Being a ninja means constantly being on the move.
Hayashi had accepted this fact long before graduating from the Ninja Academy. Even in the unfamiliar halls of the Daimyo's mansion, he adapted quickly.
Yet, being a bodyguard in someone else's household differed from being a ninja in the village. There, one had freedom and could ignore what others thought. Here, everyone watched carefully, though no one dared show disrespect to a Leaf ninja of his reputation. Only the Daimyo's preferential treatment caused minor resentment among the other Guardian Ninjas.
Hayashi saw it all but paid no mind. The mansion was only a temporary post, and he had no reason to fuss over fleeting acquaintances or the bows of surrounding ninjas.
To avoid unnecessary trouble, he had organized a team of four: himself, Jikū from the Fire Temple, Mikoto, and Himeji. Their duty was simple—protect the Daimyo. Occasionally, they assisted with mansion security, but anything beyond that was the Leaf Village's responsibility, and everyone knew it.
Days passed in a calm routine. Hayashi trained or patrolled leisurely. The Hidden Mist Village remained untouched after his initial contact with Shinnosuke. Whether Madara was plotting against him or not, Hayashi had resolved to stay at the mansion, denying any opportunities for schemes. If he sensed trouble, he would immediately take Mikoto and Himeji and return to the Leaf Village. He had no desire to become the next Obito.
In October, marigolds bloomed vibrantly across the city, and a mysterious note appeared on Hayashi's desk. Picking it up, he read two hastily written words:
"Save me!"
Despite the shaky handwriting, he recognized Oda Ichiko's script instantly.
Hayashi recalled the rumor circulating recently: the Oda clan planned a marriage alliance with the Asai clan. The intended bride? Oda Ichiko herself.
Ichiko, eldest daughter of the Oda clan, had reached marriageable age. Many families coveted her, but her beauty and status alone made her a prize. Eventually, her father, Oda Nobuhide, arranged for her to marry Asai Hisamasa, a match seen as equal among noble families.
Yet Ichiko, who carried a long sword and walked like a samurai but had never struck anyone, despised the idea. A forced marriage to a man she barely knew filled her with dread.
Hayashi crumpled the note and tossed it aside. What does this have to do with me?
He recalled that Tamako, the Daimyo's daughter, occasionally visited him, and Ichiko had joined sometimes. They were acquainted, but not enough to justify interfering. Any attempt to "rescue" her could spark a political scandal affecting his career. Sakumo's happiness aside, he wasn't about to cause chaos.
Time passed. One evening at the end of October, after finishing a patrol with Mikoto, Himeji, and Jikū, Hayashi returned to his room. Just as he was about to remove his windbreaker and bathe, a knock sounded at the door.
Opening it, he found Ichiko herself, looking unusually distressed. Unlike her usual self, she carried no sword and wore a formal kimono adorned with a gold hair ornament. Four samurai bodyguards followed closely behind.
"Well," she said, forcing a smile, "I'm getting married next month. These invitations are for you. As distinguished guests of the Leaf, you must attend."
Hayashi returned a polite smile. "Congratulations, and may you have a happy life."
Ichiko glared at him, irritation written across her face. Hayashi, unfazed, remained calm.
Suddenly, a scream pierced the air. "Fire! Hurry, someone! Help!"
Her expression changed instantly. "That's Princess Tamako's voice! Protect her!" she commanded her attendants.
The four men hesitated. "Go! I'll stay here," Ichiko snapped. Her determination compelled them, and they rushed toward the danger.
Watching them leave, Hayashi's eyes narrowed with amusement. "Sister Ichiko, if you want to escape, go ahead. I'll pretend I didn't see anything. Don't waste Tamako's opportunity."
She fumed. "There isn't enough time to get out of the main gate. Why didn't you respond to my letter delivered by Tamako?"
Hayashi feigned ignorance. "Letter? What letter?"
"You…" Ichiko's frustration made her chest heave. She clenched her fist, forcing a calm smile. "We're friends, right?"
"My lady, spare me. If you want to elope, just go. Why involve me?"
"I want to go to the Leaf!"
Hayashi raised an eyebrow. "What do you expect me to do? With your status, Uncle Hokage can't just take you in."
"But you're still here," Ichiko protested.
"And what good would I be?"
Ichiko clasped her hands and pleaded, "This is about my future happiness. Only you can help me."
Hayashi sighed, covering his forehead. "You've lived here so long and still can't find help?"
She shook her head, feigning despair. "My father has ensured no one will."
"You only surround yourself with trouble," Hayashi muttered. "Still, fine. Only I can help, it seems."
"How?"
Ichiko smiled slyly. "My father has been monitoring me closely. I need four attendants to follow me when I go out. If you impersonate me, you can create a few days' window to escape."
Hayashi's face turned pale. "Wait… you want me to wear women's clothes?"
"And what does it matter?" Ichiko replied. "No one will notice. Besides, why are you so sensitive about women's clothing?"
"I'm not," he stammered.
Ichiko's mischievous grin widened. "I heard men who are sensitive to women's clothing secretly like it. Should I buy you a few sets to thank you?"
"Get lost!" Hayashi barked, exasperated.
The attendants returned, and he asked his final question. "If you go to the Leaf and Brother Sakumo refuses to accept you?"
Ichiko's expression hardened. "Then I'll live there by myself. I just need to escape this cage."
Hayashi had no more questions.
Perhaps it was finally time for the honest man's spring.