Tsunade strolled down the road toward home, her mood uncharacteristically cheerful. Earlier that afternoon, she had finally struck gold at the gambling table. For once, the odds had been in her favor, and she had walked away with a sizable win.
"Hmph, looks like my gambling skills are finally improving," she muttered proudly.
On top of her winnings, she had another reason to feel lighthearted. That Uchiha brat at home, Hayashi, had been keeping himself busy lately. Everything seemed peaceful. With no responsibilities pressing down on her, Tsunade felt she could finally relax.
As for the rumor that someone always had bad luck whenever she won? Well, that wasn't her problem. Whether it was Jiraiya, Orochimaru, or Hayashi himself stumbling into misfortune, Tsunade couldn't care less. As long as it wasn't happening to her, why worry?
Humming a carefree tune, she entered the compound gates. Immediately, her sharp eyes noticed a few masked figures outside.
ANBU.
Tsunade recognized them at once. They weren't here for her, but to monitor and protect Kushina. Konoha had been unusually cautious ever since the girl arrived, though Tsunade didn't yet understand the full reason. Still, if it was something her grandmother cared about, that was enough for her.
The ANBU wouldn't enter the courtyard—just stand watch outside. That suited Tsunade fine. She didn't want masked men lurking around inside her home anyway.
As she passed through the compound, her thoughts turned to Kushina. Despite meeting the girl only earlier that day, Tsunade had instantly taken a liking to her. She could sense the loneliness and unease Kushina carried, hidden beneath her cheerful façade.
"She's like a gentle little sister," Tsunade thought with a smile. For a six-year-old dropped into an unfamiliar village, fear was only natural.
Wanting to check in, she made her way toward Kushina's room. The lights were out, the room dark.
"Asleep already?" Tsunade murmured, carefully sliding the door open.
But when she stepped inside, her heart skipped a beat—Kushina wasn't there. The futon was neatly laid out, but when Tsunade touched it, the sheets were cold.
Her expression hardened. "No way… kidnapped?"
Panic surged through her veins. Without a second thought, she hurried toward the backyard, intending to alert her grandmother. But on her way, she passed Hayashi's room. A faint light glowed under the door, and—strangely—she heard the muffled sound of crying from within.
"What the hell?" Tsunade froze, pressing her ear to the door.
A boy's voice drifted out, shaky and apologetic.
"I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"
Hayashi.
Her brow furrowed as she listened more intently.
"It was just for a moment… it shouldn't hurt, right?"
Tsunade's mind spun. A moment? It hurts? Her thoughts leapt to wild, dangerous conclusions.
And then—
"I'll take responsibility…" Hayashi whispered inside.
Her face drained of color. Kushina missing from her room, now inside Hayashi's? Responsibility? Even Tsunade, usually laid-back, understood the implications.
"What do I do?" she muttered under her breath, teeth clenched. If she reported this, ANBU would drag Hayashi away immediately. Yet if she stayed silent, she'd be failing Kushina—someone she already considered a younger sister.
Decision made, Tsunade kicked the door open with enough force to shatter the frame.
The scene inside stunned her.
Kushina sat on the bed in her pajamas, eyes red and puffy from crying. A kunai rested beside her hand—she had been on the verge of hurting herself.
And Hayashi? He was kneeling beside her, holding a scrap of paper, gently wiping Kushina's tears. His face carried nothing but worry.
Kushina flushed red, caught between fear and embarrassment.
Tsunade blinked, her anger briefly faltering as she pieced things together. Still, her instincts screamed at her to protect Kushina.
"Kushina! Don't worry, I'm here!" Tsunade shouted, stepping forward, ready for a fight. "Close your eyes!"
Hayashi jerked his head toward her, startled. "T-Tsunade? I—wait, this isn't what it looks like—"
"Hayashi!" Tsunade snarled, her killing intent filling the room. "Prepare yourself!"
The boy's eyes widened. "Wha—wait, hold on! You've got this wrong!" His protests were cut off as Tsunade surged forward with terrifying speed.
Her fist shot out like lightning, aiming for his face. Hayashi froze, overwhelmed by her presence. His mind blanked, his body locked up.
He barely registered the moment when Tsunade's strike connected—though not the way he expected.
Her fist grazed his lips before slamming against his cheek, the impact blasting him across the room.
Pain exploded through him as he sailed through the air, his consciousness clouding. The last things he saw were Kushina's horrified face and Tsunade's fiery glare.
Then—darkness claimed him.
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