"Do not be so pessimistic. We still have the situation under control. Even if you were to sacrifice yourself, and Konoha wins this war, it would only be a pyrrhic victory," Sakumo said in a low voice.
Hayashi was silent for a moment at Sakumo's words, which carried a weariness as though he was preparing for his final moments, then picked up his wine and took a small sip.
"I'm just stating it," Sakumo continued, then shifted his tone, "I am quite worried about Kakashi."
"What's wrong with Kakashi? He has always worked hard, using you as an example," Hayashi responded.
"Kakashi is being misled by the halo of a hero. What he reveres is not merely a father, but a symbol of Konoha's glory," Sakumo explained gently.
"This kind of halo is not necessarily bad, but it is not entirely good either. In a war, creating a heroic image can boost morale and strengthen unity among Konoha's shinobi," Sakumo continued.
"But for Kakashi, the fact that his father is a revered hero easily gives him an inflated sense of self and an exaggerated sense of purpose, which is not healthy for his growth," Sakumo spoke thoughtfully.
"If this continues until the war's end, that would be fine, but if one day the heroic figure Kakashi admires falls, I do not know what will become of him," Sakumo sighed.
Kakashi, now enrolled at the Ninja Academy, had shown extraordinary talent at such a young age, but he also showed weakness.
That weakness was pride.
He held himself above his classmates, looking at ordinary ninjas with standards few could meet.
Even now, he had not made many friends at the Academy.
When a person so proud meets failure, he tends to slump deeper into despair than others.
It was like his previous life, where Kakashi had lived in depression for more than a decade, transforming from a genius youth into "Kakashi of the Sharingan."
While no one could blame Kakashi entirely, after losing so many loved ones, this had not met Sakumo's hopes for him.
Compared to others, in this regard Kakashi lagged far behind Kai.
While Sakumo was not as adept as Orochimaru at battlefield strategy and control, his far‑reaching thinking and steadfast care for the next generation and his comrades made him worthy of Konoha's title as a hero.
"Oh, you two are here."
Just then a hearty laugh came from outside the tent. Jiraiya walked in, his grin wide, walking straight toward Hayashi and Sakumo after spotting them.
"Yes, I heard you captured the One‑Tail Jinchuriki?" Jiraiya said with great interest after sitting down and pouring himself a glass of wine.
"Yes," Hayashi nodded. "Did Orochimaru‑sensei mention it?"
Jiraiya shook his head. "It wasn't him. The news has already spread through the garrison. That fellow Yokomaki is boasting about you everywhere."
"Oh? He's talking about that?" Hayashi paused briefly, then realized that such confidential information could not have spread without Orochimaru's tacit permission.
"When I arrived back at camp, I heard him bragging, saying that as soon as he reached the battlefield, he saw you fighting Lafu," Jiraiya said suspiciously, "Who is Lafu? I've only heard of the previous One‑Tails Jinchuriki being called Bunpuku."
"Uh… that's just the new name I gave Shukaku," Hayashi said with a grin.
"Is that so?" Jiraiya looked at him suspiciously, his instincts telling him that Hayashi's smile hid something.
Not dwelling on it, Jiraiya took a long sip and sighed in admiration, "You kid are growing up fast. You even managed to capture a Jinchuriki alive. Truly frightening."
"I knew he was a monster four years ago," Sakumo said with a faint smile.
The two shared a look, then clinked their glasses and finished their drinks.
"By the way, I just came back from Orochimaru. He received a mission scroll from the village for you two," Jiraiya lowered his voice.
"Issued by the village?" Hayashi asked.
"Yes. Kato Dan brought a new batch of shinobi to the front lines, so the camp will withdraw heavily wounded ninja back to Konoha, and you two need to lead the team back," Jiraiya explained.
"Any Jonin could handle that sort of task, right?" Hayashi asked, somewhat confused.
"It's a change of guard," Jiraiya said quietly, ensuring nearby shinobi could not overhear. "Other battlefronts are under heavy pressure and lack high‑tier fighters, so the village wants you two to go to other war zones as commanders."
"Commander?" Hayashi murmured.
His strength was formidable, but he was only seventeen years old. He expected to gain experience for a while, but he did not expect the Third Hokage to entrust him with such an important role.
However, it made sense. Fighting on four fronts required each battlefield to have a capable leader. The village did not have many high‑level shinobi.
Hayashi was a good fit in strength and reputation. In experience, he had begun his training under Orochimaru during the Second Shinobi World War, and with Sakumo at his side, there was little to worry about.
Hayashi's capture of the One‑Tails certainly influenced the Third Hokage's decision.
"Where will we be deployed?" Hayashi asked.
"All three war zones are possible, but I prefer the Land of Water," Jiraiya analyzed. "Your clan members are there, and you know Kirigakure well from your time as a Guardian Ninja."
"The Land of Water sounds good. At least there aren't as many enemies," Sakumo smiled.
Hayashi also smiled, thinking of the concentrated threats in the Land of Wind.
"Then can this place hold?" Hayashi asked.
Leaving the Land of Wind without two high‑tier fighters, especially with Sunagakure increasing their forces, meant the pressure on that front would inevitably rise.
"The One‑Tail has already been captured," Jiraiya said with a reassuring tone, "Without a Tailed Beast on the battlefield, we still have the advantage over the Third Kazekage, and…" Jiraiya grinned, "You are leaving, so Tsunade will be reassigned there."
"Tsunade‑sensei has returned to Konoha?" Hayashi asked in surprise.
"Yes, she has actually been fighting Kirigakure for some time, but it is clear the Land of Wind needs her more. Without her, no one can break Iwakura's poison," Jiraiya explained.
Although Konoha had trained many medical ninja over the years, overcoming Iwakura's poison still required effort. Even Kana, Tsunade's student, would struggle without her master.
This battlefield could be missing many things, but it could not lack Tsunade.
"In that case, the Sannin will be reunited again," Hayashi said with a smile.
"Ha, that is indeed a reunion," Jiraiya laughed.
"A long overdue Sannin reunion."