"Rin, you're alive?"
Seeing Nohara Rin, Kushina rushed forward and hugged her tightly. Back in Konoha, Rin often visited her home, and during training it was Kushina who always brought meals for Kakashi's team. Naturally, Rin had always been close with her teacher's wife.
"Master Kushina…"
Rin was equally moved, though guilt weighed on her heart, knowing what Obito had done to Kushina.
After their emotional reunion, Kushina began to complain. She had already been considered part of Hyuga Mirai's circle, yet only now was she learning the truth about Rin. Soon enough, the two settled into reminiscing, Kushina even forgetting all about preparing Naruto's dinner.
Since ascending to Sage of Six Paths level, Hyuga Mirai was virtually invincible within the shinobi world. Apart from that one being lurking in the Pure Land watching history unfold, even Isshiki, secretly nurturing the Ten-Tails, might not stand a chance against him.
Mirai longed to test his strength against Isshiki, but Kaguya's lingering consciousness within him remained a threat. Until he erased it, he could not fully control the Bloodline Net, the tomoe-patterned Rinnegan, or attain true immortality.
Still, his body strengthened day by day, as though an evolutionary key had been turned. The Heavy Rock Seal restraining him had lost its effect, leaving only Yin–Yang Release to slowly enhance his body.
The data confirmed it: Mirai's genes complemented the Ten-Tails perfectly.
His most urgent task now was to drive out Kaguya's will. Only then could he merge fully with the Ten-Tails and wield both the Bloodline Net and immortality.
By evening, Kushina brought Rin to Mirai's home.
"Mirai-kun, this is too much. I can't believe I only found out about Rin today…"
She complained as soon as she entered. Earlier she had received Naruto's message—his team had been pushed hard in training by their leader, who then treated them all to dinner. Kushina had therefore come here hoping to eat with Mirai and Ayaka. Next door, Mikoto hadn't returned either, likely busy with her own squad duties.
"In truth, I'd forgotten about Rin until I sensed the Three-Tails last time," Mirai admitted.
Rin's face paled at his words. If what he said was true, she had nearly been imprisoned in Roran forever—a thought that filled her with dread.
"But since you're out now, stop any reckless stunts. From here on, you'll work properly at the Federation Hospital. And remember to wear a mask," Mirai told her.
Obito still had his uses. Akatsuki planned to capture tailed beasts during the Fifth Shinobi World War, disguising themselves as outside allies to join the Four Nations Alliance and seize the One-Tail and Nine-Tails.
But despite Zetsu's frantic search, the Three-Tails remained hidden. His pressure had grown so great that he no longer obsessed over trivialities—he had scattered all his clones across the world in pursuit.
Mirai intended to strike only after they had captured the other beasts, seizing both the Demonic Statue and every tailed beast for himself. But first, Kaguya's consciousness had to be erased.
"Mirai-kun, that mask… Obito Uchiha. What do you intend to do with him in the end?"
After chatting with Ayaka for a while, Kushina finally broached the subject.
Mirai answered without hesitation. "Most likely execute him. Once they've gathered the beasts, Akatsuki will be useless."
"Mirai-kun, that's so cruel—using him and then discarding him?"
"This isn't using. Their goal is the tailed beasts as well. I'm simply intercepting them," Mirai corrected her sternly, then frowned. "Kushina, you're not pleading for Obito, are you?"
"Ah, no, I was just asking."
Her awkward denial mirrored Naruto's own lies perfectly, which was why Mirai often called them foolish mother and son.
"Sometimes calling you foolish is too kind. Think of your own suffering, think of Naruto's. Even if you could decide for the two of you, what about Mikoto and the rest of the Uchiha? If you can convince them all to set aside their hatred, then we can talk."
Each word pressed Kushina lower. She had thought Obito pitiful, but Mirai's reminder brought back memories of the Nine-Tails incident, of Naruto's pain, of the slaughtered Uchiha Police Force.
Hatred was not so easily erased. Obito's hands were stained with the blood of dozens of Uchiha. If Kushina tried to argue for him, the clan would surely brand her an enemy.
Naruto too bore deep resentment. Remembering that chain of consequences, Kushina felt like smacking herself. What had she been thinking?
Naruto was no longer the carefree boy he once was. Outside of her presence, she had already seen flashes of anger in him. If her words caused him pain, she could never forgive herself.
"Enough. I've said what I must. Go home and think about it," Mirai told her, waving her toward the door.
Kushina blinked in surprise. "Wait, why are you sending me away? We haven't eaten yet."
"Because you said something stupid. You need to reflect."
"I've already reflected, I won't say it again…"
"Not enough. You're only yielding in words. Reflect properly."
With that, chakra threads formed from his fingers, latching onto Kushina's body. He controlled her like a puppet, guiding her to the door.
She tried to protest, but her body was bound, even her mouth sealed. Step by step she was forced outside. Rin, catching Mirai's glance, bowed quickly and followed her out.
Once Kushina crossed the threshold, the threads dissolved and she was free.
"Master Kushina, I'm so sorry—I dragged you into this," Rin said, bowing deeply.
"It's not your fault, Rin. I spoke without thinking," Kushina sighed, waving her off. "Mirai-kun must be angry. I'll wait a few days before approaching him again. But as for Obito, that subject is closed. His crimes can't be forgiven."
Her earlier compassion had been a fleeting impulse. Mirai's cold words had extinguished it. She wasn't alone—she had Naruto, Mikoto, and the Federation. To plead for Obito would mean betraying every victim, starting with Naruto himself.
Once she calmed down, she drove the idea from her mind, grateful she had asked Mirai first.
"Rin, this isn't negotiable. Let's focus on the future instead. Stay at my place for now—I'll tell you about the Federation and how the shinobi world has changed."
She sighed again. Dinner would be simple; her mood for cooking was gone. Some quick sushi would do.
Land of the Rain
Thanks to the rain-cloud diversion project and trade with the Federation, life for ordinary citizens steadily improved.
Whether growing grain, fruits, and vegetables, or farming fish and shrimp, the first year barely broke even under Hyakusa Trade Association's subsidies. But by the second year, every hardworking family reaped an abundant harvest.
For those without land, the trade association hired freely, even offering bonuses for working in the Federation. Many scrambled desperately for such jobs—mining alone could earn enough in months to support a family for a year.
The people credited their better lives not only to the trade association, but above all to their "Angel."
Rain shinobi spread the word: it was thanks to her that such chances existed.
Now Amegakure's tax revenue over two years exceeded what Akatsuki had gathered in four. When Konan last asked Kakuzu about Akatsuki's funds, her look toward him carried faint pity.
So much effort scouring the world, for so little return. If he learned what Amegakure earned, Kakuzu might request a transfer at once.
After finalizing their tailed beast capture plans in the Illusion Body Space, Akatsuki disbanded. Konan, hesitant, sought out Nagato.
"Nagato, do we really have to tear up our treaty with the Federation?"
Her worry was for the people. Without the trade association, even with the rain gone, they could never live so well.
In other words, the Land of the Rain had already achieved peace.
"Konan, that's only the last step to eternal peace. Until we capture the One-Tail and Nine-Tails, we won't move against the Federation," Nagato said calmly. "Capturing the jinchūriki of other great nations even helps the Federation in a sense. But Rain's peace is temporary. As long as the great nations exist, war will return—just as the Fourth Shinobi World War ended only three years ago, and now a Fifth is already looming. If we want everlasting peace, the plan must succeed."
With Zetsu's intelligence, Nagato was certain. So soon after the last war, the daimyo and hidden villages of the Four Great Nations were preparing an even greater conflict. Without Akatsuki's plan, peace could never last.
"I understand," Konan said softly after a pause. When their plan succeeded, the peace Rain enjoyed would spread to the entire shinobi world. That was her and Nagato's wish.
(End of Chapter)