Since the outbreak of war between Konoha and Sunagakure in November of Konoha Year 43, the outside world had remained largely in the dark about the finer details of the conflict.
And yet, two battles had spread like wildfire across the shinobi world—the Battle of Kikyo Castle and the Raid on Sunagakure itself.
Of course, Konoha had played no small part in fanning the flames of that narrative.
A bit of well-placed propaganda could turn even a brutal clash into legend.
But beyond that, those two battles truly deserved their fame.
At Kikyo Castle, tens of thousands of shinobi had faced off in a massive confrontation, while the raid on Sunagakure was even more shocking—a strike that humiliated the village, forced it to bow its head, and ultimately drove it to seek a ceasefire with Konoha.
Both battles carried immense historical weight.
And both were tied to the same rising star of Konoha—
The so-called "Shunshin Shimizu."
At Kikyo Castle, Sunagakure's elite puppet master Chiyo, the Scorch Release wielder Pakura, and even the Fourth Kazekage himself had joined forces—only to be forced back by Shimizu alone.
Afterward, he had summoned a massive serpent, the legendary summon Garaga, and even succeeded in "slaying" the One-Tail.
During the raid on Sunagakure, the Kazekage Building had been blown apart, classified intelligence stolen, and the One-Tail's jinchūriki killed.
That entire operation had been orchestrated—and personally carried out—by Shimizu.
With Konoha's deliberate promotion, Sunagakure's silence, and the absurdly high bounty placed on his head in the black market…
Most people in the shinobi world already knew the truth.
Konoha had produced yet another monstrous genius.
And yet, there were also rumors—
That "Shunshin Shimizu." had already died beneath the One-Tail's Tailed Beast Bomb.
After all, half a year of complete silence was more than enough to spark speculation.
But now…
That very same young man, whose reputation bordered on the terrifying, stood before them—alive and completely unharmed.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Shock hung heavy in the air.
Jiraiya looked around at the silent crowd, clearly surprised. "Huh? Don't tell me you don't believe it?"
He rubbed his chin, as if pondering, before suddenly making up his mind.
"Alright then," he said, snapping his fingers lightly. "I'll let you verify it yourselves."
"Take turns or come at him all at once—it's all fine."
With a grand wave of his hand, he declared, "I'll accept on his behalf!"
"..."
Shimizu said nothing.
He simply stood there, expression blank, silently accepting Jiraiya's decision.
This guy… is absolutely a walking disaster.
By now, he had already cursed Jiraiya countless times in his heart.
"Heh…"
Floating in midair, the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki of the Two Scales, glanced briefly at the Third Raikage—the man who had earlier exerted tremendous pressure on him. Seeing no reaction from the latter, Ōnoki slowly spoke:
"Since one of the Sannin, Jiraiya, has said as much, it would hardly be appropriate for us to gang up on a mere junior…"
All at once?
Jiraiya might have the shamelessness to suggest it, but Ōnoki certainly did not.
With both Takigakure and Kumogakure watching, agreeing to such a thing would be nothing short of humiliating for Iwagakure.
"However," Ōnoki continued, his gaze sharpening, "you seem remarkably confident in this young man, Jiraiya. To accept such a challenge so casually… aren't you afraid that Konoha's rising star might fall here today?"
"Heh… whoever's capable can step up," Jiraiya replied with a carefree grin. "Just don't lose to a youngster and then find yourselves unable to save face."
Ōnoki's eyes shifted.
"And what does the Third Raikage think?"
For a moment, all attention turned toward the leader of Kumogakure.
Originally, Iwagakure held the advantage. There had been no need for negotiation—strength alone would decide everything.
Whoever won would claim the Seven-Tails.
Ōnoki had personally led Iwagakure's elite forces precisely to intimidate Kumogakure and secure victory.
But now…
Konoha had suddenly intervened.
Not only had one of the Sannin, Jiraiya, appeared—but also this "Shunshin Shimizu," whose record alone was enough to make even veterans wary.
Rumor had it…
This young man already possessed power on par with the Sannin.
Does Konoha really have a young shinobi this powerful?
If they forced a direct confrontation and ended up suffering irreversible losses, the cost would be far too great.
"I have no objections," the Third Raikage said at last.
He didn't fully understand what Jiraiya was planning, but for now, Konoha appeared to be standing on their side.
And surely… Jiraiya wouldn't be reckless enough to provoke a full-scale war between Konoha and Kumogakure.
Besides—
He was curious.
Over the past six months, the name "Shunshin Shimizu" had spread like wildfire throughout the shinobi world. Even he wanted to see just how strong this young man really was.
"Let's proceed as Jiraiya suggested," he added.
"Very well… let's test him first," Ōnoki agreed. Better to gauge Shimizu's strength before making any further decisions.
His gaze swept across his ranks before settling on one individual.
"Sora. You're up."
Sora was one of Iwagakure's strongest young jōnin in recent years. His swordsmanship, combined with his mastery of Earth Release, had reached an exceptional level. Among the younger generation, he was widely considered the most likely to step into Kage-level territory.
"Yes, Tsuchikage-sama."
The man called Sora appeared to be around twenty-five. A longsword rested across his back, mirroring Shimizu's own weapon.
"Iwagakure jōnin, Sora," he introduced himself as he slowly drew his blade. "I've heard that the so-called Shunshin Shimizu, possesses unparalleled speed and superb swordsmanship. I'd very much like to experience it for myself."
Seeing the battle intent burning in his opponent's eyes, Shimizu offered no unnecessary words.
Strength itself would speak loud enough.
In the very next instant—
His figure vanished.
Here he comes! So fast!
Sora instinctively drew his blade and slashed behind him.
A sharp clink rang out as the two weapons screeched against each other.
That was close!
After just one exchange, nearly half of Sora's confidence had already been shaken. Almost involuntarily, he glanced toward a young Kumogakure shinobi who had earlier introduced himself as "A."
Their speeds… were likely on the same level.
And during his earlier clash with A, Sora had nearly lost his life.
Before he could steady himself, Shimizu's second strike came.
Sora barely managed to block again—but now his reactions and speed were beginning to fall out of sync with Shimizu's relentless rhythm.
Then came the third strike.
A streak of azure light flashed toward him!
Sora appeared completely exposed—
But in that split second, a wall of earth erupted upward, swallowing the blue flash whole.
A cold smile flickered in his mind.
Got you.
Spinning sharply, Sora unleashed his proudest sword technique toward Shimizu's back.
Several arcs of silver light sliced through the air in rapid succession.
Die, Shunshin Shimizu!
Konoha Sword Style—Crescent Moon Dance!
Silver and azure clashed violently in midair—only to annihilate each other in an instant.
Sora's pupils shrank in shock.
"Hey, A—who do you think is faster, him or you?" asked a dark-skinned Kumogakure shinobi standing nearby, two swords strapped across his back. He wore a long white scarf and a pair of conspicuous sunglasses.
"If that's all the speed he's showing… then I'm faster," A replied calmly. "That is, if he's not holding back."
He paused, then added with a slight grin, "But look at how relaxed he is… Sora is going to lose."
Killer B blinked, momentarily stunned. Wait, Sora is an elite Jōnin! He held his own against you for quite a while, didn't he? Is he really that fragile this time?"
In the next instant—
A bolt of lightning pierced straight through Sora's chest.
"Next," Shimizu said coldly.
...
Drop some POWERSTONES to push the story forward!
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin