Hanekawa finished drying the last dish and carried the stack to the cabinet. The afternoon sun filtered through the kitchen window, casting long shadows across the tile floor.
"Teacher, what's on your schedule today?" he asked, wiping his hands on a towel.
In the living room, Tsunade sprawled across the sofa like she owned it—which, technically, she did. Her loose pajamas did little to conceal her figure, and her long legs stretched across the coffee table, bare feet crossed casually. The white soles faced him, her toes twitching slightly.
"No idea," she said, stifling a yawn. "Absolutely no idea."
Hanekawa suppressed a smile. Ever since he'd mastered her entire medical ninjutsu repertoire and taken over most of her teaching duties with Rin and Kurenai, Tsunade had become... well, professionally obsolete. Not that she seemed to mind.
"You could always go back to Konoha Hospital," he suggested carefully. "You are the director, after all."
"Absolutely not." Tsunade didn't even open her eyes.
"Teacher, you're a medical ninja. Shouldn't you—"
"Did I ask for your opinion?" Her eyes snapped open, dangerously sharp. "Students should know their place."
Right. Noted. Hanekawa smiled innocently. "If you don't go, who's going to feed you three meals a day?"
"Are you threatening me?" Tsunade sat up slowly, her expression darkening.
"Not at all." Hanekawa kept his gaze respectfully downward—though the view from above was admittedly distracting. "Just stating facts."
Tsunade's lips twitched. She stood, grabbed his hand, and pulled herself up. "I need to change clothes."
"I'll wait."
She released him at her bedroom door and disappeared inside. Hanekawa heard the soft rustle of fabric, the clink of hangers. When she emerged, she looked exactly the same—which meant the pressure of her clothing situation was apparently very well-managed.
---
Konoha Hospital buzzed with the usual afternoon activity. Passing ninja greeted them with respectful nods.
"Is Rin working today?" Tsunade asked as they walked.
"Learning the Chakra Scalpel," Hanekawa confirmed. "She's making good progress."
Tsunade considered this. "Once she masters it, have her start on the Yin Seal."
Hanekawa's eyebrows rose. That was... significant. The Yin Seal was his domain—Tsunade's personal technique, taught only to her closest students. If Rin learned it, her status would shift entirely.
"Understood," he said, already thinking through the implications. Rin deserves it. Kurenai... well, that's a different problem.
It was a shame Kurenai lacked the talent for such advanced techniques. He'd hoped to teach her eventually.
Pharmacist Nonō looked up from her desk as they entered, surprise flickering across her face. "Lady Tsunade. It's been quite some time."
"Dean." Hanekawa sent her a pointed look. Hasn't visited in forever, huh?
Tsunade ignored his silent commentary. "Any surgeries?"
"Several, actually." Nonō shuffled through papers. "We have an amputation case—a jonin from the Uchiha clan. Lost both legs in the Hidden Cloud campaign."
Tsunade's expression shifted to something more focused. "I'll take it."
---
Three hours later, they returned to Tsunade's private office. The surgery had been successful, though the outcome was bittersweet—the jonin would live, but his ninja career was effectively over.
"Losing his legs will severely limit his combat effectiveness," Tsunade sighed, sinking into her chair. "Life as a ninja just became very complicated for him."
Hanekawa's mind immediately went to White Zetsu. If it could reconstruct Obito's mangled body, it could certainly regenerate limbs. I need to find a way to capture some White Zetsu specimens.
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
He opened the door to find Aoi, one of the Hokage's personal ANBU, holding out a scroll. "Information from the Iwagakure delegation, Lord Hanekawa."
"Thank you." He took it and broke the seal once Aoi left.
His eyes widened slightly as he read.
"Tired, Teacher?" he asked, closing the scroll.
Tsunade was draped across her chair like a cat. "Somewhat."
"Would you like a massage?"
She raised an eyebrow, studying him for a moment. Then, without ceremony, she kicked off her shoes and propped her bare feet on the desk.
Direct. Very direct.
Hanekawa approached, trying to look professional while his brain short-circuited slightly. Her feet were soft, delicate—the soles pale and perfect. He began working his thumbs along her arch.
Tsunade's body tensed. She bit her lip, and her toes curled involuntarily.
Oh.
The sound she made—a lazy, breathy hum—nearly derailed his entire thought process. Even her toes looked cute when they curled like that.
"What did Aoi tell you?" Tsunade asked quickly, clearly trying to redirect her own attention.
"The Iwagakure delegation is coming to negotiate," Hanekawa said, maintaining steady pressure on her feet. "They want to ransom the Four-Tails jinchuriki, Rōshi."
"That explains their truce with the Hidden Cloud." Tsunade's voice was carefully controlled. "They've decided to sit this war out entirely."
Hanekawa pressed deeper, finding a particularly tense point. Tsunade gasped, her toes curling again.
Okay, that reaction was definitely—
She coughed, clearly embarrassed. "When does the Mist Village delegation arrive?"
"Two days," Hanekawa said, refocusing on his massage technique. "If timing works out, their negotiations might overlap with the Hidden Stone's."
"Doesn't matter." Tsunade's voice had regained its confident edge. "They came to us. We control the pace."
"As expected of a teacher," Hanekawa said smoothly. "Truly impressive."
"Flattery won't save you from a kick," she warned, though her lips curved slightly upward.
"I'll take my chances." He worked on her instep. "Any other information?"
"Minato-senpai is returning to Konoha with the Iwagakure delegation. Guy and Kakashi are with him."
Tsunade's expression softened. "Kushina will be relieved to have him back. He's been gone long enough."
"Should I pick them up at the gate?"
"Yes. And get the prisoner exchange list from the Hidden Stone delegation—especially regarding any Konoha ninja they're holding."
Hanekawa nodded, already thinking of Obito. She thinks I care about him. That's... actually kind of touching, even if she's completely wrong.
"I will," he assured her.
Tsunade endured another ten minutes of foot massage before finally lowering her legs. "That's enough. Go meet them."
---
Nohara Rin was asleep on his office sofa when Hanekawa returned to Konoha Hospital.
She was curled up like a cat, her petite frame barely taking up half the cushion. Her dark red over-the-knee socks were the only splash of color against her pale skin, her feet slightly suspended in the air. Dark circles under her eyes suggested she'd pulled an all-nighter—or two.
Hanekawa approached quietly and extended his hands. Soft green chakra flowed out, enveloping her sleeping form. Medical ninjutsu could ease fatigue, though most ninja avoided it due to chakra cost. Hanekawa had chakra to spare.
Under his touch, Rin's tense shoulders relaxed. Her curled toes stretched out. A peaceful expression settled across her face.
She woke gradually, awareness returning slowly. When her eyes opened, she found Hanekawa's green chakra still surrounding her.
Understanding dawned. Her heart gave a small flutter, and warmth bloomed in her chest.
"Thank you," she said softly, sitting up. She arranged herself carefully—legs together, hands folded—the picture of propriety.
"Nothing to thank me for." He withdrew his chakra. "Did you have surgeries last night?"
"Two," she admitted, embarrassed. "I slept here between procedures."
"You work hard, Rin." He reached out and gently stroked her head.
She trembled slightly, lowering her gaze. Her hands unconsciously gripped the edges of her socks, leaving faint wrinkles in the fabric.
"Once you've mastered the Chakra Scalpel, I'll teach you the Yin Seal," he said.
Her head snapped up. "Really?"
She knew what that meant—eternal youth, perfect chakra control, one of the most coveted techniques in the ninja world.
"Why would I lie?" He pinched her cheek twice, gently.
"I—I'll work as hard as I can!" Color flooded her face.
That came out wrong, Hanekawa thought, suppressing a smile. Though I suppose if the Yin Seal was the reward, most people would be motivated.
An idea struck him. Could I create a simplified version? Keep the anti-aging effects, reduce the learning curve? With his current stat bonuses and chakra mastery, it might actually be possible.
"The Yin Seal is difficult," he warned. "Prepare yourself mentally."
"I will!" Rin's determination was absolute.
"Come on, then. We need to meet Minato-senpai, Guy, and Kakashi at the gate."
"They're back?" Rin's eyes widened. She quickly laced her shoes and stood.
---
The main gate of Konoha stood quiet in the afternoon sun. After a few minutes of waiting, a group appeared on the road.
Minato Namikaze led the way, his blonde hair unmistakable even at a distance. Kakashi and Guy flanked him, with a dozen Hidden Stone ninja following behind. Hanekawa recognized the leader—Kōto, Ōnoki's son. His presence signaled respect for both Konoha and the negotiation's importance.
"Hanekawa! Rin!" Guy's voice boomed across the distance, his enthusiasm radiating like actual heat. Despite everything, his genuine joy at seeing them was infectious.
Kakashi's expression remained neutral, but Hanekawa caught the subtle shift in his posture—the relief of coming home.
Hanekawa raised a hand in greeting, already calculating the political implications of the Hidden Stone's delegation composition.
Interesting. Very interesting indeed.