Nonou Yakushi's Departure

Decent ninjutsu either requires exceptional contributions or is passed down only to one's own kin, never to outsiders.

Sakura, who belongs to Team 7 alongside Sasuke and Naruto, possesses four nature transformations: Earth, Water, Yin, and Yang, yet she can only utilize ninjutsu of the Yang attribute.

Every technique she employs was taught to her by Tsunade.

If Tsunade had not taken her as a disciple, what powerful ninjutsu would Sakura even know?

Even if she is established as a top student with astonishing chakra control, it is of little use; without access to proper channels, the result is simply being buried in obscurity.

"I may have to go out on a mission tomorrow, and it will be for quite a long time."

Nonou Yakushi looked at Shimizu's sunny smile, feeling somewhat dazed and lost in thought.

Due to personal preference, she was very fond of this... little friend, Shimizu.

The time Shimizu had spent with her had been very harmonious and comfortable.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. After Nonou Yakushi assassinated several targets for Danzo Shimura, Danzo agreed to let her go.

She had saved up some money, enough to open an orphanage.

She should have left a week ago, but she had dragged it out until today, hoping that Shimizu could master a few more things while she was still around to answer his questions.

"Then... exactly how long until you return?"

Shimizu's movements paused.

It seemed the time for Nonou Yakushi to leave had arrived.

"Big sister doesn't know either. If there is a chance, we will meet again."

Uchiha Settlement.

A pale green light emerged in Shimizu's hand as he treated a piece of pork.

The deep, bone-reaching gash in the pork healed at a speed visible to the naked eye.

This was specially prepared pork, cut into standard squares and usually kept in an incubator to preserve its vitality.

The current healing process utilized the remaining life energy within the pork to mend the wound, ensuring that every bit of life energy was fully utilized without a drop being wasted.

Once accustomed to this, applying the technique to a human body would yield twice the result with half the effort.

"An orphanage, huh..."

Shimizu sighed.

This was Nonou Yakushi's personal wish, and he could not very well stop her.

After sharing a meal with Nonou Yakushi, she departed from the Hidden Leaf Village.

Regardless of the circumstances, Nonou Yakushi had taught Shimizu many things. Even if Shimizu's intentions were impure and he had approached her with a hidden agenda, he could not simply stand by and watch her be driven to her death by Danzo when it cost him nothing to prevent it.

Shimizu did not consider himself a good person, but he would not watch someone who had helped him die in vain.

"Coo."

A White Dove flew down from under the eaves, shaking its sleek feathers. It pecked a piece of skin off the surface of the pork, eating while Shimizu continued his treatment.

Shimizu ignored the White Dove's thievery and continued to release his chakra.

His chakra was being consumed at an extremely rapid rate, and the pale green light on his hands grew even more intense.

The reason he could memorize so much medical knowledge in such a short time was that he had drawn the memories of this data through the Simulator.

Relying on this method, Shimizu had also drawn several medical ninjutsu.

What he was using now was his strongest medical ninjutsu.

A-rank Medical Ninjutsu—Mystical Palm Technique!

By using chakra to fully activate the cells in a wound, it could heal injuries in just five minutes.

Those capable of mastering the Mystical Palm Technique were a minority even among medical ninja.

Shimizu would have no problem passing as a logistics medical ninja now; he only needed to wait for the war to arrive before applying.

"Shimizu, Lord Fugaku wants you to see him!"

From outside the courtyard, the voice of Uchiha Tekka rang out.

"Understood."

Shimizu replied toward the courtyard gate.

The fact that he had been learning medical ninjutsu from Nonou Yakushi could not be hidden from the Uchiha Clan.

Several months ago, Fugaku Uchiha had already summoned Shimizu for a talk.

Shimizu had appropriately revealed some of his talent as a medical ninja to prevent Fugaku from accusing him of neglecting his proper duties.

To his surprise, not only did Fugaku not object, but he also began to view him as a rare genius of the Uchiha Clan.

Even now, Shimizu could recall Fugaku's excited gaze, which looked like someone in the darkness who had finally caught sight of a guide holding a torch.

Qingshui guessed that Fugaku had either read the Uchiha stone tablet or learned, to some extent, that the Mangekyo would lead to blindness.

Or perhaps, Fugaku already possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan.

With the situation between the Uchiha Clan and the Hidden Leaf Village becoming increasingly delicate, Uchiha Fugaku knew that if the clan wanted greater power—to obtain the third power, the Power of God—they had to awaken the Mangekyo.

However, the price of awakening the Mangekyo was that one would eventually go blind.

Regardless of whether the Mangekyo's ocular techniques were used, as time passed, the ocular power would increase, causing vision to blur bit by bit until it eventually faded into total blindness, leaving one unable to see a glimmer of light.

This was precisely why the Uchiha's bloodline limit was said to be a curse.

The fact that the Mangekyo caused blindness was a secret of the Uchiha Clan, known to very few outsiders.

Consequently, no one knew of a cure, so when a Uchiha suddenly appeared who studied medicine and possessed remarkable talent, it was only natural that Uchiha Fugaku would be so excited.

After mincing the pork, Qingshui instructed White Dove to keep a close watch at home to prevent Danzo from sending anyone to tamper with his residence.

Qingshui packed his things, straightened his hem, and headed toward the meeting place.

His height had been shooting up, making him look just like a boy of eleven or twelve, and many of his old clothes no longer fit.

The trousers that used to reach his heels were now worn like capris.

Half an hour later, at Uchiha Fugaku's home.

Qingshui arrived at the gate of a classical Japanese-style courtyard, carrying a bag of tomatoes.

Giving fruit to Nonou Yakushi every day had turned into a habit for Qingshui.

Whenever he went out to visit someone, he would prepare a small gift in advance.

"Fugaku is waiting for you inside, come on in."

A plump, beautiful woman saw Qingshui from the courtyard veranda; she stopped hanging the quilts, turned her head, and greeted him with a smile.

She was dressed in a traditional housewife's attire, with a gentle temperament between her brows.

"Sister Mikoto, these are tomatoes I bought. You've taken such good care of me, so I wanted to show my gratitude."

Qingshui handed over the bag with a smile.

His already handsome face, set off by his long black hair, carried the innocent charm of a young boy.

"You're too kind, Qingshui. You didn't have to bring anything when coming over."

Mikoto stopped what she was doing and invited Uchiha Shimizu inside to sit.

Qingshui really is such a good child.

Mikoto thought to herself, her mind drifting as she looked at Uchiha Shimizu with a touch of pity and affection in her eyes.

Uchiha Shimizu's parents were both genin who had died in the war, leaving him to live all on his own.

Yet, this hadn't crushed him or made his personality dark; instead, he remained very sunny, and according to Fugaku, he even possessed the benevolent heart of a doctor.

She just didn't know why he looked at her so strangely.

Mikoto was a bit confused, secretly thinking she must have misunderstood.

What kind of nonsense is an old woman like me thinking about?

Mikoto shook her head inwardly; she was old enough to be Qingshui's mother, and she shouldn't be wondering if her aging body was suitable for anything.

Mikoto took the bag and led Qingshui into the entryway.

They changed into slippers and stepped onto the wooden floor.

Qingshui observed Mikoto calmly, focusing his attention on her abdomen.

She isn't pregnant with Itachi yet.

Qingshui pondered.

Mikoto's lower abdomen was flat; she was clearly not pregnant.

Shisui's birth was unavoidable, and it wouldn't be right for him to assassinate him.

But since Itachi wasn't even a possibility yet, was there a way to prevent Itachi's existence at the source?