"I'll definitely come and visit in a couple of days," Kakashi promised, then asked Nohara Rin, ".....what are you planning to do next?"
He originally wanted to call Rin's name but remembered that he must be careful not to call her Rin anymore, so he just asked directly.
Nohara Rin smiled and said, "I'll go home and take a look first. Maybe I'll continue learning Medical Ninjutsu from Teacher Minami, or train with Teacher Yoichi... Kakashi, Teacher Yoichi has accepted me as a student."
"Is that so? That's really wonderful. Yoichi-senpai, Nohara, I entrust her to you."
Upon hearing this, Kakashi breathed a sigh of relief. Uzumaki Minami and Uchiha Yoichi basically count as some of the strongest people in Konoha Village. To become their student... just look at those three with Yuhi Kurenai.
A single Sage Mode makes their powers quite a challenge even for Kakashi.
"I'll be heading back now, Nohara. If you need help, come find me."
"Sure, I know."
After Kakashi finished speaking, he left. Today, his father suddenly summoned him over, and he thought there was some mission to be assigned to him... but knowing Nohara Rin is still alive is good news for him.
Let's have roasted Magic Lamb today and bring some to my father.
As Kakashi headed home, he thought of this and sped up his pace.
Nohara Rin's home is on the other side, so she'll have to travel with Uchiha Yoichi for a while on the way back.
After walking for a while, Nohara Rin slightly bowed her head and asked, "Teacher Yoichi, can I still come to your place for alchemy?"
"Of course you can. The Alchemy Furnace has been prepared for you. You can even take it away with you; it's custom-made for you, after all..."
Upon hearing this, Nohara Rin quickly shook her head and said, "I'd prefer to come to your place, Teacher Yoichi. I can't fit something that big at home... and if I get tired from alchemy, I can give you a massage, Teacher Yoichi..."
Thinking back to her boldness in the underground Alchemy Room, Nohara Rin still feels a bit dizzy, but every time she recalls, she finds she doesn't dislike it.
That feeling back then was great. However, Nohara Rin suddenly remembered, when sitting facing Teacher Yoichi, the hardness under her seems different?
She doesn't dislike it, even feels a bit of anticipation, so she couldn't help but ask quietly.
Nohara Rin's last words were very, very soft, yet Uchiha Yoichi still heard them.
"....if there's time."
Uchiha Yoichi initially intended to sternly refuse, but the words changed as they left his mouth; he had always avoided indulgence, but recently he had been increasingly immersed in it.
After reaching a junction, Nohara Rin and Uchiha Yoichi parted ways. At this time, two Anbu followed her to offer explanations and support to Nohara Rin, as Anbu represents the Hokage.
When Uchiha Yoichi arrived at the entrance of his clan's area, he suddenly found Jiraiya there, and it seemed he wasn't alone.
Though there weren't any Security Team members blocking them, Jiraiya being there had already attracted quite a few people's attention, especially clansmen entering and leaving.
"What's happening?"
Uchiha Yoichi stepped forward to inquire, he had only gone out for a while, and upon returning, he found so many people.
"Mr. Yoichi, we followed Kushina here..."
Upon seeing Uchiha Yoichi return, Jiraiya explained; although there's still lingering sorrow on his face, he chose to speak of pressing matters first.
"Kushina came over with Ms. Minami just now, and the Sealing Team, Barrier Team, and Anbu need to follow, but with so many people entering, they wanted to inform you first, so we're waiting here for your return..."
After hearing this, Uchiha Yoichi frowned and asked, "Why isn't Kushina resting well at home, what's she doing at my place? Did Minami invite her?"
"It seems... Kushina brought it up herself."
"Hmm?"
Uchiha Yoichi couldn't figure out what Kushina wanted to do but still said, "Just you and two Anbu can follow. The Sealing Team and Barrier Team don't need to come in. With Minami there, her Sealing Technique can control the Nine-tailed."
After he finished, he headed toward the clan's area. Seeing Uchiha Yoichi speaking so decisively, Jiraiya reluctantly gestured to the Anbu and then followed him.
When Jiraiya entered with Uchiha Yoichi, he happened to see Kushina, Minami, and Mikota sitting in the courtyard, beside them was the sleeping Earth Bear; this silly bear had been prowling at night recently, not sure what it was up to.
Upon seeing the people at the entrance, Uzumaki Minami waved directly and said, "Lord Yoichi, you're back... and Master Jiraiya, why didn't you come in just now?"
"It wasn't very convenient just now, but it's better to follow Mr. Yoichi now."
Jiraiya spoke awkwardly; his relationship with Uchiha Yoichi was average, even hardly good, currently maintained only by superficial ties within the village.
He had already prepared to be refused, but didn't expect Uchiha Yoichi to agree.
"Kushina, you came here for...."
"Teacher Jiraiya, you'll know in a moment."
Kushina said, her face showed no sign of sorrow, maybe she had grieved enough at night, otherwise Minami wouldn't have stayed with her all night.
"Mr. Yoichi, I want to control the power of the Nine-tailed, I hope you can help me, please."
Upon hearing Kushina's plea, Uchiha Yoichi, Uzumaki Minami, and Mikota all had guesses in their hearts, Jiraiya guessed half right, he thought Kushina came to Uchiha Yoichi for revenge.
But didn't expect Kushina wanted to take revenge personally.
"Kushina, it's best not to think about revenge anymore. You should focus more on your and Minato's child...."
Upon hearing this, Jiraiya hesitated for a moment and still advised, "Leave Minato's revenge to the village, Minato wouldn't want you to live in hatred."
Kushina shook her head and said, "Teacher Jiraiya, I want to avenge Minato personally, there's such a strong power inside me yet I can't use it... this time it was Minato, next time it could be Minato's child, without power, I might not even be able to protect Naruto."
"But Minato wouldn't hope for...."
Jiraiya spoke anxiously, wanting to take over the hatred himself or have the village handle it, Kushina going would be too dangerous.
But before he finished speaking, Uchiha Yoichi interrupted and said, "There's no problem with revenge, I support your thinking, this world doesn't have that much forgiveness. Forgiveness is disrespectful to victims; no one can forgive on behalf of someone else."
"However, you don't need to think that way recently. Wait until you're settled, and my Pupil Power is overused and needs several years to recover."
Uchiha Yoichi paused after saying this, then continued, "At that time, Minami can assist you too, her Vajra Seal can also restrain the Nine-tailed...."
Uzumaki Minami, hearing this, asked in surprise, "I can too, Lord Yoichi?"
"When the time comes, try your Vajra Seal and you'll know, don't underestimate your abilities..."
Once the matter was discussed, Minami invited Kushina to stay for dinner, and Uchiha Yoichi went outside to prepare to have Jiraiya and the Anbu leave.
He didn't want anyone lingering around his house, it felt uncomfortable; and the current Hokage is Hatake Sakumo, not Sarutobi Hiruzen, he didn't believe Uchiha would harm the Nine-tailed Jinchuriki.
But before Jiraiya left he said, "Uchiha Yoichi, you shouldn't encourage Kushina to continue to seek revenge, immersing herself in vengeance doesn't benefit her, she still has Naruto....."
"Don't make decisions for others casually, and don't use your thoughts to force acceptance on others. It's laughable; if you can convince Hidden Cloud Village to abandon their hatred, I'll recognize your reasoning."
Uchiha Yoichi interrupted Jiraiya's words, continuing, "This matter could have been avoided when the Rinnegan was weak and it was killed off, or during the second mission and not competing with me... How many Ninjas in the village must die before Jiraiya Jonin is satisfied? Is Nagato your student but others aren't?"
"You...."
Jiraiya's face turned white; hearing these words brought an endless anger.
But the person before him was Uchiha Yoichi, he couldn't act, nor was he able to.
Only after Uchiha Yoichi returned did Jiraiya, looking very troubled, turn and leave.
As he walked, self-blame and sorrow took over..... it could have been avoided, but all because of him.
"Minato, sorry, it's all my fault...."