"Hurry up and tell me! Of course, I want to know!" Nohara Rin stared directly into Ishikawa's eyes, urging him excitedly. This was the information she had long been hoping for, the key to changing the fate of their entire team. How could she stay calm?
"Alright, alright, don't get too worked up yet," Ishikawa said, trying to calm her. He gave her a look of sympathy before continuing, "The story begins with Kakashi-sensei's promotion to Jonin. Miss Rin, do you remember the birthday present I mentioned before?"
"Of course I do!" Rin nodded quickly. "Kakashi became a Jonin at twelve, and Obito gave him his Sharingan. I remember it clearly!" She had already connected the 'close friend' Ishikawa had mentioned earlier to Obito.
"Then let me get straight to the point," Ishikawa said with a solemn nod, his voice turning serious. "According to Sister Shizune, after Kakashi-sensei's promotion, your team was assigned a mission that could change the direction of the war."
"A mission… that could change the war?"
"Yes. You were sent to destroy the Kannabi Bridge, cutting off Iwagakure's supply lines."
"Kannabi Bridge!" Rin gasped, her breath quickening. It was her first time hearing the name, but just knowing it held such importance sent her heart racing. The fate of Minato's team would hinge on this moment.
Ishikawa nodded again and continued, "For the mission, Minato's team split into two. Minato himself went to the front lines to draw enemy attention. The rest—Kakashi-sensei, you, and Obito—took the bridge assignment."
"During the mission, you were accidentally captured by Iwagakure shinobi. That led to a major disagreement between Kakashi and Obito. In the chaos, Kakashi lost his left eye saving you—and that was when Obito awakened his Sharingan."
"What?! Kakashi lost his eye saving me?!" Rin couldn't hold back her voice. The guilt hit her like a wave. She had always admired her teammates, but now, knowing this, it hurt.
"Yes, exactly," Ishikawa confirmed gently. He knew this would weigh on her, but she needed to feel it. Without a push, how could she grow strong enough to protect those she loved?
And if Rin didn't grow… how could Ishikawa ensure the double-door's future stability?
"Later, because of Kakashi's injury and weakened combat ability, he struggled while rescuing you again. At the critical moment, Obito pushed him out of the way, only to be crushed by a massive boulder on the right side of his body."
"Just before dying, Obito asked you to transplant his left eye into Kakashi. That day, two heroes of Konoha with Sharingan were born: one was Uchiha Obito, buried beneath the rubble; the other was the Copy Ninja, Sharingan Kakashi, who later became famous for copying over a thousand techniques."
"Obito…" Rin's voice broke. Her tears flowed freely, slipping down her cheeks like a broken string of pearls. She sobbed quietly.
He died… just to protect her.
Her fists clenched as guilt surged. How could I be so weak? What kind of medical ninja can't even protect herself, let alone her teammates?
In that moment, Rin began to question everything—her training, her purpose, her ideals. Even her pride in mastering the Rasengan now felt hollow.
No… this isn't enough.
If she had been as skilled in medical ninjutsu as Tsunade-sama—one of Konoha's legendary Sannin—this tragedy might never have happened. She would've saved everyone.
"Whew… Miss Rin, let's stop here for today," Ishikawa sighed, watching her changing expression, eyes reddened, breathing uneven, fists shaking. "It's getting late, and I still need to practice my Lightning Chakra Mode."
Several minutes had passed, and he needed to begin his training session.
"Wait," Rin suddenly spoke up as Ishikawa stood. "I want to know… how I died. Did I die there… with Obito? Or… later?"
Ishikawa turned back slowly, concern flickering in his eyes. She looked fragile, emotional, shaken, but determined. Did I reveal too much too soon? Did I push her too far?
"Are you alright now, Miss Rin?" he asked cautiously.
Her voice was steady, though her hands trembled. "I'm fine. I can handle whatever you tell me now. I need to know, no matter what." She gritted her teeth and nodded firmly.
There was no turning back now.
For Obito, for Kakashi, for Minato-sensei, and for herself. She, Nohara Rin, had to be strong and brave enough to face any hardship. Only then could she rewrite her tragic fate!
"Then… what if the one who killed you was Kakashi-sensei?"
Just when Rin thought she was ready, Ishikawa's calm yet heavy words struck her like a bolt of lightning!
"Kakashi? No… that's impossible…" Rin froze, her voice trembling. Her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the floor in shock, disbelief spreading across her pale face.
How could it be Kakashi? That can't be true… it can't be!!
So you're still not ready, Rin. Ishikawa sighed inwardly as he glanced at the dazed girl slumped on the floor. Then, without another word, he turned toward the door handle.
If this alone is enough to shake you… What would happen if you knew Madara was secretly watching you? Would you still be able to stand?
As expected, some truths shouldn't be revealed too easily.
And as for comforting her? Ishikawa didn't believe in handing out shallow reassurances. True strength was forged through facing painful truths alone. Only by confronting this would Rin grow.
He needed a capable ally to protect the Double Gate, not a fragile flower who needed constant sheltering.
This wasn't one of those system-template stories where he could just slap people with strength and make them obedient. He didn't have the power or the right to coddle anyone—even Rin.
"Crack…" With a familiar flicker of electricity, Ishikawa's eyes widened—and the next moment, he dropped flat onto the couch he had prepared in advance.
'Damn it! I lost control again!' As his entire body went numb from the lightning strike, Ishikawa groaned in silent frustration.
He had planned to use the door handle to stimulate his cells and slowly ease into practicing the Lightning Chakra Mode. But clearly, he had overestimated himself. The surge of lightning had been too fast and too wild. He hadn't been able to grasp the released energy at all.
Let alone practice Lightning Release—he couldn't even stand up afterward!
Five minutes later—
"Hmm?" A flicker of surprise crossed Ishikawa's face.
Despite the initial failure, his chakra reserves and physical strength had noticeably improved. A small residue of lightning energy still circulated in his body—faint, but real.
It wasn't much, but even a weak trace could be used to slowly train the Lightning Chakra Mode. Every small thing counts.
Just because I can't do it now doesn't mean I won't be able to in the future!
Once he could use his own lightning chakra to activate his cells, he'd eventually catch and absorb the full burst from the handle. When that time came, his training speed would soar.
Sasuke might've taken half a month to master it, but Ishikawa was prepared to grind for six months if needed. He refused to believe it wouldn't work.
"Even if I don't understand why Kakashi would ever do such a thing, I still believe… he must've had his reasons!" Just as Ishikawa was about to begin practicing again, a resolute voice rose from behind him.
"Ishikawa, I need a favor!"
"Oh? A favor?" he turned around, raising an eyebrow curiously.
"I want to meet your teacher, Hatake Kakashi!"