Because I Have a Dream

Shimizu narrowed his eyes slightly. This was the biological mother of the legendary Naruto Uzumaki, Kushina Uzumaki.

She was one of the few survivors of the Uzumaki Clan and the current Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails.

Shimizu swept a calm, unobtrusive glance over Kushina. It was best not to have too much contact with her right now; the Anbu were watching from somewhere nearby.

Even if he were to interact with her, it could never be done openly.

As it stood, Kushina's range of movement within Konoha was strictly limited.

"No need, Mikoto, I'm heading to the Hokage Building now to be assigned to my team."

Shimizu waved goodbye and quickened his pace.

"So that's Shimizu."

Kushina realized with a start and nodded; he was the person she had seen at Konoha Hospital.

"His medical ninjutsu is very strong. Fugaku asked him to help me recuperate, and I've been feeling much better lately."

Mikoto smiled.

Once her body recovered a bit more, she would be able to start preparing for pregnancy; it was time to have a child to carry on the family line.

"Is it really that effective?"

Kushina asked, looking skeptical.

"Of course. Next time, let him help you adjust your body too. The chakra he infuses makes you feel so warm."

Mikoto sounded like a salesperson, promoting Shimizu's virtues to Kushina.

Having solved her long-standing issues, Mikoto now had complete faith in Shimizu's medical skills.

"I'll give it a try when I have time."

Kushina nodded. The Nine-Tails' leaking chakra was corrosive. Although she was from the Uzumaki Clan and possessed powerful regenerative abilities, she still felt uncomfortable over time.

Taking the time to get treated and feeling lighter would certainly be for the best.

After this brief interlude, the two women continued selecting potted plants.

A while later, both Mikoto and Kushina had picked out their favorite plants.

After bidding farewell to Mikoto, Kushina excitedly took her carefully chosen succulent and went to find Minato Namikaze.

"Minato! Minato!"

Kushina happened to spot Minato's figure not far away. Just as she was about to run toward him, two masked Anbu appeared immediately in front of her.

"Please stop, Kushina. Beyond this point is outside the barrier."

The tone of the two Anbu was beyond reproach; if Kushina took one more step, they would stop her.

"But..."

Kushina looked at Minato in the distance, desperate to rush over to him.

However, due to her status as a Jinchuriki, she was restricted to activities only within the vicinity of the Uzumaki Clan Shrine.

"This is our duty."

The two Anbu remained unmoved.

"Minato!"

Kushina had no choice but to shout Minato's name loudly, hoping he would hear her voice.

After a few calls, Minato turned his head in confusion, looking in the direction of the sound.

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

Minato jogged over.

The two Anbu exchanged a glance before their figures vanished from the spot, returning to the shadows to continue their surveillance.

"A gift for you."

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

"Ah, thank you."

Minato was stunned for a moment, then realized this was a gift from Kushina and accepted it with a happy expression.

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

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

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

Minato apologized repeatedly before leaving with the succulent in his arms.

He had gained some inspiration for a newly developed technique today and was eager to go test it out.

"Hey, Minato!"

Kushina wanted to chase after him, but the two Anbu reappeared on the spot.

"Kushina, please conduct yourself with restraint."

"..."

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

"A new vessel... I can sense the disappointment and sorrow within you... along with confusion... and fear. You understand, don't you? It is actually you who feels more shackled than I do..."

The Nine-Tails' seductive voice echoed inside Kushina.

"Do you want all of this to disappear... do you want to obtain freedom... as long as you open the seal, I will be the one to set you free..."

"Shut up!"

Kushina shuddered, her chakra surging.

The two Anbu narrowed their eyes, immediately assuming combat stances.

"It's nothing, you don't need to do that."

Kushina glanced at the two Anbu, her tone carrying an indescribable flatness.

The wonderful mood she had felt while picking out succulents with Mikoto at the flower shop had now vanished without a trace.

"You want to apply for early graduation?"

Shinku Yuhi looked at his daughter, his brow furrowed as he realized he was finding it increasingly difficult to understand her thoughts.

Could it be puberty?

Or perhaps what they called rebellion?

Shinku Yuhi couldn't figure it out.

Aside from genjutsu, Kurenai Yuhi's other skills were currently on par with those of commoner ninja. If she didn't build a solid foundation now, the threats she faced during missions would increase significantly.

The world of ninja had always been cruel, with an extremely high mortality rate.

The death rate for commoner ninja was especially high; every so often, another ninja would perish.

Only those from influential ninja clans, who provided their members with extensive education, maintained low casualty rates.

"Father, I have already made up my mind, and I am going to participate in this Chunin Exams!"

Kurenai Yuhi had changed back into her usual attire. Her baby-fat cheeks had thinned out significantly, making her features appear more three-dimensional and refined, giving her the air of an ice-cold beauty.

She needed to hone herself through constant combat, and ultimately, seek revenge on Uchiha Shimizu.

By now, Uchiha Shimizu had almost become Kurenai Yuhi's nightmare. Every time she fell asleep, she would see that infuriatingly handsome face of his.

She would dream of herself performing those humiliating actions, while Uchiha Shimizu watched with great relish.

The cause of all this was the lingering trauma from that day!

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

"Very well... I will submit the application to the Third Hokage for you."

Shinku Yuhi looked into his daughter's determined eyes.

Thinking that his daughter was never one to make empty promises, he decided to trust her just this once.

His daughter's current genjutsu was more than enough for self-preservation.

"Good."

Kurenai Yuhi nodded heavily.

Hokage Building.

"Lord Hokage."

Qingshui knocked on the door a few times before pushing it open to enter the Hokage Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was puffing on his large pipe. He looked up, and seeing that it was Qingshui, he set down the scroll in his hand.

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

"I am curious about one thing: why do you want to learn medical ninjutsu?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze was sharp, his deep voice echoing throughout the office.

"Because I have a dream. My parents died on the battlefield years ago, and the reason was a lack of medical treatment. The first-aid supplies in their ninja pouches were simply useless, so they ultimately died from their severe wounds."

Qingshui's tone was low, the corners of his eyes slightly reddened, appearing deeply sorrowful.