Chapter 43: The Master Meets His Disciple's Disciple
"Gutsuei Shunpo: Kyoku(Ultimate)!"
Shuaa—!
Their figures vanished soundlessly.
When they reappeared, they were already deep within the Land of Fire—so deep that the towering gates of Konohagakure were almost within reach.
With that single shunshin, she had crossed nearly half the country.
But such a feat came with a merciless price. The the massive amount of chakra she had just absorbed was instantly depleted, even overdrawing her own life force. Before she could even land, Rin's vision went black, and she collapsed unconscious midair.
In the heart of the Land of Fire, beneath the invisible ripples of distorted space, two blood-covered figures were spat out.
Rin's awareness floated in darkness, faintly catching the sound of blurred voices by her ear.
"This forehead protector… she's one of ours!"
"Isn't this Rin? How did she get injured like this?"
"Quick! Send her back to Konoha immediately!"
"Who's that orange-haired man?"
"Don't worry about that for now—bring both of them back!"
She wanted to open her eyes, but found she didn't even have the strength to lift her eyelids. The cost of overdrawing her life force was far more severe than she had imagined—every cell in her body felt as if it were crying out in pain.
The last thing she remembered was forcibly activating a long-range shunshin technique with Yahiko in tow, and the agonizing pain as if her blood vessels had exploded.
She didn't know how much time had passed, but eventually, a thin sliver of light reached her. With great difficulty, she pried her eyes open—what met her gaze was the familiar ceiling of Konoha's hospital. Pale green paint… and in the corner, a fine crack she had noticed the last time she was hospitalized.
"Awake?"
A gentle female voice came from beside her. Rin slowly turned her stiff neck and saw Kobayashi Riko peeling an apple.
"How long… was I unconscious?" Rin's voice was so hoarse it was almost frightening.
"Three days." Kobayashi Riko handed her a cup of warm water. "You've severely overdrawn your chakra reserves—cell damage has reached forty percent. If it weren't for your own strong recovery ability, you wouldn't even be waking up right now!"
Rin took the cup, letting the warmth soothe her cracked throat. She immediately thought of something far more important.
"The Ame-nin who was brought back with me—"
"In the next room. His injuries aren't as bad as yours." Kobayashi Riko's expression suddenly turned serious. "The Hokage-sama ordered that as soon as you wake up, you are to tell him everything. Prepare yourself—he should be on his way here now."
"Mm."
Sure enough, Sarutobi Hiruzen soon put aside his official duties to come over. After all, for a shinobi from the frontlines to suddenly appear heavily injured in the Land of Fire's interior—especially when that shinobi was his own disciple—he knew at once that something significant must have happened.
"Old… sensei…" Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen arrive, Rin didn't get up, only gave an awkward smile and greeted him.
"Hmph, at least you still remember this old man is your teacher?" Hiruzen snorted. "I got word that you were clearly in Uzuki Town tending to civilians—so what happened that left you gravely injured and carrying an Ame-nin all the way here? I didn't even dare inform Kenichi yet!"
As he spoke, his expression grew stern.
"Tell me—why did you risk your life to save an Ame-nin?"
Rin drew in a deep breath, then recounted the words Yahiko had said before losing consciousness, along with her own deductions. Hiruzen listened quietly, nodding from time to time.
"…So I believe someone is trying to provoke a conflict between Hanzō and Konoha," Rin concluded. "This Ame-nin must have been hunted down because he holds critical evidence."
She didn't mention Akatsuki, Nagato, or Uchiha Madara—those were things she shouldn't know.
Hiruzen was silent for a moment, then suddenly reached out to ruffle Rin's hair.
"You… still so reckless," he said, his tone a mix of helplessness and fondness. "Next time something like this happens, remember to contact the village first."
Rin lowered her head, putting on an expression of remorse.
But to Hiruzen, that look was all too familiar—this was the "I know I was wrong, but I won't change" face.
"Sorry, sensei. The situation was too urgent… I didn't think too much. The rest of the medical unit is still in Uzuki Town."
"I know." What could Hiruzen do? He could only sigh. "I've already sent people to retrieve Nichisa and the rest of the medical team. As for that Ame-nin…" He rose to his feet. "When he wakes up, I'll speak with him personally."
Just then, the door opened, and a medical-nin stepped inside to report:
"Hokage-sama, the Ame-nin has regained consciousness! He's asking to see Hanabuchi Rin!"
Hiruzen and Rin exchanged a glance.
"I'll go too." Rin struggled to get out of bed.
"Stay put." Hiruzen pressed her back down. "Your condition—fine. Bring him here instead."
Rin: "?"
"…Why not just wheel me over?"
What's with this old man? Acting all considerate for no reason?
If Hiruzen knew what she was thinking, he'd feel deeply wronged.
It was true—at first he had taken Rin as his disciple simply because it was convenient to observe her up close. But after that, his guidance had been wholehearted, without holding anything back. Especially after noticing Rin's wariness toward Konoha, he'd connected it to Danzō having sought her out privately, assuming that was what had made her guarded. He had repeatedly warned Danzō to stay away from her.
All of this was because Hiruzen had long since seen through Rin's nature, and so had put his doubts to rest.
In his eyes, Hanabuchi Rin was simply a child who thought in an adult's way. He didn't quite understand why why she seemed to hold a certain grudge toward Konoha, but he believed that with time—and with the bonds of master and disciple, as well as her bonds with fellow villagers—she would eventually accept the village. Her outwardly cold, seemingly heartless demeanor, but truly loyal and straightforward nature, made Hiruzen feel at ease.
In fact, there were even times when he watched her putting on an act in front of him with that smug look of hers and felt amused. One had to admit—when you get old, you find a certain joy in the antics of the younger generation.
What Rin herself failed to notice was that she was becoming increasingly casual in her interactions with Hiruzen. She would demand to learn any jutsu she wanted, and do anything she set her mind to. Although she had held prejudices against Sarutobi Hiruzen at first——thanks to countless fan theories painting him as hypocritical and manipulative——his lenient treatment over the years had gradually made her lower her guard, though she was unaware of it herself.
In the next room, an orange-haired man was leaning against the bed's headboard, scanning his surroundings warily. When Rin was wheeled in, his eyes visibly relaxed.
"Thank you for saving me." Yahiko's voice was still weak.
Rin nodded.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'll manage." Yahiko gave a wry smile, then his tone turned serious. "I am the leader of the Akatsuki of the Land of Rain, and also a disciple of Jiraiya-sensei. You can verify this with Jiraiya-sensei. What I'm about to say is of great importance—could you please have Konoha's Hokage-sama come here?"
"No need, I'm already here. Young man, whatever information you have, speak freely."
Hearing the voice from behind her, Rin rolled her eyes. This old man—obviously standing outside the whole time, but he just had to wait until they called for him to come in.
Hiruzen entered the room, nodding politely at Yahiko—while inwardly cursing Jiraiya up and down. Taking on a disciple and then not looking after him? What a damn fool.
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