But knowing how to refuse is an art in itself.
Shimizu was not foolish enough to deliberately provoke Orochimaru. Although his strength had improved significantly, he wasn't so arrogant as to think he could challenge one of the Legendary Sannin.
His strategy could be summed up in one word: "delay."
What he was considering was this—after the Third Hokage formally responded to Sunagakure's accusations, how long would it take for Sunagakure to act? Or perhaps they had already begun moving? The unusually frequent reconnaissance missions on Konoha's side made Shimizu keenly aware that war was drawing near.
As for Orochimaru's request… if he could just drag things out through this period, then once war truly broke out, who would have time to worry about whom?
Shimizu asked, "When does Orochimaru-senpai require my blood?"
"Now."
"Is it urgent, senpai? Could it wait until after this mission is over?" Shimizu deliberately showed a hint of difficulty in his expression. After all, he was technically on duty—though in truth, this particular assignment carried no real danger.
Was it truly urgent?
Of course not.
Orochimaru had only chosen this moment because the Forest of Death allowed him to avoid the Third Hokage's watchful eyes.
If that were the case, what harm was there in waiting?
"Very well," Orochimaru replied. "After Uzuki-kun finishes his mission."
"Understood!"
Perhaps Orochimaru believed a mere ANBU captain wouldn't dare deceive him. Or perhaps he simply assumed that as one of the Sannin, he couldn't possibly be toyed with by a younger ninja.
He left without concern.
But Shimizu was already preparing his second excuse.
Who would've thought the "Rogue Talent Tree" he unlocked in his previous life would come in handy at a time like this…
…
…
…
At the third stage preliminaries of the Chūnin Exams, Shimizu observed from outside the arena.
It was a vast indoor battleground. Many years ago, he too had passed his own preliminaries here.
He still remembered his opponent—a Hyūga genin. That had been a grueling fight.
Now he watched the current generation of Konoha genin compete one after another.
Might Guy, clad in his eye-catching green taijutsu suit, stunned everyone present with strength and speed far beyond that of ordinary genin.
He was only eleven, yet already possessed such explosive power and velocity. Even if he lacked ninjutsu and genjutsu talent, his taijutsu alone allowed him to tower above these half-grown children.
Might Duy's son truly had talent.
Though honestly… wasn't Rock Lee basically his illegitimate child? The three of them looked like they came from the same genetic template…
Shimizu also noticed the weights strapped to Guy's legs. Clearly, what he had displayed wasn't even his full strength.
For Guy, this Chūnin Exam was practically already secured.
Sarutobi Asuma also defeated his opponent with ease. His Wind Release chakra blades struck unpredictably, impossible to guard against. Shimizu could sense that Asuma's chakra reserves were impressive and his fundamentals solid. Among peers, his strength was undoubtedly top-tier.
After all, he was the Third Hokage's son. Even without extraordinary genius, he wouldn't disappoint.
Still, what Shimizu envied most was the weapon in Asuma's hands—
Wind Release chakra blades, the Flying Swallow.
A ten-year-old kid wielding such a luxurious tool…
Shimizu had labored bitterly for twenty years to obtain something like that. Class hierarchy existed in every society.
Nohara Rin had a harder time of it. Medical ninjutsu was her specialty, not combat, but she managed to advance to the finals without incident.
What puzzled Shimizu was this:
Becoming Minato's student—was that coincidence? Or did Rin possess some hidden special quality?
The assignment of jōnin instructors to genin teams was never random. The Third Hokage would have carefully considered such placements.
Yet after years of interaction, Shimizu had never discovered anything particularly special about Rin. The ways of those in power were difficult to decipher.
When it came time for the Uchiha clan's representatives—
Uchiha Obito was still the same. No dramatic improvement.
Fortunately, his opponent was an utterly ordinary ninja from a civilian family. Chakra reserves, academy techniques—everything about him was mediocre.
Rigged brackets?
In any case, Obito advanced to the finals without incident.
Yūhi Kurenai, however, was defeated by a boy named Hyūga Kazumo, ending her path to promotion this year.
The current head of the Hyūga clan had sired a late-born son—Hyūga Kazumo—gifted from a young age.
Unfortunately, fate was cruel. He had two elder twin brothers: Hyūga Hizashi and Hyūga Hiashi.
From birth, that meant Kazumo would belong to the Branch Family—forever destined to protect the Main House.
At only twelve years old, the maturity and coldness he displayed far exceeded that of his peers.
Was it because of the "Caged Bird" curse seal hidden beneath his forehead protector?
With his strength, becoming a chūnin was more than achievable. Why had he only now taken the exam?
Moreover, quite a number of Hyūga clan members had entered the preliminaries this year—and several advanced to the finals.
As expected of one of Konoha's foremost noble clans.
Next up was the youngest participant of this year's exam—
Eight-year-old Uchiha Shisui.
Such a youthful figure stood in the arena, yet no one dared underestimate him.
Because his surname was Uchiha—a name synonymous with power and honor.
If he passed this Chūnin Exam, he would achieve the second-highest record in Konoha's history.
The highest was Hatake Kakashi, who became a chūnin at six—the son of the White Fang of Konoha.
In the shinobi world, graduating at ten to twelve and becoming a genin was normal. Becoming a chūnin at that age meant you were already quite strong.
Jiraiya had become a chūnin at eleven. Shimizu himself at ten.
But anyone who achieved that rank before the age of ten—
That was a once-in-decades genius.
Perhaps they would even witness the Sharingan of this prodigy of the Uchiha clan, since his opponent was a rather capable genin.
Shisui's hands formed seals rapidly.
In an instant, three Shisuis appeared in the arena, charging at the genin from different directions.
The opponent had solid fundamentals. In a blink, he threw two kunai, piercing straight through the gap between two of the figures.
Then the remaining one must be the real body.
But what he failed to notice was that at the moment the clones were struck, Shisui had already performed another Shadow Clone Technique.
This time, not mere afterimages—but true corporeal shadow clones.
Three Shisuis attacked in coordination from three angles, easily defeating the genin who had misjudged the situation.
He hadn't even revealed the Sharingan. It was a clever tactic; the Genin's loss was well-earned. Moreover, the moment Shisui won, he checked the momentum of his kunai, stopping exactly where he needed to. It was a match that didn't even require the proctor's intervention.
Excellent tactics, and a very gentle temperament. Shimizu wondered how much the upcoming cruel war would change him.
He looked at these youthful figures and mapped them to the powerful pillars of Konoha they would become in the future...
He saw Kakashi, who was currently talking tough, mocking the idea of Obito ever becoming a Chunin, but whose body remained tense as he watched the entire match with visible nervousness...
And then there was nine-year-old Uchiha Megumi, Sawei's younger sister. She faced a twelve-year-old civilian boy, but the match wasn't difficult; she secured victory in short order. In Shimizu's perception, her chakra reserves were quite impressive—not at all inferior to Shisui's.
Her Sharingan must have awakened... because of her brother's death.
…