The dinner ended on a pleasant note, aside from the matter of the mine.
As Tsunade had said, there was only one truth in the world, but people saw it differently depending on where they stood.
From Hayashi's perspective, opposing the village or chasing after so-called clan autonomy was a dead end. Uchihayama and his son were pushing a broken carriage forward at reckless speed, and the only possible ending was complete destruction.
Unless that carriage stopped, or someone else took the reins.
Neither of those choices was something Hayashi could decide right now. There was no reason for him to offend the Third Hokage over something that was not yet his to claim.
That did not mean he would allow the Uchiha clan to be destroyed. Even if his sense of belonging to the clan was weak, he would not simply watch it collapse.
If things truly reached an irreconcilable point, he would not hesitate to use decisive methods to eliminate a few troublesome flies.
Since the message had been delivered and both sides had gained what they wanted, Hayashi stood and took his leave at seven o'clock.
Uchihayama nodded and gestured for his son to see him out.
"Brother Fugaku, this is far enough," Hayashi said as they reached the main entrance. "Your eyesight isn't good. You should rest more."
The two exchanged a few polite words.
Fugaku did not insist further. Tsunade's demands had clearly unsettled him.
"Hayashi, I won't say much," Fugaku said quietly. "The village treats us like enemies. We must stand united. I'll be waiting for you in the Police Force."
Hayashi only smiled, waved once, and turned toward the street leading home.
Fugaku remained at the entrance, the cold wind tugging at his clothes, until Hayashi's figure disappeared into the night. Only then did he turn back.
…
After leaving the clan head's residence, Hayashi did not return to his small house. With only Little Black waiting at home and no one to talk to, he chose instead to wander the streets alone.
Time passed slowly. The wind grew sharper, and streetlights flickered on in the distance. Now and then, a few pedestrians hurried by, their footsteps echoing faintly.
Just as Hayashi reached the end of the road, scattered snowflakes began to drift down.
The clouds were thin, and patches of the dark night sky were visible. It felt like the snow would not last long. Even so, seeing snow in November was rare.
Suddenly, a bright voice broke his thoughts.
"Sister, it's snowing. Look, it's snowing!"
"I see it. Slow down…"
Hayashi looked up. On a bench not far away sat two figures.
As his gaze lingered, he felt a jolt of recognition. The young man who had stood up looked familiar.
Uchiha Rui.
Yes, that should be his name. It had been years since graduation, but it came back to him quickly. After all, it was a name one did not easily forget.
Some names carried an odd weight to them. Death flags were not things to raise lightly. Over time, those flags had evolved from words into actions, then into thoughts, and eventually even into hairstyles.
But this one was something else entirely.
Naming yourself Uchiha Rui was practically tempting fate.
That was why seeing him here, alive and energetic, surprised Hayashi.
While Hayashi was still lost in thought, the mischievous child had already pointed in his direction.
"Sister, look. There's a pervert over there. He's been staring at us."
Hayashi froze.
Before he could respond, Uchiha Rui stormed over, his steps full of bravado.
He had brought his sister out for a walk. They had even caught the last snow of Konoha Year Thirty-Two. Everything had been perfect until some suspicious stranger ruined it.
How could he tolerate that?
There was no time to call his friends. Rolling up his sleeves, Rui prepared to handle things himself.
But as he got closer, his expression stiffened.
He had recognized the so-called pervert.
Among the younger generation of Konoha, five names stood above all others: Sakumo the White Fang, the Three Sannin, and Lightning Flash.
Not only were they powerful, they had also earned terrifying military reputations, becoming idols for countless ninja.
What made it worse was that Lightning Flash, Hayashi, was only twelve years old.
Such talent was rare not just in Konoha, but in the entire ninja world.
As his former classmate, Rui felt it more deeply than anyone. During their time at the Ninja Academy, he had suffered more than enough at Hayashi's hands.
Hayashi, for his part, would insist it was all for academy points.
In short, seeing the great menace appear before him now made Rui feel as if his fate had already been sealed.
"Y you… how… why are you here?" Rui stammered.
"I was just passing by," Hayashi replied calmly. "By the way, did you forget to wear warm clothes? Your legs are shaking."
"That's none of your business."
"Oh?" Hayashi smiled faintly. "Quite bold. Where are your lackeys?"
"They have nothing to do with this. If there's a problem, come at me."
Hayashi was about to speak again when a voice called out from the bench.
"Rui, is that your friend? Why don't you call him over?"
Without waiting for an answer, Hayashi waved casually. "I'm Rui's classmate. We'll come over now."
Rui panicked. "What are you planning to do?"
"Nothing," Hayashi said. "Relax. Your sister is calling us."
Rui clenched his teeth and stepped in front of him. "Hayashi, we'll settle things later. You can hit me or scold me, whatever you want."
"But please, don't mention anything about the Sand Shinobi or the escort mission in front of my sister."
"I'm begging you."
"Why?" Hayashi asked.
"My brother-in-law was part of the escort team," Rui said quietly. "He… didn't come back."
Hayashi hesitated. Before he could decide what to do, Rui's sister waved again.
"I understand," Hayashi said softly.
Crossing the road, he finally realized he had been careless.
Rui's sister was heavily pregnant.
Hayashi turned and shot Rui a sharp look. "What are you thinking? Letting your sister stay outside in this cold?"
Rui froze, but his sister smiled gently. "It's not his fault. I wanted to come out myself. Staying in the hospital all the time feels suffocating. The medical ninja said light walks are fine."
"I used to be a Chunin. My body can handle it."
Hearing that, Hayashi relaxed. This was the ninja world, after all.
"I was rude earlier," Hayashi said. "My name is Hayashi. I was Rui's classmate."
"I'm Kyoko," she replied with a nod.
"I thought you looked familiar," Kyoko continued softly. "So you really are that Konoha hero. Your photo is even displayed at the village entrance."
Her voice was gentle, dimples appearing when she smiled. She was completely different from her brother.
Feeling ignored, Rui protested. "Sister, you said you were a Chunin. How come I never knew?"
"That was six years ago," Kyoko said thoughtfully. "I was seventeen, and you were only six. After I married your brother-in-law, I retired. It's normal you don't remember."
"I'm twelve now," Rui said proudly. "I passed the Chunin Exams this time. I've already surpassed you."
Kyoko laughed. "Surpassing me isn't much. Hayashi-kun is already a Jonin."
"That's different," Rui muttered. "You can't compare people to monsters."
Watching them, Hayashi felt a quiet sense of envy.
Having a sister like that must be nice.
"Are your friends taking the exam too?" Kyoko asked.
Rui lowered his head. "No. Only Uchiha Yutaka and I are left. Uchiha Rei… he died at the Daimyo's mansion."
Hayashi said nothing. His heart barely stirred.
He had seen too much death. Familiar faces and strangers alike.
This was how people grew.
As Orochimaru once said, after seeing it enough times, anyone would get used to it, until they became numb.
It was terrifying, heartless, and unavoidable.
That was why the Uchiha were a clan of deep love, yet also of ruthless resolve, especially those who awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan.
They lost what they cherished most. After that, emotional waves rarely touched them again.
Sensing the mood grow heavy, Hayashi changed the subject.
"Kyoko-san, how far along are you?"
"About six months," she said, resting a hand on her belly. "The due date should be February or March."
"Do you want a boy or a girl?"
"Either is fine," Kyoko replied with a hopeful smile. "I just want the child to live peacefully. Strength isn't important."
Rui immediately objected, shouting toward her stomach. "Don't listen to her. You should grow up strong and handsome like your uncle."
Kyoko and Hayashi exchanged a glance and laughed.
"Have you chosen a name?" Hayashi asked.
"Yes. My husband chose it before his mission."
"What is it?"
Kyoko caught a snowflake in her palm. It melted instantly. Tilting her head, she said softly, "If it's a girl, Shiko. If it's a boy…"
"Obito."
"Uchiha… Obito?"