Asuma's Return, Kurenai Yuhi's Punishment

"Fugaku."

Shimizu said indifferently.

He had dropped the "Lord" suffix.

He was now the Hokage of Konoha; logically speaking, it was Fugaku who should be calling him Lord Shimizu.

"Shimizu."

Fugaku nodded slightly.

One didn't always have to address the Hokage by their numerical generation, like First, Second, or Third; calling them by their given name was also acceptable.

Shimizu's status had suddenly risen above his own, a shift Fugaku still found somewhat difficult to adjust to.

He remembered back when he had pressured Shimizu to prioritize the big picture, forcing him to conduct cloning research day and night.

Yet, in just a few short years, before the cloning research was even completed, Shimizu's strength had already reached a level where he stood as an equal, answering only to his own whims.

And now, he had become the first Uchiha Hokage, a feat worthy of being recorded in the annals of history.

"That child Sasuke seems to be clamoring to see me."

Shimizu stated his purpose.

Hearing this, Fugaku looked at Sasuke, who was standing behind Shimizu, and noticed a touch of maturity on his once-childish face, with the flames of vengeance flickering in the depths of his eyes.

Hatred for Itachi, is it...

Fugaku murmured.

Then, Fugaku scrutinized Shimizu and Mikoto.

He found their expressions to be normal and natural.

Could it be that Itachi misunderstood something?

Fugaku wondered to himself.

What kind of relationship could Shimizu and Mikoto possibly have?

The age gap between them was nearly twenty years!

Fugaku immediately ruled out an improper romantic relationship, turning instead to the thought that perhaps Shimizu and Mikoto were like siblings, making Itachi jealous.

After all, Itachi was still just a child.

"Brother Shimizu, can you hurry up and teach me how to train? I must kill that man