If Shimizu could keep some distance from Rin in the future, he might be able to forgive her.
"No, you've misunderstood. I didn't mean it like that," Shimizu said, then followed the others, leaving Obito standing alone behind them.
"How can there be such an unreasonable Uchiha? Is Shimizu even a true Uchiha?" Obito wondered aloud.
Since outsiders tended to ostracize the Uchiha, the clan members usually got along well with each other. But with Shimizu, it felt like their fates were somehow incompatible. Obito decided that once they returned to Konoha, he would find a shrine maiden or priest to have his fortune told.
--
The day after returning to camp, Shimizu headed to the cave.
Suzumebachi had grown increasingly grotesque. Her face was now covered in black patterns, and the fangs protruding from her lips gave her a wild, beastly appearance. Yet, her figure had become even more curvaceous, defying normal human development. Her chest was full, and her dark brown skin glistened like black pearls.
Shimizu fed her a few soldier pills and began recording data.
"Damn Uchiha," Suzumebachi muttered, her spirit clearly weakened.
Shimizu was pleased. The fact that Suzumebachi could still muster the energy to curse him was a good sign. There was a strong possibility she would survive. Whether this was due to the neutralizing effects of the demonic energy or her own bloodline would require further study.
The Kamizuru clan, also known as the Kamakiri clan, were insect users like the Aburame. Their blood naturally attracted insects, allowing them to breed and control large numbers of them.
Pat.
Shimizu lightly tapped Suzumebachi.
The human heart is like the waves of the sea, rippling with layers of emotion, a sight that brings joy to the beholder. To be honest, Shimizu preferred mature women. Girls like Rin still needed time to develop. Mikoto and Kushina were more to his taste, but it wasn't the right time to make a move on them.
A flame ignited in Shimizu's eyes as he decided to administer a "correction by justice" to Suzumebachi. The Land of Earth was the aggressor, and all Iwagakure ninja were sinners! He would deliver justice and correct Suzumebachi through righteous means.
Thud.
Shackles made of mixed earth and rock extended several meters, and Suzumebachi collapsed to the ground.
"Mmm..."
Shimizu pried open her small, purple lips—her lips had turned purple due to the first stage of the curse mark. Moments later, he summoned a unicorn beast, a symbol of justice and purity, to join him in exorcising the evil within her.
The unicorn beast, sensing the bond between itself and Shimizu, charged at Suzumebachi, this terrifying monster.
"Mmm~"
--
A month later.
Shimizu and his team were granted special permission to return to Konoha for some rest.
The war had recently slowed, with all fronts stabilizing. Each day was a back-and-forth of skirmishes, with both sides well-acquainted with each other's tactics, leading to no major conflicts. The wounded had also recovered and were gradually returning to the battlefield.
This meant that manpower was no longer as scarce, and conscripts like Shimizu, Rin, and Kakashi could return home. Of course, this was also thanks to Fugaku Uchiha's persuasion. He had repeatedly requested Shimizu's return to Konoha.
On the surface, the reason was rest, but in reality, it was to have Shimizu work overtime on cloning technology. Outsiders always had a strange confidence, believing such technology was easy to master. Shimizu, however, felt no particular way about it, as he had already outsourced the work to Rin.
"Shimizu, you've accomplished a lot during this time. Head back tomorrow," Minato Namikaze said, patting Shimizu on the shoulder.
That day, Minato had been called away for support and had specifically asked Captain Yae to stay behind. Unfortunately, Yae had been careless and nearly got the team wiped out. Thankfully, Shimizu, an excellent subordinate, had been there.
Over the past month, Shimizu had carried out numerous missions, earning himself a bit of a reputation. Even some Iwagakure ninja had heard of him, spreading exaggerated tales, with some even calling him one of the "Little Sannin." Some of the female ninja who often saw him treating patients in the camp had practically become his fangirls.
"You flatter me, Minato-sensei," Shimizu replied, exchanging a few polite words with Minato before turning to leave.
He needed to check on Suzumebachi and see if she had reached the second stage. Her current state was bizarre—immobile in the first stage, as if undergoing a metamorphosis. Typically, the first stage of the curse mark only caused black patterns to spread across the body, with full blackening occurring in the second stage. Suzumebachi had already undergone such drastic changes in the first stage; who knew what would happen in the second?
The second stage would drastically erode the body, leading to death within minutes. However, with the influence of the demonic energy, this outcome was no longer certain, filled with unknowns. This was one of the reasons Shimizu was reluctant to use it now.
He didn't yet know the Four Black Fog Formation or the Sealing Black Seal Technique. Without these, even someone like Sasuke would die. Sasuke had the help of the Sound Four, who delayed his permanent death, putting him in an endless state of suspended animation, allowing his body to quickly adapt to the erosion of the curse mark's second stage. This effectively created an antibody, significantly slowing the erosion.
After leaving a shadow clone behind, Shimizu quietly slipped out of the base.
--
Boom.
Shimizu moved the earthen wall aside, stepped inside, and then resealed the entrance. Suzumebachi was chained in the corner, her hair disheveled, the unyielding stone shackles digging deep into her skin.
Shimizu approached and prepared a dose of the Heaven Curse Mark, increasing the amount of demonic energy. The first stage of the curse mark was progressing too slowly; he needed to speed things up.
He pried open Suzumebachi's lips and dripped the black liquid into her mouth. The fluid flowed over her purple lipstick, glinting slightly. The moment she swallowed, the black patterns on her skin began to glow as if on fire.
"You bastard! Demon! What did you make me drink this time?!" Suzumebachi screamed, lunging at Shimizu.
"Do you want to die?" Shimizu said coldly.
Suzumebachi suddenly felt her blood reverse flow, as if something inside her was responding to Shimizu. The sensation was unbearable, like the dizziness after spinning in circles for half an hour. She gagged, kneeling on the ground, dry heaving.
"If there's a next time, it won't be this simple," Shimizu said, waving his hand. The shackles retracted, and Suzumebachi's limbs were once again bound, leaving her immobile. Shimizu created a small earthen platform and sat down, calmly observing Suzumebachi's reactions.
He closed his eyes, using his Byakugan to peer into Suzumebachi's meridian system and the changes in her flesh and cells. The liquid of the Heaven Curse Mark was pure black, while the demonic energy was a purplish-black. The two liquids, initially mixed, began to separate within her meridian system, slowly dispersing into her nerves, bones, and organs.
Suzumebachi's body began to emit waves of heat, filling the entire cave. Her body expanded to twice its size, her figure becoming even more exaggerated. The wings on her back now had a three-meter radius, making her resemble a small giant. Her teeth had all sharpened, and purple eyeshadow appeared at the corners of her eyes, giving her a bewitching appearance against her dark brown skin.
Shimizu's expression showed a hint of regret. Contrary to her physical transformation, her life force was weakening. Suzumebachi had a nice feel to her, but it seemed she wouldn't survive this ordeal.
--
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