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That night, sadness filled Kushina's home.
Thankfully, nothing that Sakumo feared happened. Though Kushina was devastated, the Nine-Tails' chakra remained dormant. Even though she was pregnant, it wasn't yet time for delivery, so the seal hadn't loosened.
Later that night, a shadow clone of Mina returned, informing Yoichi that Karin needed to be taken care of, as Mina would stay with Kushina.
When Mikoto returned home, she also learned the news. Being friends with Kushina, she wanted to visit her but decided to wait until the next day since it was already late.
Mikoto took care of Karin, placing the crib beside their bed as they slept.
The next morning, after entrusting Karin to Mikoto, Yoichi headed to the police force headquarters for a small clan meeting, attended only by Uchiha clan Jonin.
The meeting had a single agenda: informing them about Fugaku's involvement with the Akatsuki and his indirect role in the death of Minato and other Konoha ninjas during the mission.
Those who had previously followed Fugaku hung their heads in shame upon hearing the news.
Yoichi clarified that he wasn't bringing this up to chastise the former peace faction members. Since the changes in the Uchiha clan, there were no longer peace or combat factions; everyone had become loyal to the clan leader.
His intention was to spread awareness about Fugaku and the Akatsuki's activities. The Uchiha clan was now focused on their business endeavors, which spanned the Land of Fire and were expanding into other countries. Although it was difficult for ordinary people to gather ninja-related information, there was always a slim chance.
"From now on, Konoha will likely be desperately searching for our information. If they send someone, it could be that person," said Obito to Nagato.
Things had escalated beyond Obito's expectations. In hindsight, he thought he should have dealt with Jiraiya earlier to avoid the current complications. Despite turning Nagato against Jiraiya, the resulting problems were still overwhelming due to the amount of intelligence they exposed.
Although killing Minato solved some issues, it also created new ones by revealing so much information.
Nagato, controlling his Deva Path, asked, "That person? Who is it?"
"Raijin of Konoha, probably the most troublesome person for you," Obito replied calmly. He believed in his Kamui, making him almost invincible, but he needed to maintain his composure in front of Nagato.
"Raijin is the current head of the Uchiha clan and potentially Konoha's strongest ninja. He played a significant role in Konoha's victory during the Third Shinobi World War," Nagato said nonchalantly. "It doesn't matter. Any ninja is the same to me with the Rinnegan's power."
Nagato had nearly fully harnessed the Rinnegan's power, utilizing his Six Paths and body clones. Even Jiraiya in Sage Mode struggled against his Six Paths.
"If you keep up that arrogance, you'll die," said Zetsu with a laugh. "Regarding Raijin's strength, Fugaku can tell you more."
Both Nagato's Deva Path and Konan turned to Fugaku. Fugaku hadn't expected Zetsu to reveal his true identity, but it was too late to be angry. His power display and intelligence had already raised suspicions.
Fugaku removed the bandages from his head, revealing his true face. "I am Fugaku. Naka is the name of a river in our ancestral land."
"Ah, that explains the strong Fire Release a few days ago," the Deva Path noted. Fugaku had indeed proven himself a capable ally.
"That man's Mangekyo Sharingan has two abilities: one rapidly heals his injuries, and the other is unknown. His Susanoo reaches nearly a hundred meters tall. I'm unsure if he now possesses the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan," Fugaku explained, remembering his own eyes, which he intended for Itachi to merge with his Mangekyo Sharingan.
"Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan? I've heard of it, but the conditions for fusion are quite difficult," Black Zetsu remarked. He was skeptical, as he had altered the Uchiha tablet to prevent the fusion without Indra's chakra. He was unaware that Yoichi had acquired a star stone containing fragments of the Ten-Tails' body, enhancing his Sharingan's potential.
With Hashirama cells, Yoichi had the potential to evolve his eyes further. Combining this with Fugaku's ocular power could lead to the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, though the safest path was still obtaining Asura's chakra.
"No matter what his eyes are, they can't match the Rinnegan," Nagato stated confidently. Having defeated numerous Konoha ninjas and Jiraiya, his confidence had surged.
"If you think like that, you'll die, and the Akatsuki will be destroyed. If Raijin and the Third Hokage had joined, we would have been the ones fleeing," Obito warned.
"The Akatsuki needs to hide now. The Hidden Stone Village is hiring rogue ninjas. We share a common enemy in Konoha, so we should accept their offer to gather resources and grow stronger," Obito advised, pausing before continuing, "You hesitated when you had the chance to kill Jiraiya. That hesitation cost us."
Had Nagato not hesitated, Obito wouldn't have had to finish off Jiraiya, and Minato wouldn't have saved him only to die in the process. The mission had turned into a tragic confrontation.
As Obito left, Fugaku and Zetsu also departed.
Pushing his wheelchair out of the cave, Nagato said to Konan, "I did hesitate, but that was the last time. Next time, I won't hold back against Jiraiya."
"I will fulfill Yahiko's dream," he declared, though his words carried no teacher-student sentiment.
Konan, having not participated in the battle, could only support Nagato. "I understand, Nagato."
...
"Yoichi-sensei, you're back?" Rin exclaimed upon seeing Yoichi in the underground laboratory. She immediately noticed that this was his true body, not a wood clone.
She didn't have the Rinnegan's perception but had spent enough time with Yoichi to discern the subtle differences.
"Yes, a lot has happened in the village, so I had to return," Yoichi explained, frustrated that the Akatsuki's actions had cut short his time with Tsunade. Just as they had started their relationship, they had to part again, and it was all because of the Akatsuki.
Rin misinterpreted his expression as concern for the village and sympathetically offered, "Yoichi-sensei, how about a massage to help you relax? Like last time?"
"A massage? Maybe later. Rin, I actually came to tell you that you can leave now," Yoichi said, shaking his head.
He had planned to release her when Obito committed an unforgivable act. He hadn't expected it to happen so soon with Obito killing his teacher.
Even if Obito learned that Rin was alive and repented, he couldn't escape death. Therefore, Rin no longer needed to stay hidden.
"Leave? I can go out now?" Rin asked, surprised and unsure.
Yoichi nodded. "Yes, the organization that targeted you is now exposed. The village is actively investigating them. Minato died on a mission involving that group."
"What? Minato-sensei is dead? That organization is terrible and must be stopped," Rin exclaimed.
"Don't worry, I'll personally deal with them. But for now, you need to keep some things secret, like your time here," Yoichi instructed.
Rin, influenced by the Sage Seal and her time spent with Yoichi, was very obedient, almost to the point of blind loyalty.
"I understand, Yoichi-sensei. I'll follow your instructions," Rin assured him. However, she realized she might not get to spend as much time alone with Yoichi once she left.
"Yoichi-sensei, can I still come to you for ninjutsu lessons?" she asked hesitantly.
Yoichi smiled, patting her short auburn hair. "Of course, you're already my student."
Rin's face lit up with joy, but she quickly asked, "Then, can I give you a massage now? It might be my last chance for a while."
Yoichi initially wanted to refuse but remembered how enjoyable her medical ninjutsu massage was last time. "Alright, Rin. I'd appreciate that."
"Yoichi-sensei, follow me," Rin said boldly, grabbing his sleeve. She wouldn't have dared to do this outside, but here, alone with him, and about to leave this private space, she felt braver.
She led him to her room and had him lie on her bed as she started the massage with medical ninjutsu. The soothing pressure on his muscles was immensely relaxing.
After a while, Rin, slightly sweaty, paused her medical ninjutsu but didn't stop entirely.
"Yoichi-sensei, it's time for the front now," she said quietly.
(End of Chapter)
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"Rin isn't dead!? Yoichi-kun, what's going on?" Sakumo's hands trembled when he saw Rin. Had it not been for his long practice of swordsmanship and meditation, he might have stood up in shock.
"Yes, Fourth Hokage, Rin was on the brink of death, but my ocular technique saved her. At that time, she was almost indistinguishable from a corpse and took a long time to regain consciousness," Yoichi explained. "If my ocular technique hadn't evolved, I wouldn't have been able to save her. Fortunately, it did, and I managed to bring her back."
"Also, there was more to Rin impaling herself on Kakashi's blade," Yoichi added.
Sakumo asked curiously, "More to it?"
"Yes, Fourth Hokage. I apologize for the guilt Kakashi has been carrying. I was cursed and couldn't take my own life. To prevent the Mist's plan to destroy the village, only Kakashi could kill me. I'm very sorry," Rin said, bowing slightly in apology. Sakumo quickly waved his hand, signaling her not to apologize.
"This is a true ninja of the village, willing to sacrifice herself to protect it. Such pure intent to protect the village deserves respect, not apology," Sakumo said solemnly. "If Kakashi blames you, I, as his father, will personally reprimand him!"
Kakashi had just entered the room when he heard his father talk about reprimanding him. Seeing who was inside, his eyes widened in shock.
"Rin? How—how are you here?" Kakashi stuttered.
"I'm sorry, Kakashi," Rin said, smiling at Kakashi as she explained what had happened.
Upon learning the truth, Kakashi felt a weight lift from his shoulders. "I'm just glad you're okay," he said softly.
"Sorry, Kakashi," Rin repeated.
"It's fine. We did it for the village. I'm just glad you're alright," Kakashi responded, his tone and actions mirroring his father's. He glanced at Yoichi with a mix of gratitude and reproach, wondering why Yoichi hadn't informed him earlier.
"Rin had some signs of life left, making her revival relatively easy. Reviving someone who's been dead for a long time would be much harder, especially if they're powerful," Yoichi explained, touching his eye. Reviving Nawaki had been challenging enough, as his ocular technique wasn't specialized for resurrection like the Rinne Tensei.
Orochimaru suddenly interjected, "Yoichi-kun, does that mean you've revived someone else?"
Yoichi smiled enigmatically but said nothing, leaving Orochimaru to wonder if the revival was someone significant to him.
Sakumo suspected Yoichi might have revived someone, but he chose not to press further, respecting the sensitivity of such matters. Knowing Rin was alive was enough.
"Resurrection is a sensitive topic. This will be classified as an S-rank secret. Orochimaru, Kakashi, no one must speak of this. As for Rin's status..." Sakumo felt conflicted about how to explain Rin's return.
Orochimaru suggested, "I have a jutsu that can alter her appearance. Rin can live in the village under a different identity. We can inform her close friends and have ANBU enforce secrecy."
Sakumo nodded. "That could work."
"Actually, there's no need for jutsu. Simple changes in appearance can make her unrecognizable. If she ties up her hair, removes her face paint, and alters some habits, no one will recognize her," Yoichi proposed. "Rin is officially dead, after all. Seeing someone who looks similar will just evoke memories."
After discussing for a while, they agreed on how to handle Rin's situation. Yoichi left a wood clone to handle village matters and then exited the Hokage building.
"Yoichi-senpai, thank you for saving Rin," Kakashi said, bowing deeply. Without Yoichi, he might have truly killed Rin. Although he did it for the village, the burden of killing a comrade was immense.
"Sorry, Kakashi, it was my rash decision," Rin said, trying to comfort him.
"Think nothing of it. Now you have no psychological burden. Train hard. Your potential surpasses your father's. You might even become the Sixth or Seventh Hokage," Yoichi encouraged. "Also, it's been a while since you visited. Feel free to come by. I've taken on some promising students, including Itachi, who's about your age."
"I'll visit in a few days," Kakashi agreed. "Rin, what will you do next?"
"I'll visit home first. Then I'll either continue studying medical ninjutsu with Mina-sensei or train with Yoichi-sensei," Rin replied, smiling.
"That's great. Yoichi-senpai, please take care of her," Kakashi said, relieved. "Rin, let me know if you need any help."
"I will," Rin responded.
After Kakashi left, he thought about celebrating with a meal of magical lamb, even bringing some for his father.
Rin and Yoichi walked together for a while before Rin shyly asked, "Yoichi-sensei, can I still come to your place to create medicine?"
"Of course. I've prepared tools for you. You can even take them home if you want."
Rin quickly shook her head. "It's better to use it at your place, Yoichi-sensei. My home isn't big enough. Plus, if I get tired, I can give you a 'massage'."
Remembering her boldness in the underground lab, Rin blushed but didn't mind the memory. She even found herself looking forward to it.
Reaching a crossroads, Rin and Yoichi parted ways. ANBU members followed Rin to explain her new identity to anyone who recognized her.
Upon returning to the Uchiha compound, Yoichi found Jiraiya and several others gathered, attracting attention from the clan members.
"What's going on?" Yoichi asked, surprised to see so many people.
"Yoichi-san, we're here with Kushina," Jiraiya explained, still bearing traces of sadness. "Kushina followed Mina here, and the sealing team, barrier team, and ANBU needed to accompany her. We waited for you before entering."
"Why is Kushina here instead of resting at home? Did Mina invite her?" Yoichi asked, puzzled.
"It seems Kushina suggested it," Jiraiya replied.
Yoichi still didn't understand Kushina's intentions but decided, "Jiraiya and two ANBU can accompany us. The sealing and barrier teams aren't needed. Mina can handle the Nine-Tails with her sealing techniques."
As they entered the compound, they found Kushina, Mina, and Mikoto sitting in the courtyard, with a sleeping Daichi the Bear nearby. Mina waved them over. (Changed the name of the bear. This one feels a lot better.)
"Yoichi-sama, you're back. And Jiraiya-sama, why didn't you come in earlier?" Mina asked.
"It wasn't convenient earlier, so I waited for Yoichi-san," Jiraiya explained, feeling somewhat awkward.
"Kushina, why are you here?" Yoichi asked directly.
"Jiraiya-sensei, you'll find out soon," Kushina replied, her expression calm.
"Yoichi-kun, I want to control the Nine-Tails' power. Please help me," Kushina pleaded.
Hearing Kushina's request, Yoichi, Mina, and Mikoto realized her intent. Jiraiya had guessed half correctly—Kushina wanted revenge, but she wanted to do it herself.
"Kushina, you shouldn't focus on revenge. Think about your child with Minato," Jiraiya advised. "Leave avenging Minato to the village. He wouldn't want you consumed by hatred."
Kushina shook her head. "Jiraiya-sensei, I want to avenge Minato myself. I have this immense power inside me, but I can't use it. Next time, it could be my child. Without power, I can't even protect Naruto."
"But Minato wouldn't want—" Jiraiya began, but Yoichi interrupted.
"Revenge is justified, and I support you. This world isn't about forgiveness; forgiveness disrespects the victims. No one can forgive on someone else's behalf," Yoichi said firmly. "But take your time. We can deal with it once you're settled. My ocular power needs years to recover anyway."
Mina was surprised. "I can help too, Yoichi-sama?"
"Yes, your Adamantine Sealing Chains can control the Nine-Tails. Don't underestimate yourself," Yoichi encouraged her.
After discussing further, Mina invited Kushina to stay for dinner. Yoichi stepped outside to send Jiraiya and the ANBU away, not wanting them lingering around his home.
Before leaving, Jiraiya said, "Yoichi, you shouldn't encourage Kushina's revenge. It's unhealthy for her. She has Naruto to think about."
"Don't decide for others or impose your beliefs on them. If you can convince the Hidden Cloud to abandon their grudges, I'll accept your perspective," Yoichi retorted. "This could have been avoided by eliminating the Rinnegan earlier or not competing with me over how many ninjas must die. Does it satisfy you, Jiraiya? Is Nagato more important than the others?"
"You—" Jiraiya's face turned pale with anger, but he couldn't challenge Yoichi, who was far stronger.
As Yoichi walked back, Jiraiya left, consumed by guilt and sorrow. "Minato, I'm sorry. It's all my fault."
(End of Chapter)
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