How Was I Being Softhearted?

Help Naruto?

Uzumaki Hayashi sat in his chair, turning those two words over and over in his mind, but he still couldn't make sense of them.

What could Naruto possibly need his help with right now?

Naruto ate well, slept well, ran and jumped just fine. Every day at school, he slept through the morning and raised hell in the afternoon. He was as sturdy as a calf. What did he need help with?

Could the Third be hinting that he should spend more time with Naruto?

That made even less sense. The two of them were together every day, constantly running into each other. How much more time could he spend with him?

Besides, if he kept playing with him all the time, how was Naruto supposed to grow on his own?

Taking his thoughts in another direction, could this be about schoolwork?

Graduation was coming up, and Naruto's grades... His Three Body Technique was a complete mess, and he slept through half his theory classes. What if he got stuck on the graduation exam?

Was the Third asking him to tutor Naruto?

That made sense. But how was that a big deal? Did it really warrant the old man putting on that expression and asking him in person?

He thought it over and over, but couldn't figure it out. Still, that didn't stop him from giving a polished answer.

"Grandpa Third." Uzumaki Hayashi set down his teacup and looked earnestly at the old man. "Naruto and I have the same surname."

"Although our hair is different colors. I don't know whether he's actually a member of the Uzumaki Clan..."

"But as his friend and classmate, I'm willing to help him."

That was half true and half false.

How could he not know whether Naruto belonged to the Uzumaki Clan? He was Kushina Uzumaki's own son. Technically, they even came from the same village.

But he couldn't say that out loud-how would an orphan from outside the village know any of this?

So his claim that he didn't know was a lie. His willingness to help, however, was genuine.

After hearing him out, the Third looked at him and let out a long sigh.

"You, child..."

"You're just too, too softhearted..."

Uzumaki Hayashi froze on the spot.

Softhearted?

He sat there stunned, unable to wrap his head around it for quite a while.

What... was that supposed to mean? What had I just said? How did that make me softhearted?

But the Third didn't give him time to puzzle over it. Holding his pipe, the old man fell silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

"The ANBU recently discovered that Mizuki, from your school, has been making frequent contact with forces outside the village."

The Third paused at the words "forces outside the village," but ultimately left that name unspoken.

Forces outside the village? Which ones?

Since the old man wouldn't say, all he could do was stare and wait.

"I'm worried..." The Third's voice deepened. "Mizuki will use this opportunity to target Naruto and lure him out of the village."

Oh!

Everything clicked for Uzumaki Hayashi at once.

Well, damn. Now I get it.

So this was Naruto's first battle against Mizuki! He knew this script all too well!

The old Third wasn't planning to nip this in the bud. He wanted the whole scene to play out as it originally had, with Linshi standing by-

What was he trying to do? Give Naruto another layer of protection?

Still, understanding was one thing. He couldn't just nod and agree.

Agreeing outright wouldn't fit his current persona.

In the Third's eyes, he was the child who wanted to "create a world where everyone could be happy." How could he possibly accept a scheme that used someone as a pawn without asking a single question?

He had to put on at least a little act.

Uzumaki Hayashi fell silent for a moment, then raised his head and looked at the Third with a slight frown.

"Then why not just arrest Mizuki?"

"Does Naruto's life have to become... part of the bait?"

His question plunged the office into silence again.

The Third gripped his pipe, his expression tightening little by little, as though he were forcing himself to say something stern.

But faced with that clear, unclouded gaze, the breath he had drawn gradually escaped him.

"Hayashi," the old man began slowly, "you came from outside the village. You've seen some of the darkness in the shinobi world..."

"But Naruto has never seen it."

"As he is now, he wouldn't be able to survive outside the village on his own..."

"He doesn't have the strength..."

After saying that, the old man spoke no more. He simply sat there in silence, waiting for an answer.

Uzumaki Hayashi lowered his eyes.

Should I agree?

Of course. What's there to think about? That long-term quest is still hanging right in front of me-save Naruto, soothe his heart. That's my job to begin with.

Besides, what he'd said wasn't entirely an act. If someone really tried to use Naruto's life as bait, he would be the first to object.

And who was the opponent? Mizuki! The starter village's first trash-tier boss. What trouble could he possibly cause? In the original story, Naruto alone had beaten him so badly he couldn't even take care of himself-oh, wait. That kid didn't know that move yet.

This time, all he had to do was stand by as insurance. Low risk, reliable returns, and he could make a huge dent in his long-term quest while he was at it.

Still, he had to keep up the act.

He was silent for a moment, then raised his head again and looked at the Third with a rare solemnity.

"Grandpa Third, I'm willing to help you carry out this trial for Naruto."

"But if Naruto is in danger, I'll step in immediately."

The Third froze.

He stared at the red-haired child before him for a long while without speaking.

This child had understood everything he'd left unspoken-the word "trial" was exactly right.

Yet the child still held to his bottom line: the people of Konoha must not be harmed. He had agreed, but he wouldn't budge an inch on that point.

He was only twelve.

So perceptive, yet so untainted-he was practically as pure as a blank sheet of paper.

Meanwhile, he, the Hokage, had a head full of schemes about giving the enemy room to act and turning their plans against them. Sitting in the same room as this child, the Third felt guilty about those dark thoughts for the first time.

He raised his head and smiled at the child.

"Don't worry. Grandpa certainly won't use Naruto's life as bait."

With that, he nodded toward the shadows in a corner of the office.

Uzumaki Hayashi followed his gaze-

Had a figure just moved in those shadows?!

Well, damn. When did someone start standing there? I've been talking all this time, and I didn't notice a thing!

If that person was there from the start, doesn't that mean they heard every single word I just said?

Good thing I haven't said anything incriminating today... Pah. I haven't said a single incriminating thing since the day I entered the village.

Before he could get a clear look, a knock sounded at the door.

Two knocks.

The door swung open, and a figure walked in.

When Uzumaki Hayashi saw who it was, his eyes widened, and he raised a hand to point-

"Hey, why is it you?!"