Hanekawa frowned as he reviewed the three jutsu Tsuchihashi had given him.
They weren't bad—far from it. In the original timeline, the Fourth Raikage had used them to devastating effect, their destructive power rivaling even Tsunade's superhuman strength. But there was a catch, one that made them practically useless for his current situation.
Their maximum potential required the Lightning Style Chakra Mode to unlock. Without it, they were severely limited. Hanekawa possessed the Lightning Style body, but that wasn't the same thing. Not even close.
Great. Shiny new toys I can't actually use, he thought wryly. At least the entry synthesis materials are decent.
"Hanekawa." Tsuchihashi's hand landed on his shoulder. "Lord Raikage wanted me to tell you something. Once he takes control of Konoha, he'll accept you as his apprentice."
Hanekawa nodded without surprise. Back in the Hidden Cloud, only members of the Raikage's bloodline could learn the Lightning Style Chakra Mode. As an undercover agent in Konoha, full trust was impossible. Unless he returned home.
"When that happens," Tsuchihashi continued with a smile, "you'll become a candidate for the next Raikage position. Most ninjas would kill for that opportunity."
"I'll work hard," Hanekawa replied, playing his part perfectly.
Sure. And I'll also sprout wings and fly to the moon.
Tsuchihashi moved on to business. "The Hidden Cloud launched its operation recently. Konoha should have received intelligence by now. Have you heard anything?"
"They sent four hundred ninjas to the Land of Snow," Hanekawa answered honestly. "Konoha didn't take the bait to attack the Hidden Sand like Mabui predicted."
Tsuchihashi's smile widened. "Mabui thought they might. Interesting."
Mabui. Hanekawa's mind conjured the image—dark skin, white hair, secretary's uniform. The Hidden Cloud's strategic genius. Her intellect was on par with the Nara clan's collective wisdom.
"Your teacher is among them?" Tsuchihashi asked suddenly.
"Yes. She's leading the team to stabilize the situation."
"As expected." Tsuchihashi laughed. "We predicted as much."
Hanekawa connected the dots. "So this is about more than just confusing Konoha. You're planning to move against the Hidden Sand while they're distracted."
"Precisely." Tsuchihashi's expression turned serious. "The Hidden Sand is already weakened. With them in chaos, they'll be easier to eliminate than Konoha."
"Just the Hidden Sand?" Hanekawa raised an eyebrow.
"Of course not." Tsuchihashi's smile returned, predatory now. "The ultimate goal is the Hidden Leaf Village itself."
Of course it is. Hanekawa had suspected as much, but confirmation was never comforting. The Hidden Cloud's ambitions were vast, but they weren't accounting for one crucial variable: the Iwagakure Village. History had a way of repeating itself, and Hanekawa knew exactly how this would play out if he didn't intervene.
"When you reach the Land of Snow," Tsuchihashi said, "try to meet with Lord A and the others if you get the chance. You're quite famous in the Hidden Cloud."
"How many people know my real identity?" Hanekawa asked carefully.
Tsuchihashi counted on his fingers. "Seven. The Third Raikage, the Fourth Raikage, Killer B, Dodai, Samui, Mabui, and Yugito. Don't worry—they won't expose you."
Hanekawa stood. "We leave for the Land of Snow at nine o'clock. I should go."
"Be careful," Tsuchihashi said. Then, with a knowing smirk: "Tell your friend to write another novel. The readers are getting impatient."
Of course that's the important part, Hanekawa thought as he turned to leave.
---
Yuhi Shinku was already preparing breakfast when Hanekawa arrived home. He didn't ask where the boy had been—early morning training was routine by now.
Kurenai stumbled out of her room moments later, yawning. She'd changed into her combat vest and tied her hair back, trading her usual girlish appearance for something more practical and heroic.
"Good morning," Hanekawa said, reaching out automatically.
"No touching!" Kurenai dodged with a grin, sticking her tongue out at him before darting toward the bathroom.
Cute, Hanekawa admitted to himself, smiling despite everything.
After breakfast, they said goodbye to Shinku and headed to Tsunade's house. Rin was already there, and after exchanging greetings, they went inside.
"It's almost time, Teacher," Hanekawa said, eyeing Tsunade's sprawled form on the sofa with barely concealed exasperation.
Tsunade lifted her head. "Why are you so late? I'm starving. Go cook."
"What?" Hanekawa blinked. "I told you last night to make your own breakfast."
"I forgot," Tsunade said, then seemed to remember. "But I'm used to you cooking..."
This woman is impossible, Hanekawa thought, his eye twitching slightly. "Fine."
As he headed to the kitchen, he caught Kurenai and Rin exchanging uncomfortable glances. Yeah, I know. This isn't normal teacher-student behavior. But arguing with Tsunade is a losing game.
He threw together ramen using Fire Style chakra to speed up the process. Within minutes, he returned with a steaming bowl.
Tsunade attacked it with no pretense of manners, finishing in record time. "Go!" she announced, already heading for the door.
---
The four hundred ninjas were assembled at Konoha's gate, organized into perfect rows. Nara Shikaku greeted Tsunade formally, and she gave the order to move out.
By evening, they'd reached the Land of Fire's border. Beyond lay the Land of Hot Springs and then the Land of Snow—buffer zones between the major powers. Hanekawa had seen enough history to know these small nations would become battlefields if conflict escalated.
The weak have no human rights, he reflected grimly. A lesson written in blood across every map.
That night, Tsunade entered his tent carrying a lunch box. "Your cooking is still the best."
"I prepared it yesterday," Hanekawa explained, using Fire Style chakra to reheat it. "Just warming it up."
Tsunade's eyes lit up as she opened the container—chicken cutlets, her favorite. She picked one up with her chopsticks and brought it to his mouth. "Want some?"
Hanekawa took a bite, then froze. Tsunade was using the same chopsticks, bringing another piece to her own lips.
"What's wrong?" she asked, amused.
"Aren't you going to change your chopsticks?" he asked carefully.
Tsunade laughed. "Are you shy?"
"No," he said quickly.
"Really?" She bit the chopsticks playfully, licking them with deliberate slowness.
Hanekawa's eyes widened involuntarily.
Tsunade's smug expression froze as she suddenly realized what she was doing. Heat flooded her face, and she looked away, mortified.
The moment shattered as Kurenai burst in. "Hanekawa! I smell food!"
He recovered quickly, producing another lunch box. "Already prepared."
Kurenai's face lit up. "You're the best!"
After everyone ate and settled into their sleeping bags, Tsunade found herself staring at the tent ceiling, unable to sleep. What was I thinking? she wondered, her thoughts a tangled mess. When did I get so comfortable with him?
---
Morning came without incident. They'd remained within Land of Fire borders, safe enough for now.
By afternoon, they'd crossed into the Land of Snow. The temperature plummeted, and snow began to fall in earnest. The landscape transformed into something harsh and beautiful—winter in its full, unforgiving glory.
"Lady Tsunade!" Minato Namikaze appeared with his team to greet them.
While Tsunade conferred with him, Rin spotted Obito. "Long time no see!"
"Rin, I—" Obito started, but was cut off.
"HANEKAWA!" Guy appeared with his signature thumbs-up, teeth gleaming. "The flames of youth burn bright once more!"
Hanekawa's eye twitched. Please, no.
Kakashi arrived moments later, and Obito launched into a detailed account of his recent accomplishments. As Hanekawa listened, something felt off. Obito's progress was too rapid, too polished.
Madara, Hanekawa realized. Black Zetsu. They've already made contact.
It made sense. With Madara's guidance, rapid improvement was inevitable. Or maybe Obito had simply trained harder, inspired by competition. Either way, Hanekawa filed it away as something to monitor.
"Let's head to camp," Tsunade announced, and the group moved out.
The camp was exactly what Hanekawa expected—rows of simple tents arranged in military precision. Minato pointed out Tsunade's quarters, and she immediately began organizing the jonin for a strategy meeting.
"Hanekawa, come with me," she said, glancing at him.
He wasn't technically jonin-level, but Tsunade wanted him present. Networking, he understood. Building reputation. Making connections.
He said goodbye to Kurenai and Rin, following Tsunade to the main tent.
The moment he entered, he felt the weight of numerous stares. No one objected—Tsunade was commander—but the message was clear: Who is this kid?
The main tent's centerpiece was a sand table displaying the Land of Snow. Red markers represented Konoha forces; blue represented the Hidden Cloud. The front lines were hotly contested, with no clear advantage to either side.
Hanekawa positioned himself beside Tsunade, listening without speaking. The meeting covered troop deployment, supply lines, and tactical objectives. It lasted nearly two hours.
When it concluded, Hanekawa held a new scroll—their team's assignment. A-Rank difficulty: support a front-line outpost that had recently repelled a Hidden Cloud attack but suffered three serious casualties. Medical support was critical.
"You're leaving now?" Obito asked, surprised, as they exited the tent.
"The mission is urgent," Rin explained.
"Can we come?" Obito asked hopefully.
"No," Minato said firmly. "Lady Tsunade and Hanekawa are sufficient."
Hanekawa caught the flash of frustration cross Obito's face as they departed. Sorry, kid. But some battles you have to fight alone.
The snow crunched beneath their feet as they headed toward the front lines, toward whatever awaited them in the Land of Snow's frozen heart.