The stack of bills on the table seemed to glow under the lamplight. Tsunade smiled with genuine satisfaction as she counted—three hundred thousand ryō in a single afternoon. Her luck had finally turned around.
"Not bad for a day's work," Hanekawa observed, watching her tuck a handful of notes into his pocket with the casual confidence of someone who'd just won big.
"Let's head back," he said, glancing toward the darkening window. "You must be starving."
"Now that you mention it..." Tsunade stretched luxuriously. "We're eating well tonight. Buy a chicken on the way home—you're cooking."
Hanekawa raised an eyebrow. "Why not just grab something from that shop you like?"
"Because the chicken you make tastes better," Tsunade said simply, already moving toward the door. "And grab two bottles of wine while you're at it."
By the time they arrived home, the sun had dipped below the horizon. Tsunade kicked off her shoes and collapsed onto the sofa with the satisfaction of someone who'd earned a proper rest, while Hanekawa disappeared into the kitchen.
The aroma that soon filled the apartment was unmistakably appetizing. Tsunade's eyes snapped open almost immediately.
"Your nose works overtime, doesn't it?" Hanekawa asked, amused.
"The Yin Seal keeps my body in peak condition," Tsunade explained, settling at the table. "That includes enhanced senses."
"Enhanced senses?" Hanekawa handed her chopsticks, his mind briefly wandering to uncomfortable places before he firmly redirected his thoughts. "So it expands your perception?"
"Among other things," Tsunade said with obvious pride.
They ate in companionable silence for a moment before she asked, "How's your Yin Seal training progressing?"
"Quickly. I should master it within six months."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "Tell me the truth."
"That is the truth," Hanekawa said, meeting her gaze steadily. "Want to make a wager on it?"
"Absolutely not." Tsunade's response was immediate and firm.
Hanekawa looked genuinely shocked. "Who are you and what have you done with Tsunade?"
"I'm not an idiot," she shot back, rolling her eyes. "Your luck in gambling is ridiculous. Besides, six months for the Yin Seal sounds impossible—but with your talent, it probably isn't. I'd lose money either way."
"Pity," Hanekawa said, pouring her wine. "I was looking forward to it."
Tsunade raised her glass with a smirk. "Drink with me?"
"Pass."
"Boring," she muttered, but didn't press. She knew the rules—even if he wanted to, she wouldn't allow it. Instead, she drained her glass in one smooth motion, the wine catching the light on her lips.
Hanekawa found himself staring until she noticed and smiled knowingly. He quickly looked away, focusing intently on his food.
After dinner, Tsunade settled back on the sofa with a pleasant flush to her cheeks—two bottles of wine had left her pleasantly buzzed but not drunk. When Hanekawa asked if she wanted a bath, she agreed readily.
He filled the tub with hot water and returned to the living room. "It's ready, Teacher."
Tsunade rose unsteadily, and Hanekawa caught her arm to steady her. She released him and headed for the bathroom, calling back, "Get my pajamas from my room."
Hanekawa turned to comply, but froze mid-step.
The bathroom door hadn't closed.
For just a moment—a brief, unavoidable moment—he caught sight of Tsunade's bare back as she stepped toward the tub. Smooth skin, elegant lines, the kind of figure that made sense for a legendary kunoichi.
Then chakra flared and the door slammed shut.
"Everything okay?" he called out, his voice carefully neutral.
"Fine!" came the slightly strained reply. "Just put the pajamas by the door and... go home. See you tomorrow."
Hanekawa left the pajamas where requested and departed, his mind oddly preoccupied as he walked home beneath the streetlights.
Well, he thought with a wry internal smile, that was unexpected.
---
Kurenai answered the door before he could knock, her face bright with excitement. "The teacher gave us a holiday! Two whole days! I was thinking we could visit Uncle Shinku—"
"I'll come by later," Hanekawa said, slipping off his shoes. "First I need to tell Rin about the break."
"Okay!" Kurenai bounced on her heels. "You seem happy about something."
"Do I?" Hanekawa raised an eyebrow.
"You're smiling weird."
"I'm not—" He stopped himself. "Never mind. I'm going to visit Rin now."
He found her on the street near her home, and her surprise at seeing him was immediate. "Hanekawa? Is something wrong?"
"Just wanted to let you know we have two days off," he explained. "But I was thinking... would you like to help me at Konoha Hospital? I could use an assistant, and you've been wanting more medical training."
Rin's eyes widened. "Really? You'd let me assist you?"
"Why not?" He smiled at her stunned expression. "You have talent. Might as well put it to use."
The next morning, they arrived at the hospital together. Staff members greeted Hanekawa respectfully as they passed—the hierarchy of the ninja world was simple and brutal. Strength earned respect, and Hanekawa's medical ninjutsu was second only to Tsunade and Nonō.
Rin followed slightly behind, clearly nervous. When Hanekawa stopped suddenly to enter his office, she didn't notice in time and bumped directly into his back.
"Sorry! I'm so sorry!" Her face flushed crimson as she stumbled backward.
Without thinking, Hanekawa reached out and gently touched her head. "It's fine."
Rin bit her lip and stared at her feet, her embarrassment complete.
"Come on," he said, opening the door to his private office. "We have patients coming in soon."
The day passed in a blur of basic medical techniques—healing jutsu, anesthesia, hemostasis. Rin proved competent and eager, soaking up every instruction. By the time evening fell, she was glowing with accomplishment.
"You did well today," Hanekawa said as they prepared to leave. "You have real talent for this."
"Thank you," Rin said softly, then hesitated. "Hanekawa... would you let me buy you dinner? As thanks?"
"No need to waste money," he replied. "Come to Teacher's house instead. I'll cook."
Something flickered across her face—disappointment, maybe—but she agreed.
---
Two days later, after a smooth A-rank mission with no complications, Hanekawa returned to his training. The Mind's Eye was complete, and he'd obtained a new A-rank entry. Now he focused on water jutsu, working toward the B-rank "Water Style Special Jonin" entry.
He was practicing outside Tsunade's house when his perception—now sharp even without active focus—detected movement.
A figure in an ANBU mask materialized before him.
"Lord Hokage requests Lady Tsunade's presence at the Hokage building for a jonin conference," the operative reported.
Hanekawa's mind raced. A jonin conference wasn't called lightly. "I'll inform her immediately."
Inside, Tsunade looked surprised at the summons. "The Hidden Cloud making trouble?"
"Possibly," Hanekawa said, though his instincts suggested otherwise. No message from his contact. "I'll come with you."
"Of course you will," Tsunade said, already moving. "You're qualified."
The conference room was already half-full when they arrived. Jonin and special jonin acknowledged Tsunade with respect; Hanekawa was simply accepted without comment. A few minutes later, Lord Hokage entered.
His gaze lingered on Hanekawa for just a moment before he called the meeting to order.
"The meeting begins now."
---