32 Daily lives (2/2)

”He he, you could also think it like that, Karin. As I will not let you go no matter what.”

”...” Karin was looking angrily to him as her cheek reddened. Though, it was unknown whether it was because her anger or her shyness after hearing his words.

Arriving in Akatsuki's headout, Rafi and Karin met Zetsu as they then went to Gedo Statue. Although Zetsu was suspicious of Karin at first, but after hearing that she was Rafi's companion, Zetsu acknowledged her as Akatsuki's member. Their meeting was peaceful as Rafi already put Zetsu in the illusion with Sakura's Kotoamatsukami beforehand. Rafi's situation was as a trustworthy person that Zetsu had found after Obito's previous betrayal to Madara and to their Eye of the Moon Plan.

Rafi then activated his Byaku-Rinnegan as he made a connection with Gedo Statue. After he somehow made the connection successfully, Zetsu and Rafi affirmed their plan to get the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails.

Rafi proposed the idea for using Edo Tensei soldiers to strengthen their war potential. Zetsu was doubtful at first, but Rafi assured him that there was someone who mastered Edo Tensei more than the 'deceased' Orochimaru. He believed that person would approached them as he also had a reason for participating in their war. Zetsu finally relented after knowing he was Yakushi Kabuto, Orochimaru's pupil and attendant.

They finally went separately as Zetsu was tasked to gather intelligence on Shinobi Alliance while Rafi would wait in Akatsuki's headout to meet Kabuto and did his own preparations for the upcoming Great War.

... ...

Meanwhile, in Konoha, in Hokage Office. Tsunade was having a meeting with the previously revived ones and Shikaku. Suddenly, in the midst of their meeting, the space was rippled as Rafi and Karin stepped out from the ripple. He was quickly greeted by a forceful punch when he was about to greet them. Rafi quickly blocked it with his own palm to negate the force, while he shielded a startled Karin behind him.

”Woah, that is quite a punch there...Granny.” Rafi said after he blocked Tsunade's punch with ease.

”Che, why are you appearing here now after your declaration of war, huh?!”

”Hey, hey, it was 'Uchiha Madara' that said it. Don't you remember my name?” Rafi said with fake tears.

”Ma, ma, calm down a bit, Tsunade-chan. You will not get a boyfriend if you keep being unladylike. And what are you doing here, young man?” Hashirama said lightly to Tsunade while he then turned to Rafi.

”Well, I just want to give Obito and rest of Sasuke's teammates to you. As you may have uses for them. Oh, this girl beside me is one of wives, so I can't hand her over.” Rafi then pulled out a dazed Obito, Suigetsu and Jūgo from his Kamui. Minato, Kushina, Nohara Rin and the Uchiha family were surprised after seeing Obito. They looked at a dazed Obito with mixed feelings inside each of them.

While Karin looked at Rafi complexly after hearing his words. As Karin knew that she couldn't escaped this man for her life. Although, she still felt complex emotion about Sasuke, strangely enough she also didn't hate the feeling when Rafi and the girls teased her before. Maybe, what she seeked before...was only a place she could felt a belonging to. Beside that, maybe someone who really wanted and acknowledged her, not just because of her special ability.

”Now that I have brought them here, the rest will be up to you all. Next time we meet, we will be enemies then.” Rafi said as he grabbed Karin and teleported again.

”Wait! Tch, he gets away really quick. Haah, his engagement with Hinata hasn't even been solved and now he has left this mess to me.” Tsunade grumbly said as she looked at the dazed Obito, Suigetsu and Jūgo in their midst.

”Kushina-chan, do you see that red-haired girl beside him? Her chakra...don't you think she is...?” Mito looked meaningfully at Kushina as she said.

”Yes, she is an Uzumaki isn't she! There is another survivor out there, Mito-obaachan.” Kushina said excitedly as she also realized Karin's identity.

”Fu fu, looks like he also has a penchant for Uzumaki's girl, just like them.” Mito looked strangely to Hashirama and Minato. Those two men seemed a bit shy after hearing her words.

”Huuh, then how should we deal with them, Grandfather?” Tsunade was sighing as she asked Hashirama.

”Hmm, you should decide it, Tsunade. You are the Hokage after all. We are only a retired ones. Although, we may help you if you ever need our help.” Hashirama said gently at Tsunade as other previous Kages nodded at his words.

”Then...” Tsunade inhaled deeply before she decided their next course of actions.