October 1st. Clear skies stretching for miles.
After a full night's rest, Shimizu felt completely restored.
He wasn't troubled at all by having rejected Danzo. Although last night's invitation had caught him off guard, refusing it required no deliberation whatsoever—it had never been an option.
Following a figure like Danzo Shimura?
Who knew when he might get dragged into something catastrophic again.
What truly concerned Shimizu was whether Orochimaru had already noticed anything unusual. In the original storyline, Orochimaru had dared to abduct Konoha's own ANBU for human experimentation—brazen beyond belief.
The only real answer is to grow stronger as quickly as possible.
Shimizu headed straight to Kakashi's private training ground. From afar, he could already hear the shrill cry of birds.
Sure enough, the white-haired boy was practicing his new Lightning Release technique—Chidori.
Kakashi moved at high speed, wrapped in a faint blue glow. His rapid directional thrusts were so swift the eye could barely keep up.
It hasn't even been that long, and his speed has improved noticeably. The lightning chakra is far more condensed too… At this rate, he won't need a year to reach jōnin level. A true genius indeed.
"You've improved again, Kakashi," Shimizu said sincerely.
Hearing someone approach, Kakashi immediately dispersed the lightning around him. When he saw who it was, he responded, "Senior Shimizu!"
"You seem taller," Shimizu remarked, gesturing at his height.
He then noticed that Kakashi was holding the short blade left behind by the White Fang. Had the lightning just now been channeled through that blade?
"It's my growth phase," Kakashi replied with a small smile. Noticing Shimizu's gaze, he quickly explained, "What you said last time really inspired me. So I tried infusing Chidori's lightning chakra into my father's short blade… I finally succeeded not long ago."
Shimizu felt a jolt of shock.
Wasn't this essentially the development of a new technique?
Something akin to the Chidori Blade developed later by Sasuke in the original story—a Lightning Release nature transformation applied to a weapon. It not only enhanced the blade's cutting power but also inflicted paralysis on the opponent. With lightning chakra molded like Chidori along the edge, its lethality increased dramatically—sharp enough to slice through steel like mud.
And Kakashi had recreated something like that on his own, in such a short time.
Was "genius" really enough to explain this?
A realization flickered through Shimizu's mind.
Perhaps the future Kakashi could truly restore the glory of the White Fang.
In the original story, Kakashi gained Obito's Sharingan and earned the title of "Copy Ninja." But was the Sharingan truly suited to him? His stagnant growth for years suggested that the Sharingan was as much burden as blessing. Even later, with abilities like Kamui, the side effects were enormous.
Not worth the cost.
Soon, Kakashi demonstrated his "Chidori Blade" again specifically for Shimizu, carefully explaining his thought process and the principles behind the technique.
Shimizu gained a great deal from the exchange, deeply impressed by Kakashi's extraordinary talent for ninjutsu development.
At this rate, perhaps Chidori Senbon and Chidori Sharp Spear might appear in this world far earlier than expected.
"Kakashi! Shimizu's here too!" A young man's voice suddenly rang out.
With brilliant golden hair and a warm, sunlit smile, the newcomer was none other than Minato Namikaze—student of Jiraiya, and the teacher of Kakashi and Uchiha Obito.
In Shimizu's perception, Minato had appeared beside him instantaneously.
Which meant—
He had already mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique.
This was a true divine technique—the signature ability that would one day make the "Yellow Flash" famous across the world. As long as a Flying Thunder God formula placed by Minato existed somewhere, he could appear there instantly.
Absolute speed.
I really want to understand the complete principles behind this technique…
Shimizu quickly dismissed the thought. He knew himself well enough to understand that learning Minato's personal ninjutsu was unrealistic. Besides, he now had his own path forward—he would elevate his Water Release to the highest possible realm. That might not be any weaker than mastering the Rasengan or the Flying Thunder God Technique.
More importantly, as his strength increased, Shimizu felt he was gradually forming a combat system uniquely his own. Blindly imitating others would only shackle his progress. He even suspected that part of why he considered the "Yellow Flash" so powerful was because he had been influenced by the original storyline in his previous life.
In this real world, Shimizu Uzuki had become a chūnin earlier than Minato Namikaze. He had already shown his edge during the Second Great Ninja War.
If Kakashi could surpass his original fate, why couldn't he surpass his own limits?
After all, he already had considerable foundations—he just needed more time.
"Minato-sensei! What brings you here?" Kakashi asked in surprise.
"Minato." Shimizu raised a hand in greeting.
A mischievous thought crossed his mind—could it be that Minato was worried Kakashi might reveal all the secrets of his newly developed Lightning Release technique, so he deliberately appeared at this moment?
Did he think I was freeloading off his student's hard work? Hmph. I've independently developed an A-rank, no-hand-seal Lightning Release technique myself, thank you very much…
"Be careful not to injure yourself while using that technique, Kakashi. Speed isn't always a good thing," Minato advised gently before turning to Shimizu. "Shimizu, could I speak with you privately?"
Just as I thought.
He knew Minato had come for him.
"Sure," Shimizu replied casually.
The two of them left Kakashi's training ground.
On the way, Minato got straight to the point. "Last night, Lord Hokage summoned Jiraiya-sensei, and he left the village overnight. Did something happen?"
"I only know that this occurred after I completed my mission," Shimizu answered. "So I assumed you might know something—and came to ask me."
Since the Third Hokage hadn't informed others, the matter was likely still confidential. However, Minato Namikaze was the future Fourth Hokage and part of the Hokage's inner circle. There was no harm in telling him. It might even build some goodwill.
So Shimizu briefly recounted his encounter during the mission.
"I see… Then Jiraiya-sensei is probably investigating the Three-Tails' whereabouts," Minato mused.
"Perhaps. I can't pretend to understand Lord Hokage's thoughts," Shimizu replied lightly. Matters concerning those at the top were not his concern. Minato, however, clearly had aspirations toward the Hokage position, so his perspective naturally differed.
After a pause, Minato continued more seriously:
"Actually, Lord Hokage has assigned an important mission. It's highly sensitive. I need someone trustworthy—and strong—to accompany me."
So that's it.
Shimizu immediately realized it—Minato likely already knew about Jiraiya's departure. That earlier question had probably been a test.
This was what he truly wanted to discuss.
"So I thought of you, Shimizu," Minato said sincerely.
"...I'll do it!" After only brief consideration, Shimizu agreed decisively.
The last time they had worked together was during the Second Great Ninja War. Now, years later, he would once again be on a mission alongside the grown version of this legendary figure.
He couldn't deny a flicker of excitement.
Perhaps he would witness the Flying Thunder God Technique cutting down enemies with overwhelming dominance. After all, in the original story, Minato had famously annihilated fifty Iwagakure shinobi in an instant during the Third Great Ninja War.
The memory remained vivid.
And perhaps he could gain inspiration from it.
After all, his own "Instant Water" technique was, in some sense, on the same tier as the Flying Thunder God.
The difference in combat philosophy determined how far a technique could truly be pushed.
Observing how the "Yellow Flash" utilized a teleportation technique in battle—
That would be a rare and invaluable learning opportunity.