Chapter 16 — The First Official Date with Rin
Rin wasn't foolish. It didn't take much thought for her to understand what Obuya was really doing.
He had given her most of the mission reward to repay all the meals she had treated him to in the past.
Even if he had deliberately framed it as her "treating him," the reality was obvious—no matter how extravagant the seafood feast was, it would never cost more than five thousand ryō.
Compared to the more than fifty thousand ryō now resting in her hands, it was barely a fraction.
Obuya spoke casually, as if it didn't matter.
"I'm used to you treating me. Whether the money is with you or with me, it's the same… unless, of course, you decide you don't want to treat me anymore in the future."
Rin's expression wavered slightly, caught between refusal and acceptance.
In the end, she let out a small breath and nodded.
"…Alright. Then let's say your share… I'm just holding onto it for now."
She clutched the money a little tighter, as if reassuring herself.
"Can we go eat now?"
Obuya's tone shifted instantly, his eyes lighting up with anticipation.
He had been in Konoha for a full year, yet this seafood restaurant was something he had only ever heard about. Naturally, his expectations had been building for a long time.
When the two arrived at the entrance of Seafood Feast, they unexpectedly ran into two familiar figures just as they were about to go in.
"Eh? Yūgao!!"
Rin called out immediately.
The pair ahead paused and turned around at the sound of her voice.
The moment they saw Rin and Obuya, both of them froze briefly in surprise.
"Rin… you came back safely?"
Uzuki Yūgao's voice carried unmistakable relief.
Standing beside her was Gekkō Hayate, his complexion as pale as ever, his expression serious and slightly tense.
It was obvious that he had already informed Yūgao about Rin's situation.
Hayate's gaze shifted toward Obuya, his eyes narrowing subtly.
He had tracked Tōki before. He had seen the aftermath of the rogue ninja's methods—clean, efficient, merciless.
He was certain of one thing.
Tōki possessed strength at the level of a jōnin.
And Rin alone… would not have survived.
Which meant—The mysterious Obuya had been there.
Yūgao stepped forward quickly, her concern evident.
"Rin, you didn't run into that Iwa ninja, did you?"
Rin smiled brightly, shaking her head.
"We did. It was really dangerous… but thankfully, Obuya arrived in time. Yūgao, we captured Tōki alive. He's already been handed over to the interrogation division."
Her voice carried a hint of pride, unable to conceal her excitement.
"Captured… alive?"
Yūgao's eyes widened, and she instinctively glanced at Hayate.
The two exchanged a look, both seeing the same disbelief reflected in each other's eyes.
A jōnin-level shinobi… captured alive by two genin?
That wasn't just difficult—it was nearly impossible without overwhelming strength or exceptional strategy.
After finishing her explanation, Rin's gaze swept across the two of them.
Her expression gradually shifted, suspicion giving way to a playful, knowing smile.
"Yūgao… earlier today you refused my invitation, saying you had something important to do this afternoon."
She tilted her head slightly, her tone turning teasing.
"Don't tell me… this is what you meant? A date with Hayate?"
Yūgao's face flushed instantly.
"W-What are you talking about?!"
She stammered, clearly caught off guard.
Her eyes darted around before suddenly landing on Obuya—as if she had found a perfect counterattack.
A mischievous smile spread across her face.
"Rin, you're the one who should explain. You two coming here together… isn't this a date?"
Rin froze.
Her ears turned red almost instantly.
"Yūgao, don't talk nonsense! We're here because… because Obuya saved my life. I'm just treating him to a meal to thank him!"
She clenched her fists, trying to sound convincing.
"Is that so?"
Yūgao raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.
At that moment, Hayate, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke.
"I told Obuya earlier that the ninja Rin was tracking might have jōnin-level strength. He went after you immediately."
He looked at Obuya steadily.
"At first, I thought it was reckless… that he was overestimating himself. But now it seems… he had some measure of confidence."
Rin's expression changed instantly.
She turned toward Obuya, her eyes filled with surprise.
Up until now, she had believed their encounter had been a coincidence—that they had simply crossed paths while carrying out separate missions.
But now she realized—
There had been no coincidence.
He had gone to find her.
And only she understood something else.
Hayate's words about "confidence" weren't entirely accurate.
The truth was far harsher.
Both of them had come dangerously close to death.
Without her water-style jutsu at the critical moment, neither of them would have made it out alive.
Her gaze lingered on Obuya, searching.
Obuya met her eyes calmly and spoke in a quiet voice.
"Either way… thank you. If you hadn't told me she was in danger, today might have ended very differently."
Hayate gave a faint smile.
"Before I saw you, I was wondering if I had made the wrong choice… whether telling you would only get you killed. Fortunately, that didn't happen."
"Alright, Hayate. Let's go."
Yūgao tugged lightly at his sleeve.
She had already noticed the subtle change in Rin's expression—and realized that Rin hadn't known any of this beforehand.
There was no point lingering.
"Obuya… you…"
Rin's emotions were complicated.
Part of her was deeply moved.
To know that he had learned she was in danger—and gone to find her without hesitation, even at the risk of his own life…
But another part of her couldn't help feeling uneasy.
It was too reckless.
A proper ninja shouldn't act purely on impulse or emotion.
Risking his life like that…
She couldn't fully approve of it.
"Rin, did you forget this?"
Obuya reached into his pocket and pulled out a jade-white shell, holding it up in front of her.
The familiar object caught the light faintly.
"Saving you when you're in danger…"
He smiled faintly.
"Isn't that what I'm supposed to do?"
Rin's eyes trembled slightly.
She pressed her lips together, then nodded firmly.
"…Let's go eat."
Without another word, she grabbed his wrist and pulled him forward.
The two of them ran into the restaurant together, passing beneath the large sign that read Seafood Feast.
…
After going through a life-and-death experience together, something between them had subtly changed.
Before, Rin's care for Obuya had been rooted in simple kindness.
Now—
She saw him as someone she could trust without hesitation.
Someone she could entrust her life to.
Obuya naturally noticed the shift.
And he didn't dislike it.
…
The next morning.
With no missions scheduled, Obuya had planned to sleep in and enjoy a rare moment of rest.
But fate had other plans.
A series of hurried footsteps approached from outside, growing louder with each passing second.
Obuya immediately recognized the rhythm.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
He got up and walked to the door.
Just as he expected—
Bang!
The door was pushed open at the exact moment he pulled it.
"Ah!"
A startled cry rang out as a small figure had rushed forward too quickly, completely missing the door as it opened.
She collided straight into him.
The force sent Obuya stumbling backward instinctively.
Without thinking, he wrapped his arms around her as they fell together, pulling her into his chest to cushion the impact.