Night had fallen completely.
Hanekawa stirred slightly, becoming aware of something warm and heavy pressing against his chest. He opened his eyes groggily, his vision filled with golden hair.
For a moment, he froze.
Then memory returned—Tsunade telling stories about the old days, his eyelids growing heavier with each tale until the world faded to black.
He turned his head carefully to look down.
Tsunade was sprawled across him like an octopus, her breathing deep and even. He could feel the rise and fall of her body, hear the steady thump of her heartbeat. The scent of sake and something uniquely her filled his senses.
Well, this is awkward.
Tsunade's eyes fluttered open. For a second, she seemed confused—then reality crashed down on her. She was hugging him. Both arms. One leg draped across his body.
She jerked upright, her face flushing crimson.
"What time is it?" she asked, trying to sound casual while tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. The effect was ruined by how quickly she'd moved away.
"No idea," Hanekawa said, suppressing a smile. So much for the legendary Sannin's composure.
Tsunade stood and walked to the tent entrance, pulling back the flap. Darkness greeted her—complete, unbroken darkness.
"We've been asleep for half the afternoon," she muttered, more to herself than to him.
"I'm hungry," she announced, turning back to face him.
"Cooking in a tent is a pain," Hanekawa said, already sitting up. "There's a river nearby, right? We could cook outside."
"Let's go."
They dressed quickly and slipped out into the night. The patrol ninjas they passed offered hurried greetings but asked no questions—nobody dared interrogate the Hokage and her prodigy student about their evening activities.
After a short walk, a river came into view. Three meters across, its surface rippling gently in the moonlight.
Hanekawa unsealed his cooking supplies while Tsunade wandered to the riverbank. She sat down, removed her shoes, and dipped her feet into the water.
She gasped at the cold, then relaxed into it, her eyes narrowing with contentment.
"Teacher," Hanekawa called, approaching with a pot. "How am I supposed to cook if you're washing your feet in the water?"
"Use the upstream section," Tsunade said, raising one leg and pointing lazily upstream. Water cascaded off her skin, catching the moonlight like scattered diamonds.
"You seem to be in a good mood," Hanekawa observed, watching her swirl her feet through the current.
"We defeated the Hidden Mist Village," Tsunade said, though her eyes remained distant. She paused, then added, "That's reason enough."
That's not the whole truth, Hanekawa thought, but he said nothing.
He began washing rice in the upstream water. "Will they attack again?"
"Probably." Tsunade leaned back, her feet still moving lazily through the river. "We can't retreat while their main forces are still active. And the new Mizukage will want to show some strength early on."
"Makes sense," Hanekawa agreed. Assuming Yagura takes the position. And assuming Obito hasn't gotten his hooks in him yet.
"The new Mizukage won't be as reckless as the last one," Tsunade continued with a slight smile. "Hard to be aggressive when you've already lost once."
Hanekawa paused in his work. "Teacher, how long will our supplies last?"
"Why?"
"I want to return to Konoha and ask the Hokage to teach me the Flying Thunder God Technique."
Tsunade turned to look at him, one eyebrow raised. "You think you can learn it?"
"I'm a super genius," Hanekawa said with a grin.
"The Flying Thunder God isn't something only geniuses can learn," Tsunade said, her tone turning serious. "But the conditions are harsh. Minato told me there are three."
She raised three fingers. "First, massive chakra reserves. Second, spatial talent. Third, exceptional dynamic vision and reaction speed."
She explained each requirement methodically. The technique was space-based—without sufficient chakra, it was useless. Spatial talent was self-explanatory. And the speed required superhuman reflexes to control properly.
Hanekawa mentally checked each box. His chakra reserves were absurd thanks to his entries. His spatial talent was boosted by the S-Rank entry from Kaguya. His vision and reaction time had been honed through months of Lightning Style training.
"I think I can manage it," he said simply.
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Of course you can. The material transport team heads back Monday. You'll lead them."
"Thank you, Teacher."
"Don't thank me. It's good to be ambitious." She paused, then added quietly, "I have no reason to stop you."
After finishing the rice, Hanekawa prepared dinner using Fire Style to accelerate the cooking. Twenty minutes later, Tsunade stood, brushed off her pants, and joined him at the makeshift table.
"Teacher," he said, handing her chopsticks, "want to wash your feet again afterward?"
"Why would—" Tsunade started, then caught his meaning. Her eyes narrowed. "Are you suggesting we wash our feet together?"
"I mean, we could," Hanekawa said, keeping his expression neutral despite his racing heart. "It's not often we get leisure time like this."
Tsunade stared at him for several long seconds. Hanekawa felt sweat forming on his palms.
"Fine," she said finally, looking away. "I have nothing else to do anyway."
They finished eating and returned to the river. Sitting side by side on the bank, they removed their shoes and lowered their feet into the cool water.
Hanekawa shifted slightly, letting his leg brush against hers.
"What are you doing?" Tsunade demanded, glaring at him.
"Testing something," he said without changing his expression. "I wanted to remember this moment. The first time I washed my feet in a river with my teacher."
Tsunade's expression softened slightly. She looked down at the water, watching the ripples spread outward. "It is the first time," she said quietly.
"That makes it special," Hanekawa said.
Tsunade didn't respond, but she didn't pull away either. They sat in comfortable silence, their feet moving gently through the current, the night sounds of the forest surrounding them.
This is nice, Hanekawa thought. Even for a spy, even with everything else going on... this is nice.
After a while, Tsunade stretched and stood. "Let's go. We have an early morning."
"Good night, Teacher."
Hanekawa watched her disappear into the tent, then settled in to practice his perception ninjutsu. Sleep could wait. If he could combine perception with the Flying Thunder God Technique and his Lightning Style Chakra Mode, he'd have a complete defensive package.
---
The next morning, after breakfast, Hanekawa attended the strategy meeting in the command tent.
"New development," Tsunade announced without preamble. "A Hyuga scout team spotted Hidden Mist forces in the southern Land of Rivers this morning."
"How many?" Maki asked.
"Approximately one thousand, with more unaccounted for. We don't have exact numbers yet."
Chiyo nodded thoughtfully. "They withdrew yesterday and returned today. They've chosen their new Mizukage."
"Doesn't matter what strategy they're using," Tsunade said flatly. "We have one strategy: drive them out. Now, assignments."
The meeting dispersed quickly, jonin departing to their assigned positions.
Tsunade tossed a scroll to Hanekawa. "Yours."
He unrolled it and blinked. "Healing mission?"
"You're the second-best medical ninja here," Tsunade explained. "The Three-Tails rampage yesterday caused casualties. Emergency treatment isn't enough."
Hanekawa nodded. Actually, this works perfectly. More time to train.
---
The week that followed was a strange mix of stalemate and routine. Konoha and Hidden Sand made moves; Mist Village retreated. Neither side committed fully. It was a war of attrition, and Hanekawa was grateful for the breathing room.
He spent his days treating wounded alongside Nohara Rin, his evenings practicing Lightning Style or water and earth techniques.
Monday morning arrived.
Hanekawa left the base camp under the disappointed gazes of Kurenai and Rin, heading toward the supply convoy waiting outside the perimeter.
Two ninja teams were assembled. The first was led by Hyuga Hizashi, who greeted him warmly. The second team's leader made Hanekawa pause—a middle-aged man in a yellow sports jacket and tight black pants, moving with the fluid grace of a master taijutsu user.
"I'm Chen Rōshi," the man said, introducing himself with a friendly smile. "You must be Hanekawa. I've heard quite a bit about you."
"The Konoha Dragon God," Hanekawa said, recognition dawning. "I've heard the name."
"That's old news," Chen Rōshi said with a hint of something darker in his tone. "Might Duy's the one making waves now."
Interesting. Hanekawa filed that away. A rivalry between taijutsu masters could be useful.
"Uncle Hizashi," Hanekawa greeted the Hyuga clan member.
"Hanekawa!" Hizashi's smile was genuinely warm. He looked healthier, happier than in the original timeline. No Neji yet. No branch family conflict. Hanekawa suppressed his curiosity about whether Hizashi's wife was pregnant.
"Shall we head out?" Hizashi asked.
The journey back to Konoha took several days. On the first night, Hanekawa cooked for the group, earning impressed reactions from both Chen Rōshi and Hizashi.
After dinner, he found Chen Rōshi alone and broached the subject carefully.
"I've been thinking about learning taijutsu," Hanekawa said. "The Konoha Dragon God style, specifically. Would you be willing to teach me?"
Chen Rōshi's expression shifted—surprise, then something that might have been gratification. "You want to learn from me?"
"I do."
The older man studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "I'll teach you. A genius student is worth the effort. Besides..." He smiled slightly. "It would be nice to see the Konoha Dragon God reclaim its reputation."
Perfect, Hanekawa thought. One more piece in place.
As they continued toward The Hidden Leaf, Hanekawa found himself thinking about the week ahead—learning the Flying Thunder God Technique, beginning his taijutsu training, managing his spy duties, and somehow finding time to sleep.
Relaxed and invincible, he reminded himself with an internal smirk. That's the plan.
The road stretched ahead, moonlit and uncertain. But for once, Hanekawa felt genuinely content with the journey.
---
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