Hayate

"Tsunade-sama, please save my child!"

The man was Gekkō Kazahana. 

Kyōichi recognized him instantly—he was Gekkō Hayate's uncle. Hayate's father had died years ago, and Kazahana had raised the boy since childhood. 

"It's you…"

Tsunade sighed. 

The Gekkō clan… 

This family had flourished under the Nidaime's reign and now held prestige in Konoha. Tsunade naturally knew several members, including Kazahana. 

"Tsunade-sama, my nephew Hayate has been ill since birth. I beg you to save him!"

Kazahana fell to his knees, voice trembling. 

He had sought help from many. 

But no medical ninja in Konoha could cure Hayate. Tsunade was his last hope. 

Tsunade hesitated. 

She knew her own limits. Despite her vast medical knowledge, her hemophobia made surgery impossible. 

Kyōichi's mind raced. 

He knew of Hayate's condition: 

On one had he had a congenital lung disease. 

And the on the other omplications from his clan's Kekkei Genkai.

Transparency Technique. 

The combination left Hayate frail, destined to die young. 

A talent wasted by illness…

"Tsunade-sama, why not examine him first?"

Shizune interjected softly. 

Tsunade glared at her but relented after seeing Kyōichi's expectant look. "Kazahana-san, I make no promises."

"Understood! Understood!"

Kazahana bowed repeatedly. 

Others offered no solutions. Tsunade was his only hope—he dared not demand more. 

---

Gekkō Clan Compound

The clan's lands were modest but bore their signature motifs—moon carvings and ancient trees. 

Inside, children practiced swordsmanship. Most drilled basic swing forms, but a few showed promise. 

The most gifted was Gekkō Hayate. 

But his body was also the weakest. 

"Hayate."

"Kazahana-ojisan…! Kyōichi-sensei!"

Hearing his uncle's voice, Hayate turned. Spotting Kyōichi, his eyes lit up, vigor briefly returning. 

"You're quite popular with children."

Tsunade muttered dryly. 

She noticed Hayate's genuine respect for Kyōichi—so much so that the boy barely glanced at her! 

"I taught him briefly as a substitute teacher."

Kyōichi explained. 

Only then did Hayate notice Tsunade. Born after her departure from Konoha, he didn't recognize her—until he spotted the massive "Gamble" kanji on her robe. 

"Tsunade-sama…!"

He bowed deeply. 

"Tch."

Must my vices be this infamous?

Tsunade scowled but examined Hayate closely. His condition was severe for one so young. 

"Let's speak inside."

"Yes!"

In the room, Tsunade gestured for Hayate to sit. As she checked his pulse, Kazahana hovered anxiously. 

"You possess a Kekkei Genkai?"

"Yes."

Hayate nodded. 

He'd awakened Transparency Technique early, earning his clan's focus on training him in Dance of the Crescent Moon. 

"Your respiratory illness is treatable. But your Kekkei Genkai strains your body. Each use of the Transparency Technique accelerates the damage. It will kill you."

Tsunade stated bluntly. 

Kazahana paled. 

"Does this mean… I must abandon the Transparency Technique?"

Hayate whispered. 

"Yes. If you stop using it, I can cure you."

Tsunade nodded. 

She'd warned Hayate's father years ago. He'd refused—and paid the price. 

Kazahana hesitated, then turned to Hayate. "Your choice. I'll support you."

"Sensei…"

Hayate looked to Kyōichi, lost. 

Though sharp-minded like Shisui, the weight of this decision paralyzed him. 

"Asking me…?"

Kyōichi nearly declined but softened at Hayate's pleading gaze. "Answer this: Is your clan's legacy its Kekkei Genkai or its swordsmanship?"

Hayate pondered deeply. 

"Swordsmanship!"

The Konoha-style defined the Gekkō clan— Transparency Technique was merely a tool. 

"Then why hesitate?"

Kyōichi drew his katana. 

Body Flicker!

In a blur, he appeared above Hayate. 

"Dance of the Crescent Moon!?"

Kazahana gasped. 

Though lacking clones, the strike's essence matched the technique—exploiting blind spots to deliver a lethal blow. 

"Dance of the Crescent Moon needs no Transparency Technique. Use it for reconnaissance only—and sparingly!"

Kyōichi sheathed his blade. 

"Yes! Thank you, sensei!"

Hayate bowed deeply. 

Tsunade smirked. "I won't operate. Your sensei will. Still willing?"

"Yes!"

Hayate didn't flinch. 

*"Prepare at the hospital tomorrow."

"Yes!"

"Tsunade-sama, Kyōichi-san— thank you!"

Kazahana wept with relief. 

Kyōichi bit back a retort. Tsunade's ploy was obvious, but exposing her hemophobia here would be cruel. 

It can't be helped.

Besides— 

[Gekkō Hayate sees you as a mentor.]

[Reward: Secret Sword: Moon Shadow]

Freebie!

Kyōichi marveled. Hayate's loyalty came easily—perhaps too easily. 

---

Outside the Gekkō Compound

"Kyōichi-sama… Tsunade-sama has… special circumstances. That's why…"

Shizune stammered. 

"I fear blood."

Tsunade cut her off bluntly. 

Kyōichi feigned shock. "Is that why you left Konoha?"

"What use is a Sannin who can't fight or heal? Leaving… was the only way."

She turned away, voice bitter.