Unrequited love was often described as something beautiful, but that beauty only existed within certain limits.
Once those limits were crossed, unrequited love stopped being poetic and turned into something pitiful and self-degrading.
Jiraiya from the manga was a prime example. His youthful and innocent crush had steadily evolved from mild admiration into an obsession, climbing from harmless longing all the way to the highest level of self-inflicted suffering, until in the end, he gained nothing at all.
Of course, this was not meant to hint at Nawaki's future. After all, Hayashi was still waiting for him to someday give birth to a proper daughter-in-law for the family.
Still, something felt off.
Someone had once sworn to the heavens that he would only pursue a mature woman, and those words were still echoing clearly. How could he change his mind so suddenly?
It was not that Nonou was unattractive, but due to years of displacement during her childhood, her growth had been delayed. At twelve years old, she looked more like an eight or nine-year-old, much shorter than others her age.
No matter how one looked at it, this did not fit the definition of a mature woman.
So when Hayashi casually asked about it, Kushina's blazing gossip instincts immediately flared up. Any promise she had made to Nawaki was instantly forgotten as she spilled everything without restraint.
According to Kushina, Nonou came to play with her almost every day. Nawaki, who lived near the village gate, often went out to open the door for her. Over time, feelings naturally developed.
Whether it was affection born from familiarity or attraction at first sight was not worth discussing for now. Later, after hearing that Kushina had recommended a disciple to Tsunade, Nawaki rushed off to find his sister, hoping to use the connection to gain Nonou's favor.
Unfortunately, his timing could not have been worse.
Tsunade not only rejected him outright, she also seized the opportunity to drag him into special training.
It was, by all accounts, a tragic love story.
Kushina, however, showed no concern for Nawaki's survival. Her attention was entirely focused on her close friend.
"Hayashi, what about Nono?" she asked.
"Didn't she already graduate?" Hayashi replied. "What, is she unhappy with her current team?"
Kushina shook her head. "That's not it. She only graduated half a year ago, and right now she's just doing low-level missions in Konoha. There's nothing to be happy or unhappy about.
It's just that you said she has talent in medical ninjutsu, but her Jonin teacher doesn't know medical ninjutsu at all."
Hayashi rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "That is a problem. I haven't even heard of her current teacher, which probably means he's not very outstanding."
To be honest, this situation was fairly normal.
Nonou was an orphan who grew up outside the village. Although she entered Konoha with assistance, that support ended there. She had not displayed exceptional talent early on, and she was older than most new graduates. Hayashi and his peers had already graduated, gone on missions, and even seen the battlefield, while Nonou had only recently completed accelerated training.
There were many Jonin in Konoha, but even more Genin graduating every year. Naturally, priority went to the village's own children.
If it were not for Kushina's troublesome reputation and personal connections, the Third Hokage might have directly placed Nonou into a generic Chunin-led team.
This was also Tsunade's perspective. Being busy was part of it, but more importantly, she did not want to casually take in a student to teach medical ninjutsu without proper commitment.
In the ninja world, talent mattered, but teachers mattered just as much. Hayashi did not know how Nonou had risen in her previous life, but Root had likely played a major role.
Now, with circumstances changed, it was entirely possible that Nonou would remain ordinary if nothing altered her path.
"How about this," Hayashi said after some thought. "If it really doesn't work out, I'll talk to Orochimaru-sensei. He's always wanted an assistant."
Kushina gave him a suspicious look.
Hayashi knocked her lightly on the head. "Orochimaru-sensei is strange, but he understands medical techniques."
What he did not say out loud was that Orochimaru was especially knowledgeable about the human body.
As for whether Nonou would end up like Kabuto someday, that was something Nawaki would have to worry about.
As an older brother, Hayashi could only help this much.
"Alright," Hayashi said, clapping his hands. "Let's stop talking about this. It's time for training."
Kushina looked like she wanted to say more, but in the end, she only puffed out her cheeks and fell silent.
"You've used the Rasengan before," Hayashi continued, "but after what happened last time, you still haven't mastered it, right?"
"Yes," Kushina admitted. "The big fox said he would teach me, but he never did."
Inside her mind, the Nine-Tails, who had been lazily grooming his claws, exploded in anger. "I've lived for thousands of years and still have credibility. Every time I tried to teach you, you dragged your feet. Now you blame me, brat!"
Knowing she was at fault, Kushina pretended not to hear, lips pursed.
Hayashi did not notice the exchange. After a moment of thought, he said, "The Rasengan requires extremely fine chakra control, which isn't ideal for you right now. I'll teach you another ninjutsu."
"Really?" Kushina's eyes lit up. "What is it?"
"Don't worry, it's powerful," Hayashi said, habitually reaching out to pat her head before forming hand seals.
"Wind Release, Practice Air Burst Bullet."
This technique originated as a basic wind-style ninjutsu, essentially an enhanced version of Wind Release: Practice Air Bullet. After Hayashi's improvements, the number of hand seals was reduced, and both shape and nature transformation were incorporated, raising its difficulty to A-rank.
Naturally, he did not plan to teach Kushina the fully enhanced version. It was not stinginess, but practicality. She simply could not handle it yet. For her current level, learning the Rasengan would actually be easier.
Under Hayashi's control, a massive sphere of compressed wind chakra formed in his hand. It rapidly expanded until it reached the height of an adult, resembling an enormous jade-colored Rasengan.
He hurled the rotating wind sphere into a distant sand pit and immediately pulled Kushina back.
"The power of the Wind Release Air Burst Bullet is high," he warned. "If you don't want to be buried in sand, stay back."
The explosion followed instantly. The A-rank wind technique erupted violently, sending fine sand raining across the field.
Even from a distance, neither of them could completely avoid it. Fortunately, Hayashi reacted quickly, dispersing the falling debris with a wave of wind chakra.
Kushina stood frozen. This was the first time she had seen Hayashi use wind-style ninjutsu at this level. She had always known his genjutsu and lightning release were exceptional, but she had never imagined his wind release was just as refined.
Coincidentally, wind was her own elemental affinity, yet she rarely used it seriously.
She slowly approached the edge of the sand pit and looked down. The once-flat terrain had been completely hollowed out, leaving behind a deep, empty crater.
"Hayashi," she asked softly, "how does this compare to the Rasengan?"
"The Rasengan excels at concentrated, seal-less destruction," he replied. "But in terms of large-scale damage, even the initial improved version of this technique surpasses it. At its third stage, its power approaches the level of forbidden techniques."
"I want to learn it," Kushina said immediately, nodding.
Hayashi chose to teach her this A-rank wind technique instead of the Rasengan for more than one reason. While the Rasengan demanded precise control, Kushina possessed massive chakra reserves as an Uzumaki, along with the Nine-Tails sealed within her.
Letting that power go to waste would be foolish.
Charging straight into battle with simple techniques might work for some, but with the option to fight safely and decisively from a distance, there was no need to risk it.
Under Kushina's urging, Hayashi patiently explained the required hand seals and the flow of chakra within the body. Her talent was undeniable. After only a few explanations and demonstrations, she began practicing on her own.
The November sun was gentle, its warmth spreading comfortably across the training ground.
Hayashi was about to find a quiet corner to rest when he heard heavy footsteps approaching.
This was not something two girls could produce.
When he lazily opened his eyes, he saw a figure that genuinely surprised him.
Uchiha Fugaku.
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