Meeting Again

Kakashi told Jiraiya about how Guy had discovered Rin in Peach Country, and Jiraiya immediately frowned.

"Come to think of it, I did see Shizune and a very familiar-looking girl behind Tsunade. I just assumed she was an attendant."

Kakashi said, "You'd met Rin before. How could you not recognize her?"

"Girls grow up too fast. She only looked familiar, and I didn't ask. Let's put that aside for now. What did you want from me?"

"Of course, to bring Rin back!"

"You should probably forget about that. From what I know of Shiraishi Yoshijo, anyone he takes notice of can never escape his control. Setting aside whether you can bring her back at all, even if you do, the village higher-ups won't trust her. She spent more than ten years in Peach Country. If she returns, she'll definitely be interrogated by the Anbu. Even if she passes their interrogation, she can no longer become a Konoha ninja."

Kakashi was left speechless, and the burning urgency in his heart quickly faded.

Jiraiya smiled. "That's true, but it's not like there's no way."

"What way?" Kakashi asked eagerly.

"First, you have to convince her to return to Konoha. That should be easy for you. Second, you need to negotiate with Shiraishi Yoshijo. Without an exchange of benefits, he won't let her go. Finally, you must take over my position. Only then will you be able to protect her."

"Is that so... There's no other way, then. Looks like I'll have to work hard. But before that, please allow me to make a trip to Peach Country. I need to see Rin alive with my own eyes before I can be at ease."

"Peach Country... To be honest, I don't want you to go. But there's no helping it. Even if I