49, Rin

"A mission for me?"

Rin looked at the mission document the ninja before her had handed over in surprise. Ever since she had been kept in the village, she had never thought she would receive another mission.

"The front lines need a new batch of medical ninja. You've been selected for the list. You'll depart tomorrow morning, so go back and prepare today."

"Alright, I understand."

After the ninja left, Rin could not help taking a deep breath.

The front lines again...

She would get to see Kakashi and Minato-sensei, as well as Kurenai, Asuma, Guy, Genma, and the others.

Having experienced the war against the Stone Ninja, Rin had no particular resistance toward going to the battlefield. As a Konoha ninja, she felt it was only natural.

After leaving the hospital, she took a detour to the Hyuga Clan Compound.

It had been a long time since she had come here. She still thought the Hyuga estate's gates looked quite imposing, but the area in front was deserted. Ever since what happened to Hyuga Hiashi, people in the village had been unwilling to pass by the Hyuga Clan Compound.

"Hello, I'm here to see Lord Shin," Rin said to the Hyuga clansman who opened the door.

The other man was quite surprised to hear that she was looking for Shin. He did not know Rin, and after considering it, he said, "Lord Shin isn't in the clan compound right now."

Lord... Shin?

She cautiously asked, "Then, do you know where Lord Shin... is now?"

"You are?"

"My name is Nohara Rin. I'm Lord Shin's friend."

"Lord Shin should be with the Hokage right now."

After leaving the gates of the Hyuga Clan Compound, Rin found it rather unbelievable.

She remembered that Shin's status in the Hyuga clan had not seemed so high. When she had returned from the front lines with Shin, she had been invited to visit the Hyuga Clan Compound several times, and she clearly remembered that the Hyuga clansmen's attitude toward Shin had been fairly ordinary then.

How had he suddenly become Lord Shin?

And that man should have been Shin's elder.

Rin could not make sense of it. After pondering for a long while, she suddenly recalled Minato-sensei's warning to have less contact with him.

She did not dislike Shin, and besides, Shin had just saved her life yesterday.

Rin arrived outside the Hokage's Office. After some hesitation, she chose to wait outside for Shin to come out, but she ended up waiting for nearly an hour.

The sun was almost setting, and Rin had even begun to wonder whether that man had lied to her.

"Waiting for me?"

The familiar voice that suddenly sounded beside her ear made Rin quickly turn around.

"Lord Shin!"

"I was busy with some things just now."

Rin hurriedly said, "It's alright. I came here suddenly on my own. I just went to your home to look for you and heard you were here."

She revealed a slightly shy smile again. "About treating you to dinner like I said yesterday... do you have time? I'm heading to the front lines tomorrow, and I don't know when I'll be back."

"What are we eating?"

"What does Lord Shin want to eat?"

Shin thought for a moment. "Ichiraku Ramen."

"Ramen?"

Rin felt that ramen was somewhat inappropriate for a formal occasion like treating someone to a meal.

Shin smiled faintly. "What's wrong?"

Rin smiled as well. "Nothing. Since Lord Shin wants it, then Ichiraku Ramen it is."

After all, it was Shin's request. Since she was treating him to a meal, they should eat whatever he liked.

"Rin." Shin suddenly called her name.

"Huh?"

"I've called you that before, haven't I?" Shin said.

Rin stared blankly at him, not understanding what he meant.

"If you think our relationship is fairly good, don't use honorifics."

"..."

Rin gave an embarrassed laugh. "Alright... Shin."

The two chatted as they walked, arriving at the entrance of Ichiraku Ramen.

Rin's feelings suddenly became complicated. She recalled how she used to come here often with Kakashi and Obito. Obito was always late, making Kakashi furious...

"Welcome. What would you two like?"

"The signature ramen." Shin glanced at the menu hanging on the wall and, seeing nothing new, gave his order.

"The same for me."

Teuchi turned around and got busy at the counter.

"Shin... do you really like ramen?" Rin took the initiative to ask.

"I like anything that tastes good," Shin said. "Besides, I think this place is special."

"Of course it is," Teuchi cut in. "My craftsmanship is the most special there is!"

Rin smiled and replied, "Yes, Uncle Teuchi's ramen is especially delicious."

Teuchi narrowed his eyes with a smile. "It's been a while since Rin came by. Where are Kakashi and Obito?"

The smile on Rin's face instantly froze, and a look of sadness appeared.

"Kakashi is at the front lines," Shin answered for her.

With the village constantly at war, Teuchi immediately understood from Rin's reaction. He could not help sighing softly.

He had rather liked that kid who was always making a fuss about becoming Hokage.

Before long, two steaming bowls of ramen were served, their fragrance filling the air. Since there were no other customers, the owner had even added two extra slices of char siu.

Seeing that she still looked downcast, Shin took the initiative to speak. "Rin."

He turned slightly toward her. "Let me show you something interesting."

Rin composed herself. "What is it?"

Shin extended a finger and lightly swept it through the air. The ramen in the bowl actually floated up on its own and slowly moved toward Shin's mouth.

Rin found it incredibly magical. "How did you do that?"

She even waved a hand over Shin's bowl, making sure there were no transparent threads or anything.

Shin smiled faintly. "Want to try?"

Rin said blankly, "I can't do that."

Then Shin controlled the ramen once more, making strand after strand float up on their own and fly toward Rin.

"Open your mouth."

Rin's eyes widened. Though she found it unbelievable, she unconsciously opened her small mouth.

The ramen entered her mouth just like that. After chewing it briefly, she swallowed.

She felt a warm current within her body, but only assumed the ramen was too hot and paid it no mind.

She took a breath, but there was too much ramen to finish in one bite, so she could only bite it off.

Seeing the bitten-off ramen return to the bowl on its own, Rin had not even had time to voice her amazement before she suddenly realized that it was Shin's bowl of ramen. Shin seemed to have bitten it earlier too.

"How is it?" Shin asked with a faint smile. Using such little tricks was effortless for him now.

Rin looked embarrassed and shy. It was not that she found it disgusting, but after realizing what had happened, she felt somewhat uncomfortable.

"It's amazing..."

"Um, I'll eat that bowl."

Rin pointed at Shin's ramen and said apologetically.

Shin was slightly surprised, then understood what Rin was concerned about.

The girl before him was too innocent. Most girls in this world were like that as well. In his previous life, sharing the same cup of milk tea, the same glass of wine, the same bowl of food, even sleeping in the same bed... with a woman he got along with had all been perfectly normal.

Shin found it amusing and said, "I've already eaten from this bowl."

Rin became even more embarrassed and flustered. "I ate from it too just now. I didn't mean to. I haven't touched my bowl yet, so you can eat mine."

As she spoke, she took the initiative to push her ramen in front of Shin, then brought the bowl before Shin over to herself.

"Let's eat." Rin lowered her head and began eating. The steam made her face itch a little, but she did not dare look up at Shin.

Shin noticed that although she was forcing herself to look calm, when she tucked her hair back as she ate, one of her ears was bright red. Even the back of her neck, covered in fine downy hairs, was red.

"What time are you leaving tomorrow?" Shin stopped teasing her and changed the subject.

"In the morning."

"Be careful at the front lines."

"Ah, I know." Rin finally smiled.

What she did not know was that Shin himself had assigned her this mission.