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Wherever the gaze fell, life gathered.
An immense vitality ignored the severity of Rin's injuries, swiftly healing her wounds and regenerating her shattered heart until all wounds were fully healed. Once Rin's breathing steadied, Yoichi retracted his Mangekyo Sharingan.
The consumption of chakra was immense. Repairing a shattered heart was complex, and Rin had been on the brink of death, almost stepping into the afterlife. However, Yoichi had ultimately saved her.
After a while, Rin slowly opened her eyes, seeing an unfamiliar ceiling. "Is this the afterlife? It seems I died. Kakashi, Minato-sensei, Mina-sensei, Yoichi-sama..."
"You are not dead," a voice interrupted from nearby, snapping Rin back to reality. She quickly sat up, realizing she was in a large, dimly lit chamber with only a few lamps providing light.
Turning towards the voice, she saw Yoichi and gasped in disbelief. "Yoichi-sama?"
"It's me, Rin," Yoichi said, approaching with a cup of water and a soldier pill. "You were revived. The tailed beast within you has also vanished due to your near-death state, leaving you very weak. So, eat this soldier pill."
Just moments ago, Rin had been teetering on the brink of death. The three-tails had already begun its resurrection process, likely because parts of Rin's body were as good as dead, causing the sealing space within her to collapse, allowing the three-tails to be reborn.
Though it was a pity, Yoichi didn't mind much. Knowing the three-tails' location meant it could be easily captured later.
The thought of Rin's near-death state troubled Yoichi. The chakra left on her earlier had been nearly insufficient; reviving someone near death consumed multiple times the chakra required for mere healing.
Rin, still somewhat dazed, accepted the water and the soldier pill. After consuming them, she felt her strength and chakra gradually returning. Regaining her senses, she asked, "Yoichi-sama, why am I here? I was with Kakashi, being chased by Kirigakure shinobi. I should have..."
Touching her chest, Rin felt the shredded clothing and bloodstains where she had been stabbed but found her skin smooth and uninjured.
"How...how is this possible?"
"I saved you. You were indeed supposed to die, but I left a Mangekyo Sharingan technique on you last time, which saved your life and brought you back," Yoichi explained, simultaneously placing his hand on Rin's neck, connecting with the chakra imprint left there to influence her through his chakra.
"I had a premonition you'd face danger on your mission, so I left a bit of my power with you. It seems I was right."
"It was Yoichi-sama who saved me," Rin murmured, recalling the sensation of nearing death but being held back by a light, which she now understood was Yoichi-sama.
"Yoichi-sama, where is this place?"
"This is my alchemy lab, located at the edge of Konoha's barrier, deep underground. Only I come here," Yoichi said.
"I'm back in Konoha?" Rin was shocked. She and Kakashi had been at the Fire Country border, nearly a day's journey from Konoha.
"Then, Yoichi-sama, what should I do now? I want to return to the battlefield."
"You're very kind, Rin, but you cannot return now," Yoichi said gently. "If you go back, you'll still face death. Kirigakure will continue to target you due to your unique chakra. Moreover, there are deeper forces behind Kirigakure targeting you. Even in Konoha, you'd face constant assassination attempts."
Rin felt panic rising within her, clinging to Yoichi's words as her only lifeline. "Yoichi-sama, then what should I do?"
Under the influence of the Senjutsu chakra, Rin found Yoichi's chakra incredibly comforting and trusted him deeply.
"Stay here, Rin. Trust me and stay here for a few years until things settle," Yoichi advised, gently stroking her short brown hair. "It will be lonely, but I'll visit often and teach you many jutsu."
"Stay here for years?" Despite her trust in Yoichi, Rin hesitated at the thought of spending years in this dark underground space. It was a difficult decision.
"Stay until my underground base is fully constructed. Let that be the timeframe," Yoichi suggested, sensing her dilemma. The Senjutsu chakra's influence wasn't a form of hypnosis; he wanted Rin to make the choice willingly.
"Follow me. I'll show you around," Yoichi said, leading the way.
"Okay, Yoichi-sama," Rin replied, standing up but stumbling from her weakened state. Yoichi caught her.
"Thank you, Yoichi-sama," she whispered, blushing, as she followed him out.
Leaving the chamber, they entered a vast underground space, supported by tall wooden structures, with only a few developed areas and the rest undeveloped.
"This is my alchemy lab. Once it's completed, you can leave," Yoichi explained. "If you go out now, those shadowy figures might go into hiding. I need you to fake your death for a while."
After a moment's contemplation, Rin nodded firmly. "I understand, Yoichi-sama. I'll do as you say."
"For now, you are my disciple. I will teach you everything, even forbidden techniques," Yoichi said, gently stroking her hair again. "When you leave, you might become Konoha's greatest kunoichi."
"That's a bit exaggerated, Yoichi-sama," Rin said, embarrassed. She wondered why Yoichi-sama liked patting her head so much.
Seeing her agreement, Yoichi felt relieved. He wouldn't need to use forceful measures. Over time, with their constant interaction, Rin would surely become his obedient disciple.
Yoichi then demonstrated alchemy to her, showing techniques far different from traditional medicine preparation, piquing her interest. Watching closely, Rin developed a curiosity for alchemy.
Yoichi planned to teach her, despite the difficulty of such practices in the ninja world without advanced equipment.
Yoichi occasionally left to fetch supplies, including daily meals and necessities for Rin, ensuring no one else knew of her presence. Even when away, a Wood Clone stayed behind, and without his permission, Rin couldn't leave the underground base.
The ventilation shafts were sealed with wood release, and the entrance guarded by seals, making it nearly impenetrable.
"Obito, from now on, you are Uchiha Madara," the aged Madara declared, severing his connection with the Gedo Statue.
Teaching Obito yin-yang release and six paths techniques in a genjutsu before dying, Madara entrusted the plan to him, confident Obito and Nagato would collect the tailed beasts.
Witnessing Madara's death, Obito fell silent until Black Zetsu and White Zetsu approached. "Obito, what will you do now? Will you meet Nagato? There's a remnant of Madara's will with him."
"Uchiha Fugaku, right? I didn't expect such triviality in the clan's leadership struggle. It makes me despise the Uchiha even more," Obito muttered. Having seen Rin's death, his mind twisted, longing to end the world and complete the Moon's Eye Plan.
"Before Madara died, I had a question. Can you, as his will, answer it?" Obito asked, his three-tomoe Sharingan fixated on Black Zetsu.
"What is it?" Black Zetsu replied cautiously.
"Rin's body disappeared after being impaled by Kakashi. Why? Did someone use space-time ninjutsu?" This question had haunted Obito, and he wanted answers.
"I don't know. I wasn't born then and can't answer," Black Zetsu lied, knowing the truth but withholding it. "But Rin is undoubtedly dead."
White Zetsu added, "We're not sure, but finding the three-tails will confirm it. If it has resurrected, it means Rin died."
This struck Obito hard. If the three-tails had reappeared, it confirmed Rin's death. But where was her body? He wanted to lay her to rest in his Kamui dimension.
"Obito?" Zetsu prompted.
"Nothing. Let's go," Obito decided, ready to visit Fugaku and see Madara's remnant influence.
Meanwhile, in Ame, Yahiko and Konan's visit to Konoha seeking aid had been unsuccessful. Despite personal support from Sarutobi, official backing was denied. Faced with limited resources, Akatsuki would now have to take on visible missions, risking Hanzo's wrath.
(End of Chapter)
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"...Your words are too beautiful, too perfect to be real. We simply cannot believe you!" Yahiko immediately saw through Obito's lofty promises, understanding that the true goal was Nagato's Rinnegan.
"I indeed came for the Rinnegan, but the Rinnegan's power can only be fully realized in your hands. If you can wield it to bring peace to this chaotic world, then I won't need to interfere," Obito continued, his Sharingan gleaming through the mask. "But it seems you are playing house, hiding your identities as shinobi, and living among civilians under Hanzo's rule, wasting the Rinnegan's power. You have the ability but fail to use it. The ongoing wars are partly your responsibility!"
These words struck a chord with Nagato, who had always felt ashamed of his inability to fully control the Rinnegan.
However, Yahiko and Konan had never said anything, making Nagato try to ignore this reality. But now, Obito's words shattered his delusions, making him realize his failure to use the Rinnegan's power was irresponsible to his comrades.
"Don't listen to his manipulation, Nagato. He just wants to use you," Yahiko warned, trying to lead Nagato and Konan away. But Obito made no move to stop them, puzzling Yahiko.
"I will wait here every day. When you decide, come find me," Obito said calmly, not preventing Yahiko's group from leaving. However, before leaving, Obito sent a telepathic message to Fugaku using his Sharingan.
Fugaku received the message without showing any reaction and silently followed Yahiko and the others back. Once at their base, one of the veteran members of Akatsuki tried to speak but was interrupted by Yahiko.
"Shin, no need to say more. I trust Naka-kun. Those two have likely been targeting Nagato's Rinnegan for a long time. It wasn't Naka-kun who revealed this information."
"But we must be careful now. That guy seemed to have been monitoring Akatsuki. We need to stay more hidden," Yahiko advised.
Fugaku felt a bit relieved but also pity for Yahiko and his friends. From the start, they were pawns in Madara's game, with even Nagato's Rinnegan not being truly his.
Today was a series of misfortunes for Akatsuki. They not only failed to get Konoha's support but also had Nagato's Rinnegan targeted.
After some discussion, they couldn't reach a conclusion and dispersed. Fugaku returned to his room, not coming out until nightfall when two White Zetsus sneaked in. One covered Fugaku and took him underground, while the other took his place in bed.
White Zetsu moved without any detectable aura, unnoticed by anyone. Even the Akatsuki members who periodically checked found nothing amiss.
Once out of Akatsuki's base, Fugaku was brought to the meeting place from earlier that day.
"Who are you?" Fugaku asked sternly. The voice was like Madara's, but he knew it wasn't him.
"No matter my past name, now I am Uchiha Madara," Obito replied, revealing his Mangekyo Sharingan. Seeing the Mangekyo, Fugaku's Sharingan turned into three tomoe.
"Former leader of the Uchiha, you need do nothing now. When they face peril and indecision, just give them a push," Obito instructed.
"Why should I listen to you? You're not Madara. That Mangekyo must be something he left behind," Fugaku retorted, skeptical of this impostor.
"You will agree because you need the Moon's Eye Plan, you need Madara's power. Or can you let go of even this?" Obito met Fugaku's gaze, pulling him into a genjutsu.
Within the illusion, Fugaku saw images captured by White Zetsu in the village. He saw Mikoto training Itachi, smiling with joy as Yoichi joined them, feeding him with a blissful expression. They looked like a family, shopping and attending events together.
"No, impossible! This isn't real. I entrusted Itachi to Hachidai, instructing him to..." Fugaku muttered.
"Hachidai is dead. He died as a hero shortly after you fled the village. In that war with Suna, the only Uchiha who died was Hachidai," Obito interrupted.
Hearing this, Fugaku closed his eyes, whispering, "Was it my fault? Because he helped me escape..."
"No, it was Yoichi, using his power as clan leader to have Hachidai killed!" Fugaku's heart filled with rage. The hope he placed in Itachi was shattered, Hachidai was dead, and his betrayed family lived happily with his enemy.
"How about it, former clan leader? Will you help me now?" Obito asked, seeing the despair in Fugaku's eyes.
After a moment of silence, Fugaku looked up with hatred. "What do you need me to do?"
"Exactly as I said, when Akatsuki faces destruction, give them a push," Obito detailed, leaving out parts of his plan while gathering information on Yoichi from Fugaku.
The Moon's Eye Plan would inevitably pit them against Konoha. Understanding Konoha's strongest shinobi, Yoichi, was crucial.
...
Disciple of All Worlds: Each night in your dreams, a random 'teacher' will appear, from whom you can learn. The learning efficiency in dreams is thrice that of reality.
"What kind of ability is this?" Yoichi wondered. After graduation, did he really need to be a student again?
"Random teachers... this means anyone could appear, even a plumber or AV actress? Pure luck determines the teacher, making it meaningless," he thought, doubting the ability's utility.
Even if he learned from a powerful teacher one night, the next night's randomization would render it futile.
"Forget it, better than nothing," Yoichi sighed, closing the ability panel. Turning to Rin, who was practicing alchemy, he instructed, "Rin, remember the details of each potion's preparation. When the industrial alchemy furnace is ready, I'll set one up for you."
"Understood, Yoichi-sama," Rin nodded, not minding his habit of patting her head, though she felt slightly embarrassed as she wasn't a child anymore.
Receiving a message from a clone, Yoichi created another clone to assist Rin and headed out.
Kakashi had been brought back, and he wanted to see him. Kakashi's Sharingan had evolved into a Mangekyo, though he was unaware of it. Yoichi planned to replace it with a three-tomoe Sharingan and give him Hashirama cells.
At the hospital, he found Sakumo also there. As a parent, he naturally came to see his son, especially since Kakashi was brought straight to the hospital.
"What happened to Kakashi?" Yoichi asked, putting down a fruit basket.
Sakumo shook his head, pointing to Kakashi. After a moment of silence, Kakashi spoke, "Father, Yoichi-senpai, Rin is dead. I killed her."
Sakumo was shocked but showed no emotion. "Why, Kakashi?"
"I seldom guided you, but I've always watched you with pride. I believe you wouldn't do such a thing."
Encouraged, Kakashi recounted the mission. After listening, Sakumo and Yoichi exchanged glances.
"What about the Kirigakure bodies?" Yoichi asked.
"Still at the front lines, I think. Someone killed the Kirigakure shinobi, but the bodies were destroyed," Kakashi recalled.
"If we have a head, the interrogation team can extract information. Sakumo-senpai, let's have ANBU retrieve the bodies," Yoichi suggested.
With Sakumo's nod, Yoichi turned to Kakashi. "Kakashi, strengthen yourself. Your Sharingan is more a burden now. Once healed, come to me. I have a solution for the Sharingan's chakra consumption."
He demonstrated with a sprouting branch from his palm, hinting at the Hashirama cells.
Sakumo remained silent, hoping Kakashi would accept the offer. After a pause, Kakashi nodded. "I understand, Yoichi-senpai."
Returning to the lab, Yoichi informed Rin about Kakashi's return.
"Is Kakashi okay?" Rin asked, concerned.
"He feels guilty for your death, but he'll be fine. You should have trusted the village more. There are many strong shinobi who could have handled the situation," Yoichi advised.
"I'm sorry, Yoichi-sama. I didn't want to harm the village," Rin admitted, realizing her hasty decision had burdened Kakashi.
"No need to worry. ANBU is retrieving the bodies. The interrogation team will uncover Kirigakure's plot, and Kakashi will understand you," Yoichi reassured, patting her head. "Your life is valuable too."
"Yes, I understand, Yoichi-sama," Rin replied, finding comfort in his touch. Being near him made her feel safe.
(End of Chapter)
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