"Where am I supposed to go back to?"
Mikoto's voice carried a tone of despair, hoarse and raw.
What right did she have to return to the home she once knew?
"Why not just pretend everything that happened yesterday was a dream?"
Shimizu handed Mikoto a set of ninja attire.
It was a set of his old ninja clothes, deliberately chosen for her to wear.
Not just anyone could get him to do something like this.
It was one of his rare acts of kindness.
Take Nohara Rin, for example—she was far more sensible than Mikoto. After finishing her ninja training, Rin would quietly leave the Shimizu household.
She'd only borrow the bathroom to wash off the fatigue from training, preparing herself for the next day's experiments and life's demands.
Those experiments were meticulous. A single mistake in the data could render the entire effort worthless.
"A dream? How could I treat it as a dream? Just kill me. I don't want to live anymore."
Mikoto's voice remained heavy, devoid of any positive emotion, steeped in gloom.
Shimizu frowned at her words. Mikoto was traditional—almost too traditional.
What era was this, to be so hung up on living or dying?
Of course, Shimizu admired people like her.
But that didn't mean he wasn't annoyed by the trouble she caused.
After all, he was the one who became Mikoto's first.
With her acting like she wanted to die, if he let her go back home, she might slit her own throat the moment she stepped through the door.
And then his Indra Chakra would be lost.
His hopes of awakening the Rinnegan would be pushed back indefinitely.
When a reincarnator dies, their role as a vessel ends.
Senju Hashirama has been dead for years, and Asura's Chakra now wanders some unknown corner of the ninja world, searching for a new host.
Uchiha Madara, however, is still alive, with Indra's Chakra still coiled within him.
But Madara's death isn't far off. Soon, Indra's Chakra will follow Asura's, seeking a new host.
That Chakra is something Shimizu can't get his hands on right now.
Madara severed his connection to the Gedo Statue of his own accord.
Without that, who knows how long he could have lived?
Going after Uchiha Madara directly is too risky.
The only other option is to use the simulation to travel back in time. Unfortunately, Shimizu can't access the past simulation function yet.
Only by simulating the Warring States period or the era of the Sage of the Six Paths could he potentially reclaim the powers of Indra and Asura.
The simulator can only grant rewards based on things he's interacted with.
"You're really not afraid to die?"
Shimizu's brow furrowed as he grabbed Mikoto by the throat.
"Urgh…"
Pain surged through Mikoto's body like a tidal wave, spreading from her neck. She couldn't breathe, not even a sliver of oxygen reached her lungs.
It felt like drowning in the deep sea, suffocating.
As time ticked by, her pale face flushed red, her vision blurred, and the world around her grew indistinct.
Yet, she didn't struggle.
After a long moment, Shimizu released his grip.
Mikoto clutched her throat, gasping for air, saliva dripping from the corner of her mouth. Her refined features looked disheveled, almost dirty.
But there was a new madness in her expression, unlike anything before.
"You beast! You bastard! How am I supposed to face Fugaku after this?!"
The ordeal unleashed all of Mikoto's pent-up emotions.
"Why does it have to be me?"
"Why am I the one paying for what Fugaku's done? Do you think I wanted this?"
"All I ever wanted was a peaceful life, a quiet existence. Is that too much to ask? Sob… sob…"
Mikoto covered her face, sobbing.
Her tear ducts felt drained, yet the urge to cry overwhelmed her.
From this day forward, those peaceful days were gone forever.
"Should I erase this part of Mikoto's memory?"
Shimizu pondered.
If he erased her memory and she ended up pregnant, there'd be no explaining it.
Fugaku would investigate thoroughly.
To avoid that, he'd need to tamper with Fugaku's memories as well.
Unless someone helped him ambush Fugaku with Sharingan genjutsu at his most vulnerable moment, catching him off guard would be nearly impossible.
Facing Fugaku head-on would likely end badly.
Fugaku's ocular powers were undoubtedly stronger than Shimizu's current abilities.
The synergy of Byakugan and Sharingan could break through the highest limits.
But the power of the Mangekyo Sharingan was, without question, a qualitative leap.
To know just how strong it was, he'd have to wait nine days for the next simulation.
His current actions deviated from the simulator's predictions.
If things had changed, he'd need another simulation to know the outcome.
"Forget it."
Shimizu cast a cold glance at Mikoto.
If she refused the easy way, she'd face the hard way.
Let her stay locked up for now.
Erasing her memory and sending her back was still an option, and he had ways to make it work.
He could reverse Mikoto's frigidity toward Fugaku, let them be intimate, and pass off the child as Fugaku's.
But Shimizu didn't like the idea of someone he'd been with being touched by another.
That wasn't how this would go.
He'd wait for the simulator's next projection.
It was just a matter of a few days.
For now, it could be kept under wraps.
With Kirigakure making big moves, Konohagakure would be reallocating personnel, keeping Fugaku too busy to notice anything amiss in the short term.
Click.
Shimizu locked the iron bars of the cell as he mulled over his thoughts.
With her chakra sealed, Mikoto couldn't break through the metal.
A ninja without taijutsu training, unable to use chakra, was no stronger than an ordinary person.
At best, she was as tough as a trained civilian, like a boxing champion.
"Reflect on things in here. There are soldier pills by the cell door."
Shimizu's voice echoed as he turned to the passage's entrance, preparing to shut the secret room's door.
The chamber was spacious, with three cells separated by iron bars.
Outside the cells was a corridor lined with torture tools and a single sofa.
When Shimizu closed the door completely, the room plunged into darkness, not a single ray of light remaining.
Mikoto could no longer distinguish north from south in the pitch black.
A creeping sense of loneliness spread through her mind.
She pounded frantically on the bars, hoping Shimizu might hear.
"Shimizu! Shimizu!"
"Let me out!"
But the room was soundproofed. No one would hear her.
After leaving the chamber, Shimizu headed straight to the adjacent laboratory.
"Why do you smell like that?"
Ever since Shimizu built a new lab beneath the courtyard, Nohara Rin rarely visited Konoha Hospital.
She spent most of her time here, buried in experiments.
It was as if only this could numb her pain.
"You're imagining things."
Shimizu brushed off the topic with a flat tone.
Rin frowned slightly. That familiar scent was unmistakable—something only present after that kind of activity.
And it was recent, not long ago.
"How's the experiment going?"
Shimizu's question made Rin suppress her suspicions.
"Sixty percent complete."
The progress was faster than Shimizu expected.
Following a set process was far easier than starting from scratch.
He patted Rin's shoulder, encouraging her to keep at it.
"Shimizu."
On the bustling streets of Konohagakure, Uchiha Fugaku called out to him.
He'd meant to find Shimizu to discuss increasing his workload, but running into him here saved the effort.
"Lord Fugaku, what is it?"
Shimizu turned, meeting Uchiha Fugaku's gaze.
Fugaku studied him.
Shimizu's hair was still dripping, his clothes slightly damp.
He'd clearly just bathed.
Fugaku found it odd—Shimizu's habits were peculiar.
Who bathes in the middle of the day? Was something wrong with him?
Clearing his throat, Fugaku said seriously, "Kirigakure's been making small moves lately. At this critical time, your strength is needed for the Uchiha. Can you develop it within two years?"
"Lord Fugaku, that's asking too much."
Shimizu's tone was calm.
Fugaku sensed something different about him.
Was he… more arrogant?
Fugaku couldn't pinpoint why.
Shimizu seemed to lack the reverence he once had.
"Shimizu…"
Fugaku tried to appeal to his emotions, but Shimizu walked away.
His voice carried back through the crowd.
"I'm in the Anbu now. The Hokage is watching my every move. I hope Lord Fugaku won't push me too far."
"Uchiha Shimizu!"
Fugaku couldn't help but let out a low growl.
Shimizu didn't look back, slipping into the bustling crowd and vanishing.
Fugaku stood rooted, not chasing after him.
His outburst had already been a loss of composure.
Since joining the Anbu, Shimizu's attitude toward him had taken a sharp turn.
It felt like lifting a rock only to drop it on his own foot.
Shimizu was too valued by the Hokage, showing signs of slipping from his control.
"What is Shimizu thinking?"
Fugaku couldn't understand the younger generation.
Wasn't serving the clan something every member should do?
Perhaps he hadn't done enough to get through to Shimizu.
"Lord Fugaku, there's been a small conflict between the Konoha Police Force and the Anbu. You should take a look."
Uchiha Yakumi ran over.
"Alright."
Fugaku nodded, setting aside Shimizu's matter for now.
He went with Yakumi to handle the friction between the Police Force and the Anbu.
With their overlapping duties, conflicts arose every few days. Fugaku was used to it.
Mikoto didn't know how much time had passed.
Her stomach growled loudly.
She caught the faint scent of soldier pills.
Groping in the darkness, she crawled on hands and knees.
After what felt like forever, exhausted, she found the paper box of soldier pills and a cup of water nearby.
She swallowed the pills immediately, gulping water messily.
Her usual elegance was gone as she devoured them.
Sated, Mikoto leaned against the wall.
The endless, profound darkness toyed with her nerves.
Where was this place?
Konohagakure, or somewhere beyond?
Time seemed frozen, with only her heartbeat and breathing echoing in the dim space.
Gradually, a suffocating fear began to spread in her heart.
She hugged her knees, curling into a ball like a child.
Click…
After what felt like an eternity, a sound broke the silence.
The secret room's door creaked open, a beam of light piercing the darkness.
Mikoto's eyes stung from the sudden brightness, her heart leaping as if yanked from the abyss.
Seeing Shimizu, she didn't feel hatred. Instead, relief washed over her, as if grasping a lifeline.
When Shimizu's gaze met hers, she realized her lips were moving.
Was she smiling?
Her pupils shrank in shock.
Her body's reaction felt foreign.
She quickly composed herself, her expression turning icy, her voice devoid of emotion.
"How long are you going to keep me here?"
"Yesterday, you were ready to die, Mikoto-nee. Today, you've changed your tune?"
Shimizu chuckled, unlocking the cell's bars.
He summoned his Horned Beast, starting a new round of training.
Since Mikoto was here, he might as well make use of her.
It was a good way to vent the frustration from Fugaku's pressure earlier that day.
"You… you bastard!"
Mikoto, weak and powerless, couldn't resist Shimizu's actions.
This demon had tormented her all night.
And now he was brimming with energy again?
Was this something a human could even do?
Mikoto couldn't fathom it.
She had no time to think.
Shimizu's warm hand, strangely, brought an unsettling sense of comfort.
It reminded her of the time he'd helped her condition her body.
Safe, fulfilled, calm—a moment of tranquility.
She soared to the clouds again, witnessing that same vision.
Three Days Later
"Yuhi, did you hear? Kirigakure's planning a major attack."
Sarutobi Asuma found Yuhi Kurenai.
Kurenai had blossomed into a striking beauty, her aura carrying an unapproachable chill.
"Yuhi?"
Asuma noticed her staring blankly, lost in thought, and called out again.
Kurenai snapped back, turning to him. "The Hokage told you?"
"Didn't your family get the news? Didn't Shinku-senpai tell you?"
Kurenai shook her head.
Perhaps her father didn't want her involved.
She'd been kept in safer, logistical roles so far.
"An invasion?"
Passing by, Might Guy froze, his thoughts drifting to his father, Might Dai, and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. His fists clenched.
"Is the intel reliable?" Guy asked, approaching.
"Uh…"
Asuma hadn't expected Guy to overhear, despite his hushed tone. That guy's hearing was unreal.
After a moment, Asuma nodded.
The information was currently limited to clan leaders and a few exceptional civilian ninjas.
But it would be public soon, within days.
Telling Guy now wouldn't hurt.
He knew a bit about Might Dai.
A perennial Genin who could go toe-to-toe with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and take a few down?
That was impressive, to say the least.
Why someone that strong remained a Genin, mocked by others, was a mystery.
"Asuma, thanks for the heads-up."
Guy pulled out a pair of nunchucks from nowhere, twirling them with fervor. "Kirigakure ninjas! I've been itching to test myself against them. Let them see the blazing fire of youth when it burns!"
--
Support me & read more advance & fast update chapter on my patreon:
pat reon .com/yuuwand