"Was it because of me that his Mangekyo awakened?"
Rin paused for a moment and asked.
"That's right. You were the one who made Obito awaken his Mangekyo, so in his heart, you're undoubtedly very special. Obito can't suppress his feelings, and with the Uchiha Clan's bloodline, his danger is obvious. The best outcome would be for me to take away his Mangekyo Sharingan and lock him up in a cell for the rest of his life."
Hakushi wasn't joking with Rin; he was indeed thinking this way.
Obito is gentle now, not yet consumed by the Mangekyo Sharingan's power, because Rin is still alive, able to restrain the darkness in his heart.
If Rin were to die, the darkness would rise again. By then, not only would the Mangekyo Sharingan's Donjutsu do unpredictable things, the terror he'd unleash would be incalculable.
At that point, Hakushi would need to take precautions.
So he must warn Rin, to be sure to protect herself.
Learning Immortal Technique and Medical Ninjutsu, and even mastering the Seven-tailed within her, all are ways to have strength to protect herself.
He hopes Rin can understand.
No, Rin understands this very well.
For her, saving Obito is also her own redemption, her reason for surviving.
She doesn't want anyone to get hurt, and her feelings for Obito are probably very complicated.
"Hakushi-senpai, I really am foolish."
Rin gave another bitter smile.
Though in her heart, she thought it would have been better if she'd just died back then.
Just as Hakushi said, dying by Obito's hand then was actually a selfish and laughable act.
So she once felt resentment toward Hakushi for pulling her back from the brink of death, but thinking it over, it was all due to her own thoughtless mistakes.
To protect Konoha but hurt her most important comrade—from the standpoint of Konoha ninja Nohara Rin, that was understandable.
However, after making that choice, Konoha ninja Nohara Rin was already gone.
The Nohara Rin standing here now has lost her identity as a Konoha ninja.
Having been reborn, what she does now is no longer for Konoha Village.
If she's selfish, then let her just keep being selfish.
For Obito, for herself, there's no way back anymore, only one path left, all the way to darkness.
"So, the truth is, it's us humans who are truly foolish. And of course, I'm the same. Don't forget, by using you all, I am selfish too."
"I thought Hakushi-senpai was about to say something grand and noble."
Hearing Hakushi's words, Rin gently brushed back her hair and gave a slight smile.
"For you who've already died once, those words aren't necessarily helpful. Better to stick to reality. If you ever have any problems mentally, please contact me anytime. The Land of Demons already has a hospital specialized in ninja psychological health."
These words didn't seem like a joke.
"Then I'll leave it to Hakushi-senpai to keep an eye on me and Obito."
Rin smiled openly, meeting Hakushi's gaze frankly.
Hakushi also smiled and said, "Of course. Personally, I've been very concerned about you two. You're my students, and unless absolutely necessary, I don't want to give up on you. No—if you don't give up on what your hearts seek, that's the best reward I could ask for."
"So what arrangements will you make for Obito later?"
Rin asked with concern.
"About that, I'll make my own plans. I'm thinking of assigning him somewhere fitting."
"Like?"
"Helping old ladies and old men cross the street, that kind of thing. I believe he'll do even better at that."
"The Security Team?"
Rin nodded, understanding.
"I hope to erase the 'darkness' in his eyes... If those eyes aren't guided properly, losing wealth is minor—seeking vengeance on the world would be my failure as his mentor."
Hakushi answered naturally.
By bringing Rin and Obito back, he'd already made preparations for this.
Since he brought the two back, he must be responsible for them seriously.
Letting Obito learn Natural Energy is to help calm his mind.
It sounds like wishful thinking, but in Hakushi's view, Obito at this immature age, abusing Mangekyo Sharingan's power too much would be a very bad thing.
His mental age is just too naive and childlike.
Hakushi stood up from his chair after lunch and headed to where Obito trained.
Behind him, Rin's voice called out:
"If possible, Hakushi-senpai, I hope you can keep what happened just now a secret from Obito."
Hakushi waved his hand behind him toward Rin, signaling that he understood.
Because he intended to do just that.
For a child this immature yet possessing such enormous power, telling him all the truth would not help.
It's better to wait until he's grown up and discovers it himself, then he'll accept this 'deception' more easily.
With Obito's nearly boot-licker-like personality, Hakushi can't think of a better way.
When Obito masters Immortal Technique, then he'll train him as security personnel, and someday help the old ladies and old men in the Land of Demons—hopefully melting away the darkness hidden in his eyes.
◎
The disappearance of the Nohara couple left Hiruzen, the Hokage, deeply troubled.
Nohara Rin stole the Seven-tailed beast from Hidden Waterfall Village, and now her whereabouts are unknown.
This led to the breakdown of relations between Hidden Waterfall Village and Konoha, and at the moment while Konoha is clashing with Hidden Cloud, there's no guarantee that Hidden Waterfall won't use this situation as an excuse to declare war on Konoha.
Although Hidden Waterfall Village isn't among the Five Great Nations' ninja villages, it still holds considerable ninja strength.