Facing the puzzled looks of the two boys and the newly awakened girl, Shimizu had no intention of explaining the Hashirama cells or the Wood Release fusion serum.
"The existence of these things must not be told to anyone," Shimizu emphasized once more. "Remember—anyone."
After the joy of Rin's revival gradually settled, Obito finally began to realize what exactly the things Shimizu had given Rin represented.
They were objects capable of stirring bloody chaos throughout the entire shinobi world.
"So... does that mean I can use Wood Release now too?"
Rin asked curiously.
Shimizu thought for a moment before answering seriously.
"Although you've fused with Hashirama's cells, whether you'll actually be able to use Wood Release, and how much power you'll be able to draw from it, is still completely unknown."
"But if you continue training persistently, then one day, I believe you'll be able to use powerful Wood Release ninjutsu."
For example, Orochimaru, after several years of fusion and experimentation, should already possess Wood Release with a certain degree of combat capability by now.
"Shimizu-senpai, there's something I want to talk to you about," Rin suddenly said quietly.
Shimizu nodded.
Coincidentally, he also had something he wanted to discuss with Rin alone.
So he turned and walked off into the distance first.
Rin followed behind him.
"Eh? Rin, where are you going?"
"You should apologize properly to Kakashi first!"
"Oh... okay."
...
"Shimizu-senpai... did Tobi really lie to us?"
"Yes. It deceived you."
"But somehow... I still feel like maybe it had reasons it couldn't talk about?"
That mysterious White Zetsu—
Who knew what it had truly been thinking?
Even until death, it had never genuinely opened its heart.
Then Tobi's final apology resurfaced in Shimizu's mind, along with its refusal to explain why it had chosen not to kill Rin outright back then.
"It was never human to begin with. Judging it by human standards was unreasonable from the start."
"I guess that's true."
"There's no point dwelling on it anymore. It's dead now. You and Obito are safe. That's enough."
Perhaps Rin had formed some unusual sort of friendship with Tobi, leaving her unable to fully let go.
But so what?
All of its secrets had already vanished into the underworld along with Tobi's death, never to see daylight again.
"Alright... I was just curious. But, Shimizu-senpai, about the First Hokage's cells you gave me... if I keep training hard, can I really gain powerful strength too?"
"Yes. You can."
"Mhm, that's good."
Rin stuck out her tongue slightly and smiled.
"Otherwise, if Obito keeps carrying everything alone, I'd feel bad too."
"I thought you were going to say you'd feel guilty."
"Obito said that between people who love each other, this kind of devotion is only natural, so I shouldn't overthink it."
"There's nothing wrong with that idea," Shimizu admitted.
"But watching him get hurt over and over again, watching him risk everything for me every single time... it still hurts."
At that, the girl let out a soft sigh.
"I always wish I could help him more."
"You can."
"Eh? Shimizu-senpai, do you really think I'll eventually master Wood Release?"
Truthfully, Rin had very little confidence that she could ever wield the legendary Wood Release Kekkei Genkai that once shook the shinobi world in the hands of the First Hokage.
"Power-wise, if you truly master strong Wood Release, then yes, you'll absolutely be able to shoulder part of Obito's burden."
Then Shimizu changed the subject.
"But as his partner, you've failed him."
Rin froze.
"Shimizu-senpai... I don't understand."
"You should already be aware of Obito's problems. His impulsiveness, his stubbornness, his extremism—the fact that he'd do absolutely anything for you. It's touching, yes."
"But that kind of devotion... only moves himself."
"You have to understand, his reckless actions are built upon harming others."
"I doubt you'd ever want to see an Obito who destroys the entire world just to bring you back to life."
Rin instinctively shook her head.
"I know you're kind. And honestly, Obito is kind too."
"But his kindness is far too narrow."
"If you don't want another tragedy like this to happen again, then you need to keep an eye on him."
"Watch him carefully."
"I understand, Shimizu-senpai."
Rin gave a solemn bow.
"Thank you very much for pointing this out. I'll correct myself... and I'll also make sure Obito never makes this kind of mistake again."
"As long as you understand, that's enough."
With the small changes already happening in Obito, combined with Shimizu Uzuki's direct threat of death, and now Rin's future guidance and support as well, that kind of extreme "destroy the world" ideology would likely never take root in Obito again.
"Have you thought about what you'll do next?"
"Not really. I'll ask Obito later."
...
The black-haired boy and the white-haired boy stood silently facing each other.
"Ahem... Kakashi."
"Hm?"
"...S-sorry."
"It's alright."
Kakashi clenched his teeth slightly before replying,
"I'm sorry too."
"Huh? Why are you apologizing?"
"I misunderstood you earlier. I didn't expect Tobi to really have a way to save Rin."
"That's all in the past now... Though honestly, maybe it's for the best. I have a feeling that if Tobi had really revived Rin, things wouldn't have been that simple."
"Yeah. That Tobi was way too scheming."
The two boys fell silent once more.
It had been a very long time since they had lived together, played together, argued together, or even fought side by side on missions.
Time had separated many things.
And changed many things.
"That blade..."
The White Light Chakra Sabre had already been destroyed by Obito's Kamui.
It could never be repaired again.
And it wasn't merely a matter of money.
It was the keepsake Kakashi's father had left behind for him.
"It's just an object. Nothing worth making a big deal over," Kakashi said indifferently. "Besides, that blade was already nearing the end of its lifespan anyway."
After all, it had been the weapon carried by the White Fang of Konoha through decades of battle.
"Yeah..."
Obito suddenly recalled how Kakashi had come alone earlier.
If Kakashi had brought other Konoha shinobi with him, then neither he nor Rin would have had any room left to turn things around.
So he asked quietly,
"Kakashi... we're still friends, right?"
Kakashi froze for a moment, then answered immediately,
"Of course."
"Obito, come here for a second!"
Rin waved from the distance.
"Coming~!"
...
"So, Obito, what are your plans from here on?"
"Huh? Shimizu-senpai, you're asking me?"
Obito stared blankly at Rin.
"Wait... Rin, you don't have any plans either?"
Forget it.
These two idiots clearly hadn't thought about the future at all.
No wonder they ended up together.
"Then let me ask you this—do the two of you still want to return to Konoha?"
That question immediately stumped them both.
Rin had killed quite a few Root shinobi.
Obito had not only attacked Root members, but had also attempted to assassinate one of Konoha's elders—Danzō.
The two exchanged glances.
Could they even go back?
And if they truly insisted on returning, then the one stuck dealing with the consequences would be Shimizu.
And that would absolutely become a troublesome situation.
"We... probably shouldn't go back to Konoha," Obito said first.
"Yeah. We can't go back anymore."
Rin understood that clearly as well.
"But you still don't have any plans after this?"
"Mm. None."
Both shook their heads.
Everything that had happened recently had come far too suddenly.
The two of them had simply been stumbling forward one step at a time.
How could they possibly have planned that far ahead?
"Did you make up with Kakashi?"
"I guess so."
Shimizu smiled slightly.
That was enough.
Now it was time for his performance.
He called Kakashi over as well.
Facing the three young shinobi, he first addressed Obito and Rin.
"From now on, I'll do my best to delay—or even cancel—Konoha's pursuit orders against the two of you."
"But in return, you absolutely must not kill another Konoha shinobi."
"Can you do that?"
"Even if Konoha sends ANBU after us?"
Obito asked with difficulty.
Once branded missing-nin, assassination attempts from ANBU would become inevitable.
Obito understood better than anyone what ANBU existed for.
"Yes. If they come after you, knock them unconscious if you can. Otherwise, do everything possible to escape."
"...Alright."
Obito gritted his teeth and agreed.
"Your first task from here is to go to the black market and find a Takigakure shinobi named Kakuzu. Tell him to come meet me at the Valley of the End."
"The black market, Kakuzu, Takigakure shinobi, Valley of the End... Shimizu-senpai, got it!"
Obito raised his hand seriously like he was reporting for duty.
"Your second task is to gather information on Amegakure—especially anything related to Akatsuki."
"Be careful. Don't die."
Rin suddenly asked,
"Shimizu-senpai... are these... missions?"
Obito finally reacted as well.
That was true.
Why were these being treated like missions?
Weren't they just helping Shimizu-senpai with something?
"That's because the two of you are now probationary members of our organization, Nightfall."
"As outer members of the organization, if you want to become official members, then naturally you'll need to pass a series of evaluations."
"Nightfall?"
All three stared blankly.
"Otherwise, where did you think those two syringes came from?"
"Ohhh~"
The eyes of the three teenagers instantly lit up.
The image of Nightfall in their minds suddenly became incomparably lofty.
This was an organization capable of producing Hashirama cells and fusion serum.
"Then... Shimizu-senpai... what exactly is Nightfall's main objective?"
"Is it to defeat Akatsuki?"
Just from the names alone, it was easy to assume the two organizations were somehow connected.
"Nightfall targets no one," Shimizu said softly after coughing lightly a few times.
"It exists only to maintain peace in the world."
"Wow..."
Rin covered her mouth in surprise.
Obito asked curiously,
"Shimizu-senpai, how many people are in Nightfall?"
An organization this mysterious and powerful surely had many strong shinobi within it, right?
"That's classified information. You'll find out once you become official members."
"Alright! Rin and I will complete the missions perfectly!"
Obito clenched his fist confidently before suddenly turning toward Kakashi.
"Oh right, Kakashi, what about you?"
After all, Kakashi still hadn't stated his position.
Seriously, this idiot had no awareness at all.
This was Shimizu-senpai's secret organization.
And they were about to become official members themselves.
"Does Konoha know about it?"
Kakashi suddenly asked.
"Nightfall is an organization that operates completely in the shadows of the shinobi world. Even the Hokage doesn't know of its existence."
Shimizu understood Kakashi's concerns and continued explaining.
"But we won't actively do anything that harms Konoha's interests."
"After all, I'm considered fairly high-ranking within Nightfall. I still have some say in matters."
"So there are shinobi from other villages in Nightfall too?"
"It's not like only Konoha shinobi have the will—or the ability—to protect world peace."
"I trust you, Shimizu-senpai."
Kakashi nodded solemnly.
"So I'll join too."
"Don't get excited too early. You're probationary too. If you want to become an official member, you'll have to pass the evaluations first."
...
In the distance, Obito and Rin waved vigorously as they said their farewells.
The ill-fated couple had finally stepped onto a new path.
Perhaps leaving wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
"Will Obito and Rin ever return to Konoha?"
Kakashi suddenly asked.
Shimizu smiled.
"Of course they will."
--------
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