The Three-Tails' massive form shuddered and dissolved into mist.
Yagura collapsed onto the rubble-strewn ground, staring at the devastation surrounding him. His expression cycled through confusion, horror, and denial.
"I... what did I do?"
His hands trembled as he raised them, as if they belonged to someone else entirely.
Hanekawa dispersed his Wood Style constructs and approached, his footsteps deliberate and measured. "You were controlled by Uchiha Madara's Mangekyō Sharingan. The Three-Tails went berserk. The casualties..." He didn't finish. The destruction spoke for itself.
Yagura's face crumpled. The weight of what he'd done—what had been done through him—crashed down like a second wave.
Hanekawa turned toward Mei, catching her eye. A single blink. She understood immediately.
This was the moment. Yagura's control was broken, his credibility shattered. The Hidden Mist would need new leadership. And Mei was the only one positioned to take it.
Ruthless, Hanekawa thought without judgment. But effective.
---
The village descended into controlled chaos. Medical teams triaged the wounded. Work crews cleared debris from collapsed buildings. The iconic Water Shadow Building—reduced to rubble—stood as a monument to the disaster.
Hanekawa stood apart from the reconstruction efforts, his eyes closed.
Two new entries materialized in his mind.
[A-Rank Talent Entry: Isobu's Shell]
[Trigger Condition: Defeat the Three-Tails Isobu]
[Effect: Water Style ninjutsu power +100%. Personal defense +100%.]
[Note: Cannot be synthesized]
The water jutsu boost was expected. The defensive increase—that was the surprise. The Three-Tails' shell-like body had left its mark on the entry.
But the second entry made him pause.
[A-Rank Talent Entry: Three-Tomoe Sharingan]
[Trigger Condition: Kill Uchiha Obito]
[Effect: Evolve eyes to Three-Tomoe Sharingan]
[Note: A-Rank "Illusion Master" + S-Rank "Paradise Box" can synthesize S-Rank "Mangekyō Sharingan"]
Hanekawa's breath caught.
The Ability System could grant bloodline limits. He'd made the right call refusing eye transplants. And now—a clear path to the Mangekyō Sharingan without the trauma-induced awakening the Uchiha required.
Paradise Box, he mused. The legendary artifact of the Six Paths Sage. It granted wishes, but twisted them into nightmares, releasing the demon Satoru. Theoretically, a collection of emotions—perfect for Mangekyō awakening.
The Ability System never gave anything free. Every power required sacrifice or effort.
He opened his eyes. Scarlet bloomed across his irises. Three comma-shaped tomoe spiraled into place above each pupil.
The world sharpened. Every detail crystallized—the grain in the wooden beams, the individual tiles on distant roofs, the micro-expressions of exhausted workers.
The Sharingan's three primary functions crystallized in his mind:
Insight. Capturing enemy movements with supernatural clarity. Useful in combat and out—essentially a high-powered magnifying glass for reality.
Copying. Physical techniques and non-bloodline ninjutsu could be learned by observation alone. Kakashi had become a legend with this ability. Now Hanekawa had it too.
Genjutsu. Casting and breaking illusions. A single glare could hypnotize ordinary ninja. The Sharingan made masters of illusion from birth.
Broken, he thought clinically. Absolutely broken.
He deactivated the eyes. The scarlet faded.
Explaining this to Tsunade and the others would be complicated. They'd assume a transplant. Better to keep quiet for now. The Sharingan's origin could wait.
---
Night fell like a curtain.
Mei appeared, still in her work clothes, dust streaking her face. "Sorry to keep you waiting."
"No problem." Hanekawa studied her. "How bad?"
"Not good." She sighed heavily. "Money and medical personnel. We're short on both."
The post-war reconstruction would drain the village's treasury. And medical ninjas—the Hidden Mist had never prioritized them. The Blood Mist era had been too brutal. Combat specialists survived. Healers didn't.
"Thank you," Mei said quietly. "If Yagura had remained controlled... the damage would have been catastrophic."
"How do you plan to repay me?" Hanekawa asked, a slight smile playing at his lips.
Mei hesitated. "I... don't know. The debt is too large."
"Then I'll extend your maid service."
Her body went rigid. "How long?"
"What do you think is fair?"
Mei's mind raced. Hanekawa had defeated Madara. Saved the entire village. Theoretically, the debt was infinite. A lifetime wouldn't be enough.
Her heart rate accelerated for reasons she didn't want to examine.
"I'm hungry," Hanekawa said, reaching out to gently tilt her chin up. "Let's go to your place for dinner."
"Ah..." Heat flooded her face. She couldn't meet his eyes.
"You're not usually like this," Hanekawa observed. "Having second thoughts about repaying me with your body?"
"Absolutely not!" Mei stepped back, glaring. "I don't like perverts!"
"Harsh words for a qualified maid."
"I never agreed to be your maid!" She crossed her arms. "You used dirty tricks to make me wear that outfit!"
"Smart enough to see through it, though," Hanekawa said approvingly. "The next Mizukage should be sharp."
"Of course I am!" A small smile tugged at her lips before she caught herself.
"Go home and cook, little maid."
The smile vanished. She gritted her teeth. Infuriating.
They walked through the quiet streets. "What can you actually cook?" Hanekawa asked.
"Don't ask!"
"Right. You can't cook."
"I can too!" Her protest lacked conviction.
"You'll need to work harder as my maid," Hanekawa said with mock sympathy. "Otherwise, I'll starve."
"Being your maid is a blessing you earned in a past life!" Mei snapped. "I'm the Hidden Mist's genius! The future Mizukage!"
"How long will you be my maid?" Hanekawa turned to face her directly.
Their eyes met. Mei's breath caught. Two spots of color bloomed on her cheeks.
"Why are you blushing?"
"The... the wind is cold..." She turned away, stammering.
"If it's cold, wear the maid outfit."
"You can't make perverted requests on the street!" she hissed.
"So it's acceptable at home?" His amusement was infuriating.
"No! I mean—" She quickened her pace.
Hanekawa caught her hand. "Where are you going?"
"I'm hungry!" She pulled, but his grip was gentle and immovable.
"Little maid, you're defying fate."
She lowered her head, confused and flustered. The warmth of his hand was unfamiliar. She'd always been strong, always independent. This feeling—this vulnerability—was new.
He's talented. Handsome. Powerful, she thought reluctantly. Every genius in the Hidden Mist combined doesn't match him.
Then she caught herself. Who would like someone so perverted?
"Aren't you going to let go?" Hanekawa asked.
Mei looked up, realizing they'd stopped. "We're home?"
"We are, little maid."
She released his hand quickly, her face warm. She opened the door and escaped inside. "I'll cook."
Hanekawa headed to the kitchen.
Mei sat on the sofa, waiting. She remembered the meal he'd prepared during the peace talks in Konoha. Her mouth watered at the memory. The taste had been unforgettable.
Why does he keep appearing in my thoughts? She crossed her arms defensively.
The harder she tried not to think about him, the more insistently he invaded her mind.
After what felt like both an eternity and no time at all, the aroma of cooking filled the apartment.
"Eat," Hanekawa said, offering her chopsticks.
Mei picked up a piece of chicken. The moment it touched her tongue, her eyes widened.
It's even better than last time.
---