The space twisted, and Hanekawa materialized in the Hokage's office with a soft shimmer.
Tsunade's eyes snapped open, then relaxed when she recognized him. She'd been dozing on the sofa—a habit she'd perfected since delegating most paperwork to Nara Shikaku.
"Teacher," Hanekawa greeted.
She lay sprawled across the cushions, one leg crossed over the other, her foot dangling lazily. "Something wrong?"
"The Hidden Cloud delegation arrived. Who should we send to negotiate?"
Tsunade gestured to the empty space beside her. "You."
"I'm not going," Hanekawa said flatly, settling onto the sofa near her legs.
"Then Shikaku handles it." She'd anticipated his refusal. While Hanekawa worked harder than she did—at least when it came to training—he matched her laziness when it came to administrative duties. "He's more suited for it anyway."
"Shikaku-senpai is definitely the better choice," Hanekawa agreed. "Let the two villages' smartest strategists talk. See who comes out ahead."
"You mean Mabui?" Tsunade smirked. "Doesn't matter how clever she is. Strength decides these things."
"There's something else," Hanekawa added. "The Rain Village broke their alliance with us."
Tsunade's eyebrows rose. "Why?"
"Not sure yet."
She waved a hand dismissively. "If it's broken, it's broken. They're Jiraiya's students—we don't need to worry about it." Konoha was at its peak. She had no reason to chase after old alliances.
Hanekawa knew better. Uchiha Madara and Obito were out there, and the Moon Eye Plan was coming. But that was his problem to solve, not hers.
"What's next on your training agenda?" Tsunade asked, noticing his gaze had wandered—and not to her face.
Hanekawa coughed, forcing his eyes back to appropriate levels. "The Fourth Raikage's Lightning Release Chakra Mode."
"Typical." She sat up, already moving. "But I have something better. Sage Mode from Shikkotsu Forest."
His attention sharpened. "When?"
"Now. If you can master it, your power will skyrocket. You might even catch up to your great-grandfather."
Hashirama Senju. Hanekawa doubted that—the First Hokage was in a league of his own—but Sage Mode would be a significant boost.
Tsunade formed hand seals and pressed her palm to the ground. Smoke erupted, and a massive slug materialized.
"Master Slug, we're heading to Shikkotsu Forest," Tsunade said without preamble.
"Understood, Lady Tsunade."
The world shifted. When Hanekawa's vision cleared, they stood in a forest that lived up to its name—dense, humid, tropical. Towering trees dripped with moisture. The air felt thick enough to drink.
If you fail here, you become part of the scenery, Hanekawa thought grimly. Literally.
A colossal slug emerged from the undergrowth—so massive that Hanekawa couldn't see its full body. Smaller slugs clustered nearby like attendants.
"Lady Tsunade, Master Hanekawa, welcome," the great slug said warmly. "We are honored."
"Slug Sage, Hanekawa wants to learn Sage Mode," Tsunade explained with a slight bow. "Please teach him."
"Of course."
The slug expelled a bucket of thick, clear liquid—similar to the toad oil from Mount Myōboku.
"Perceiving natural energy is difficult for humans," the slug explained. "This will heighten your awareness. The first step is sensing and absorbing that energy."
Hanekawa already knew the drill. He pulled off his shirt.
Tsunade's eyes flickered over him—just for a moment—before she looked away.
"You're in good shape," she said casually, then stood. "I'm heading back to Konoha."
"Wait," the slug called. "Lady Tsunade, would you help apply it? His hands cannot reach everywhere, and I lack the dexterity."
Tsunade froze. "I... what?"
"Please."
She took a breath, walked over, and pulled the liquid from the bucket with a chakra thread. It cascaded down Hanekawa's back. When her hands touched his skin to spread it evenly, her lips pressed into a thin line.
"You can finish the rest yourself," she said curtly, stepping back.
"Teacher, why don't you—"
"Do you want to die?" she asked, her voice dropping to a dangerous register.
"Never mind," Hanekawa said quickly. "I'll manage."
"Send me back," Tsunade told the slug.
Smoke swallowed her.
"That was the first time I have seen Lady Tsunade react that way," the slug observed mildly.
Hanekawa raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"Now then, close your eyes and feel the natural energy around you," the slug instructed.
Hanekawa obeyed. He relaxed his body, opened his senses, and waited.
Warmth and coolness rippled across his skin. Beyond that... nothing.
He didn't get discouraged. Sage Mode wasn't meant to be easy. If it were, the ninja world would be full of sages.
---
Sunday came and went.
No progress. No entry notification. Hanekawa simply let it be and refocused on Wood Style cultivation. At least he'd finally mastered Sarutobi Hiruzen's Five Elements Great Link Technique—and his version was stronger than the original, thanks to his entry bonuses stacking across all five elements.
---
Conference Room, Hokage Building
The negotiation chamber was already half-full when Hanekawa arrived. Konoha ninjas on one side, Hidden Cloud on the other, tension thick enough to cut.
Everyone stood when he entered.
The Cloud ninjas bowed—reluctantly, but they bowed.
Mabui looked haggard. Samui was in better shape, though still worn. Hanekawa recognized Darui by his distinctive features. Most of the Cloud's younger generation was here; the two captured Yugito and the Fourth Raikage were notably absent.
Nara Shikaku arrived moments later, documents in hand. "Shall we begin?"
"Let's," Hanekawa said.
Shikaku introduced himself as the lead negotiator. Mabui's expression darkened—the Nara clan's reputation for strategy preceded them. The Hidden Cloud was already at a disadvantage; facing Shikaku's intellect would make it worse.
The negotiations dragged on predictably. Hanekawa estimated it would take time, but not as long as the Stone or Mist Village talks. The Cloud had lost too much to hold out forever.
Halfway through, Hanekawa slipped out. No one dared question the acting Hokage's absence.
---
Hokage's Office
Tsunade sat at the desk, chin propped on her hands, staring into space. Her eyes lit up when Hanekawa entered.
She stood so quickly her chair scraped backward.
"Come here!" She waved him over with a smile.
"What are you—"
She pushed him directly into the Hokage's seat. "You're acting Hokage today. I'm going to the casino."
Before he could protest, she jumped out the window.
Hanekawa shook his head. Some things never change.
He picked up a document from the desk. Konoha Police Department's reorganization report—positive feedback, no conflicts with civilians. Good work.
The second document made him pause.
An S-rank commission. Land of Snow.
He read quickly: rebellion, the daimyo assassinated by his brother, the daimyo's daughter captured. The Land of Snow's minister was requesting aid.
Snow Princess, Hanekawa thought. Koyuki Kazahana.
In the original timeline, Kakashi had rescued her during his ANBU days. She'd become a famous actress, then regained her position as daimyo with Team 7's help.
But what interested Hanekawa most was Land of Snow's technology—chakra armor, airships, trains, environmental machines. Advanced stuff.
He could use those.
But not personally. This was a job for Kakashi and his team.
Hanekawa picked up a pen and scribbled approval at the bottom of the document.
"Aoi!" he called.
His assistant appeared instantly. "Lord Hanekawa?"
"Deliver this to Team Minato."
"At once."
Hanekawa leaned back in the Hokage's chair, already thinking about what else needed handling.
It was going to be a long day.
---
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