"Nohara Rin didn't die!? Mr. Yoichi, what's going on?"
Hatake Sakumo's hands trembled slightly upon seeing Nohara Rin. Had it not been for his long practice of Swordsmanship, calming his mind and body, he might have been shocked into standing up.
"Yes, Fourth Hokage, Nohara Rin was previously on the brink of death, but she was saved by my Pupil Technique. At that time, she was almost indistinguishable from death, and it took a long time for her to wake up…"
Uchiha Yoichi explained, "If it weren't for changes in the Pupil Technique, I wouldn't be sure if I could bring Nohara Rin back to life. Fortunately, there were recent changes in the Pupil Technique, allowing the rescue."
"Moreover, when Nohara Rin collided with Kakashi's Ninja Blade, there was actually more to it."
Upon hearing this, Hatake Sakumo curiously asked, "More to it?"
"Yes, Fourth Hokage-sama, I'm sorry for putting Kakashi through unwarranted guilt. I had been cursed with a Talisman, unable to commit suicide, and to prevent Hidden Mist's plans to destroy the village from succeeding, only Kakashi could kill me... my apologies."
After speaking, Nohara Rin slightly bowed in apology to Hatake Sakumo, but Sakumo quickly waved his hand.
This is a true Ninja of the village, willing to sacrifice herself to protect it; such a will to safeguard the village is beyond criticism, even by the Hokage.
Hatake Sakumo spoke solemnly, "No need to apologize, Chunin Nohara, your will is unbelievably pure. If Kakashi blames you for it, I will personally teach him a lesson as his father!"
Kakashi, who had just entered, hadn't seen who was inside the room and heard his father say he would be taught a lesson.
Once he saw the people inside the Hokage Office, Kakashi was instantly astonished, "Rin? You, how come..."
"Kakashi, I'm really sorry for that time…"
Nohara Rin felt happy upon seeing Kakashi and then began explaining what happened back then.
Once Kakashi understood what had happened, it felt as though a weight had been lifted from his heart, and he continuously whispered, "Great, it's good that you're okay..."
"Kakashi, I'm sorry..."
"No problem, it was all for the village back then, it's great to see you well, Rin."
Kakashi waved his hand while speaking, his demeanor and tone almost identical to Hatake Sakumo's, but he cast a resentful look at Uchiha Yoichi, feeling a bit cross that senior Yoichi hadn't given him a heads-up, even a slight mental preparation would have been nice.
"It was relatively easy to revive Nohara Rin because she still had some signs of life; if the person had been dead for a long time, it would have been far more challenging, and the stronger they are, the more troublesome."
Uchiha Yoichi touched his eyes and said that resurrecting Nawaki was a hassle since his Pupil Technique wasn't specialized for resurrection, unlike the Reincarnation Jutsu.
However, the Ōmononushi no kami does not consume life, each technique has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Orochimaru suddenly spoke, "Mr. Yoichi, your words imply... you've already revived someone else."
"Heh heh..."
Uchiha Yoichi chuckled without saying anything, but this smile was directed at Orochimaru, leaving him somewhat flustered.
Could the person revived be somehow related to him?
Hatake Sakumo also suspected that Uchiha Yoichi might have revived someone, but he wouldn't probe into such a taboo matter; that would be too bothersome. Knowing Nohara Rin didn't die is enough.
"Revival is too much of a taboo; today this matter will be treated as S-Class confidential. Orochimaru, Kakashi, no one is allowed to speak of today's events outside this room. As for Nohara Rin..."
Hatake Sakumo felt conflicted as the Memorial Tablet had already been erected; claiming Nohara Rin was severely injured seems implausible.
Orochimaru suggested, "I have a Ninjutsu that can change one's appearance. For now, Nohara Rin can live in Konoha under a different face, and only inform close friends about her revival. But the Anbu must be warned not to leak this information."
Hatake Sakumo nodded, "This... is indeed a method."
"Actually, one doesn't need Ninjutsu to change appearance so others won't recognize her."
Uchiha Yoichi suddenly said, "Tie up the hair, take off the paint on the face, alter the original appearance traits, and that's enough; 'Nohara Rin' is already dead. Even if they see someone resembling her, they will just feel reminiscent."
Paying attention to past habits, most would only think this young girl resembles the way she used to look.
After all, Nohara Rin's death is a fact, with her name engraved on the Memorial Tablet.
The group then continued discussing at the Hokage Building until they resolved Nohara Rin's matter.
Uchiha Yoichi left a Wood Clone behind afterward and departed from the Hokage Building; dealing with village matters required merely a Wood Clone.
"Senior Yoichi, thank you for saving Rin."
Outside the Hokage Building, Kakashi spoke softly to Uchiha Yoichi and then bowed deeply; had it not been for Uchiha Yoichi, he really might have killed Rin.
Although he understood it was for the village, the psychological burden of killing a comrade wasn't something easily borne.
Nohara Rin consoled, "I'm sorry, Kakashi, it was all my impulsiveness..."
Uchiha Yoichi smiled and said, "It's a minor matter. Now you should have no psychological burden; train well in the future. Your skills are destined to surpass your father's, maybe you'll become the Sixth or Seventh Generation Hokage."
"Besides, Kakashi, you haven't visited in a long time. If you have some free time, feel free to drop by. I've recently taken on some promising students, including Uchiha Itachi who's about to enroll. He's similar to how you were as a child."