"What? You're going to the Daimyo's Residence as a Guardian Ninja?"
Later that evening, during the celebratory dinner for their Chunin promotion, Tsunade sipped sake from a bottle and stared at Hayashi with wide-eyed surprise.
Hayashi glanced around. Minato and the others were busy eating and laughing, not paying attention, so he lowered his voice. "Tsunade‑sensei, keep it down, this is still confidential."
Tsunade shrugged. "What's there to be afraid of? They'll find out eventually. Have you even thought about how to say your goodbyes?"
Hayashi exhaled. "It's better not to spoil everyone's mood. A celebration shouldn't turn into a farewell party."
"Big deal?" Tsunade asked, taking a slow sip. "Goodbyes are common for ninja. Everyone has missions, and it's fine if you're separated for a few years. You're still young."
"Not young anymore. I'm thirteen," Hayashi muttered.
"Haha, thirteen? What can a kid that age do?" Tsunade looked him up and down with mock disdain before chugging her bottle of sake. Without pause, she reached for another bottle, opened it, and drank it in one smooth motion. Hayashi watched in disbelief, thinking, as expected of the ninja world's top tomboy.
Before he could recover, swish, swish, Tsunade had downed two more bottles. She smiled charmingly. "Honestly, I'm the least sentimental about goodbyes. They're exciting, don't you think? I'm tired of this broken village and eager to see the world. Your melancholy is boring."
Hayashi muttered, "You speak so casually, but aren't you still taking Nonou and Kana with you?"
"They're my new disciples. If I don't keep them by my side, who will guide them over the next few years?"
"You just want two nannies to take care of you," Hayashi said dryly.
Tsunade laughed, trying to cover her embarrassment. "I just believe in living fully…"
"And achieving immortality in the mortal world?"
Tsunade laughed shamelessly. "Maybe the Sage of Six Paths did something similar."
Hayashi shot her a look. "You read too many novels."
Tsunade waved him off. "Don't overthink it. Want a sip? Consider it a little farewell taste."
"Sensei, I'm still young. I don't drink," Hayashi protested.
"Not young, remember? Thirteen," she teased.
"…Yes…"
Tsunade smiled broadly but her eyes betrayed no amusement. "Don't think I don't know. You've been hiding my grandmother's wine, and now you tell me you don't drink?" She poured the bottle directly into Hayashi's mouth.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Hayashi choked and spluttered, caught off guard. Tsunade laughed heartily, drained the next bottle, reached for another, and casually slung her arm around his neck. "Come on, tell me, which one do you like best?"
Hayashi weakly said, "Sensei, you're drunk."
"I can drink a thousand cups!" she said, flushed and hazy-eyed, reeking of alcohol. She looked every bit like a thoroughly drunk tomboy.
Hayashi held his breath, trying to adjust her grip, but Tsunade only tightened it. She laughed even louder at his disheveled state.
"Three Guardian Ninja slots… You don't have to say it. One is Mikoto, and the other is the Hyuga Clan's young miss, right?"
Hayashi rolled his eyes. He suspected her drunkenness might be partly feigned.
"Tell me, which of the three girls do you like best? I won't tell Kushina."
Hayashi hesitated, then smiled. "I like them all, including you, Minato, Nawaki, everyone kindhearted…"
Before he could finish, Tsunade collapsed onto the table, still muttering:
"Kindness… you're naive… Jiraiya chasing his dream… Orochimaru a fool… nothing lasts forever… no matter how powerful a ninja… or how strong a heart… it all becomes history… you are all… naive fools…"
She rubbed her nose, shifted into a comfortable position, and finally fell into a deep sleep.
"Is Big Sister asleep?" Kushina's voice came softly from behind.
"Yes, she should be," Hayashi said, gently tugging a strand of hair to poke Tsunade's nose. She only twitched slightly.
Kushina sat beside him, her eyes slightly red. "What you just said is true… you're going to the Daimyo's Residence?"
Hayashi stroked her soft red hair and nodded. "Yes, it's an order from Hokage."
"I'll go find him!" she exclaimed.
"It's no use. I've already agreed. Even without this mission, there would be others," Hayashi said calmly.
"I'll go with you!"
Hayashi looked into her eyes seriously. "Kushina, you know the Hokage won't allow it."
"…I can sneak out. Kurama has already planned the route," she whispered.
Nine-Tails: "…"
Hayashi broke into a sweat. "Do you realize sneaking out makes you a rogue ninja?"
"I know…"
"Then why even think about it?"
"But…" she murmured, her voice barely audible, "I have no other way."
"Not necessarily," Hayashi said, shaking his head. "When you can leave the village and see me, that will depend on your own strength."
Kushina looked up eagerly.
"I've discussed it with Hokage‑uncle. Once you become a Jonin, you'll be allowed to leave for missions," Hayashi explained.
"Jonin… huh?"
"Yes," he nodded. "In a few days, you'll join the Barrier Team. You won't need to leave the village yet, and you can use Sealing Techniques to accumulate mission points. The key is still your strength."
"Don't assume things are peaceful. War may be just a few years away. If you want to leave, protect others, or do what you wish, don't be lazy as before. Master the Nine-Tails' power as soon as possible, understand?"
Kushina's energy blazed, like cherry blossoms in full bloom. "I will work hard. I won't be like before!"
"Then I can rest assured."
Hayashi opened two new bottles of sake, handed one to Kushina, and kept one for himself.
"Tonight, we drink until we drop!"
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