Naruto: I'm Really Not an Evil Uchiha!

Rin couldn't bring herself to say the rest of her thoughts when met with Kakashi's hopeful gaze.

If Kakashi found out, he would be heartbroken.

Kakashi already saw Shimizu as a close friend. If she told him, their relationship might never return to the way it was.

At the same time, Nohara Rin thought about Kakashi's father, White Fang.

He had taken his own life after being betrayed by his comrades.

"You're thinking the same thing, aren't you?"

Nohara Rin lowered her head slightly, her short hair covering her reddened eyes and a silent tear.

"Ah, some sand got in my eye," Rin said, rubbing her eyes.

"Is that so? Rin, maybe we'll all end up as great companions," Kakashi said.

His lifeless fish-like eyes widened slightly, showing a rare hint of joy.

He was reminded of something Shimizu and his father had both said before:

"Companions are the most important."

Unlike in the original story, Kakashi's sorrow hadn't yet fully fermented in his heart. It was constantly interrupted by Shimizu dragging him out to practice kenjutsu.

This gave the usually solitary Kakashi a sense of warmth, and a small desire for companionship began to grow within him.

The two continued walking.

The sun stretched their shadows long and thin, swaying slightly as they moved.

It was as if their paths would eventually cross and overlap—or remain parallel lines that would never meet.

"Mikoto, what are you doing here?"

On the streets of Konoha, an idle Uzumaki Kushina exclaimed in surprise.

Feeling bored, she had wandered out for a stroll and unexpectedly bumped into her best friend.

"I'm picking out a gift," Mikoto replied.

"Are you visiting someone?"

Kushina approached Uchiha Mikoto, who was standing near the Konoha Bakery, her face puzzled.

"It's for Shimizu. You probably remember him; we ran into him at the Yamanaka flower shop last time."

An image of a handsome face flashed through Kushina's mind.

She didn't often remember people, especially someone she'd only met once.

But Uchiha Shimizu had left a lasting impression—he was just too good-looking!

Because of the sealing barrier and her status as a jinchuriki, Kushina couldn't make many new friends. Others kept their distance, treating her with caution.

As a result, in her limited and shallow social circle, Shimizu was hands down the most attractive person she knew!

"I remember him," Kushina nodded. "He looks a little better than Minato, but I still think Minato is the most handsome."

"Oh my, are you that close to Minato already?" Mikoto teased.

Unlike the already-married Mikoto, Kushina was still in the ambiguous stage with Minato, not yet officially together.

"Mikoto, stop teasing me!"

Kushina's slightly baby-fat face flushed red, and she playfully slapped her friend, hoping Mikoto wouldn't say it so loudly. It was embarrassing!

"Well then, I'll go with you to see him. I've heard Minato mention that Uchiha Shimizu is a genius. I want to see what geniuses are like."

Kushina nodded eagerly.

"But I can't go inside. Can you invite Shimizu out? Maybe to Ichiraku Ramen? The gift can be treating him to ramen!"

Kushina tugged on Mikoto's arm, hoping her friend would agree.

The limited range of the sealing barrier was making her feel stifled.

"Well… alright."

Mikoto hesitated before nodding.

Fugaku had only asked her to invite Shimizu over for a discussion. Since Fugaku wouldn't be home until evening, it wouldn't hurt to go out now.

Just as Mikoto was about to leave, she spotted two Uchiha clansmen nearby.

"Any good books recently?"

Uchiha Inaho, hands behind his head, strolled down the street.

"I don't know. I've been focusing on training lately," replied Uchiha Tetsuo, shaking his head.

He was counting on improving his skills to challenge Shimizu and win big.

Suddenly, Inaho noticed someone calling him.

He turned to see the clan leader's wife and quickly lowered his hands, running over respectfully.

"Lady Mikoto, is there something you need from us?"

"Could you call Shimizu for me? Tell him to meet us at Ichiraku Ramen at 4:30."

"Of course!"

Inaho patted his chest confidently and, dragging Tetsuo along, darted up a wall and onto the rooftops in search of Shimizu.

"Lucky us. Let's head to Ichiraku Ramen and wait."

"Yay!"

Kushina cheered as she walked towards the ramen shop. Mikoto shook her head with a smile, amused by Kushina's lively antics, and followed at a leisurely pace.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

Shimizu bit his finger, using his blood as a medium. As he pressed his hand to the ground, black runes, resembling tadpole script, spread from his palm.

Poof!

The white dove basking in the courtyard was suddenly summoned before Shimizu.

Tilting its head, the bird let out a questioning coo.

"Just practicing summoning techniques," Shimizu explained, placing the dove in his hand. He let it hop around his palm, then carried it outside the courtyard, setting it down beside a chair.

He returned indoors to continue his practice.

Shimizu had thought of learning summoning techniques when he first acquired the dove.

He had mastered the basics a year ago but hadn't found time to refine it until now.

Summoning Jutsu was a C-rank technique that most skilled ninjas could perform.

It was the cheapest form of "space-time ninjutsu," apart from scroll seals.

"Reverse Summoning Jutsu!"

Activating his Sharingan, Shimizu locked eyes with the dove outside. The bird's pupils reflected the tomoe pattern as it unfurled a tiny scroll tied to its leg.

With a flash, Shimizu vanished from indoors and reappeared beside the dove in the courtyard.

"Excellent. This will be a useful escape tactic in battle," Shimizu noted with satisfaction.

By placing the dove in a safe location, he could summon it when needed and use the Sharingan to prompt a reverse summoning.

Since the dove wasn't intelligent enough to act on its own, he embedded a genjutsu, programming it to follow his set actions.

If he encountered trouble on a mission, he could now split up and retreat with ease.

Summoning Jutsu required a contract with a summon animal, etched into a scroll to call them using blood as a medium.

Reverse Summoning, however, was far more challenging, needing the summon animal's cooperation.

"Coo!"

The dove seemed annoyed by Shimizu's constant back-and-forth, turning its head away sulkily.

"No dinner tonight if you keep this up."

"Coo!"

The dove immediately turned back, flapping its feathers like an obedient pet, seeking his approval.

"You little rascal."

Shimizu lightly tapped the dove's head.

The bird had been with him for years and developed the intelligence of a five-year-old.

But that was its limit; it wouldn't grow any smarter.

That suited Shimizu fine. Intelligence brought independence, and with it, the risk of betrayal.

A simpler creature was far more loyal.

"Shimizu, Lady Mikoto asked you to meet her at Ichiraku Ramen at 4:30!"

Inabi voice carried over from outside the courtyard.

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