The three of them sat openly outside the shop, eating barbecue.
Of course, Takumi had deliberately chosen this spot.
If they weren't sitting outside, how would Obito see them!
On the other side, atop a roof…
Watching Rin Nohara flash the incredibly familiar smile from his memories, and seeing Kakashi's completely relaxed demeanor beside her, Obito had fallen into complete disarray.
He couldn't believe it. The goddess he had watched die, the body whose growing coldness he had held, had been resurrected after all these years!
This!
It was a critical hit!
A fierce mockery of his own dark and twisted life all these years!
"Obito, your state isn't right. I advise you to leave for now..."
Cold sweat broke out on Black Zetsu's back.
He knew that if Obito stayed here any longer, things would only develop in an unpredictable direction.
For his deeply hidden plan to save his mother, he absolutely could not allow Obito to become uncontrollable.
Right now, taking Obito back to base was the safest choice.
But he didn't dare force it.
Because Obito's feelings for Rin were extreme.
If Black Zetsu acted recklessly, he might be attacked by Obito.
So, while Obito was confused and unable to think straight, persuading him to leave temporarily was the safest option.
"What... what is going on?"
The face behind Obito's mask was frozen in stupor.
He completely couldn't believe what he was seeing!
He suspected he was under a deeply hidden Genjutsu, but his stable internal Chakra told him otherwise.
Everything he was seeing was real!
That really was Rin!
Just look at Kakashi's expression!
"Obito, let's leave this place first!"
"There must be some trickery involved here!"
Black Zetsu's tone was somewhat urgent.
"We can't be sure that girl is really Nohara Rin yet. Maybe it's just a girl who looks very similar."
"It is Nohara Rin!"
Obito growled, his eyes fixed on the gentle figure among the three people in the distance.
"I could never mistake her!"
"Regardless, let's leave for now. If you stay any longer, you'll be exposed!"
Black Zetsu pleaded earnestly.
"…"
His mind was in utter chaos!
But, just as Black Zetsu said, he couldn't reveal himself rashly now!
After all the sinful things he had done over the years, if he went out to meet them now, they would never forgive him!
So, he had to retreat for now!
Obito recalled his clone, took one last deep look at the figure he had longed for day and night, and turned to leave.
And almost simultaneously with his turn, Obito's eyes behind the mask filled with ice.
As Black Zetsu said, he had walked too far down this path, there was no turning back now.
Seeing Obito disappear into the spiral space, Black Zetsu breathed a sigh of relief.
It was good that he had persuaded Obito to leave.
At least his plan hadn't collapsed at this point.
The next step was to find a way to assassinate this 'Nohara Rin'.
To set everything back on track.
…
After happily finishing their meal and leaving the barbecue shop, Takumi noticed Obito's clone had vanished.
Most likely, Obito had already left.
He didn't believe Obito could remain calm after seeing Rin.
He was probably hiding somewhere right now, questioning his entire life!
"Rin, let me take you somewhere."
Kakashi said, his eyes tinged with sadness.
Rin seemed to sense something, her expression also becoming sorrowful.
It was clear.
Kakashi intended to take Rin to the cemetery to visit the graves of Obito and Minato.
Both of them were very important figures to Rin.
Following Kakashi, they arrived at Konoha's cemetery.
Before the graves of Minato and Kushina, Rin paused, pressed her palms together, and prayed reverently.
Takumi followed suit, silently paying his respects behind her.
Though what he really wanted to say was that Minato wasn't actually buried under this grave.
In his previous life, he had thoroughly investigated all the graves in Konoha.
This headstone was deliberately placed to confuse grave robbers.
The real headstones of Konoha's top-tier experts were only known to the Hokage.
While paying respects, Takumi's mind was also considering the future.
The immediate crisis with Obito was now resolved.
But a new problem had arisen…
The news of Rin's resurrection would inevitably not stay hidden from everyone.
The Anbu had many eyes in Konoha. The sudden appearance of a supposedly dead Rin would certainly attract their attention.
He needed to confirm the subsequent impact of this event!
Having made up his mind, Takumi immediately contacted the system in his mind.
'System, perform a fixed-point simulation! Duration: 3 days! State: I proactively reveal the truth.'
Upon receiving the command, the system's voice promptly sounded in his mind.
[Starting simulation!]
[After leaving the cemetery, you have Kakashi confess the truth to Sandaime Hokage.]
[Soon the news spreads, causing a huge stir throughout Konoha.]
[Following the Hokage's orders, the Anbu bring you and Rin to the Hokage Tower.]
[Hiruzen confirms the slightly edited version of the resurrection truth from you, shocking everyone present.]
[You are anxious, but Hiruzen shows no suspicion towards you because of it… instead, he seems to appreciate you even more.]
[He also instructs you that this matter is of great importance. You must not tell anyone about your ability to resurrect others, and you must not use it indiscriminately.]
[You agree readily, then leave feeling relieved.]
[The next day, you worry whether Danzo of Root will learn of this news and send people to take you away, but nothing unusual happens all day.]
[The third day, still nothing happens.]
[You confirm that the Hokage values you highly and has suppressed the knowledge of your Spirit Summoning ability among the village's leadership, downplaying the matter.]
[You are completely at ease.]
Simulation over.
'It seemed there would be no problems.'
Takumi nodded in satisfaction.
He then looked at Kakashi and Rin and said, "Kakashi-senpai, Rin-neesan, there's something I need to explain to both of you."
"What?"
The two turned to look at him.
"Rin-neesan's resurrection is impossible to keep secret. Kakashi-senpai should understand that very well."
Kakashi nodded.
That was indeed true.
Konoha's Anbu were still very diligent.
"So, rather than facing unpredictable situations later, it's better to make this matter public now."
Takumi stated bluntly.
"We might encounter some trouble, but being open like this will save us the trouble of being interrogated later."
Kakashi nodded: "I can explain the situation to the Hokage-sama. He will help block any... behind-the-scenes issues for you."
"Then I'll leave it to you."
Takumi said seriously.
"Alright. You take Rin back first. I'll go report this to the Hokage-sama now."
Kakashi nodded, then vanished from in front of them using a Body Flicker Technique.
Soon, just as in the simulation, the news of Rin's resurrection spread rapidly through the village.
Takumi and Rin were summoned to the Hokage Tower.
Inside the Hokage's office, Takumi entered.
He not only saw Sandaime but also many of the village's Jonin, and even the two elders, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, were present.
However, he didn't see Danzo, which made Takumi breathe a sigh of relief.
After all, his biggest worry right now was Danzo's unpredictable Kotoamatsukami.
The ability to silently alter a person's will… this invincible Genjutsu was truly disgusting.
Hiruzen began by questioning Rin.
"Nohara Rin, are you... are you truly the deceased Konoha's Kunoichi, Nohara Rin?"
Hiruzen was dumbfounded!
Not just him, everyone in the office looked as if they'd seen a ghost!
'A dead person resurrected?'
'Was this really not Nidaime Hokage's Impure World Reincarnation?'
Faced with such a direct question, Rin instinctively looked at Takumi.
Seeing Takumi nod, she turned to Sandaime Hokage and said, "It... it was Takumi-kun who summoned me back."
"Preposterous!"
The two 'brilliant' advisors immediately issued stern rebukes.
From their deeply furrowed brows, it was clear they were highly skeptical!
This was understandable.
A secret technique capable of resurrecting the dead… how could it possibly be an ability mastered by a child like Takumi?
That was a Forbidden Technique only Nidaime Hokage knew!
And it had long been banned, so no one in Konoha knew it now!
"Takumi-kun, how exactly did you resurrect Rin?"
Hiruzen, unlike the others, saw Takumi as his confidant, a key member of the new generation to be nurtured. He absolutely could not doubt him.
"I heard about Rin-neesan's story from Kakashi-senpai, and I was very moved."
"I saw how sad and full of self-blame Kakashi-senpai was."
"So I summoned Rin-neesan back from the Pure Land."
"That's roughly what happened."
Takumi recited his prepared explanation.
"Hmm..."
Hearing this, Hiruzen took a drag from his pipe and pondered.
The two elders behind him also fell into thought, their faces still wearing expressions of utter disbelief.
'Damn.'
'We're asking you how you resurrected the person.'
'You went completely off-topic, and you said it so lightly!'
'This is resurrecting the dead!'
'Not rescuing some cat or dog!'
'Could you treat this matter with a bit more gravity?!'
"Is the secret technique you used to resurrect the dead perhaps the Impure World Reincarnation?" Homura asked.
"Impure World Reincarnation?" Takumi played dumb, "What's that?"
"Never mind if you don't know."
Hiruzen also felt it didn't seem like the Impure World Reincarnation.
Although he couldn't perform it, he had read the description on the Scroll of Seals.
To perform the Impure World Reincarnation, a living sacrifice was required, and the resurrected person would be closer to a state of death.
But Rin, both in appearance and aura, was different from someone resurrected by Impure World Reincarnation.
She was full of vitality, not a trace of death about her.
"How did you learn such a powerful secret technique?"
Hiruzen began fishing for information.
After all, Takumi was an incredible existence.
He had no teacher, hadn't referenced any texts, yet he somehow created Ninjutsu out of thin air!
Hadn't that strange Genjutsu that drove people insane with a glance also been learned in some bizarre way!
"I thought it up through meditation."
The same answer he had given Kakashi earlier.
"Hisssss~~~~"
Everyone present couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath.
'Damn! Just... damn!'
'Such a terrifying technique, through meditation?'
'Not even Shodaime Hokage was this badass!'
"Hey, Takumi, you..."
Homura wanted to interrogate further, but Hiruzen stopped him.
Taking a puff of smoke, Hiruzen put on a kindly expression and continued asking.
"It must be very difficult to perform this technique successfully, right?"
"After all, this is a technique that brings the dead back to life. Only a handful of people in the entire Shinobi World can accomplish it."
"Actually, it's not very difficult."
Takumi shook his head, "However, this technique of mine does have one limitation."
"What limitation?"
"I can only resurrect one person per year."
Takumi intentionally exaggerated the usage restriction. In reality, he could resurrect three people a year. But if people knew he had this technique, they would swarm him, disrupting his life's rhythm.
"So, for this year, I cannot summon any other deceased individuals."
"I see."
Hiruzen nodded.
'Good, good...'
His biggest worry was that Takumi would continue using this technique!
If he resurrected people like Minato, Shodaime or Nidaime... his seat as Hokage would become very unstable!
"Takumi, the secret technique you possess is an extremely powerful force. You must never use it indiscriminately, and you must never let outsiders know of its existence. Understand?"
Hiruzen instructed.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Takumi nodded.
"Alright, you may leave now."
Takumi breathed a sigh of relief, turned to look at Rin, and found her already looking at him.
The two exchanged a smile, then left the Hokage's office together.
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FOR EVERY 50 POWER STONES, I'LL UPLOAD ONE CHAPTER