Kushina fell silent.
At first she hadn't fully understood, but after Minato's words, she could only let out a quiet sigh.
Minato wasn't wrong.
Yes, these cold and cruel truths might have come too early for Kakashi and the others.
But there was no choice.
Each of them was already entangled in this vortex.
Better for them to hear it now and prepare themselves, than to be deceived and manipulated later.
Kakashi stayed silent for a while before finally speaking.
"Sensei, don't worry.
When it comes to serious matters, I'll only listen to you. I won't heed anyone else."
His voice was low and steady.
Yes—
He had been thinking a lot about Uchiha Kai's words on the battlefield.
He understood that his Sensei was truly looking out for him.
This gentle man who had always encouraged and comforted him—
Even if Kakashi wasn't sure of the whole truth yet, he knew Minato would never betray him.
So why overthink?
Just follow his Sensei's lead.
"Mm, I feel the same!" Obito chimed in eagerly. "As long as sensei is here, I'm not afraid. I won't listen to anyone else."
For him, Rin was still alive.
And just earlier, Minato and Kushina had stood up to Elder Danzo to protect her.
That was enough.
Unlike the original timeline, this Obito could genuinely feel the deep care Minato and Kushina had for their students.
So of course, he was willing to trust.
The only exception—Rin Nohara.
Even with her gentle and kind heart, she knew all these changes stemmed from the Three-Tails sealed within her.
She couldn't help but sink.
After hesitating for a long time, she finally spoke, voice trembling.
"Sensei, I…"
"This is all my fault. I don't want everyone to suffer because of me."
"Maybe… you should just hand me over."
Rin was exhausted.
Since returning yesterday, her heart had been wound tight.
Especially after learning that because of her, so much had happened in just two days.
Even tonight—
The village's elders had come personally to seize her.
And to protect her, everyone had fought, even killed.
The guilt weighed heavily.
If not for her, Minato-sensei and Kushina-sensei, Obito and Kakashi, could all still be living freely.
The thought drove her to despair.
"Rin, how could you say that?" Kushina's voice turned firm. "None of us have given up on you—so how can you give up on yourself?"
"Everyone knows you're a good girl. That's why we're all willing to help you. But you also have to persevere."
"These past two days, haven't I been teaching you how to better control the tailed beast?"
"When you're truly strong, no one will dare scheme against you."
"Promise me, Rin—don't overthink."
"You're not a burden. You're Kakashi and Obito's teammate, and Minato's and my student!"
"We're your family. Remember that!"
Kushina placed both hands on Rin's shoulders, locking eyes with her.
Her tone carried weight.
Yes—
From Rin's voice, she had heard something dangerous.
"She's right, Rin!" Obito cried. "Don't do anything foolish! Even if I have to give my life, I'll protect you. Please, believe me!"
He was panicking.
If Rin didn't exist in this world, he couldn't even imagine the consequences.
His face had gone pale.
Kakashi also spoke up:
"Rin, don't worry. You're our teammate. None of us will abandon you."
Yes—
Even though his father's suicide had made him colder, over this time he had formed real bonds with Obito and Rin.
Seeing this, Minato added gently:
"Rin, you need to understand.
What I said tonight was to prepare you for the dangers ahead, so that you won't be tricked or used."
"You call me Sensei. That means I will never abandon you."
"Stay here for now. Once this is resolved, I'll arrange for you to join Konoha Hospital."
"Isn't saving lives your dream?"
"As for Kakashi and Obito, I'll assign them to the Anbu later."
"So do you understand? I expect much from all of you. You are my most important helpers."
"I will change this village. But I need your help to do it."
"Rin, will you work with me?
Help turn Konoha into the warm family we all dream of?"
Minato smiled as he spoke.
His smile was bright as the sun—instilling trust and reassurance.
As if, with him here, no hardship was too great.
He had already anticipated this outcome before deciding to speak tonight.
Rin's despair was not unexpected.
But to protect these children, he had no other choice.
"I…" Rin faltered, taken aback by everyone's concern.
After a pause, she nodded hard.
"Sensei, I will!"
"Good." Minato let out a breath of relief. "Then you must follow my words."
"In the days ahead, I'll be very busy. But the three of you—don't neglect your training."
"Especially you, Rin! Work hard with Kushina to master control of the tailed beast."
"When you do, you'll be one of the village's strongest. No one will dare lay hands on you."
"Kushina, I'll need your help."
When he finished instructing the three students, he turned to Kushina.
Yes—
Now that their goals were clear, preparations had to begin.
Reaching out to allies, secretly fostering loyal supporters—
If he wanted to change the village after becoming Hokage, he had much work ahead.
Kushina had no objections.
She truly regarded these three as family.
Ever since the fall of the Uzumaki clan and the death of Mito, she had been left alone.
Minato had brought her warmth again.
And so had these three children.
With that thought, she turned to them with a serious look.
"You three heard him, didn't you?"
"From now on, you can't slack in training. Or else, I'll lose my temper!"
Kakashi, Obito, and Rin exchanged glances—
And all three shivered.
Because though their Sensei's wife was usually gentle, once she got angry—even Minato feared her.
So, almost instinctively, they all nodded at once.
To read 250+ Advance chapters, head over to Patreon:
patreon.com/WhiteDevil7554