Surveillance

The person talking to Minato Namikaze was Dekai, his teammate in Team Six.

Judging by the timeline of Legend of Minato, Shimizu deduced that Minato Namikaze hadn't learned the Rasengan yet.

Minato Namikaze had learned the Rasengan at the Third Training Ground during his time in Team Six.

There were still more than two years before Team Minato was formed, and Minato Namikaze would learn the Rasengan sometime during that period.

After glancing at Minato Namikaze, Shimizu continued toward Konoha Hospital.

Being a good person to an extreme was just weakness.

His wife had given birth, only to be killed by Obito's own hands.

It was truly unbelievable that Minato Namikaze could forgive Obito.

Did Kushina Uzumaki know how magnanimous Minato Namikaze was?

Ten minutes later, at Konoha Hospital.

"Shimizu, you're here again."

Yakushi Nonō set down the documents in her hands and turned to look at Shimizu.

"Yeah, Sister Nonō."

Shimizu placed the washed apples on the table and leafed through the materials Yakushi Nonō had specially prepared for him.

Medical ninjas needed extensive professional knowledge, and Yakushi Nonō spent most of her time helping Shimizu build up that knowledge.

She spent the rest of the time helping Shimizu practice the D-rank Medical Ninjutsu he had already learned.

"You don't have to bring me a gift every time. I haven't done much; most of the time, I just have you read through materials while I take care of my own work."

Yakushi Nonō placed an apple in front of Shimizu.

"Sister Nonō always takes time to organize materials for me. Without you, I don't know how long it would take me to sort through all this.

"Besides, I'm the only one at home, so I don't eat much. Don't worry."

Shimizu replied sensibly.

Yakushi Nonō's gaze softened.

Shimizu was an orphan, yet he was so kind and grateful. That was rare.

Yakushi Nonō had initially only wanted to nurture a talented child, but now she also wanted to train Shimizu into a highly skilled medical ninja.

"Root..."

A shadow crossed Yakushi Nonō's eyes. She was tired of life as a ninja and wanted to live in peace.

She had already decided to leave after a little more time, but now that Shimizu was in the picture, she didn't know what to do.

As Shimizu focused on memorizing the materials, Yakushi Nonō's thoughts drifted.

Soon, her gaze sharpened as she looked toward a dark spot outside the corridor.

Someone from Root.

Yakushi Nonō furrowed her brow slightly.

"Shimizu, your sister has something to do today. Take these books home and read them. If anything's unclear, ask me tomorrow."

"Okay."

Shimizu hadn't forgotten that Yakushi Nonō was part of Root. He guessed that Danzo had sent someone to find her.

As Shimizu's figure gradually disappeared into the distance, another person appeared in Yakushi Nonō's office.

"Nonō, have you forgotten Lord Danzo's orders? He told you to go see him immediately."

The Root operative spoke briefly, without a hint of emotion.

"Of course not."

Yakushi Nonō glanced at the masked man before her, a trace of disgust in her eyes.

In her view, Root's methods were too extreme, completely at odds with peace. If she could choose again, she would never join Root.

"Hmph. I suggest you spend less time with that brat. Lord Danzo hates the Uchiha most of all. Remember, those of us in Root have no names, no emotions, no past, and no future.

"Only our missions. What supports Konoha like a great tree is rooted deep in the earth... the will of us, Root."

The Root operative left those words, which sounded like a warning, then vanished from the office. His expression remained hidden beneath his mask.

Ten minutes later, at Root Base.

"You've been spending time with that Uchiha brat lately?"

Shimura Danzo sat in his chair, quietly watching Yakushi Nonō, who had just arrived.

"Yes, Lord Danzo. That child has a real talent for medical ninjutsu."

"Medical talent? The Uchiha have people like that?"

Danzo was surprised.

Every Uchiha was a lunatic, yet one of them was studying Medical Ninjutsu?

He had to admit, when his subordinates first brought him this news, he hadn't believed it.

Now Yakushi Nonō had confirmed it herself, and he was truly baffled.

The Uchiha were a naturally evil clan, prone to falling down the path of bloodshed.

Hearing Shimura Danzo muttering, Yakushi Nonō didn't think there was anything wrong with what he said.

To her, Uchiha Shimizu was just a child, still innocent and untainted like an adult. His kind heart was still shining brightly.

"Fine. Keep spending time with that brat and get closer to him. You may leave."

Some fragments of the past flashed through Shimura Danzo's mind.

He remembered Kagami Uchiha, the comrade who had once served as a Hokage Guard alongside him.

Perhaps Uchiha Shimizu was someone like Kagami Uchiha.

If so, that could help with the beginnings of a certain plan he had in mind.

"Yes, Lord Danzo."

Yakushi Nonō breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Danzo had no intention of harming Shimizu.

She quickly left Root Base.

"Heh... have you taken an interest in that Uchiha brat, Danzo?"

A pale-skinned man stepped out of the shadows behind Shimura Danzo.

"Just give me the results of your research. Don't ask about anything else."

Danzo was not particularly friendly toward Orochimaru.

Orochimaru was his partner, but that dangerous snake needed to be kept in line. One careless move, and it might turn on its master.

"His strength is about the same as Kakashi's, perhaps with even better potential. After all, it's Medical Ninjutsu. The fact that he can use a D-rank technique shows that his talent is remarkable."

"Hmph. It's only a D-rank technique. How is that any different from a parlor trick?"

Danzo snorted.

So what if he knew Medical Ninjutsu?

Other than that female disciple of Hiruzen's, the princess of the Senju Clan, which medical ninja had strong combat ability?

"Perhaps he'll become a professor like Teacher Sarutobi someday. Heh... the mysteries of life are so intoxicating. To see an Uchiha like this too... It seems you have to live long enough to witness every sight."

Orochimaru pulled a Sealing Scroll from his mouth and placed it in Danzo's hand.

Danzo's eyes showed his distaste. It was all sticky, and he couldn't tell whether it was Orochimaru's stomach fluid or saliva.

Thinking of it as the result of half a year of Orochimaru's research, Danzo wiped it with his sleeve and opened the Sealing Scroll.

Poof!

The Sealing Scroll unfurled into a rectangular sheet of paper. As the cloud of white smoke dissipated, densely packed miniature surveillance devices appeared.

"You're sure these can escape the Sharingan's notice?"

Danzo was dubious.

"I tested them many times. I used some Sealing Jutsu formulas on these devices to reduce the flow of electricity and chakra to the bare minimum. Even someone observing with the Sharingan wouldn't notice them."

"Orochimaru, we're in this together. I hope you won't disappoint me."

Danzo put away the Sealing Scroll.

Next, he had to find a reason to get Hiruzen Sarutobi to agree to let him place these surveillance devices inside.