"Thank you very much for the meal, Jiraiya-senpai."
"It's nothing~" Jiraiya waved it off grandly, as if it were no big deal at all.
Shimizu smiled and gave a small wave. "Then I'll head off first, senpai. I still need to get back to training."
"Alright, alright. We'll get in touch later."
Shimizu left satisfied, thoroughly enjoying the meal.
But the moment he was certain Shimizu had gone far enough…
Jiraiya moved like lightning, snapping open his wallet.
The once-bulging wallet was now completely empty.
…Gone?!
He shook it vigorously—once, twice—
Clink.
A single coin fell out.
"…Ah?!"
Grabbing his hair, Jiraiya looked utterly devastated. "My manuscript fee… I just got it…"
It hadn't even had time to warm in his pocket before it vanished like smoke.
He quickly pulled out a small notebook, scribbling furiously while muttering to himself, "Write this down… never treat Shimizu to a meal again."
"I absolutely cannot make the same mistake twice!"
Though Jiraiya's self-reflection was impressively swift…
Whether Shimizu would allow him to follow through was another matter entirely.
From Shimizu's perspective, letting someone like Jiraiya—a wealthy, carefree figure—foot the bill for a few meals was hardly worth mentioning.
Besides, with Jiraiya's easygoing personality, he surely wouldn't mind.
Right?
…All the more reason to enjoy it guilt-free.
Still… the food really had been excellent.
...
Late that night, just as expected, one of Danzō's Root operatives arrived.
It was the same woman—Miko.
"Shimizu Uzuki, Lord Danzō invites you—"
"I'm not going."
The refusal came instantly.
Jiraiya had just returned, and had clearly stated that he intended to take Shimizu to the Land of Waterfalls to investigate Madara.
At a time like this, sneaking off in the middle of the night to Root's headquarters to "talk" with Danzō?
Was that really a good idea?
What if someone found out?
And after his conversation with Jiraiya, Shimizu had begun to sense something else.
Unlike the Third Hokage's open support, Jiraiya seemed to be quietly evaluating him… or perhaps even observing him from the shadows.
The moment that thought surfaced, a chill ran down Shimizu's spine.
He had been far too careless earlier.
He had assumed that as long as he acted discreetly, no one in the village would notice his contact with Danzō.
But Jiraiya's intelligence network was no joke.
If Jiraiya truly paid attention to him, there was no telling how many informants he had scattered throughout the village.
Shimizu's sensory abilities could detect chakra-bearing targets—but what about ordinary civilians?
Who knew how many of Jiraiya's eyes and ears were hidden among them?
At a time this sensitive, going anywhere near Danzō's base was far too risky.
If something were exposed, it could completely ruin the image he had built.
"But you already agreed before…" Miko said, clearly displeased.
"Enough. I said I'm not going." Shimizu's stance was unwavering. "If you have something to say, say it here. What does Danzō want?"
"Lord Danzō said this matter must be discussed with you in person—"
"Are you not understanding me?" Shimizu's voice turned icy.
After a brief hesitation, Miko clenched her teeth and finally spoke.
"…Lord Danzō has a classified mission. He believes you are the most suitable candidate."
"Be specific."
"The mission location… is the Land of Waterfalls."
Shimizu's heart skipped a beat.
Could it be related to Madara?
No—impossible.
There was no way the Third Hokage would share that information with Danzō.
"…The objective is to capture the Seven-Tails."
A Tailed Beast?!
Konoha was actually setting its sights on another village's Tailed Beast.
"…A mission like that is no different from a death sentence, and Danzō still has the nerve to come to me with it?" Shimizu's voice turned cold. "He thinks a mere Sealing Scroll is enough to buy my life?"
"That's not it… Lord Danzō, he—"
"Get lost."
Shimizu's hand slowly moved to the hilt of his sword.
"…Understood."
Miko instinctively took a step back, then drew a deep breath before bowing slightly. "Then I'll take my leave."
Did Danzō really think he was that desperate for the Sealing Scroll?
What a joke.
Trading something like that… for a Tailed Beast?
He must be dreaming.
After making his stance crystal clear and rejecting Danzō outright, Root never came to seek him out again.
In the days that followed, Shimizu returned to his monotonous routine of relentless training.
Although the war had temporarily subsided, Konoha's shinobi were still burdened with a constant stream of missions. As a result, even though many of his friends and juniors had learned that he had fully recovered, none of them came to visit in person—instead, they sent letters to check on him.
But this fragile peace was nearing its end.
"Uzuki-senpai, the Hokage has an urgent matter to discuss with you!"
"Understood. I'll be there immediately."
After executing one final Dance of the Crescent Moon at Training Ground No. 43, Shimizu set off at once for the Hokage Building.
By now, he had essentially mastered the technique. Using it in actual combat would no longer be a problem.
As for integrating Wind Release into his swordsmanship… he would continue that research after returning.
Moving at top speed, Shimizu arrived at the Hokage's office. The moment he stepped inside, he noticed that several of the village's top officials were present—along with Jiraiya.
"Hokage-sama! Seniors!"
"You're quick as always, Shimizu," the Third Hokage said with a genial smile.
"Then I'll briefly explain the mission."
"Iwagakure has been quiet for quite some time. However, recent intelligence from the front lines suggests that they've begun making moves again."
"To avoid falling into the same passive position we were in against Sunagakure, we intend to take the initiative this time."
"We need to dispatch our most capable intelligence operatives to infiltrate Iwagakure and obtain detailed information on their military deployments and strategic plans."
As he spoke, the Third Hokage's gaze shifted toward Danzō.
"This task will be entrusted to you."
"Understood." Danzō accepted without hesitation.
"Additionally, ANBU surveillance has detected signs that both Kumogakure and Iwagakure are mobilizing troops near the border of the Land of Waterfalls…"
"That hidden village deep within the waterfalls—there is only one thing worth targeting there: the Seven-Tails."
The Third Hokage's voice rang out clearly.
"Jiraiya. Shimizu."
"Yes!" they responded in unison.
"You two will infiltrate Takigakure and determine the true intentions of Kumogakure and Iwagakure. If, unfortunately… their objective truly is the Seven-Tails—"
His expression hardened.
"Then under no circumstances can it be allowed to fall into their hands."
Shimizu raised an eyebrow slightly.
Danzō wanted to capture the Seven-Tails.
The Third Hokage wanted to prevent it from falling into enemy hands.
That man… was always scheming, always grasping for merit.
All for the position of Hokage.
But something about this still didn't sit right.
From the way they spoke, it almost sounded as if they were certain the Seven-Tails could be captured.
But that was a Tailed Beast.
Was it really something that could be subdued so easily?
"Although the Seven-Tails is considered the weakest among the Tailed Beasts, you must not let your guard down," the Hokage added.
The weakest…?
No wonder Danzō had set his sights on it.
"Then it's settled."
"Jiraiya, Shimizu—you are to depart immediately."
...
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