Hanekawa sat next to Tsunade, surveying the conference room with practiced calm.
The space itself told a story—a careful arrangement of power and hierarchy. Lord Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi commanded the head of the table, flanked by his advisors Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, with Danzo Shimura positioned as his assistant. Tsunade occupied the front row nearest the Hokage, alongside the clan heads: Orochimaru, Hiashi Hyuga, Fugaku Uchiha, Inoichi Yamanaka, Choza Akimichi, and Shikaku Nara.
Several empty seats in the first row caught Hanekawa's attention. Jiraiya, Torikaze Akimichi, Sakumo Hatake, and Minato Namikaze were all on active missions. Behind them sat the secondary clan leaders and notable jonin, including Hizashi Hyuga.
"I've called everyone here because we've received two critical intelligence reports," Hiruzen began, his voice steady and measured.
Hanekawa straightened slightly. This was the kind of meeting that changed things.
"First: there's been a serious conflict brewing in the Hidden Sand between Rasa and Pakura."
Pakura? Hanekawa's mind raced. That name carried weight. The Hidden Sand's loss during the Third War, sent on a suicide mission to the Hidden Mist and ambushed. A pawn sacrificed for strategy. And now Rasa—the acting Kazekage who'd risen to permanent power—was at odds with him?
"Why the conflict?" Mitokado Homura asked, frowning.
"Rasa was recently targeted in an assassination attempt," Hiruzen replied. "Evidence suggests Pakura was responsible. Their relationship has deteriorated to the breaking point. War between them is imminent."
"Surely the Third Kazekage will intervene?" Utatane Koharu raised an eyebrow. "Neither Rasa nor Pakura would openly challenge him while he still holds power."
Hiruzen's expression darkened. "The Third Kazekage hasn't been seen in some time. I suspect he's either missing or dead."
The conference room erupted. Experienced as these jonin were, the news hit like a shockwave. It was the equivalent of hearing that Hiruzen himself had vanished.
"This is our opportunity!" Danzo shot to his feet, eyes gleaming. "We should mobilize immediately and crush the Hidden Sand while they're fractured!"
Several jonin nodded in agreement. War was opportunity, after all.
"Unwise," Mitokado Homura countered, his frown deepening. "If we know this, so do the Cloud, Rock, and Hidden Mists. Overextending ourselves invites attack from all sides."
"Konoha is the strongest village!" Danzo slammed the table. "Why should we fear them? Have we forgotten our glory?"
"Danzo." Hiruzen's glare was sharp enough to cut. "Sit down."
Danzo complied, but his jaw clenched with barely suppressed frustration. He wants war, Hanekawa noted. Root operates without restrictions during wartime. The man's ambitions were transparent to anyone paying attention.
"There's a second matter," Hiruzen continued, regaining control of the room. "Minato discovered four hundred additional Kumogakure ninjas massing at our border with the Land of Lightning."
The room erupted again—questions overlapping, theories flying.
"A provocation!" Danzo declared. "We should retaliate!"
"It certainly appears to be one," Utatane Koharu agreed.
Shikaku Nara stood slowly. "Lord Hokage, could these two incidents be connected? Is the Hidden Cloud coordinating with the Hidden Sand?"
"Given the Third Raikage's temperament, such an alliance is unlikely," Hiruzen said. "But regardless of their intentions, we must respond."
"Then let Root handle it!" Danzo's voice rose. "We'll ensure they never return!"
"Enough." Hiruzen's tone brooked no argument. "The Leaf Village will not initiate warfare."
Danzo's face flushed with anger. "You're wasting an opportunity, Hiruzen!"
"I won't risk Konoha's stability on incomplete information," Hiruzen replied calmly. "The Hidden Sand situation could be a trap. The ANBU will investigate. All villages will be monitored. Border patrols will increase."
As Danzo opened his mouth to protest again, Hiruzen cut him off.
"Tsunade, take four hundred ninjas and reinforce Minato. Focus on stabilizing the situation, not escalating it."
Tsunade's eyes flickered toward Hanekawa before she nodded. She's calculating, he realized. Whether to refuse or accept. But her expression shifted—she saw the training opportunity. Four hundred ninjas, potential large-scale combat, a chance to prepare them for what was coming.
"Understood," she said.
Danzo looked like he might explode, but Hiruzen's authority was absolute. The meeting dissolved into dismissal, Danzo leaving first with barely concealed rage.
Soon, only Tsunade, Hanekawa, and Hiruzen remained.
"One more thing," Hiruzen said. "This concerns the Akatsuki organization. Jiraiya successfully negotiated cooperation with them several days ago."
Tsunade waved a hand dismissively. "That's his responsibility, not mine."
"Nevertheless, you should know. The idea came from you and Hanekawa."
"Hanekawa?" Tsunade glanced at him with mild surprise.
"I'll have Shikaku accompany you as advisor," Hiruzen continued. "You need only show your presence. Your reputation alone will deter recklessness."
It was a smart move. Tsunade's name carried weight—one of the Legendary Sannin, a healer of unmatched skill, a force of nature. Her presence would make the Hidden Cloud think twice.
"When do we leave?" Tsunade asked.
"Tomorrow, nine o'clock."
They left the Hokage building as afternoon light slanted across the village. Tsunade sighed heavily.
"There's going to be another war," she said quietly.
"The Leaf Village will win," Hanekawa offered.
Tsunade looked at him, and for a moment, her expression was unguarded. "Wars aren't won, Hanekawa. They're survived. Everyone pays a price."
She's thinking about Tobirama, he realized. About losses that can't be recovered.
"The teacher is here," she said, forcing brightness into her voice. "I won't let tragedy repeat itself."
Please don't plant death flags before we even deploy, Hanekawa thought, but he kept quiet.
"Four hundred ninjas means small-unit engagements, mostly reconnaissance and skirmishes," Tsunade explained as they walked. "The intensity will be far higher than standard missions. Be prepared."
"I understand."
"You're always mature, so I won't lecture you. Just remember: be careful."
Hanekawa couldn't help but smile. "It's rare to see you being so talkative, Teacher."
Tsunade flicked his forehead. "You complaining?"
"Not at all. I'll remember every word."
"You better."
---
That evening, Nara Shikaku arrived with documents. The roster contained four hundred chunin—the minimum acceptable level for this kind of operation. The battlefield was the Land of Snow, a small nation caught between Fire and Lightning territories.
The Hidden Cloud's leadership was formidable: A and Killer B. The AB combination.
B was the real problem. Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, and he made no secret of it. If he fully transformed, the consequences would be catastrophic.
Tsunade rubbed her temples. Kushina would be useful here, she thought, then dismissed it. Konoha guarded their Jinchuriki far too carefully.
---
That night, Hanekawa prepared dinner for Tsunade, then visited Rin's house to inform her, and finally arrived at the Yuhi residence.
Kurenai was excited about the mission—she didn't yet understand what war truly meant. But Shinku pulled them aside after dinner, his expression grave.
"Listen carefully," he said, teaching them techniques for battlefield survival. Genjutsu users could create illusions of combat, staging fake fights to avoid detection. It was practical, if morally questionable.
Your Will of Fire needs serious work, Hanekawa thought, but he absorbed every word. Survival trumped ideology.
---
The next morning, before departure, Hanekawa visited Tsuchihashi's shop.
"Perfect timing," the old man said immediately. "I was about to find you."
"What's happened?"
"The Third Kazekage's disappearance has been confirmed." Tsuchihashi produced a scroll with a knowing smile. "The Hidden Cloud is offering a reward."
Hanekawa opened it eagerly, then deflated slightly. Not the Lightning Style Chakra Mode he'd hoped for, but three Lightning Style jutsu instead: Thunder Cruelty, Thunder Axe of Righteousness, and Heavy Flow Storm.
Still useful, he reminded himself. Can't complain about free jutsu.
"There's more," Tsuchihashi said. "The Hidden Cloud is clearly involved in the Hidden Sand situation. This reward suggests they're trying to destabilize the region further."
Hanekawa nodded slowly. The pieces were falling into place—not randomly, but according to someone's design. The question was whose.
Well, he thought, time to find out.