"Is there really no other way?"
The medical Jonin consoled her, "Rin, these are matters for the big shots above to consider. Besides, even if Kakashi returns the Sharingan, he can still get a normal person's eye, can't he?"
Eyeball transplant surgery was difficult, but it didn't mean it couldn't be done.
The ninja's astonishing mortality rate meant that there were plenty of ninjas willing to donate organs, so Konoha Hospital had a lot of various organs in stock.
"I understand, thank you, teacher." Rin thanked her politely.
She walked out of the hospital with some disappointment. She walked alone on the bustling street.
Rin didn't understand why everyone was saying there was no solution.
If Kakashi really suffers another blow because of losing the Sharingan that Obito had given him...
Rin didn't dare to think about how desperate Kakashi would be.
"I can only go find Kiyoshi again."
Unknowingly, Rin arrived at the entrance of the Uchiha settlement.
She could vaguely sense that Kiyoshi wanted something from her.
The thing he wanted was naturally…
Rin couldn't be sure about this.
However, what else could she offer besides that?
Perhaps her only advantage was that her medical skills were good, worthy of being called a genius.
However, she didn't have any position, and her family didn't have any power. She was just a commoner, and her words carried no weight.
Rin bit her lip.
If Kiyoshi really had any thoughts about her, as long as it was for Kakashi, anything was fine.
"Is this what it means to be a ninja?" Rin murmured.
She felt that only at this moment could she deeply understand the reality of the ninja world.
Everyone was prioritizing the big picture. Individuals were just a grain of sand in the ocean under the game between the village and the ninja clan.
No one cared about Obito's last wish or Kakashi's motivation to live.
They only cared about a stable situation, turning big problems into small ones, and small problems into nothing.
But what was wrong with that?
Rin felt sad in her heart.
Prioritizing the big picture was for the countless villagers of Konoha.
There always had to be someone to bear the burden and move forward, and it just so happened that Kakashi was the one to make the sacrifice.
Unknowingly, Rin arrived at Kakashi's house. She wanted to see Kakashi before going to find Kiyoshi.
"Rin, is there something wrong?"
Kakashi came out with messy white hair, and his exposed right eye was full of bloodshot.
Moreover, the surrounding bloody aura was even heavier.
Rin frowned slightly. What exactly had Kakashi been doing recently?
"Kakashi, can you tell me, what kind of mission are you carrying out?" Rin's tone was tired and concerned.
"Rin, I'm sorry, it's classified," Kakashi said apologetically.
It was best not to let Rin come into contact with the dark side of the village.
"Classified?"
The emotions in Rin's heart were turbulent, full of grievances.
She had been running around everywhere for Kakashi, asking people for help, but Kakashi was still keeping things from her.
How did the relationship between them, which used to be so open, become like this?
Rin felt that everything had changed after Obito's death, flying in a direction she couldn't understand.
Whether it was Kiyoshi or Kakashi, Rin felt estranged from them.
Or perhaps she had never truly understood them?
She asked, "Kakashi, I just want to know, will you continue to uphold Obito's will?"
Kakashi said after a moment of silence, "Rin, it was Obito who protected us at the cost of his life."
The Sharingan and protecting Rin, this was Obito's last will, how could he give up?
Without Obito, he would have died long ago.
Died under the cold rocks.
If he really had to hand over the Sharingan, Kakashi could only hand it over. At least he had to fulfill the last promise, "Protect Rin."
"Then… Kakashi, my feelings, you know…"
Rin wanted to finish the words that had no result at Kannabi Bridge last time.
"I'm a scumbag who once stood by and watched you die." Kakashi said slowly.
A trace of pain also flashed in his eyes.
Did he have feelings for Rin?
Of course, he did. Kakashi had always been able to sense that Rin liked him.
Or rather, as long as he wasn't an emotional idiot, he would sense the signs of a girl's initiative.
However, in the past, what suppressed Kakashi was the shadow of his father's death.
He had always wanted to become a true ninja, abide by the ninja precepts, and focus only on missions.
After Obito's death, he understood that there were more important things besides missions.
But Kakashi also knew that Obito liked Rin. He liked her more purely than he did.
Faced with someone he had feelings for, he retreated, but Obito rose to the challenge.
He simply wasn't qualified to be with Rin.
Whoever Rin was with would be more suitable than being with him.
So-called love is letting go.
Kakashi could now comprehend this deeper meaning.
Rin asked, "But what does this have to do with Obito?"
Kakashi said, "I promised Obito."
Rin understood Kakashi's thoughts at this moment, feeling sad.
It turned out that she and Kakashi had never had a chance from the beginning.
Or rather, the moment Obito died, a curse enveloped the two of them.
"I understand." Rin said.
She left without looking back.
"Rin… Obito…"
Kakashi vaguely felt pain in his left eye, as if it was wailing with him.
"Atonement, Kakashi." Kakashi closed the door.
With a painful expression, he took off his black mask and washed his face with cold water.
As he washed, Kakashi felt that the clear water seemed to turn into blood.
The blood reflected his haggard face.
If Obito hadn't died, the three of them should have been able to continue to maintain those innocent days as before.
It's just a pity, everything was ruined.
Ruined by himself.
…
Rin, who came out of Kakashi's house, wiped the corner of her eyes.
She walked straight towards Kiyoshi's house.
Even if Kakashi wouldn't be with her, Rin wanted Kakashi to live well.
"Rin, you've come."
Kiyoshi still held a ninjutsu scroll in his hand.
Right now, Guren wasn't home. He had White Snake accompany Guren to purchase a batch of ingredients.
It was difficult for Guren to cook at her age, but buying groceries with a list was still within her capabilities.
"Sorry to bother you."
Rin took off her shoes and stepped onto the tatami mats to stand before Kiyoshi.
"Have a seat."
Kiyoshi put down the ninjutsu scroll in his hand.
He had almost perfected the "Shadow Clone Technique" in the past few days.
All that was left was the final experiment, and after it was completed, he could deploy a batch of his own shadow clones in the experimental base to study Mōryō's power.
In recent days, the village's rumors about Kakashi's Sharingan had been growing louder and louder.
Some busybodies speculated that this was the final moment before the storm, but in reality, it was the Uchiha's final statement.
The village had been indulging the Uchiha clan's venting of dissatisfaction these past few days in order to give both sides a way out later.
Once they had vented enough, the village would hold talks, and the Uchiha would make demands. As long as they weren't too excessive, the village would accept them.
The final result would be that Kakashi's Sharingan would be preserved, the village would gain the peace of mind of other ninja clans, and the Uchiha would also have the opportunity to obtain the qualifications of a Hokage candidate.
Essentially, it was an exchange of benefits.
"Kiyoshi, I know this request is very difficult for you, but I… really have no other way." Rin spoke with a sense of guilt.
***
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