Because I Have a Dream

Shimizu narrowed his eyes slightly. This was Naruto Uzumaki's mother, Kushina Uzumaki, the reincarnation of a celestial being.

One of the few surviving members of the Uzumaki Clan, she was also the current Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

Shimizu glanced at Kushina without giving anything away. It was best not to get too close to her right now. Anbu were watching from somewhere.

Even if he did interact with her, he absolutely couldn't do so openly.

Kushina was currently restricted to a limited area, even within Konoha.

"No, thanks, Big Sister Mikoto. I'm heading to the Hokage Building to get my teammates assigned."

Shimizu waved goodbye and quickened his pace.

"So he's Shimizu."

Kushina nodded as she remembered. He was the person she had seen at Konoha Hospital.

"His Medical Ninjutsu is excellent. Fugaku asked him to help treat me, and I'm feeling much better now."

Mikoto smiled.

Once she had recovered a little more, she could start trying for a baby. It was time to have a child to carry on the family line.

"Is it really that effective?"

Kushina asked skeptically.

"Of course. Next time, have him help you, too. The chakra he channels makes whoever he touches feel warm."

Mikoto sounded like a salesperson as she listed all the benefits of Shimizu's treatment to Kushina.

He had helped her with a problem she had been dealing with for a long time, and Mikoto now had great faith in Shimizu's medical skills.

"I'll try it sometime."

Kushina nodded. The Nine-Tails' leaking chakra was corrosive. Though she was an Uzumaki with a powerful recovery, she still felt uncomfortable after a while.

It would be nice to get treated sometime and feel light and refreshed again.

After this little interlude, the two women continued choosing potted plants.

A while later, both Mikoto and Kushina had found plants they liked.

After saying goodbye to Mikoto, Kushina excitedly took the succulent she had carefully picked out and went to find Minato Namikaze.

"Minato! Minato!"

Kushina spotted Minato nearby. Just as she was about to run over, two masked Anbu appeared in front of her.

"Please stop, Kushina. The barrier is just ahead."

The two Anbu spoke with unquestionable authority. If Kushina took another step, they would stop her.

"But..."

Kushina looked at Minato in front of her, aching to rush over and see him.

But because she was a Jinchuriki, she could only move around the area near the Uzumaki Clan Shrine.

"It's our duty."

The two Anbu remained unmoved.

"Minato!"

Kushina had no choice but to call out loudly, hoping he would hear her.

After she called several times, Minato turned around in confusion and looked toward the sound.

"Kushina, I didn't hear you. I'm sorry."

Minato jogged over.

The two Anbu exchanged glances, then vanished from sight and returned to the shadows to keep watch.

"This is for you."

Kushina handed Minato the succulent she had bought at the Yamanaka Flower Shop.

"Oh, thank you."

Minato was taken aback, then realized it was a gift from Kushina. Beaming, he accepted it.

"Minato, could you... could you come for a walk with me?"

Kushina felt a little embarrassed and didn't dare meet Minato's eyes.

"Um... I'm sorry, Kushina, but I have to go to the Third Training Ground today."

Minato apologized repeatedly, then left with the succulent in his arms.

He had just gotten an idea for a jutsu he was developing and couldn't wait to go try it out.

"Hey, Minato!"

Kushina tried to chase after him, but the two Anbu appeared in front of her again.

"Kushina, please behave yourself."

"..."

Kushina lowered her head, as if all the strength had drained from her.

"New vessel... I can sense your disappointment and sorrow... and confusion... fear. You understand, don't you? You're even more bound than I am..."

The Nine-Tails' tempting voice sounded inside Kushina.

"Do you want all this to disappear...? Do you want to be free...? Just undo the seal, and I'll set you free..."

"Shut up!"

Kushina shuddered, her chakra surging.

The two Anbu's pupils shrank, and they hurriedly assumed fighting stances.

"Nothing's wrong. You don't need to do that."

Kushina glanced at the two Anbu, her voice strangely flat.

The happiness she had felt while picking out succulents with Mikoto at the flower shop was now completely gone.

"You want to graduate early?"

Shinku Yuhi stared at his daughter, brows knit. He was beginning to realize that he no longer understood what she was thinking.

Was it because she had reached puberty?

Or was it some kind of rebellious phase?

Shinku couldn't figure it out.

Aside from genjutsu, Kurenai Yuhi was no better than the average civilian ninja in any other area. If she didn't build a strong foundation now, the danger she faced on missions would rise considerably.

The world of shinobi was cruel, and the death rate was extremely high.

Civilian ninja in particular died often. Every so often, another ninja would be killed.

Only shinobi from powerful clans received extensive training from their families, which kept their casualty rates low.

"Father, I've made up my mind. And I'm going to take the Chunin Ninja Exams!"

Kurenai had changed back into her usual clothes. Her baby-fat cheeks had thinned, bringing out the refined contours of her features and lending her an icy beauty.

She would hone herself through constant battles, then take revenge on Uchiha Shimizu.

Uchiha Shimizu had nearly become Kurenai's nightmare. Every time she fell asleep, she saw his irritatingly handsome face.

She dreamed she was making those humiliating gestures while Uchiha Shimizu watched with rapt attention.

It was all a lingering consequence of what had happened that day!

Only by defeating Uchiha Shimizu could she escape the shadow he had cast over her.

"Hmm... I'll ask the Lord Third to approve your application."

Shinku looked at his daughter's resolute gaze.

His daughter had never been one to make empty boasts, so he decided to trust her this once.

Her genjutsu was now more than enough to defend herself.

"Okay."

Kurenai nodded firmly.

Hokage Building.

"Lord Hokage."

Shimizu knocked a few times, then opened the door and entered the Hokage Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe. He looked up, saw that it was Shimizu, and set down the scroll in his hand.

"Uchiha Shimizu, first of all, congratulations on becoming a shinobi."

"There's something I'm curious about. Why do you want to learn Medical Ninjutsu?"

Hiruzen's gaze was sharp, and his deep voice echoed through the office.

"Because I have a dream. My parents died on the battlefield years ago because there was no medical care available. The emergency supplies in their ninja pouches were useless, and in the end, their wounds were too severe, and they died."

Shimizu's voice turned somber, and his eyes reddened slightly, making him look deeply grief-stricken.