An urgent report had just arrived from the front lines: Uchiha Fugaku had been gravely injured in a battle against the Third Raikage and was currently being transported back.
This outcome caught Sarutobi Hiruzen off guard. Given Fugaku's strength—known as the Fierce-Eyed Fugaku—this shouldn't have happened, unless he had been carrying some unhealed injury from before.
Hiruzen had always faintly suspected that Fugaku was concealing some kind of power. Now, with Fugaku severely wounded, Hiruzen felt a sense of relief. Even if he was hiding something, it didn't seem to be anything remarkable. After all, not everyone could be like Uchiha Madara, wielding the power of gods.
Fugaku's injury also stirred Hiruzen's mind into action. With the Uchiha's apparent top-tier combat strength weakened, it was the perfect opportunity to bind Shimizu Uchiha more closely to the Hokage's lineage. If Shimizu were to become a pivotal figure within the Uchiha in the future, it would, to some extent, curb the clan's instability for the village.
"Shimizu, what do you think the outcome of this war will be?"
"Every nation will suffer heavy losses, with no one coming out ahead. Right now, the Land of Fire is being besieged by the other three nations, but in the end, they'll turn on each other in a chaotic free-for-all."
Hiruzen was mildly surprised by Shimizu's response. He had expected Shimizu to either cheer for Konohagakure's victory like the others or fall into deep pessimism, believing the village might be doomed. Perhaps Shimizu's insight far exceeded his expectations.
"Shimizu, how do you view the Uchiha?"
"They're a narrow-minded clan."
"Oh?"
Hiruzen fixed his gaze on Shimizu, as if trying to read his expression.
Shimizu continued with a look of disappointment, "The more I've come to understand this clan, the more sorrow I feel. The Uchiha are a narrow-minded people, easily blinded by hatred. That's why they've grown increasingly distant from the village."
Shimizu was voicing the perspective Itachi would hold in the future. He was certain Hiruzen would eat this up. After all, Itachi, who thought this way, had been highly valued by Hiruzen—so much so that he'd falsified records to adjust his age and fast-tracked him into the Anbu.
"The Uchiha are part of the village. You shouldn't speak of your clansmen like that in the future. We all need to live in harmony."
As expected, after a fleeting moment of astonishment, Hiruzen regained his composure, his smile growing even kinder.
"Yes, Lord Third," Shimizu nodded.
Hiruzen proceeded to ask Shimizu a few more questions, all of which Shimizu answered with the "seven-year-old Itachi's Hokage-aligned mindset." By the time they finished, night had fully settled in.
Puffing on his pipe, Hiruzen gazed at Shimizu, who wore a faint smile, and fell into deep thought. So this was how the boy had always felt? No wonder Danzo was so eager to get his hands on him.
In Hiruzen's mind flashed the intelligence gathered by Danzo's Root and the reports from his own Anbu investigations. Both Root and Anbu maintained extensive networks within the village to ensure its stability, meticulously profiling every ninja's thoughts, life philosophies, and inclinations.
Shimizu's only blemish seemed to be his unclear entanglements with several girls. Beyond that, he had never expressed any anti-Konoha sentiments. On the contrary, he was kind-hearted, healing countless patients—sometimes even covering medical fees for those who couldn't pay. Most people held a favorable opinion of him, with the sole exception of Obito, whose complaints stemmed from youthful jealousy, according to the findings.
Even so, Shimizu was still helping Obito research ways to treat his injuries.
Hiruzen's gaze toward Shimizu gradually filled with appreciation. He hadn't misjudged him. Shimizu was undoubtedly the ideal candidate to become the next Uchiha Kagami—a bridge between the clan and the village.
"I'll send someone to track down Tsunade's whereabouts. She might have a way to heal Obito," Hiruzen offered. Seeing how much Shimizu cared for his comrades, granting this favor would make it easier to win him over.
Though Tsunade suffered from hemophobia, her theoretical knowledge remained impeccable. She wouldn't even need to see blood—just devise a treatment plan for other medics to execute.
"Thank you, Lord Third. But I've already made some progress in my research. I recall Sister Nono mentioning a similar case once."
"Nono, huh?"
Hiruzen fell silent. Yakushi Nono had been a member of Root—a talented individual. It was a pity she'd left the ninja world to open an orphanage in the civilian realm, becoming its director. Known as the Wandering Miko, she'd encountered countless rare conditions, so it made sense Shimizu would know of her.
"If it doesn't work out, come back to me. Konoha will always be your steadfast support."
Shimizu nodded, his face brimming with gratitude—luckily, he'd used a subtle suggestion beforehand to make his acting more convincing.
Seeing the emotional groundwork laid, Hiruzen seized the moment to state his goal. "Shimizu, have you ever considered joining the Anbu? You've noticed the slight rift between the Uchiha and the village, haven't you? Why not start with yourself—resolve the tension and serve as a bridge between the village and your clan?"
…
"Nani?!"
Back at home, it wasn't long before a knock sounded at Obito's door. When he opened it, he was both shocked and delighted to see Nohara Rin standing there. He was still wondering why Rin would visit so late when her next words left him even more astonished.
"Really, Rin? Shimizu says there's a way to heal me?"
It was like a newborn thunderbolt shattering the darkness that had shrouded Obito, ushering in light.
Obito nervously rubbed his hands together, gazing at Nohara Rin before him. Perhaps it was an illusion, but under the streetlights, she seemed more radiant than usual. It wasn't just the pristine, elegant new outfit she wore—there was something else.
Even with a faint trace of sorrow on her small face, Rin's subtle, unintentional expressions carried an indescribable charm, more captivating than ever before. Obito struggled to articulate the impression she left on him, but it felt oddly profound.
If Rin had once been an unripe apple, she now exuded hints of maturity. She was still a step away from fully ripened allure, from radiating the full charm of womanhood, but the change was undeniable.
Obito shook his head. Regardless, all he knew was that Rin… was even more beautiful now.
"It's true. Shimizu says he has a solution. It won't be long before you're back to normal, Obito. His medical skills are incredible—he trained under Lady Yakushi Nono," Rin said softly, her voice tinged with a faint sadness.
This is the last time I'll help you, Obito.
To gain something, one must always lose something in return.
Obito's darkness was about to lift, giving way to light.
But for her, Nohara Rin, the sky had darkened in exchange—clouds gathered thickly, and her future looked bleak.
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