Side Quest Complete

Hokage Building, third-floor office.

"That's everything that happened. I'll submit a more detailed mission report later."

Minato stood tall as he reported to the Hokage in a deep voice.

Hiruzen Sarutobi lightly tapped his pipe, his gaze falling on Shinji's group as he said with a hint of satisfaction, "You've all worked hard."

After a pause, he added softly, "As for Obito... my condolences."

As Hokage, he had long since grown accustomed to life and death, and deeply understood the sacrifice of comrades.

Back when he had followed the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, into the Second Shinobi World War, he had watched his comrades fall one after another with his own eyes. Even his close friend, Kagami Uchiha, had ultimately perished.

He understood that pain better than anyone.

His gaze unconsciously shifted to Shinji, and he quietly mused, The most surprising one is still this child. His strength has grown so quickly. I wonder, compared to Shisui now, which of them is stronger?

Shisui had also shone brilliantly in the clashes with Mist, single-handedly earning the fearsome reputation of "Body Flicker Shisui."

The Uchiha Clan truly produced geniuses in abundance.

He slowly exhaled a puff of smoke, and his thoughts quietly turned to his own son.

Only when his gaze moved to Asuma beside Shinji did a gentle smile gradually appear on the Third Hokage's face.

Asuma had also made a contribution during this mission, adding another weighty S-rank achievement to his record.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had always worried endlessly over Asuma.

Hiruzen composed himself, his expression turning solemn again as he slowly announced:

"Thanks to all of you, Konoha was able to achieve victory in this battle. Both of your squads are to remain on standby for now."

"The village will make the results of this battle public." The corners of his lips lifted slightly. "Konoha needs news like this to raise morale."

"Namikaze Minato, Kakashi Hatake... Shinji, Kurenai."

"You are all heroes of Konoha."

"Yes!" everyone answered in unison.

Shinji stood quietly behind Minato. He felt no particular stirrings in his heart right now; all he wanted was to get home early, take a proper bath, and sleep soundly.

After spending more than half a month exposed to the elements, he could finally settle down in peace.

A relaxed smile hung on Shinji's face, but his hand unconsciously pressed against his pocket.

Inside lay twelve high-denomination banknotes.

"Just as expected of an S-rank mission! A full 1.2 million ryo."

The minimum reward for an S-rank mission was one million ryo. Missions that directly involved conflict between shinobi villages like this one were even rarer under normal circumstances.

Since graduating from the Ninja Academy, the highest-ranked missions Shinji had taken were only B-rank missions. Split evenly among the squad, they had earned merely thirty thousand ryo each.

The difference between the two was like heaven and earth.

This time, aside from Minato, each of them had received the full 1.2 million ryo.

That was enough to show just how much money Konoha had poured into this battle.

The Land of Fire lay in the center of the continent, rich in resources and abundant in missions. It was no wonder the other major shinobi villages eyed it so greedily.

The benefits here were simply too tempting.

"With this 1.2 million, I should be able to forge a decent short sword."

Shinji calculated to himself.

His previous short sword had been completely destroyed in the battle against Pakura. In close combat, he was more skilled with the blade, so a good sword was crucial to him.

Outside the Hokage Building, everyone was about to part ways.

Minato left first, while Asuma was kept behind alone by the Third Hokage.

In the end, only Shinji, Kakashi, Nohara Rin, and Kurenai Yuhi remained.

"I need to go to the hospital first," Kurenai said softly.

Although her injuries had improved greatly under Shinji and Rin's treatment, she still needed to visit the hospital for a thorough examination.

"There's somewhere I want to go," Kakashi said calmly.

He wanted to visit his father's grave. This war had made him grow far too much, and there were things he wanted to tell his father in person.

Rin nodded gently. "Then I'll go home first and let my family know I'm safe."

Shinji replied, "Then I'll head home too. See you in three days?"

The moment he finished speaking, the atmosphere suddenly fell silent.

Three days later, Konoha would hold a grand collective funeral.

Too many people would never return.

At the thought of this, they all thought of Obito, who had left them forever.

"All right, see you in three days."

"Goodbye."

"See you in three days."

They said their quiet farewells, then turned and headed off in different directions.

Shinji quietly took a detour and hurried after Rin.

"Rin, wait for me!"

"Shinji?" Nohara Rin turned back in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Shinji said softly, "Let's take a walk together. I can walk you home."

Nohara Rin looked into his eyes and nodded.

"Rin, do you have any plans for the future?" Shinji suddenly asked.

Nohara Rin shook her head slightly. "I'll probably keep taking missions and focus on improving my medical ninjutsu."

"Actually, if you have time, I'd like you to teach me medical ninjutsu."

Nohara Rin smiled. "You mentioned it before. I won't refuse your request."

"Then I'll come find you later." Shinji smiled as well.

The two walked side by side, and before long, they arrived at Rin's doorstep.

Nohara Rin held her hands behind her back, her gaze gently settling on Shinji.

Shinji stepped forward and gently pulled her into his arms, his movements tender and careful.

Rin's body stiffened at first, then slowly relaxed as she leaned softly against him.

She was still somewhat unaccustomed to such closeness when Shinji's gentle yet resolute voice reached her ears:

"Rin, I'm always here. We came back from the war together."

Standing before her own home and held so firmly by Shinji, the lingering unease in Nohara Rin's heart suddenly settled.

[Side Quest: Comfort completed]

[Mission Reward: 80,000 Points, B-Rank Gift Box ×1 automatically credited]

[Note: The host completed the mission in an extremely short time. What an impressive achievement]

Shinji slowly released Rin, smiled gently, and gave a small wave.

"Goodbye, Rin."

Nohara Rin smiled too.

It was the most relaxed and relieved smile she had worn in days.

She had never wanted much—just simple support and a reassuring promise.

Within three days, Konoha gradually regained its former vitality.

The village that had long been shrouded in the shadow of war finally welcomed long-awaited light.

The war was about to end.

With the deliberate promotion of Konoha's higher-ups, Minato and the others' achievements spread through every street and alley.

"Lord Namikaze Minato!"

"Disciple of Lord Jiraiya, one of the Sannin!"

"And Kakashi, Asuma, Uchiha Shinji..."

"Heroes of the Sharingan."

That was the title the villagers gave to Kakashi and Obito.

And through his accomplishments in this battle, Shinji also gained a reputation as an Uchiha genius.

For a time, the Uchiha Clan, which had not held a particularly favorable image in the villagers' hearts, suddenly saw its reputation improve.

People had seen with their own eyes how the Uchiha fought and bled for the village, and how Obito had heroically sacrificed himself to protect his comrades.

People began to feel favorably toward the Uchiha.

Even the Uchiha themselves had not expected this.

Deep within Root.

Danzo quietly listened to his subordinate's report. When he heard that the Uchiha Clan had gained positive renown time and again, his face darkened so much it seemed ready to drip with water.

"The Uchiha, evil by nature, deserve such prestige?"

With a cold snort.

A glacial gleam flashed through his eyes as he spoke without the slightest warmth:

"Investigate. Pull up all the information on Uchiha Shinji. Every last bit of it."

"Yes!"

The Root ninja below flickered and vanished into the darkness in an instant.

"Uchiha!"

Danzo's cold sneer echoed through the dim, deathly silent Root chamber.

The air itself seemed frozen, oppressive enough to suffocate.