The arrival of Jiraiya had tipped the scales decisively against the Hidden Mist Village.
His summoned toads weren't just powerful—some rivaled tailed beasts in raw destructive capability. Ordinary ninja had no effective counter. After a week of holding their ground, the Mist Village's leadership made the inevitable choice: complete withdrawal from the Land of Rivers. They abandoned every stronghold, every outpost along the coast. It was surrender, plain and simple.
---
Hanekawa sat across from Jiraiya in Tsunade's command tent, listening intently as the Toad Sage explained the mechanics of the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Jiraiya himself didn't know the technique—that was Minato's domain—but he'd picked up enough tricks from his student to offer genuine insight.
"Tsunade found herself a remarkable student," Jiraiya said, unable to hide his amazement. "Your comprehension is... well, it's beyond what I'd expect from even the most talented genin."
In some ways, you're outpacing Minato.
The unspoken comparison hung in the air. Jiraiya had trained Minato. He knew genius when he saw it. But this kid? This kid was different.
"Thank you, Uncle Jiraiya," Hanekawa replied politely.
With Jiraiya's explanations, he'd cut his learning curve for the Flying Thunder God in half. The rest—the deep understanding, the intuitive grasp of spatial mechanics—came from his entries. No need to mention that.
A young ninja appeared at the tent entrance. "Lady Tsunade requests your presence at the command meeting."
Jiraiya and Hanekawa exchanged glances and headed out.
---
The main tent was packed with jonin from both Konoha and the Hidden Sand. Hanekawa's eyes caught on an unexpected figure immediately: an ANBU operative from the Hidden Mist Village, standing calmly in the center of the tent.
Peace delegation.
There was no other explanation for his presence here, alive and unharmed.
"Now that everyone's arrived, let's begin," Tsunade said, her gaze fixed on the Mist ANBU. "What brings you to us?"
The operative bowed slightly. "Lord Mizukage wishes to negotiate peace with The Hidden Leaf."
The tent erupted in barely suppressed excitement. Jonin exchanged glances, some struggling to maintain composure. The war was over. They'd won.
"When?" Tsunade's lips curved upward.
"After the New Year. January. A delegation will arrive to discuss terms."
The operative's tone was respectful, almost formal. Three years of conflict had exhausted all sides. The approaching holidays provided a natural pause point. Time to regroup, to prepare negotiating positions.
"Acceptable," Tsunade said, waving a hand dismissively. "We'll be ready."
The ANBU bowed again and departed.
The moment he was gone, someone shouted, "We won!"
"A complete victory!" an Akimichi clan ninja added. "The Third Mizukage himself fell to us!"
"Not just him," Hizashi Hyuga interjected. "The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist are gone."
The Nara clan's jonin nodded confidently. "The Mist Village bled heavily this time. The negotiations will reflect that."
Chiyo, watching from the Hidden Sand contingent, sighed internally. The Sand had played a supporting role at best. The real victories belonged to Konoha—to Tsunade and Hanekawa specifically. When it came time to divide the spoils, the Sand would get scraps.
Still, an alliance with The Hidden Leaf was worth something.
Tsunade's gaze drifted to Hanekawa. Three years. In three years, this kid had transformed from a promising student into something else entirely. She'd hoped he'd become an excellent medical ninja. Instead, he'd become excellent at everything—medical ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu, all five nature releases.
In versatility, only Hiruzen surpassed him in the entire village.
The meeting dissolved into celebration. Jiraiya caught Tsunade as people filed out.
"Congratulations," he said with a knowing smile. "No one in Konoha has contributed more than you."
Tsunade said nothing.
"So," Jiraiya continued, exactly as she'd anticipated, "any thoughts on the Fourth Hokage position?"
He'd been searching for the Child of Prophecy for years—the Great Toad Sage's words took precedence over everything. Orochimaru had disqualified himself with his Wood Style experiments. That left Tsunade as the most viable candidate.
"We'll discuss it later," Tsunade said flatly.
Jiraiya blinked. "That's not a refusal."
"No," Tsunade admitted. "It's not."
When did that change? she wondered.
"I'm not returning to the village immediately," Jiraiya said, pausing at the tent entrance. "I'll head back once Orochimaru and Danzo return. But when you decide about the Hokage position, let me know. I'll support you."
Tsunade's eye twitched. "It's all your fault, you brat!" she snapped at Hanekawa once Jiraiya left.
"Me?" Hanekawa blinked innocently. "I didn't do anything."
"Haven't you done enough?"
She stepped forward and deliberately stepped on his foot.
"Teacher, I think you're the child," Hanekawa said, unable to resist.
"Who are you calling a child?" Tsunade's eyes narrowed dangerously, arms crossing over her chest.
"Definitely not the teacher," Hanekawa said quickly, his gaze drifting slightly lower before he caught himself.
Tsunade noticed. She lowered her arms, feeling an odd warmth that she quickly suppressed with a snort before turning away.
Hanekawa hurried after her.
When Kurenai and Rin spotted them, they rushed over eagerly.
"We're heading back tomorrow," Hanekawa told them, smiling at their hopeful expressions.
"Yes!" Kurenai jumped, grabbing his hand and spinning in a half-circle.
Rin watched, her expression carefully neutral.
---
The next morning, after breakfast, the camp began breaking down. By nine o'clock, everyone had assembled at the base camp entrance.
Konoha's forces departed first, the Hidden Sand following later.
"Remember to send your delegation in January," Tsunade reminded Chiyo before leaving.
Chiyo nodded, though her thoughts were elsewhere. Hatake Sakumo. The White Fang who'd killed her son and daughter-in-law. In the original timeline, he'd died years ago. But Hanekawa's presence had changed that. Now Sakumo lived, and Chiyo's hatred festered.
Still, Konoha was too strong now. She'd have to wait.
---
The journey back to The Hidden Leaf took two days. Along the way, Hanekawa taught Rin the Chakra Scalpel technique, watching her grasp the delicate control required with impressive speed.
When they arrived at Konoha's gates, the entire village seemed to turn out to greet them. Hiruzen had arranged a proper welcome—crowds lined the streets from the gates to the Hokage Building, cheering wildly.
The names most frequently shouted were Tsunade's and Hanekawa's.
Three years of war had made them legends.
"Everyone, disperse!" Tsunade called out once they reached the Hokage Building.
The crowd slowly dispersed, though the energy lingered.
Tsunade exhaled heavily. Too much attention. Too much trouble. But refusing would've been ungracious. The village needed this victory.
"Hanekawa, come with me to see the old man," she ordered. "The rest of you, go home and rest."
Kurenai lingered as the others left. "Come home early," she said softly to Hanekawa before departing with Rin.
Tsunade watched them go, then glanced at Hanekawa. "Your little girlfriend couldn't bear to leave you."
"Not a girlfriend," Hanekawa corrected quickly.
Tsunade didn't press further, simply turning toward the Hokage Building.
---
Tsunade kicked the office door open without ceremony.
Hiruzen looked up, unsurprised. "You've earned your rest."
"Make sure the rewards are distributed," Tsunade said curtly. "Anything else?"
Always rushing away, Hiruzen thought with mild exasperation. Every quality a perfect Hokage should have, except the desire to actually be one.
"One matter," he said, his expression turning serious. "The Hidden Cloud has sent envoys to the Hidden Hidden Stone. Peace negotiations are being arranged."
Tsunade's eyes widened. "That's... unexpected."
The Fourth Raikage's son had killed the Third Raikage. Peace seemed impossible.
"It's because of us," Hiruzen explained. "With the Mist Village defeated and the Hidden Sand allied with us, Konoha is no longer constrained. We can concentrate forces against the Cloud. Both the Cloud and Hidden Stones are under too much pressure. They're choosing negotiation over continued conflict."
Hanekawa's mind raced. In the original timeline, this happened too. But the dynamics are different now. Konoha's stronger. The war will end faster.
"Will the Hidden Stone actually agree?" Tsunade asked, frowning.
"Uncertain. They suffered heavily during the Third Raikage siege. They've been unable to capture the village. They might accept a truce."
"This is troublesome," Tsunade muttered. She'd hoped for a brief respite, not more complications.
"We'll wait for their decision and respond accordingly," Hiruzen said thoughtfully. "It may work in our favor."
"You're not worried they'll form an alliance against us?"
"Unlikely. The Fourth Raikage might agree to a truce to honor his father's death, but a formal alliance? No." Hiruzen lit his pipe. "Once the Hidden Stone signs a truce, only the Cloud remains. Defeat them, and this war ends."
Tsunade understood. The final battle would be against the Hidden Cloud alone—and Konoha was stronger now than in the original timeline.
"These are all speculations," Hiruzen said, settling back in his chair. "Go rest. We'll address this as it develops."
Tsunade nodded and left, Hanekawa following.
---
November turned to December. News arrived that the Hidden Hidden Stone and Hidden Cloud had reached a truce.
One battlefield remained in the entire ninja world.
Hanekawa returned to his training routine, pushing himself harder each day. Three years of constant warfare had drained him—physically, mentally, emotionally. The prospect of peace, even temporary peace, felt like a distant dream.
But dreams, he'd learned, had a way of becoming reality in this world.