After they finished their tea, Sarutobi Ryo got up to pay the bill. Then, he led Nohara Rin back to his home.
The old house had been constantly worked on, with new parts added. Now, it was like a completely new, grand manor.
Nohara Rin stepped inside, looking around at the big, but quiet, house. She was very curious.
It was so different from the last time she had visited.
The manor was large, but most of the rooms were for guests. They were empty now, but each one had a special purpose.
Soon, they arrived at the secret room. They went down the newly built stairs to the underground area.
In the dim light of candles, Nohara Rin saw something covered on a platform.
"These are the remains of Gari, who used Explosion Release," Sarutobi Ryo said, pointing to the covered remains.
"Be careful, Rin. It might look a little... scary."
Because Katsuyu's strong acid had been used, the surface of the remains... didn't look normal.
Nohara Rin nodded. She had prepared herself, but she still jumped back when she lifted the cloth. The terrifying, gruesome face startled her.
This was not like a regular autopsy. People who died in accidents or battles often looked horrifying.
"Ah~!" Nohara Rin cried out, stepping back.
She bumped into Sarutobi Ryo's arms.
"Rin... are you okay?" Sarutobi Ryo asked, steadying her right away, sounding worried.
Suddenly, Nohara Rin was in a warm embrace. She remembered when Young Master Ryo had taken her home and put his cloak around her.
Being so close made her face turn red.
"Y-yes, I'm fine... Young Master Ryo," Nohara Rin said, shaking her head and looking down.
Her heart was pounding, and her mind started to wander.
Rin, Rin, you like Kakashi... Nohara Rin told herself, repeating it in her mind.
But her trembling body and blushing cheeks showed how she really felt.
During these teenage years, hormones were strong, and feelings often took over.
As a Medical Ninja, Nohara Rin knew this, but she couldn't control herself.
Sarutobi Ryo slowly let go of her.
Nohara Rin quickly started to examine Gari's remains.
"Rin, how have you been lately?" Sarutobi Ryo asked, standing to the side and making small talk.
Nohara Rin answered right away, talking about what she had been doing since becoming a Ninja.
As they shared their stories, the conversation flowed easily. Soon, they were chatting happily.
"Well, I won't bother you anymore. If you need anything, don't hesitate to come and find me..."
Sarutobi Ryo nodded and turned to leave.
Before he stepped onto the stairs, his eye showed Nohara Rin's progress: [20%].
Sarutobi Ryo: "What an innocent girl..."
----
Time passed quickly.
Days went by, and Nohara Rin came to help every day.
Her Medical Ninjutsu had improved a lot since she graduated. She had joined the Medical Team, and with the Third Shinobi World War happening, she had plenty of chances to practice and get better.
After working hard, her Medical Ninjutsu skills were getting close to Nonou's.
Sarutobi Ryo thought that, with enough time, Nohara Rin could even catch up to Tsunade.
Then, she would be his most valuable medical helper.
So, it was very important to teach her the Will of Fire carefully.
One morning, after working all night, Nohara Rin had figured out some information about the body.
"Young Master Ryo, with my current skills, I've only managed to get information about Steel Release..."
Nohara Rin stood at the entrance, looking sorry.
Sarutobi Ryo wasn't surprised, because the system had already hinted at it. "Rin, you're just starting. Don't rush..."
He patted her shoulder gently.
"Getting information about Steel Release is already excellent..."
Seeing that Young Master Ryo understood, Nohara Rin couldn't help but smile.
She nodded, showing that she would keep working hard. One day, she would unlock the secrets of Explosion Release.
"I've kept the remains safe with Sealing Technique, Rin... I'll still need your help in the future," Sarutobi Ryo said, letting her know he wanted her to keep analyzing the remains.
Seeing that Young Master Ryo trusted her so much, Rin became very excited.
"Oh, right, Rin, you'll be taking part in the Chunin Exams soon, won't you..." Sarutobi Ryo asked, bringing up her upcoming assessment.
She and Uchiha Obito would be in the Chunin Exams together.
Nohara Rin would pass, but Obito would fail. He would only pass the next time, in the extra exam.
"If you pass, how about joining the Anbu? Just as a figurehead, of course," Sarutobi Ryo said, waving his hand kindly.
He had the power to ask that.
As his reputation and strength grew, so did his power.
When the time came, he would have Nohara Rin join his Anbu Squad Six and become one of his people.
"Okay," Nohara Rin agreed right away.
Being a figurehead... of course, there was no problem with that.
Watching the happy girl leave, Sarutobi Ryo's face slowly turned calm again.
[Nohara Rin: Progress... 25%]
"Young Master."
Yamanaka Hui came out of the shadows. Seeing that Nohara Rin was gone, she started to tell him the latest news she had.
The Golden Flash was becoming famous.
He had fought the A-B Brothers on the Kumogakure Battlefield.
He had faced two enemies alone and made them retreat.
"Now everyone in the Village is talking about it..."
Namikaze Minato became famous in one battle, and everyone in Konoha was talking about his legend.
Seeing Yamanaka Hui look worried, Sarutobi Ryo calmly opened the information that Nohara Rin had figured out.
"Young Master..." Yamanaka Hui was confused.
Namikaze Minato had done something big, and his fame had grown so much.
Why weren't you worried?
"It's nothing. Let him be," Sarutobi Ryo said, shaking his head and not caring about Namikaze Minato's achievements.
The A-B Brothers... Killer Bee and Ai, were facing Namikaze Minato for the first time.
Killer Bee was only 15 years old this year.
Namikaze Minato was in his early 20s.
The official data book said that during the Third Shinobi World War, Namikaze Minato had many one-on-one fights with Killer Bee, and neither could win. In the end, they respected each other's strength.
So, no matter how good Namikaze Minato was, he could only tie with 15-year-old Killer Bee. He couldn't kill Killer Bee or Ai.
What was there to worry about?
He was taking things one step at a time.
Yesterday, he killed Sarui. Today, he killed Gari. Tomorrow, he would kill...
One by one, he would eventually kill all these experts! That was real achievement and strength.
*
**
***
[T/N:
Final Total Power Stone Collection : 119 PS
Goal : Reach +50 Total PS = +2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
Want to support my work and get early access to chapters? Check out my Patreon! 👇
➡️ patreon.com/Boundless_Beacon
]