The rain fell in relentless sheets as night descended on the caravan. Visibility dropped to almost nothing, and every shadow seemed to hide a threat.
At Kido Ei's command, the merchants had circled their carriages and erected makeshift tents. The camp was secure, or so they thought.
A thousand meters away, five figures in black raincoats crept forward through the downpour. Their eyes gleamed with murderous intent as they studied the distant lights of the encampment.
"Well, this is awkward," a voice said behind them.
The five ninjas spun around, kunai drawn. Before them stood a small boy, rain dripping from his hair, looking entirely unimpressed.
"A kid?" one of them snarled.
"Kill him!" another shouted.
They moved as one—two throwing kunai in rapid succession while the others formed hand seals. Water Style jutsu began to gather in their throats.
Hanekawa didn't move. He simply clapped his hands together.
The water dragon that erupted from his mouth was massive, fueled by both his chakra and the rain-soaked environment. The technique's power multiplied exponentially. His B-Rank item, Deft Hands, granted him a 150% boost to hand seal speed—fast enough that the enemy ninjas never stood a chance.
The two ninjas in the center took the full force of the water dragon. Their bodies flew backward, crashing into the mud with bone-breaking force.
"Damn brat!" A middle-aged man appeared directly in front of Hanekawa using the Body Flicker Technique, his sword raised high.
Hanekawa's eyes flashed red. A genjutsu bloomed between them—simple, elegant, devastating.
The man's movements froze for just a fraction of a second. That was all Hanekawa needed.
The Thunder and Fire Sword sang as it drew, and the man fell.
One down, Hanekawa thought, already moving. Four to go.
He vanished using the Body Flicker Technique just as six kunai stabbed into the ground where he'd been standing. The remaining two ninjas stood back-to-back, eyes darting frantically through the rain.
A flash of light. The Thunder and Fire Sword pierced through the first ninja's chest and continued into the second. Blood mixed with rainwater as both men staggered forward.
Two kunai found their marks in the second ninja's back. He fell.
Hanekawa walked calmly to the two unconscious ninjas knocked down by his water dragon and finished them with clinical efficiency.
He wiped his blade clean on the rain and headed back to camp.
---
"Fourth wave?" Tsunade asked as he ducked into the tent. Hatake Sakumo, Nohara Rin, and Shizune were all present, waiting for his report.
"Same as the others," Hanekawa said, shaking water from his hair. "No identifying marks. Probably wandering ninjas looking for easy targets."
"Cowards!" Asuma's voice came from behind him. "Why are you always one step ahead?"
"Because he's actually talented," Kurenai said pointedly, shooting Asuma a look that clearly said stop complaining.
Uchiha Shisui stepped forward with a formal bow. "Lady Tsunade, Teacher Sakumo, all threats have been neutralized."
"Good work, everyone," Tsunade said, nodding. "But stay alert tonight. We'll rotate watch in pairs."
"I'll take Hanekawa!" Kurenai and Asuma said simultaneously, then glared at each other.
Uchiha Shisui's shoulders sagged slightly. Rin looked away, disappointed.
Hatake Sakumo smiled. "Hanekawa really is popular."
"I'll handle the assignments," Tsunade said, a slight smirk playing at her lips. "Asuma with Shizune. Kurenai with Rin. Sakumo with Shisui. Hanekawa is with me."
Kurenai's face fell. "Teacher Tsunade, you're taking watch too?"
"We're ninjas first, teachers second," Tsunade replied seriously. "The Land of Rain is dangerous. Extra eyes mean you all get proper rest."
---
The carriage was cramped but dry. Tsunade settled in with practiced ease, and Hanekawa took a seat beside her.
"So," he said carefully, "you didn't keep watch before."
Tsunade tilted her head, studying him. "What are you implying?"
"That you wanted to talk to me," Hanekawa said simply.
A smile tugged at her lips. "And if I did?"
"Then I'd say your skin looks incredible tonight," he said without hesitation. "Better than Kurenai's or Rin's, actually."
Tsunade blinked, clearly caught off-guard. Then she flicked his forehead, laughing so hard she nearly fell over. "You smooth-talking little brat!"
"I'm serious," Hanekawa said, keeping his expression neutral. This is either going to work or backfire spectacularly.
"You're impossible," Tsunade said, still grinning. She patted his head. "You've fought four battles today. Rest."
"I'm fine—"
"Long-winded!" She glared at him. "Sleep. Now."
Hanekawa hesitated, then lay down with his head resting on her thigh. The warmth and softness were... surprisingly comfortable. He caught the faint scent of sake and something floral as his eyes grew heavy.
This is either the best or worst decision I've made all week, he thought drowsily.
Tsunade looked out at the rain, then down at his sleeping face. She reached out and gently stroked his hair, her expression unreadable. The sound of rain filled the silence between them—peaceful, somehow.
---
Hours later, footsteps approached. Hanekawa's eyes opened to find himself staring directly at Tsunade's chest, her clothes stretched to their absolute limit.
Oh no. Oh no no no.
"Time for the next watch," Tsunade said, gently touching his head. "Come on."
They returned to the main tent where Asuma and Shizune took over. Hanekawa and Tsunade found a corner and settled into their sleeping bags.
"Good night, Teacher," Hanekawa said.
"Good night," Tsunade replied, already turning away.
The night passed without incident.
---
Morning came with Hanekawa waking naturally—years of early mornings cooking for Tsunade had given him an internal clock. He stretched, noting that he was the first up besides Hatake Sakumo and Uchiha Shisui, who were just finishing their watch.
The rain had lessened to a drizzle, though the sky remained gray and oppressive.
At least it's something, Hanekawa thought. The Land of Rain really does live up to its name.
He began preparing breakfast, moving efficiently through the cramped space. Tsunade eventually woke, shaking out her golden hair with a small yawn.
"What are you looking at?" she asked, catching him staring.
"Just thinking you're beautiful," he said without missing a beat.
Tsunade's cheeks flushed slightly. "Go cook," she said, her voice carrying a note of something he couldn't quite identify.
---
The group gathered for breakfast as Kido Ei suddenly tensed. "Someone's coming."
"Just one person," Hatake Sakumo observed. "Probably not hostile."
A figure emerged from the rain—a messenger sent by Kido Ei's buyer.
"The meeting location has changed," Kido Ei explained to Tsunade. "The original site wasn't secure. My buyer sent someone to guide us."
"Who's your buyer?" Tsunade asked, her eyes narrowing.
Kido Ei hesitated only briefly. "The Akatsuki organization."
Hanekawa felt his stomach drop. Akatsuki. Here. Now.
Hatake Sakumo frowned. "They're not technically enemies of the Land of Fire, but they're not allies either."
"The Hidden Rain has been pressuring them," Kido Ei said carefully. "We'll need your protection to reach the new meeting site."
"We accepted the mission," Tsunade said simply. "We'll see it through."
---
The caravan resumed its journey. The Akatsuki messenger was unremarkable—just a Chunin, one of many foot soldiers in the organization's early days before they became the elite force Hanekawa knew from history.
Danzo and Hanzo, Hanekawa thought, pieces clicking into place. They must be in contact by now. This is the beginning of the end for Akatsuki's founding members.
He stroked his chin thoughtfully. If he played this right, he could use this situation to weaken Danzo's position significantly. Tsunade had the power and the authority. All she needed was the right opportunity.
By midday, the rain had reduced to a light mist. The caravan crested a hill, and ahead lay a small village—nothing remarkable, just another settlement in the Land of Rain.
The Akatsuki messenger whistled. Several figures emerged from the buildings.
Hanekawa's breath caught.
The figure in front was unmistakably female, appearing to be in her late teens. Long blue-purple hair framed a delicate face, and a light blue paper flower adorned the right side of her head.
Konan.
Even without prior knowledge, her features were distinctive enough to identify. This was one of the three founders of Akatsuki—the one who would eventually become the sole leader after everything fell apart.
Tsunade studied her with an odd expression, as if something about Konan triggered a distant memory.
Kido Ei approached Konan to discuss the transaction, while Tsunade and Hatake Sakumo maintained professional distance. Their job was to protect the caravan, not to involve themselves in the details of the sale.
Hanekawa watched Konan carefully, already calculating angles, probabilities, and outcomes.
This just got a lot more complicated, he thought. And a lot more interesting.
---