On the other side.
In the evening at Konoha Hospital, the air was thick with the mingled scent of disinfectant and medicinal herbs, a smell that lingered in the corridors and seemed to seep into one's very clothes and hair.
Medical-nin hurried past from time to time, their footsteps brisk and purposeful; the wheels of stretchers rolled across the polished floor with a low rumble; muted conversations blended with the occasional suppressed cough, weaving together into the unique background symphony that only a hospital could produce.
Rin had just finished changing the bandages for the last injured patient in Room Three.
She carefully placed the used gauze into the medical waste bin, washed her hands thoroughly, and then adjusted her nurse's cap in front of the mirror mounted on the wall.
In the mirror stood a young girl with gentle brown eyes. Her shoulder-length chestnut hair curved softly beneath the white nurse's cap, framing a face that still held traces of youthful innocence.
Her white nurse uniform fit neatly, outlining a figure that, though still youthful, was gradually maturing.
The chakra of the Tailed Beast within her seemed, subtly and imperceptibly, to be influencing her development as well.
"Rin, finished so early today?"
A warm female voice sounded from behind her.
Rin turned around and saw Dr. Miyako standing at the other end of the corridor, holding a stack of medical charts in her arms.
Miyako, about thirty years old, was one of the backbone members of the Medical Division and also one of Rin's supervising instructors. She wore round-framed glasses and always carried herself with a serious, meticulous demeanor, yet she was gentle and considerate toward her juniors.
"Yes, Miyako-sensei."
Rin bowed slightly.
"I've finished taking care of all the patients assigned to me today."
Miyako stepped closer and adjusted her glasses. "It's rare to see you finish so early."
A faint blush rose to Rin's cheeks.
"Well… I have something to take care of today."
"Oh?"
Miyako's lips curved into a knowing smile.
"Don't tell me you've made plans with someone?"
"N-no, that's not it!"
Rin waved her hands hastily, though her voice softened toward the end.
"I just… wanted to find Kiyohara-kun to discuss some matters regarding medical ninjutsu."
Miyako paused. "Kiyohara? You mean that Magnet Release user who's been performing remarkably on the battlefield lately?"
"Yes."
Rin nodded.
"Kiyohara has great talent in medical ninjutsu and learns very quickly. We've exchanged ideas a few times before, and some of the perspectives he brought up were truly inspiring."
Miyako stroked her chin thoughtfully.
"That child… I heard that Lady Tsunade plans to personally instruct him."
"Eh?"
Rin's eyes widened in surprise.
"Lady Tsunade? Really?"
"The Medical Division has been reorganizing the laboratory these past few days, setting aside a dedicated room for Kiyohara's use," Miyako said, her tone tinged with admiration. "It was ordered personally by the Hokage-sama, to fully cooperate with Lady Tsunade's teaching. Quite extraordinary, isn't it?"
Rin stood there in a daze.
To be able to study under one of the legendary Sannin was an opportunity countless shinobi dreamed of.
"Rin?"
Miyako noticed her momentary distraction.
"Ah, sorry."
Rin came back to her senses and forced a smile.
"I was just surprised. Kiyohara-kun truly is exceptional. It's wonderful that he can study under Lady Tsunade."
Miyako saw the complex emotions flickering in the girl's eyes and understood without needing further explanation.
Youth truly was a beautiful thing.
She recalled how, in her own younger days, she too had once gazed at a figure gradually walking farther and farther away from her.
"Go on," Miyako said gently. "It's getting dark. Don't keep him waiting too long."
"Yes, thank you, Miyako-sensei!"
Rin bowed once more before turning and heading quickly toward the changing room.
Miyako watched her departing figure and found herself reminiscing about her own youth.
......
When Rin stepped out of the hospital gates after changing back into her casual clothes, the sky had already darkened completely.
The streets of Konoha were illuminated by scattered lights. Though the war still raged on beyond the village's borders, daily life within the village maintained a fragile semblance of vitality. Shinobi moved briskly with urgent purpose, while civilians strove to preserve the rhythms of ordinary living.
The fragrance of food drifted out from restaurants, children played at alley corners, and occasionally members of the Konoha Police Force passed by on patrol.
Everything appeared so ordinary.
Rin carried a small cloth bundle containing several rolls of medical notes and some refreshments she had specially prepared that day.
She followed the familiar streets toward Kiyohara's home.
The Kiyohara residence was located at the edge of the Uchiha clan district, in a relatively quiet residential area.
Few households were situated there, most belonging to solitary shinobi or small families. Rin had visited several times before and was already well acquainted with the route.
She quickened her pace and turned the final corner.
Then she heard it.
The roar of ninjutsu clashing. The dull crash of collapsing structures.
It was the sound of battle.
And it was coming from the direction of Kiyohara's home.
A civilian hurried over and informed Rin that a fight had broken out ahead.
Upon hearing this, Rin immediately suspected a spy attack. Such incidents were not uncommon in shinobi villages, which was why entry and exit into Konoha were now strictly inspected.
"Go find the Police Force. I'll check it out first," Rin told the civilian, sending him to alert other shinobi while she rushed ahead alone.
She drew out her surgical scalpel.
With no kunai on hand, it would have to serve as her substitute weapon.
Dropping her cloth bundle to the ground, she began sprinting at full speed.
Her brown hair streamed behind her in the wind, and the hem of her clothes fluttered sharply.
Kiyohara might be in danger!
Turning the final bend, the courtyard of Kiyohara's home came fully into view—or rather, what had once been a courtyard.
The walls had largely collapsed, and the ground was riddled with craters.
Two figures moved rapidly through the ruins, colliding, separating, and clashing again in a blur of motion.
One of them was Kiyohara.
Rin recognized him instantly.
His right sleeve was torn, and faint traces of blood could be seen beneath it.
Yet his movements remained swift and decisive; his hands formed seals so quickly they were nearly impossible to follow.
The other figure…
Rin had never seen anyone like him before.
A wide black cloak draped over his body, and a strange yellow tiger-striped mask covered his face, revealing only a single eye.
At times, he fought Kiyohara as though he possessed a solid body; at others, he seemed like a phantom, allowing Kiyohara's attacks to pass cleanly through him.
"Kiyohara!"
Even as she called out, her hands were already forming seals.
Medical-nin were not known for excelling in direct combat, but that did not mean she was helpless. At the Shinobi Academy, her grades had always been excellent; she had simply chosen to specialize in medical techniques afterward.
Soft green chakra gathered in her palms.
It was not an offensive technique, but a supportive interference-type jutsu.
A restraining ninjutsu used to control opponents—called "Medical Binding Technique."
Though not particularly powerful, it activated quickly and covered a wide range.
Green chakra threads shot toward the masked man like silken strands.
Obito heard that voice.
Rin's voice.
His movements faltered for a fraction of a second.
Though it was only a few tenths of a second, for shinobi engaged in high-speed combat, it was enough to be fatal.
Kiyohara seized the opportunity.
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand Drizzle!"
The iron sand suspended in midair exploded outward, transforming into countless fine spikes that poured down like a torrential rainstorm, enveloping every inch of space around Obito.
He was forced into complete intangibility.
The iron sand spikes passed through his body and embedded themselves densely into the ground behind him.
At that very instant, Rin's Medical Binding Technique arrived as well.
Though it could not affect Obito while he was intangible, the moment he materialized, the green chakra threads interfered slightly, causing his body to stall for half a beat.
Kiyohara did not let the chance slip away.
With his left hand, he reached into his shinobi pouch and drew out three kunai, while his right hand continued manipulating the iron sand.
Fine arcs of lightning wrapped around the kunai, crackling sharply.
"Lightning Release: Lightning Chain!"
The moment the kunai were thrown, lightning arcs leapt between them, forming a triangular electric net that sealed off Obito's retreat.
This was a C-rank Lightning Release technique Kiyohara had obtained from Uchiha Kiyohara, somewhat similar to Kakashi's Lightning Transmission.
A pincer attack from front and back.
Behind the mask, Obito's Mangekyō Sharingan spun rapidly.
He could see the worry on Rin's face.
But that worry was not for him. It was for Kiyohara.
In this false world, Rin was fighting for someone else.
A familiar twisting pain pierced through where his heart should have been—far more agonizing than any physical wound.
"Enough!"
Obito roared in fury.
Space began to distort.
Centered on the single eyehole of his mask, vortex-like ripples spread outward.
His body began to twist and shrink, drawn into an invisible singularity.
"Don't think you can escape!"
Kiyohara clasped his hands together as more iron sand surged from his gourd, attempting to form a cage.
Obito cast one final glance at Rin before disappearing completely into the vortex.
Only a single sentence drifted away on the night wind:
"We will meet again."
...
Rin stared blankly at the place where the masked man had vanished.
Just like that… gone?
A teleportation technique?
She shook her head, not dwelling further on the question.
"Kiyohara!"
Snapping back to her senses, she rushed toward him.
Kiyohara stood where he was, his Sharingan still active as he vigilantly scanned the surroundings.
Only after confirming that Obito was truly no longer nearby did he slowly deactivate it.
Obito's Kamui truly defied the heavens.
Among Mangekyō Sharingan techniques, it could be said to stand in a class of its own.
Even in the era of Boruto, such an ability would still dominate.
After all, without Kamui, the original Obito would never have been able to manipulate events from the shadows for so many years.
"Are you alright?"
Rin had already reached him, green healing chakra immediately blooming from her hands.
She anxiously examined his injuries, her gaze settling on the wound on his right arm.
The sleeve had been sliced open, revealing a long but shallow cut that was steadily bleeding.
"I'm fine," Kiyohara said, shaking his head lightly. "It's just a flesh wound."
That wound had been a deliberate opening on his part, a flaw intentionally exposed in order to lure Obito into closing the distance.
In the end, however, Obito still managed to evade Kiyohara's attack by activating his "intangibility."
But the duration of his intangibility was nearly exhausted.
Obito could maintain that state for at most five minutes; once the limit was exceeded, he would be forced to materialize.
"The enemy's attack might have been poisoned," Rin said seriously.
She pulled Kiyohara beneath a relatively intact section of the eaves and had him sit down, while she knelt beside him and took disinfectant and bandages from the small pouch she carried with her. It was a habit ingrained in medical-nin: even after work, they always carried basic medical supplies.
A soft green chakra enveloped the wound, disinfecting it while simultaneously stimulating cellular regeneration.
Kiyohara watched Rin's focused profile.
Moonlight fell across her face, her long eyelashes casting delicate shadows beneath her eyes. Her brows were slightly furrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line of concentration.
"Thank you, Rin," Kiyohara said.
Her hand paused briefly before continuing to treat the injury.
"Thank me for what… I didn't help much at all. That masked man was too strong, and his ability was so strange…"
Then she lifted her head and asked, "Kiyohara, who exactly was that person? Why did he attack you?"
"I don't know."
Kiyohara shook his head.
Of course, he knew full well that it had been Obito.
"He appeared out of nowhere. Possibly a spy from another village."
Rin nodded at that.
Situations like this were not unprecedented. Either enemies from other hidden villages had infiltrated Konoha, or someone within the village had betrayed it.
At that moment, several sharp sounds of air being cut echoed one after another as multiple figures landed around the courtyard.
"What happened here?"
"We detected chakra fluctuations in this area!"
"There are clear signs of battle!"
The arrivals came in two groups.
One group wore animal masks—the ANBU. Several shinobi landed in a triangular formation, immediately spreading out to secure the perimeter.
The other group bore the crest of the Uchiha clan—the Konoha Military Police Force. Four shinobi in total, led by a man around thirty years old with the typical black hair and sharp eyes characteristic of the Uchiha.
The two groups arrived almost simultaneously and immediately noticed one another.
The atmosphere turned subtle at once.
The ANBU were the Hokage's personal forces, tasked with intelligence, assassination, and the protection of important figures.
The Konoha Military Police Force maintained public order within the village and was composed primarily of members of the Uchiha clan.
Their jurisdictions overlapped in certain areas, and historically there had been friction between them.
"Kiyohara?"
The ANBU captain spoke first.
"What happened here? We detected intense chakra fluctuations just now."
"There was an enemy attack," Kiyohara replied, standing up and offering a concise explanation. "A mysterious individual wearing an orange spiral mask, with what appeared to be a very unusual Sharingan. His ability was bizarre—attacks could pass through him. In the end, he vanished."
"A Sharingan… and he disappeared?"
Uchiha Tetsuyama of the Military Police frowned.
There was no such person within the clan. He had never heard of any clan member possessing space–time ninjutsu. Could it be the transplanted eye of a deceased clan member, like Kakashi's case?
Regardless, this matter had to be reported.
"Did he flee, or was it space–time ninjutsu?"
"It looked more like space–time ninjutsu," Kiyohara answered. "There was no visible escape, he vanished directly into a vortex."
The ANBU captain and Uchiha Tetsuyama exchanged a glance.
Though they belonged to different divisions, they cooperated when facing external threats.
"Describe the enemy's features in detail," the ANBU captain said.
A Sharingan made this matter far from simple.
Kiyohara provided a thorough account of the masked man's appearance, abilities, and fighting style. Rin supplemented with what she had observed.
After hearing the full account, both groups fell into contemplation.
"Space–time ninjutsu…" the ANBU captain murmured. "That's not something an ordinary shinobi can perform. It may be a kekkei genkai or some secret technique."
"I will report this to Lord Yashiro immediately," Uchiha Tetsuyama said.
Uchiha Yashiro was Uchiha Fugaku's right-hand man; with Fugaku currently absent, Yashiro was handling clan affairs.
"ANBU will conduct an investigation as well," the captain stated, then turned to issue orders to his subordinates.
"I'm fine," Kiyohara said. "The wound has already been treated."
He glanced at Rin, who nodded lightly to confirm that the bandaging was complete.
After asking several more detailed questions, the ANBU captain ordered his men to examine the scene. Two members of the Military Police assisted, while the remaining two began patrolling the surrounding area for potential clues.
"Kiyohara," Rin suddenly said, "I heard… that Lady Tsunade will be teaching you medical ninjutsu?"
Kiyohara looked slightly surprised. "News spreads quickly."
"Yes." Rin nodded. "Congratulations, Kiyohara. To study under Lady Tsunade is an incredibly precious opportunity."
"Rin, you're one of the most talented medical-nin I've ever met. Even if I study under Lady Tsunade, there will still be many things I'll need to consult you about."
Rin looked up, a glimmer of light flashing in her eyes. "Really?"
"Of course," Kiyohara said earnestly. "Medical ninjutsu isn't just about mastering techniques; it's about understanding life itself. In that regard, you've always been ahead."
Those were not empty compliments.
He had seen her passion and dedication. She did not treat medical ninjutsu as a mere tool, but as a genuine means of saving lives. That difference in philosophy often mattered more than technical proficiency.
A faint blush rose to her cheeks. "Kiyohara-kun is exaggerating… I'm only doing what I should."
"I'm just stating facts."
He finished the last sip of tea.
Rin nodded firmly. "I understand."
Their eyes met.
Under the moonlight, her brown eyes were clear as water, reflecting his image. Her cheeks grew redder and redder until, flustered, she turned her gaze away.
"I—I should go home!"
She stood abruptly, hurriedly straightening her clothes. "If it's too late, my family will worry."
"I'll walk you home," Kiyohara said, rising as well.
"No, your injury—"
"It's only superficial."
He insisted. "And it may not be safe outside yet."
In the end, she did not refuse.
They left the ruined house together, walking side by side along the street toward her home.
One ANBU shinobi moved as if to question them but was stopped by the captain.
"Let them go," the captain said. "Our priority is reporting to the Hokage and determining whether the enemy remains in Konoha."
"Yes, sir!"
......
Obito stood atop a high rooftop on the outskirts of Konoha.
Beyond it lay forest and training grounds. From there he could overlook most of the village, lights scattered like stars, the brightest cluster being the Hokage Rock and surrounding administrative district.
Behind the mask, his Mangekyō Sharingan rotated slowly. Even at such distance, its vision was sharp enough to capture every detail.
He saw Rin's focused expression as she treated Kiyohara's wound. He saw the two walking side by side.
"Obito, are you okay?"
White Zetsu's voice echoed within his consciousness.
"That was dangerous just now. You almost got hit by that iron sand. That Kiyohara is impressive, he actually pushed you that far."
"Shut up," Obito muttered.
These white creatures never knew when to speak.
He continued watching: Rin bidding farewell at her doorway, Kiyohara turning to leave, Rin standing there watching his back until he vanished from sight before finally entering her house.
Obito rested his hand on the rooftop railing and suddenly felt something cold.
He looked down—a droplet of liquid rested on his wrist.
Tears?
He froze.
"No… it's rain."
He lifted his head toward the sky.
At some point, dark clouds had obscured the moon.
The first raindrop struck his mask with a soft tap. Then the second, the third…
The rain gradually intensified.
Water streamed along the curves of the mask and dripped from its chin. His cloak was soon soaked and heavy, yet he did not move, allowing the rain to envelop him.
Rainwater seeped through the eyehole into his eye.
Just rain.
"At this point, how could there be any other possibility?"
He opened his hand, as if feeling the rainfall.
His resolve hardened further.
He still needed time to temper himself and master his abilities more completely.
"Obito, we should leave," White Zetsu reminded him. "Even with the Mayfly Technique, Konoha's sensory barrier is well-developed. Staying too long risks detection. And that Kiyohara is strong—you were completely suppressed. Your intangibility probably can't last much longer."
Swirl-pattern White Zetsu, attached to him, could feel the burden on his body. Space–time techniques consumed far more chakra than ordinary jutsu. Obito's Kamui was no exception. To absorb an opponent required physical contact, then time to transfer them.
Each time, Kiyohara struck before Obito could complete the process, rendering his ability ineffective. And while intangible, he could not counterattack.
"Why didn't you use my power earlier?" White Zetsu asked. With its ability, it could enhance Obito's chakra and physical strength.
"We'll discuss that later," Obito replied calmly.
Though White Zetsu could strengthen him, he had not forgotten that they were subordinates of Madara. From the illusionary world, Obito had come to understand that Madara was far from simple. Something new had taken root within his heart. Even though he accepted Madara's teachings, he was not foolish enough to believe everything unquestioningly. He had his own thoughts.
...
Inside the Hokage's office building, Hiruzen Sarutobi's first reaction upon receiving the report was that Danzo had made a move again.
"Danzo is being far too hasty," Hiruzen muttered, frowning.
Compared to a mysterious outsider wielding space–time ninjutsu attempting to assassinate Kiyohara, the likelihood of Danzo's involvement seemed higher. Of course, the former possibility could not be dismissed entirely.
Fortunately, Tsunade has already agreed to teach Kiyohara, Hiruzen thought.
"Continue investigating," he ordered.
"Yes, sir."
The ANBU vanished instantly.
"A Sharingan…" Hiruzen frowned deeply. Had Danzo obtained one, or had an outsider transplanted it? The possibility that a member of the Uchiha clan had attacked Kiyohara also existed, though ANBU intelligence had never uncovered any space–time techniques within the clan.
...
The next day, Kiyohara began preparing to move.
He had originally planned to relocate only after mastering Gold Dust, intending to seize the opportunity during the Kikyo Mountain campaign when the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, would inevitably appear so he could learn by observation.
But now, with portions of his courtyard and walls collapsed, there was little point in delaying. Fortunately, he had always lived simply, so there was not much to pack.
He sealed his belongings into several large storage scrolls and slung a bundle over his shoulder.
"Kiyohara, your house…"
Kurenai blinked in surprise upon arriving. How had his home turned into this state in just a few days? Had he lost control while practicing some ninjutsu?
"I'm moving to a new place," Kiyohara replied. "Something happened yesterday."
He was about to go purchase a new house immediately, and in the afternoon, he still needed to visit Tsunade's residence.
(End of Chapter)