Early morning light filtered through the curtains as Tsunade's eyes fluttered open. She found Hanekawa still nestled against her, his face buried in her chest, arms wrapped firmly around her waist.
Her body tensed. Confusion flickered across her features before memory returned—and with it, a reluctant smile.
Did this brat do that on purpose?
The thought made her lips curl. Shameless didn't even begin to cover it.
Tsunade snorted and kicked him off the bed.
"What the—" Hanekawa jolted awake, suddenly deprived of his comfortable pillow. He looked up at her with bleary eyes, and something about the scene triggered a sense of déjà vu. Again? How did I miss the opportunity again?
"Out," Tsunade commanded, already standing. "I need to change."
"Yes, Teacher." Hanekawa scrambled from the room without argument.
Once the door closed, Tsunade exhaled slowly, pressing a hand to her chest. Her racing heartbeat gradually steadied. She looked down at the white Hokage robes draped across her chair and allowed herself a small, genuine smile.
This brat.
---
After breakfast, Tsunade and Hanekawa arrived at the Hokage Building to find it already bustling with activity. Ninjas and villagers filled the plaza, vendors hawking snacks on every corner. The succession ceremony wouldn't begin until nine, but anticipation had drawn crowds hours early.
"Lady Hokage, Lord Hanekawa." Haru appeared with a bow. "Lord Jiraiya is waiting in your office."
Tsunade's eyebrows rose. "He actually came back?"
Hanekawa said nothing, though his expression suggested mild amusement. Jiraiya posed no threat—not anymore. The Toad Sage could cling to his prophecies all he wanted; the future had already been written.
The Hokage's office was exactly as Tsunade had left it. Jiraiya stood at their entrance, and his face broke into a genuine smile.
"Congratulations, Tsunade."
"Thank you." She moved past him to settle into the Hokage's chair—her chair now—without ceremony.
"Uncle Jiraiya." Hanekawa took his position behind Tsunade like a silent sentinel.
Jiraiya studied them both, then shook his head with a wistful sigh. "I never thought I'd see you wearing that robe."
"Neither did I." Tsunade glanced down at the white fabric, then at Hanekawa. This brat's doing. She'd resisted the position for years, but he'd worn her down with relentless certainty. And now, sitting here, she couldn't imagine anyone else in this seat.
"What a shame about Orochimaru," Jiraiya continued. "The three of us were supposed to reunite today."
"He made his choices." Tsunade's tone left no room for sympathy. Orochimaru had gambled and lost. That was on him.
"The old man hasn't arrived yet?" Jiraiya glanced around.
"It's early. And he's probably still upset about Danzo." Tsunade's lips twitched. Everyone assumed she'd ordered Danzo's death. She saw no reason to correct them. The man had been universally despised—even Jiraiya gave an approving thumbs up at the mention of his demise.
"Speaking of which," Jiraiya said, looking at Hanekawa with newfound respect, "you accomplished what I always wanted to do."
"I had a good teacher," Hanekawa replied smoothly.
Tsunade felt a surge of pride at that.
"With Hanekawa around, Minato's chances at the Hokage seat are..." Jiraiya trailed off meaningfully.
"Minato found something more important." Tsunade's smile turned knowing. "He and Kushina are getting married next month."
Jiraiya's eyes widened. "What? I didn't—" He laughed, shaking his head. "I really am a terrible teacher."
"Abysmal," Tsunade agreed without mercy.
"I'm considering removing Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura from their advisor positions," Tsunade said, shifting to business. "I'd like you to take the role."
Jiraiya hesitated. "I can't stay in the village long."
Disappointment flickered across Tsunade's face, though she recovered quickly. Removing the old advisors would be difficult without someone powerful enough to stand against them. Jiraiya would have been perfect. Orochimaru was out of the question now.
"What about Hatake Sakumo?" Jiraiya suggested.
"For now." Tsunade filed the name away. It wasn't ideal, but it would suffice.
A knock interrupted them. Haru entered with a bow. "Lord Hokage. The Daimyo and Third Hokage have arrived."
Tsunade rose smoothly. "Let's go."
---
By nine o'clock, the plaza overflowed with people. Ninjas stood in precise rows while villagers crowded behind them, vendors weaving between groups selling snacks and trinkets.
"Something feels off," Asuma muttered, stroking his chin.
"Hanekawa-senpai isn't here," Shisui observed.
"Right!" Asuma snapped his fingers. "That's what's missing!"
"He's the Hokage's assistant now," Kurenai explained, though her tone suggested she wasn't entirely satisfied with the answer. Without Hanekawa, even a historic ceremony felt somehow incomplete.
"He's probably busy with ANBU duties," Rin offered softly.
"He didn't come home last night," Kurenai added with a sigh.
Kakashi simply shook his head. "Hanekawa works harder than anyone."
The crowd's murmur died as four figures appeared on the Hokage Building's roof: the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Tsunade in her white robes—and Hanekawa.
Hiashi and Fugaku exchanged glances. The succession ceremony protocol called for three participants, not four. Yet there stood Hanekawa, positioned directly behind Tsunade like a shadow given form.
The message was unmistakable.
The ceremony proceeded with practiced precision. Hiruzen handed the Hokage's hat to the Daimyo, who presented it to Tsunade. She placed it on her head with quiet authority, meeting Hiruzen's eyes for a brief moment before stepping forward.
Her speech was longer than expected—rare for Tsunade—but her words carried weight. When she finished, the plaza erupted in applause.
Hanekawa's attention drifted across the crowd, cataloging faces. His eyes caught on two figures at the plaza's edge: Orochimaru and Mitarashi Anko, watching from the shadows.
Interesting.
The Orochimaru of this timeline wasn't the cold, ruthless monster of the original. Perhaps... cooperation was possible. He filed the thought away for later consideration.
By eleven o'clock, it was done. Konoha officially had its Fourth Hokage.
---
The Uchiha compound was quiet when Fugaku returned home.
"Father." Itachi approached with a bow. "I've been practicing Fire Style."
"Show me."
"I've learned Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Jutsu."
Fugaku's expression brightened immediately. Most children couldn't even refine chakra by age four, let alone master ninjutsu. His son was exceptional.
Yet even as pride swelled in his chest, his thoughts drifted to Hanekawa. If only Itachi could study under him...
A young clan member rushed over, breathless. "Clan leader. Lord Hanekawa is here to see you."
Fugaku's surprise was genuine. "Itachi, come greet our guest."
They found Hanekawa in the main hall, composed and patient. Fugaku bowed slightly. "Hanekawa. This is unexpected."
"Uncle Fugaku." Hanekawa's smile was warm. "I came to meet my future students."
Fugaku's breath caught. "You mean...?"
"I'd like to take your second child as my student," Hanekawa said directly.
The words hit like a physical blow. Fugaku's mind raced. His younger son—not Itachi, but still of the clan leader's line. This meant the Uchiha would finally have direct connection to the Hokage's inner circle. Kagami, Shisui, Obito—they'd been talented, but none from the patriarch's bloodline.
"There's something else," Hanekawa continued. "My teacher wanted you to know: your son will be qualified to compete for Hokage. And I will support him."
Fugaku stared at him, unable to process the magnitude of what he was hearing. Tsunade and Hanekawa—two of the strongest ninja alive—were offering the Uchiha clan a path to the highest office.
"You believe us, don't you, Uncle Fugaku?" Hanekawa asked with gentle certainty.
"Of course!" Fugaku's voice shook slightly. "Of course I believe you."
Danzo was dead. Tsunade showed them favor. And Hanekawa—who would likely become the Hokage—was offering them his support.
The Uchiha clan had finally been given its chance.
Fugaku knew, with absolute certainty, that he would never forgive himself if he squandered it.