The Void Sword and Swordsmanship Concept

"Shimizu, your eyes..."

Minato Namikaze watched as multiple tomoe spiraled and emerged from Shimizu's pupils.

In the scarlet irises, three tomoe circled faintly, forming a near-perfect ring.

"I was just too emotional seeing you all injured."

Shimizu closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his pupils had returned to their usual black color.

Minato accepted this explanation, knowing that Uchiha clan members often awakened their Sharingan when experiencing intense grief over a comrade's death or peril.

"So Shimizu treasures his companions this much," Minato thought, his impression of Shimizu rising significantly. He was relieved that he had not failed the Hokage's expectations in guiding Shimizu toward virtue and compassion.

"By the way, Shimizu, is that instantaneous ninjutsu of yours called Rasengan?"

"Yeah, just a random name I came up with."

"I see."

Minato nodded but couldn't hide a twinge of disappointment.

After three years of effort to develop a new ninjutsu, he found out that his subordinate had already created it. Even so, Minato forced a smile.

"Could you teach me the trick to mastering it? I've hit a bottleneck."

"Sure."

Even though it felt a bit awkward for the original developer of the technique to seek advice from a "plagiarist," Shimizu agreed.

Minato was just one step away from success. He'd figure it out eventually, so Shimizu decided to ride the wave and earn some goodwill.

Minato then chatted with Kushina to ease the tense atmosphere between them. Kushina, however, remained silent, her head bowed and her delicate nose scrunched in apparent displeasure. She seemed lost in thought as Shimizu tended to her injuries.

Ten minutes later...

Kushina's burns had fully healed thanks to her remarkable regenerative ability.

Shimizu also realigned Minato's broken ribs, though his internal injuries required rest.

At this moment, Jiraiya finally arrived at the Third Training Ground. His eyes swept across the scene—the toppled trees and deep craters made the area look like a disaster zone.

"How are they?"

Seeing Shimizu healing the injured, Jiraiya approached and asked.

"Kushina is almost fully recovered, but Minato-sensei's injuries are more serious. He needs rest."

Shimizu's pale green chakra light dissipated as he looked back at Jiraiya.

Kushina immediately stood up and apologized.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have come out on my own."

Jiraiya shook his head and offered her a few words of comfort.

Since no one had died and Minato would recover with rest, the situation was not too severe. Even if there had been fatalities, Jiraiya wouldn't reprimand Kushina here and now.

The ability to suppress the Nine-Tails largely depended on Kushina's special abilities and the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques.

Agitating her too much could push her toward darkness, which would undoubtedly make the Nine-Tails a serious threat.

Soon, members of the Anbu arrived, followed by Hiruzen Sarutobi himself.

After understanding the situation, Hiruzen nodded thoughtfully.

The Anbu had previously informed him about Shimizu's occasional visits to Kushina's home.

Initially, Hiruzen had worried about the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki getting too close to an Uchiha—especially since Shimizu was a man, unlike Mikoto.

Such concerns were heightened because Minato's relationship with Kushina was ambiguous at best.

"I'll inform Fugaku about this matter. I'm sure he'll be pleased to know that the Uchiha clan has produced such a promising talent."

Shimizu had mitigated a potential Nine-Tails disaster early on, earning Hiruzen's satisfaction and raising his opinion of the young Uchiha.

He felt that Shimizu was growing closer to Uchiha Kagami's virtuous path, making Minato's mentorship worthwhile.

"Minato-sensei is my teacher, and Kushina is my friend. It's only natural for me to help."

Shimizu smiled.

Yet no one noticed the subtle complexity hidden within his smile. His occasional glances at Kushina held an indefinable meaning.

Hokage's Office

Hiruzen Sarutobi smoked his pipe as he gazed at the Hokage Rock outside the window.

"Shimizu from the Uchiha clan awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan at such a young age. His talent is truly terrifying. Assign him to me, and I'll personally guide him."

Shimura Danzo emerged from the shadows, his single exposed eye fixed on Hiruzen's back.

"He awakened it because he was emotionally stimulated by Minato's injury. This shows that he still has bonds in his heart," Hiruzen said, exhaling a puff of smoke.

"Let Minato continue guiding him."

"Hiruzen!"

Danzo stepped forward, his tone urgent.

A Uchiha with such potential had to be controlled.

"Lord Hokage."

An Anbu member suddenly appeared, interrupting Danzo. He whispered something in Hiruzen's ear before vanishing.

"What happened?"

Danzo glared at the Anbu member, displeased by being treated as an outsider.

"Jiraiya has gone out to gather information again. Minato personally witnessed today's events. Konoha's new sprouts are growing strong. What we need is to protect them, not control them."

Hiruzen waved dismissively, signaling Danzo to drop the matter.

Danzo immediately realized that Hiruzen intended to cultivate Shimizu as part of Minato's faction, nurturing Minato as his successor.

"The position of Hokage doesn't have to go to your precious Minato."

Danzo kept this thought to himself, coldly snorted, and left with a flick of his sleeve.

If Shimizu couldn't be controlled, he would become a dangerous individual. If he joined Minato's faction, it would further hinder Danzo's ambition to become Hokage.

If necessary, Danzo planned to subtly pressure Minato.

-----

In the following months, Shimizu focused on training at home to prepare for the imminent Third Great Ninja War.

One day, Shimizu emerged from his house with a short sword in hand and a white scroll tucked at his waist. The short sword was a custom-made gift from Kakashi.

"Can this ninjutsu eventually control chakra into a sword form?"

Shimizu murmured to himself.

He planted the short sword into the ground and pulled out the white scroll from his waist. On the first page, it read: Void Sword.

This technique was the same one Orochimaru used during his battle against Hiruzen Sarutobi in the Chunin Exams: Kusanagi Sword: Void Sword.

It allowed the Kusanagi Sword to float in the air and attack the enemy at will.

Though Shimizu lacked the Kusanagi Sword, he only had Kakashi's custom short sword.

"Rise."

Following the chakra pathways recorded on the Void Sword scroll, Shimizu began releasing his chakra.

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