143 CH - 140 Pakura

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"I'm back!" Obito habitually announced as he opened the door, but his words were met with a soft and slightly concerned voice from inside. "Obito, you're back?"

"Huh? Rin, you're here?" Obito was taken aback, and his foolish smile transformed into a look of surprise as he looked at Rin, who stood at the doorway. This scene felt strangely like a husband returning home to his wife.

'Wait, I haven't even married Rin yet,' Obito realized, bewildered by the feeling of coming home to a wife, even though they weren't married yet. Nevertheless, he still chuckled and responded, "Hehe, I'm back!"

"Huh?" Rin gazed at Obito with a puzzled expression. After a brief pause, she remembered the crucial matter she had come for. "The admission notice has arrived, and we need to register today because the academy is starting soon. That's why I came to find you, Obito. Where did you disappear to this time?"

There was a hint of concern in her tone as she continued, "Did something happen?"

"No, nothing happened at all! I just went out to make some money," Obito explained quickly, eager to put Rin's concerns to rest. "The Grass Village leader asked me to accompany him to the Mist Village to save someone. It was just a C-rank mission, and they were offering thirty thousand Ryo. We came back directly after rescuing someone."

"Saving someone?" Rin's smile brightened as she listened to Obito's explanation."You truly have a kind heart, Obito, always ready to help others. Even if it's in the Grass Village, you remain the same."

While expressing her admiration, Rin couldn't help but feel a touch of concern for Obito. Ever since that incident, he had carried a burden of anger, disappointment, and even despair. He appeared to have lost sight of his dreams.

However, since coming to this village, Obito seemed to be gradually returning to the cheerful person he used to be. Perhaps he had found friends who understood and supported him, And perhaps it was the person who had saved Obito that day who became his new friend.

Recalling the black-haired young man she had seen diligently working, Rin couldn't help but feel grateful. He was a compassionate individual, despite the hardships he faced and the responsibility of caring for an elderly relative. He was always willing to extend a helping hand, even while struggling with his own life's difficulties.

"Obito has always been kind," Rin said softly as she recalled Obito's past actions of helping the elderly.

Obito, feeling a bit shy from the praise, chuckled and replied, "Haha, it's nothing, Rin."

"But if there's any danger, promise me you won't go!" Rin's tone turned serious as she expressed her concern.

"Don't worry," Obito patted his chest confidently. "I won't be in any danger!"

Rin nodded in relief but then shifted her attention to the considerable reward for the mission. "Then, that thirty thousand ryo... the reward is so high for saving just one person..."

Obito grinned and shrugged, finding it rather amusing. "It was just a simple task to help out, so I didn't really want it originally. But the Grass Village leader insisted on giving it to me, saying that it's what I deserve for helping out."

With a touch of pride in his voice, he added, "But I firmly rejected it! After all, It's not about the money, it's about doing the right thing."

However, Just as Obito finished his sentence, the doorbell rang with a "Ding-dong, ding-dong."

"Is Uchiha Obito here? The leader wanted me to deliver the reward!" A voice called from outside the door.

Obito was left momentarily stunned by the timing of the arrival. The atmosphere suddenly became a bit awkward. Rin, however, smiled at Obito, who appeared somewhat bewildered.

Obito let out an awkward laugh and headed towards the door, intending to discreetly accept the money, thinking it was the reward for their mission.

However, his expectations were completely upended when three large boxes of items were placed in front of him. Obito blinked in surprise, then turned to the Grass ninja at the door, hesitating as he asked, "Is this... a gift?"

"Grass Village's leader is indeed quite generous!" Obito commented, realizing that thirty thousand ryo couldn't possibly fit into three large boxes, so this must be an additional gift along with the reward.

"Um, this is actually your reward," The Grass Village ninja looked at the child with an expectant gaze, feeling somewhat embarrassed as he remembered what the boxes contained. With a gentle smile, he explained, "The Grass Village leader is incredibly thankful for your assistance. However, knowing that you're still in school, he thought it might not be suitable for you to receive so much money. There was a concern that it could lead you down the wrong path. So, the entire reward has been converted into exercise books."

He tapped the boxes and continued, "The total reward is thirty thousand ryo, and it's all here, along with a collector's edition of the 'Grass Village's secret skills.' The total value is undoubtedly over thirty thousand ryo. The leader kindly requested that you don't let his good intentions go to waste."

Obito suddenly froze, his face reflecting panic. He attempted to close the door, saying, "I, Obito, never expected any reward for doing a good deed. Please take it back, and... convey my gratitude to the Grass Village leader!"

...

"Ah-choo, ah-choo!" Akihiko rubbed his nose. The weather appeared to be turning colder as autumn approached, which seemed to be causing his nose to itch.

Speaking of which, It was somewhat surprising to him that the war between the Sand Village and the Mist Village had ended so abruptly. Initially, the conflict was expected to continue until the conclusion of the Ninja War. Perhaps it was due to the Mist Village losing their Third Mizukage, which left the entire village in a vulnerable state and unable to sustain the war.

As for the Sand Village, they might have chosen to make a compromise in order to focus on the impending battle at Kikyo Pass.

However, Akihiko only pondered this briefly and decided not to dwell on it. The war was coming to a close, and life in the Land of Grass was gradually returning to normal, with production and daily activities resuming.

Speaking of which, it seemed that school would be resuming soon. Originally, it was supposed to be overseen by Uzumaki Yoshinori. However, Yoshinori had been quite occupied lately with the train project, research, and various other responsibilities. Akihiko decided not to disturb him, as his work appeared to be under progress.

Akihiko examined the Land of Grass's recovery and production plan in his hand and mumbled to himself, "I should inform the academy about this later. We need to pay special attention to those two students. After all, they are exchange students from Konohagakure."

In both duty and friendship, as close allies, they needed to take extra care of these two students. Especially Obito, since he belonged to the Uchiha clan and had ties with Madara. Madara had even sought help personally for Obito, even though it was not his responsibility, he even shamelessly requested a backdoor admission for Obito. Therefore, this was a matter of both honor and maintaining good relations.

"Uchiha Obito... he deserves a lot of attention." With this in mind, Akihiko marked 'Priority Attention' on Obito's file.

He felt a sense of satisfaction after making this notation. With everything arranged, Akihiko stretched and yawned, looking forward to some relaxation.

Unfortunately, his assistant, Kana, was still occupied with her duties. Akihiko knew he should check on her soon. Lately, he had been feeling drained and needed to recharge his energy.

Hanzo, on the other hand, was nowhere to be found. He must have headed directly back to the Land of Rain, Considering how busy things were there. Akihiko, however, couldn't help but wonder if Kakuzu would let him off so easily.

Then there was White Zetsu, or Madara, rather. Speaking of him, Akihiko hadn't seen him since he returned. Come to think of it, It was White Zetsu, who had approached him to join their cause. Now, However, How could White Zetsu just ignore him like that?

Akihiko sighed, pondering, "I suppose the bond still isn't strong enough."

Just as this thought crossed his mind, a Grass ninja approached him. "Akihiko-sama, Lady Kana has a message... The woman you brought back has awakened!"

"She's awake?" Akihiko immediately stood up, stretching and yawning."Looks like the 30,000 you weren't in vain. Well, let's go and see her."

"Am I dead?" Pakura struggled to open her eyes, wincing at the blinding light. In a feeble voice, she mumbled, "Is this the afterlife for the dead? Then... Why does it still hurt so much?"

"That's because you're not dead yet," Akihiko replied with a playful grin. "Hello there, by the way, who's going to cover the medical expenses for you?"

Hearing this familiar voice, Pakura was momentarily taken aback. She then widened her eyes in astonishment, gazing at the man before her. "Grass Village leader?!"

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