Cheep, cheep, the birds outside the window were already singing.
Hayashi turned to avoid the sunlight spilling across the room. Maybe he had forgotten to draw the curtains last night. He wanted to keep sleeping, but some part of his mind nudged his body to wake.
"Hayashi, get up quickly," a bell-like, pleasant voice floated through the air.
He hovered in that space between dream and waking, where reality felt blurred and dreamlike confidence lingered. For a moment he ignored the voice without thinking, because this was Shusui's room, Kushina could not possibly be here.
"Um, Kushina, let me sleep a little longer," Hayashi murmured.
"Huh? Ah, that is right, a rare rest, and you got beaten so badly by Tsunade san last night, of course you want to sleep a little more," Kushina replied cheerfully.
"Yeah, I dreamed I beat Tsunade, I'll dream a little longer," Hayashi answered, stubborn and half-asleep.
"But you said several times last night you would get up today to block Tsunade san at the casino, and you asked me to wake you, Hayashi, get up quickly, it is morning," Kushina pressed on, shaking him without hesitation.
The gentle rocking of her hands felt like a cradle, and Hayashi relaxed into it, wanting another song, one more minute of sleep.
"Hayashi, you said that a few minutes ago," Kushina persisted.
"Hayashi, if you do not get up," Kushina added, then continued, "I'll hit your face with Water Release."
"An evil aura is approaching!"
At that, Hayashi jerked fully awake, hair on end. Instantly alert, he rolled to the side, covering his face with his hands and tensing his legs to spring if needed.
Standing in front of him, however, was Tsunade, arms crossed and staring down at him coldly.
"Seriously, who are you calling evil?" she asked.
Hayashi narrowed his eyes. He was in bed, and Tsunade stood over him, livid. Calling Tsunade evil was an exaggeration, but he decided not to correct the thought.
"Get up quickly, brat, today is the last day of training, I will train you properly," Tsunade said, clenching her fists.
"Treating a patient like this, not to mention an evil aura, is practically criminal," Hayashi snapped back.
Kushina, nearby, waved cheerfully and greeted him, "Hayashi, good morning."
"Ah, good morning, Kushina," Hayashi smiled, watching the red-haired kunoichi. Morning light threaded through her long hair, making it shine. Her white ninja outfit suited her bright energy, and she seemed even more cheerful than yesterday.
"Did you sleep well last night?" he asked as he sat up.
"Yes, very well, I had a very happy dream," Kushina answered with a delighted grin. Hayashi had been worried she might not rest well in an unfamiliar place, so he was relieved.
"Alright, enough nonsense, get up quickly, today is the last day of training," Tsunade interrupted again, arms folded.
"I am very busy, as a Jonin I have to patrol the casino at night, exercise by day, and rest when I can, and now I am taking time from my schedule to train you," she added, attempting to sound stern.
"You are stealing leisure time," Hayashi countered, standing and shrugging on his coat.
"Fine, go wash your face first," Tsunade yawned, clearly wanting to catch up on sleep after last night's excitement.
Hayashi stepped out toward the washbasin, but as he passed the doorway he overheard the two women talking.
"Kushina, how can a girl your age run into a boy's room?" Tsunade said, concerned.
"What if something like last night happens again?" she asked.
"Is there really any danger? Yesterday, we all agreed it was just a misunderstanding. Hayashi is my first real friend in Konoha—there's nothing to worry about," Kushina said, her voice firm yet soft with trust.
Tsunade leaned forward, a sly glint in her eyes. "No, no. Look at this. If you're not careful, Kushina might end up subjected to something unforgivable… by a beast like Hayashi." From beneath the table, she slipped out a hidden manga, waving it with deliberate mischief.
Kushina gasped dramatically, her crimson hair swaying as she stared wide-eyed at the scandalous illustrations.
Just then, Hayashi strode back into the room, catching the tail end of the scene. His face twisted in outrage.
"Ewww! Besides, Kushina's a child! I'm not a damn pedophile!" he blurted.
Tsunade's eyes flicked up from the pages, her lips curling into a teasing smirk. "Pedophile? What are you talking about? You're a kid yourself."
Kushina blinked in confusion, caught between embarrassment and curiosity.
Hayashi crossed his arms, scowling. "Yeah, right. Either way—I'm not interested in kids."
After breakfast, Kushina mentioned her plan for the day, "I am going to Grandma Mito's to study more. She said I am missing important things. I am entering the Ninja Academy tomorrow."
"That is good," Hayashi replied, thinking of sealing techniques. For Hayashi, sealing techniques were among the most valuable skills in the world, able to restrain reincarnations and even tailed beasts. He wondered why such techniques were not present on his own panel, and resolved to ask his unreliable system later.
Kushina left, and Hayashi and Tsunade made their way to the training ground.
"Alright, brat, today is the last day. Show me your chakra control. If I am satisfied, I will teach you an exceptionally powerful ninjutsu, to make up for yesterday's misunderstanding," Tsunade said.
"You nearly killed me yesterday, Tsunade san, you cannot reward me with only one ninjutsu," Hayashi protested.
"Why did you suddenly barge in and hit me, sensei?" he added, genuinely puzzled.
"Well, I heard Kushina crying in your room, and heard you say you would take responsibility, so I assumed you had done something you should not at your age," Tsunade answered, frowning.
"I said I would take responsibility for teaching Nawaki how to make miniature explosive tags. Use your head, it is impossible to think otherwise," Hayashi retorted.
"Oh, so that is how it is," Tsunade muttered, nodding to herself, satisfied that nothing major had happened and he was unharmed.
Hayashi let out a large breath, then with mock indignation shouted, "Eat my kick!"
Tsunade's expression hardened, "You actually said 'nothing major', believe me, I will throw you into the Land of Water to cut sugarcane," she warned.
They sparred with words more than blows, the morning sun casting long shadows as the final day of training opened before them. Hayashi felt the mixture of embarrassment and warmth that comes with being managed by those who care in their own brusque ways, and he braced himself for whatever the day would teach him.
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