In Shimizu's view, it would indeed be a pity if Obito and Kakashi's bond simply ended like this.
Though, truthfully, it was only a slight pity.
After more than twenty years in this world, the vivid, living impressions he had of them now had long since replaced those flat, distant figures from the original story in his memory. Whether they reconciled or simply continued on like this, maintaining a distant peace, either outcome was acceptable to him.
Besides, things were different now. Kakashi no longer shared that deep Sharingan bond with Obito, and the rift between them had become something far harder to mend. On top of that, Rin—once the "lubricant" who smoothed over their conflicts in Team Minato—was no longer there to mediate between them. Under such circumstances, restoring their old harmony was almost impossible.
The disintegration of Team Minato had become inevitable.
The fact that Obito could still objectively analyze Kakashi's position at the time, and even feel regret over the eye Kakashi had lost, was already the last trace of his lingering feelings.
As for anything beyond that—like going back to how things used to be—he no longer had the will to pursue it.
"Senpai, don't make things difficult for me…" Obito said with a helpless smile. "It's not just that I can't get past this—I don't think Kakashi can either."
"And I've already left Team Minato. Even though Minato-sensei said he understood my decision… I know the truth. If Clan Head Fugaku hadn't fully backed me, this wouldn't have ended so easily."
As he spoke, the light in Obito's eyes gradually dimmed.
"Alright, enough. What's done is done." Shimizu decided to put an end to the topic, then deliberately changed the subject with a teasing tone. "So, are you two together now?"
Rin immediately waved her hands in denial, flustered. "No, no! Senpai, you've got it all wrong!"
"I just… made a promise with Obito before. If he becomes a jonin…"
"Oh?" Shimizu was already aware of that, but he played along anyway. "Then when are you planning to make jonin, Obito?"
"Next year!" Obito declared confidently. "By this time next year, I'll definitely be a Konoha jonin!"
Shimizu clicked his tongue inwardly. That kind of confidence… the Sharingan really was a convenient thing.
Then again, becoming a jonin at fourteen was no small feat.
Even in the original story, a genius like Neji from the Konoha Twelve had only reached jonin at fifteen.
Maybe it was time to give Shisui a little push—urge that kid to hurry up and make jonin as well.
Just then, a sudden commotion broke out on the street as a crowd began to gather.
"What's going on?" Obito asked curiously.
"No idea…" Rin shook her head.
Shimizu, however, had no interest in joining the spectacle. "I'm heading off to eat. You two have fun."
After that, he returned to his monotonous routine—training, rest, and nothing more. Yet not long after he settled back into it, someone came knocking at his door.
"Shimizu, you're still training, just as I thought…"
"…Minato?"
He had just seen Obito earlier that day, and now Minato had come by at night—clearly, the two had already met.
"What brings you here?"
Minato smiled faintly. "I heard you've been training day and night. It's starting to worry me."
Shimizu chuckled. "That concern came out of nowhere."
"I'm worried that one day you'll suddenly soar ahead again… and leave me completely behind."
This was Minato's genuine feeling. After being stuck at chunin for years, Shimizu had suddenly broken through to jonin, and in just a few short years, he had caught up to Minato himself—perhaps even approaching the level of the Legendary Sannin.
With growth like that—like riding a rocket—what rival wouldn't feel uneasy?
Friend or not, Minato still regarded Shimizu as a lifelong competitor.
"You make it sound like I've been cheating."
"…To be honest, I've actually thought that before."
"Because it just doesn't make sense," Minato admitted with a soft sigh. "Do you know how long it took me to reach this level…"
Shimizu raised an eyebrow. "You came all the way here in the middle of the night just to say that?"
"Seriously, though—I heard from Jiraiya-sensei that you've been researching a new technique. Any progress?"
"…You could say that."
"Then doesn't that mean you've gotten even stronger?!" Minato's eyes widened.
"You say that like you're weak or something," Shimizu shot back lightly, before shifting the topic. "By the way, your Flying Thunder God… being able to control a hundred thrown kunai in an instant—what kind of method is that?"
"Ah… that?" Minato scratched his head, looking momentarily at a loss for where to begin. "It's a bit complicated."
"Teach me," Shimizu said without hesitation, immediately putting forward his offer. "And in return, I'll tell you about my latest research results."
"A fair trade. Deal?"
"…Alright," Minato agreed decisively.
In truth, Minato himself had begun to feel the onset of a bottleneck in his growth. If he wanted to take another step forward, powerful new techniques were essential. The chance to study the experience and achievements of someone at his own level in developing jutsu was something that rarely came by.
Since Minato had agreed, Shimizu didn't see any reason to delay. "Then start now—"
"Wait." Minato raised a hand to stop him. "I actually came here for something else."
Shimizu paused. "What is it?"
"Envoys from Kumogakure arrived today."
"When?"
"Around noon."
"From the west side of the commercial district?"
"You knew?" Minato looked surprised.
"I was wondering why it was so lively over there," Shimizu replied with a shrug. "Didn't bother checking it out—I just went about my business, ate, and trained."
"This came from Jiraiya-sensei," Minato continued. "Kumo suffered a defeat in their war against Iwagakure. Now they're requesting Konoha to send troops and join forces against Iwa."
Shimizu stared at him, clearly taken aback, as if trying to process whether the information was even credible.
Over the past year, relations between Konoha and Kumogakure had indeed grown closer—but nowhere near the point of sending troops to fight on their behalf.
After all, among the Five Great Nations, Kumogakure was widely regarded as having the second-strongest military force. Could they really be losing to Iwagakure?
And Lightning Release naturally countered Earth Release…
"According to Kumo's envoy," Minato went on, "the Third Raikage is currently fighting on the front lines, holding out alone. But he may not last much longer."
"Even the Third Raikage can't hold on?" In Shimizu's mind, that man's combat ability was among the very best.
The Lightning Release Chakra Mode offered both offense and defense, combined with incredible speed and reflexes—it was practically the pinnacle of taijutsu. As long as his chakra held out, it was hard to imagine someone like him being defeated.
"Yeah… In a previous large-scale battle, Kumo suffered heavy losses," Minato said quietly.
"The higher-ups in Konoha are still verifying the intelligence. But Kumo is demanding that we set out to provide support tomorrow. If we miss the timing, the Third Raikage will be completely isolated."
"And you know how it is—the fastest ANBU intelligence relay still takes a few days…"
Which meant Konoha's leadership had no time to confirm the truth. They could either trust Kumogakure's account—or risk letting the Third Raikage fall.
Based on what Shimizu knew of Konoha's leadership, they wouldn't dispatch a large army. At most, they would send a small team of elite shinobi to investigate the situation.
Besides, with departure set for early the next morning, there simply wasn't enough time to mobilize a large force anyway.
"So they came to you?" Shimizu asked.
Minato nodded.
"And you came to me?"
Another nod.
Shimizu narrowed his eyes slightly. "Who else are you planning to bring?"
"I haven't settled on the rest yet," Minato admitted. "That's why I came to discuss it with you."
So he hadn't even considered the possibility of being refused.
"Jiraiya-sensei is out of the village on a mission, and Orochimaru-senpai has shut himself away in seclusion… so I'll have to take the lead myself."
Shimizu wasn't surprised that the Legendary Sannin were absent at a critical moment. "With your ability, leading the team is only natural."
Given Minato's strength, there were few situations he couldn't handle alone—he had practically carried the war against Iwagakure on his own before.
But Minato gave a wry smile. "This situation is a bit tricky…"
"Because Kumogakure specifically requested that Kushina be brought along."
...
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