Konoha Year 32 would be remembered across the entire Ninja World.
That September, Konoha decisively defeated the Hidden Sand in the Land of Rivers, capturing the Third Kazekage and ending the war first. Soon after, the Third Kazekage returned home, and a Sand–Rock alliance contained Hidden Cloud's campaign, confining it within the Land of Waterfalls.
Not long after, news of the Third Mizukage's visit to Konoha spread. Faced with the Leaf Village's astonishing recovery, Rock and Cloud rushed to the peace table, bringing an end to their hostilities. With that, the Second Great Ninja War finally drew to a close.
As the new year arrived, Hayashi watched the snow drift through the sky and sighed. "Konoha Year 33 already…"
Thirteen years had passed since he first transmigrated into this world. Most of his previous life had faded, yet a few memories remained locked in his heart, impossible to share with anyone. That was why he often felt detached from the world around him.
Still, time was the ultimate healer—it could erase everything, though the process was long and painful.
Jiraiya, walking beside him, studied Hayashi for a moment before remarking, "Orochimaru says sometimes you don't act like a youngster—more like an old man at dusk."
"Sure enough, he's spot on. Where does a kid get all this melancholy?"
"Do I really? I don't feel it." Hayashi pulled a small mirror from his ninja pouch, tidied his hair, and clicked his tongue. "Still as handsome as ever—flawless, a face worthy of an era."
Jiraiya pretended to retch. "What were you sighing about when you counted the years?"
Hayashi stayed silent for a moment, then smiled. "I was calculating… how long the Ninja World can stay at peace."
Jiraiya shook his head. "The war just ended. Fighting won't resume so soon. After the First Great Ninja War, we had more than a decade of calm."
Hayashi countered, "Back then, the Ninja World was shattered. It's different now. Take Rock and Cloud: although hostilities ceased quickly, Cloud never got the victory it sought, and Rock still resents Cloud's sneak attack. Under these conditions, peace won't last."
Though Jiraiya understood the logic, he replied, "Everyone's tired of fighting after so many years. It won't be as bad as you say."
Hayashi shrugged. "Who knows?"
The two continued side by side toward the Hokage Building. A Jonin Meeting was scheduled for today; they had simply run into each other at a crossroads.
Just before reaching the building, Jiraiya clapped his hands with excitement. "I've got inspiration—I'm putting you in my novel!"
Hayashi's eyes lit up. "The protagonist?"
Jiraiya curled his lip. "How could you be the lead? The lead must be dashing and charismatic—like me."
"Oh, so it's a Trash-stream novel," Hayashi muttered.
Jiraiya froze. Such audacity—if harming a fellow villager weren't illegal, he'd teach this brat why roses are red.
Hayashi ignored Jiraiya's glare. "Is 'The Tale of the Gutsy Ninja' finished? You said you'd start it half a year ago."
Jiraiya chuckled awkwardly. "Don't rush. I'll begin officially later this year. I'll use the protagonist's artistic image—Naruto—to create a positive role, blending literature and ninja to promote the Will of Fire. When the time comes, support me…"
"By the way," Jiraiya slung an arm over Hayashi's shoulder, grinning, "my book's bound to be a hit. How about naming your son 'Naruto'?"
Hayashi groaned inwardly. "No chance. I'm not naming my son after some idea you had while slurping ramen."
He thought of Naruto's tragic life: both parents dead, his master killed, a teacher lost and revived, senior comrades perishing, his wife's cousin dying horribly, his best friend attempting to kill him, first love ending tragically, and future wife stabbed before him. Honestly, Naruto's lifelong tragedy began with that name.
Jiraiya, clearly disappointed, kept persuading, "Think it over again… maybe ask Minato; he might agree."
"He's my disciple…"
Hayashi snapped, "So you're trying every trick in the book to screw me over?!"
The conversation ended there. Hayashi refused to let his son carry that name. Eventually, a helpless Jiraiya planned to try Sakumo next, and if that failed, he'd whisper into the ear of a pregnant-again Biwako.
Asuma—anyone could tell it wasn't a name that promised long life, nowhere near as striking or refined as Naruto. To avoid further pestering, Hayashi didn't even sit next to Jiraiya at the Jonin Meeting. Jiraiya's glare spoke of resentment, but Hayashi ignored it and caught up on sleep.
The Jonin Meeting dragged on, as expected, long and tedious. Hayashi was prepared and took it in stride. Though not very old, he had spent years inside the system, navigating it smoothly like a seasoned veteran.
Near the meeting's end, his precise biological clock woke him, just as the Third Hokage addressed the main topic: the Chunin Exams.
He cleared his throat, sipped water, and began, "Two months ago, I mentioned this to you. I trust you've been preparing. Initially, we planned to invite only Hidden Sand, Hidden Rock, and nearby small villages. Later, the Third Mizukage expressed interest in sending ninjas as well. Recently, Hidden Cloud and Hidden Rock ended their hostilities, and the Third Raikage sent a letter expressing interest. Excellent—having all Four Great Nations together in Konoha affirms our strength; it shows they still fear the Leaf."
His voice rose and fell, brimming with excitement. Usually, a Chunin Exam is held by one village alone or with a few invited allies. For all Five Great Nations to gather—this hadn't happened in years. It showed that the Leaf had once again secured its position as the superpower among many.
"Every village will send its elite. As hosts, Konoha faces challenge after challenge. When submitting the Chunin Exam roster, I expect all Jonin to consider their choices carefully."
Scanning the room, he continued, "Let's start with Team One."
The youngest Jonin present, Hayashi, stood without changing expression. "Konoha Jonin Hayashi submits for the Chunin Exams: Senju Nawaki, Uchiha Mikoto, Namikaze Minato."
Although Minato was Jiraiya's disciple, he had long since been transferred to Team One. Hayashi, as leading Jonin, had to file the application. Much like the future Team Seven: Naruto might be Jiraiya's pupil, but Kakashi would register him for the exams.
"All right, next."
"Konoha Jonin Kato Dan submits for the Chunin Exams: Yamanaka Inoichi, Akimichi Choza."
The list continued until Tsunade finally woke from her nap. Hayashi broke into a cold sweat; Tsunade was as fierce as ever, and he was dying to know Team Two's submitted list.
The Chunin Exams are held in squads of three; if a team was short, it could be combined with others. Kushina's teammates had been reassigned during the war, leaving Team Two short-handed.
Hayashi had asked Kushina about teammates before, but the little fox had brushed it off as a secret. Now, the moment of truth arrived.
"Konoha Jonin Senju Tsunade submits for the Chunin Exams: Uzumaki Kushina, Yakushi Nono, Might Duy."
Hayashi stared in astonishment—this lineup was absolutely domineering.