Uchiha Hayashi and his two companions stood before the gates of a small town, gazing at the streets within.
From where Hayashi stood, he could see that the main road was neatly paved with square bricks, stretching deep into the bustling center. The houses on both sides were built with precise Earth Release techniques, their sturdy structures standing as silent proof of the defensive care taken here.
Everywhere he looked, shinobi moved through the streets—some patrolling, others transporting supplies. Carts filled with grain and materials rolled in from every direction across the Land of Fire. The atmosphere was heavy, efficient, and tense.
Aside from Konoha itself, there was likely no other place in the entire land with such a dense concentration of ninja and military order. But unlike the familiar air of home, this town radiated the sharp, cold breath of war.
Hayashi sighed in relief at the thought of finally resting somewhere clean and quiet for once. No more sleepless nights cramped in wagons or exposed under the cold forest sky. The thought alone made his sore body feel lighter.
After they completed the entry procedures, Orochimaru returned from the gate with his usual calm expression.
"Alright, get off," he said, clapping his hands lightly.
"What? Are we walking in?" Hayashi blinked, confused.
Other carriages were allowed to pass, so why were they the only ones expected to go on foot? Were they being looked down on for some reason?
"No," Orochimaru replied, his tone steady as ever. "We're not going in."
Hayashi froze.
What!?
So, after all that, they weren't even staying here?
He deflated instantly. "Then where are we sleeping tonight?" Nawaki asked beside him, disappointment written all over his face.
"Tonight, we'll be staying with Tsunade's team," Orochimaru said.
At that, Hayashi's eyes lit up. Tsunade-sensei's team… weren't they all girls?
"Oh? Then what are we waiting for? Let's move! Tsunade-sensei and the others must be waiting for us already!"
With sudden energy, Hayashi slung his pack over his shoulder.
Orochimaru gave him a sidelong glance but said nothing. With a faint smirk, he led the group toward the forest.
They traveled for half a day before reaching the designated campsite—but the sight that greeted them was far from what Hayashi had expected.
Before them stood a single worn-out tent. Its once-military green canvas was now dulled and gray from dust. The ropes sagged, and patches of fabric fluttered where the seams had weakened.
The three of them stopped in their tracks, exchanging blank stares.
"Alright, we've arrived," Orochimaru said in satisfaction.
Hayashi stared at him, horrified.
Farewell, warm bed. Farewell, clean sheets…
With a resigned sigh, he followed Orochimaru inside.
The interior of the tent was dimly lit, barely illuminated by a single lamp. A small wooden table and a lone stool were the only furnishings. At the table, slumped over a pile of papers, Tsunade slept soundly.
"Lady Tsunade, wake up," Katsuyu, the small slug beside her, called softly.
"Kushina, I wasn't sleeping…" Tsunade mumbled, trying to reach for her pen even as her eyes remained half-shut.
When she finally lifted her head and saw Orochimaru and his group standing there, she gave up pretending. She wiped a bit of drool from the corner of her mouth, yawned widely, and groaned.
"Why did you take so long!?" she snapped immediately.
Orochimaru didn't flinch. "It seems you've been living quite comfortably lately, Tsunade."
"Hmph! Comfortable, my foot! It's all your fault for sending such useless intel!" she barked back, folding her arms. "I've been running myself ragged investigating that supposed gold mine every day!"
Her irritation faded slightly when her gaze landed on the others. "Yo-ho, Hayashi, Mikoto—it's been a while."
"Tsunade-sensei, long time no see," Hayashi greeted politely.
"Lady Tsunade, it's good to see you again," Mikoto added with a gentle smile.
"Hey! What about me?" Nawaki complained, crossing his arms. "You just ignored me, sis. Am I invisible now?"
Tsunade grinned. "Oh? Isn't this my foolish little brother? You're with this squad too?"
"…Yeah."
"Alright, Tsunade," Orochimaru interrupted, "Hayashi's injured. Heal him."
"Injured?" Tsunade's expression softened as she looked him over. Mikoto and Nawaki had only suffered scratches that healed quickly, but Hayashi's chest wound—inflicted by a kunai—was still deep.
"Hmph, truly embarrassing for me as your former teacher," Tsunade muttered as she examined the injury. "Getting hurt on a simple bandit mission… My student once took down a Chūnin without a scratch."
"Correction," Orochimaru interjected, his voice calm but sharp. "Hayashi is now my disciple. And he was wounded after defeating a Jōnin."
There was a subtle note of pride beneath his tone, one Tsunade immediately caught.
She shot him a glare. "What's there to brag about? It's not like I didn't train him well first!" Her annoyance deepened. She still hadn't forgiven the Third Hokage for transferring Hayashi out of her team.
"But you still come crawling to me for healing," she said, smirking. "If he'd stayed under my care, he wouldn't have gotten hurt."
She stood up, stretching her arms. Tsunade's blonde hair was tied neatly behind her head, her black battle gear and Jōnin vest hugging her athletic frame. Her forehead protector rested lazily on the table beside her.
Though her appearance hadn't changed much since Hayashi last saw her, her aura had. The Tsunade before him still carried the spirited confidence of youth—but beneath it, there was already a hint of maturity, of strength honed through battle and burden.
Hayashi noticed the small purple diamond on her forehead—the mark of the Strength of a Hundred Seal. So she's mastered it already… he thought, impressed.
"Alright, kid," Tsunade said, stepping closer. "Take off your jacket."
Her tone could easily have been misunderstood, but Hayashi knew better. He obediently removed his outerwear, revealing the wound across his chest.
Tsunade could be generous one moment and terrifying the next; experience had taught Hayashi not to test her patience. He had seen what happened to Jiraiya when he did—and he had no intention of joining him in that particular kind of pain.
A soft green glow spread from Tsunade's palm as she placed her hand over the wound. The gentle warmth of healing chakra seeped through his skin, bringing an almost ticklish sensation.
Amazing, Hayashi thought. Medical ninjutsu really is incredible.
While she worked, Orochimaru asked, "By the way, Tsunade—any luck with the gold mine?"
Tsunade sighed heavily. "Honestly, I'm starting to think there isn't a gold mine here at all."
Her voice dropped with exhaustion. "All this trouble for nothing."
---