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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)