"So your name is Uzumaki Rin?"
In a quiet corner of the vast city of Rōran, Hayashi looked at the young girl standing before him and asked.
"Yes."
Rin's voice was soft and steady. Her manners were clearly well taught, but there was a slight reservedness in her expression.
Hayashi observed her carefully.
Her long red hair was tied simply with a string, and she wore a black ninja outfit that did not match the standard designs of the current era.
He had never seen this exact uniform before. It was likely an improved version adopted by Konoha in later generations.
Her features reminded him faintly of Karin, but not exactly. She resembled Kana more, especially around the eyes and nose, which felt very similar to Minato's traits.
By that logic, she should be the daughter of Minato and Kana, not Shisui.
Hayashi nodded slightly.
"As expected of Minato and Kana's daughter. She inherited their best traits. Even her temperament is similar."
Unlike Karin or Naruto's more energetic nature, Rin gave off a gentle, water like calmness.
"So this really is Konoha Year 40?" Rin asked while glancing around.
"Yes," Hayashi replied. "It is Konoha Year 40."
"If you say so, then it must be correct," Rin answered without hesitation.
It was clear she already trusted Hayashi to some extent.
From the side, Kushina could not hold back her curiosity.
"Then how did you travel here?" she asked.
Rin turned toward her.
The question carried genuine curiosity, but also disbelief at the situation itself.
"My team's mission target was a rogue ninja named Mukade," Rin explained. "During the mission, he forcibly activated the seal you placed on the Dragon Vein. The chakra from the Dragon Vein erupted, and I was swept into it."
"It must be because of that energy that I ended up here."
"Mukade… so that's Anrokuzan," Hayashi said calmly. "The target of our current mission. Like you, he also appeared suddenly in Rōran four years ago."
The Dragon Vein contained enormous energy. If it went out of control, it could easily create distortions in space time.
Kushina absorbed the explanation silently.
Kakashi, who had been listening quietly, raised his hand.
"You said your team had four members. Where are the other three?"
Rin blinked, then looked toward him.
"You are Kakashi… sensei?"
"Uh… I guess in your time, I would be Kakashi sensei," Kakashi replied, slightly uncertain.
Rin nodded.
"The other three are my younger brother Naruto, Shisui-nii, and Yura-nee."
For a moment, the air went still.
Those names carried too much unexpected information.
"Naruto is your younger brother?" Hayashi repeated.
"Yes," Rin confirmed. "The Uzumaki Clan is not very large. Because I inherited my mother's red hair, I took the Uzumaki surname. Naruto inherited our father's Namikaze surname because of his blonde hair."
"I see," Hayashi said.
Only one man would name his child Naruto like that.
Namikaze Minato.
"And Shisui and Yura?" Kushina asked next.
Hayashi hesitated slightly.
This was becoming more complicated than expected.
"You know them?" Rin asked, noticing his reaction.
"I know of them," Hayashi replied carefully. "Nawaki and I had interactions when we were younger. I also know he intended to name his daughter Yura."
Kushina tilted her head.
"And Shisui?"
"Uh…"
Hayashi paused for a moment, clearly choosing his words carefully.
Rin immediately stepped in.
"Shisui-nii and Yura-nee are both doing well," she said quickly. "They are already married."
"Oh," Hayashi replied with a small nod. "So that really happened."
He seemed slightly amused by the realization.
Rin suddenly stiffened.
"If I reveal too much about the future, will it affect history?"
Hayashi nodded.
"Yes. Knowing too much can change decisions and outcomes. People might avoid events they were originally meant to experience."
He looked at her calmly.
"But do not worry. After this mission is complete, I will seal these memories."
"I see…" Rin murmured softly.
Inside Kushina's consciousness space, Kurama suddenly spoke in an unusually polite tone.
"Kushina, ask her if I will ever be released in the future."
"Not happening," Kushina replied immediately.
Meanwhile, Hayashi turned his attention back to Rin.
"Why did you call Kushina and me father and mother?"
Rin froze instantly.
Her face turned bright red.
"I… I am engaged to Yusuke this summer. We are supposed to get married two years later."
"Yusuke…"
Hayashi blinked.
He knew the name of his future son when he was younger, but hearing it now in this context felt strange.
"And he is not with you?" Hayashi asked.
"He went to Kaguya's dimension to investigate the Ōtsutsuki…"
BOOM
Before she could finish, a loud explosion echoed through the distance.
Hayashi immediately stood up.
"Location," he said.
"Center of the city," Kushina answered quickly after sensing it.
"Kakashi, stay here," Hayashi ordered. "Everyone else follow me."
Kakashi nodded.
The remaining three moved at once.
As they ran, Hayashi glanced at Rin.
She was composed, efficient, and clearly strong. Even her judgment in combat situations seemed reliable.
That boy Yusuke has good taste, Hayashi thought briefly.
Kushina followed closely, but the name Yusuke kept repeating in her mind, making her expression slightly awkward.
Soon, they arrived at the explosion site.
What they saw made all three of them pause.
A red haired girl stood there in luxurious clothing. She looked like Queen Sara.
Her breathing was uneven, her face flushed, and she clutched her clothing awkwardly, as if she had just been in an embarrassing situation.
Opposite her stood a blond young man with a clear handprint on his face.
The silence grew heavy.
"It is not what you are thinking," the blond youth quickly said, waving both hands. "She just fell and I caught her. That is all."
"Oh… I see," Hayashi, Kushina, and Rin said at the same time.
Queen Sara's face turned even redder.
She looked as if she might cry from humiliation.
Without another word, she turned and hurried away while holding her dress.
Hayashi exhaled lightly.
"That explanation is not going to help him," he said.
Then he glanced at the blond youth.
"That kid Naruto… his situation skills are truly something."
===
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