Peaceful times always pass quickly.
In the blink of an eye, two years had gone by, and the spring of Konoha Year 42 arrived as expected.
Outside the dango shop, a graceful young girl stood wearing a black kimono with white trim, cradling a round little piglet in her arms, her gaze occasionally drifting toward the village entrance.
At that moment, at the village gate, Minato's team of four had just returned from completing their mission. Leading them was Minato Namikaze, wearing a light green jōnin vest, his golden hair gleaming brilliantly.
"Mission complete. Dismissed. Meet at the Hokage building entrance in three days."
Minato waved at his three students with a gentle smile on his face.
Hearing this, all three nodded in unison, the tension on their faces immediately relaxing.
With his hands clasped behind his head, Obito in his brown-tinted goggles glanced away unnaturally and spoke with feigned casualness:
"Rin, got any plans for the three-day break?
Maybe... we could go... grab some... ramen~"
Hearing this, the cute girl beside him with short brown hair and dark red knee-high socks paused slightly before responding:
"Sorry, Obito. Tsunade-sensei is back, so I might need to go study at the ninja hospital."
As she spoke, the spirited girl pulled out a tiny slug, cupping it gently in her palms with a hint of apology on her face.
"No, no, it's fine! Really fine! Training's important, training's important."
Young Obito's face flashed with embarrassment as he waved his hands repeatedly to show it didn't matter.
Then, to mask his adolescent feelings, Obito turned toward Kakashi, who was about to leave, and called out casually:
"Kakashi, wanna grab some ramen?"
Hearing this, the masked young Kakashi shook his head expressionlessly.
"No. I'm going to train."
.....
Watching Kakashi's retreating figure, Obito—rejected twice in a row—scratched his head with an awkward laugh, unable to hide his disappointment.
Seeing this scene, Rin's heart immediately softened.
What she couldn't bear most was seeing Obito with that dejected expression.
After a moment's hesitation, her clear, gentle voice rang out:
"Obito, if... if you're not busy, I'd like to ask you to be my assistant."
Hearing this, Obito's eyes instantly lit up. Not caring what kind of assistant work it was, he nodded enthusiastically like he'd been injected with adrenaline.
Seeing this, Rin's lips curved into a happy smile.
After agreeing on when and where to meet the next day, Rin bid farewell to Obito and walked toward the dango shop in the village.
There, her fellow disciple Shizune was waiting for her.
Soon enough, the two graceful girls met at the dango shop entrance, creating a beautiful sight.
After greeting each other warmly, they walked into the shop side by side.
Ordering some dango, the two sat down.
Rin looked at the solitary Shizune and asked curiously:
"Shizune, where's Komei? Did she go home?"
Hearing this, Shizune shook her head:
"No, she stayed in Amegakure and didn't come back with us."
"She's not coming back at all this year?"
"Not exactly. She goes to Amegakure to train periodically.
But enough about her!
What about you? I heard you got assigned to Minato Namikaze's jōnin team?
Minato Namikaze is the famous warm-hearted heartthrob!"
Faced with Shizune's gossipy expression, Rin shyly rolled her eyes in an elegant manner.
"Look at what you're saying—Minato-sensei already has someone he likes!"
"Who?"
Shizune, who spent most of her time away from the village, didn't know much about village affairs.
"I heard her name is Kushina Uzumaki," Rin answered.
Hearing this, the outwardly quiet and reserved Shizune rubbed her chin like a tomboy.
"Oh~ that one!
I've met her before with Lady Tsunade—red-haired beauty who's definitely a match for Minato Namikaze.
What about the others? Are there any other girls in your team?"
"No, just me." Rin shook her head innocently.
"Who are the other two? Tell me about them—maybe I know them?"
"Kakashi Hatake and Obito Uchiha. You definitely know them."
Hearing this, Shizune's eyes lit up with immediate interest.
"Ooh~ Kakashi and that chronically late king who's always helping old ladies cross the street!
Nice going, Rin—you've got great luck!
I heard Komei say that Kakashi looks exactly like Uncle Sakumo did when he was young—super handsome.
And though that late king is a bit silly, he's decent too."
With no one else around, Shizune slapped the table boldly, her face full of yearning.
Hearing this, Rin's cheeks immediately flushed as she mentally spat in a very unladylike manner.
This friend of hers looked so gentle on the outside, but inside she was a total closet pervert—especially after spending so much time with Mei Terumi. When no one was around, she was completely like a female lecher.
Nearby, Shizune suddenly had her eyes light up as if thinking of something. She quietly grabbed Rin's hand and whispered:
"Rin, your team setup reminds me of a book."
"What?" Rin asked blankly, clearly not following Shizune's train of thought.
"'Me and My Three Stupid Men'—I saw it on Uncle Rinjin's bookshelf once.
You're just like the protagonist!
She had an orange-haired senior brother who was gentle like your Minato-sensei—so enviable~
And her white-haired teacher was reliable but had some weird little quirks, just like Kakashi.
Strong and dependable, but loves reading shameless books like Icha Icha Paradise.
..."
Watching Shizune ramble on endlessly, Rin was stunned for a moment.
So... so my life is the same as that enviable life in the book?!
If only... if only Obito and Kakashi would argue a little less~
Lost in thought about the three of them getting along harmoniously, Rin became somewhat dazed.
Shizune chattered on for quite a while until the dango was served, finally stopping her endless chatter to taste the sweets.
However, she hadn't been quiet for long before she started talking again.
"Rin, Lady Tsunade stole... uh... borrowed some good stuff from Uncle Rinjin again this time."
Hearing this, Rin paused slightly, then snapped back to attention and looked at Shizune, instinctively asking:
"What is it?"
"I'm not too sure either. It looks like a white injection that can apparently reduce or even eliminate organ transplant rejection."
"Really?" Rin's eyes instantly widened with disbelief.
Seeing this, Shizune bit into a dango and mumbled unclearly:
"I... don't really know either, but that's what Lady Tsunade said."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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