Before the Sage of Six Paths, ordinary people already possessed chakra within their bodies, though it was extremely faint—a byproduct of the unconscious intertwining of life force and spiritual energy, existing solely to sustain life.
Ōtsutsuki Kaguya is revered as the progenitor of chakra precisely because she was the first on this planet to consciously refine and use it.
"Yes,"
little Guren nodded obediently, then stared blankly at Shimizu.
Shimizu suddenly realized—he hadn't yet told her his name, nor the name of the person to whom she had pledged her loyalty.
"My name is Shimizu Uchiha. I'm a ninja of Konohagakure."
Shimizu pulled a forehead protector bearing the Leaf Village insignia from his pocket. It was quite heavy, and he found wearing it all the time uncomfortable.
"Konohagakure!"
Guren's eyes lit up.
Although it was called a village, Konohagakure was actually one of the most prosperous cities in the Land of Fire.
No one foolish enough dared cause trouble there, and over time, people who longed for a peaceful life flocked to the village one after another.
"If you behave, I'll take you back with me," Shimizu said.
"Lord Shimizu, I'll be good,"
Guren whispered nervously, clutching the scroll Shimizu had given her tightly.
She was terrified that Shimizu would leave her behind—that she would once again end up all alone.
In that burned village, everyone she had known had long since turned to ash in the fire...
"I believe in you, Guren. Oh, by the way, can you read?"
"I can!"
Guren nodded quickly.
"Good. In the far left corner, there's a candle. Twist it, and a hidden room will appear. You'll stay there for now."
Since Guren was literate, Shimizu was spared the trouble of having to teach her.
In this world, illiteracy wasn't very common—education was fairly widespread.
By now, they even had refrigerators, natural gas, and other conveniences; civilization was quite advanced.
"Lord... Shimizu,"
came a voice from outside.
It was Suzumebachi approaching.
Shimizu had already replaced the earthen walls of their cave hideout with sealing barriers, forming an illusion that concealed the entrance. Even if someone stumbled close, an invisible wall would block them, making it seem like nothing but a solid mountain face.
As long as no one attacked it with ninjutsu, it was virtually impossible to detect.
Suzumebachi glanced at the little girl standing beside Shimizu, surprised that he had brought someone else—especially a child who looked no more than seven or eight years old.
She then turned to Shimizu, clutching a scroll, unsure whether she should report immediately.
Shimizu waved a hand, signaling her to speak freely.
After organizing her thoughts, Suzumebachi said respectfully,
"Lord Shimizu, the scroll contains intelligence from Iwagakure. A thousand Iwagakure ninja are set to launch an attack on Konoha in one month's time."
She handed over the scroll with deference.
Suzumebachi had heard of Shimizu's growing reputation even within Iwagakure. Between his many accomplishments and the cursed seal he had placed on her, she knew she had no choice but to follow him to the end.
Fortunately, Shimizu's future seemed bright—staying under his wing gave her hope for survival.
"I see,"
Shimizu murmured.
Upon hearing the key phrase "one thousand Iwagakure ninja," Shimizu immediately recognized the event—it was the battle where Stone's forces, led by East Deadman, would assault Konoha.
Soon after, Konoha would send a team to destroy Kannabi Bridge.
At that time, most of Iwagakure's forces were still locked in a brutal conflict with Kumogakure. The Third Raikage had been killed, and the Kumogakure reinforcements were out for blood, attacking Iwagakure on sight.
With its hands tied, Iwagakure gritted its teeth and dispatched a thousand ninja for a surprise assault on Konoha, trying to further muddy the waters.
However, this reckless blitz had stretched Iwagakure's forces thin.
Most of their troops were still engaged on the front lines. Kannabi Bridge, though a vital supply route, was only guarded by a small contingent of Iwa-nin.
Perhaps there were plenty of ordinary citizens from the Land of Earth helping with logistics nearby, but no matter how many civilians there were, against trained ninja, they were no more than air.
Take out the few stationed Iwa-nin, and the supply route would be breached.
However, Konoha was also running dangerously low on manpower. Hiruzen Sarutobi, under tremendous pressure, had no choice but to send even Genin trainees onto the battlefield.
Thus, for the mission to destroy the bridge, Konoha could only spare two Chunin and one Jonin—barely enough to attempt breaking the enemy's line.
"I have to find a way to get Obito to replace me on that mission,"
Shimizu thought to himself.
If Obito didn't go, then it would be him buried under the rocks.
He had to stabilize Madara Uchiha, keep him content enough to pass peacefully.
Shimizu made up his mind—tomorrow he would apply to Minato for a transfer to a farther outpost, putting more distance between himself and the upcoming operation.
"Alright, Guren, you can go inside now," he said.
"...Yes!"
Guren nodded.
However, in her heart, a spark of jealousy flared toward the older woman standing before her.
One day, I'll be even more capable than her,
Guren swore to herself.
I'll become Lord Shimizu's most trusted and capable subordinate!
The subtle change in her emotions did not escape Shimizu's sharp senses.
But he said nothing. It was harmless competition—for now, at least. As long as it didn't devolve into open hostility, he would let them be.
After all, when Guren first met Sasuke, she had been filled with jealousy too—because Orochimaru favored Sasuke over her.
Guren was a woman easily consumed by jealousy.
"What's up with that kid?"
Suzumebachi asked, confused.
She hadn't done anything to offend the girl—this was their first meeting, after all.
"Don't worry about it,"
Shimizu replied.
As the stone door embedded in the earth shifted open with a faint creaking sound, Guren slipped inside and closed it behind her.
Shimizu then turned back to discuss matters of mutual benefit with Suzumebachi. The Kamizuru Clan was rising again, bringing more resources under his control.
Meanwhile...
"I did it!"
Guren's cheeks flushed red with excitement as she beamed with joy.
She had finally become a ninja—she finally possessed the power to stop others from treating her like a helpless tool.
Carefully, she nurtured the fragile strands of chakra within her body, guiding them into her limbs and across every part of herself.
Very soon, she discovered something incredible:
By concentrating chakra into a specific body part, she could temporarily enhance that part's abilities.
She tested her eyes first, then her nose, and finally her ears.
"Wr...wrong...wrong~..."
she heard faint sounds.
Her small ears twitched slightly, picking up something from behind the earthen wall.
"What... is that noise?"
Guren muttered, puzzled.
But she quickly set the matter aside, eager to continue her training.
This time, she focused her chakra into her hands—and something miraculous happened.
A small pink crystal formed in her palm.
"Eh? Is this... a crystal?"
Guren gasped, astonished.
Crystals were luxury items—worth a fortune if sold.
"Lord Shimizu will be so happy if he sees this!"
she thought excitedly.
Guren didn't know what kind of man Shimizu truly was, but from the way he had casually killed people, she knew he wasn't someone to be trifled with.
Since she was going to live here, eating and drinking without paying, her instincts told her to quickly prove her worth—to show Lord Shimizu that she was useful.
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