The path Jiraiya had walked offered Shimizu a great deal to reflect on. Even though his own journey into sage arts had already come to a dead end at Ryūchi Cave, the idea itself resonated deeply with him.
Relying solely on learning techniques would never make someone truly strong—on that point, he and Jiraiya were in complete agreement.
It was a realization Shimizu himself had come to only after countless battles.
What he lacked was a decisive technique—something that could determine victory in a single strike, or even turn the tide when he stood on the brink of defeat.
And the truth was, every renowned powerhouse in the shinobi world possessed a unique, signature ability of their own.
If it came to something truly unique… then perhaps the only thing he had was that mysterious chakra within him.
The reborn Samehada.
But how exactly was he supposed to use that power?
Since discovering it, he had tried again and again—countless attempts, all ending in failure. No response. No progress.
Days passed like this, one after another, yet Shimizu never once broke his routine. He trained relentlessly, day in and day out. It wasn't the kind of explosive growth that came from sudden breakthroughs, but rather a slow, steady accumulation. And in a way, that gradual progress brought with it a far deeper sense of stability and reassurance.
During this time, Kakashi had come to visit him several times, seeking advice on Lightning Release. But by the fourth visit, Shimizu realized there was nothing left he could teach.
The boy's talent in Lightning Release was nothing short of terrifying.
Given time—once his chakra reserves grew and he developed new techniques—Kakashi would undoubtedly have his moment to shine in this great ninja war.
At the same time, Kakashi himself had changed. He was calmer now, but not in the old sense of cold detachment. This was something else—a quiet heaviness, the kind that only came from being battered by wind and rain.
Obito's departure had affected him far more deeply than anyone realized.
Through subtle probing, Shimizu also came to understand that while Rin was still the same as ever, a certain distance had formed between her and Kakashi.
It seemed that Team Minato was truly on the verge of falling apart.
Meanwhile, Shisui's progress had been astonishing. He had successfully integrated the Sharingan's genjutsu into his Body Flicker Technique. The moment he activated the technique, he would leave behind an illusion in the enemy's mind—one where he appeared not to have moved at all.
But in reality, at the very instant he cast the illusion, his true body had already vanished from sight.
For anyone unfamiliar with this technique, it would be dangerously easy to be deceived by what they saw, to hesitate for even a fraction of a second.
And that single moment of hesitation was the line between life and death.
Even Shimizu himself had nearly fallen for it the first time he experienced it.
"Shisui" had seemed to stand right in front of him… and yet the killing intent had already crept up from elsewhere.
If not for the battle-honed instinct he had developed through countless life-and-death encounters, that one move alone could have decided the outcome.
After all, the illusion was cast through a kekkei genkai—the Sharingan.
Even shinobi who specialized in genjutsu would struggle to resist its influence.
Megumi had also come to visit several times over the past few months, mostly seeking guidance in training. With Orochimaru completely absorbed in his fascinating experiments, his two students had been the first to suffer the consequences.
He was either impossible to find or simply ignored them. The training tasks he assigned were nothing more than the same old basic exercises—Hyakumo endured and carried on, but Megumi had simply had enough and quit outright.
As the girl herself put it, she had been just one step away from openly rebelling on the spot.
"Shimizu, I don't want to be Orochimaru's student anymore."
Naturally, Shimizu wasn't about to pass up the chance to tease her. "Wasn't it you who said this was a rare opportunity back then?"
"…I was young and didn't know any better," Megumi muttered through gritted teeth.
"You say that like you're any older now."
Unwilling to accept defeat, Megumi stood on her tiptoes—but even then, she could only just reach his chest.
"I'll grow up soon!"
"I've heard that line a few years ago too."
"You… just tell me if you'll help me or not!"
"Huh? You don't want to be Orochimaru's student, so why do you need my help?" Shimizu genuinely couldn't follow her logic.
"…I'm scared."
"Heh."
Shimizu could understand the fear ordinary shinobi in the village felt toward Orochimaru. After all, that cold, sinister aura of his had long since seeped deep into people's minds.
Refusing someone like that—a figure as powerful as Orochimaru—really did take a certain amount of courage.
If you happened to offend him, even a single cold glance from those snake-like eyes could make your blood run cold.
"But you're not afraid, Shimizu. I feel like Orochimaru actually respects you a bit… If I say it, he'll think I'm ungrateful. But if you say it, he won't dare do anything to you."
The logic was sound—but what about the reason?
He was, after all, an outsider. How could he casually interfere in Orochimaru's decision to take on disciples?
If he were to step in forcefully, he needed a justification—something solid, something convincing.
"So what exactly am I supposed to say?"
"That's for you to figure out," Megumi replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "I don't understand the scheming between you adults, and I don't want any part of it."
…Right. So in the end, she was just the victim here.
"Fine. I'll think of something."
"Wait—really? You agreed?" Megumi had clearly expected him to make things difficult for her. When he gave in so easily, her face lit up with excitement. "Shimizu, you're the best!"
"So when are you going to talk to him?"
"As soon as possible."
Satisfied, the girl skipped away, light on her feet.
As far as Shimizu was concerned, helping Megumi get away from Orochimaru was something he was more than willing to do.
In fact, he decided he might as well go find Orochimaru tonight—two birds with one stone. He could discuss this matter and, while he was at it, check on the progress regarding the Hero Water.
Finding Orochimaru wasn't easy. Only Root operatives had the clearance to enter his laboratory.
But on his way toward the Root base, Shimizu unexpectedly caught sight of a familiar figure—a Root shinobi known by the codename "Miko."
If he remembered correctly, she had led the previous infiltration mission into Iwagakure. By all accounts, she was one of Root's most elite intelligence operatives.
Yet now, at this hour of the night, she was heading out again on a mission?
And in this direction…
Shimizu's curiosity was immediately piqued. Keeping his distance, he quietly trailed behind her.
Sure enough, she stopped just outside the Uchiha clan's compound.
There, she brushed past another shadowy figure concealed in the darkness. The two crossed paths briefly, and in the next instant, both vanished into the night without a trace.
Because he had kept his distance to avoid being discovered, Shimizu couldn't tell what they had said—or whether they had exchanged anything.
But that figure waiting outside the Uchiha district… who was it?
Fugaku?
No—that didn't seem right. The person's height was roughly the same as Miko's.
Which meant… even if it wasn't a woman, it had to be someone young.
Shisui?
The moment that thought surfaced, it took root immediately. He became Shimizu's prime suspect.
…What, thinking of turning traitor?
Of all things, betrayal was what Shimizu despised most—both in this life and the last. There was nothing he loathed more than those who trampled on trust and chose to turn their backs.
With that thought, he immediately changed course and headed straight for Shisui's residence.
If he didn't get to the bottom of this, there was no way he'd be able to sleep tonight.