After two days of travel, the group finally arrived at The Hidden Leaf.
"See you tomorrow, Teacher Chen, Uncle Hizashi," Hanekawa said, waving goodbye after they'd completed registration at the village gates.
"Wait a moment, Hanekawa."
Hizashi Hyuga paused, as if remembering something important. "If you're free this evening, join us for dinner at the Hyuga compound."
He'd considered that Hanekawa was returning to the village alone this time. More importantly, Hiashi Hyuga had sent word that he wanted to strengthen their relationship with the young prodigy. That's why Hizashi had made the exception to join the supply transport team in the first place.
"I'd be happy to," Hanekawa replied after a moment's thought.
An invitation from one of Konoha's great clans wasn't something to refuse lightly. Besides, the Byakugan held strategic value. Whether for Tsunade or for himself, he'd need the Hyuga clan's cooperation once he reached the top.
Hanekawa turned toward the Hokage Building. As captain of the transport team, he needed to report the mission's status to the Third Hokage. Though honestly, that was just a formality. His real goal was the Flying Thunder God Technique.
The moment he entered the Hokage Building, people began greeting him. His reputation had spread quickly after capturing the Four-Tails alive and killing the Third Mizukage during the war. Two major accomplishments in one mission.
When he reached the Hokage's office door, he noticed something odd—ANBU operative Aoi stood at attention there.
"Lord Hanekawa," she said with a respectful bow.
Interesting. She'd always called him by his name before. Apparently, strength really did change how people treated you.
"Thank you," he replied, pushing the door open.
"You're back, Hanekawa." Lord Third looked up from his desk, smiling warmly. "Come in."
"Lord Hokage." Hanekawa stepped forward. "The supply transport team has arrived safely. We'll need two months' worth of provisions."
"Already arranged. You can return to the Land of Rivers tomorrow." The Third Hokage nodded approvingly. "I must say, I'm impressed by your victory over the Third Mizukage. That was no small feat."
"Mostly luck," Hanekawa replied with a modest smile.
The Third Mizukage was skilled with water techniques, sure. With his Ability System, Hanekawa had gained a slight edge in that domain. But the Third Hokage, Third Raikage, or Third Tsuchikage? He wasn't confident he could beat any of them. The Third Mizukage was arguably the weakest of the five Kage—even the Third Kazekage, with his Magnetic Release that could suppress the One-Tail, was stronger.
Of course, Madara's manipulation had also played a role, isolating him for a one-on-one duel.
"You're more humble than Tsunade, at least," Lord Third said with satisfaction. "I was worried your strength might go to your head at such a young age. Seems she's taught you well."
"You came back alone this time," the Hokage continued, studying him carefully. "Something on your mind?"
With Hanekawa's current strength and status, there was no real need for him to captain supply runs. He must have another reason for returning.
"Lord Hokage," Hanekawa said directly, "I'd like to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique."
The Third Hokage's eyebrows rose slightly. "That's not an easy jutsu to master."
"I want to try," Hanekawa explained. "If I can learn it, I'll be able to contribute more to The Hidden Leaf."
"It's good to see such ambition." Lord Third stood, gesturing for him to follow. "Come with me."
The Flying Thunder God Technique was far too dangerous to be treated like ordinary ninjutsu. They walked through the Hokage Building's corridors for several minutes before entering an underground vault.
"All of The Hidden Leaf's S-rank ninjutsu and forbidden techniques are stored here," the Third Hokage explained.
Hanekawa's eyes immediately found the massive scroll in the center of the chamber.
"That's the Sealed Book," Lord Third chuckled at his gaze. "It contains the most dangerous forbidden techniques we know."
So that's where it is. Hanekawa had always wondered how Naruto managed to steal it so easily in the original timeline. Now he was certain—the Third Hokage had allowed it, probably as part of some larger plan.
"Your recent accomplishments have earned you the right to study the Sealed Book," Lord Third said thoughtfully. "However, forbidden techniques are extremely dangerous. You'll need to be very careful about what you choose to learn."
Hanekawa's mind immediately jumped to Impure World Reincarnation. But on second thought, an unrefined version—before Orochimaru and Kabuto's improvements—wouldn't be useful. And Tsunade would never approve of him learning a technique that required human sacrifice.
"The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique," he said after a moment.
"A wise choice," Lord Third nodded. "The main danger is chakra consumption, but given that you've mastered your teacher's water techniques, you clearly have above-average reserves."
The Hokage opened the Sealed Book to the correct page, then retrieved another scroll from a nearby shelf.
"You can only memorize these here," he explained. "The Sealed Book is too important to leave the vault. The same applies to the Flying Thunder God scroll."
"Understood," Hanekawa said, stepping forward.
He opened the Flying Thunder God scroll and began reading. The technique was exactly as Tsunade had described—three extremely stringent conditions, all of which he'd essentially already met.
Thanks to his B-rank "Book Master" entry, which granted perfect memory, Hanekawa had memorized everything in less than twenty minutes.
"Remarkable," Lord Third said with genuine emotion. "You truly are a prodigy."
"Lord Hokage is hardly old," Hanekawa replied smoothly. "You're still in your prime."
"Always the diplomat," the Third Hokage laughed. "The future of The Hidden Leaf belongs to young people like you."
Something about that statement felt oddly significant. In the original timeline, Lord Third had served as Hokage until his death. But with Hanekawa's presence changing events, that future was no longer certain.
"Hanekawa," the Hokage said suddenly, "who do you think should be the next Hokage?"
The question caught him off-guard. "My teacher, regardless of our personal relationship. She's the most qualified."
"You're honest, at least," Lord Third nodded approvingly. "Your teacher is indeed well-suited for the role."
Is he considering stepping down? Hanekawa wondered. In the original work, the Third Hokage had abdicated to take responsibility for the war's casualties. But there was also pressure from Konoha's leadership and the Land of Fire's Daimyo—pressure that ultimately came from Danzo Shimura.
The Third Hokage hadn't expected Minato Namikaze to become the Fourth Hokage. He'd been supporting Orochimaru.
"You've had a long journey," Lord Third said, breaking his train of thought. "Go rest. We can discuss the Flying Thunder God Technique another time."
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Hanekawa replied, turning to leave.
As he exited the Hokage Building, the sun was already setting. He had dinner with the Hyuga clan coming up, and it would be rude to arrive empty-handed.
Hanekawa made his way to the commercial district, where he selected several expensive gifts. The Hyuga clan, in his experience, were old-fashioned—almost feudal in their sensibilities. They valued propriety and tradition.
As he walked toward the Hyuga compound, his mind drifted to what Chen Rōshi had taught him about the Konoha Dragon God. It was technically a taijutsu, but it operated more like ninjutsu—the user spun at high speed to create a tornado that sucked in and shredded nearby enemies.
The weakness was obvious: the eye of the storm. Stay in the center, and you wouldn't get cut.
But that weakness doesn't apply to me, Hanekawa thought. If he combined the Konoha Dragon God with the Lightning Style Chakra Mode, the tornado itself would become electrified. And the technique could also serve as perfect cover for his Lightning Style transformation—observers would only see the dragon, not the user's actual state.
"Hanekawa!"
He looked up to find Hizashi Hyuga waiting at the compound's entrance.
Interesting. He came to greet me personally. The shift in how people treated him was becoming more pronounced.
"Uncle Hizashi," Hanekawa said, handing over the gifts. "Thank you for the invitation."
"Why bring gifts for a simple dinner?" Hizashi smiled warmly. "You're too formal."
"Just a small token," Hanekawa replied casually.
"Come in, come in."
As Hizashi led him through the courtyard, Hanekawa took in the surroundings. The Hyuga compound was impressive—clearly the home of a thousand-year-old clan with deep pockets.
In the main hall, Hiashi Hyuga stood to greet him. "Welcome, Hanekawa. Please, sit."
"Uncle Hiashi," Hanekawa acknowledged, taking his seat.
Besides the two brothers, there were two women in formal kimonos. After introductions, he learned they were Hiashi's wife and Hizashi's wife—mothers to Hinata and Hanabi, and to Neji, respectively.
They're really rolling out the red carpet. The reception was lavish enough for a Kage-level dignitary, not a young ninja.
Dinner was excellent. Hanekawa ate and drank while observing the family dynamics. Compared to the Uchiha clan's intensity, the Hyuga seemed almost... normal. Refined, certainly, but not obsessive.
That's probably why their Byakugan never evolved into a Rinnegan, he mused. The Byakugan had only two known evolutionary paths. The first required Otsutsuki chakra combined with the Byakugan—essentially impossible now that the Otsutsuki were gone. The second required absorbing multiple Byakugan.
Theoretically, the Hyuga clan needed something like the Uchiha Massacre to trigger that evolution. But the caged bird seal prevented the kind of desperate, boundary-breaking actions that might lead to such a breakthrough. Even someone as talented as Neji couldn't escape his predetermined role.
"Hanekawa," Hiashi asked as they finished eating, "do you plan to become a team leader in the future?"
The question surprised him. "Probably, eventually. Why do you ask?"
"My wife has a request," Hiashi explained, gesturing to the woman beside him. "She's expecting a child soon and would like to arrange a good teacher for them."
Ah. They're talking about Hinata Hyuga. This was a strategic move—binding their clan closer to someone destined for the Hokage's inner circle. It was also a way to ensure their heir received quality instruction.
"I'd be honored," Hanekawa said with a smile. "No problem at all."
In his previous life, he'd always liked Hinata. And as one of the original work's heroines, she'd definitely provide new Entry opportunities.
"Then it's settled," Hiashi said with visible relief. Having Hanekawa as a teacher wasn't just about education—it was about proximity to the Hokage's lineage, a form of insurance in Konoha's political landscape.
The dinner concluded warmly. After exchanging farewells, Hanekawa made his way back to Tsunade's home. He'd considered visiting Kurenai's house, but Shinku was away on a mission, so there was no point.
With time before bed, Hanekawa began practicing the Lightning Style Chakra Mode. He wanted to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, synthesize Wood Style, and master the Konoha Dragon God. But he had to take things one step at a time.
The Lightning Style Chakra Mode was his first priority.
Fortunately, he had plenty of time.
---
The next morning, the supply convoy was fully loaded and ready to depart. Hanekawa, Chen Rōshi, Hizashi Hyuga, and the others began the journey back to the Land of Rivers.