"Rin, please take care of this wounded sister from Kushina's clan."
After returning to the Fire Country coastline camp, Kakashi immediately brought Uzumaki Kana to Rin for help.
Sure, I could've handled it myself, Kakashi thought, but considering the teeth marks were in... "no-jutsu zones," better to have Rin handle this one.
"Alright, leave it to me."
The moment Rin heard that she was from Kushina's clan and saw the vicious bite marks covering her skin, she clenched her fists, trying to hold back the storm rising inside.
She gently helped Uzumaki Kana lie on the bed and carefully examined her injuries.
Knowing the nature of the damage—and the risk of awkward tension—Obito and Kakashi slipped out of the tent like two well-trained Jonin on a stealth mission.
Half an hour later, Rin emerged, and her face was thunderous.
"Kakashi, I examined her entire body—not a single unmarked patch. Who did this?!"
Even someone as kind-hearted as Rin couldn't suppress her fury at such cruel humiliation.
"Just your everyday Kusagakure scum. Don't worry, I gave them the deluxe treatment."
Kakashi's tone was calm, but his eye gleamed.
"As for the rest? Let her kid decide how to handle that score later."
He gently took Rin's hand to soothe her anger.
"H-Hey! What are you doing? People are watching!"
Rin's voice was flustered. She looked around nervously but didn't pull away.
"Let them. I'm just holding my girlfriend's hand. If anyone has an issue, they can file a complaint with my indifference."
Kakashi said it with the casual boldness of someone who had dodged death five times before breakfast.
"Oh? So you two are finally together. Last time Kushina was secretly asking me about your status—guess I'll have something juicy to tell her when I return."
A warm voice cut in unexpectedly.
"Huh?"
"W-Wait… Minato-sensei?!"
Kakashi turned with a start and saw Minato arriving with Shisui and Obito.
Despite the surprise, he didn't let go of Rin's hand—especially not now that Rin was trying (weakly) to tug it away in embarrassment.
Rin gave a symbolic struggle, then surrendered, cheeks tinged pink.
Kakashi Hatake, unflinching in the face of love... or authority figures. Impressive.
"Looks like you two are finally official. That means I'm owed a celebratory dinner, right?"
Obito teased, grinning.
Having gone through so much, his old immaturity was gone. Now, he simply offered heartfelt support for the pair.
"Fine, fine. We'll host one when we get back to the village. Minato-sensei, you bring Kushina-senpai too. And Shisui, you're invited."
Kakashi agreed coolly.
"Haha, no problem. Kushina will be thrilled when she hears."
Minato chuckled. Then his expression turned serious.
"By the way, I brought you here because the Hokage sent an urgent message."
"It seems Kirigakure has requested peace talks... but they're demanding the return of the Three Tails and the 'murderer of the Mizukage.'"
"So the Hokage has ordered me to bring you back to the village for a direct report."
Peace talks, huh?Kakashi's mind turned sharply.
Either Kirigakure's got cold feet or they're playing the long con. Either way, things are moving.
But seeing that Minato-sensei still had the energy for jokes, the situation couldn't be dire—yet.
"Alright. Let's bring Kana-san back too. Kushina-senpai will definitely want to see her."
"Ah, Kana—she's the one you rescued? No problem."
Minato nodded.
Normally, bringing outsiders into Konoha required strict protocol.
But Kana was a Whirlpool orphan—an old ally clan of Konoha—so as long as she checked out, there wouldn't be any issue.
Kushina would be overjoyed, no doubt.
"Then let's move quickly. Everyone into Obito's Kamui space. I'll use Flying Thunder God to jump us back."
"Yes!"
…
That night, in front of the Hokage Building, two figures appeared out of nowhere.
"Huff..."
"We're here. Obito, let them out."
Minato said through steady breaths, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Understood, sensei."
Obito didn't hesitate. With a flicker of Mangekyō, the rest of the group emerged from Kamui space.
Swish!
Anbu guards materialized in an instant around them.
"Minato-sama, welcome back!"
The Anbu captain bowed with deep respect.
The Yellow Flash's reputation was no myth. Every Anbu present knew the stories—and the stats.
"No need for formality. I'm here on Hokage's orders to report battlefield intel. Please, carry on."
Minato waved his hand gently.
"Yes, Minato-sama!"
And just as quickly, the Anbu melted into the shadows again.
Man, they really mastered the 'appear-dramatically-and-vanish' act, Kakashi mused. Must be exhausting never getting to walk in like a normal person.
Boom boom boom—
Minato reached the Hokage's conference room and gave three polite knocks.
"Come in!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice rang out.
Minato opened the door and stepped inside.
Sitting around the long table were Konoha's old guard—Homura, Koharu, Danzo—along with the Anbu Captain and the Intelligence Division head. Behind Hiruzen stood the elite Sealing Corps.
"Heh, Minato, you must be tired. Come, have a seat."
Hiruzen smiled warmly. His eyes sparkled with pride whenever he looked at Minato.
But—
"Ahem!"
Danzo cleared his throat, slicing through the moment like a kunai through rice paper.
The old war hawk had no time for niceties. Not when his prize was this close.
"Minato. Your student became the Three Tails' Jinchūriki, correct?"
"Very well. Hand her over to Root. Immediately."
"I'll assign a more suitable Jinchūriki and turn her into a true weapon of Konoha!"
Danzo's one visible eye gleamed with cold intent.
He had once tried to maneuver for control over Kushina but failed—thanks to Mito-sama, Hiruzen, and her eventual marriage to Minato.
But Nohara Rin?
Civilian-born. No deep clan roots. Just a war orphan with a tail beast inside her.
Expendable, in Danzo's book.
"Elder Danzo," Minato said calmly, his voice as firm as chakra-infused steel, "I'm afraid I have to refuse."
"...What?"
"As the husband of the Nine Tails' Jinchūriki, you know the risks. You're playing with fire!"
Danzo slammed his hand on the table.
"Your emotions are clouding your judgment. Everything I do is for Konoha!"
"As a shinobi of this village, she should sacrifice herself for the greater good!"
Kakashi tilted his head slightly.
Right. Because nothing says 'greater good' like stuffing traumatized teenagers with WMDs and hiding them underground.
"Danzo has a point. If the Jinchūriki goes berserk, the entire village could be at risk."
Koharu added quickly.
"Kirigakure deliberately sealed Three Tails into her. There's bound to be a trap."
"Who knows what they did to her mentally?"
Homura chimed in.
Right again, Kakashi mentally sighed. Because enemy villages are known for their kind-hearted sealing ceremonies and spa packages.
Minato was silent, his face stoic.
Hiruzen hesitated. He knew Minato would never hand Rin over.
But Danzo's logic was textbook ninja doctrine—duty before self.
And if Tsunade caught wind of this?
The Hokage building might not survive the evening.
Minato lowered his gaze briefly—calculating. Protecting Rin meant standing against the old guard directly.
Kakashi crossed his arms.
Guess it's time for another episode of "Which Elder Thinks Playing God Is a Good Idea Today." Stay tuned.