Seeing Obito's expression soften, Shun stopped teasing. He clapped his hands lightly, and two beams of soft white light rose from his palms. Carrying pure life force, they slowly condensed into human forms beside the stone table.
As the white light swirled, two figures gradually became clear.
One figure was dressed in a pale pink kimono, her long hair loosely tied up with a plain cherry blossom hairpin tucked into it. Her features were gentle and her temperament serene, it was the adult Rin.
She opened her eyes, and her gaze immediately fell upon Kakashi and Ken. A sense of familiarity made her pupils shrink slightly.
Then, her eyes instantly filled with soft light, and a gentle smile appeared. "Kakashi, is he Ken?"
After speaking, she reached out and gently took Kakashi's hand, then turned to look at Ken.
"I'm sorry, Ken. Mom is late."
Ken's whole body stiffened, the bridge of his nose felt slightly sour, and his tense emotions instantly collapsed.
He placed his hand over the back of his mother's hand and said with a sob, "Mom..."
His years of yearning for maternal love finally found a home at this moment. All his unease turned into peace of mind.
Kakashi looked at the reunited mother and son, a moist light appearing in his eyes.
He squeezed Rin's hand in return and said softly, "Welcome back, Rin."
The other figure was slender, wearing the Konoha Ninja Academy uniform and sporting a neat short haircut. Her features still carried the youthfulness and vibrancy of a young girl, it was the thirteen-year-old Rin.
She looked around blankly at the unfamiliar courtyard and the unfamiliar people before her.
Hearing the conversation just now, her eyes were full of confusion, and she instinctively gripped the hem of her clothes.
She took a small step back, her voice carrying a hint of timidity. "I... why am I here?"
"Where is this? Kakashi? Obito?"
She felt that the two men before her were somewhat familiar, yet she couldn't recall specific details of the past.
When her gaze fell upon the adult Rin, a bit more curiosity was added.
"Who are you? Why... do I feel such a sense of closeness to you?"
Hearing this, the adult Rin slowly let go of Kakashi's hand and walked step by step toward the young Rin. Her steps were light, and her gaze was as gentle as a spring breeze that embraced all things.
She stopped and maintained a moderate distance from the young Rin, not approaching rashly.
She just laughed softly and said, "I have the same name as you, I am also called Nohara Rin."
"Perhaps we were always each other's bond."
Shun explained slowly, "The adult Rin is Kakashi's wife and Ken's mother, continuing your original bond."
Then he turned his gaze toward Obito. "As for this young Rin, she is a special duplicate I made from the river of time. She only retains memories from before she was thirteen, without the subsequent pain and regrets. This one belongs to you. I'm giving you a chance to make up for the regrets of your youth and protect her for a lifetime of peace."
The adult Rin's gaze swept over Kakashi and Ken, finally landing on the young Rin.
"Shun-sama, I have a request. Since she is the me who has never experienced pain, then I shall no longer use the name 'Rin.' From now on, I will be called Nohara Kaede."
Everyone was stunned, and Kakashi asked softly, "Why change your name?"
Kaede smiled slightly and reached out to gently brush away the stray hairs on the young Rin's forehead. Her movements were natural and gentle. "The name 'Rin' carries too much past pain and regret. Let it remain in the past."
She looked at the young Rin, her eyes full of affection. "I want to be her elder sister and protect this carefree Rin, so that she never has to experience those hardships. From now on, I am Nohara Kaede, Rin's elder sister."
The young Rin blinked, looking at the gentle Kaede before her. Much of the timidity in her heart dissipated.
She tentatively tugged at Kaede's sleeve and asked in a small voice, "Sister?"
"Yes. Sister is here."
Kaede responded with a smile and reached out to gently hold her hand, the temperature of her palm warm and reassuring.
Obito watched this heartwarming scene, his eyes turning red.
He walked to the young Rin's side and spoke with a slightly trembling voice, "Rin, I am Obito."
He was no longer as awkward as before. He gently raised his hand and carefully ruffled the young Rin's hair, his movements carrying a preciousness that sought to make up for years of regret.
The young Rin tilted her head, and the blurred memory fragments in her mind became increasingly clear.
The boy who always loved to follow behind her, who occasionally got into petty arguments but would stand in front of her in times of danger.
She smiled, revealing a pair of shallow dimples. "Obito, I seem to... remember a little bit."
Kaede looked at the two of them, her eyes full of gratification.
She turned to look at Kakashi and Ken, saying softly, "Kakashi, Ken. From now on, we are one family. I will protect Rin together with Obito."
Kakashi nodded slightly, his eyes full of relief. "Good."
A simple word carried years of obsession and expectation. The regrets of the past finally found a perfect home at this moment.
Ken walked to Kaede's side, his tone respectful yet affectionate. "Mom."
He understood his mother's intent in changing her name and was willing to protect this brand-new bond.
Kaede smiled and rubbed his head, her eyes full of affection. "Ken, thank you for your hard work staying by Kakashi's side all these years."
Obito spoke up at the right time, looking at Kakashi, "Kakashi, I was wrong in the past, causing you and Rin to suffer too much. From now on, we will protect this home together and never let anyone hurt them again."
Kakashi looked at him and nodded gently. "Good."
The years of grievances and estrangement completely vanished at this moment, leaving only the tacit understanding and warmth of walking side by side.
Shun looked at the scene before him and, not wanting to disturb this rare warmth, gently stood up.
"I'm giving you three days off. Get along well and settle all your past obsessions."
As he spoke, he walked toward the courtyard gate.
When he reached the gate, he stopped, turned to look at the three of them, and changed his tone. "Once the vacation is over, everyone is to head into the Universe and focus on creating Life Planets. No slacking off."
"Anyone who dares to delay the mission will be punished by having to terraform three extra barren planets."
Hearing this, the smiles on Kakashi and Obito's faces instantly froze. Their faces slumped in unison, revealing expressions of misery.
Kakashi sighed helplessly, rubbing his brow with his fingers.
Obito let out a wail, his shoulders drooping dejectedly.
The hard-won warmth was instantly diluted by the pressure of the mission.
Creating a Life Planet was never an easy task.
One had to aimlessly search for suitable Stellar Cores in the void of the Universe.
They also had to expend mental energy using Chakra to reshape the terrain, nourish the soil, and build ecological cycles.
They even had to regulate the planet's day-night cycles and seasonal changes.
Every terraforming effort would take months or even years, it was tedious and long. Even for powerhouses of their level, it was an ordeal.
Not to mention terraforming three barren planets alone, the mere thought was daunting.
Kaede looked at Kakashi's helpless state and couldn't help but chuckle softly.
She reached out and gently smoothed the frown on his brow, teasing, "Alright, don't look so miserable. No matter how hard the mission is, we'll face it together."
The young Rin was amused by Obito's dejected look and proactively pulled his sleeve. "Obito, it's okay. Sister and I will accompany you on the mission."
Hearing this, Obito instantly looked up, most of the gloom in his eyes dissipating.
He gripped the young Rin's hand and nodded heavily. "Okay. With you two here, I'm not afraid of any mission, no matter how hard."
Ken stood to the side, watching this heartwarming yet comical scene, his sense of closeness to Kaede growing even stronger.
...
In the early morning, the morning dew condensed on the tips of leaves, reflecting tiny particles of light.
A faint aura emanated from Shun's body, actually causing several blades of fine grass glowing with golden light to grow.
A warm orb of light slowly condensed in his palm, the power of the sun silently circulating within it. The orb grew brighter, reflecting the solemnity in his eyes ever more clearly.
It was not just a consideration for the future of the clan, but a layout spanning ten thousand domains, concealing the core plot to oppose Shibai.
His soul and will had long been tempered to be incredibly powerful, but facing Shibai's bizarre abilities, he still lacked some certainty of victory.
Therefore, he wanted to rely on the Soul-Beating Whip. Only with this weapon would he have a chance, and the key to strengthening the Soul-Beating Whip was the pure power of faith condensed from a trillion people.