Hanekawa didn't have to wait long.
After three days in Mei Terumi's house, he'd mastered Ice Release ninjutsu and met Bai and his mother. The speed was remarkable—the Land of Water had few snowy regions, and as the acting Mizukage, Mei had resources to spare.
Bai was barely two or three years old now. In a sense, Hanekawa had rewritten his fate. With Mei's protection, his mother would live. He'd never become Zabuza's tool.
Not that it mattered to Hanekawa. He'd gotten what he came for: Ice Release.
He settled onto the sofa and unrolled the scroll. Ice Release: Hyōgadome, Ice Release: Ice Rock Hall, Ice Release: Exploding Ice Crystal—techniques Bai would use in the original timeline. But there were others too. Ice Release: Mangekyō. Ice Release: Crystal Wall. Techniques that had never existed before.
Hanekawa read through once and set it aside. Practicing now was premature. He'd wait until Konoha.
Ice Release was both practical and flashy. He'd make it one of his seven kekkei genkai. Combined with Wood Style, Melt Release, Dissolve Release, and Boil Release, that made five. Storm Release was coming from the Hidden Cloud soon. Explosive Release would follow. Seven total.
He'd wanted Magnetic Release and Dust Release, but those would take time. No point forcing it.
"Why are you staring at me?"
Hanekawa looked up. Mei sat across from him, suddenly flustered.
"Don't be ridiculous!" she said loudly, looking away. "I wasn't staring."
"Hmm?"
He smiled. "When will you be heading back to Konoha?"
"Now."
Hanekawa stood. Nearly a week away was long enough. He missed home.
"What?" Mei's voice pitched higher. "Already?"
"The sooner the better."
"Good!" She crossed her arms defensively. "Out of sight, out of mind!"
"Goodbye."
Hanekawa waved and vanished.
Mei stood abruptly, looking around the empty space. She thought of his Flying Thunder God Technique and felt something twist in her chest. She sank back onto the sofa, staring at nothing.
Did that pervert really just leave?
"Why are you cursing me behind my back?"
Mei's head snapped up. Hanekawa stood in the doorway, smiling.
She opened her mouth. Closed it. "I thought you left."
"It felt rude," he said casually. "At least let the Mizukage walk me to the village gate."
"Fine. I'll give you that much."
They walked together. Halfway there, Hanekawa took her hand.
"Wait!" Mei jerked, panicked. "Someone might see—"
"Take the back path then."
He didn't let go. Mei's heart hammered as she led him through quieter streets, hyper-aware of his fingers intertwined with hers.
At the gate, she hesitated. "When will you... when will you come back?"
She'd meant to ask something else entirely.
"Don't worry," Hanekawa said, releasing her hand to ruffle her hair. "You can't escape me."
"I... I won't run away," Mei whispered, her face burning.
Before she could say more, he vanished.
He really did just leave.
---
The next afternoon, Hanekawa materialized in the Hokage's office.
Tsunade lay sprawled across her desk, the wood bending under her weight. Her sleeveless top hung open, revealing smooth skin and generous curves.
Hanekawa's eye twitched.
The visual impact was... significant.
"Kid," Tsunade glanced at him without moving. "When'd you get back?"
"Just now." He smiled carefully. "Came straight to see you, Teacher."
"Should I reward you?" She sat up, her body shifting with the motion. "Tell me about the Three-Tails."
The beast's size made concealment impossible. Mei had announced it went berserk; Hanekawa, passing through, helped suppress it. No mention of Uchiha Madara. Too embarrassing for a Mizukage to admit being controlled.
But Tsunade wasn't buying it.
"I promised Hidden Mist not to tell anyone," Hanekawa said. "But you're different, Teacher."
"Spill it."
"Come closer first."
He bent down, leaning toward her ear. Tsunade's breath caught. She looked away, her breathing quickening.
"Remember the Wood Style ninja from before?" he asked softly.
His proximity made her ear tingle.
"Mm."
"He appeared in Hidden Mist. Controlled the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura."
Tsunade's eyes widened. A Kage—one of the five most powerful people in the world—controlled by an outsider? Unheard of.
"Where is he now?" she asked.
"Dead. But his body was taken." Hanekawa paused. "I'm not even sure it was human."
"What do you mean?"
Tsunade looked up. His face was close to hers. When did he get so handsome?
"A white creature," he explained. "I've never seen anything like it."
Tsunade fell silent, searching her memory. Nothing. Not in books, not in records, not even rumors.
"Strange," she murmured. She reached out and pushed him away. "Why are you getting so close?"
"Walls have ears," he said seriously. "Better if only we know."
"Agreed. I'll have ANBU watch for this creature."
Though they probably won't find anything, Hanekawa thought. White Zetsu's Mayfly Technique was too advanced. Even Kagura's sensory abilities couldn't detect it.
"Mangekyo Sharingan, Wood Style, and now this white creature," Tsunade mused. "There's an organization behind this. Has to be."
"Agreed. One person couldn't achieve this."
"Find them," she ordered.
"Yes, Teacher."
He extended his hand. Tsunade glanced at the clock—5 PM—then hesitated before taking it. Her skin was warm, smooth as jade.
Hanekawa looked a moment too long.
"Still staring?" she asked sharply, stepping on his foot.
"You're too beautiful," he said with a disarming smile. "Can't help it."
"Smooth talker!"
She pulled free and hurried toward the door. But Hanekawa caught her hand again.
"Teacher, you forgot I know Flying Thunder God."
Before she could protest, they vanished.
They reappeared in her living room.
"This technique is incredibly convenient," Tsunade sighed. "Shame the learning curve is so steep."
"I can take you anywhere you want," Hanekawa offered.
Tsunade's eyes lit up. "The casino! Now!"
"..."
"Go!" She pulled his arm.
They appeared in an alley near the gambling district. Tsunade ran inside without hesitation.
At the table, she immediately grabbed Hanekawa's hand and pulled him close. He understood—she needed her luck charm. He leaned against her, pulling out the Ice Release scroll to study.
Tsunade stiffened. This kid's getting bolder.
But she was soon lost in the game.
Hours passed. Hanekawa had memorized Ice Release: Hyōgadome. His eyes shifted to pale blue—the Sharingan's perfect perspective from above gave him an ideal vantage point.
"Teacher," he said quietly. "Time to go home."
Tsunade nodded, but then noticed his gaze again.
She grabbed his head and pressed it into her chest, hitting him twice on the skull.
"Gone!" She stood and left quickly, her face flushed.
What am I doing? she thought, walking ahead. She'd done similar things before, but today felt different. Less like teasing, more like... something else.
At home, she showered immediately.
Hanekawa cooked dinner.
When she emerged, she wore silk pajamas that clung to her curves. She sat on the sofa, bare feet swaying, looking relaxed in a way he'd rarely seen.
Brilliant.
"What are you standing there for?" she asked, a slight smile playing at her lips. "I'm hungry. Bring the food."
"Yes, Teacher."
She couldn't help but smile at his dazed expression. This kid's easy to control.
But what was she doing?
She pressed her hand to her chest. She'd always been decisive, but emotions made her hesitate. She'd been unable to leave Hanekawa for weeks now. Living alone again was unthinkable.
Just don't regret it, she told herself, taking a breath.
She wanted to dare to love and hate. To live without restraint.
"Teacher, dinner's ready," Hanekawa called.
She stood and sat across from him. When he handed her chopsticks, their fingers brushed.
Her heart skipped.
"Thank you," she said, meeting his eyes.
She picked up a shrimp and placed it in his bowl. A small gesture. But deliberate.
Hanekawa blinked, surprised. Tsunade seemed different today. Better.
---
A week later, May arrived.
ANBU headquarters.
Hanekawa stood at the window, watching the training ground below. He was missing three jonin-level entries: Lightning Release, Wind Release, Fire Release.
Normally, he'd practice slowly. But he had the three-tomoe Sharingan from Obito. A shortcut.
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in."
Aoi entered and bowed. "Lord Hanekawa. The Hidden Cloud delegation arrives tonight. Samui and Mabui are leading them. Five teams total, eighteen additional personnel."
Hanekawa raised an eyebrow. Samui, huh?
"Accommodations arranged?"
"Yes. I wanted to ask where the Hidden Cloud mission hall should be established."
"Next to ANBU," Hanekawa decided. "Close to the Hokage Building. Convenient for monitoring."
"Understood."
"I'm planning an internal ANBU exam," Hanekawa continued. "Everyone participates. Higher ranks get rewards and faster promotion."
Aoi nodded without question. "I'll notify them."
"Spread it over seven days, starting next week. Training ground location."
"Yes, sir."
After she left, Hanekawa touched his chin. Now, about Uchiha illusions...
He needed techniques like Izanagi. Even with the blindness cost, resurrection in a life-or-death situation was worth it.
Tobirama researched the Uchiha. Maybe he documented something.
He used Flying Thunder God to reach the Hokage Building and found Tobirama's archives. The documents were extensive—but Izanagi and Izanami weren't listed. Forbidden techniques, probably clan-exclusive.
Hanekawa settled for the other illusions. Shackle Bind. Mirror Heaven and Earth Turn. Illusion Shiranui. Useful enough.
---
Evening.
Samui stood at Konoha's gate, studying the village. Her mind drifted to him.
She felt heat rise in her chest.
Focus, she told herself.
"Sister, where's the welcoming committee?" Atsui complained. "This is disrespectful!"
"Quiet," Samui said coldly.
Atsui flinched. Since their last visit, his sister had become terrifying. But he understood—the Fourth Raikage, Eight-Tails, and Two-Tails were imprisoned here. No one was happy about that.
"Konoha knows how to treat guests," a familiar voice said.
Samui turned. Hanekawa stood there, casual and confident.
Her heart jumped. She looked away quickly.
"Y-you're Hanekawa?!" Atsui stepped back in fear.
In the Hidden Cloud, Hanekawa was legend—both hated and feared. He'd crushed them.
"Lord Hanekawa," Mabui bowed quickly. "Please forgive his rudeness."
"What's your name?" Hanekawa asked the boy.
"Atsui."
"Welcome," Hanekawa said to the group. "I've arranged housing. Follow me."
They walked in silence. Samui kept her expression neutral, but her heart raced.
"Here," Hanekawa said, stopping before a building. "Your mission hall will be here. Between ANBU and the Hokage Building."
Samui's breath caught. So close to him.
"When will Lord Raikage and the others be released?" Mabui asked carefully.
"After we verify the items you brought," Hanekawa said. "Rest first."
Mabui produced two sealed scrolls. Hanekawa took them and headed to the Hokage Building.
Samui watched him go, feeling oddly disappointed.
He wasn't as warm as before.
She pressed her hand to her chest, feeling her rapid heartbeat.
---
Hokage's office.
Hanekawa opened the scrolls. Lightning Chakra Mode. Strongest Lightning Armor. Hell Thrust. The Hidden Cloud wasn't holding back—they couldn't afford to, with their leadership imprisoned.
"Good work," Tsunade said, reviewing the contents. "Nothing suspicious."
"Release them?"
"You promised. Keep your word."
Hanekawa nodded. With him around, even a freed Raikage posed no threat.
"I'll handle it."
"That's what I'm paying you for," Tsunade said, already turning back to paperwork.
Hanekawa smirked. Lazy as always.
He used Flying Thunder God to reach the Hidden Cloud quarters.
Samui was at her desk, writing. She didn't hear him arrive until he coughed.
She spun around, eyes widening. "Lord Hanekawa!"
He looked her over. She was sitting forward, her short skirt tight against her curves, her posture unconsciously provocative.
Very nice.
"What are you writing?" he asked, moving closer.
"Mission hall procedures," she said, standing quickly. Her legs tensed, her buttocks tightened.
He picked up the scroll. Standard stuff—collecting missions, distributing rewards, taking Hidden Cloud's cut.
"You can see the Fourth Raikage tomorrow," he said. "They're being released."
Samui's eyes widened slightly. "Really?"
"Tomorrow."
"Thank you," she said, and for a moment, her cool mask slipped. She smiled.
Hanekawa touched her head. "I should go. Dinner to cook."
"Wait," she said, grabbing his wrist. Her face flushed. "Don't you want to see the cheongsam?"
Ah, right. She mentioned that before.
"Not tonight," he said. "I'll come in two days. We can walk around Konoha."
"Ah," she said obediently, releasing him.
"Don't be late," he added, and patted her rear before vanishing.
Samui stood frozen, her entire face burning.
What is happening to me?
She took several deep breaths, then found Mabui and told her the news about the Raikage.
Mabui's rare smile appeared. "Finally!"
"When did he arrive?" Mabui asked suddenly. "He didn't use the main gate?"
"He just appeared at my window," Samui said carefully. "Said a few words and left."
"I see."
Mabui wanted to ask more but held her tongue. Something was definitely happening between Samui and Hanekawa. But it wasn't her place to pry.
---