If everyone were in their prime, Uchiha Hayashi reckoned this lineup could absolutely crush the Sannin.
Of course, that was nothing more than a passing fantasy.
Right now, Kushina was still confined to the village as a fiery little girl, Nono was a rookie who had graduated barely half a year ago, and Might Dai still carried the eternal label of "lifelong Genin."
In other words, the latter two were nothing more than temporary stand-ins. The Little Fox had only pulled them together in hopes of barely surviving the second round of the Chunin Exams with two background ninja at her side.
Time passed quickly. As April approached, only days remained before the exams began, and shinobi from every village flooded into Konoha.
The war had only just ended. With all Five Great Nations gathering in one place, it was not unusual for a ninja to suddenly spot the killer of his comrade eating at the next table.
If tempers flared, a full-scale clash could erupt at any moment.
However, the Third Hokage was a man who valued appearances. He would never allow anyone to ruin this political showcase, especially with countless merchant lords present.
As a result, martial law was imposed early. Large numbers of jonin were dispatched throughout the village, lurking in alleyways and rooftops, prepared to suppress any disturbances the moment they appeared.
Under these circumstances, Uchiha Hayashi, bored stiff within the village, was officially assigned as a public security officer.
"Hayashi, are we really just going to keep watching from here?"
High in a tree overlooking one of Konoha's main streets, Hayashi and Himeji observed the situation below.
"Yes. As long as no trouble starts on this street, we do nothing," Hayashi replied calmly.
"And if it breaks out somewhere else?" Himeji asked with a faint smile, glancing at the boy three years younger than her.
"Not our jurisdiction. Every sector has a jonin overseeing it. They will handle their own mess."
"…Except they've been making noise over there for a while now," Himeji said, peering into the distance.
"That area," she added lightly, "is under Lady Tsunade's watch, if I remember correctly."
Hayashi clicked his tongue. That woman was slacking off again.
Activating his Sharingan, Hayashi glanced toward the disturbance.
"Troublemakers, every one of them."
A crowd of shinobi from various villages had already gathered, some even cheering for entertainment.
The cheers quickly went to Rasa's head.
"I really am a born leader!"
In his mind, the nations had long suffered under Konoha's dominance. If he raised his banner, every genin would rally behind him. Puffing out his chest, he shouted again, "Apologize. Now."
"Rasa, why don't we just let it go?" Karura tugged at his sleeve, unease clear in her eyes as the crowd grew larger.
"No chance. This punk is apologizing today."
"Since you insist, I'll repeat myself."
Minato's smile faded. He never backed down when it mattered, especially against former battlefield enemies.
"You ran into me first. We're already being generous by letting it slide. If you want to fight, Namikaze Minato will see it through to the end."
"Yeah, keep talking and we'll beat you up," Nawaki added eagerly, flexing his arms.
Mikoto stood silently, her two-tomoe Sharingan fixed on the Sand ninja, her gaze cold and sharp.
"Beat me up?" Rasa laughed mockingly. "Everyone, look. Konoha thinks it can bully us wherever it wants."
Before he could finish, someone tapped his shoulder.
Annoyed, Rasa turned around, only to freeze in place.
That face haunted his dreams.
A face he would recognize even if it were reduced to ash.
"Uchiha Hayashi," Rasa hissed through clenched teeth.
Despite his rage, he did not strike. This was Konohagakure. Mouthing off was one thing. Attacking openly was another.
Unfortunately, Hayashi's first words only made it worse.
"Who are you?" Hayashi asked casually. "Do we know each other?"
Rasa froze.
A moment later, Hayashi snapped his fingers as if remembering something. "Oh, right. You're the one whose right arm I cut off."
His gaze flicked to Rasa's arm. "Looks like they reattached it. Getting used to it yet?"
"Bastard!"
Rasa lost all restraint. With a sweep of his hand, kunai-shaped grains of sand shot forward.
"Too slow."
Hayashi deflected them lazily with a kunai. In the next instant, he stepped forward, grabbed Rasa by the throat with his left hand, and slammed him against the wall, lifting him off the ground.
"No improvement in three years," Hayashi murmured. "You're still this weak."
Rasa's mind went blank.
Back in the Land of Rain, they had traded blows. So why was he completely powerless now?
What had he been doing all these years?
As doubt crept in, Hayashi's Sharingan glowed faintly. A subtle genjutsu gnawed at Rasa's will.
Letting the limp body drop, Hayashi turned to the crowd.
"This Sand ninja attacked a Konoha law enforcement officer. I suspect him of attempting to sabotage the Chunin Exams and the Konoha–Suna treaty. He will be taken in for questioning."
He glanced at Minato, Nawaki, and Mikoto, who was staring at him in awe, before slinging Rasa over his shoulder and walking away.
Karura hurried forward. "Please wait."
She bowed deeply to Minato. "On Rasa's behalf, I apologize. Please don't take him away."
She then turned to Hayashi and extended her hand. "Please return him to me."
"Sorry," Hayashi replied politely. "That's between you and the genin. I don't interfere in their disputes."
His tone hardened. "But he attacked me. I suspect hostile intent. Anbu needs to verify that."
Karura recoiled, fear flashing across her face. Other Sand ninja quickly pulled her back.
Hayashi swept his gaze across the crowd. "Remember this. This is Konoha, not your village. Anyone else looking for trouble?"
A wave of killing intent crashed down. Several genin nearly collapsed where they stood.
Carrying Rasa, Hayashi moved through the streets.
"Are you really taking him to Anbu?" Himeji asked quietly.
"No. I'll dump him somewhere. His team will collect him."
At a secluded corner, a voice called out.
"Konoha's Yellow Flash, don't you think this is excessive?"
Hayashi turned to see Manase, the Sand ninja leader sent to sign the treaty.
"When he was harassing my comrades, where were you?" Hayashi replied coolly.
Manase shook his head. "It was a dispute between youths. For someone of your status to act personally, isn't that beneath you?"
Hayashi scoffed. "Status? I'm thirteen. Same as the 'youths' you mentioned."
"And I'm following protocol. If you disagree, take it up with the Third Hokage."
Manase stiffened. He said nothing more.
With that, Hayashi tossed Rasa into the alley.
Even the Third Hokage, watching through the crystal ball, fell silent.
As the sun set, Hayashi and Himeji ended their shift.
On his way home, Hayashi spotted Sakumo Hatake, disheveled.
"Brother Sakumo, what happened?"
Sakumo sighed. "Chiyo ran into me at lunch."
That explained everything.
Later, at the Uchiha compound, Fugaku found him.
"Hayashi, did you see Manase today?"
"I did."
With the information given, Fugaku hurried off.
Watching him leave, Hayashi sighed.
"Konoha really is a mess."
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