Such offensive and defensive capabilities—truly a perfect body.
If only he could acquire such a physique.
A thought surfaced in Orochimaru's mind.
Indeed, if he could obtain it, it would be like the mythical art of borrowing a corpse to return a soul.
To seize another's body and make it his own.
Once this idea took root, it grew uncontrollably.
A brilliant gleam sparked in Orochimaru's eyes. He cast a lingering glance at Shimizu, then slowly vanished into the darkness.
He needed to return and conduct his research—this spark of inspiration had to be seized.
"Is he gone, Orochimaru?"
Shimizu watched as Orochimaru slithered away, retreating silently like a snake, his form quickly fading from sight.
This battle had been far simpler than he'd anticipated.
Orochimaru hadn't fought with his full strength.
"Whatever."
Shimizu turned and headed back to the orphanage.
The current Orochimaru hadn't yet developed the "Living Corpse Reincarnation" technique.
Thus, he wouldn't make a move against Shimizu.
Even if he did, he wouldn't dare act first—not until he'd succeeded a few times.
By then, Shimizu would no longer fear Orochimaru.
Orochimaru's greatest strength was his ability to survive, not his offensive power.
His most formidable state was the Yamata no Orochi, but whether that technique had been developed was still uncertain.
If he'd developed it sooner, he wouldn't have been taken down by Itachi's single glance.
It could be said that the Sharingan was Orochimaru's natural counter, especially against someone with such low resistance to it.
And Shimizu's ocular power far surpassed that of other Uchiha—Orochimaru was practically in the palm of his hand.
"Are you alright, Shimizu?"
Yakushi Nonou looked at him, noticing his tattered clothes.
The faint outline of his toned muscles made her cheeks flush slightly.
The orphanage didn't have any young, robust men like Shimizu.
Aside from one old man, it was filled with children who were still wet behind the ears.
"I'm fine," Shimizu said, shaking his head.
This ambush, anyone with half a brain could tell, was Danzo's doing.
But even if he dealt with it for Nonou this time, what about the next?
That old dog Danzo would surely keep sending attackers until the battlefield dynamics shifted and the need for espionage diminished.
The orphanage would inevitably fall into ruin from repeated assaults, requiring vast sums to rebuild, perpetuating its financial strain.
For this, Shimizu had no immediate solution.
His excuse for coming here was a mission—Konohagakure shinobi couldn't leave the village freely, and he couldn't stay to guard the place indefinitely.
But… this played right into Shimizu's plans.
With need came opportunity. Nonou would seek him out again.
Once, twice, thrice—the debt of gratitude would pile up, snowballing like a debt.
Eventually, Nonou might start wondering what she could offer Shimizu in return.
With a bit of guidance…
Days later, Shimizu had Guren pose as someone who'd only recently met him. He took the time to gather intelligence on the area, using it as material for his mission report, before leaving the orphanage.
Before departing, Yakushi Nonou waved farewell with genuine warmth.
"Who knows when we'll meet again," she said, her voice tinged with melancholy.
"I believe it'll be soon," Shimizu replied, his smile cryptic. He had a hunch that Nonou, having witnessed his capabilities, would come knocking with a glimmer of hope.
Danzo's retaliation was inescapable for her.
But Danzo's goal was to exploit talent, not destroy it. He'd maintain a careful balance, ensuring the orphanage remained strapped for cash without crossing a line.
If a child died, Nonou would surely rebel. If all the children perished, she'd have no ties left and might flee. Danzo would gain nothing then.
Only as the orphanage's caretaker could Nonou be pinned down—able to escape as a monk, but not as a temple.
"Come visit the orphanage when you have time," Nonou said, her smile radiant and pure.
Shimizu nodded, then left with Guren, the other two temporary squad members following close behind.
The orphanage wasn't far from Konohagakure. It took only two days to return to the village.
Upon arrival, Shimizu's first act was to enroll Guren in the Ninja Academy and collect the village's financial aid for orphaned students.
Guren would live at Shimizu's home.
In the Uchiha compound, it wasn't unheard of for clan members to marry outsiders. A non-Uchiha child living in an Uchiha household wasn't too conspicuous.
Besides, Guren was just a kid—people would assume Shimizu was acting out of kindness.
At the Ninja Academy's entrance, Shimizu gently pushed Guren forward.
"Please take care of her, Sensei Ueno."
"No trouble at all. You and Kakashi from back then—you really didn't disappoint me. You've both made names for yourselves in the shinobi world," said the chunin who'd once taught Shimizu, his voice thick with nostalgia.
Years had passed in a blink, and now Shimizu was bringing in a new student.
"Just empty fame," Shimizu said with a faint smile. He leaned down to whisper to Guren, instructing her to behave at the academy.
As they lingered at the entrance, a young Uchiha with a prominent nose watched them.
"Uchiha Shimizu, the legendary Shunshin no Shimizu," Uchiha Sh彼此
System: Shisui murmured.
He held a certificate of early graduation, today being his last day at the Ninja Academy.
Tomorrow, he'd join his clan on the battlefield.
What was the battlefield like?
Shisui felt a touch of uncertainty. He'd seen the pain it brought to so many.
Yet, he was curious—why did people still throw themselves into the fray? What drove them?
Determined to find the answers himself, Shisui resolved to seek them out.
"Shisui, you've grown so much," Shimizu called out as Shisui passed the school gate.
"Shimizu… aniki, what's up?"
"Nothing much. You're heading to the battlefield soon, right? Remember, your clan is always your support."
Shimizu's eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced at the certificate in Shisui's hand.
Of course, that support came with the condition of treating the clan as true family. Otherwise, that shield could turn into a blade.
"Got it," Shisui replied calmly, walking off with a neutral expression.
"What's with that guy?" Guren muttered, displeased with Shisui's attitude toward Shimizu.
If they weren't from the same clan, she'd have taught that kid a lesson.
Shimizu patted Guren's head, redirecting her glare from Shisui.
"Go on," he said.
After sending Guren into the academy, Shimizu headed home to start digging a cellar.
The medical equipment had arrived. He'd build a secret room in the courtyard to serve as a laboratory.
Next, he'd have Nohara Rin methodically research the cloning solution.
All to ensure Uchiha Izumi could be born.
Uchiha Compound
Uchiha Tekka and Inabi whispered to each other.
"Heh, I heard the pleasure district got some stunning new women."
"For real? How much?"
"Overnight's about fifty thousand ryo, I think."
Tekka's quoted price made Inabi wince.
"You get what you pay for," Tekka said with a sly grin, describing the women's alluring figures.
Unbeknownst to them, someone stood silently behind.
"Here, take this ticket—it's got a discount."
Tekka pulled a ticket from his pocket, about to hand it to Inabi.
Then, they heard soft footsteps.
"Fu… Fugaku-sama," Tekka stammered, crumpling the ticket in his grip.
"How can the Uchiha clan stoop to such places? Have you forgotten the shinobi code?" Uchiha Fugaku said, his face stern.
"Right, Fugaku-sama, the Uchiha would never go there. It's just Tekka who's into that stuff," Inabi said, quickly distancing himself, proclaiming his upright character.
"Enough," Fugaku said, not pressing the matter further.
The war's pressure was enough to weigh on every combatant.
Relieving stress and easing tension were necessary during wartime.
"Haha, Fugaku-sama, we'd never go to such a place," Tekka said, feigning realization. He shoved the ticket into Fugaku's hand and bolted with Inabi.
"Hmph."
Fugaku tossed the ticket to the ground with disdain.
Him, go to such a place? Never.
After a moment's pause, he picked it up.
Littering was unbecoming.
If clan members saw, they'd think their leader lacked class.
As he retrieved it, he noticed the ticket was a poster, adorned with provocative women in enticing poses.
Fugaku glanced once, then again. The address was a side alley off Konoha's Third Street, number 356.
Shamefully, despite years of marriage, he'd never shared a bed with Mikoto.
Even if he wasn't usually interested, curiosity stirred.
He was a fully functional man, not a eunuch. Desire was only natural.
"Fugaku-sama," Shimizu called, stepping out from the corner at the street's end.
"Ahem… Shimizu, is it?"
Fugaku discreetly pocketed the ticket.
Explaining it was from Tekka, meant for the trash? Too much hassle.
Better to tuck it away and deal with it later.
"Here's this month's intelligence."
Shimizu handed over a sealed scroll.
As Fugaku pocketed the item, Shimizu subtly scattered fine powder.
This powder could awaken one's primal urges.
In plain terms, an aphrodisiac.
Shimizu knew about the pleasure district.
The two men from earlier? His shadow clones, disguised by the Transformation Technique.
Now dispelled, their memories flowed back to him.
"Well done," Fugaku said, praising him, unaware that "Tekka" and "Inabi" were Shimizu's clones.
--
Support me & read more advance & fast update chapter on my patreon:
pat reon .com/yuuwand