Nohara Rin couldn't take the embarrassment anymore. She turned on her heel and bolted from the tent.
Hanekawa watched her go, a smile tugging at his lips. At least something's normal.
The night passed without incident. Morning came cold and gray—February hung between seasons, the early dawn offering no warmth.
When Hanekawa emerged from his tent, a sharp wind cut across the camp. He found Rin already awake, standing near the fire pit.
"G-good morning," she stammered, her face flushing the moment she saw him.
"Morning. Tsunade and Kurenai still asleep?"
Hanekawa glanced at the larger tent. They'd simplified things for the field—two tents total. He'd gotten his own after Tsunade decided last year that propriety mattered. As if sleeping bags in a tent with three other people was somehow more scandalous than anything else.
"Y-yes," Rin managed, her blush spreading down her neck.
"You're bright red." Hanekawa reached out, pressing the back of his hand against her cheek. "Fever?"
Rin froze. The world seemed to tilt. She couldn't hear anything over the pounding in her ears.
"You're adorable," he said, ruffling her hair before stepping back. "Go wash up."
She nodded mutely and hurried away, her heart hammering against her ribs.
Kurenai emerged from the tent moments later, practically bouncing toward him. "Hanekawa! Good morning!"
"Sleep well?" He ran a hand through her soft red hair.
"Really well! No Iwa-nin attacks last night!" She beamed up at him. "That's the best part about sleeping."
Hanekawa chuckled. She's six. Everything is simple.
"Rin's washing up. You should too. Breakfast when you get back."
Kurenai touched his face impulsively, her ruby eyes bright with joy, then skipped off after Rin.
Hanekawa turned to head back inside and found Tsunade standing in the tent doorway, arms crossed.
Oh no.
"Good morning, Teacher," he said smoothly. "You look especially beautiful today."
"Flattery?" Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "Did you say the same thing to Kurenai?"
"Absolutely not." Hanekawa met her gaze without flinching. "Kurenai is cute. You're beautiful. Completely different categories."
"So I'm not cute?"
This is a trap. Everything is a trap.
"What I mean is—beauty is your primary quality. Cuteness is secondary," he said, sweat beading his forehead. "Teachers should be beautiful first."
Tsunade studied him for a long moment, then smiled. "You're quite the talker. I wonder how many people you've fooled."
"I haven't lied to you, Teacher. I promise."
He stepped closer, emboldened by her smile. His eyes drifted downward before he caught himself.
"I don't believe you," Tsunade said, but she was still smiling. She extended one finger and pushed him away gently. "I'm hungry."
"I'll cook right now!"
He caught her hand briefly before turning to prepare breakfast. Tsunade stood there for a moment, watching him work, a slight frown crossing her features.
This kid's getting bolder.
She didn't pull away, though.
---
After breakfast, the four of them resumed their journey. By dusk, the gates of Konoha came into view.
"No welcoming committee," Tsunade observed, visibly relaxing. "Thank the gods. I hate those things."
"Probably because we're late," Hanekawa offered. Though being the center of attention isn't terrible. Just... exhausting in large doses.
After Rin completed the standard return registration, Tsunade dismissed them both. "Head home. Rest."
"Yes," Rin and Kurenai said in unison.
But both lingered, glancing at Hanekawa before leaving—Kurenai with obvious reluctance, Rin with something more complicated in her expression.
Hanekawa was still processing this when pain shot through his foot.
"Stop daydreaming. Hokage's office. Now," Tsunade said flatly, as if she hadn't just kicked him.
---
The Hokage Building still bustled with activity despite the late hour. ANBU operatives moved through the halls like ghosts. Hanekawa felt a twinge of sympathy. Twenty-four hours a day, every day. No wonder they're called the elite among ninja.
Tsunade didn't bother knocking. She kicked the office door open hard enough to crack the frame.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up from his paperwork with an amused expression. "Back already? You've earned your rest."
"What's the situation with the Mist Village?" Tsunade asked, ignoring the pleasantry.
"Quiet for now." Hiruzen set down his brush. "You did exceptional work. Better than I anticipated."
"Reward," Tsunade said curtly.
"There's no rush," Hiruzen replied thoughtfully. "I'm still deciding what's appropriate. Once we negotiate with the Hidden Stone, we can finalize something suitable. Their willingness to pay will help."
He turned his attention to Hanekawa. "You've learned the compound techniques I taught you?"
"He's already mastered them," Tsunade interjected. "His proficiency rivals yours."
Hiruzen's brush paused mid-stroke. Did she really just say that?
He recovered quickly, reaching into a drawer and producing a scroll. "This is for you, Hanekawa."
Tsunade's eyes widened slightly. "Just one?"
"The Five Elements Great Link Technique," Hiruzen said.
Tsunade's expression shifted to something almost vulnerable. Hanekawa watched her process this—watched her realize what it meant. He'd now learned techniques from the Second Hokage, the Third Hokage, and would soon learn from the Fifth. The only missing piece was the First Hokage's Wood Style, which was impossible without Senju blood.
She's thinking about my future, Hanekawa realized. About what I could become.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage," Hanekawa said, accepting the scroll carefully.
"It's quite difficult," Hiruzen warned. "Come to me if you have questions."
There was something different in his tone now—something that suggested Hanekawa had crossed a threshold in his eyes. Not just a student of Tsunade's anymore. Something more.
"It's getting late," Hiruzen said, glancing toward the window. "Rest. I'll send word if anything urgent comes up."
---
The streets of Konoha were quiet as they walked home. Tsunade seemed lost in thought.
"The old man came through this time," she said finally. "Even Jiraiya and Orochimaru haven't learned that technique."
"Do you want to learn it?" Hanekawa asked.
"No." Tsunade shook her head. "My medical ninjutsu is sufficient. Besides, you need to master all five nature transformations, and I haven't reached that level."
They passed a bookstore, and Hanekawa's attention snagged on the window display. A newspaper headline blazed in bold letters:
KONOHA DEFEATS HIDDEN STONE IN DECISIVE VICTORY
TSUNADE AND HANEKAWA CAPTURE FOUR-TAILS ALIVE
"I'm buying a newspaper," he said, stepping inside.
The article was comprehensive if not detailed. It covered the major battles, the strategic implications, and—most interestingly—reactions from other villages. Hanekawa's name appeared alongside Tsunade's repeatedly.
"You're famous now," Tsunade said, reading over his shoulder. "Every major village knows who you are."
"Not as famous as you, Teacher," Hanekawa said seriously. "Your reputation has surpassed the Hokage's."
Tsunade's eye twitched. "What nonsense—"
"Think about it," Hanekawa pressed. "Lord Hokage made his name in the first two wars, but he's never captured a tailed beast alive. You have. That's unprecedented."
Tsunade held her forehead. This devil. He's absolutely right, and he knows it.
"Forget it," she muttered. "Let's eat. I want a proper meal and sake."
---
In the Land of Grass, in a cavern hidden from the world, Madara Uchiha received a report from White Zetsu.
"Obito has awakened," the creature informed him.
"Good," Madara nodded. "Let him recover. We'll speak when he's stronger."
Another White Zetsu emerged moments later. "Lord Madara. Hanekawa and Nohara Rin have returned to Konoha."
Madara's frown deepened. Konoha. Inconvenient.
Opening the Mangekyō Sharingan was simple enough—especially for someone like Obito. All it required was witnessing the death of someone precious. But Konoha was currently beyond his reach, and Tsunade was too formidable to force a confrontation.
Still, Tsunade couldn't remain in the village forever. Eventually, she would leave. And when she did...
But there was another complication now. Hanekawa had captured the Four-Tails alive. That meant two jonin-level fighters in that team. Possibly three if Rin had grown stronger.
Madara considered the problem carefully.
"Do you think Nohara Rin has romantic feelings for Hanekawa?" he asked White Zetsu.
The creature tilted its head. "What is romantic feeling?"
Madara waved him away. "Never mind. Leave me."
Alone in the darkness, Madara contemplated his options. He'd seen many Uchiha open their eyes. The triggers were always the same—family or love. Obito's grandmother had helped him cross the street once. That was family, but weak.
Nohara Rin, though... that was different. That was the kind of love that could shatter a heart.
And shattered hearts opened eyes.
Madara smiled to himself. Patience. The pieces are moving into place.
---