Just as Hayashi was staring intently at the young Sand ninja girl, Minato quickly helped Nawaki back to his side.
"Cough, Hayashi, I think that kick of yours was completely unnecessary. I could have dodged that attack myself," Nawaki said, still clearly annoyed.
Of course, he was extremely annoyed.
No one wants their memorial stone to read, "I, grandson of the First Hokage, died from a teammate's careless kick."
"I didn't touch you. You fell on your own. It has nothing to do with me," Hayashi muttered, trying to convince himself. His gaze toward Nawaki carried the same caution one might give a scamming old lady, startled out of her wits.
Nawaki gritted his teeth, thinking, Damn it! Can't we even be good comrades anymore?
Truthfully, his chest no longer hurt much, and he realized he likely couldn't have dodged the attack in time anyway. Still, he had to save face.
"The enemy's ninjutsu is remarkable. No wonder a Jonin can launch you like that…" Hayashi added casually.
Minato glanced sideways. Hayashi and Nawaki might be the same age, but Hayashi was already a Chunin. The man's shamelessness was impressive. If not for the obvious imprint of Hayashi's sandal still visible on his abdomen, Minato might have actually believed him.
Hayashi's skill at lying so effortlessly bordered on an art form. Perhaps this was a mark of true leadership.
"Hmm? Did you actually dodge my attack?"
A middle-aged voice cut through their conversation. The Sand ninja captain squinted as he observed them. "Leaf ninjas?"
The scouting ninja in his squad had sensed approaching figures. Initially, he assumed Daimyo's mercenaries, but now he saw it was Leaf ninjas.
The captain frowned, surprised and unsettled. How could the Leaf, tied up on the battlefield elsewhere, intervene in the Land of Fire at such a time?
"It's the Great Ninja War. Why is the Hidden Sand here in the Land of Fire now?" Hayashi asked casually, a rhetorical question.
The Sand captain answered in kind, "If I must say, it's a mission."
Anyone could see that he was also speaking rhetorically, though Hayashi's real focus was observing their skills and composition.
Judging by the captain's muscular frame, he was likely proficient in Wind Release and specialized in Taijutsu. The young ninja with the large scroll was clearly a puppeteer. The teenage girl at the center was their reconnaissance specialist.
And the last girl—she had captured Hayashi's attention. Though her appearance was youthful, Hayashi immediately recognized her: the Scorch Release ninja, Pakura.
Another prodigy he had encountered on the battlefield. Alongside Gari of the Hidden Stone with Explosion Release and Rasa of the Hidden Sand, Pakura represented yet another gifted ninja from the Sand.
Even in her teens, Pakura's appearance was already impressive, though not yet fully matured. With Hayashi's discerning eye, he'd rate her an 85 in looks. No wonder Nawaki had been momentarily captivated.
He suspected that even Rasa might have taken an interest in her. Later, as Fourth Kazekage, Rasa's frustrated feelings toward Pakura would play a part in tragic events, but for now, she remained young and pure.
"Be careful. That girl's abilities are not to be underestimated," Hayashi quickly informed the others. Scorch Release was a dangerous Kekkei Genkai, and among the Sand ninjas, Pakura was likely the greatest threat.
The Sand captain's expression darkened. He hadn't expected Leaf ninjas to have intelligence on Pakura, the Scorch Release prodigy. The presence of deeply embedded Leaf spies confirmed his suspicions and angered him. With a gesture, he launched an attack.
Shuriken!
Hayashi tilted his head and easily evaded the incoming blades.
"Go!"
In a combat zone, encountering ninjas from other villages meant no room for negotiation.
"Heh, are Leaf ninjas always so fearless?" the Sand captain sneered.
"Words are useless here," Hayashi said calmly, ignoring him. Once in combat, his usual habits disappeared, replaced by a steady and precise demeanor. This composure reassured Mikoto and Nawaki.
Without waiting, Hayashi charged forward, Mikoto following closely. Minato and Nawaki immediately moved to support him.
The wind picked up as the clash began, scattering dust and debris around the battlefield. Hayashi's eyes scanned for openings, each movement calculated, each breath measured.
Pakura's gaze met his, unflinching. Flames flickered across her fingers, a warning that she was ready.
The other Sand ninjas positioned themselves strategically, preparing for a battle that could shift in an instant. Every second was crucial, and even a minor misstep could prove fatal.
Minato's heart pounded as he adjusted his stance, aware that the coming confrontation would test their skills to the limit. Nawaki clenched his fists, feeling both excitement and trepidation surge through him.
The battlefield fell into tense silence, the only sound the faint crackle of energy from Pakura's Scorch Release. Time seemed to stretch as the two sides sized each other up, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Then, with a sudden burst, Hayashi darted forward, breaking the tense stillness as combat erupted with blinding speed.