Chapter 63
Hayate Gekko didn't understand his situation, and he was quite scared of it. He knew the reality of himself. Neither particularly smart nor talented in any way. And compared to the Uchiha and Hyuga clan members in his generation, he was at best mediocre.
So, he hoped the Third Hokage wouldn't blame him for being nervous as he was called to meet him. Was it because he reached the finals of the Chunin Exams? His team was one of the only two from Konoha that did.
He was quite proud of it, as he didn't think he would reach so far. He only entered the exams to test his skills and limits against shinobi in his generation. And he had already done that. So, he once again tried to think of why the Third Hokage asked for him.
He didn't think he showed any particularly impressive skills. They survive mostly due to luck. As all three of them had prepared for the exam, and neither of them was poisoned, on the first day, they could find a good place to hide for most of the time.
Even on the last day, they survived only because they fought together, not to defeat their opponent, but to struggle for time, and somehow managed to be one of the sixteen.
But all of his worry and concern were put on hold when he reached the Third Hokage's office. Even his assistant was a student of one of the legendary Sannin. Her gaze was too heavy for him.
But it didn't even prepare him to face the living legend himself. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Hayate revered this man. Probably the strongest shinobi alive. A hero whom every child admired upon setting foot outside, and looking up at the Hokage Rock.
Somehow, even with his small stature, the Third looked like a giant standing by the window overlooking the village. It was hard to even breathe, as all he could think of was reasons why he shouldn't even be here. Alone with one of his heroes.
Since he was little, he had always been sick. His body was weaker than most others. So, he learned early on to set his expectations low. He hoped to be promoted to a chunin and make his parents proud, but nothing else.
He was already proud of himself that his kenjutsu skills were acknowledged by his sensei. And now that he was one of the six from Konoha to reach the finals of the Chunin Exams, he couldn't expect anything more.
"Tell me, Hayate, what do you think of the village?"
"I, khkh, hack." The question surprised Hayate so much that he couldn't control his cough. "Sorry."
"Sit down." Hayate was extremely embarrassed to show his weak side like this. "Shizune, would you make us some tea?"
"Of course, sir."
"You don't need to answer my question. As long as you give it some thought, I will be satisfied. You're probably wondering why I called you when you should be resting and preparing for the finals of the Chunin Exams."
"Here you go, sir." The Third was interrupted as Shizune placed two cups of tea before them.
"Thank you," Hayate said before tasting the tea, already feeling better.
Though it didn't change that he felt way out of place. The way Shizune looked at him, like she was assessing him, and the kind gaze of the Third felt disturbing. He didn't think he deserved either of their gazes.
"I have called you here to ask something significant, Hayate. Something that I wouldn't do without a good reason, so trust me that I have my reasons before giving my answer." Whatever it would be, Hayate wasn't mentally prepared. "Would you like to come learn under me in the next month to prepare yourself for the Finals of the Chunin Exams?"
Hayate was thankful. The Third waited until he finished his tea to ask this question, as he didn't wish to spit it at his hero's face. For a second, Hayate forgot how to breathe and thought he was in a dream or under a genjutsu.
Getting acknowledged by someone like the Third and asked to learn under him was something he never expected to happen. It would have been way better if he had asked him not to participate in the finals due to his poor health.
There were far better shinobi who could gain much more from learning directly from the Third. And he felt like he was taking that opportunity from them. But he couldn't just refuse this offer, could he?
…
"A month isn't much time where someone can learn something new," The Third Hokage took Hayate into an isolated place underground. "And no jutsu on its own is strong enough to defeat everyone. What we will be focusing on this month is one thing. Something fundamental to everything a shinobi does. Speed."
In the underground space, Hayate looked at all the equipment with a nervous gaze. But it wasn't the weapons that scared him the most; it was the restricted vision he had of his surroundings.
"Speed isn't just about how fast your body moves, but also how fast your mind can process the information you are provided with. You will learn it, or you will get very hurt."
"Why me?" As much as Hayate was scared of the methods that would be used against him, his mind was still on one thing.
"Because you showed the most promise of everyone else." That barely scratched the question, but it seemed Hayate wouldn't get much more. "Do not doubt yourself. I know about your condition. But if I don't think it will hold you back, you don't need to think about it either. Forget who you were yesterday, for today you are my student. And tomorrow you will surpass every expectation you have set on yourself."
Hayate had been told many times that it was a pity he had such a weak constitution. If only he were born with a stronger body, he would reach further than most. But fate didn't look kindly on him.
He didn't mind as much as others, though. He was lucky to be born with even a bit of talent. And he had a loving family and friends who supported him. People who were proud of everything he had already achieved.
He didn't feel as unfortunate as others around him seemed to think. So, it was quite refreshing for someone else not to mind his condition. To not mind his misfortune. It was gratifying that the Third looked at him and saw him as any other shinobi.
For that alone, Hayate would train hard under him. Harder than he had ever done before. For the first time in his life, he would not set his expectations so low. He would look forward to the heights he could reach. For the first time, he found himself not afraid to spread his wings.
…
Shizune probably knew the Third Hokage best. She still couldn't believe she became his assistant, but over time, she got used to it and found herself understanding what kind of person the Third Hokage was.
He was someone who worried far too much about others. Someone who couldn't see himself above all the work he had to do. Someone who put all of the responsibility upon his shoulders and carried an enormous burden.
"How is he?"
That was a good question. Shizune found herself wanting to ask the same about the Third Hokage. The answer to it would be the same, though. That kind of person the Third was. So, she didn't ask it and focused on her patient.
Hayate Gekko was barely alive, and whatever the Third had done would have killed the boy if she weren't nearby. The Third probably knew that with her around, the boy would be fine, so she didn't say it and healed Hayate's wounds.
"It isn't as bad as it looks. In a week, he will be as good as new."
"Do your best to make him better by tomorrow."
"But…"
"I don't have time to wait for a week."
There it was again. Shizune could only bite her bottom lip in frustration and did her best to heal the boy. The Third wasn't telling the whole truth. And Shizune was beyond worried. She felt sick, not able to provide any meaningful help for him.
Like teacher, like student. Both the Third and Lady Tsunade acted similarly. Keeping it all inside themselves without letting anyone else even close. But the Third's burden was far heavier than anything Shizune had witnessed so far.
Something was going on that nobody but him knew. Something that he felt only he could deal with. Something bad was happening in the shadows, so bad that the Third felt that if he failed, he would fail the village.
He could not hide it from her. The countless hours of him overworking, the grey hair, and the tired eyes were enough to know how hard the Third was trying to work something out. And it certainly wasn't just the Chunin Exams.
Bandaging the cut wounds on Hayate Gekko, Shizune was certainly curious as to why the Third forced the boy to train so hard. What was awaiting the boy and them in the finals? What was the Third hiding from them?
Something dangerous was going to happen, and Shizune was afraid that the Third would try to resolve it by himself. He was the kind of man who didn't care how hurt he got as long as he could protect the village.
…
Shizune wasn't a person who would just sit and let things fall into place. As much as this village was the Third Hokage's home and responsibility, it was hers too. She was a shinobi too, who would do everything she had to protect her home.
At times like these, she wondered what her uncle would do. If fate weren't as cruel, Dan would now be in the Third's position. Carrying all the weight of responsibility on his own. Worrying Tsunade to no end.
Shizune missed him. Even though he was her only family, she barely got time to be with him. All she remembered was her kind uncle, who would visit her and play with her. Telling stories of his adventures and how they would soon live together with Lady Tsunade. And then he went and died.
Back then, she was too little to do anything. But she would be damned if she didn't stop another stubborn but very important man in her life from killing himself because of a sense of responsibility that he didn't need to carry on his own.
The sound of a bird chirping could be heard from the clearing in the wilderness of the woods. Boulders lay scattered with punctured holes of various sizes. The chirping stopped with the sound of something crashing. Shizune followed the sound to find Kakashi.
Drenched in sweat, Kakashi Hatake looked at Shizune, with only his Sharingan open. If there was anyone who could help Shizune, it would be him. Jiraiya and Tsunade had their duties and would only tell her not to worry. But not Kakashi.
"I need your help," Shizune said. "I think the Third Hokage is in danger."
"Tell me more."
Kakashi concealed his Sharingan and, without hesitation, accepted Shizune's words. He only wanted to know more and how he could be of help. That's why Shizune came to him first. There was no one else she could trust more right now. As they both knew what kind of person the Third was.
"I don't know many details, as the Third is hiding it from me, but I can summarize what I know."
Shizune told him everything that had been happening. From the Hyuga clan affairs to all the new visitors to the village for the Chunin Exams. Even about Orochimaru's actions and the consequences that followed them. Everything she could think of, Kakashi now knew.
"It could be one of the many things that is worrying him," Kakashi replied. "But I suspect it is all of these things. Things are already set in motion, and I fear the Third has set his plans in motion, too. Everything is going to boil up in the Finals. And I fear the Third will do something extremely reckless to stop it from escalating."
"Something reckless towards himself?" Shizune voiced her concern.
"It was probably his first plan."
"We have to stop him," Shizune couldn't allow it.
"Stop him?" Kakashi thought about it for a moment before shaking his head. "No, what we must do is stop everyone else. Our two most likely enemies are the Hyuga clan and Kumo. Either of them could be a danger to the village and the Hokage, too. I will keep watch of the Hyuga clan, while you have to keep your eye on the Kumo shinobi."
"Is that all we can do?" Shizune wasn't convinced.
"Don't worry. I will take care of the rest. Whoever it is who plans to harm the Third will not live for long."
Lightning chirped into Kakashi's hand as he extended it towards a boulder. The next moment, before Shizune could even see how, the boulder exploded into countless chunks.
A.N. As always, thanks for reading and supporting me, so I can continue writing without any concerns, and if you want more, up to 7 more chapters and 28 chapters in total with all my other stories, you can support me on pa treon. com \ ironwolf852.