Konoha, Hokage's Office.
"That concludes the full report on Team 7's mission." After summarizing the situation concisely, Kakashi fell silent, waiting for the Third Hokage's response.
As for Ishikawa and the others, they had already been sent home to rest upon entering the village.
"I didn't expect you'd run into Tsunade and even help her overcome her Hemophobia!" The Third Hokage ignored the rest of the details and broke into an excited laugh, his wrinkled face glowing with joy.
At a time when Konoha was undergoing transition, Tsunade overcoming her fear of blood was nothing short of a godsend. At least now, in a crisis, she could truly stand at the forefront and represent Konoha.
As for extorting 500 million from the Hidden Cloud and obtaining the Lightning Release ninjutsu, though it created pressure, if Kumogakure tried to make a fuss, Hiruzen was confident he could handle it.
"Haha, it seems the Hidden Cloud Village is taking a loss this time! Kakashi, your team is to keep Tsunade's recovery confidential. In addition, I'm awarding you an extra A-rank mission credit and the accompanying reward."
After a short pause, Hiruzen added somewhat sheepishly, "Although the Lightning Release Ninjutsu from Kumogakure is rightfully your team's spoils, I hope you'll allow us to copy it into the Scroll of Seals."
"Of course, I won't make it unfair. I'll let you exchange it for any jutsu of your choice from the Scroll of Seals, regardless of level."
Even Kakashi was slightly moved by this offer. But considering that it was Ishikawa who had secured that ninjutsu, he shook his head slightly. "I'll need to speak to Ishikawa. If he agrees, I'll personally guarantee he can exchange it for a jutsu from the Scroll of Seals."
"Are you certain about this, Kakashi?" Hiruzen's expression turned serious. He already knew of Ishikawa's performance and held a favorable opinion of him, but the Scroll of Seals was no trivial matter.
"I guarantee him in the name of Hatake Kakashi, Jonin of Konoha," Kakashi answered firmly, without the slightest hesitation. If you can't trust a student like Ishikawa, then who can you trust?
"Alright, bring him to me tomorrow," the Third nodded in approval. If the boy really has the talent, then Konoha may gain another civilian-born genius. Besides… Ishikawa was Kakashi's student now.
—
While Kakashi was negotiating on his behalf, Ishikawa was sprawled out on his bed, staring at the overflowing cash box with money symbols in his eyes.
"After giving Taro and Jiro their 20,000 ryo, plus 8,000 from the bandit-suppression, and another 2,000 from the C-rank mission, I still have 290,000 ryo! If we add tomorrow's likely A-rank reward, that's a solid 300,000!"
"Hehehe… tomorrow I'm gonna fully gear up. First thing: a hundred explosive tags to calm my worrying heart. Then some chakra pills and rations. I'll buy in some kunai, shurikens, short swords, and a good ninja vest too…"
After daydreaming for a while, his gaze drifted toward the two scrolls beside the cash box.
One was Tsunade's Chakra Enhanced Strength Technique, and the other was the Lightning Release: Lightning Chakra Mode from the Raikage.
"The so-called 'Chakra Enhanced Strength' is all about precise chakra control—gathering it and then detonating it in an instant. Sounds simple, but it's no easier than forming a Rasengan one-handed."
"As for the Lightning Chakra Mode... you wrap lightning chakra around your whole body, including your nervous system, to activate your cells and drastically enhance your speed and defense. Sounds flashy, but it requires mastery of Lightning Nature Transformation."
"Haha, both techniques are insanely strong—and even stronger when combined! But they're also both tough as hell to learn. The chakra control, the physical demands… I basically got the two most challenging jutsu to learn."
He gave a self-deprecating chuckle, but the fire in Ishikawa's eyes only grew brighter.
The scariest thing isn't failing to work hard, it's working hard without any clear direction!
"So, if I want to live freely in the future… I have to fight for it!!" Ishikawa shouted with conviction, stashed away the scrolls and the cash box, and collapsed onto the bed.
Time to sleep.
If he wanted to be at full strength for his nighttime training, he had to conserve energy.
Time passed quietly as the sky darkened… and while Ishikawa drifted off to sleep, the space-time room quietly descended once again.
---
"Ishikawa?"
The moment the Rin materialized from virtual to real, a soft snoring sound reached her ears.
A bright smile bloomed across her face as she quickly stepped forward to greet him. But before she could speak, her eyes were drawn to the bandaged wound on Ishikawa's chest. Her brows furrowed slightly.
"Is this… an injury?" she murmured.
Gently, she peeled back the gauze, formed a seal with her hands, and pressed her glowing palms against the wound. A soft green light flared to life, illuminating the dim room.
"Mmm… so comfortable…" Still asleep, Ishikawa mumbled dreamily, feeling a cool, tingling sensation spread across his chest. The nagging pain melted away like it had never been there.
Then—
"No, this isn't a dream." His eyes snapped open. And in the next second, a youthful, sunny face appeared before him.
"Miss Rin, it's really you."
"Ishikawa, isn't your time period at peace?" Rin asked, her voice filled with concern. "How did a Genin like you end up getting injured so badly on a mission?"
"It was an accident," Ishikawa replied with a wry smile. "We ran into a Jonin by mistake."
He didn't plan to tell Rin the full story. There was no need nor any benefit.
"A Jonin?!" Rin gasped in shock. Then, as if understanding dawned, she nodded.
"No wonder. For an injury like this, that explains everything."
"I've nearly finished the theoretical part of the Mystical Palm Technique," Ishikawa added. "I want to start practicing it as soon as possible. I need to protect myself better in the future."
"You've made great progress." Rin smiled warmly. "Since you've grasped the theory, we'll begin training tomorrow night. Make sure you prepare a few small animals for practice."
"No problem!" Ishikawa lit up with excitement.
Mastering the Mystical Palm Technique would boost his chakra control—a crucial step toward learning the Chakra Enhanced Strength Technique. As for the Lightning Chakra Mode? That would require help from his dimensional plug-in.
"Oh, by the way," Rin suddenly added, "we received the application notice for the Chunin Exams from Minato-sensei. I might be gone for a few days, so I wanted to let you know in advance."
"Chunin Exams?" Ishikawa repeated, eyes blinking with emotion. So… it's finally happening. Rin's going to become a Chunin.
"Wait, how did you—" Rin frowned. "Do you already know something about our Chunin Exams?"
"Uh—no," Ishikawa quickly shook his head, then chuckled. "I was just thinking ahead. You're definitely getting promoted this time, so I wanted to congratulate you in advance."
"Really? You think I'll be promoted?" Rin's face lit up with joy as she let out a cheerful squeal.
"Of course. Sister Shizune said it herself," Ishikawa added with a smug smile.
The mention of Shizune made Rin freeze. "Shizune?! You know her?"
"Well, I needed information about you, and who better to ask than someone from your era?" Ishikawa shrugged playfully. "Teacher Kakashi wasn't exactly easy to approach."
Rin's smile faltered. The mention of Kakashi brought a shadow to her eyes. He had become so distant after her and Obito's deaths…
She had often thought about visiting the younger Kakashi with Minato and Obito. But… she couldn't.
She couldn't disrupt Ishikawa's world for her own selfish desires, which might not even help them or ease her regrets.
"By the way," Ishikawa said suddenly, his voice shifting with quiet weight, "I already learned the truth about you and Obito… from Sister Shizune. Miss Rin, do you want to know what really happened?"
Rin's breath caught. She hadn't expected him to uncover the truth so soon. Without hesitation, she clenched her fists and nodded hard.