Since the Nine-Tails came to reside within Kushina, their relationship had always been delicate.
Sometimes the Nine-Tails would offer Kushina advice, and the young girl would chat with it when bored.
Yet it also often tempted her to break the seal, which she always firmly refused.
This mixture of camaraderie and tension defined their daily interactions.
Surprisingly, it also carried a warmth of trust, especially when the Nine-Tails' consciousness temporarily controlled her body.
Kushina allowed it out of trust, and the Nine-Tails never harmed her.
Hayashi referred to this as Kushina's "Nine-Tails trial card," though the creature likely saw it as its own trial.
Regardless, in this state, Kushina's strength would surge dramatically, even rivaling the Sannin, without using the Nine-Tails' chakra.
Hayashi suspected that Mito had intentionally orchestrated this.
That wise, beautiful woman possessed unparalleled foresight and would never make such a reckless mistake.
She likely anticipated the situation, which was why she deviated from the original timeline.
Hayashi chose not to tell the Third Hokage about this.
Considering the Hokage's protective attitude toward Kushina, revealing the secret could provoke extreme measures, such as reinforcing the seal.
In this era, no perfect jinchūriki existed, and even Mito could not fully control the Nine-Tails.
Hayashi didn't know if the Third's sealing jutsu would succeed, but one thing was certain: it would strain the bond between Kushina and the Nine-Tails, something he refused to allow.
He also kept the secret from Minato and the others, though they had sensed Kushina's unusual power.
Revealing the Nine-Tails could result in drastic measures, including memory-sealing jutsu.
Thus, Hayashi instinctively chose deception.
He felt entirely at ease doing so, as though it were second nature.
Perhaps humans were born with the ability to deceive authority, much like eating and drinking.
Nawaki, for instance, excelled in this.
The story resumed with Hayashi returning from Kushina's room.
Not long after, Nawaki stormed into his small room, fury written across his face.
"Hayashi, is Dan Katō pursuing my sister?!" Nawaki demanded.
Hayashi swore he had told no one.
So how did Nawaki know?
"Yes, that's true," he admitted, knowing he couldn't lie to his friend.
Only Kushina's vow about secrecy still rang in his ears, reminding him of her notorious big mouth.
"I'll make him pay!" Nawaki stomped his foot.
"He's a Jonin, and you're a Genin. Taking him down is as easy as killing a chicken. How do you plan to make him pay?" Hayashi asked, exasperated.
"I don't care. Poison, ambush, blunt force, it doesn't matter. I'll get rid of Dan Katō!" Nawaki's face flushed with anger.
Hayashi blinked.
Nawaki's sister complex was extreme.
"Kato Dan isn't that bad. He's decent-looking, though his strength is lacking," Hayashi suggested carefully.
Nawaki's face turned red.
"I don't care! I don't like this guy who suddenly appeared! I object!"
"You can't stop them—they're a perfect match. It's not up to a monster like you to intervene," Hayashi thought.
"You know, Jiraiya-ossan always buys me perverted manga and uses it for research. I support Jiraiya-ossan," Nawaki added with a pout.
"…Nawaki, that's your sister. Don't push her into trouble."
"Jiraiya is busy teaching in the Land of Rain; he has no time to pursue Tsunade."
"It's fine. I already sent a letter to Jiraiya-ossan through Minato using a toad," Nawaki said smugly.
The consequences of this minor action were already in motion.
In the original timeline, Nawaki died and never informed Jiraiya.
Now, alive, he immediately tattled.
"If you've told Jiraiya, then why come to me?" Hayashi asked warily.
"Because I need your help," Nawaki replied, producing a sheet of paper.
"This is my sister's handwriting. Use your Sharingan to imitate it and write a rejection letter to Dan Katō—make it profound!"
"Nawaki! If you get caught, you'll be killed!" Hayashi whispered sharply.
"Hayashi, just go along with me." Nawaki flicked his blond hair, smiling with an unsettling confidence.
"Do you know how many people know about this now? If my sister finds out, how much better do you think your fate will be?"
"…I can explain," Hayashi murmured.
"And will she listen?" Nawaki shot back.
Hayashi realized that the ability to deceive others was instinctive, but deceiving a superior carried deadly stakes.
Resolving this matter, he immediately concealed it from view.
Several days later, the time had come for the troops to depart for the Konoha battlefield.
Hayashi finally returned to the Hokage Building, having spent the past few days hiding from both Tsunade and Nawaki.
Here he met his new subordinates for the first time.
He simply wanted to take them away from this troublesome village—and, if necessary, he would even assassinate the Third Kazekage to do it.
---