Naruto: I'm Really Not an Evil Uchiha!

Shimizu's eyes narrowed slightly. This woman before him was none other than Kushina Uzumaki, the mother of the reincarnated "god," Naruto Uzumaki.

A rare survivor of the Uzumaki clan and the current Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.

Shimizu discreetly glanced at Kushina Uzumaki. It was best not to interact too much with her for now; the ANBU were undoubtedly watching from somewhere.

Even if contact was necessary, it couldn't be done openly.

At present, Kushina Uzumaki's activities within Konoha were strictly limited.

"No need, Mikoto-nee. I have to head to the Hokage's office to be assigned teammates."

Waving goodbye, Shimizu quickened his pace.

"So, that's Shimizu," Kushina murmured in realization, nodding as she remembered seeing him at Konoha Hospital.

"His medical ninjutsu is excellent. Fugaku asked him to help treat me, and my condition has improved significantly."

Mikoto smiled.

Once her health was fully restored, she planned to try for another child to continue the family line.

"Is it really that effective?"

Kushina raised an eyebrow in doubt.

"Of course! You should let him help you too. The chakra he infuses feels so warm; it's comforting to anyone who receives it."

Mikoto sounded almost like a saleswoman, extolling Shimizu's abilities to Kushina.

Having had her long-standing issues resolved, Mikoto had grown to trust Shimizu's medical skills deeply.

"I'll give it a try when I have the chance," Kushina replied, nodding. The corrosive chakra leakage from the Nine-Tails often left her feeling uncomfortable, despite her strong Uzumaki healing abilities.

Taking time to have her body treated and refreshed would indeed be beneficial.

After this brief exchange, the two women resumed selecting potted plants.

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

Bidding farewell to Mikoto, Kushina excitedly carried her carefully chosen succulent to meet Minato Namikaze.

"Minato, Minato!"

Spotting Minato not far away, Kushina tried to rush toward him, but two masked ANBU agents immediately appeared in her path.

"Stop, Kushina. Beyond this point is outside the barrier."

The ANBU spoke in a firm, non-negotiable tone. If Kushina took another step, they would stop her.

"But..."

Kushina looked at Minato ahead, desperate to reach him.

Due to her status as a Jinchūriki, she was only allowed to move within the area surrounding the Uzumaki clan's shrine.

"This is our duty."

The two ANBU remained unmoved.

"Minato!"

Left with no choice, Kushina called out loudly, hoping he would hear her.

After a few shouts, Minato turned his head in confusion, looking in her direction.

"Kushina, I didn't hear you. My apologies."

Minato jogged over.

The two ANBU exchanged glances before disappearing back into the shadows to continue their surveillance.

"I got this for you—a potted plant."

Kushina handed Minato the succulent she had picked out.

"Ah, thank you."

Minato blinked before realizing it was a gift from Kushina. He accepted it with a bright smile.

"Minato, could you... could you accompany me for a stroll?"

Kushina hesitated, unable to meet Minato's eyes.

"Well... sorry, Kushina. I need to head to Training Ground Three today."

Minato apologized repeatedly before leaving with the succulent in hand.

He was brimming with inspiration for a new jutsu and couldn't wait to test it out.

"Hey, Minato!"

Kushina tried to chase after him, but the two ANBU reappeared instantly.

"Kushina, please restrain yourself."

"..."

Kushina hung her head, feeling utterly drained of energy.

"The new vessel... I can sense your disappointment, sadness, confusion, and fear. You understand, don't you? The one truly shackled is you..."

The Nine-Tails' sinister voice echoed within Kushina.

"If you want it all to disappear... if you want freedom... just release the seal. I will liberate you..."

"Shut up!"

Kushina trembled, her chakra surging.

The two ANBU tensed, immediately adopting defensive stances.

"It's nothing; you don't need to be so tense."

Kushina glanced at them, her tone strangely indifferent.

The joyful mood from selecting succulents with Mikoto earlier had completely vanished.

"You want to graduate early?"

Yuhi Shinku frowned at his daughter, struggling to understand her thoughts.

Was this the onset of adolescence?

Or just rebellion?

Shinku couldn't make sense of it.

Besides her genjutsu skills, Kurenai's abilities were about average for civilian-born ninja. If she didn't lay a solid foundation now, missions would become increasingly dangerous.

The ninja world was brutal, with a high mortality rate, especially for non-clan shinobi.

"Father, I've made up my mind. I'm going to participate in this Chūnin Exam!"

Yuhi Kurenai had changed into her usual outfit. Her once chubby cheeks had slimmed, accentuating her sharp, exquisite features and lending her an icy beauty.

She would use continuous combat to hone herself and eventually seek revenge against Uchiha Shimizu.

Shimizu had practically become a nightmare for Kurenai. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw his infuriatingly handsome face.

In her dreams, she would reenact those humiliating moments, while Shimizu watched with amused delight.

The cause of it all was the lasting trauma from that day!

She could only overcome the shadow of Shimizu by defeating him.

"I'll request approval from the Third Hokage."

Yuhi Shinku saw the resolve in his daughter's eyes.

Trusting her judgment, he decided to support her this time.

Kurenai's genjutsu was more than enough for self-defense.

"Alright."

Shinku nodded firmly.

At the Hokage's Office.

"Lord Hokage."

Shimizu knocked before entering the office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, puffing on his pipe, looked up and put down the scroll he was holding when he saw Shimizu.

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

"I have a question—why are you interested in learning medical ninjutsu?"

Hiruzen's sharp gaze and deep voice resonated through the office.

"Because I have a dream. My parents died on the battlefield years ago due to a lack of medical support. The basic first aid supplies in their ninja kits were useless, and they ultimately succumbed to their injuries."

Shimizu's voice was low, his eyes tinged with red, as if overwhelmed with sorrow.

------

more chapters on

pat reon.com/yuuwand