Koharu Utatane felt utterly exhausted. She couldn't remember when it had begun, but the rift between her two longtime friends—Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura—had grown too wide to mend.
She sighed softly. If Kagami had become the Third Hokage… perhaps things would have turned out differently. In her memory, Kagami had shared Hiruzen's deep love for the village, yet he wasn't as idealistic. He possessed Danzo's decisiveness but not his cruelty. When she was younger, she had truly believed Kagami, supported by the Uchiha clan and as a direct disciple of the Second Hokage, was destined to inherit the title of Hokage.
Unfortunately, she later realized that the Second Hokage never intended for an Uchiha to take that seat.
For a fleeting moment, Koharu felt the urge to retire. But she quickly pushed the thought aside. Ninjas don't get to say they're tired of duty, she reminded herself. That's something we all learn the day we put on the forehead protector. She chuckled quietly at her own thoughts.
Across from her, Hayashi watched her with mild confusion as she smiled. Catching his gaze, Koharu immediately straightened her posture and composed herself. Still, she didn't quite know what to say. It had been years since she last dealt with children—this kind of situation left her awkward and uncertain.
"By the way, how's your injury?" Koharu asked, her tone deliberately neutral after a long pause.
"Pretty good," Hayashi replied. "Tsunade-sensei said I'll be discharged before the new term begins."
"That's good," Koharu nodded, hesitating for a moment. "Um, that…"
"What's wrong?"
"Have you thought about changing teams? Maybe joining Tsunade's squad?" she asked, her brows knitting slightly. "Orochimaru's missions tend to be dangerous. He's not trained in medical ninjutsu—if something happens, he won't be able to help you."
Hayashi shook his head. "My current team is fine. There's no need to change."
Koharu frowned slightly, unwilling to give up so easily. "But you seem close with that Uzumaki girl. Are you sure you don't want to reconsider?"
Hayashi blinked, somewhat speechless. Do the village elders really have nothing better to do than meddle in team assignments… and relationships? What's next—matching teammates for marriage benefits?
Koharu realized how awkward her words had sounded, but she pressed on. She genuinely wanted Hayashi transferred to Tsunade's team. As the next Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Uzumaki Kushina would never be sent to the battlefield. Her team would likely see far fewer missions near combat zones. If Hayashi joined them, it would keep him out of the worst of the war.
Even so, Hayashi only shook his head again. "The current team's good. I don't want to change."
Koharu sighed in quiet defeat. "Alright… but be careful. Don't repeat what happened last time. You won't always have someone to protect you out there."
Hayashi's expression stiffened. That one word—battlefield—stood out.
"Wait… battlefield?" he asked quietly.
Koharu met his gaze and nodded. "Yes. A Jōnin council is happening right now. The Third Hokage will soon announce the official declaration of war against the Rain Country. It's about to begin."
Hayashi didn't look shocked—he had anticipated this. Still, one line caught his attention.
"A declaration of war… only against the Rain Country?"
"That's correct," Koharu replied.
"Just them?" Hayashi frowned deeply. The Rain Country, sure… but what about the Sand? He had nearly died at the hands of Suna shinobi. And yet Konoha was letting that go?
He had initially admired Hiruzen's decisiveness for moving so quickly toward war… but declaring it only against the Rain? What kind of strategy is that? Are you a pacifist, Hiruzen-sama?
After thinking it through, however, Hayashi understood. The Sand Village was still strong—arguably the most powerful among the Five Great Nations besides Konoha. They'd been fortifying their borders for months, itching for a fight. They hadn't yet suffered the crushing defeats that would come in the later Great Ninja Wars. They weren't struggling with cut military funding or limited numbers. Taking them on now would be suicide.
The Rain Country, on the other hand, was small, fractured, and surrounded by powerful nations. In political terms, it was an easy target—a "ripe persimmon" ready to be crushed.
Still, understanding didn't make it easier to accept.
Koharu, watching him fall silent, pressed her lips together. How do I explain this to him? In the end, she simply said, "There'll be a time to face the Sand Village… just not yet."
Hayashi gave a quiet nod. "I understand."
An uneasy silence filled the room again. Koharu sighed softly—it felt as if she'd only made things more awkward. It's like meeting your stepson for the first time and immediately saying the wrong thing, she thought.
The tension lingered… until the door suddenly slid open. A girl with a black ponytail and a soft, cute face stepped in, holding a large lunch box.
"I'm coming in, Hayashi," she said with a smile.
Uchiha Mikoto stopped as she noticed the heavy air between them. "Oh—sorry, did I interrupt?" she asked, bowing slightly.
"No, no," Koharu said quickly, waving her hand. Her gaze flickered between the two before she smiled faintly. "Well then, I'll get going. Hayashi, rest well. Goodbye, Mikoto."
Before leaving, she gently patted Mikoto's head.
As she walked down the hospital corridor, a small smile formed on her lips. Another girl… and that Hyuga one I met earlier, too. Koharu chuckled under her breath. Kagami's son really does take after him in some ways. Truly worthy of the Uchiha name.