Snap.
Seeing them retreat, Uchiha Shimizu did not pursue, releasing the crystal cage created by his Crystal Style.
Countless red fragments scattered, drifting through the air.
Shimizu sealed the Decapitating Carving Knife, which Biwa Juzo failed to take with him, into a scroll.
The seven blades of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were highly valued by Kirigakure.
They could be used to extort a hefty price from the village.
Or serve as a means to approach Terumi Mei next time.
In the distance, a wood clone spoke.
"Uchiha Shimizu won't affect the plan. His chakra is nearly depleted, and even with soldier pills, he can't recover much."
The wood clone glanced at Shimizu with appreciation.
Only the strong earned his respect.
Uchiha Shimizu undoubtedly had that potential.
Even without awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan, he might rely on other powers to enter the realm of the elite.
Unfortunately, the Moon's Eye Plan required the Mangekyo Sharingan, particularly for its genjutsu applications.
"Go stand guard up ahead. I'm about to dispel the technique."
The wood clone formed hand signs, transforming into wood that grew into the soil.
"Yes, Madara."
White Zetsu sank into the ground, swiftly departing the area.
His destination: where Hatake Kakashi and Nohara Rin were.
"Uchiha… Shimizu, you deserve to rot in hell!"
Terumi Mei's eyes burned red.
Among those just killed were companions she knew well.
They were the people she cherished most.
Yet Shimizu had slaughtered them like weeds, wiping them out completely.
Her hatred for him surged to its peak, memorizing every detail of his appearance.
Shimizu didn't spare her a glance.
Under the rule of the Third Mizukage, Kirigakure had already earned the moniker "Village of the Bloody Mist."
But it was nothing like the darkness and madness during the Fourth Mizukage's reign, manipulated by Obito.
In that era, Kirigakure's ninja lived in constant fear, unable to trust their comrades.
Even the infamous Momochi Zabuza defected because of it.
He became the first boss Naruto's team faced.
"Are you in pain?"
Shimizu deactivated the Fire Release: Chakra Mode on his Heavenly Prison Fire Sword, revealing his handsome face.
"That's the sorrow of the weak, isn't it? Haven't you noticed your comrades abandoned you, Terumi Mei?"
Shimizu gazed at Mei's graceful figure, gripping her chin.
She was battered, her chakra nearly exhausted, barely clinging to life.
But it wasn't time to pluck this flower.
Only the mature, commanding Terumi Mei was the true Terumi Mei.
Until then, he'd ensure her purity remained intact.
"You shouldn't hate me. You should hate yourself. The world isn't wrong—you are. Every disadvantage in this world stems from one's own lack of strength."
Shimizu paused, a playful tone in his voice.
"If you had the power to face me, would your comrades have died? They died because of you, Terumi Mei!"
"No… no, it's not me!"
Mei, engulfed in grief, flinched.
She stammered, "It was you who killed them! I did everything I could!"
With what little strength she had, Mei swung at Shimizu.
He didn't dodge or block, letting her strike him.
Seeing his indifference, Mei bared her lips and bit down hard on his hand.
Smack!
Shimizu slapped her, sending her crashing into a tree. Branches shook, and leaves fluttered down.
"Cough…"
Mei coughed violently, the force nearly knocking her out.
Her cheek burned with stinging pain, and despair washed over her.
Shimizu always had the upper hand, no matter the situation.
Even Biwa Juzo and Hozuki Raya of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were no match for him.
Perhaps their lingering injuries from the Eight Gates played a role.
But Shimizu's strength was undeniable.
Even at their peak, Juzo and Raya likely wouldn't have fared much better.
"Sharingan…"
Mei's emerald eyes locked onto Shimizu's crimson gaze.
Was the Uchiha's kekkei genkai truly this powerful?
For a moment, she felt utterly defeated.
Be it ninjutsu mastery or the strength of their bloodline, she couldn't match Uchiha Shimizu in any way.
Maybe dying here wouldn't be so bad.
Dying here, she wouldn't betray Kirigakure's secrets.
She could at least retain some dignity in death—a ninja's death in battle was an honor.
"Is Miss Terumi Mei sighing?"
Seeing the fight drain from Mei's face, as if she'd accepted death at his hands, Shimizu approached.
He grabbed her brown hair, crouching to meet her eyes.
"Miss Terumi Mei, don't be so unreasonable. We're the same age, both bearers of kekkei genkai. Our strength should be equal, yet the gap is so vast. Isn't it because you've been too lax in your training?"
The pain of her hair being yanked brought clear tears to Mei's eyes. Her expression was anguished, but she lacked the strength to resist.
Deep down, she began to accept Shimizu's words.
"Sob… sob…"
Large tears fell, one by one, to the ground.
The earth grew damp, indistinguishable from the light drizzle falling from the sky or Mei's tears.
It was her lack of effort that led to her comrades' deaths.
Seeing this, Shimizu deactivated his three-tomoe Sharingan.
The pupil power he'd just exerted had influenced Mei's thoughts.
He hadn't meant to break her spirit, only to ignite her hatred for him.
"Quiet."
Shimizu spoke softly.
"Sob… sob…"
Mei continued crying, looking utterly broken.
Shimizu extended his middle and ring fingers, arcs of electricity sparking at the tips. Mei convulsed as if struck by lightning.
Her emerald eyes rolled back, her mouth slightly agape.
Her body arched like a shrimp, trembling faintly.
Her ten delicate, pale toes, exposed through her damaged ninja sandals, curled tightly, her soles forming a crescent.
Hiss~
A wave of water surged.
It took Mei over ten seconds to recover.
Anger reignited within her.
Not only had Shimizu killed her comrades, but he repeatedly humiliated her.
Last time, a forced kiss. This time, an electric shock.
He showed her no respect.
Did he see her, Terumi Mei, as some cheap woman to toy with?
Mei glared at Shimizu with hatred, wishing she could tear him apart.
But she was powerless, unable to move.
Shimizu produced a test tube and placed it beside her.
It contained the refined liquid of the Heavenly Curse Seal of the Sprite.
Improved by him, it was far more stable than the version used by Suzumebachi.
"This will greatly enhance your strength. I'll give you time to catch up to me—until you can no longer see my back."
Seeing her hatred intensify, Shimizu nodded.
This hatred would drive her forward, making her surpass her original self.
As the Fifth Mizukage, she might wield even greater control over Kirigakure.
If she couldn't withstand the refined Heavenly Curse Seal and died, so be it.
If he wished, he could always revive her later.
In the ninja world, Shimizu's view of life and death had long grown blurred.
When the dead could be so easily revived, respect for life faded.
Mei stared at the glistening black liquid, sensing danger instinctively.
Swallowing it would bring no good outcome.
"Those who cannot sacrifice anything will gain nothing."
Shimizu pinched Mei's cheek one last time.
Born in Kirigakure, her skin was soft and radiant, with a faint sweet fragrance.
Zzt…
His hand grazed her abdomen.
A sharp sting made Mei groan.
White smoke rose, and when it cleared, two black characters remained: "Shimizu."
"What did you do to me?"
Mei mustered what little strength she had, rubbing her abdomen.
But no matter how she tried, the marks seemed etched into her skin.
"This mark is a technique I left. Cut away this flesh, and the new skin will still bear these characters. You could try covering it with other ink, but my technique will only absorb it."
Shimizu smiled.
Leaving these marks was like branding her as his, proclaiming her as his tool—a deeply satisfying act.
"Hate me, Terumi Mei. If you truly want to defeat me, carry that hatred and live until you can stand before me again."
Crystal wings sprouted from Shimizu's back, and he soared into the sky.
Only a Terumi Mei like this was worth conquering.
In the original story, Mei was too weak. Even when the Five Kage fought Uchiha Madara, they barely scratched him.
Ironically, Tsunade, a medical ninja, dealt decent damage.
Shimizu wanted to stoke the flames, pushing Mei to surpass herself.
Only then would this flower bloom vibrantly.
And when it did, Shimizu would return… to pluck it.
"Beast!"
After Shimizu flew off, Mei cursed under her breath.
She forced herself to stand, propping up her battered body.
The ground was littered with corpses, the thick stench of blood making her nauseous.
It was her first time witnessing such a gruesome scene.
Just yesterday, these people had been talking with her, dreaming of peace after the war.
Now they lay cold on the ground, many not even whole.
After her anger and hatred, Mei was left with confusion.
Not all of Kirigakure's ninja were warmongers.
Many here were advocates for peace.
But caught in the ninja world's currents, they had no choice.
Refusing a mission meant defecting.
Why did wars even start?
Mei clenched her fists.
Without war, someone like Uchiha Shimizu wouldn't have had the chance to act.
Those who started wars deserved to rot in hell alongside him, forever damned.
She bent down and picked up the test tube Shimizu left behind.
He likely hadn't lied to her.
If he wanted her dead, he could've killed her earlier.
The liquid in this tube might truly make her stronger.
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