Past Life

He had still been lamenting his miserable fate, trapped in the palm of a female ninja's hand and unsure when he would ever escape his suffering.

Now he'd actually seen History of Warring States Sealing among the rewards!

History of Warring States Sealing recorded where a powerful Uchiha woman had been sealed.

Her name was Uchiha Hikari!

Uchiha Hikari's Mangekyo ability, Yachihoko, was the most powerful Mangekyo technique known to date.

As long as someone bore her mark, she could control their mind and chakra from any distance through the connection.

If Shimizu could get his hands on that kind of power, he'd be able to go wherever he pleased.

"I choose History of Warring States Sealing."

Shimizu couldn't wait to say it.

[History of Warring States Sealing has been issued (allows simulation of past lives)...]

A scroll appeared in Shimizu's hand. Its surface was as cold as leather.

He also received a rush of information in his mind.

The gist was that, once he was strong enough, he could choose to simulate the past in person. By using certain items with historical significance, he could return to the past and begin a simulation.

Using History of Warring States Sealing would let him return to the era recorded in the text.

"So that's what it means to simulate past lives."

Shimizu unrolled the scroll in his hand.

The Simulator truly deserved to be called the Perfect Life Simulator. Right now, he was simulating events that would happen in the future. Once he was strong enough, he could simulate the past!

There were plenty of valuable things in the Ninja World's past: Shibai Otsutsuki's remains, and the Chakra Fruit consumed by Kaguya Otsutsuki.

There was even Ōtsutsuki Isshiki, barely clinging to life. With luck, Shimizu might be able to nip this formidable enemy in the bud.

"Kaguya Otsutsuki..."

Shimizu mused.

She was an arrogant woman, graceful and dignified, with the bearing of a mother of the realm. Later generations revered her as the Progenitor of Chakra and the Rabbit Goddess!

More importantly, Shimizu had noticed long ago, back when he was following the manga, the graceful figure hidden beneath Kaguya Otsutsuki's thick, oversized robe.

Her chest was like a pair of flour-dough hills, and by his estimate, it could rival Tsunade's.

If he could simulate that era and try to get close to Kaguya Otsutsuki, could he change her?

Unfortunately, the Simulator hadn't said what level of strength he needed to simulate the past in person. For now, he could only focus on getting stronger.

The next day.

The sky was clear for miles, and the sun rode high overhead.

The Ninja Academy was closed for the day, so there were no classes.

Hyuga Natsu, who had left the Hyuga Clan compound, walked with her head lowered, carrying a gift box.

"Xia, where are you going?"

Hyuga Tetsu noticed that Hyuga Natsu had gone out early to buy something, as if she intended to give it to someone.

He couldn't help feeling a little hopeful.

He and Hyuga Natsu had known each other for so long. Could it be that Xia had finally realized how he felt about her?

"I'm just going out for a bit."

Hyuga Natsu shook her head gently.

If she brought Hyuga Tetsu along, he might only make things worse.

She had been punished last night too, made to kneel for the entire night.

When she got up this morning, her knees had been so sore that every step was agony. She'd need a few days to recover.

But Hyuga Ginka had given her a task, and Hyuga Natsu didn't dare neglect it. She gritted her teeth against the pain and went to prepare a gift.

"Xia, is that for me?"

Hyuga Tetsu reached out to touch it. Hyuga Natsu instinctively tried to dodge, but the pain in her knees made her lose her balance.

All the pastries in the gift box spilled onto the ground, covered in dust.

"What are you trying to do, Hyuga Tetsu?!"

All the grievances she'd suffered since childhood came pouring out in that moment.

Hyuga Natsu didn't understand why being born later had made her a branch-family member.

Why had she been so careful and humble all this time, only for her life to remain so miserable?

Why was all of this happening?

"Have you not caused enough trouble already? Those were for Uchiha Shimizu!"

Looking at the pastries scattered across the ground, Hyuga Natsu realized miserably that she would have to buy them all over again.

If Big Sister found out, she might even blame her for botching the task.

Thinking about that terrible prospect, Hyuga Natsu didn't want to keep arguing with Hyuga Tetsu. She picked up the box and gathered the pastries, intending to find a trash can and throw them away before buying replacements.

"No, Xia... I didn't mean to."

Hyuga Tetsu hadn't expected Xia to suddenly fall. He felt guilty.

He'd only wanted to spend more time with Hyuga Natsu. The reason he'd offended Shimizu and spoken rudely that day was to impress her.

But Hyuga Natsu walked away without looking back, ignoring Hyuga Tetsu's calls.

"Xia, I'm sorry. I actually thought..."

They were for me.

Watching Hyuga Natsu leave, Hyuga Tetsu ultimately couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.

He lowered his head to look at the scattered remnants of the pastries. A heavy, indescribable feeling settled in his chest.

He raised his head and gazed toward the Uchiha Settlement.

He pictured the humble way Hyuga Natsu had acted around Uchiha Shimizu.

Suddenly, Hyuga Tetsu felt that even the pain of the Caged Bird was nothing compared to the ache in his heart.

The Uchiha Settlement.

"Shimizu, why do I feel like you've gotten stronger?"

Uchiha Tekka bent over, panting hard.

"You've just been slacking lately."

Standing across from him was Uchiha Shimizu.

Just as the Simulator had predicted, Uchiha Tekka had come to challenge him today.

Members of the Uchiha Clan sparred with one another too. Training alone was never enough.

Combat was the best way to improve.

"Pay up."

Shimizu beckoned.

There was a stake in their sparring, after all.

When Uchiha Tekka had come to challenge him, Shimizu had proposed that the loser pay fifty thousand ryo.

That was a little pricey for them, since they weren't ninjas. A typical D-rank mission paid around fifty thousand ryo.

The lowest-paying missions offered five thousand ryo. These were usually jobs like watching a shop for its owner for a while.

"No wonder you made me agree to fifty thousand ryo beforehand. Shimizu, you're a real swindler."

Uchiha Tekka reluctantly pulled a thick stack of bills from his wallet. His stuffed wallet was suddenly empty.

He'd spent most of the pocket money he'd saved over the years.

If his parents found out, they'd definitely give him an earful.

"Come on. If I'd lost, I would've paid you too."

Shimizu took the money and stuffed it into his pocket.

Ninja tools were basic consumables. Wear and tear, and losing them, could both cost a lot.

Shimizu's compensation was enough to support him until he came of age, but not enough to cover his daily expenses once he became a ninja.

The Uchiha provided only the most basic tools. They gave each person a limited number of kunai, shuriken, Military Ration Pills, and the like.

Not many—just enough to be better than nothing.

He still had to buy the rest himself.

Explosive Tags were one of the biggest expenses.

They weren't just good for setting traps; they also had the power of ordinary ninjutsu without consuming chakra.

As long as you had enough money, you could buy a huge pile of Explosive Tags.

Konan was a prime example. She had six hundred billion Explosive Tags, all to kill one person.

If Obito hadn't had that busted intangibility ability, someone else might well have died in his place.

Even the Raikage, who relied on his physical strength, might not have been able to withstand it.

Now that he'd gotten fifty thousand ryo from Uchiha Tekka, Shimizu could buy quite a few Explosive Tags.

It was essentially free money, so Shimizu didn't feel the slightest twinge of guilt spending it.