The Uchiha compound was sweltering in the afternoon heat. Hanekawa emerged from a side street, and the guards at the gate immediately straightened.
"Lord Hanekawa!"
"I'm here to see Fugaku," he said simply, nodding past them.
"Please, go right in. The clan leader said you're welcome anytime."
The courtyard hit him like a furnace. Hanekawa squinted against the glare and spotted Itachi Uchiha practicing Fire Style near the pool, his movements precise and controlled. Mikoto Uchiha watched from the shade, her expression serene.
"Brother Hanekawa," Itachi greeted him with a respectful bow.
"Hanekawa." Mikoto smiled warmly. "Are you looking for Fugaku? I can—"
"No need," Hanekawa said as Fugaku himself emerged from the study. "I'm here about Itachi's training."
Fugaku's eyes narrowed slightly. "He doesn't have a teacher yet. I was actually considering asking—"
"Orochimaru," Hanekawa interrupted. "I want him to train Itachi."
The silence that followed was heavy. Fugaku's jaw tightened. "Orochimaru targeted our clan on the Land of Snow battlefield. You know this."
"Danzo forced his hand," Hanekawa said smoothly. And Danzo's conveniently dead, so he can't argue. "That was politics, not personal. Orochimaru respects talent, and Itachi has it in abundance."
Fugaku remained unconvinced, so Hanekawa pressed on. "He's one of the Legendary Sannin. His knowledge, his connections—with his guidance, Itachi could become something extraordinary. The kind of ninja who changes the village's future."
He watched Fugaku's expression shift. The Uchiha clan leader was ambitious, always calculating. The promise of influence, of power through Itachi's advancement, was too tempting.
"Itachi," Fugaku finally asked, "are you willing?"
"Yes, Father," Itachi replied without hesitation.
"Then it's settled." Fugaku nodded. "Orochimaru is one of the few in Konoha capable of teaching you properly. Go. Learn everything he has to offer."
Hanekawa excused himself shortly after. One piece in place.
---
Konoha Hospital. His office.
The air shimmered, and Hanekawa materialized in the quiet room. He was about to find Nonō when he stopped.
Rin lay curled on his sofa, fast asleep. Her dark red over-the-knee socks caught the light, and her black top clung to her frame. She looked exhausted—the kind of tired that came from back-to-back surgeries.
Without thinking, Hanekawa draped a blanket over her and left to find Nonō.
The pharmacist agreed to Orochimaru's arrangement without much hesitation. She trusted Hanekawa's judgment implicitly.
---
When Rin woke, she found the blanket and immediately knew who'd put it there. Her heart did an embarrassing flutter.
"You're awake," Hanekawa said from the doorway.
Rin sat up quickly, suddenly very aware of how she'd been sleeping. "I'll wash it and—"
"No need. It's fine." He took the blanket from her. "Besides, it smells like you now."
Rin's face went crimson. She clutched the hem of her pink skirt, unsure where to look.
"You're really cute," he said, ruffling her hair.
"I—" She swallowed hard. "How long has it been?"
"Since we last saw each other?" He tilted his head thoughtfully.
"Six days!" The number tumbled out before she could stop it.
Hanekawa smiled, and Rin felt her pulse quicken. He's smiling at me.
"Teacher's been busy at the Hokage's office," he said gently. "If you need help with anything, come find me. And I'll get you a mission soon—you shouldn't spend all your time at the hospital."
"Really?" Rin's eyes brightened.
"Really." He pinched her cheek and turned to leave. "See you next time."
Rin watched him go, feeling oddly hollow. Six days suddenly seemed like far too long.
---
ANBU Base.
"Samui from the Hidden Cloud is waiting in your office," Aoi reported.
Hanekawa found her standing by the window, her light grey dress catching the afternoon light. She turned as he entered, and immediately bowed deeply.
"Lord Hanekawa, I need your help."
The low neckline of her dress gaped slightly as she bent. Hanekawa noted this with clinical detachment—Samui was undeniably striking, but he'd learned long ago not to let that cloud his judgment.
"What kind of help?" he asked, closing the door.
"The peace treaty terms." Samui straightened, meeting his eyes. "Can you convince the jonin to make concessions? The Hidden Cloud is suffering under these conditions."
"Those terms weren't my decision. They came from the jonin council."
"But you're the Hokage's assistant. You have influence." She stepped closer, and her perfume reached him—something floral and expensive. "You're also from the Hidden Cloud. Surely you understand what we're facing."
Hanekawa studied her. "Why should I help?"
Samui's composure cracked. Her breathing quickened, and she took a half-step back, as if his indifference was a physical force. "I... I can do anything. Whatever you want."
Interesting. Hanekawa reached out and traced her cheekbone with one finger. Samui's entire body tensed, and a blush bloomed across her usually cold face.
"You're very loyal to your village," he said softly.
"Is it... is it possible?" Her voice trembled, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Her blonde hair fell across her shoulder, making her look vulnerable in a way her usual demeanor never allowed.
"I can make it work," Hanekawa said after a moment. "Two concessions. First, Konoha's jinchuriki can use Turtle Island for training. You keep the island itself."
Samui's eyes widened slightly.
"Second, mission rewards from the Land of Lightning get split according to standard ratios. The Hidden Cloud gets a share." He paused. "That protects both our interests."
It was a calculated move. The concessions were minor enough that Tsunade wouldn't object, but significant enough to stabilize the Hidden Cloud's economy. And if anything happened to Konoha ninja in the Land of Lightning, he'd have leverage.
"That's... that's all?" Samui asked, disbelief coloring her voice.
"That's all." Hanekawa leaned close to her ear. "But don't forget what you promised me."
Samui's body went rigid, her face flushing crimson.
"Go back to being yourself," he said, stepping back. "I prefer you cold."
Samui blinked, confused. Then understanding dawned. She straightened her posture, smoothed her expression, and let the familiar indifference settle over her features. The blush faded. Her eyes went distant and professional.
It was a remarkable transformation—and somehow more striking than her vulnerability had been.
"Good," Hanekawa said with satisfaction. "See you next time."
After she left, Samui made it only as far as the nearest alley before her composure shattered. She covered her face, her breathing ragged, her mind spinning with thoughts of Hanekawa.
This shouldn't be happening, she thought desperately. He's the reason the Hidden Cloud is suffering. I should hate him.
But she didn't. And that terrified her more than anything else.
---
Back at the Hidden Cloud's temporary base, Samui reported the concessions to Mabui and the others with her usual calm demeanor. No one noticed the slight distance that had opened between her and her teammates—or if they did, they didn't comment on it.
Only Mabui watched her with quiet concern, sensing that something had shifted in the kunoichi's carefully maintained composure.