Hanekawa stood motionless in the small forest outside the ANBU base.
His Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan trembled slightly as a surge of pupil power erupted outward. The cold air solidified around him, condensing into skeletal arms and ribs.
He exhaled slowly. Finally.
Two months of experimentation had paid off. He'd mastered Susanoo—at least its initial form. The hardest part was always creation from nothing, not refinement afterward.
Susanoo. The power of God itself, contained within the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Hanekawa studied his creation. "White?"
Every Susanoo he'd read about had a different color. Itachi's was red. Kakashi and Obito's were cyan. Sasuke's would be purple. But white? That was new.
He dismissed the technique and checked his watch. August 2nd. His birthday. And Tsunade's.
Two months since the Land of Wind mission. He'd spent most of that time unlocking Susanoo, but he hadn't neglected his other training. Lightning Style, Wind Style, Fire Style—all now at jonin level, each granting a 150% power boost.
The real prize was his upgraded entry.
[A-Rank Talent Entry: Seven-Attribute Jonin]
[Trigger Condition: Possess jonin-level entries for all seven chakra types—Yin, Yang, Wind, Fire, Lightning, Earth, Water]
[Effect: Mastery of all seven chakra properties increased by 200%. Resistance to all seven types of ninjutsu increased by 150%.]
The resistance was the real game-changer. Combined with his Eternal Mangekyō, he could now shrug off most genjutsu entirely.
One step closer to the S-Rank entry he really wanted: Invincible Shadow.
What remained was the A-Rank Seven Bloodline Limits entry. He had four now—Sharingan, Wood Style, Lava Release, Ice Release. Three more to go.
Hanekawa used Flying Thunder God to return to the ANBU base.
"Hanekawa!"
Kurenai practically launched herself at him from the sofa. He caught her hand gently, stroking it.
"How long were you waiting?"
"About ten minutes." She tilted her head. "How are you going to make it up to me?"
He couldn't help but smile. "What do you want?"
"A mission! Together!" She pouted. "We haven't gone on one in forever!"
Guilt flickered through him. He'd promised her and Rin months ago. Training had consumed him.
"Two days," he said. "I promise."
He pulled a file from his desk drawer.
Kurenai's eyes lit up. She opened it eagerly, then gasped.
The file contained information on a ninja named Hiruko—a defector who'd studied forbidden ninjutsu and fled Konoha years ago. Hidden Mist had recently discovered him there, and he'd killed one of their ninjas.
"We're leaving the village?" Kurenai's excitement was palpable.
Hanekawa tapped her forehead. "Hiruko isn't easy. He studies something called the Chimera Technique—fusing bloodline limits into his own body. He's already integrated four. He killed that Mist ninja to get a fifth."
"Isn't that also you?" Kurenai smiled, hugging his arm.
His arm sank into something soft. She'd grown. Not a little girl anymore.
"It's noon," he said, touching her head. "Let's go to the izakaya."
---
They'd barely made it down the hallway when Samui appeared, her impressive figure impossible to miss.
Her eyes found Kurenai's hand linked with his. The light in them died.
She bowed slightly. "Lord Hanekawa. The monthly mission reports."
She produced a scroll, her voice perfectly professional.
Hanekawa guessed the truth immediately. She'd known about his birthday.
"Put it on my desk," he said gently. "We'll discuss it later."
"Yes, Lord Hanekawa."
She walked away, expression blank.
"She's so cold," Kurenai sighed.
"She's from the Hidden Cloud," Hanekawa replied. "Can't expect warmth."
Not that it mattered. The Hidden Cloud had lost the war. Konoha had won. That was all that mattered in this world.
---
The izakaya was packed. Kakashi, Asuma, Guy, Shizune, Rin—half the village's elite had shown up.
Tsunade was already there, halfway through a bottle of fine wine from the Land of Lightning. Her face flushed slightly when she saw him, but she recovered quickly.
"Hanekawa!" Asuma stood, raising his glass. "Happy birthday!"
The others followed suit.
"Thank you all," Hanekawa said, clinking glasses with them.
The party was loud, chaotic, perfect. He moved between tables, accepting congratulations, dodging Asuma's increasingly aggressive drinking challenges (Kurenai shut those down immediately), and laughing at Guy's ridiculous stories about "the springtime of youth."
Halfway through, Minato and Kushina stopped by to say hello. Kushina was eight months pregnant and couldn't stay long, but her warmth filled the room.
Later, as people were leaving, Uchiha Fugaku and Mikoto paused at the door.
"Hanekawa," Mikoto said softly. "We have a favor to ask. Our newborn son... would you help us name him?"
Hanekawa blinked. In the original timeline, Fugaku had named him Sasuke—a tribute to Sarutobi Sasuke, showing respect to the Hokage.
But Hiruzen had stepped down early. The political calculus had changed.
Still... some names were too important to lose.
"How about Uchiha Sasuke?" he suggested.
Fugaku and Mikoto exchanged glances, understanding immediately. A tribute to the legendary Sarutobi Sasuke.
"Since you suggested it," Fugaku said, "let's call him Sasuke."
Relief washed through Hanekawa. At least that name was saved.
---
By the time everyone left, only Tsunade remained, sprawled across a table.
"Time to go home, Teacher," Hanekawa said.
"Home?" She shook her head, struggling to sit up. "Let's keep drinking!"
"Teacher—"
She grabbed his shoulders and pulled him into her arms, smothering his face against her chest.
"Drink!" She thrust a glass at his lips.
"Teacher!" he yelped.
She froze, becoming slightly more lucid. "Why are you yelling so loudly?"
"I'm taking you home."
He snatched her glass and used Flying Thunder God.
They materialized in her living room.
"You... you're bold!" Tsunade glared at him, flushed and radiating heat. Her collar had come loose, revealing pale skin that made his mouth go dry.
"What are you thinking about?" she asked, poking his face.
"Nothing."
She hooked a finger at him. "Come here."
He leaned forward.
She grabbed his face, studying him from inches away. Her heart trembled. Her eyes grew distant.
Hanekawa swallowed.
She was too close. The rosy cheeks, the moist lips, the hazy eyes—all of it was dangerously tempting.
She noticed his gaze and smiled slightly.
Then she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.
Hanekawa's eyes widened. The taste of wine and something uniquely her filled his mouth. He pulled her closer, his hands finding the softness of her body, and kissed her back.
Tsunade's breath hitched. She made soft, intoxicating sounds.
After what felt like forever, she pushed him away and ran into her bedroom, slamming the door.
Hanekawa stood there, breathing hard, tasting her on his lips.
So you can be shy too.
He laughed quietly. She'd made the first move. That was... unexpected. And touching.
But this didn't count. She was drunk.
He'd talk to her when she was sober.
---
After taking a few deep breaths, Hanekawa checked the sky. Still afternoon. Tsunade wouldn't wake until evening.
He thought of Samui and vanished.
When he reappeared in his ANBU office, she was there—asleep on his sofa, one leg crossed over the other, her hand resting on the armrest. The low-cut dress revealed generous curves.
He decided not to wake her. Instead, he sat at his desk and reviewed the documents.
He froze.
Shennong.
The application was for a medical ninja exchange program at Konoha Hospital.
Hanekawa's eyes narrowed. A lie. Shennong was the leader of the Hidden Village of Sora—destroyed in the Second Ninja War. He'd been gathering forbidden techniques ever since, building something called the Angkor Fortress.
The Zero Tail—a tailless beast made of dark chakra, powered by human darkness. It had the size and power of a tailed beast.
Shennong had come to steal Konoha's sealing techniques. Possibly the Eight Gates as well.
Hanekawa's first instinct was to arrest him.
But then he reconsidered.
Shennong was an elite jonin. His forbidden medical techniques—body revitalization and physical regeneration—were exactly what Hanekawa and Tsunade needed. And the Angkor Fortress, the Zero Tail... there was potential there.
Play the long game. Let him steal the sealing technique. When the Angkor Fortress is complete, harvest the prize.
Hanekawa wrote his orders: Allow Shennong to proceed. Have Crow monitor him. Do nothing to stop him.
He set the document aside and continued reading.
Time passed. Eventually, Samui stirred.
"Lord Hanekawa!" She sat up quickly, eyes bright.
"How long were you waiting?"
"Not long," she said, though her expression suggested otherwise.
"Come here."
She approached. He looked up at her, letting his gaze travel slowly down her body, lingering on her thighs.
"Do you know what you did wrong?" he asked softly.
Her heart trembled. "I... I don't know."
"You lied to me."
He raised his hand and gently smacked her rear.
"I'm sorry!" she gasped, blushing deeply.
"How long have you actually been waiting?"
His hand caressed her thigh as he spoke, feeling the softness of her skin.
"About... about two hours," she admitted, her body tensing.
Two hours. Since noon.
"Is it something important?" he asked. "Or a problem with the missions?"
"No... no problem." She lowered her head. "I wanted to give you a birthday present."
She pulled out a scroll. Inside were five cheongsams and five secretary uniforms.
"Whichever you like," she said softly, "I'll wear it next time."
Hanekawa felt something shift in his chest. He took her hand and kissed it gently.
"I like them all. Wear the uniform skirt next time."
"Ah," she breathed, and he pulled her closer.
He hugged her slender waist and pressed his face against her, breathing in her scent.
"When do you return to the Hidden Cloud?" he asked.
"Next month." She hesitated. "But I'll come back soon."
"Have you eaten?"
"No..."
"Let's go. I'll cook for you."
He released her and stood. "But first, I want to collect my payment."
He lowered his head and kissed her, biting gently at her lips. She froze, then responded awkwardly, her inexperience endearing.
His hands weren't idle. He found her conscience and squeezed gently, earning a soft groan.
"So nice," he murmured, then stepped back. "Wait here."
He vanished.
Thirty minutes later, he returned with two lunch boxes.
"Eat," he said.
"Thank you, Lord Hanekawa."
"Just Hanekawa," he corrected. "Like before."
She smiled softly. "Okay."
They ate together. He asked about her adjustment to Konoha, and she admitted the work was boring.
"Then I'll allow you to take missions from the village," he said. "I'll have Aoi give you a special certificate."
Her eyes widened. "Really?"
"I always mean what I say."
After she left, Hanekawa returned to studying the Boiling Release ninjutsu. He needed three more bloodline limits for the S-Rank entry.
---
Evening came. Hanekawa appeared in Tsunade's living room.
She was sitting on the sofa, looking composed. But when she saw him, her composure cracked.
"Teacher, when did you wake up?"
"Just now," she said, taking a sip of water.
He sat beside her. "How's your body?"
"A few jars of wine are nothing," she said, not meeting his eyes.
He pulled out a wooden jewelry box. "This is your birthday present."
She opened it slowly. Inside was a necklace—similar in style to the First Hokage's, but with a Flying Thunder God seal embedded in the crystal.
A couple's necklace.
She put it on without comment, letting it fall into the valley of her chest.
"I don't have a present for you," she said quietly.
"I already received one," he replied, watching her carefully.
She understood immediately. Her face flushed. She looked away and took another sip of water.
"Teacher, I have something to tell you. I'm going on a mission tomorrow with Kurenai and Rin. We're hunting Hiruko."
"Hiruko?" Tsunade's surprise was genuine. "He was a classmate of mine, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya."
That explained his connections in the original timeline.
"Will you come with us?"
"I can't," she said regretfully. "Too much work as Hokage."
"I understand."
She set down her water. "Be careful."
He reached out and took both her hands. She didn't pull away.
"Do you remember what happened after lunch?" he asked, smiling.
"I... I just remember going home and sleeping until now," she said, her voice carefully neutral.
"Nothing else?"
"No. That's all."
"It looks like you need help remembering."
He leaned forward and kissed her before she could protest.
Her body stiffened. Her pupils contracted. She looked at him with surprise.
Then she sighed in resignation and closed her eyes.
Her breathing became uneven. Her face flushed.
When they parted, he smiled. "Do you remember now?"
"Kid!" She glared at him, then kicked at him playfully.
He caught her foot easily. "Even teachers can't lie."
"Let go!" she demanded.
He released her immediately. "Yes, Teacher."
She stood and walked toward him. The corners of her mouth curved up slightly.
Then she laughed and hugged his neck, pulling him close.
"I still haven't remembered it," she whispered.
And she kissed him again.
---