It was only natural to bestow some favors on one's subordinates to win their loyalty.
After Suzumebachi received the curse seal, she set her sights on reviving the Kamizuru Clan from Iwagakure in the shinobi world. Shimizu didn't interfere with her ambitions. As long as she diligently carried out the tasks assigned to her, Shimizu had no intention of meddling excessively.
"Understood."
Meeting those pitch-black eyes, Hyuga Natsu felt an inexplicable shiver of fear.
Shimizu had killed before—more than once.
To a maid like her, who had never set foot on a battlefield, his presence was profoundly intimidating.
"If Hyuga Ginka dares to do anything to you," Shimizu continued, "just tell her that if anything happens to you, the contents of the recorder will appear in the Hokage's office the next day, to be judged personally by the Hokage and Uchiha Fugaku."
"Alright, you may leave."
Shimizu waved his hand, dismissing Hyuga Natsu.
As her figure vanished through the doorway, Shimizu rubbed his chin, lost in thought. Perhaps it was time to pay a visit to his mentor.
Guren had been left under Suzumebachi's care, currently stationed within the Land of Earth.
The Battle of Kikyo Pass had concluded before the Kannabi Bridge conflict, and Shimizu hadn't participated in that campaign. Its outcome unfolded much like the original timeline.
By now, Yakushi Nonou should have taken Kabuto back to the orphanage, naming him Kabuto and passing down the Yakushi surname.
Unlike the original timeline, however, Nonou had left Konohagakure early—not as the captain of a medical unit, but as the head of the orphanage, adopting Yakushi Kabuto.
Perhaps teaching Shimizu had filled Nonou's heart with purpose, prompting her to leave the Root organization sooner than expected.
Konoha's Root was buried deep, its darkness too heavy for most to bear.
Konoha's surface was all noble ideals and shining virtue.
Joining Root shattered that illusion, forcing one to bear the Tongue-Calamity Eradication Seal.
Such a dehumanizing curse seal—and yet, Sarutobi Hiruzen had never questioned his old friend about it.
"If Kabuto has been adopted, he's likely settled into life at the orphanage by now," Shimizu mused. "The next step would be Orochimaru noticing Kabuto's talent, and Danzo pressuring Nonou to return to Root as a spy."
Kabuto was a rare talent, one even Orochimaru coveted. If possible, Shimizu didn't want to let him slip away.
Relying solely on Nohara Rin for miscellaneous tasks wasn't a long-term solution.
Training Kabuto into an exceptional medical ninja and securing Yakushi Nonou as well—then, the shinobi world's most formidable medical team could proudly take shape.
"The orphanage must be short on funds right now," Shimizu thought, picturing Nonou's saintly face and her less-than-saintly figure.
Helping his mentor escape Danzo's clutches, while collecting a small bit of "interest" in the process, seemed perfectly reasonable.
The outcome would prevent Nonou and Kabuto from tragically turning against each other and meeting untimely ends in the shinobi world.
Shimizu was a man who didn't hide his desires, especially as his power grew.
Take Hyuga Ginka, for example. His interest in her wasn't just about planting a pawn in the Hyuga Clan—he also desired her.
The image of a lofty noblewoman forced to kneel and beg for forgiveness was what truly delighted him.
...
Hyuga Clan Grounds
Hyuga Natsu trudged heavily back to the main family's residence.
Biting her lower lip and clutching the hem of her clothes, she hesitated before pushing open Hyuga Ginka's door.
"Madam."
"What is it?"
Seated at a low table, Hyuga Ginka parted her vibrant, full red lips, picking up a slice of orange meticulously prepared by a branch family member and eating it.
Her voluptuous figure, perhaps a result of years of indulgence, exuded an air of refined elegance.
"Uchiha Shimizu requests your presence at the Konoha Steakhouse. He says it's regarding an important matter."
Hyuga Natsu entered quietly, kneeling on the tatami mat.
"Uchiha Shimizu?" Ginka paused, caught off guard.
Since the Third Shinobi World War began, she had heard plenty about him within the Hyuga Clan.
Rumor had it that Uchiha Shimizu had earned a reputation in the war, dubbed "Shunshin no Shimizu" (Shimmering Shimizu), and was even compared to the civilian-born genius Namikaze Minato, the two hailed as Konoha's Twin Flashes.
What's more, the two shared a mentor-student relationship—a formidable alliance.
"What does he want with me?" Ginka asked, faint lines creasing her forehead as her brows furrowed slightly.
She and Uchiha Shimizu should have no connection.
So why was he seeking her out now?
Hyuga Natsu presented the recorder.
The classical room filled with a voice.
"…The Uchiha are an inherently evil clan… too dangerous. I told you to stop associating with them…"
The familiar words reached Ginka's ears.
Her languid posture stiffened instantly, veins bulging at her temples as her Byakugan fixed on Natsu.
"Have you lost your mind, you wretched girl?!"
Ginka couldn't believe it. Natsu had recorded her words.
Did she not realize how much damage this could do to the Hyuga Clan?
Such divisive remarks could be spoken in private, but never openly—especially not by someone from the main family.
Some things, left unweighed, carried little weight.
But once measured, they could tip the scales at a thousand or ten thousand pounds.
Slap!
Furious, Ginka struck Natsu across the face.
Grabbing Natsu's arm, she intended to drag her to the main family elders.
"Madam…" Natsu said, clutching her reddened cheek, her head bowed. "Uchiha Shimizu said that if anything happens to me, these recordings will reach the Hokage and Uchiha Fugaku the next day."
A strange sense of satisfaction stirred within her.
Seeing Ginka's expression—as if she'd swallowed a fly—made Natsu feel that working for Shimizu wasn't so bad.
In her stagnant, lifeless days, nothing like this had ever happened.
Why was it always her who suffered? Why couldn't her "sister" endure the same grievances for once?
"You…" Ginka pointed at Natsu, trembling with rage, unable to speak.
The once-obedient branch family sister was now threatening and scheming against her.
At that moment, Ginka felt like she no longer knew Natsu.
After a long pause, Ginka gradually suppressed her anger.
This matter couldn't be taken directly to the elders.
Shimizu surely had a copy of the recording, and its contents were undeniably her own words.
If the elders found out, punishment was inevitable. She had to keep this quiet.
Shimizu hadn't reported her outright but instead sent Natsu, this traitor, to arrange a meeting. That meant he wanted something.
If they could negotiate, this could be resolved discreetly.
Ginka was a clever woman, quickly analyzing the situation.
Glancing at the recorder in Natsu's hand, she shook her head in disdain.
The Uchiha spying on the Hyuga—this was no less than a diplomatic incident.
--
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