Sarutobi Asuma watched as Might Guy, with his watermelon haircut, rambled on to himself, barely responding to a few half-hearted remarks.
Turning to look at Kurenai, Asuma realized she had already left.
"Why does Kurenai keep slipping away like that?"
Feeling bored, Asuma followed suit and left.
Only Might Guy remained, silently resolving something in his heart.
Not far away, Hatake Kakashi observed the scene with a cold gaze.
"Is the fire of war about to spread here again?"
Kakashi's grip tightened.
This time, they would have to head to the battlefield as well. The Third Hokage had already given them prior notice.
The war had already taken Obito.
This time, he had to protect Rin—it was Obito's final request.
Beneath the Naka Shrine, in the Uchiha Clan's gathering place.
"The Hidden Mist has made their move. In a few days, we'll be sent to the front lines," Uchiha Fugaku said gravely.
"Shimizu, you don't have to participate this time. Another ninja can temporarily fill your team's spot."
Fugaku's gaze shifted to Shimizu, standing at the back.
He wanted Shimizu to focus on perfecting the cloning technology.
The war had claimed many Uchiha lives, and the clan personally retrieved the Sharingan from their fallen. Fugaku had already amassed a considerable number of Sharingan eyes.
Once the experiments progressed further, he could distribute a batch for Shimizu's research.
"Lord Fugaku, with the village on the brink of collapse, I must join the fight," Shimizu replied, raising his eyes to meet Fugaku's.
He had to ensure Nohara Rin's safety.
If events unfolded as they did in the original story, all of Shimizu's efforts would be for naught.
He had invested heavily in Rin, sparing no expense—top-tier resources, unrestricted access to data. As a result, Rin's medical ninjutsu skills far surpassed her original capabilities at this point, making her an invaluable asset to Shimizu.
If Rin died, Shimizu would lose a vital ally.
As for revival, the most feasible method was the Impure World Reincarnation technique.
But Shimizu didn't know that forbidden jutsu.
Even Orochimaru, who secretly acquired it, had to expend tremendous effort to master it.
Moreover, those revived through Impure World Reincarnation were mere husks—living dead with no body heat, no blood, only dust.
They couldn't experience the joys of life: food, beauty, sleep—none of it.
In the short term, the reincarnated could be controlled by sheer willpower.
But over time, they would inevitably break down.
If Rin were revived this way, her mental state would collapse before long.
As for other revival techniques, they were beyond Shimizu's current reach.
"On the brink of collapse…"
Fugaku's eyes flickered with surprise. Shimizu had such a way with words?
He had never heard that phrase before.
After a pause, he said, "Very well. I hope this won't delay your work."
Fugaku's words carried a deeper meaning.
"Of course not," Shimizu replied with a smile.
Not only would it not delay his work, but it also wouldn't interfere with his plans involving Mikoto.
The cryptic exchange went unnoticed by the other clansmen, who assumed "work" referred to Shimizu's duties in the Anbu.
"Good," Fugaku nodded.
His gaze then shifted to Uchiha Shisui, seated in the middle on the right.
Shisui had returned.
Rumor had it that in a short time, Shisui had awakened his Sharingan.
Such talent left Fugaku in awe.
"Let us congratulate Shisui on awakening his Sharingan."
As his words fell, countless scarlet eyes gleamed in the dimly lit chamber.
"Tch… thank you, everyone," Shisui said, his smile tinged with inexplicable sorrow. His dark eyes transformed into the Sharingan.
His heart ached.
To think that awakening his Sharingan through the death of a comrade could earn such praise.
Was this… truly right?
Shisui sank into confusion.
Unfortunately, in the dim light, the clansmen didn't notice his turmoil.
They nodded in approval, acknowledging Shisui's strength.
Only one person's eyes flickered faintly.
"To make a name for himself toward the end of the Third War, Uchiha Shisui's awakening speed is truly remarkable," Shimizu thought, feeling a growing sense of urgency.
Shisui's unique Mangekyō Sharingan technique, Kotoamatsukami, was formidable.
That power needed to be kept in check.
Even Shimizu was wary of it.
In the original story, Kotoamatsukami's abilities were vague.
Did it work on everyone?
Or, like genjutsu, could it be countered with sufficient chakra?
"I need to develop a ninjutsu to guard against mental manipulation," Shimizu resolved silently.
Later, there would be Boruto's ultimate brainwashing.
In Boruto, Amado of the Sanzu used Ōtsutsuki Shibai's genes to create a modified human, Ada, who possessed the divine technique [Omnipotence].
It could manifest anything, turning thoughts into reality.
According to Momoshiki, this was the power gods used to create worlds—a supreme force only deities could wield.
However, as a mere imitation of an Ōtsutsuki, Ada couldn't fully control Omnipotence, and its effects worked only on ordinary humans.
Using [Omnipotence], she altered the memories of the entire ninja world, affecting the whole planet!
Everyone's memories were rewritten.
Even more, the ninja world's memories had been tampered with multiple times.
Momoshiki told Boruto, "Have you never considered that through the hands of the ancient Ōtsutsuki gods, your human memories have been altered time and again?"
This showed that for the Ōtsutsuki, mental memories were mere playthings.
No matter how powerful one was, being brainwashed led to the same fate.
The meeting passed in Shimizu's contemplation.
Over the next few days, Shimizu frequented the underground chamber.
His research was left to shadow clones, allowing him to focus on improving his strength without delay.
He quietly awaited the day the simulator's cooldown would end.
Mikoto only found sunlight and peace when Shimizu visited.
The rest of the time, she was shrouded in darkness.
The relentless, suffocating blackness wore her down, her expression growing increasingly haggard.
Unable to bear the endless darkness and solitude, she cried, cursed, and screamed in the confined space.
She tried to break the stifling silence with her voice, hoping to catch Shimizu's attention.
But no matter how she called out, only cold walls and iron bars answered.
Her three-tomoe Sharingan remained active almost constantly after Shimizu left, spinning endlessly.
Over time, Mikoto realized her cries and curses were futile.
Her throat could no longer produce sound, her body weakened from relentless torment.
She grew silent, no longer making a sound, curling up in a corner, staring blankly into the darkness.
During this silence, Mikoto's thoughts grew chaotic.
Her mind replayed past memories to fill the void and fear in her heart.
She recalled peaceful times with Fugaku, laughter with Kushina, and even Shimizu's rare smiles.
Click…
The chamber door opened again.
Blinding light flooded in, and she squinted instinctively, trying to adjust.
Standing in the doorway was the one she despised most—Uchiha Shimizu.
"You… demon," Mikoto whispered, her voice weak and trembling, yet her eyes glinted with a strange excitement.
Today was the day Shimizu came, and she could bask in sunlight again.
Though Shimizu remained cold and indifferent, interested only in her body, his presence offered her a bizarre comfort.
She no longer feared him—sometimes, she even longed for his visits, even if just to sate his desires.
Each time he came, Mikoto tried to talk to him, using any topic to ease her loneliness and fear.
She knew he didn't care about her feelings, but she kept talking, hoping to endure the endless darkness through these fleeting interactions.
"What do you want today?" she asked coldly.
Her face was expressionless, her pale skin tinged with a sickly pallor.
When Shimizu didn't respond, she snorted and turned away, her back to him.
In her current vulnerable state, the gesture seemed almost… inviting, or perhaps resigned.
Shimizu watched her silently, standing still.
Something felt off about Mikoto's reaction.
Was she… getting used to this?
But then he remembered—tomorrow, the simulator would be ready again. Whatever happened with Mikoto didn't matter; the simulator would provide the information he needed.
Though not omniscient, the simulator could deduce future events from mundane details.
With his foreknowledge of the plot, Shimizu had yet to face any real setbacks.
Seeing Shimizu remain silent, Mikoto continued talking to herself.
"I've always thought you're a demon who belongs in hell, but at least you come to see me."
Her words carried a hint of self-mockery.
Each time she saw Shimizu, her heart felt an odd sense of comfort and satisfaction.
It was a strange feeling, but to keep herself from going mad in the silent darkness, she leaned into it.
"Later, I'll take you back. Just treat this as a dream."
Seeing Mikoto's dazed state, Shimizu decided to test her further.
The Uchiha were mentally fragile. Pushing her further might lead to unpredictable outcomes.
Would she become unhinged or take her own life?
Letting her return on her own, without resorting to suicide, was the best option.
Through these days of interaction, Shimizu had achieved his goals.
Using equipment from Konoha Hospital, he confirmed that Itachi's birth was already in motion.
Everything would return to its proper course.
His objective achieved, the fire in his chest quenched, there was no need to keep Mikoto here any longer.
It had all been for Indra's chakra.
"Back… return?"
Mikoto froze.
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