The sun rose just like any other day.
Kakashi finished his morning exercises and washing up, ready to start his usual routine.
He began by checking the Jonin Squad Conference Room for any new announcements or assignments.
Obito arrived on time, looking anything but bright.
Something seemed different about him today.
Was it because his confession had gone so badly yesterday?
"Obito..."
As his teammate, Kakashi felt he should say something, offer some comfort.
But Obito just seemed lost, like he wasn't really there.
"Huh?" Kakashi scratched his head, confused.
Unreal?
"Sigh..."
Kakashi watched as Obito sighed heavily, sinking deeper into his sadness. He figured that only time could truly heal wounds like this.
But Obito couldn't shake the image from last night. It kept replaying in his mind, causing him so much pain.
He hadn't slept a wink all night, just kept asking himself how things could have turned out this way.
Madara's words echoed in his head, over and over.
You will return...
"Damn it!"
Obito shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts.
"Don't overthink it, Obito... You're a hero with the Sharingan now, Kakashi respects you, and Lord Minato and the others are here for you... What more could you want...?"
But the pain was real, a hole torn in his heart. A coldness spread through him, a deep ache that wouldn't go away.
"Kakashi, I'm fine... I'm really fine..."
Obito's smile was so bitter that Kakashi knew something was seriously wrong.
"What should I do? I don't know anything about love... Oh, wait! I should ask Jiraiya, my grand-teacher! I remember Jiraiya has confessed to Lord Tsunade so many times and always failed..."
Kakashi nodded to himself, deciding to seek out Jiraiya's experience. He hoped that learning from someone who had failed so many times might help Obito feel better.
----
Meanwhile, at Nohara Rin's house.
Sunlight streamed through the windows, lighting up the floor.
Rin lay fast asleep in her bed, covered by a thin blanket. Her brow occasionally twitched, her tired face hinting at what she had gone through.
Traces of dried blood further confirmed the events of the previous night.
Sarutobi Ryo turned and slowly walked out of the room.
Once outside, he used his Magnet Release Chakra to lock Rin's door from the outside before leaving the courtyard.
Sarutobi Ryo went home first.
Yamanaka Hui was busy taking care of Ruri and Neji after the birth.
Sarutobi Ryo visited Ruri and Neji, ate a small meal, and then headed to the Jonin Squad Conference Room.
This was his daily routine.
Jonin from various clans, departments, and squads checked in every day to share information.
Sarutobi Ryo handled his share of the work, though most of it was managed by Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.
Nara Shikaku took care of errands on his end, making the work fairly relaxed.
After finishing the morning's tasks, Sarutobi Ryo met Maki and Yahiko in the guest reception room.
Yahiko greeted him, then looked at Maki, whose expression was strange.
He understood the silent communication between them and smiled faintly.
There were always rumors among the ninja of different villages.
Yahiko ignored these small things and prepared to say goodbye to Sarutobi Ryo.
They had set the location for their next meeting on the border of the Land of Wind, in the newly established green area in Sunagakure.
If the Third Shinobi World War was going to end, they would need to hold another meeting.
That wouldn't be for at least a week or two, so he didn't need to stay in Konoha any longer.
After Yahiko left, Maki was also about to leave.
Sarutobi Ryo didn't say much but asked her to handle the arrangements for the next negotiation venue, including some specific details.
"Make sure there are… plenty of bathing facilities." Maki blushed and looked away.
Sarutobi Ryo reminded her that they already had a green area, suggesting they shouldn't be stingy with water.
Of course, the more important message was hidden in that phrase, referring to what had happened the first half of the previous night.
Maki's face turned red, and she pursed her lips, feeling embarrassed and unsure how to respond.
She couldn't believe that Ryo, the Hokage's favorite, would be so bold, breaking in so openly last night, and then...
How could she talk about it? Who could she tell? There was no way she could say a word.
Maki, forced to suffer in silence, had no choice but to accept what had happened.
"If we have another meeting, it means the Third Shinobi World War is probably coming to an end..."
Sarutobi Ryo looked at the girl from Sunagakure, who seemed even more beautiful after having been with him.
"And by then, the Honorable Kazekage will probably come himself..."
The next negotiation would likely involve the Kage of the different countries.
Even Onoki would probably show his face.
"Next time, Sunagakure will do its best as the host..."
Maki finally glared at Sarutobi Ryo, gritting her teeth, before hurrying away.
Watching her flee, he could see she was more scared than angry.
Sarutobi Ryo smiled, and the face of Pakura involuntarily appeared in his mind.
Fourth Kazekage... Pakura...
The second time will be even better.
----
In the Konoha outskirts, at Uzumaki Mito's residence.
Namikaze Minato, visiting today, learned something surprising.
Kushina was going to become Lord Mito's adoptive granddaughter.
It sounded a little strange at first.
In fact, it meant a great deal.
The Elders, including Koharu, had already discussed the matter with Lord Mito.
Lord Mito had agreed to the proposal.
After all, they were both from the same clan and descendants of the Uzumaki Clan.
If Kushina became her granddaughter, the bloodline of the Uzumaki Clan Head would continue.
Kushina would also become the next Clan Head of the Uzumaki Clan.
Naturally, if Namikaze Minato wanted to marry Kushina, he would have to marry into the Uzumaki family, not the other way around.
In the future, their children would be named Uzumaki, not Namikaze.
"Is that so..."
After his initial surprise, Namikaze Minato felt extremely happy.
Kushina becoming Lord Mito's granddaughter meant she was becoming the granddaughter of the First Hokage.
That meant she was... Lord Tsunade's adoptive sister.
This way, it wouldn't matter if the Jinchuriki had to be tied to the Hokage.
Her noble status alone would be enough to ensure Kushina wouldn't need to worry about that connection.
The end result would be that he could successfully marry... no, marry into the Uzumaki Clan.
In that case, Naruto would be born into the world on time!
This was truly... wonderful...
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[T/N:
Final Total Power Stone Collection : 252 PS
Goal : Reach +50 Total PS = +2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
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]