The news spread through Konoha like wildfire. Within a day, everyone knew: the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were dead, the Mist Village had withdrawn, and Tsunade's forces had claimed a decisive victory.
The village erupted in celebration. Ninjas and civilians alike cheered in the streets, their morale soaring after weeks of tension. Tsunade's reputation, already legendary, had only grown—though at this point, adding to her fame was like gilding gold.
The real beneficiary was Hanekawa.
A single ninja, barely past childhood, had killed Kushimaru Kuriarare—one of the Seven Swordsmen—in direct combat. The younger generation whispered his name with awe. Some even claimed he'd surpassed Minato Namikaze at the same age.
The Hyuga clan celebrated quietly in their compound. Their investment in Tsunade had paid off spectacularly. Hiashi Hyuga allowed himself a rare smile, though he couldn't help wishing the Hyuga had claimed the spotlight themselves. Still, watching the Uchiha clan's fortunes crumble—their bet on Orochimaru having failed catastrophically—made the consolation prize feel almost sweet.
---
In his command tent, Orochimaru studied the map before him, his expression darkening.
The past two weeks had been costly. Losses to the Hidden Cloud mounted daily. The worst came when A and Killer Bee—both fully transformed jinchuriki—had ambushed his forces. Hundreds of ninjas fell, including many elite jonin. He'd seen the signs coming, but Danzo's pressure and his own confidence had made him reckless.
The Hidden Cloud's desperation had surprised him. He'd underestimated their willingness to deploy both tailed beasts at once.
Not that the losses were total. Orochimaru had quietly acquired numerous Sharingan during the chaos. A small victory, but a victory nonetheless.
Footsteps approached. Without turning, he knew who it was.
Only one person entered his tent without announcement.
"Orochimaru!"
Danzo Shimura's voice carried an edge of frustration.
"What is it?" Orochimaru glanced back, already suspecting bad news.
"Has the Hidden Cloud made another move?"
"Worse." Danzo's jaw clenched. "It's Tsunade. The Seven Swordsmen are all dead. The Mist Village has withdrawn. She's made a massive contribution, and now our position is precarious."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. He'd expected the Swordsmen to fall eventually, but not this quickly. Not in less than half a month.
"I shouldn't have volunteered for the Hidden Cloud campaign," Danzo muttered, his regret palpable. "If I'd gone to Kirigakure instead, all the credit would have been ours."
"There are no 'ifs' in this world." Orochimaru's voice remained calm, almost detached. "The situation isn't dire yet. Why panic?"
"Do you have a plan?" Danzo leaned forward, desperate for reassurance.
"Not yet." Orochimaru smiled faintly. "But regardless of how long it takes, defeating the Hidden Cloud will overshadow Tsunade's victory."
Danzo's frown deepened. The Hidden Cloud was the strongest, the most dangerous opponent. Defeating them would be the ultimate prize—but also the greatest risk. Orochimaru's confidence without certainty made him uneasy.
"What about the Nine-Tails jinchuriki?" Orochimaru shifted topics smoothly. "Did the old man agree?"
"He refused." Danzo's frustration boiled over. "The Hidden Cloud deployed two tailed beasts, so logically we should deploy ours. But Sarutobi won't hear it. He's saving the Nine-Tails for the final moment. It's insulting—after everything I've done for him, for Konoha—"
"That's his nature." Orochimaru waved a hand dismissively. "He won't use the Nine-Tails until there's no other choice. Tell him to transfer Sakumo Hatake's team to our front."
Danzo blinked. "Hatake Sakumo? Aren't you worried he'll steal credit?"
Orochimaru's mouth twitched slightly. This old fool has completely lost perspective.
"I'm the commander," he said coolly. "Credit won't slip through my fingers. Besides, he's not my target."
"Then who is?"
"Sarutobi Asuma."
Danzo's eyes widened as understanding dawned. Orochimaru smiled—a thin, predatory expression.
"He's the key to borrowing the Nine-Tails jinchuriki."
---
In Iwagakure, the Tsuchikage's office overlooked the Hidden Stone below.
Ōnoki sat in his chair, reviewing the scroll his son Kitsuchi had brought. His eyebrows rose steadily as he read.
"The Seven Swordsmen eliminated in half a month?" He set the scroll down, shaking his head. "The Mist Village proved useless."
Kitsuchi waited respectfully. His father's mind was already working through the implications.
"My original plan was simple," Ōnoki mused. "Let the snipe and clam fight while the fisherman profits. I expected the Hidden Cloud or Leaf Village to bleed significantly. The Mist was supposed to be our tool for weakening Konoha."
He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Now we must choose a target directly. Which village should we strike?"
"The Hidden Cloud," Kitsuchi suggested. "Attacking Konoha would unite the other villages against us. But the Hidden Cloud? Neither Leaf nor Sand would interfere—they might even assist."
"Precisely." Ōnoki's lips curved upward. "But we can't attack directly. They're wary of us now. We'll feint toward Konoha first, create the illusion of a major offensive, then pivot and crush the Hidden Cloud before they can respond."
"When do we mobilize?"
"Not yet." Ōnoki settled back in his chair. "The pressure on the Hidden Cloud from Konoha isn't sufficient. We wait until their vigilance drops, until they believe themselves safe. Then we strike."
---
September arrived with the turning of leaves.
The island had grown peaceful. Patrol missions filled the days, but the constant threat had evaporated. For most, it was a relief.
For Hanekawa, Nohara Rin, and Kurenai, it was an opportunity.
"Come on!" Rin called out, her fists raised. "You can do it, Kurenai!"
Kurenai's eyes narrowed with determination as she faced Hanekawa across the clearing. "This time, I'm winning."
"Are you?" Hanekawa smiled. "What happens when you lose?"
"I won't lose!" Kurenai's voice was fierce, her small frame radiating confidence.
They'd spent the past two weeks mastering the Mist Hidden Technique—a jutsu that created thick fog, disorienting opponents who lacked the Byakugan. Now came the real training: learning to fight blind, relying on sound and intuition.
Their sparring rules were simple: whoever caught the other first won. No ninjutsu allowed, only the environment and their wits.
Both formed seals simultaneously.
"Water Style: Mist Hidden Technique!"
Thick fog erupted, swallowing the clearing. Visibility dropped to less than a meter. Rin's eyes widened as the two figures vanished into white.
Hanekawa stood motionless, listening.
Normal ninjas panicked in fog, made noise, gave themselves away. But Kurenai had learned. She moved carefully, deliberately.
Then—the sound of pebbles falling to his left. Footsteps followed, but another stone fell, masking the sound.
Clever, Hanekawa thought. She's using noise to hide noise.
But he could distinguish the difference. His perception abilities made it simple.
He moved silently, circling behind her.
Kurenai spun suddenly—but Hanekawa had already stepped back. Her eyes, invisible in the fog, would have flashed with frustration.
She understood him. He understood her. This was their dance.
Kurenai paused, thinking. Then she moved forward deliberately, as if searching. Hanekawa recognized the trap—she wanted him to reveal himself.
Instead, he tossed a pebble ahead of her.
Kurenai lunged toward the sound. Hanekawa stepped forward and tapped her shoulder.
"Ugh!" Kurenai spun around, glaring at him even through the fog. She swatted his arm twice, her small fists ineffectual but her irritation clear. "I don't need your pity!"
"You're improving," Hanekawa said, gently catching her hand. "Next time—"
"I'll win without your help." Kurenai pulled free, but her anger was already fading. "Once a day is enough. I need to practice genjutsu and water techniques."
Hanekawa dispersed the fog with a wind jutsu.
"Who won?" Rin asked innocently.
"It doesn't matter," Kurenai said quickly, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Rin's knowing smile suggested she understood perfectly.
Just then, Tsunade emerged from the main tent, waving them over.
"I've coordinated with Maki and the Hidden Sand forces," she announced. "They'll hold the island. We're heading back to Konoha tomorrow morning."
Kurenai's face lit up. "Finally! I want to go home!"
Hanekawa felt relief wash over him. No more seafood. No more endless ocean.
Tsunade nodded to Nara Shikaku, who began spreading the word through camp.
Cheers erupted from the Konoha ninjas. The Hidden Sand contingent watched with barely concealed envy. They couldn't leave—not with the Mist Village potentially regrouping. Konoha had the strength to respond quickly. The Hidden Sand did not.
As the sun set over the island, Hanekawa stood at the edge of camp, watching the ocean one last time.
Orochimaru's planning something. Danzo's scheming. The Hidden Stone is moving.
He'd learned long ago that peace never lasted. But for now, he'd enjoy the quiet.
Tomorrow, they'd return to Konoha.
And the real games would begin.