At the end of March, the Konoha Ninja Academy once again ushered in graduation season.
Unlike during wartime, the new policies have led to more rigorous assessments of graduates.
To become a qualified Genin, in addition to basic Ninjutsu, one must also improve their theoretical knowledge.
In the past, not many children chose to become medical-nin, but in the last two graduating classes, the number of children choosing to join the Medical Corps has increased significantly.
It's not that the medical-nin are particularly strong, but rather that the people working in the village's medical department are earning more money.
Although the learning process is tedious and boring, as long as you persevere and successfully enter Konoha Hospital, you can say that you have achieved half the success in your ninja career.
Rin Nohara was in charge of recruitment and registration. The girl's energetic smile attracted a lot of attention, and with her sarcastic dog by her side, many people crowded around the recruitment point to inquire.
"Kid! Forget it, you have no chance!"
"Lin wouldn't be interested in a childish brat like you."
"You actually know Kakashi Rin? Is she your rival?"
"Damn it! I only eat steak. A brat like you should be obediently carrying out D-rank missions..."
Pakkun was ranting on the table, explaining that as Rin Nohara's "protector," it was tasked with protecting the girl all day long—a mission Kakashi had given it.
"Sorry, don't take Pakkun's words to heart, the Medical Corps also needs regular nursing staff."
"Yes, this job might be a bit tiring, but the pay is great!"
"There are also performance evaluations after starting work, and if you want to join the prosthetics project team, there are even stricter requirements for your grades."
Rin Nohara patiently answered her juniors' questions, always maintaining a cheerful smile, which attracted more and more students.
Although many of them are not graduates, it does not prevent them from consulting and preparing in advance.
More choices mean more options. Being a ninja is great, but being a nurse is also good. As long as you can earn money to support your family, these professions are not that different.
The consultation meeting didn't officially end until the afternoon. Rin Nohara kept saying goodbye to the girls, and finally left the school in a hurry with her documents in her arms.
At the school gate, Kakashi leaned against a big tree, occasionally greeting the children who passed by, but most of the time he was looking in one direction.
" Kakashi, I'm sorry to keep you waiting!"
"I've finished all my work!"
Rin Nohara ran over quickly and was about to add something when Kakashi suddenly said, "Rin, why don't you sit on the swing and rest for a while?"
"That's not a good idea, we're not children anymore--."
Kakashi noticed that the girl was somewhat interested. After taking the documents, he helped Rin Nohara sit on the swing, reminded her to sit firmly, and then gently pushed her, and the swing began to sway.
Rin Nohara could no longer control the smile on her face. The girl laughed out loud. Although it seemed a little childish, she really liked this feeling.
" Kakashi, would you like to sit here instead?"
Where did you see this method of coaxing girls? Was it in those hidden manuscripts?
"That's too high! Seriously, we're not kids anymore..."
T
Rin Nohara grew happier and happier. She realized that the past was becoming increasingly rare, and that her current life was already happy enough. The contentment in her heart spoke volumes.
In the evening, when they returned to the hospital, Rin Nohara jumped around Kakashi with her hands behind her back. As they grew older, their relationship became stronger.
"Xiu just got back, right? He seems to have carried out several missions recently."
" Minato-sensei seems to have some free time now. The stronger you are, the greater the responsibility you bear. It must be really tough."
Kakashi sighed as he held the documents. Rin Nohara, seemingly lost in thought, blushed slightly and whispered, " Kakashi, I don't mind if you take on too many missions."
"I can't be of much help right now, but I can manage some housework, and I'm working hard to learn how to cook. I'll get better..."
Rin Nohara realized that Kakashi was popular in the village and confessed her feelings somewhat shyly. Just as she was about to say something more, her left hand was grabbed.
"Lin, all you need to do is be happy and be yourself!"
I will take good care of you.
Kakashi took the girl's hand and whispered some words of advice. The two smiled at each other; having gone through life and death together, their bond had become unbreakable.
In the newly built laboratory of Konoha Hospital, an electrical device marked "Lightning" is driving mechanical equipment, and Shu Furukawa uses the Chakra Threads in his hands to continuously control a limb to polish it.
With the extensive puppet modification experience passed down to him by Konan, Shu Furukawa's prosthetic limb skills improved once again.
"I'm making a note of the meridian pathway information; there's probably still room for improvement."
" The Sunagakure Ninja are better at weapon systems, so it's good to reserve that part."
"Don't be discouraged, everyone keep working hard. New technologies just take more time to master."
Upon hearing Shu Furukawa's instructions, the members of the Medical Corps responded loudly, realizing that this breakthrough in new technology could actually increase everyone's combat effectiveness.
However, Puppet Technique is equally difficult to learn, so everyone has to put in 200% effort to live up to Shu Furukawa's trust.
Rin Nohara and Kakashi were secretly astonished when they saw everyone with dark circles under their eyes outside the door. The new project was even more competitive, and although it was more lucrative, it looked like there was a "life-threatening situation."
"Come in! How did the recruitment event go?"
"Speaking of the talent gap among graduates, it will take several more years to recover from the effects of war."
Sitting on the lab table, Shu Furukawa controlled a humanoid puppet to take the documents. Seeing the two's curious looks, he smiled and introduced, "This is the puppet that was made according to the requirements put forward by Sunagakure."
"It lacks weapon systems, but its overall strength already surpasses that of what Chiyo -sama created."
17
"It's a technological victory, involving a lot of biotechnology. The artificial meridian system alone took everyone a lot of time."
Kakashi, who had clashed with the Sunagakure's puppet forces multiple times, stared at the puppet and whispered, "Is everything alright, Shu? If the Sunagakure analyzes our technology, it could very well fuel their ambitions."
"Progress can only be achieved through continuous exchange; what is used for trade is not necessarily the best."
"More importantly, using such a weapon requires an extremely high level of skill from the ninja themselves; the Chakra control alone is something that ordinary people cannot achieve."
Shu Furukawa responded with a relaxed expression, Rin Nohara nodded repeatedly. Up until now, no one in the Medical Corps could use it, and everyone felt somewhat ashamed.
"In a few days, these puppets and some herbs will be delivered to Sunagakure, and there will be an exchange event then."
" Kakashi, you should have received your mission by now. Do your best when the time comes."
"It would be best if they remembered the formidable reputation of Professor Sakumo!"
Kakashi instinctively reached for the short sword on his back, but seeing Rin Nohara's expectant look, he could only reply, "I will do my best to complete the mission!"
"Haha, don't force yourself. At most, it'll just be that old woman Chiyo nagging a bit."
" The Fourth Kazekage is quite reasonable. They're having trouble selecting Jinchuriki. In short, it will take Sunagakure at least 10 years to recover to its pre-war level."
After Shu Furukawa offered some words of comfort, Kakashi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Since the start of the new year, he hadn't undertaken any overly difficult missions. Looking at the girl, he thought to himself, "I've relaxed too!"
As the sun was about to set, Kakashi and Rin Nohara returned to the Memorial Stone site. In addition to offering flowers to their father and others, the two of them routinely tended to Obito Uchiha's grave.
Obito, who had just infiltrated the village, stared wide-eyed at the Memorial Stone as if he had witnessed something terrifying. Hiding in the bushes, he muttered repeatedly, "What happened?!"
"Who are they?"
"How so?"
Obito's crimson eyes merged into one with the Three Tomoe, and in his intense emotional turmoil, he even sat down on the ground in fear. Only after the two figures disappeared did he dart to his own tombstone.
After a brief inspection, Obito hurriedly searched everywhere, and after an unknown amount of time, he disappeared into the vortex.
Where did Lin go?
Where is Kakashi?
Why is there only my tombstone?
Overwhelmed with emotion Obito gasped for breath, repeatedly questioning himself. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he reappeared near Kakashi's Apartment.
In the pitch-black night, the orange light was especially warm. Obito silently approached the window, and then a scene that he could not accept reappeared in his eyes.
Kakashi was wearing an apron, Rin Nohara seemed to be tasting some dish, her smile exceptionally bright.
The two seemed to be talking about something when Rin Nohara suddenly stood on tiptoe and kissed Kakashi's cheek. Obito's eyes turned bloodshot, and he vanished instantly, reappearing in his own space screaming, "Why did this happen?"
"No, no, we don't want that!"