After Hanekawa and Samui finished their conversation, Hanekawa went to find Nara Shikaku.
Using the excuse that the negotiations had been going on for too long and he wanted to end them sooner, he managed to get Konoha to make some concessions.
Nara Shikaku didn't think much of it and agreed.
Firstly, the concessions weren't too excessive.
Secondly, although he was in charge of the negotiations, he knew who the real decision-maker was.
Moreover, given Hanekawa's current strength and status, if they upset him, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio would have a hard time in the future.
Because Konoha had made concessions, Kumogakure didn't push further.
During the negotiations the next day, they readily agreed to Konoha's terms.
After a month, the negotiations finally moved to the next phase.
Both sides discussed how to implement the agreed terms.
First, Kumogakure would deliver all their ninjutsu and secret techniques within a month.
Second, since Kushina Uzumaki was pregnant, the trip to Turtle Island for training was scheduled for the following year.
Third, both Konoha and Kumogakure would set up a mission hall branch in each other's village to facilitate mission assignments.
Fourth, the war reparations would be collected along with the ninjutsu and secret techniques within a month.
After Konoha and Kumogakure finalized everything, the last step was to sign the treaty.
A new week began.
Hanekawa first went to the ANBU base to make sure everything was in order, then headed to the Hokage's office.
Just as he was about to push the door open, three lines of text suddenly appeared before his eyes.
[B-grade Talent: Snow Country]
[Trigger Condition: Help Kazahana Yukie (Kozuki Kazahana) become the Daimyo of the Land of Snow.]
[Effect: Ice Release talent increases by 150%.]
This works?
Hanekawa couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
In the original story, it was Kakashi who saved Kazahana Yukie, not helping her become the Daimyo of the Land of Snow.
Calculating the timeline, Kazahana Yukie was just a young girl at this point.
But this time, Minato Namikaze was leading the mission, and taking down Kazahana Doto wouldn't be difficult.
And this mission was assigned by Hanekawa.
In a way, he was the one who made it happen.
Regardless, he stood to gain a lot.
Hanekawa stroked his chin.
It seemed he needed to find time to visit Kirigakure and get some Ice Release ninjutsu.
That way, he could learn Ice Release and work towards the A-grade talent "Seven Bloodline Limits."
"You're just in time."
When Tsunade saw him, she casually tossed him a scroll.
"Is there a problem?"
Hanekawa opened the scroll and found it was Minato's mission report on the Land of Snow.
"What should we do with the things you had him bring back?"
Tsunade asked, crossing her arms.
"I think we should establish a research institute for scientific ninja tools."
Hanekawa thought for a moment and said, "Whether it's the chakra armor or the environmental modification machine, if we can mass-produce them, they'll be very useful."
Tsunade frowned at his words.
The current ninja world didn't pay much attention to so-called scientific ninja tools.
What Hanekawa was suggesting was somewhat unconventional and went against tradition.
But it was a small matter, and there was no need to dampen his enthusiasm. It wouldn't hurt to try.
"Who will be in charge?"
Tsunade asked after some thought.
"The best person for the job would be Orochimaru."
Hanekawa paused, then said, "But since he's been stripped of his authority, he's not suitable. I'll take charge for now."
"Then you handle it."
Tsunade nodded.
"Sensei, you look especially beautiful today."
Hanekawa smiled and complimented her.
"Flatterer!"
Tsunade glared at him, though the corners of her mouth twitched upward. "What about the trains and airships?"
"We can set them up in Konoha to make it easier for ninja and villagers to travel."
Hanekawa replied.
To get rich, build roads first.
But trains and airships would be best used across the entire Land of Fire.
However, that wasn't necessary for now.
After all, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire wasn't him. He could worry about that later. For now, he'd focus on benefiting Konoha.
"That works."
Tsunade didn't think much of it and agreed.
"Sensei, it's about time. Let's head to the meeting room."
Hanekawa glanced at the clock on the wall.
"Alright, let's go."
Tsunade stood up and stretched.
Her slender waist bore the weight of her ample chest as she stretched in the air.
"Stop staring, brat!"
Tsunade noticed Hanekawa's gaze and stepped on his foot as she walked past him, then headed out.
"Wait for me, Sensei."
Hanekawa quickly followed, his eyes on her curvaceous figure and rounded hips
__
Hokage Building Meeting Room.
All the ninja from Konoha and Kumogakure who had participated in the negotiations were present.
"Lady Hokage, Lord Hanekawa."
Nara Shikaku and the others stood up and greeted them.
Mabui and Darui also greeted them respectfully.
Samui stood coldly in place, only showing a flicker of emotion in her eyes when she saw Hanekawa.
"Lady Hokage."
Nara Shikaku handed over a scroll. "This is the treaty both sides have agreed upon. Please take a look."
Tsunade opened the scroll and read through it.
She already knew the terms both sides had agreed to, but she wanted to review it again to ensure there were no issues.
"Good."
Tsunade placed the scroll on the table. "I'll sign it now."
She picked up a pen and signed her name on the scroll.
"There's another copy."
Nara Shikaku reminded her.
Tsunade took the second scroll and signed it as well.
"Lady Hokage."
Mabui stepped forward. "Since the Raikage is not here, I will sign on his behalf."
"Fine."
Tsunade nodded.
After all, the Fourth Raikage wasn't here because they had captured him.
Mabui signed her name and took one copy of the scroll.
The other copy was taken by Tsunade.
"Lady Hokage."
Mabui bowed slightly. "When will the Raikage and the others be released?"
"When you deliver the ninjutsu, secret techniques, and war reparations."
Tsunade smiled.
This was to ensure they didn't slack off or delay.
It also minimized the chance of them tampering with the ninjutsu and secret techniques.
Mabui thought as much.
She had expected Konoha wouldn't release them so easily.
The Fourth Raikage and the others would have to wait a bit longer.
"Understood."
Mabui took a deep breath. "We will return to Kumogakure today."
Samui instinctively glanced at Hanekawa.
Leaving today?
A sense of reluctance welled up in her heart.
"Very well."
Tsunade didn't try to stop them. "Have a safe journey."
With the signing of the treaty, the negotiations between Konoha and Kumogakure officially came to an end.
After Tsunade dismissed the meeting, she returned to her office.
Nara Shikaku and the other Konoha ninja left, leaving only the Kumogakure ninja behind.
"Prepare yourselves. We'll gather at Konoha's main gate in an hour and head back to Kumogakure together."
Mabui said solemnly. "The road ahead will be tough, but if we work together, we'll get through it."
"Yes!"
The Kumogakure ninja replied in unison.
Mabui left the meeting room and looked around for Samui, but she was nowhere to be found.
She was slightly surprised. Had Samui already left?
Mabui sighed.
Ever since Samui met Hanekawa, she had become increasingly cold.
Mabui was sure something had happened that day.
But she didn't dare ask.
Samui had already sacrificed a lot for Kumogakure.
If she didn't want to talk about it, Mabui could only remain silent.
The ANBU base wasn't far from the Hokage Building, connected by a narrow alley.
Hanekawa stopped walking and turned around.
He saw Samui.
She was dressed as usual in her low-cut, light gray outfit with a mesh guard and a black skirt, which hugged her figure perfectly.
Her slender waist was accentuated by a belt, making her outfit seem precarious.
Her pale thighs were bare, with only black high boots covering her calves, revealing a row of white toes.
The late February sun wasn't too hot, casting a cold light on her indifferent face.
Hanekawa couldn't help but smile.
Anyone who didn't know better would think Samui was here to assassinate him.
"What do you need?"
Hanekawa walked up to her and gently stroked her head.
Her shoulder-length blonde hair was as smooth as silk.
"I came to say goodbye."
Samui suppressed the strange feeling in her heart and spoke expressionlessly.
"Do you want me to see you off?"
Hanekawa asked with a smile.
"No need."
Samui refused.
"When will you be back in Konoha?"
Hanekawa's right hand slid down her hair.
Samui felt his movement and couldn't help but shiver slightly.
She struggled to maintain her composure and replied coldly, "I'll be back when I deliver the ninjutsu, secret techniques, and war reparations."
Samui suddenly froze.
She felt Hanekawa's right hand resting on her butt.
"Next time we meet, wear a qipao."
Hanekawa thought of the qipao Samui from the Naruto mobile game and patted her butt.
"I... I understand..."
Samui finally couldn't hold back, and a blush appeared on her face.
"Remember to wear black stockings."
Hanekawa added.
"Okay."
Samui nodded like an obedient cat.
"Here, take this."
Hanekawa gave her butt a squeeze, then took out a Flying Thunder God kunai.
"Thank you."
Samui was a bit confused but took the kunai.
She glanced at it and was surprised.
The kunai had intricate seals and the name "Hanekawa" engraved on it.
It looked familiar.
"The Flying Thunder God Technique?"
Samui couldn't help but exclaim.
During the early stages of the Third Great Ninja War, Minato Namikaze led the fight against the Fourth Raikage and Killer B.
The Flying Thunder God kunai he used became well-known among Kumogakure ninja.
Samui looked at Hanekawa in shock.
She hadn't expected him to know the Flying Thunder God Technique.
His talent was truly astonishing.
"You recognized it at a glance. As expected of the woman I've chosen."
Hanekawa smiled.
Samui felt her face heat up, her cheeks turning as red as a piece of jade.
She put away the kunai and said, "I... I should go. See you next time."
Samui turned and left.
Once she was out of the alley, she relaxed and took a deep breath.
If she had stayed any longer, she wouldn't have been able to maintain her cold demeanor.
Samui held the Flying Thunder God kunai, thinking of Hanekawa, her eyes glazing over slightly.
For some reason, this strange relationship made her feel something entirely new and intoxicating.
Hanekawa returned to the ANBU base but didn't go to his office. Instead, he went to the nearby training ground to practice Wood Release.
A week later, he finally mastered the Wood Release: Wood Human Technique.
From the end of the Great Ninja War last September to this March, it had been almost six months.
This progress wasn't fast, but it wasn't slow either.
After all, the Wood Release: Wood Human Technique was a jutsu on par with the Complete Body Susanoo.
For others, it might take a lifetime to learn.
Unfortunately, more powerful Wood Release techniques like the Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees and the True Several Thousand Hands were beyond his reach.
The version of Wood Release he had learned from Yamato had reached its limit.
More accurately, Hanekawa's chakra reserves limited his progress.
But regardless, mastering the Wood Release: Wood Human Technique was already a significant achievement.
In the entire ninja world, few ninja could rival him.
After mastering the Wood Release: Wood Human Technique, Hanekawa set aside Wood Release for the time being.
His next goal was to synthesize the S-grade talent "Invincible Shadow."
The effect of this talent was related to his chakra capacity.
The S-grade talent "Invincible Shadow" was synthesized from the A-grade talents "Seven Elemental Jōnin" and "Seven Bloodline Limits."
He had already collected most of the A-grade talent "Seven Bloodline Limits."
However, the A-grade talent "Seven Elemental Jōnin" was progressing slowly.
Currently, he only had Water Release and Earth Release at the Jōnin level.
Hanekawa planned to focus on his specialties, medical ninjutsu and genjutsu, first.
Half a month later, it was April.
Hanekawa successfully obtained the A-grade talents "Medical Jōnin" and "Genjutsu Jōnin," which were Yang Release and Yin Release.
Now, he only needed to master Lightning Release, Wind Release, and Fire Release.
There was a knock on the door.
"Lord Hanekawa."
Haru walked in and handed him a document. "The investigation into the large expenses you asked about has been completed."
Hanekawa opened the document and read through it.
The ANBU's investigation was thorough and cautious.
They had noticed a large expense from Kirigakure some time ago but hadn't jumped to conclusions.
After waiting for over a month, just two days ago, Kirigakure made another move. The Daimyo of the Land of Water sent a large shipment of supplies.
But what puzzled the ANBU was that the supplies disappeared shortly after arriving in Kirigakure.
Hanekawa immediately realized it was Obito Uchiha's doing.
His Kamui dimension was essentially a large storage space.
In the original story, Obito had stored a lot of ninja tools there.
"I'll be away for two days."
Hanekawa put down the document. "During that time, you'll be in charge of the ANBU. If anything comes up, go to my teacher."
"Yes, Lord Hanekawa."
Haru didn't ask any questions and simply nodded.
"Dismissed."
Hanekawa waved his hand.
Haru bowed slightly and left.
Hanekawa stroked his chin, deep in thought.
Now that he knew what Obito Uchiha was up to, he couldn't let him succeed.
Hanekawa stood up and disappeared in an instant.
He informed Tsunade, Kurenai, and Rin that he was going to Kirigakure to handle ANBU matters.
After all, Konoha's ANBU had many spies in Kirigakure.
Normally, it would take three to four days to travel from Konoha to Kirigakure.
But with the Flying Thunder God Technique, things were different.
Hanekawa could throw a Flying Thunder God kunai as far as he could, then teleport to it.
This made the journey much faster than normal travel.
The only downside was the massive chakra consumption.
Fortunately, Hanekawa had the Strength of a Hundred Seal, so he didn't have to worry too much.
The next morning, Hanekawa arrived in Kirigakure.
The current Mizukage of Kirigakure was Yagura Karatachi, who had become the Three-Tails Jinchūriki after returning to the village.
The previous Mizukage had been injured during the Third Great Ninja War and, due to his advanced age, had passed away.