"What are you planning to do with those?" Tsunade asked, gesturing toward the sealed scrolls Hanekawa had arranged on the table.
"Haven't decided yet," Hanekawa admitted, handing her one of the scrolls. "Want it, Teacher?"
Tsunade shook her head. "I'm a medical ninja. I don't need a sword."
"I'll store them for now," Hanekawa said, thinking aloud. "If nothing else works out, we can always trade them to the Hokage for a reward."
Tsunade's eyes lit up. "The Hidden Mist Village will pay a fortune to get those back."
Hanekawa's expression shifted as the implications clicked into place. The five major villages cycled through conflict and peace like clockwork. Once this war ended, diplomatic channels would reopen. The Mist Village would absolutely seek to reclaim their legendary blades.
"We could sell them," he said slowly. "Keep the ones we want and auction off the rest."
"Exactly." Tsunade smiled. "They either buy back six swords, or they get nothing. Their choice."
Hanekawa had already planned to reforge the Thunderswords: Kiba for himself, but the other six held no practical value for him. Selling them to desperate Mist Village diplomats sounded far more profitable.
"How did you manage to kill Kushimaru alone?" Tsunade asked casually, watching the organized chaos of soldiers moving supplies across the captured base. Her tone was light, but curiosity flickered behind her eyes.
"Combined the Five Elements," Hanekawa explained briefly. "His swordsmanship was too strong otherwise. The elemental combination gave me the edge I needed."
He'd been surprised himself. The Five Elements technique was powerful, but he'd never fully appreciated its potential until facing an opponent who could suppress his sword skills. Kushimaru had forced him to innovate.
"You're starting to sound like an old man," Tsunade sighed, shaking her head.
"How so?" Hanekawa coughed lightly. "At least I'm better-looking than him."
"What are you talking about?" Tsunade glared at him, then laughed. "He's my teacher. Show some respect."
"You don't respect him," Hanekawa pointed out.
"Looking for a fight?" Tsunade's knuckles cracked as she raised her fist to his face, her voice dropping to a dangerous purr.
"Absolutely not." Hanekawa quickly caught her wrist. "I have tremendous respect for Lord Hokage."
"Let go," Tsunade said, eyeing her trapped hand with amusement.
"Teacher, I heard the Hokage knows compound ninjutsu," Hanekawa said smoothly, releasing her. "Is that true?"
Tsunade's smile widened. "Why? Interested in learning?"
"Very much," Hanekawa admitted without hesitation.
Tsunade considered this for a moment. "You've done well here. Discovering the Mist Village headquarters, eliminating Kushimaru—these are significant contributions. When we return to Konoha, I'll speak to Hiruzen about teaching you some compound techniques. As a reward."
Hanekawa understood immediately. With his status and the credit he'd earned, securing compound ninjutsu from the Third Hokage would be straightforward.
"If he refuses, I'll convince him," Tsunade added with a shrug.
"You just told me to respect him," Hanekawa pointed out with a slight smile.
"You little brat!" Tsunade flicked his forehead hard enough to make him wince. "Who do you think I'm doing this for?"
"Teacher is the best," Hanekawa said, rubbing his forehead but grinning.
In a way, he was living off Tsunade's considerable intangible assets. She might be perpetually broke, but her connections and influence were invaluable.
"That's more like it," Tsunade snorted, satisfied.
Then three lines of text materialized in Hanekawa's vision, and he couldn't help but pause.
A new entry. Now?
---
[B-Rank Talent Entry: King of Swords]
[Trigger Condition: Eliminate all Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist]
[Effect: Increase all sword-based combat power by 100%]
[Note: Cannot be synthesized]
---
Hanekawa's eyes widened slightly. This was excellent—far more direct than the "Rain God" entry he'd obtained from Hanzo, and without any restrictions. Compared to his earlier "Swordsmanship Chunin" entry, this was vastly superior in scope.
Though B-Rank seemed modest for eliminating seven jonin, he supposed it made sense. He'd only directly killed Kushimaru; the others had been assists at best.
Still, this was a significant power spike. If he faced Kushimaru again now, his swordsmanship would no longer be suppressed. A hundred percent increase in sword combat power was nothing to dismiss.
Not bad, he thought. Not bad at all.
---
Isolated Island, Hidden Mist Territory
Mei Terumi stood before a map table, mentally plotting their next movements, when hurried footsteps echoed outside the tent.
"Lady Mei!" A young ninja burst in, panic etched across his face. "You need to see this!"
Mei didn't fully understand, but she followed him outside anyway.
What she saw made her blood run cold.
Scattered Mist Village ninjas were limping toward the island from the water, their bodies covered in wounds, their faces twisted in fear and defeat. These were soldiers from the base camp—ninjas she'd stationed there personally.
A terrible possibility crystallized in her mind. She didn't want to believe it, but the evidence was overwhelming.
"Organize a rescue effort," she commanded, her voice tight. "Now."
"Yes, ma'am!"
As her people rushed to help the injured, a relatively unscathed chunin approached her.
"Lady Mei," he said quietly. "I have a report."
"What happened?" Mei demanded.
The chunin recounted everything: the surprise assault by the Leaf and Hidden Sands, the coordinated attack, the complete annihilation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. All of them. Not a single survivor.
Mei's legs nearly buckled. "All... all of them?"
"Yes, ma'am. Every one."
She took a step back, processing the catastrophe. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen—the pride of the Hidden Mist, the foundation of their military strength—were gone. Completely eliminated.
"What do we do now, ma'am?" the chunin asked hesitantly.
Mei closed her eyes and took a shaky breath. "Retreat to the Hidden Mist Village. We have no choice."
"Yes, ma'am."
As the chunin departed to organize the withdrawal, Mei turned and walked back into her tent. She collapsed into a chair, her mind churning.
According to the chunin's account, a young ninja named Hanekawa had personally killed Kushimaru. The same Hanekawa she'd fought weeks ago—the one who'd seemed to hold back, who'd toyed with her like she was beneath his notice.
How much strength was he hiding? she wondered, her voice barely a whisper in the empty tent. Is there any way to defeat him now?
Two weeks ago, they'd been confident. Invincible. Ready to conquer Konoha or the Hidden Sand.
Now the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were legends of the past, and the Hidden Mist Village had become a laughingstock.
---
Former Hidden Mist Village Headquarters
Now occupied by Leaf and Sand forces, the captured base yielded an embarrassment of riches: confidential documents, ninjutsu scrolls, weapons, supplies. Tsunade, ever fair, divided everything equally between the two villages.
The Hidden Sand ninjas were grateful. By any objective measure, their contribution had been minimal—perhaps a fifth of the total effort. The lion's share of credit belonged to Hanekawa and Tsunade.
His reputation was spreading rapidly. Among both the Leaf and Hidden Sands, his name was becoming synonymous with elite combat capability. The Hidden Mist Village probably knew his name too, though for different reasons.
Hanekawa was following a trajectory similar to Kakashi Hatake and Shisui Uchiha in the original timeline—rising to prominence during wartime. Except he'd gotten there first.
"Hanekawa!"
Kurenai sprinted toward him, Rin close behind. Both girls looked relieved to see him intact.
"Thank goodness you're okay!" Kurenai said, breathing hard. "When we first arrived and saw all those bodies... I was so worried."
"I wanted to come with Teacher Tsunade," Kurenai added, pouting slightly. "But she wouldn't let me."
Hanekawa couldn't help but smile at her expression. "I brought you something."
He unrolled a scroll, revealing detailed documentation. "The Hidden Mist Technique and the Mist Instant Body Technique. Water-style ninjutsu. Teacher thought Konoha could use more water techniques, so she gave them to us."
Kurenai's eyes widened. "Those are the Mist Village's signature techniques!"
"They're useful in combat," Hanekawa explained. "Fighting in thick fog gives you a major advantage unless your opponent has a Byakugan or specialized training. Learning these will make you significantly stronger."
"Really?" Kurenai took the scroll eagerly, already imagining the possibilities.
Rin watched the exchange quietly, a small smile on her face.
Tsunade approached, her expression satisfied. "We just received word. All remaining Mist Village forces have abandoned the island and withdrawn."
"Does that mean we can go home?" Kurenai's excitement was immediate and palpable.
Rin's expression brightened as well. They'd been in the Land of Rivers for half a month, constantly harassed by Mist Village tactics. The physical and mental exhaustion was real.
"Not quite yet," Tsunade said, tempering their enthusiasm. "We need to wait and see if they attempt a counterattack."
"How long?" Kurenai asked, unable to hide her disappointment.
"A week or two," Tsunade estimated. "If nothing happens, we head back to Konoha."
"That's not so bad," Kurenai said, brightening again at the prospect of a definite timeline.
"Teacher," Hanekawa said, a thought occurring to him. "Have you found Raiga Kurosuki's body?"
Tsunade shook her head. "Both Raiga and Juzo died about two weeks ago. They were probably sent back to the Hidden Mist Village for proper burial."
"Unfortunate," Hanekawa said. "I was hoping to study his Lightning Style techniques. They're all tied to the Thunderswords, and some are quite advanced."
"Request them when the Mist Village negotiates for the swords," Tsunade suggested. "They'll be motivated to cooperate."
She paused, her expression becoming more serious. "For now, focus on the Hundred Healings Technique. Set aside the other ninjutsu."
"Understood, Teacher," Hanekawa said formally.
He'd been studying Creation and Regeneration and the Hundred Healings Technique during his downtime, but S-Rank ninjutsu didn't yield easily. It would take months, though that was still faster than learning the Yin Seal had been.
"Get some rest," Tsunade said, her expression softening slightly. "You've earned it."
---
Konoha, Hokage's Office
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned as he reviewed Orochimaru's battle report. Facing two Hidden Cloud jinchuriki and an A-level combatant like the Fourth Raikage, their forces seemed inadequate. The situation was precarious, held together only by Orochimaru's experience and the Hidden Sand reinforcements.
The Third Raikage remained in the Hidden Cloud, guarding against potential Iwa aggression. That was the only reason the Cloud forces weren't overwhelming.
When Sarutobi reached the final page, his mouth twitched.
Danzo was requesting that he send Kushina Uzumaki—the Nine-Tails jinchuriki—to reinforce their position.
Sarutobi set the report down and refused. The situation wasn't desperate enough, and deploying the Nine-Tails would send dangerous signals to the other villages.
Then Aoi entered with another report.
"Lord Hokage. Message from Lady Tsunade."
Sarutobi's eyes sharpened as he took the scroll. He read quickly, and his expression transformed. First shock, then a spreading smile, then genuine laughter—rare enough that Aoi stared in surprise.
"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen have been completely eliminated," Sarutobi announced, his voice warm with satisfaction. "The Hidden Mist Village has retreated."
"That's... that's excellent news, sir," Aoi managed.
Sarutobi nodded, already composing the official announcement in his mind. "Make sure the village knows. Emphasize that Hanekawa discovered the Mist Village headquarters, and Tsunade led the jonin in the assault. This is a significant victory."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
As Aoi departed, Sarutobi leaned back in his chair, a rare expression of genuine contentment on his weathered face.
The war was turning in their favor.