Understanding women is an enigma.
Obito was finally getting it – chasing after a girl wasn't easy.
Rin... didn't like Kakashi.
Could it be she liked Teacher Minato? But Rin, you and Teacher Minato are impossible!
Because Rin had gently rejected him, Obito felt quite flustered, and his mind started racing with wild thoughts.
"It's getting late, Obito. I'm going to pay the bill…"
Nohara Rin stood up and immediately headed for the counter.
Obito remained seated, dumbfounded.
Seeing Obito looking somewhat lost, Kakashi couldn't help but frown. "What's wrong?"
----
The night was deep. Nohara Rin said goodbye to Kakashi and Obito.
As Obito and Kakashi walked home, Kakashi couldn't help but ask about the matter between Obito and Rin.
"I don't know either…"
Obito scratched his head, unable to understand Rin's true feelings.
As the childhood trio grew up, things started to change.
In the process of growing up, people gain things, and also lose things…
Obito only felt a faint pain in his heart.
Because the girl he liked didn't like him, only treating him as a comrade.
Rin… Rin…
"In that case, Obito, you have to be open-minded. After all… these things can't be forced…"
Ever since giving up the idea of competing with Obito for Rin, Kakashi had grown more philosophical by the day.
Especially in matters of love.
Like Guy, shouting about hot blood and youth every day might be a good choice…
If you can't achieve success in love, you can in your career.
"Obito, the Uchiha clan currently lacks a leader. With your talent, leading your compatriots shouldn't be a problem…"
Kakashi couldn't help but sigh at the vicissitudes of life.
That once-underachieving Obito had finally turned the tables into a strong comrade that could be relied upon.
Therefore, matters of love could wait.
"Once you become the leader of the Uchiha, maybe Rin will change her mind…"
Out of kindness, Kakashi added.
Obito grasped at it as if it were a lifeline, nodding desperately.
He decided to first become the captain of the Military Police Force, occupy a high position, and then express his feelings to Rin again.
After all, they were still young. Even if Rin liked someone, it's not like she could do anything with him…
"We're still young…"
Obito consoled himself.
But he didn't know that the only thing separating Nohara Rin and that person was just a hair's breadth away…
----
Nohara Rin, on the other hand, didn't go home, but went straight to Sarutobi Ryo's residence.
Hyuga Ruri's due date was in these few days.
And just as she had arrived for a follow-up examination, labor had begun.
That night, several people began busying about at Sarutobi Ryo's mansion.
Sarutobi Ryo sat in the Living Room.
Nohara Rin helped induce labor.
Time slowly passed, and after a long labor, with the cry of a baby, Neji was born.
Looking at the little baby being held out, the corners of Sarutobi Ryo's mouth couldn't help but curve up slightly.
Nohara Rin thought Sarutobi Ryo was happy because he had a son.
In fact, that was only one aspect.
Sarutobi Ryo was even happier that he had changed Neji's fate.
Hyuga Hiashi had been imprisoned for nearly ten months.
Hyuga Hizashi was firmly seated in the position of Hyuga Clan Head, and there were indeed many Hyuga babies born in the past year.
The clansmen all knew that the Caged Bird Seal would likely end here.
The entire Hyuga Clan's fate had therefore embarked on a different path.
"Young Master Ryo, congratulations…" Nohara Rin said with a hint of envy.
Looking at the baby's appearance, although he was still small at birth, he was already quite adorable.
When he grew up, he would definitely become a handsome young man.
And those white eyes inherited Ruri's traits, possessing the same Kekkei Genkai.
This indicated that he could inherit the skills of the Gentle Fist.
"Rin, thank you for your hard work…"
Sarutobi Ryo reached out and gently patted Nohara Rin on the shoulder.
Yamanaka Hui held the baby, her face beaming with joy. As time passed, she realized that she didn't seem to dislike children very much: "Young Master, look how cute Neji is…"
Yamanaka Hui coaxed the baby, as if it were her own child.
Afterward, the three entered the bedroom.
Hyuga Ruri was somewhat weak. Looking at the child placed beside her pillow, a rare smile appeared on her face.
Fate… had finally changed…
Even if she had the Caged Bird Seal on her forehead, Neji's fate was now on a path to freedom.
"Ruri, you rest well…"
Sarutobi Ryo sat by the bed, accompanying her.
From childhood to adulthood, through thick and thin…
----
Time gradually came to midnight.
The clock struck 12.
Ruri and Neji fell asleep.
Sarutobi Ryo instructed Yamanaka Hui to help watch over them, then he and Nohara Rin left.
Stepping out of the Living Room and into the Courtyard outside.
The sky was full of stars, shining brightly.
The moonlight shone down, and Nohara Rin's expression was complicated.
Sarutobi Ryo looked at the sky, then looked at the girl beside him: "Rin, I haven't given you a gift for being promoted to Jonin yet…"
Sarutobi Ryo's eyes were burning, seeing through Nohara Rin's thoughts at a glance.
The time was right for certain things. Many things can't be rushed; like eating, things must be done step by step.
For Nohara Rin, it had reached a certain critical point.
This bite is meaningful because of all the bites before it.
Sarutobi Ryo sized up Nohara Rin, whose eyes widened slightly, quickly realizing Sarutobi Ryo's meaning.
"Rin, I'll take you home first…"
Sarutobi Ryo indicated that he would first take Nohara Rin home, and then…
"Okay…"
Nohara Rin lowered her head, her voice barely audible.
Her face was slightly red, and an unimaginable joy surged in her heart.
Her breath trembled slightly, and she couldn't help but look forward to what would happen next.
Soon, the two walked onto the night road.
They walked side by side in silence.
Because it was Late Night, they weren't entirely alone.
Because he was rejected by Rin, and couldn't sleep all night, Obito started training late at night.
He ran in circles around Konoha, running back and forth.
And coincidentally, he saw this scene.
The so-called dictates of fate.
Some things, no matter how much they are changed, will reappear in strange ways.
Although the nature will become completely different…
Sweating profusely, Obito stopped and looked down from the rooftop at the two walking on the Street.
He couldn't help but feel puzzled.
Why would Rin be walking with Young Master Ryo in the middle of the night?
Could it be an Anbu mission?
Obito didn't know about Ruri's childbirth, and Nohara Rin wasn't a talkative person.
So he began to speculate about it.
*
**
***
[T/N:
Final Total Power Stone Collection : 251 PS
Goal : Reach +50 Total PS = +2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
Want to support my work and get early access to chapters? Check out my Patreon! 👇
➡️ patreon.com/Boundless_Beacon
]