In the Hokage's Office...
After listening to Hayate's fervent words, the Third Hokage fell silent. He let out a faint sigh, then asked reluctantly, "So, you're asking me to personally order Yuyan to stay away from Naruto?"
"Yes, Lord Third!" Hayate knelt on one knee, his head bowed. "I'm sorry. As Yuyan's lover, I couldn't change her mind."
"But, Lord Third, I swear on my life that Yuyan only feels sympathy for Uzumaki Naruto. There's no hidden motive."
The Third Hokage felt even more conflicted hearing this. Was Hayate completely oblivious?
Given Naruto's unique situation, it was true that casual interactions with him were restricted to protect him from any malicious influences. However, the Third Hokage had always hoped that someone would genuinely care for Naruto, to give him a sense of belonging to the village. The more people he felt connected to, the stronger his bond with Konoha would grow. This was exactly what the Third Hokage wanted.
But finding someone who would treat a Jinchūriki genuinely and without personal agenda was rare. Now that Yuyan, one of his most loyal subordinates, had stepped up, what reason did he have to stop her? Shouldn't Hayate, himself a former member of the Third Hokage's Anbu, understand this?
But as much as the Third Hokage wanted to encourage this connection, he knew he couldn't openly show support; it would only draw the attention of others with questionable motives toward Naruto. The undercurrents of Konoha were too deep, even for the Hokage to fully control.
As he hesitated, wondering how to respond to Hayate, an Anbu suddenly knocked on the office door and entered.
"Reporting to Lord Third, Uzumaki Naruto has been seriously injured and was taken to the hospital's emergency unit by Uzuki Yuyan."
"What?!" The Third Hokage's face turned grim as he stood up. Hayate, too, looked up in shock.
The emergency unit? That meant the injury was severe!
Hayate had just parted ways with Naruto a short while ago. How could things have escalated so quickly? After all, they were in Konoha—how could there have been a powerful enemy attack?
And, most importantly, was Yuyan alright?
Hayate was anxious, but in front of the Third Hokage, he didn't dare say anything out of turn. He hadn't even considered that this incident could be connected to him.
"What exactly happened?" the Third Hokage demanded, his face stern.
The Anbu hesitated, casting a quick glance at Hayate before saying, "It was reportedly Moonlight Hayate who injured him."
"Impossible!" Hayate shot to his feet, his face full of disbelief.
The Third Hokage's eyes turned toward him.
Hayate hurriedly explained, "I only meant to frighten him a little. I never expected him to rush toward my blade. But I had already pulled back! It only grazed his skin; there's no way it could have been so severe!"
The Third Hokage's face darkened. "Why didn't you mention this earlier?"
"I…," Hayate stammered, at a loss.
He had wanted to explain, but would anyone have believed him? To say that Naruto provoked him by showing interest in his lover, Yuyan, which led him to lose his temper?
"Let's go to the hospital first!" The Third Hokage waved him off, striding out with a grim expression.
From Hayate's expression, the Third Hokage could tell he was hiding something. Still, it seemed he genuinely hadn't expected Naruto's injuries to be this severe. For now, it was more important to assess Naruto's condition.
Given Naruto's identity as a Jinchūriki, along with his Uzumaki lineage, he had always been exceptionally resilient. But being taken to the emergency unit? The injuries must be severe.
Hayate clenched his fists in frustration, following behind the Third Hokage in silence.
Soon, they arrived at the hospital, where they found Yuyan anxiously waiting outside the operating room.
"Yuyan, what's Naruto's condition?" the Third Hokage immediately asked.
Yuyan, noticing the Third Hokage with an Anbu and Hayate in tow, shot Hayate a look filled with resentment before turning to the Third Hokage. "Lord Third, the doctors are still treating Naruto. His life isn't in danger, but the wounds are serious, and he's lost a lot of blood. He'll need time to recover."
"What exactly happened?" The Third Hokage sighed in relief at the news that Naruto's life was not at risk.
Yuyan knelt, saying, "Because of Naruto's identity, Hayate not only pressured me to stay away from him but also sent shadow clones to intimidate him. Naruto, inexperienced in combat, couldn't react in time, and Hayate went overboard, resulting in his injuries. Had it not been for Naruto's extraordinary resilience, anyone else would be half-dead by now. Please, Lord Third, deliver justice."
"Yuyan!" Hayate's eyes widened in shock.
While he hadn't anticipated the extent of Naruto's injuries, what shocked him even more was that Yuyan was asking the Third Hokage to punish him.
"Yuyan, please stand up." The Third Hokage took a deep breath, puffing out a ring of smoke as he spoke. "I'll wait here to see what the doctors have to say."
Since even Yuyan, Hayate's own lover, was pressing for a resolution, the incident was clear-cut. Now, all that remained was to confirm Naruto's injuries and decide Hayate's punishment.
Hayate could sense the Third Hokage's intentions. He felt as if he had been struck by lightning, left stunned as he looked at Yuyan. However, Yuyan refused to spare him another glance, her gaze full of anger.
Half an hour later, Naruto was wheeled out of surgery.
"The patient's condition is stable," the lead doctor reported to the Third Hokage. "The external wounds have been treated with Healing Jutsu. However, Uzumaki Naruto lost a significant amount of blood and will need a few days to recover."
Naruto had suffered a deep knife wound, stretching over half a meter, cutting into muscle and exposing bone in some places, with a corrosive chakra laced along the edges. Luckily, his natural healing abilities had helped him survive such severe injuries.
Hearing the doctor's description left Yuyan heartbroken, while the Third Hokage's face grew darker with every word.
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Note: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 60 at patreon.com/Esei01.