect for warming up in the dead of winter.
As the frequency of Fire Release: Fire Hand reached a rhythm in sync with human biomechanics, something extreme suddenly reversed.
In Shimizu's bedroom, a leak sprang up.
Nohara Rin's face was pale, like a woman who hadn't recovered from a long illness.
"Ha~"
Nohara Rin exhaled a turbid breath, subconsciously leaning closer to the "wall" in front of her.
As she approached, the "wall" trembled slightly, and a faint breeze slipped through the cracks.
Only then did Nohara Rin realize—this wasn't a so-called "wall" at all. It was glass!
A bolt of lightning flashed through her mind.
It was as if she had vaguely grasped something.
Shimizu never did anything without meaning.
There had to be some deeper intent here that she hadn't yet uncovered.
Nohara Rin furrowed her brows tightly, enduring the pain as she pondered the question.
Unfortunately, her mind grew increasingly hazy, as though shrouded in a layer of mist, rendering her unable to think clearly.
Just then, the black ribbon in her vision fell away for some unknown reason.
Suddenly transitioning from darkness to light, Nohara Rin instinctively squinted her eyes.
When her eyes finally adjusted to the sudden brightness, her pupils abruptly shrank.
"What!"
She nearly cried out in shock.
Before her, as she had suspected, was indeed glass.
And below stood two figures.
Obito was unmistakably one of them.
They were arguing about something, occasionally pointing at the window.
Nohara Rin felt as though they were pointing at her.
It was as if everything had been exposed to the outside world.
Her vileness, her depravity, all her disguises—violently torn apart.
"Wuu~ No!"
This overwhelming sense of suffocation caused Nohara Rin's eyes to lose focus.
Ssshh~
An even more massive Nohara-style Water Release ninjutsu reached the level of a Jonin. It wasn't triggered by chakra but by a physical phenomenon.
It effortlessly achieved the goal Shimizu had been researching.
The Water Release ninjutsu even struck Shimizu's body—Shimizu, who was renowned for his Body Flicker Technique.
The ethereal and elusive Fire Body Flicker—until now, no ninja had ever touched him in his domain.
Today, however, Nohara Rin accomplished this feat, becoming the first to do so, a moment worthy of pride.
Yet Nohara Rin wasn't happy. Her face was deathly pale, like a patient with an incurable disease.
The magnanimous Shimizu didn't blame her for this small matter. Instead, he considerately caught Nohara Rin's swaying body in an embrace.
"Hmph, I told you you got it wrong. Didn't you see that black glass shift slightly? How could a wall move?"
Obito crossed his arms, exuding confidence.
This guy Tekka—how did he even become a Chunin with zero common sense?
Uchiha Tekka's old face flushed red, unable to find a retort.
He could only mumble, "Maybe it's a special kind of wall."
Seeing Tekka's stubborn refusal to admit defeat, Obito immediately launched into another round of debate.
The sound of their bickering brought focus back to Nohara Rin's dazed eyes.
"You… did you already anticipate this?"
Nohara Rin's voice carried an unprecedented coldness, like a piercing chill.
"If you don't close that window you left open, that little gap might let outsiders see into my bedroom."
The chill in Nohara Rin's gaze shattered with a snap. She lifted her powerless hands and hurriedly shut the window.
After catching her breath for a few moments, Nohara Rin pushed Shimizu away and silently opened the door.
"The bath is to the left."
Shimizu offered kindly.
"Hmph."
Nohara Rin's small face tightened as she stormed out.
Bang!
The door slammed shut.
Shimizu didn't mind. He pushed the window open again and greeted the two below.
"Obito, Tekka, what are you two talking about?"
"See? I told you."
Obito grinned, declaring victory as Shimizu suddenly appeared.
"Ah, it's nothing, Shimizu. You go do your thing."
Tekka, realizing there was no room left to argue now that Shimizu had opened the window, gave up.
He had no winning argument left.
"Fine, you win, Obito."
Tekka and Obito exchanged a glance and burst into laughter together.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Shimizu, the two left the area.
Shimizu watched them fade into the distance, a smile tugging at his lips.
Tekka had comforted Obito, satisfying his kindness.
Obito had received comfort, strengthening their bond and soothing his troubled heart.
And Shimizu had gotten to witness Nohara Rin's rare expression, lifting his spirits.
Nohara Rin, too, must have gained some happiness. Everyone had a bright future ahead.
Shimizu closed the window again and headed downstairs.
Splash…
The sound of water echoed from the bathroom.
He went to the kitchen, washed his hands, dried them, and opened a scroll to read.
The light of dusk spilled into the courtyard, casting a serene glow.
The living room glowed brightly, a white dove dozing off, its little head bobbing.
The girl in the bathroom was washing away her filth.
If anyone saw this scene, they might think it was a loving young couple.
…
Hokage Building.
"Not bad. You're increasingly satisfying me. I'm very pleased."
Sarutobi Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, gesturing for Shimizu to sit.
"No need, Lord Third."
Shimizu had a nagging feeling this old dog was up to no good.
In the Hokage Building, in Sarutobi Hiruzen's office, there was only one chair right now.
Where was there a seat for him?
Was he supposed to take Sarutobi Hiruzen's place?
"What exactly is Sarutobi Hiruzen up to?"
Shimizu wondered silently.
He had just seen Nohara Rin off when someone from the Anbu came for him, asking him to visit the Hokage Building. Shimizu had set up sealing barriers all around his courtyard—any intruder would trigger an automatic alert.
So when the Anbu arrived, Shimizu knew the outcome immediately.
Then he hurried to the Hokage Building.
The moment he stepped in, Sarutobi Hiruzen started showering him with praise.
He said Shimizu's Will of Fire was growing stronger, hotter than even the mythical fire god Kagutsuchi.
Shimizu knew what kind of person he was. The Will of Water suited him better.
"I hear you've been tirelessly researching a cure for Uchiha Obito?"
"Just doing my small part."
Shimizu shook his head.
He'd only put on a serious act. If Nohara Rin hadn't begged him, he wouldn't have cared what happened to Obito.
"Very good."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded.
Shimizu's value for his comrades' lives showed a deep bond with Konoha. That was a good thing.
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