The Hokage Tower seemed lit only at the Hokage's office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood, opened the window to clear the smoke, then turned, smiling kindly at Nohara Rin.
"What, don't recognize this old geezer?"
Rin shook her head, bowing respectfully. "Third Hokage, sir."
She'd learned the Fourth Hokage died. She hadn't expected Konoha to face a Tailed Beast attack even after her death.
And the Third Hokage… looked much older.
"Congratulations on reclaiming life," Sarutobi said, stepping past his desk, suddenly bowing slightly to Rin.
"Lord Hokage!" Rin's sharp, girlish cry rang out.
She raised her hands, unsure what to do, flustered.
The Third Hokage bowing to a little girl like her?
"You earned this," Sarutobi said, straightening, his face earnest. "I heard from Kakashi what you did. You gave your young life without hesitation to shield Konoha from a Tailed Beast. As Hokage, I must thank you, on the village's behalf, for your sacrifice and will."
"Lord Hokage…" Rin's face flushed. "I… I just did what any ninja would. It's nothing special…"
To Rin, it wasn't praiseworthy.
In war, countless ninjas died for Konoha.
She was just one, insignificant.
She hadn't saved many, nearly brought disaster.
"Heh," Sarutobi chuckled. "With juniors like you, I can retire easy."
"Lord Hokage…" Rin's eyes reddened, touched.
"Lord Hokage," Kakashi said softly, his usual nonchalance tinged with something more. "I'm here about Rin's identity. A dead person revived—should this spread in the village?"
Shen Mo's words had warned him.
Rin was an ordinary girl.
No great talent, no deep background.
If she carried darkness, war, conspiracies… her revived status might be the draw. If word spread, foreign ninjas and shadowy groups would target her.
"Right," Sarutobi nodded, sighing. "Revival's secret is too tempting."
Kakashi stayed silent.
He'd said his piece.
The rest was the Hokage's call, as it had been for years.
But—
Sarutobi glanced at Kakashi, sensing a shift.
His eyes.
Once scattered, now focused.
Indeed…
A ninja's true strength shines when protecting their most cherished.
Sarutobi took a slow drag. "I looked into that mysterious merchant. He hasn't visited other villages yet, so he's new to our world. Until his presence spreads, Rin's identity should stay hidden."
Kakashi nodded.
He agreed.
At least until the merchant was common knowledge, drawing eyes. Then, no one would focus on a lowly revived genin.
"And your two students," Sarutobi added, a bit helpless. "Naruto's fine, but Sasuke… his power and mindset, unguided, could lead him astray."
Kakashi nodded again.
He worried about Sasuke.
The boy's hatred was deep. For power, he'd easily veer dark, especially so young and naive.
"So, I've got a mission for Team 7," Sarutobi said, handing Kakashi a scroll from his desk. "Simple: escort someone to the Land of Waves. While there, set up a solid identity for Rin. Say… she's your adopted daughter from there. People'll think it's just her resemblance to Rin."
"Adopted… daughter?" Kakashi and Rin yelped in unison.
Sarutobi looked at them, puzzled, then laughed. "Guess I'm really old. Sworn sister works too. It's just a public cover, same difference."
"Sworn sister, then," Kakashi said, rubbing his hair, sheepish. "Rin and I are peers, after all."
Rin's face seemed to redden slightly.
"Come for the mission tomorrow," Sarutobi said, waving, his warm smile steady. "Keep it low-key on the road."
"Yes, sir!" Kakashi replied.
After they left, Sarutobi glanced out the window.
A figure darted into the darkness, swift.
His eyes held a trace of worry.
The Hokage's office burned bright all night.
Elsewhere…
After Kakashi and Rin left, Shen Mo turned to Tsunade and the others, grinning. "No business, so I'll head out."
Just a day and night.
Yet it felt like ages.
He wanted a good sleep.
"Oh? Got a place to rest?" Tsunade eyed Shen Mo, lips pursed, arms crossed, casual-like. "If not, crash at my place. I wanna know more about Paladins anyway."
Unlike last night's offer…
This was a real invite.
Having witnessed revival, Tsunade's heart still buzzed with the thrill of miracles. And more.
Today was overwhelming.
Her biggest shift: becoming a Paladin.
The Holy Light trial transformed her soul. Past despair and turmoil vanished, leaving unprecedented ease and hope.
She did want Paladin info, but more—
Tsunade was curious about, and reliant on, Shen Mo and his mysterious cans.
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