Hanekawa walked beside Tsunade as they made their way through the village streets. "Teacher, even though Root has been disbanded, given Danzo's personality, I doubt he'll simply accept it."
Tsunade snorted. "The old man and Danzo have been friends for decades. Getting him to disband Root at all is already a miracle."
In the original timeline, Root had been officially dissolved after the Uchiha massacre—an order from the Third Hokage himself. But the organization never truly died. Its members simply transferred to ANBU, remaining loyal to Danzo in the shadows. Disbanded in name only.
"It's unfortunate Danzo escaped without real consequences," Hanekawa mused.
"He won't next time," Tsunade said flatly. "Once the old man steps down and I become Hokage—"
She stopped abruptly, turning to face him. Hanekawa nearly collided with her, and for a moment, he found himself staring directly into her eyes, close enough that—
Don't even think about it, he told himself, taking a quick step back.
Tsunade's expression darkened. "Stop mentioning me becoming Hokage every five seconds."
"Yes, Teacher," Hanekawa said carefully.
Her eye twitched. "And don't agree so readily! It's annoying."
Before he could respond, she reached out and pinched his cheek, pulling it sideways. "You're infuriating, you know that?"
This woman is impossible, Hanekawa thought, even as he noticed—and immediately regretted noticing—how her clothes protested the movement.
"I promise to be more obedient!" he said quickly.
"That just makes it worse!" Tsunade released him with a huff and started walking again.
Hanekawa rubbed his cheek and caught up, taking her hand. "Teacher, want to hit the casino?"
"Obviously," she said, her mood shifting instantly. "And if you lose today, I'm doubling your training."
"Guaranteed win," he replied with a grin.
---
While Hanekawa and Tsunade were systematically emptying the casino of its profits, news of Root's disbandment spread through Konoha's upper ranks like wildfire.
Uchiha Compound
"Patriarch!" Uchiha Yashiro burst into Fugaku's office, barely containing his excitement. "The Root has been disbanded!"
Fugaku looked up from his paperwork, frowning at the uncharacteristic outburst. "That's impossible. Where did you hear this?"
"All the Root agents monitoring our clan—they're gone. Completely withdrawn." Yashiro's grin was almost manic. "It has to be connected to Lady Tsunade's return."
Fugaku set down his brush slowly. The logic was sound. Only a handful of people in the village could convince Hiruzen to disband Danzo's organization, and Tsunade was the most likely candidate.
"This changes everything," Fugaku said quietly. "The Uchiha clan has been shackled for a decade. Now..." He allowed himself a rare smile. "Now we can finally breathe."
With Shisui's talent, Obito's potential, and Itachi's genius, the Uchiha were positioned to dominate. The next Hokage would almost certainly be one of theirs.
Almost certainly.
Hyuga Compound
Hiashi was enjoying his morning tea when Hizashi rushed in. "The Root has been disbanded!"
Hiashi choked, sputtering tea across the table. "What?"
"All confirmed," Hizashi said. "It has to be Tsunade."
Hiashi set down his cup carefully, his mind already working through the implications. "Then Hiruzen has already chosen his successor."
The Hyuga clan had survived for millennia by backing winners. They'd supported every Hokage, and they would support this one too. "Send word to all branch families," Hiashi ordered. "When we encounter Lady Tsunade, we offer our full support."
Other Clans
Similar conversations echoed through the compounds of the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance, the Aburame, the Inuzuka, and every other clan of note. They all reached the same conclusion: Tsunade was the next Hokage.
And unlike Danzo, who had forced their talented youth into Root and brainwashed them into forgetting their clans, Tsunade had shown nothing but respect for the village's structure. She was strong, respected, and—most importantly—she had no enemies.
Everyone wanted her to succeed.
---
Casino Entrance
"Konoha really is the best!" Tsunade held up a stack of bills, practically glowing with satisfaction.
Hanekawa glanced at the amount. "Didn't you win ten million ryō yesterday? This hundred thousand is pocket change."
"It's different when you win it yourself!" Tsunade declared, already heading toward the exit.
They returned home to find Aoi waiting by the door, ANBU mask in place.
"Lady Tsunade," the ninja said, presenting two scrolls. "From the Hokage."
"Good work, Aoi." Tsunade handed one scroll to Hanekawa. "These should suit Kurenai and Rin well."
"Your taste is impeccable," Hanekawa said, accepting the scroll.
"Don't get cocky," Tsunade said, kicking off her shoes. "I'm starving. Cook."
"Yes, Teacher."
---
Yuhi Residence
Hanekawa opened the door to find Yuhi Shinku home early, and Kurenai sitting on the sofa in white socks, swinging her legs like she was made of ice cream.
"Uncle Shinku, you're back early," Hanekawa said, handing Kurenai the scroll Tsunade had chosen for her.
"What's this?" Shinku asked.
"A reward from the Hokage," Kurenai said proudly. "Hanekawa helped me pick it."
Shinku's expression was skeptical. "What could a brat possibly—"
"It's the Dark Movement Technique," Kurenai interrupted. "Hanekawa said it would help me beat the Uchiha."
Shinku's eyes widened as he took the scroll. "This is... the Second Hokage's technique?"
"Right?" Kurenai beamed at Hanekawa, vindicated.
Shinku coughed, trying to maintain his dignity. "You... happened to make the right choice by accident."
Sure, Uncle, Hanekawa thought, hiding his smile.
---
The Next Morning
Hanekawa finished his two-hour training session in the Lightning Style Chakra Mode and headed to Tsunade's house, only to find Aoi waiting outside.
"Teacher's still asleep," Hanekawa said. "What's the message?"
"Five thousand Hidden Sand ninja under Pakura's command are mobilizing toward the Land of Snow. They'll arrive in three days." Aoi paused. "Lord Minato is already leading our forces back to the Land of Fire."
Hanekawa's stomach tightened. The Third Ninja World War. It's starting.
In the original timeline, this conflict would last years. The most intense fighting would be concentrated in two years, but the war wouldn't officially end for five or six years. The symbolic end would come when a Hidden Cloud delegation arrived for peace talks—and their leader attempted to kidnap the three-year-old Hinata Hyuga in the middle of the night.
When he was killed, the Hidden Cloud would demand compensation. Konoha, unwilling to fight on another front, would sacrifice Hizashi in his place, allowing him to die so his twin could live.
"I see," Hanekawa said quietly. "I'll inform her."
Aoi nodded and vanished.
Moments later, Rin's voice called out. "Hanekawa!"
He turned to see her jogging toward him, and he handed her the second scroll. "This is the Spirit Transformation Technique."
Rin's confidence wavered. "I'm not sure I can learn something so advanced..."
"It's an S-rank soul ninjutsu," Hanekawa explained. "Your spirit leaves your body and can attack an enemy's mind directly, regardless of distance. But that's not all—you can control their body, transmit information to teammates, even share chakra."
Rin's eyes lit up. "That's... that's incredible."
"You'll be an all-purpose support ninja," Hanekawa said, patting her head. "If you can master it."
"I will," Rin said firmly. "I promise."
"Come on, let's get inside. Tsunade can help you understand the theory."
---
Breakfast
The kitchen filled with the aroma of miso soup and grilled fish as Hanekawa set plates in front of Tsunade, Kurenai, and Rin. The three of them were already deep in discussion about their new techniques—Tsunade providing guidance while the girls pored over the scrolls.
"The Hidden Sand is mobilizing," Hanekawa said quietly, setting down his own bowl. "Five thousand ninja under Pakura. They'll reach the Land of Snow in three days. Minato's already pulling our forces back to the Land of Fire."
The table went silent.
"The war is starting," Tsunade said flatly.
"Yes," Hanekawa confirmed.
Tsunade looked at Kurenai and Rin, her expression hardening. "Then you two need to train harder. Use every moment you have. Once the war reaches Konoha's doorstep, there won't be time for lessons."
"Yes, ma'am," both girls said in unison.
Hanekawa watched Tsunade's jaw clench, saw the weight settle on her shoulders. She'd lived through wars before. She knew what was coming.
And she'll be the one leading us through it, he thought. Whether she wants to be or not.
He reached over and squeezed her hand briefly. She glanced at him, and something in her expression softened—just for a moment—before she turned back to her soup.
The war was coming. But for now, in this kitchen, with these people, there was still peace.
It wouldn't last long.