Lightning Release: Chidori!
Hayashi thrusted his right hand forward, chakra crackling as the lightning-blade impaled a Sand ninja. The man collapsed, a plume of dust rising into the air.
Hayashi looked to his left — Himeji had already gained the upper hand. Without hesitating, he dashed toward Hatake Sakumo.
Sakumo was fighting two of the Kazekage's bodyguards, and he was doing more than holding his own. Even before Hayashi reached him, a chilling sword-intent radiated from the battlefield.
Each time Hayashi saw Sakumo's blade up close, he felt a spark of awe. That man's sword style was something else. There was no way Orochimaru could stand against Sakumo here.
With a flick of his ponytail, Sakumo struck. The White Light Chakra Sabre gleamed, and in one clean slice he severed a Sand ninja's arm. Spotting Hayashi out of the corner of his eye, he made a quick hand signal — an order not to rush into the fight recklessly. Either support if he could, or stay back.
Hayashi respected the signal. He knew better than to throw himself blindly into Sakumo's fight.
He analyzed quickly: Sakumo would handle these two guards, but after that—he would be wounded. Their advantage was shrinking.
Seizing the moment, Hayashi activated his genjutsu — sound-based — and inserted it into the injured Sand ninja whose arm had just been severed. The man froze in place, eyes glazed, his body stiff as wood.
Sakumo's blade swung again. The head of the immobilized ninja flew clean off, arcing high under the desert sun.
Sakumo didn't pause. He turned immediately toward the other guard and rushed forward, blade ready.
The second guard attempted hand seals — but before he could finish, his head followed the first.
Hayashi exhaled a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. In mere moments, two elite Sand-bodyguards down — thanks to their teamwork. He glanced at Sakumo, noticing a small nod of grim approval.
That old man knows how to appreciate a good genjutsu ninja.
Sakumo turned to him, shaking off dust and blood. "You alright?"
Hayashi shrugged lightly. "Minor wound. Nothing serious. Medical ninjas can handle it."
Sakumo grimaced. "What about the others?"
"Two elite Jonin confirmed dead. Himeji barely escaped. On my way here I located the Sand Village's food supply transport convoy."
Sakumo's eyes narrowed. "Good. But don't rush the food. What about the rest of the battlefield — Chūnin level?"
Hayashi frowned, thinking. "I haven't checked thoroughly yet, but it looks like it's winding down."
"Then let's move."
Despite the blood and exhaustion, Sakumo was calm. Among many Leaf-nin, even Chūnin here had surpassed most Sand ninja. Their casualties would be heavy, but manageable.
Times passed. A few months later, after Hayashi recovered from his wounds and his team was reduced to just the two of them — Hayashi and Himeji — Sakumo took them under his wing.
Sakumo had long been interested in Hayashi's genjutsu: unpredictable, versatile, and very useful. With just the two of them, they formed a strike module. They began targeting Sand Village transport caravans — hit-and-run strikes on enemy logistics.
Their eyes were correct: Sand and Stone villages had already begun trade alliances. Those caravans carried food and weapons. Taking them down would hit the enemy war machine straight in the guts.
During a quiet moment, as they walked back to base, Sakumo glanced at Hayashi. "You look happy."
Hayashi smiled faintly. "You noticed?"
Sakumo nodded. "Yes. I heard from scouts today — your old teammates from Team 1 arrived at base."
Memory flickered in Sakumo's eyes. "Those children… I remember them well. Don't take them for granted. Comrades like that are rare — sometimes they're the only thing worth remembering."
Hayashi fell silent for a long while, gazing at the setting sun.
Sakumo sighed, ponytail shining in the dying light.
As they walked on, Hayashi's thoughts drifted. He felt the weight of loss, scarred memories, but also… hope.
He glanced sideways at Himeji that evening, thinking of the snow they once spoke about under the stars — a fragile warmth amid war's chill.
And he vowed silently: no matter the cost, he would protect those bonds.
____
Daily updates will return to twice a day.
I'm still working on exams, but if I use that as an excuse, at this pace, uploading even one fanfic could take months, and I don't want that.
Send some Powerstones my way!
If you want to read in advance, check out my Patreon:
Search for "Zphyr" or use this link: Patreon.com/Zphyr