"Haha, it might be a bit exaggerated, but it's enough to show how much the old man values you."
That much was true. The reason Jiraiya had been able to firmly pull the Third Hokage onto Shimizu's side was due in no small part to that newly developed Storm Release technique.
A young Konoha jōnin capable of independently creating a kekkei genkai…
How could someone like that be casually handed over? How could he be reduced to a disposable bargaining chip?
So Shimizu's protection wasn't just the result of Konoha's current stability or its relatively calm diplomatic situation. It was also because of his own value—Madara's interest in him, the Great Toad Sage's prophecy, and his demonstrated ability to develop a kekkei genkai technique.
Each of those alone was significant. Together, they were irreplaceable.
Of course, Jiraiya hadn't come here just to talk about Shimizu's new technique.
He laid out Konoha's stance on the matter, making it clear that relations between Konoha and Kumogakure had now turned openly hostile.
And then there was one more thing…
"So now I've somehow become Konoha's hero?" Shimizu still found it hard to accept.
"Isn't that only natural?" Jiraiya replied with a grin. "There'll be an award ceremony soon. The higher-ups plan to promote you as a positive example."
To Shimizu, simply getting through this ordeal unscathed was already the best possible outcome. Yet not only had he escaped, he had somehow stumbled into a great merit as well…
It all felt a bit off.
With black and white completely reversed, couldn't they at least keep things low-key?
"But if you do that, won't it just tell Madara that his plan has completely failed?" Shimizu pointed out.
Madara's goal had been to drive a wedge between him and Konoha, forcing him into defection. If Madara realized that plan had fallen apart, how could he possibly ignore it?
The idea of a commendation ceremony hadn't come from the Third Hokage, but from the other senior officials who were unaware of the truth. In their eyes, Shimizu's image—bold, decisive, and capable—was perfect for pre-war propaganda.
After all, a conflict between Konoha and Kumogakure now seemed almost inevitable.
"I had my concerns too," Jiraiya admitted. "It does feel a bit… high-profile."
"But Madara can't reach into Konoha so easily. Whether you keep a low profile or not, Kumogakure will still hate you to the bone."
"In that case, it's better to stand in the open. If things ever go south and Kumogakure manages to twist the truth and expose what really happened, at least you'll already have the status of a Konoha hero."
"If they try to come after you, they'll have to consider the reaction of the village. They won't be able to turn on you so easily."
Shimizu found himself persuaded almost instantly.
Seen this way, holding a grand ceremony might actually work more in his favor.
Still… once that happened, the name "Shunshin Shimizu" would undoubtedly spread throughout the entire shinobi world.
After all, the man he had killed was the Third Raikage—the one known as possessing both the "strongest spear" and the "strongest shield."
Even though the truth was that he had relied on a surprise attack, Konoha would undoubtedly present it as a glorious, head-on victory.
And that image… didn't quite match his actual strength.
"Then what demands has Kumogakure made?" he asked.
"They want us to hand you over, return the Two-Tails jinchūriki, and pay a massive sum in compensation."
Being demanded as the culprit didn't surprise Shimizu. But the mention of the Two-Tails jinchūriki made him pause.
So that little girl… was still in Konoha?
"Then Konoha doesn't plan to return her?"
"Haha… if it were you, would you return her?" Jiraiya suddenly laughed. "Konoha has already broken ties with Kumogakure. Honestly, if they hadn't come in so aggressively and had been willing to negotiate properly, there might still have been a chance for them to take the Two-Tails jinchūriki back…"
"But they let anger and arrogance cloud their judgment. They've always thought Konoha was some soft target they could push around."
"I remember it clearly—the Second Hokage's death, and Kushina being abducted during the Second Great Ninja War. Konoha never truly settled those scores with them."
"And if I remember, those old veterans who lived through two great wars certainly haven't forgotten either."
At this point, Shimizu understood perfectly well. The fact that he had killed the Third Raikage—however unintended—would inevitably ignite a future war between Konoha and Kumogakure.
"And with Kumogakure's pride, how could they ever maintain lasting peace with Konoha? That alliance agreement only existed because Konoha paid a steep price."
"But now things have turned around. Because of what happened with you, Konoha has taken the opportunity to reclaim the benefits it once lost in the Land of Waterfalls."
"So don't dwell on it too much. You eliminated their strongest Kage and significantly weakened their top-tier power."
"When war comes, that will only benefit Konoha."
"I'm not overthinking it," Shimizu said quietly. "It's just… a bit bittersweet."
"Oh?"
"These are things I can only really say to you, Jiraiya-senpai…" he continued slowly. "From my personal perspective… I think the Third Raikage was a true man. I respected him—admired that kind of straightforward, genuine spirit."
"Maybe peace between Konoha and Kumogakure was never meant to last. But as long as he was alive, I feel like a full-scale war between the two sides might never have truly happened…"
"And yet, by a twist of fate… I was the one who killed him."
"He died with his eyes still open."
If they were ever to meet again—if the man were brought back to this world through some forbidden technique—what would he think?
"Madara was the one behind all of this," Jiraiya said, shaking his head. "You were caught in his genjutsu. There's no helping that."
"Honestly, I doubt many people could withstand his illusions."
"Even you, Jiraiya-senpai… couldn't?" Shimizu asked.
"Well…" Jiraiya hesitated, then admitted, "I've never encountered a genjutsu user as powerful as him. Maybe I couldn't."
But then he grinned again, confidence returning. "That said, it's not like I'd definitely lose either."
"Even the strongest genjutsu requires certain conditions to be activated."
For instance, the Sharingan required direct eye contact to cast its illusions.
And the countermeasures were straightforward in theory—just as Guy had once said, avoid meeting the opponent's gaze and focus only on their movements while fighting.
Of course, in practice, that kind of combat style required intense training to master.
Shimizu silently made up his mind.
From now on, he would accumulate experience fighting against Sharingan users.
A faint sense of unease lingered in his thoughts—if Madara had grown younger, then he had likely regained a portion of his strength as well.
And who was to say he wouldn't grow even younger?
Who could guarantee they would never cross paths again?
Fortunately… there was Shisui.
He could always spar with him, using it as training to learn how to fight against a Sharingan wielder.