"Achoo,"
Hayashi wiped his nose, feeling a little off.
Nono handed him a tissue from her pocket. "Sensei, do you have a cold?"
Hayashi shook his head. "No, just been sneezing a lot lately. Probably someone casting a curse behind my back."
It wasn't impossible. Over the years, Hayashi had tangled with plenty of enemies, some careless, some vengeful. But experience had taught him that once the storm passes, the worry fades.
"I earned what I have through my own skills. Why should I worry about their schemes?" he muttered, tossing an empty wine bottle aside. "How far to the Daimyo's Residence?"
Rummaging through her pack, Uzumaki Kana produced a worn map of the Land of Fire, scanning it quickly. "About fifty ri."
"Fifty ri," Hayashi echoed, shading his eyes from the dazzling sun. "All right, let's rest a bit; no need to rush."
Ever since receiving the Third Hokage's letter, they had pressed forward day and night. In less than two days, they had traveled from the Land of Demons to the Daimyo's Residence. Hayashi didn't mind the journey, but Nono and Kana were clearly exhausted.
After a brief rest, they resumed their march and within half an hour reached the Daimyo's Residence. Showing their credentials, they were admitted to Tenshukaku.
"How's Rei?" Hayashi asked, stepping into the room where Mikoto and Himeji stood.
"Lady Hayashi!" the two women exclaimed, bowing quickly and stepping aside.
Seeing the unconscious Uchiha youth lying on the bed, Hayashi frowned. "This serious?"
Aside from that incident at the Ninja Academy, it was the first time he'd seen Rei in such a state. He rolled up his sleeves and began his examination.
On the surface, there were almost no external wounds. But a closer look revealed massive cellular damage throughout his body.
It felt… like the aftermath of an advanced jutsu, one that forced cells to divide rapidly to heal—but if mismanaged, could shred the body from within.
"His brain activity is abnormal… could this be a mental attack?" Hayashi muttered.
He had never seen injuries quite like this and couldn't recall any jutsu in the Ninja World that caused such effects. Still, it wasn't beyond his expertise. Two years on the road had sharpened his medical ninjutsu skills, alongside the countless battles and missions he'd faced.
"All right, you two, step out. Leave this to the professional," Hayashi instructed. "Nono, Kana, prep for surgery."
Two days later, Hayashi lay on his bed, bored. He hadn't expected to collapse after killing Uchiha Yama. The Mangekyo was overwhelming—without the System, he would have been dead long before reaching this point.
Thinking back, a chill ran down his spine. Two years of growth had sharpened his perspective. The Ninja World was vast, full of experts and unpredictable powers. Even Kage-level shinobi weren't guaranteed safety. Why get cocky just because he was a Jonin?
Mid self-lecture, a gentle voice called from the doorway.
"What are you doing?"
Hayashi looked up, smiling at Himeji as she entered. "Thinking about what to eat for lunch."
"What would you like? I can make it."
"Anything's fine. I'm not picky."
Himeji giggled. "Really? Then why do your scrolls always carry dozens of bento Mikoto made whenever we travel?"
"Who survives on dry rations alone? Besides, you didn't eat any less than I did," Hayashi said.
Himeji flushed and placed the lunchbox on the table. Lifting the lid, the aroma filled the room.
"Smells amazing."
"Really?"
"Really."
Side by side on the bench, they ate. As time passed, Himeji's chopsticks began to tremble slightly. Noticing, Hayashi glanced at her and saw her eyes rimmed with red.
"…Himeji, what's wrong?"
She wiped her eyes, voice breaking. Her usual calm façade crumbled as tears rolled down.
"Next time… don't face it alone. Mikoto and I… we were so scared…"
"Sorry. I was careless. Won't happen again."
Hayashi lifted a chicken leg from his bowl and placed it in hers.
"Extra drumstick—my apology."
Flustered, Himeji glanced at the leg, snow drifting outside. Yet her cheeks burned as if from embarrassment.
As she hesitated, the door opened. Tsunade entered, wearing a green jacket emblazoned with the kanji for "gamble."
Himeji jumped up to greet her.
"Am I interrupting?" Tsunade asked with a grin, noticing their lunchboxes.
Cheeks still red, Himeji stammered, "No—well, no."
Hayashi tilted his head slightly, noticing the subtle difference in the two "no's." Tsunade seemed to understand, chuckling softly.
"Himeji, give us a minute. I need to speak with Hayashi."
"…Mm, sure." Himeji mechanically picked up her lunchbox and left, her steps stiff.
Tsunade's gaze settled on Hayashi. She paused, then nodded.
"Not bad—recovering well."
"All thanks to my sensei's medical ninjutsu," he replied.
"Even the finest technique can't mend every wound overnight." She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "…Hayashi, do you have Senju blood?"
"Huh?"
"I mean, did any of your ancestors marry into the Senju?"
Hayashi broke into a cold sweat. "What do you think?"
"Ha, I suppose not." Tsunade laughed awkwardly. "Still, it's incredible—a kid from the Uchiha Clan with such regenerative power. Honestly, I'm getting more and more curious about your body."
Hayashi stayed silent, letting her observations hang in the air.