Hayashi had no idea what had happened inside the Uchiha clan head's residence, nor did he have the time or energy to concern himself with it. When training ended in the evening, he instead ran into a rather troublesome matter.
Kushina wanted to participate in the Chunin Exams.
The problem was that she did not have the Third Hokage's approval.
Big sister, do you really think you are just an ordinary ninja?
Without exaggeration, if someone forced the Third Hokage to choose between the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and Asuma, he would not hesitate for even a second before slamming his youngest son into a wall.
So how could Kushina possibly make such a decision on her own without even a shred of self-awareness?
And more importantly…
"Didn't you tell me the Third Hokage already agreed?"
Hayashi raised his right hand, formed it into a knife shape, and lightly chopped the little fox on the head.
"Ow!" Kushina cried out, clutching her head as she immediately darted behind Mikoto for cover. After a moment, she cautiously peeked out and said, "The big fox made me do it."
Inside the seal, the Nine-Tails, who had been watching with great interest, nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.
Why am I always the one getting blamed?
Hayashi remained completely unmoved. "Have you actually spoken to the Third Hokage about the Chunin Exams?"
"I did," Kushina replied honestly. "But he was very vague and said we'd talk about it later."
"Then there's still hope," Hayashi said calmly.
Kushina immediately leaned halfway out from behind Mikoto. "Really?"
The moment she saw Hayashi raise his hand again, she quickly shrank back.
Hayashi shook his head, helpless. "Putting that aside, is there anything else you've lied to me about?"
"Nope."
"Lies don't happen just once," Hayashi replied flatly. "If I catch you again, even Mikoto won't be able to save you."
Kushina stuck her head out again and made a face. "Next time, I just won't let you find out."
Hayashi fell silent.
After some more noisy back-and-forth, night gradually fell. At Kushina's insistence, the three of them went to a newly opened barbecue restaurant in Konoha and ate until they were full.
Once he had walked Kushina and Mikoto back to their respective homes, Hayashi did not return to his own place. Instead, he turned around and headed down the long street toward the Hokage Building.
It was already eight in the evening. By his estimate, the Third Hokage should be close to finishing his daily paperwork.
After being announced by the guarding ninja, Hayashi soon entered the office on the third floor.
This was not his first visit. As always, the room was piled high with documents.
Being Hokage was truly exhausting.
He glanced at the scene and sighed internally, but did not dwell on it.
Seeing him enter, the Third Hokage closed the file in his hands, took a slow puff from his pipe, and exhaled white smoke that drifted lazily toward the window.
"Hayashi, you're here," the old man said with a gentle smile. "Come, have a seat."
"Yes, Uncle Hokage," Hayashi replied, nodding as he sat down.
The Third Hokage was visibly pleased by the familiar form of address. At the very least, it showed that time had not created distance between them.
He preferred bonds built on emotion rather than a cold relationship of authority.
"What have you been busy with lately?" the Third Hokage asked.
"Nothing special," Hayashi replied. "Team One was disbanded, so I've been training Mikoto and Kushina."
"I've heard," the Third Hokage said with a nod. "That's the right approach. Jiraiya and Tsunade neglect their duties far too often. One's always gambling, the other is obsessed with research. As for Orochimaru, he's officially Team One's instructor, yet he leaves everything to you. None of them give me peace of mind."
After chatting for a while, the Third Hokage turned to the main issue. "So, why did you come to see me so late?"
Hayashi brought up Kushina's request directly.
The Third Hokage pondered briefly before speaking. "She mentioned it to me as well, but I did not agree. You must understand something. Ever since that kidnapping incident, Kushina's identity as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki has reached the desks of every Kage.
If she participates in the Chunin Exams, how can her safety be guaranteed?"
"Uncle Hokage," Hayashi replied, "setting aside the fact that the exams are being held in our village, can we really restrict Kushina for her entire life?
I've seen the One-Tails and the Four-Tails Jinchuriki on the battlefield. Their presence alone changes the tide of war. That kind of power…"
The Third Hokage frowned. "You actually want her on the battlefield? I thought, given your relationship, you would want to protect her from danger."
Hayashi shook his head. "It's precisely because of our relationship that she must go through this. No matter how strong you or I are, we can never be her final safeguard.
The only true safeguard is herself."
The Third Hokage fell silent.
"Konoha is safe," he said slowly.
Hayashi sighed. "If it were truly safe, she wouldn't have been taken by the Cloud Ninja. Even inside the village, danger can come knocking. When that happens, she can only rely on herself.
Right now, Kushina has enormous power but very little combat experience. She's like a child holding a weapon too heavy for her hands.
For the sake of the village, and for her own sake, she should be allowed to grow, not locked away like a prisoner.
I believe this is what Grandma Mito would have wanted."
The Third Hokage was silent for a long time. Finally, he let out a long sigh.
"Lady Mito confined herself to a small courtyard for twenty years," he said quietly. "Part of it was grief, but part of it was because we were too weak.
If the First Hokage were still alive, where in this world could he not go?"
He took another deep puff from his pipe and gestured for Hayashi to come closer.
The two stood by the window. In the distance, the village lights were bright and lively. Nearby, smoke curled gently in the quiet night.
"When I was around your age," the Third Hokage continued, "the First Hokage handed the village to my teacher after the war. Later, he took Lady Mito across the Land of Whirlpools, the Senju ancestral lands, and beyond.
Looking back now, perhaps he already knew how her life would end and wanted to give her those memories in advance."
His voice softened. "Before she passed, I promised her that Kushina would live like a normal ninja. I failed to keep that promise."
After another pause, he spoke again. "You're right. Let her participate in the Chunin Exams. As for missions beyond that, we'll take things step by step.
I am Hokage, but the village is not mine alone. Especially not when it comes to the Nine-Tails.
The elders will oppose this, so we must proceed carefully."
Hayashi nodded. That was enough for now.
"Is there anything else?" the Third Hokage asked.
Hayashi immediately understood the implication. "The young Uchiha clan head came to see me today. He wanted me to ask Tsunade-sama about treating his eye."
The Third Hokage nodded. He already knew.
He retrieved a scroll from a shelf and handed it over. "This is a letter from Sunagakure. Read it."
Hayashi opened it. The contents accused Konoha's escort unit of launching an ambush and causing heavy losses.
After a while, the Third Hokage spoke heavily. "The losses are real, and the rest is mostly true. Fugaku struck first.
I must protect my villagers, but I cannot ignore treaties or the council. If I pursue Sunagakure now, it would be seen as provocation.
So I can only suppress the issue. It's all for the village."
He looked at Hayashi seriously. "You understand me, don't you?"
Hayashi finally understood why the Third Hokage had said all this. He was afraid Hayashi would drift away from the village.
The Third Hokage grasped his hand firmly. "The future of Konoha depends on you."
Hayashi walked out of the Hokage Building in a daze.
If he did not possess a mature soul and firm values, he truly might have been persuaded completely.
But one thing was now crystal clear.
Talk no Jutsu was real, and its power was terrifying.