Chapter 193: Comforting Rin Nohara
Hoshikawa closed his eyes.
The surroundings, centered on him, floated clearly in his mind. Under normal circumstances, the Heart's Eye could only perceive the target's location, number, speed, and characteristics.
But this time was different; he could even hear the conversations of nearby Konoha ninja. This was due to the B-rank perk, 'Perception Special Jōnin', which he had just acquired today, boosting the effect of Perception Ninjutsu by 100%.
Hoshikawa 's heart stirred. In his perception, Tsunade was getting closer to him. The sound of her footsteps, her breathing, and even her heartbeat were becoming clearer and clearer.
"Hoshikawa , time for a meeting." Tsunade entered the tent and spoke.
"Did Iwagakure make a move?" Hoshikawa opened his eyes and asked.
Two days had passed since the live capture of the Four-Tails Jinchūriki, Rōshi. These two days had been completely quiet; not even minor skirmishes had occurred. Iwagakure seemed to have forgotten that they had a Jinchūriki who had been captured.
"Just as you predicted, Iwagakure launched an attack on Kumogakure." Tsunade didn't hold back, stating directly.
"How many people?" Hoshikawa raised an eyebrow and asked.
"Roughly estimated to be over ten thousand ninja," Tsunade said, her tone surprised. "Ōnoki has truly staked everything this time."
"But Kumogakure won't let him have his way." Hoshikawa stood up, smiling.
In the original story, the Third Raikage died while being besieged by tens of thousands of Iwa ninja, but that didn't mean Iwagakure's losses were minor. After that battle, Iwagakure had no major operations, as if their morale had been completely shattered.
"The Third Raikage of Kumogakure is still alive. It won't be easy for Ōnoki to win," Tsunade nodded slightly.
"Has Iwagakure sent an envoy to sue for peace?" Hoshikawa followed her out of the tent.
"Not yet," Tsunade replied. "But they've sent a thousand ninja to build defensive outposts in the Land of Earth. It looks like they aren't preparing for war with us."
If they were truly going to war, they would be in the Land of Grass, not the Land of Earth. After all, the Five Great Nations had an unspoken understanding to avoid fighting on their home territories as much as possible, unless they decided to tear up all diplomatic ties. For example, Iwagakure had entered the Land of Lightning this time.
"Lady Tsunade." When Tsunade entered the main tent, a group of Jōnin called out to her.
Hoshikawa was slightly surprised. He thought it would just be a few of them discussing the latest intelligence, but it turned out to be a Jōnin meeting. He understood when he saw Minato Namikaze, who had returned from Konoha; it was probably a command from Hiruzen Sarutobi that needed to be relayed.
"Hoshikawa ." Hoshikawa recovered, realizing that the Jōnin were greeting him. He blinked. Did he already receive the same treatment as Tsunade?
The Shinobi World largely adheres to one principle: respect for strength. Hoshikawa 's live capture of the Four-Tails Jinchūriki Rōshi demonstrated strength that surpassed theirs. Combined with his status as Tsunade's student and a ninja of the Hokage lineage, his future was limitless. In their eyes, Hoshikawa 's status was indeed not much lower than Tsunade's.
"Let's begin the meeting." Tsunade saw the situation, and a slight smile played on her lips. She had watched Hoshikawa progress step by step to this point, feeling both pride and satisfaction.
"Lady Tsunade." Minato Namikaze stepped forward slightly. "Rōshi has been safely escorted back to Konoha."
"Thank you, Minato," Tsunade paused. "Does the Old Man have any further instructions?"
"The Hokage wants you to return to Konoha," Minato Namikaze explained. "Because Kirigakure has been restless lately and is stockpiling a large amount of supplies."
"Who will be in charge here?" Tsunade asked.
"Although it appears Iwagakure will not engage us further, there are still over a thousand Iwa ninja remaining on the Land of Earth's border," Minato Namikaze nodded. "The Hokage's intention is for me to remain in the Land of Grass as a precaution."
The meeting continued for another half hour. Most of the content was about the handover of duties between Tsunade and Minato Namikaze.
"Meeting adjourned!" When the discussion concluded, Tsunade waved her hand.
"Yes." The many Jōnin left one after another, until only Hoshikawa remained.
"We'll head back to Konoha after lunch." Tsunade looked at Hoshikawa and said.
"Understood." Hoshikawa replied. "I'll go and notify Kurenai and Rin shortly."
"Mm." Tsunade let out a long breath, a smile spreading across her face. "Finally, we can go home." Being on the battlefield, with the constant mental strain and frequent fighting, was naturally inferior to Konoha. Especially without the ability to drink or gamble, it was a profound ordeal.
"Indeed," Hoshikawa said with a sigh. "Home is best."
"I just want to lie down on my sofa and sleep right now," Tsunade said, her expression relaxed.
"Just sleep at home?" Hoshikawa smiled, exposing her. "Isn't it going straight to the casino?"
"Brat! You talk too much!" Tsunade walked over to him, displeased, and reached out to flick his forehead.
"Ouch!" Hoshikawa inhaled sharply and couldn't help but complain. "Master, if you keep this up, no one will accompany you to the casino."
Tsunade looked at him, and on an impulse, leaned forward, lightly pressing her lips to his forehead, then took half a step back.
Hoshikawa was stunned.
"Will you go now?" Tsunade suppressed the strange feeling in her heart and asked composedly.
"I'll go!" Hoshikawa immediately grabbed her hand. "Since it's Master's command, I must comply!"
"Let go," Tsunade huffed lightly.
"I wonder how long we'll be able to stay in Konoha," Hoshikawa didn't release her hand, changing the subject.
"That depends on when Kirigakure mobilizes its troops." Tsunade glanced at his hand but didn't struggle to free it.
"Right." Hoshikawa recalled the plot from the original story. "This time will definitely be more troublesome than the last."
Besides the greater number of ninja, there was also Madara Uchiha's involvement. To awaken Obito Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan, Madara controlled many Kirigakure ninja, including the Three-Tails Jinchūriki. Hoshikawa felt that he and Rin Nohara would be Madara Uchiha's targets. Fortunately, Old Man Madara's strength was far inferior to the Edo Tensei Madara. Furthermore, Hoshikawa 's current strength was not weak; he wouldn't easily become the material for Obito Uchiha's eye awakening.
"No matter, it's just Kirigakure; not as tricky as Kumogakure," Tsunade chuckled. "We should thank Iwagakure for easing the pressure on us."
Among the Five Great Nations, Sunagakure and Kirigakure were the weakest in terms of overall strength. Sunagakure was due to its harsh environment and only possessing one Tailed Beast. Kirigakure, despite having two Tailed Beasts, had a disastrous regime; its bloody rule resulted in many ninja dying at the hands of their own people.
Hoshikawa thought of Mei Terumī. He wondered if he would run into her this time.
"Let's go." Tsunade pulled her hand back and left the main tent.
Hoshikawa didn't follow her but went to Kurenai Yūhi and Rin Nohara's tent. Since Obito Uchiha's disappearance, Kurenai Yūhi, worried about Rin Nohara, had been staying with her.
Hoshikawa raised his hand and knocked a few times on the tent.
"Come in." Kurenai Yūhi's voice rang out.
Hoshikawa entered the tent. He glanced at Rin Nohara; her complexion had improved somewhat.
"Hoshikawa !" Kurenai Yūhi was as cheerful as before.
"I came to inform you that we'll be leaving for Konoha this afternoon," Hoshikawa said with a smile.
"That's wonderful!" Kurenai Yūhi said happily.
Rin Nohara's spirits lifted upon hearing the news. She was naturally delighted to be going home. However, she quickly thought of the now-missing Obito Uchiha, and her expression immediately clouded over.
The afternoon arrived.
At the entrance to the Konoha main camp.
"Kakashi." Rin Nohara looked at Kakashi Hatake, who was seeing them off. "If you hear any news of Obito, you must tell me."
"I will," Kakashi Hatake nodded firmly.
"You should be careful, too." Rin Nohara urged.
"Kakashi, and Gai, see you next time." Hoshikawa greeted them, then turned to leave.
The four traveled eastward, and by nightfall, they had entered the Land of Fire.
"We'll rest here for the night." Although Tsunade wanted to return to Konoha as soon as possible, she understood the priority of safety.
"What do you want to eat?" After Hoshikawa had set up the tent, he took out various pots, bowls, and utensils.
"Do you have octopus?" Kurenai Yūhi had already seated herself at the table.
"Where would I find octopus now?" Hoshikawa rolled his eyes at her. "If you want to eat it, I'll make it for you when we get home."
"Okay." Kurenai Yūhi stuck out her tongue at him.
"Rin, how about you?" Hoshikawa looked at Rin Nohara and asked.
"Anything is fine," Rin Nohara was startled, then added. "Everything you make is delicious."
"Why didn't you ask me?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow when she saw Hoshikawa turning to start cooking.
"I know what Master likes to eat." Hoshikawa said without turning his head.
"..." Tsunade was about to speak but said nothing in the end, merely gazing thoughtfully at his figure.
"Done!" Half an hour later, Hoshikawa brought the dishes to the table. "One dish for each of you."
Tsunade looked at her dish; it was her favorite, tender chicken. She asked curiously, "Where did you get the chicken?"
"I asked Minato-senpai to buy it," Hoshikawa said with a wide smile. "This is the only chicken in the Shinobi World that has used the Flying Thunder God Jutsu."
Tsunade couldn't help but laugh.
"Then where is my octopus?" Kurenai Yūhi put her hands on her hips, asking with some dissatisfaction.
"Because they don't sell octopus in the Land of Grass," Hoshikawa spread his hands. "I couldn't help it."
"Alright." Kurenai Yūhi tilted her head and looked at the dish in front of Rin Nohara. "Why is this a dessert?"
"It's Strawberry Daifuku," Hoshikawa replied. "We can eat it after dinner."
"No wonder," Kurenai Yūhi said. "I remember Rin likes strawberries."
"Thank you," Rin Nohara said, a little embarrassed. She hadn't expected Hoshikawa to be so thoughtful.
"It's nothing," Hoshikawa said nonchalantly. "Food should bring happiness to the eater."
Rin Nohara was stunned. She suddenly realized something. Is he worried about me because Obito is missing? A surge of emotion rose in Rin Nohara's heart.
Dinner ended. Hoshikawa took the dishes and utensils to the nearby stream. A few minutes later, he put the clean utensils into a storage scroll.
As the night deepened, Hoshikawa , having nothing else to do, began practicing the Creation Rebirth Technique. He had been busy with battles and perception Ninjutsu, so the progress on the technique was slightly lagging. Besides the Creation Rebirth Technique, his Lightning Release Chakra Mode was also more than halfway complete. Perhaps he could master them both before heading to the Kirigakure battlefield.
Hoshikawa 's current goals were the Creation Rebirth Technique, the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, and the Wind Release Special Jōnin perk. Once he acquired these three perks, he could concentrate on the Wood Release perk.
The reason was simple: Wood Release held a unique significance for Konoha. If Hoshikawa gained Wood Release, he would essentially be safe in Konoha. Even if Kumogakure called him a spy, no one would believe it.
Hoshikawa 's heart suddenly stirred; he heard footsteps outside the tent. They were walking outwards. The sound seemed to belong to Rin Nohara.
Hoshikawa hesitated for a few seconds, then got up and left his tent.
He quickly spotted the familiar figure. Rin Nohara was sitting on the ground, hugging her knees, looking somewhat melancholic.
"Are you worried about Obito?" Hoshikawa walked over to her, sat down beside her, and asked softly.
"Yes," Rin Nohara was surprised, but nodded in affirmation.
"Would you like to talk about it with me?" Hoshikawa turned his head to look at her.
In the moonlight, he could clearly see her fair face and neck, and smell a faint, delicate fragrance.
"I've always thought of Obito as a playful younger brother…" Rin Nohara met his gaze, her heart trembling slightly, and began to speak slowly.
Hoshikawa didn't interrupt, just listened quietly. Her feelings for Obito Uchiha were consistent with the original story; there was truly no romantic love. If she loved anyone, it was a fondness for Kakashi Hatake in the original story.
"Crying might help a little," Hoshikawa suggested comfortingly.
Rin Nohara bit her lip, and tears streamed down her cheeks. Although Obito Uchiha was technically "missing," the probability of him surviving was low. After all, he was half-paralyzed at the time. Even if he was captured by Iwagakure, could he be saved? And if saved, wouldn't he be permanently disabled?
All sorts of thoughts surfaced in Rin Nohara's mind, causing her to instinctively hug Hoshikawa 's arm, crying even harder.
Hoshikawa was slightly stunned, and he reached out, gently stroking her head. How to describe her? She truly was gentle and kind. She just had bad luck in the original story.
After what felt like a long time, Rin Nohara finally came to her senses. Smelling Hoshikawa 's scent and feeling his comforting touch, her cheeks gradually flushed crimson.
"Tha… Thank you…" Rin Nohara released his arm and retreated slightly.
Hoshikawa took out a tissue and reached out, gently wiping the tear streaks from her face.
Rin Nohara froze instantly, completely rigid and flustered. Soon, her neck and ears turned red.
Hoshikawa looked at her, and she reminded him of a strawberry shortcake—white with a hint of red, utterly adorable.
"I… I…" Rin Nohara's voice trembled, her eyes wide with shock, but reflecting Hoshikawa 's smile. She felt her heartbeat accelerate uncontrollably.
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