Gazing into the future, all that lay ahead was chaos.
Would Shimizu Uchiha truly refrain from pushing his luck any further?
Nohara Rin didn't know.
Her body had betrayed her beyond her control—a helpless fact she couldn't deny.
Yet looking back, there was nothing but emptiness behind her.
She no longer had anywhere to retreat, did she?
If Kakashi found out about this, how would he see her?
The moment Nohara Rin imagined that outcome, she felt the cruel weight of the shinobi world pressing down on her.
Was this the fate a ninja was destined to bear?
Tears welled up in Nohara Rin's eyes in an instant, spilling over and falling like a kite with its string severed.
"Eh? Eh? Rin, why are you crying?!"
Obito scrambled in a flustered panic.
He had no idea why Nohara Rin, who had been speaking perfectly fine just moments ago, suddenly burst into tears.
His head was spinning.
Obito couldn't stand seeing a woman cry—especially not Nohara Rin.
"Rin, if something's bothering you, you can tell me. I don't know what's going on, but we can face it together."
Nohara Rin only shook her head gently.
How could Obito possibly understand her pain?
If he ever found out that she had resorted to such methods to secure a chance for his treatment, he might turn around and curse her—call her shameless, a disgraceful woman.
After all, this world placed great value on chastity.
Female shinobi might take on espionage missions requiring infiltration, but in truth, they were deeply conservative about such matters.
There were even special classes on feminine virtue, teaching kunoichi the qualities of an exemplary woman—how, if they married, they should aspire to be the ideal Yamato Nadeshiko.
The Uchiha were one of the most prominent clans, and Nohara Rin wasn't sure how their family upbringing worked.
But she imagined it must be strict.
"Obito, I'm crying because there's finally hope for a full recovery. I'm so happy—overwhelmed with joy."
Having told one lie before, the second came far more easily.
Nohara Rin effortlessly crafted an excuse to deceive Obito.
"From now on, just focus on working hard to become Hokage, Obito," she said.
"Don't worry, Rin! I'll definitely become Hokage—I'll show you!"
Obito's heart swelled with emotion at her words. He flashed her a thumbs-up, revealing a wide, toothy grin.
So, he held such an important place in Rin's heart?
It seemed all her daily concern for that jerk Kakashi was just a facade.
The one Rin truly cared about was him—Uchiha Obito!
"Rin, it's getting late. Let me walk you back."
"No need. You should rest."
Rin declined Obito's offer.
She stepped alone into the darkness, her figure looking frail and solitary beneath the night sky.
Watching her go, Obito felt a pang of heartache.
Rin had chosen to walk home alone so he could rest more.
He clenched his fists, his eyes blazing with fervent determination.
"Rin, wait for me. Wait for the day I can protect you," he murmured.
…
A few days later.
At the sausage shop on Konohagakure's main street.
"Yuhi, I've got some juicy gossip for you—reliable source," Sarutobi Asuma said with a gossipy grin, taking a bite of his sausage as he spoke to Yuhi Kurenai.
"What gossip?"
Kurenai frowned slightly, watching Asuma eat messily, grease dripping onto the stubble around his chin. She felt a twinge of distaste.
She wasn't sure why, but the older Sarutobi Asuma got, the less he resembled the boy he once was.
Still young, yet already sporting a ring of facial hair.
At first glance, it wasn't noticeable, but up close, you could see that faint fuzz.
She could only imagine how thick that beard would grow when he was older.
"You're gonna be shocked."
"What could Shimizu possibly do to shock us?"
Kurenai crossed her arms, curious to hear what rumor Asuma had dug up.
It was a day off, and she'd been at home studying the genjutsu scrolls Shimizu had left her.
Asuma had come by, inviting her out.
She hadn't wanted to go at first, but when he mentioned it had something to do with Shimizu, her curiosity got the better of her, and she tagged along.
Yet Asuma was hemming and hawing, unable to spit it out.
Kurenai started to wonder if she'd been tricked—maybe Asuma just wanted her company.
If he weren't the Hokage's son and her teammate, she'd have walked away without a second thought.
"You're not about to say Shimizu healed Obito, are you? Everyone already knows that," Kurenai said suspiciously.
"Heh, no, no, definitely not. How could it be something so obvious?"
Asuma chuckled, glancing around to ensure no one was eavesdropping.
He leaned in slightly, shielding his mouth with the back of his hand, and whispered, "I heard Shimizu and Nohara Rin have some kind of shady relationship. We might be attending Shimizu's wedding sooner than we think."
Asuma's excitement bubbled over.
Shimizu was truly his best friend—pulling off something this earth-shattering without a word.
While Asuma was still struggling to win over Kurenai, Shimizu might've already locked down Nohara Rin. In the romance department, he was leagues ahead.
Nohara Rin was, after all, one of the class beauties. Paired with Shimizu, it was a power couple in the making.
"Seems like Rin used to like Kakashi, but Shimizu swooped in and stole her heart. That guy's got some serious moves."
The more Asuma talked, the more fired up he got. He should ask Shimizu to take him under his wing—teach him a trick or two. The benefits could be endless.
But in stark contrast, Kurenai's expression darkened as she listened, a dangerous glint flickering in her eyes.
"Uh… Yuhi, what's with that look?"
Asuma took another bite of his sausage, unnerved by Kurenai's stare.
Did she doubt his intel and think he was messing with her?
He quickly added, "The source is rock-solid. Tekka slipped up and told Inuzuka Shi, who told me. Tekka's one of Shimizu's clansmen—he wouldn't make this up."
Asuma nodded confidently. He'd even seen Nohara Rin heading to the Uchiha compound a few times himself.
She definitely wasn't there for Obito—it had to be Shimizu.
Both being medical ninja, Rin was probably consulting Shimizu about healing techniques.
Shimizu's recent success in curing Obito only proved how skilled he was—a perfect piece of evidence for Asuma's theory.
"What nonsense!"
Obito stormed over, fuming.
He was grateful Shimizu had healed him and had slightly warmed up to the guy.
But when it came to Nohara Rin, that was a line no one could cross!
Spreading rumors like this—what if it caused trouble for Rin?
If anyone was going to be paired with her, it should be him and Rin. They were the obvious match!
"Ahaha, I didn't say anything!"
--
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