Rin's Fury

Kushina nodded gently, signaling her agreement. Just as the three seemed poised to continue their conversation, Shi Xiu stepped forward to interrupt them. "Let's hold off on the talk for now. If there's anything else to discuss, we can do it once we're back in Konoha. Everyone, come over here! I'm going to use the Flying Thunder God technique to bring us all back to my home."

Hearing this, Minato walked toward Shi Xiu without hesitation and nodded to show he understood.

Once Minato reached Shi Xiu's side, he extended his right hand and rested it lightly on Shi Xiu's left shoulder. At the same time, Kushina moved with equal agility to Shi Xiu's other side, placing her left hand firmly upon his right shoulder.

However, in stark contrast to the decisive actions of the couple, Rin stood frozen in place, her eyes filled with a trace of confusion and helplessness.

Rin stared blankly at Shi Xiu, as if she had no idea what she was supposed to do next.

Seeing Rin's reaction, Minato couldn't help but feel puzzled. "Rin, what's wrong? Why don't you come over?"

Faced with Minato's inquiry, Rin appeared somewhat flustered. She shook her head rapidly, then, as if having made a sudden resolution, took a few hesitant steps toward Shi Xiu.

Finally, to the astonishment of everyone present, Rin opened her arms and wrapped them tightly around Shi Xiu's waist.

After completing this bold gesture, Rin squeezed her eyes shut, her cheeks flushed a vibrant, sunset red. She asked in a shy, soft voice, "Is... is this alright?" As she spoke, her body trembled slightly from nerves.

Minato was completely stunned by Rin's sudden behavior; his eyes widened and his mouth hung slightly agape in disbelief.

Just as he was about to say something, he was caught off guard by a fierce glare from Kushina. The warning in her eyes made Minato swallow his words instantly.

Shi Xiu, with Rin's arms wrapped around his waist, felt noticeably uncomfortable.

He gave a slight cough, inwardly debating whether to tell Rin that using the Flying Thunder God to transport others didn't necessarily require direct contact like this—indirect contact, such as holding onto Kushina's hand, would have worked just as well.

But looking at Rin's bashful expression, Shi Xiu hesitated repeatedly and ultimately decided to remain silent.

Given how shy she looked, explaining the situation now would likely only make things more awkward. Thus, Shi Xiu chose to keep quiet; after all, Rin was currently in a Reanimation body, so it probably wasn't a big deal.

Shi Xiu let out a sharp command: "Flying Thunder God!" In an instant, the four figures vanished like a flash of lightning.

In the blink of an eye, Shi Xiu, Minato, Kushina, and Rin were back in Shi Xiu's room.

Rin opened her eyes slowly, and upon seeing the completely unfamiliar surroundings, she felt a jolt of alarm.

She instinctively released her grip on Shi Xiu's waist and scrambled backward in a panic. However, her feet stumbled in her haste, and she looked as though she were about to fall clumsily to the floor.

Just then, Kushina stepped forward and caught Rin's arm firmly.

"Rin, are you alright?" Kushina asked with a face full of concern.

Rin looked up at the sound of her voice, stole a quick glance at Shi Xiu standing nearby, and then, like a startled rabbit, lowered her head again and shook it gently to indicate she was fine.

Meanwhile, Minato's gaze drifted past the others and landed directly on the small figure resting on the bed. It was their child—Naruto Uzumaki.

Upon seeing Naruto's peaceful, sleeping face, a look of immense tenderness washed over Minato's expression. He walked with light steps toward the bedside, his eyes never leaving the sleeping child, as if afraid to miss a single moment.

Kushina soon noticed Naruto as well, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes.

She hurried toward the bed, every step filled with impatience.

(Regarding whether a Reanimated body can shed tears, the author refers to the duel between the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, and Gaara, where Rasa shed tears when he was sealed. Therefore, the author has established that even though the body is made of dust, it still retains human physiological responses.)

Minato and Kushina stood by the bed, gazing at the sleeping Naruto with profound affection.

Kushina reached out gently, stroking Naruto's soft cheek as if she were touching a priceless treasure.

"I was so worried we would regret missing out on Naruto's growth," Kushina said, turning to Minato and lowering her voice, though her trembling tone could not hide the excitement in her heart.

Minato wrapped his arm tenderly around Kushina's shoulders, touched his own face, and then looked at the sleeping Naruto with a smile. "I wonder, when Naruto grows up and sees these two faces of ours, will he find it strange?"

Hearing this, Kushina gave Minato a playful, reproachful glare, and Minato laughed awkwardly, scratching his head in embarrassment.

Rin watched the little Naruto on the bed quietly, a surge of surprise rising in her heart.

Clearly, since her passing, far too many things had happened in Konoha.

Just then, as if suddenly remembering someone important, Rin's expression grew anxious, and she hurriedly asked Minato, "Minato-sensei, what about Kakashi?"

Minato heard her question and replied, "Don't worry, Rin. Kakashi is fine; he has joined the Anbu. It's just... his personality, these days..."

At this, Minato paused slightly, a trace of worry crossing his face before he let out a long sigh.

Rin felt a wave of anxiety, but she forced herself to remain calm, carefully lifting her head to cast a look toward Shi Xiu.

At the same time, Minato and Kushina also turned their gazes toward him.

However, to their surprise, Shi Xiu shook his head, his expression cold and indifferent as he spoke in a tone devoid of emotion.

"As for Kakashi, you need not worry. Besides, even if you rushed over there now, you would be powerless to change the established situation. We have more urgent and important matters to attend to at the moment."

Hearing this, Minato's expression stiffened, a subtle change that did not escape Kushina's sharp eyes.

Kushina frowned slightly, her previously gentle tone turning stern. "Minato, what's going on? Are you hiding something from me!"

At that moment, Rin's gaze also drifted toward Minato-sensei.

Although her expression remained calm on the surface, a faint, imperceptible glimmer of gossip flickered deep within her eyes.

Faced with Kushina's aggressive questioning and Rin's curious stare, Minato appeared at a loss.

He waved his hands frantically, stammering, "No, why would I hide anything from you?"

But Kushina clearly didn't believe his excuse; she merely let out a cold huff and fell silent.

Minato, aside from offering an awkward, apologetic smile, felt a bead of cold sweat roll down his forehead.

Shi Xiu stood to the side, a look of keen interest on his face as he watched the scene unfold, waiting to see how the drama would play out.

Kushina did not continue to press the matter, secretly guessing that it was perhaps because Rin was present.

Shi Xiu coughed lightly, successfully drawing the attention of all three.

Then, clearing his throat, Shi Xiu spoke slowly: "Next, I am going to tell you about the mysterious person behind the Nine-Tails Incident."

Upon hearing this, a look of "as I expected" appeared on Minato's face, as if he had foreseen it long ago.

Kushina, meanwhile, instantly turned solemn, as if facing a formidable enemy.

Watching her teacher's wife's grave expression, Rin, despite knowing nothing of what had transpired, was infected by the atmosphere and likewise adopted a serious and earnest demeanor.

Shi Xiu took a deep breath and said, word by word: "The mysterious mastermind who indirectly caused the deaths of Minato and Kushina, and who manipulated the Nine-Tails to create that horrific disaster, was none other than... Obito!"

As soon as the words fell, Minato could not help but let out a long sigh, filled with endless emotion and helplessness.

At the same time, Kushina and Rin both widened their eyes, their faces filled with disbelief as they stared straight at Shi Xiu.

Rin, in particular, had already regarded this mysterious person as an irreconcilable enemy in her heart the moment she learned he had killed her beloved teacher Minato and the gentle Kushina.

However, what Rin never expected was that this enemy would be someone she had once known so well—Obito!

Kushina's eyes were wide with disbelief, but having weathered many storms, she quickly regained her composure.

Her eyes, flickering with complex emotions, looked straight at Minato. Her lips trembled slightly as she asked in a low voice, "Why don't you look surprised at all?"

Minato frowned slightly and sighed deeply, a sound that seemed to contain endless sorrow and helplessness.

Minato said in a slightly melancholy tone, "Actually, when I sealed the Nine-Tails, I left behind my chakra and a faint trace of my consciousness. Therefore, even before Lord Shi Xiu used Reanimation on us, I already knew about this."

Hearing this, Kushina suddenly realized, and she finally understood why Minato's expression had seemed so unnatural earlier.

But just then, Rin, who had been silent, suddenly roared like an enraged lion.

Rin's face flushed red, her eyes spitting fire, and she shouted uncontrollably: "That is absolutely impossible! How can you slander Obito like that! Back then, he chose to sacrifice himself without hesitation to save me and Kakashi! How could he possibly be the murderer who killed Teacher Minato!"

After shouting, Rin quickly turned back, looking at Minato and Kushina with hope, her eyes filled with a longing for Teacher Minato to step forward and refute the man's words.

However, Minato looked troubled, caught in a difficult position.

At this moment, the gentle and kind Kushina stepped forward and placed her hand lightly on Rin's shoulder, trying to soothe her agitated emotions.

Minato and Kushina knew very well that Shi Xiu was a mysterious figure who had lived for a hundred years yet remained unchanged in appearance.

From any perspective, given his status and experience, it was highly unlikely that he would deliberately slander a young junior.

But Rin's eyes, which had been full of hope, gradually lost their luster, replaced by an uncontrollable rage.

Rin suddenly broke free from Kushina's warm embrace, clenched her fists, and rushed toward Shi Xiu without hesitation.

"You have no right to slander Obito!" Rin shouted in a fury, her voice filled with deep protectiveness for her friend.

Seeing this, Kushina hurriedly reached out to stop her, but everything happened too suddenly, and Rin's movements were as fast as lightning. With a dull thud, Rin's fist landed squarely on Shi Xiu's face.