Behind Tsunade's house, Hanekawa stood before a massive boulder, his hands moving through familiar seals.
"Earth Style: Rock Fist!"
Chakra surged outward, hardening into a thick stone coating across his arms. He flexed experimentally—the rock was too dense, restricting movement. A test punch shattered the boulder into fragments that scattered across the yard.
No pain. Good.
He drew the Fire Sword with his left hand and, with minimal force, slashed at his right arm. The blade left only a shallow mark in the stone.
"Solid defense," he muttered, dismissing the technique.
The familiar system notification appeared:
[E-Rank Ninjutsu Entry: Earth Style - Rock Fist]
[Trigger Condition: Successfully master technique]
[Effect: Increases Earth Style proficiency by 1%]
[Note: Can be synthesized]
Four days to master it. Not bad, considering he was juggling water-style training and the Flying Thunder God Technique simultaneously.
His A-Rank "Earth Style Jonin" entry had climbed to 80%. Another earth-style technique from Iwagakure would push it to 90%—the remaining 10% would require actual combat experience.
His water-style entry was further along at 90%, thanks to techniques inherited from Tobirama Senju himself.
But Wood Style... that was the real prize. At 90% completion, it was tantalizingly close. If he could master it before the war ended, his influence would skyrocket. Tsunade becoming Fourth Hokage was practically guaranteed—especially with a student who could use the First Hokage's signature technique.
Footsteps interrupted his thoughts.
Hanekawa turned to find Aoi, the ANBU assistant, approaching with a slight bow.
"Lord Hanekawa. The treaty signing with the Hidden Mist Village is scheduled for tomorrow at nine o'clock."
"Understood. I'll inform Teacher."
Aoi nodded and departed.
Should I request the maid outfit one more time before she leaves? Hanekawa considered, then dismissed the thought. Plenty of opportunities ahead. No need to rush.
He glanced at the destroyed training ground and headed toward the open space near the house.
Kurenai stood in the center, water streaming from her mouth in a razor-sharp column. The high-pressure jet carved a deep groove into the earth. After several seconds, the stream wavered and dissipated. She immediately stuck out her tongue like a wounded puppy, her face scrunched in discomfort.
Hanekawa approached quickly. "Did you hurt it?"
Kurenai nodded vigorously, her expression pitiful.
He extended his hand, light green chakra flowing out to envelop her mouth. The healing warmth spread across her lips and tongue.
"Better?"
She retracted her tongue and licked her lips experimentally. "All better!"
Hanekawa found himself staring at her soft, glowing lips before catching himself. He reached out and ruffled her hair. "You're getting better at that technique."
Kurenai's cheeks flushed pink—like peach blossoms, he thought absently—but she didn't pull away. If anything, she leaned into his touch.
"Of course I am!" she declared proudly.
"So, what would the lovely Kurenai like for lunch?"
His fingers drifted down to poke her cheek, and her blush deepened.
"Takoyaki! The kind with lots of wasabi!"
"Your wish is my command."
He withdrew his hand. "I'll go buy some."
"I'm coming with you!" She grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the door before he could respond.
By the time they returned with lunch, Tsunade had arrived home from the casino, sprawled across the sofa with the kind of exhaustion that suggested another losing streak.
"Teacher, the Hidden Mist Village is signing the treaty tomorrow at nine."
Tsunade waved a dismissive hand. "Don't go. The old man can handle it. I'm done with those negotiations."
Two months of peace talks had clearly worn her patience thin. Another day with the Mist delegation and she probably would have punched someone.
"Then I won't attend either," Hanekawa said without hesitation.
He'd already extracted what he needed from Mei Terumi anyway—the Lava Release and Boiling Release techniques were safely in his arsenal.
"Whatever," Tsunade muttered, already closing her eyes.
---
The next morning at nine o'clock, the Hokage Building's conference room was a study in diplomatic formality.
Mei Terumi's jaw tightened as she scanned the room. That pervert didn't even show up?
She'd taught him two advanced techniques. The least he could do was acknowledge her departure.
Across the table, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Aoi representing Konoha, and Maki from the Hidden Sand signed the final documents. Two months of negotiations concluded with three signatures.
"We'll depart this afternoon," Aoi informed them formally.
"As will we," Maki agreed.
"I'll arrange an escort," Hiruzen replied.
Mei Terumi excused herself and stepped outside, her frustration mounting with each passing minute. He's completely forgotten about me.
At the village gates, as the Mist delegation prepared to leave, a figure suddenly appeared in a burst of speed.
Hanekawa.
Mei Terumi's heart jumped before she forced her expression back to neutral.
"I have some questions about Lava Release and Boiling Release," he said smoothly. "Can we talk?"
She glanced at Aoi, then followed Hanekawa to a secluded spot behind a nearby tree.
"What questions?" she asked coolly.
"No questions, actually." His smile was infuriatingly casual. "I just wanted to see you off."
"I don't need—"
"You still owe me twenty-three hours," he interrupted, his tone dropping to something more serious. "Don't forget."
Mei Terumi's face flushed. "I know! Come to the Hidden Mist Village and I'll repay it!"
He produced a scroll from his pocket. "A gift for you."
She eyed it suspiciously. "What is it?"
"Twenty-three maid outfits," he said with a blink that somehow made it sound completely reasonable. "I thought you might want options."
"Pervert!" She recoiled, crossing her arms defensively.
In a flash, he closed the distance. Before she could react, the scroll tapped against her backside with a gentle arc.
"Bastard!" Heat flooded her face as she kicked at him, but he dodged effortlessly.
"Going to scold me again?" His tone carried a dangerous edge. "I can think of far more perverted things to do."
The threat—or promise—left her speechless.
He handed her the scroll properly this time. "Choose whichever style you prefer. Wear it next time we meet."
"Fine!" she snapped through gritted teeth.
"Safe travels," he said, waving as he vanished.
Mei Terumi clutched the scroll, her face burning as she walked back to her delegation. Why am I thinking about that pervert? she wondered furiously, refusing to look back.
---
By late April, Hanekawa had mastered three additional earth-style techniques: Rock Clone, Rock Arm, and Earthquake Core. His Earth Style entry had climbed to 90%.
The real progress, though, was invisible to anyone but him—his Wood Style mastery sat at 90%, waiting for that final push.
On April 1st, Hanekawa helped Tsunade with her shoes before they headed to the Hokage Building for the Jonin meeting. She wore her "gamble" jacket, and he caught himself staring at her anklet a moment too long.
"You really are a foot fetishist," she observed dryly.
"This is called respecting one's teacher," he replied with perfect sincerity.
"Is it?" She lifted her other foot, amusement dancing in her eyes.
"Absolutely. The teacher's feet are genuinely beautiful."
Tsunade glared at him, then stepped on his foot as they passed—hard enough to make a point, soft enough to avoid actual injury.
Next time, I hope she's barefoot, he thought, wisely keeping it to himself.
The Jonin meeting was already half-full when they arrived. Minato Namikaze greeted them from the front row, his position reflecting his status as Jiraiya's student and master of the strategically invaluable Flying Thunder God Technique.
"Where's Kushina?" Tsunade asked, settling into her seat.
"She didn't come," Minato replied quietly. "But the Hokage has made arrangements. I'm to escort her to the Land of Frost if the situation becomes critical."
Tsunade nodded, understanding immediately. Hiruzen was holding the Nine-Tails jinchuriki in reserve—a trump card to be played only when necessary.
At 8:30, Hiruzen entered with his advisors. The meeting began without preamble.
"We're ending this war," Hiruzen announced. "Orochimaru's forces will launch a major offensive against the Hidden Cloud. Tsunade, you'll lead three thousand ninja to the Land of Frost as deputy commander."
The room erupted in controlled excitement. Finally—the initiative.
"Minato, you remain in Konoha with a thousand ninja for rapid deployment support."
"Understood," Minato acknowledged.
"Prepare to depart at dawn tomorrow."
The meeting dissolved as quickly as it had formed.
Walking out with Tsunade, Hanekawa's mind was already calculating. A major offensive. The Hidden Cloud. The Eight-Tails.
And somewhere in the distance, the sound of the war drums growing louder.