Nawaki tugged at Uchiha Hayashi's sleeve, pointing toward a small shop. "That place looks suspicious. We should start our investigation from a low angle."
Hayashi stared at him blankly. "What happened to the honest boy I used to know?"
For a moment, he reconsidered Nawaki's so-called purity. Maybe labeling him as an honest man had been a mistake. Jiraiya's influence was stronger than he thought. Among gambling, drinking, and peeping, the one who seemed to have left the deepest mark on Nawaki was clearly Jiraiya.
Hayashi shook his head. Even he misjudged people sometimes. At this rate, tomorrow's newspaper headline might read:
[Shocking! Jiraiya Corrupts the Young Heir of the Senju Clan!]
[The Young Heir Speaks Out with Bizarre Remarks!]
Best not to get involved. In the future, he should keep his distance from Jiraiya. That man's influence was dangerous—if even Kakashi could grow up carrying those little yellow books, then truly anything was possible.
In fact, Hayashi thought, he could even excuse the Third Hokage's occasional use of the Telescope Technique. That habit probably traced back to Jiraiya's teaching too.
Beside him, Mikoto smiled faintly. "It really is… amusing."
Hayashi glanced at her, noticing the subtle coldness behind her expression. Her lips curved, but her eyes held no warmth at all. The air around her felt sharp, almost wintry. And yet it was only May.
He quickly cut Nawaki off before Mikoto's chill deepened. "Anyway, we should head to the Academy. If we waste more time, we'll be late."
Nawaki hesitated, torn between his curiosity and his responsibility. "But… if I don't investigate, I'll feel uneasy. What if it really is a spy?"
Hayashi pressed the advantage. "If Lady Tsunade finds out you skipped class the very morning she's supposed to meet with visitors…"
That landed. Nawaki paled. "Let's hurry to class. I even miss Teacher Nishimura a little."
Hayashi stifled a laugh. That was the Nawaki he knew—Tsundere, easily swayed, and utterly shaped by his sister's looming shadow.
The three walked together toward the Academy. On the way, Hayashi caught the shift in Nawaki's mood and narrowed his eyes.
"Your sister is coming?" Hayashi asked carefully.
"Not exactly," Nawaki replied. "She's… a cousin. From my grandmother's clan. But since she'll be living with us, you could call her my sister."
Hayashi's mind clicked. Uzumaki Kushina. Naruto's future mother, the next Nine-Tails jinchūriki. Her arrival could only mean one thing—Uzumaki Mito's strength was failing. The last remnant of the First Hokage's era was nearing her end.
The thought made his chest heavy. An age was about to close.
Mikoto noticed his silence. "Hayashi, what's wrong? You suddenly look so serious."
"It's nothing," he said quickly. Nawaki clearly didn't know the full truth, and Tsunade probably didn't either. It wasn't his secret to tell. All he could do was hope Nawaki would have the strength to handle what was coming.
When they reached the Academy, it was earlier than usual. The classrooms were nearly empty. As Hayashi stepped through the doorway, however, a chorus of whispers broke out.
"Hey, look… that's him, right?"
"No way… is that really Uchiha Hayashi?"
"How could he be here this early?"
"Must be a Transformation Technique. No way it's actually him."
Hayashi blinked, baffled. That was it? They were shocked because he'd arrived early?
He clenched his jaw but let it go. Fine. He'd let them live—for now. But he mentally noted every single name. Next time he farmed points, they'd be the first to pay.
A short while later, Minato walked in.
"Good morning, Minato!" Hayashi waved, relieved to see someone reasonable.
Minato's smile faltered. "Wait… am I late? Hayashi, you're already here?" He looked genuinely stunned.
Hayashi wanted to sigh. Even Minato? Maybe he needed glasses.
At the front, Teacher Nishimura frowned at him in concern. "Uchiha Hayashi… perhaps you should go to the infirmary. The medical-nin can examine you."
Hayashi's mouth twitched. He came to school early once and suddenly everyone thought he was sick.
He muttered under his breath, "Really, this is too much. Because the clan head visited me yesterday, I was under pressure. I just came early to clear my head. Do you all need to act like it's a miracle?"
No one seemed to understand him. Was this… loneliness?
He pulled out his notebook and reviewed chakra nature transformation while he waited. Supposedly, the Sannin were scheduled to visit their class that morning. But the hours dragged by with no sign of them.
Finally, Hayashi leaned toward Nawaki. "Hey, maybe your sister got caught cheating in the casino. That's why they're late."
Nawaki grimaced. "You know as well as I do that Jōnin are busy. They can't always come on time." But his voice lacked conviction. He knew perfectly well Tsunade had been lying in bed when he left that morning, after returning from an all-night gambling spree.
Hayashi smirked. "Sure. Or maybe Orochimaru was arrested by the Anbu for experimenting again, and Jiraiya got thrown in jail for peeping at the women's bathhouse."
"Hey, brat, that's called gathering material! It's art!"
The classroom door slammed open. Jiraiya strode in with his head wrapped in bandages, glaring at Hayashi.
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