"Teacher, how are you going to handle this?"
Hanekawa closed the mission scroll and looked up at Tsunade, who was sprawled across her chair like she owned the world.
"Where's my breakfast?"
She stretched out one fair hand expectantly, completely unbothered by Danzo's latest power play.
"What would you like?"
Hanekawa pulled out a storage scroll without missing a beat.
"Rice balls."
Tsunade settled back with a satisfied smirk. "You're getting better at this."
He summoned a prepared lunch box and channeled fire chakra through his palms, warming the contents until the aroma of fresh rice filled the tent. Tsunade bit into one with obvious pleasure, her eyes half-closing.
"So what's the plan?" Hanekawa asked, watching her eat. "If Danzo keeps throwing logistics missions at us?"
"I'm the deputy commander," Tsunade said between bites, her tone casual but edged with steel. "Danzo is nothing. If he pushes this, he'll learn what that means."
As expected of a teacher. Hanekawa reached over and wiped a grain of rice from the corner of her mouth. She glanced at him, then quickly looked away, reaching for another rice ball.
"Based on what I know about him, there's definitely more coming," Tsunade continued, her expression thoughtful. "He won't stop with one or two tasks."
"Will he try to collude with the Hidden Cloud?"
The question hung in the air. Hanekawa had learned to think like Danzo—ruthless, willing to do anything for power. It was a dangerous habit.
Tsunade considered this carefully. "Danzo can't afford the consequences of losing this war. Not yet. And honestly, he doesn't need outside help to make our lives difficult through missions alone."
"This is getting complicated," Hanekawa muttered, stroking his chin. "What if we had Rin use the Spirit Transformation Technique to monitor him?"
"Not urgent." Tsunade shook her head. "I'll spend the next few days understanding the camp's situation. In the meantime, pay attention to the former Root members now in ANBU. They're the only tools Danzo has left."
Hanekawa nodded slowly. All Root operatives had been brainwashed—even after the organization's dissolution, they remained under Danzo's control. It was a weakness, but not one worth exploiting yet. Danzo himself wasn't worth the effort.
"Don't worry," Tsunade said, a confident smile playing at her lips. "I have plenty of ninjas who owe me favors. More than you'd think."
She was right. As the greatest medical ninja of her generation, granddaughter of Hashirama Senju, and student of the Third Hokage, her network was formidable. Danzo couldn't compete.
"Maybe if you just raised your arm, you could become Hokage tomorrow," Hanekawa said with a grin.
"What nonsense are you talking about, brat?"
Tsunade flicked his forehead hard enough to make him wince.
"I'm serious," he said, rubbing the spot. "I think a lot of ninjas would support you."
"Long-winded!" She rolled her eyes. "Go do the mission!"
Hanekawa stood, mentally noting another head-pat incident in his growing list of grievances. "I'll get Rin and Kurenai."
---
When they returned, Tsunade led them toward the medical tent. The smell of medicine grew stronger as they approached, mixed with the heavy atmosphere of suffering. Someone spotted her first.
"It's Lady Tsunade!"
The change was immediate. Cheers rippled through the wounded. Faces that had been resigned to death suddenly brightened with hope.
"Tsunade-sensei is amazing," Rin whispered, her eyes wide with admiration.
"Of course!" Kurenai pumped her fist enthusiastically.
"In terms of medical ninjutsu, Hanekawa is no worse than me," Tsunade said, glancing at him with something like pride in her expression.
Rin's eyes widened in shock. She'd never heard Tsunade praise anyone like that.
"Really?" Kurenai sounded skeptical, though she tried to hide it.
"Is the teacher trying to get out of work by flattering me?" Hanekawa asked innocently, touching Kurenai's head.
"You little brat!" Tsunade stepped on his foot. "Is that what you think of me?"
"I'm going to work, Teacher," he said quickly, already moving toward a critically injured ninja.
"Rin, handle the minor injuries. Kurenai, assist with supplies and bandaging."
"Yes!" they responded in unison.
---
The day blurred together. By evening, Hanekawa had earned countless thanks and made measurable progress on his A-Rank Medical Jonin entry. At this rate, he might unlock it before the Earth or Wind Style entries.
After dinner, Rin and Kurenai retired early, exhausted. Hanekawa collapsed onto the carpet without ceremony.
"Finally over. More tiring than actual combat," he muttered.
Tsunade moved to the tent entrance. A moment later, a figure appeared—Hizashi Hyuga.
"Why come in person?" Tsunade asked, surprised.
"I was concerned about being seen," Hizashi replied, producing a scroll. "Information on the Frost Country battlefield, as requested. The Byakugan gives us the clearest picture."
"Thank you, Hizashi."
Tsunade took the scroll and returned inside. She settled onto the carpet and unrolled it, her expression growing more focused as she read.
Hanekawa sat up, moving closer to see. The Frost Country was divided into three main battlefields. One under Yagura and Rasa. Another where Bokuto handled the Two-Tails jinchuriki. The third—and most dangerous—where Orochimaru and Danzo faced the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails jinchuriki, Killer Bee.
A fourth operation, led by Sakumo Hatake, focused on infiltration and harassment.
"Danzo will almost certainly send us on a deep infiltration mission," Tsunade said quietly. "And he'll try to steal credit from Sakumo's team."
"But we could coordinate with them instead," Hanekawa said, the pieces clicking into place. "With both teams combined, we'd have real power."
"You're confident about facing a perfect jinchuriki?" Tsunade's tone was skeptical. "Do you understand what that means?"
"A jinchuriki who's achieved harmony with their beast and can fully control its chakra," Hanekawa replied. "Killer Bee is the perfect jinchuriki. The Eight-Tails is second only to the Nine-Tails in power."
But you don't know about Shisui, Hanekawa thought. A natural counter to tailed beasts.
If he had Wood Style mastered, he'd be far more confident. But time was short. Still, they wouldn't encounter Killer Bee immediately. A war involving tens of thousands would take months to unfold. Plenty of time to improve his Earth and Water Style proficiency. And if needed, he could expose his Lightning Style Chakra Mode—the same technique the Raikages used to suppress the Eight-Tails.
"Danzo won't let us coordinate with Sakumo's team," Hanekawa said, thinking aloud.
"If he doesn't allow it, why would we listen?" Tsunade's voice dripped with disdain. "My rank here supersedes his. I'll make that clear."
"The only real problem is Orochimaru," Tsunade continued, closing the scroll with a sigh. "I can't figure out what he's thinking. Teaming up with Danzo suggests Hokage ambitions, but he doesn't seem invested enough."
Hanekawa shifted closer, his mind working. "Maybe he's after the Wood Style research. If Danzo has something on that front—"
Tsunade's frown deepened. That explanation fit too well. If Orochimaru was primarily interested in Wood Style, he'd support Danzo just enough to access the research, without fully committing to the Hokage bid.
"We'll see at the next meeting," Tsunade said coldly. "I'd like to watch them try to outmaneuver me."
"I have a plan," Hanekawa offered. "What if we united the major clans against Orochimaru?"
Tsunade stared at him. "Why is rebellion always your first instinct? Who taught you that?"
"My teacher," he said with a slight cough.
"I absolutely did not teach you that!"
"But I learned it from watching you," Hanekawa said seriously. "You always said that against absolute strength, schemes mean nothing."
Tsunade's expression softened slightly. "That part, at least, is true. And your idea... it's not without merit. The Uchiha suffered losses here. They might resent Orochimaru and Danzo."
"So you'll do it?"
"It's getting late," Tsunade said, standing abruptly. Her cheeks were slightly flushed. "We should rest."
"Can I sleep here, Teacher?" Hanekawa asked innocently.
"Out!" Her voice was sharp, her face suddenly very red. "Don't disturb my sleep!"
"Yes, Teacher. Good night."
Hanekawa left with a small smile. He'd learned to read her tells.
---
The jonin meeting convened on the morning of the third day. The main tent filled with familiar faces: Fugaku Uchiha, Hizashi Hyuga, Shikaku Nara, Pakura, Rasa, and others.
Orochimaru spoke first, his voice smooth and measured. "We've received troubling information. A thousand-strong unit from the Hidden Cloud has gone dark."
"Dark?" Tsunade's eyebrow arched. "Explain."
"We've lost all contact and tracking," Orochimaru replied calmly. "Their location and intentions are unknown."
Hanekawa exchanged a glance with Tsunade. This was exactly the kind of opening Danzo would exploit.
The real game was beginning.