Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Rin’s struggle

"If you insist on thanking me, why not join our organization? We'd all be comrades then, and helping each other would just be second nature." Byakuya said, extending his offer.

Kakashi, Obito, and Rin were speechless. This invitation to switch sides was outrageous! Forget the fact that defecting was a serious offense, even if they were considering it, the Land of Rain wouldn't be their destination.

Konohagakure, the very first ninja village, towered over the Hidden Rain Village in every aspect.

After a stunned silence, Kakashi spoke, a hint of helplessness in his voice. "Captain Byakuya, you can't be serious. We would never dream of leaving the village. There are people here we can't abandon. But if you ever decide to visit Konoha, we'd be happy to have you."

Obito chimed in, his voice brimming with youthful ambition, "By then, maybe I'll even be Hokage!"

"Hokage, huh? And these precious people you can't leave behind?" Byakuya mused, his gaze lingering on Kakashi and the others, "Well, I wish you all the best in achieving your dreams. But remember, if things ever go south in Konoha, my door is always open. I have a soft spot for the lost and lonely."

With a final wave, Byakuya turned and headed back towards the Land of Rain, leaving Kakashi and his team to ponder his bizarre proposition.

After they left the neighboring Iwagakure, Nagato voiced his confusion, "Byakuya, why help those Konoha ninja? They aren't exactly our comrades."

For an ordinary person in need, Nagato wouldn't hesitate to lend a hand. But when it came to ninja skirmishes, especially involving Konoha, Nagato faltered. Konoha ninja were responsible for his parents' deaths, the very reason he ended up in the orphanage.

Yet, Jiraiya, who offered him warmth like a father figure, also hailed from Konoha. Even with his newfound allegiance to Yahiko's ideals, Nagato could only manage indifference towards Konoha ninja at best.

Byakuya offered a cryptic explanation, "Their identities, of course. Kakashi and Obito are students of Minato Namikaze, a senior Konoha ninja, and Minato's teacher is Jiraiya. He is one of the three legendary Sannin. Helping them this time wouldn't be a bad investment if it gets us closer to Jiraiya."

Nagato and Konan exchanged a peculiar look after hearing Byakuya's reasoning. They desperately wanted to tell him the bigshot he was referring to was their own sensei for three years, and even the birth of Akatsuki was linked to Jiraiya's ideals.

However, this unexpected encounter established a strange connection between them and Kakashi's team. In terms of hierarchy, they practically became these youngsters' uncles.

Byakuya, noticing their peculiar expressions, realized he'd bungled things this time. As a reincarnator, he possessed a vast knowledge base, but wielding that information effectively proved to be a constant headache.

…

As Byakuya's form dwindled into the distance, Kakashi finally allowed himself to relax. He was undeniably grateful for Byakuya's intervention, but the immense disparity in power had kept him on edge.

Every step had been fraught with tension, the constant worry of a misstep that could ignite a conflict gnawing at him.

Thankfully, Byakuya seemed to be jesting with his offer, not forcing their defection. Otherwise, in their weakened state, they would have been forced to feign agreement, navigating the situation with cautious steps.

Kakashi let out a weary sigh, his fingers brushing against the covered eye patch.

Leading Obito and Rin towards the Land of Fire, his primary focus was finding a place to rest. After hours of travel, they finally reached the familiar sight of the Konoha camp, a haven for weary souls.

Rin retrieved the medical kit and tossed bandages to Obito, allowing him to self-tend to his wounds, before turning her attention to Kakashi. A thorough examination led to a heavy sigh escaping her lips. "Kakashi, there's a strong possibility you might lose sight in your left eye permanently. It's all my fault. If I hadn't been captured..."

Kakashi tried to lighten the mood with a feigned nonchalance. "Just an eye," he muttered, his gaze flickering towards Obito. "No big deal. At least Obito awakened his Sharingan this time. Our team's strength isn't exactly crippled. Besides," he continued, his voice hardening slightly, "I don't want to be seen as a scum."

"In the ninja world those who break the rules and laws are regarded as scum, but those who would abandon even one of their friends are even worse than scum."

It was a lesson Kakashi himself had received from Obito. The weight of those words pressed down on Obito, his cheeks flushing a deep scarlet and he wanted to bury his face in bed.

Steeling his resolve, Obito blurted out a hasty proposition, "It's just one eye! I have this brand new Sharingan right here. Once we get back to the village, I'll transplant it to you!"

Kakashi, however, remained unfazed. He waved a dismissive hand. "Nah, forget it. I don't need your other eye. Even with one eye, I'm still a top-notch ninja in the village."

Their familiar bickering, a well-worn rhythm from their childhood days, filled the room.

However, Rin, the rescued teammate, couldn't shake off a disquieting feeling. Byakuya's words echoed in her mind: "People like you are not suitable to be ninjas. It is the best choice to live a plain life as an ordinary person."

Initially, she dismissed it as a passing comment. But after hearing Kakashi and Obito recount her capture, a seed of doubt sprouted within her. Here she was, surrounded by these exceptional ninja. Kakashi, the prodigy, had sacrificed an eye for her sake. Obito, once the weakest link, had faced down a jonin head-on. In contrast, Rin, the supposed medical support, remained a burden. Throughout their time away from the village, she had been shielded, never forced to take a life, never possessing the courage to even plunge a kunai into an enemy.

Lost in contemplation, Rin gazed at her teammates. With a deep breath, she finally spoke, "Kakashi, Obito, after everything that's happened, I realize I might not be cut out for this ninja life. When we return to the village, I plan to retire."

Obito's jaw dropped. "You're quitting? Quitting being a ninja?" Disbelief laced his voice as his eyes darted between Rin and Kakashi.

Rin offered a small nod. "Obito, Kakashi, I'm truly sorry. I can't continue to be a drag on this team. You deserve better teammates, ones who won't hold you back."

"But Rin, you're not a burden! I was the dead weight before," Obito stammered, his emotions a whirlwind.

Saving Rin had brought him joy, and he'd even offered his own eye as a replacement for Kakashi's. Yet, the news of her departure sent him reeling. He didn't know what to say.

Kakashi, on the other hand, remained outwardly calm. However, a flicker of uncertainty played across his features. Should he try to dissuade her from leaving?

Just then, the door creaked open, revealing a familiar blonde figure. "Kakashi, Obito, Rin," Minato apologized sheepishly, "I'm so sorry I'm late again."