The Hokage Building's conference room fell silent as Hiruzen Sarutobi set down his pipe.
"War is merciless," he said quietly.
None of them had expected the Third Raikage to fall. The man was legendary—considered the strongest shinobi alive. Yet here they were, discussing his death as though it were merely another casualty report.
"What's the situation in Hidden Stone now?" Tsunade asked, her frown deepening.
"They paid dearly for his death," Sarutobi replied. "Over a third of their forces were casualties. They've suspended operations and are regrouping in the Land of Lightning."
Hanekawa's eyes widened slightly. Over a third? That meant thousands of Hidden Stone ninja had died to bring down a single man. The Third Raikage's reputation was well-earned—his Hellish Thrust and Lightning Style Armor made him nearly untouchable. He'd died from exhaustion, not injury. Ten thousand shinobi couldn't scratch him.
"Impressive," Tsunade said, and she meant it. Even with her Yin Seal, she knew she couldn't match that record.
The other jonin exchanged glances of grudging respect. Only Hashirama Senju had ever achieved something comparable.
"This benefits us considerably," Sarutobi continued. "Hidden Stone must choose between continuing against Cloud or retreating. They can't afford to attack us now—not with Cloud seeking revenge and us holding the Four-Tails jinchuriki."
Tsunade nodded slowly. "Cloud sent envoys to Mist?"
"Not quite an alliance," Sarutobi said carefully. "But they're requesting military support. Mist is considering it."
"They'll target us," Tsunade said flatly. "We destroyed their Seven Swordsmen."
"Agreed. Which is why you'll command our forces in the Land of River." Sarutobi paused. "Before that, visit the Fire Daimyo. Our reserves are depleted."
Tsunade accepted this without comment. She had the connections.
"Meeting adjourned."
---
The streets of Konoha bustled with afternoon activity as Tsunade and Hanekawa walked together.
"I don't know when this ends," Tsunade said absently, watching the village.
"After Mist and Cloud fall, it should be over," Hanekawa replied, keeping his tone light.
Tsunade shook her head. "Easier said than done."
"At least Konoha's position is strong," he offered, reaching for her hand.
She almost pulled away—then didn't. They continued walking, hand in hand, drawing curious glances from passersby.
"What are you doing?" she asked, not looking at him.
"Just being honest," Hanekawa said simply.
Tsunade bit her lip but didn't let go. If anyone saw this...
"Let's get groceries," she said finally. "What do you want for lunch?"
"Whatever you want, Teacher."
---
The supermarket entrance.
"Lady Tsunade?"
Tsunade turned to find Mikoto Uchiha, a small boy at her side. Recognition flickered across Mikoto's face—followed by surprise as she noticed Hanekawa.
Holding hands? Mikoto thought, then caught herself. Just a close teacher-student bond, surely.
"Itachi, greet them properly," Mikoto instructed, gently pushing the three-year-old forward.
"Lady Tsunade. Lord Hanekawa," the boy said with surprising formality.
"Just call me Hanekawa," he corrected with a slight smile. Being called 'Lord' by Itachi Uchiha is surreal.
"Brother Hanekawa," Itachi corrected himself immediately.
Tsunade studied the child. Even at three, he carried himself with unusual composure. "He'll become an excellent shinobi."
"Thank you, but he has much to learn compared to Hanekawa," Mikoto said warmly.
"Perhaps he'll surpass him," Tsunade offered politely.
A lie, she thought. No one in this generation comes close to this one.
Mikoto smiled, though she clearly didn't believe it. "I heard he captured the Four-Tails alive. Remarkable."
"The Second Hokage's water techniques are exceptional," Hanekawa said modestly.
Mikoto's expression suggested she wasn't buying that either.
"Has Fugaku returned?" Tsunade changed the subject.
"Briefly. Two or three days at a time." Mikoto's voice grew quieter. "Then back to the Land of Snow."
"The Uchiha clan's contributions to this war are invaluable," Tsunade said seriously. "When it ends, the Hokage will reward you appropriately."
Mikoto's eyes widened. Coming from Tsunade—the presumed successor—this was significant. Perhaps the Uchiha's position is finally improving.
After exchanging pleasantries, Mikoto departed with Itachi.
"You sounded like the Hokage just then," Hanekawa observed as they entered the supermarket.
"I was comforting her," Tsunade said, selecting a bottle of sake.
"Will you keep that promise?" he asked carefully.
Tsunade's jaw tightened. "That's the old man's decision."
"What if we mentioned it to the Fire Daimyo?" Hanekawa suggested lightly. "While we're there for supplies?"
Tsunade shot him a look. "You want me to overthrow the Hokage?"
"Just plant the seed," he said with a playful smile.
"Buy groceries," she said firmly. "Then go home. Stop saying ridiculous things."
"Yes, Teacher."
His sudden seriousness made her pause. This boy is impossible. One moment he's teasing, the next he's sincere. She almost reconsidered his suggestion before dismissing it entirely.
Too dangerous. Too ambitious. Too...
She didn't finish the thought.
---
The next morning, Konoha's gates.
Several ninja teams had assembled—far more than just Tsunade's group. Escorting supplies required numbers, and sealing scrolls were too expensive to waste.
A young kunoichi approached with an enormous ninja dog at her side.
"Lady Tsunade, everyone's assembled," she reported cheerfully.
The dog barked three times at Hanekawa.
"He says his name is Kuromaru and that he's heard of you," the kunoichi translated, grinning. "He says you're strong for capturing a tailed beast alive."
I'm famous enough that ninja dogs know my name? Hanekawa thought with amusement.
"I'm Inuzuka Tsuma," the kunoichi introduced herself.
Kiba's mother, Hanekawa realized. The timeline's getting interesting.
"Five teams total," Tsuma reported to Tsunade. "Ready to move."
"Let's go," Tsunade commanded.
As they departed toward the Fire Daimyo's capital, Hanekawa's mind drifted to Uchiha Madara.
Would he make a move now?
Unlikely. Obito would need time to recover. Madara's real body couldn't leave the Outer Path—only shadow clones, which were weaker.
But White Zetsu was another matter. That creature's Mayfly Technique made it nearly undetectable, allowing the Akatsuki to gather intelligence across the ninja world.
Can my perception sense White Zetsu?
His B-rank Perception Special Jonin entry doubled perception effectiveness. Theoretically, it was among the strongest in the world. But White Zetsu was unique—a being of living plant matter, blended seamlessly with earth and vegetation.
Probably need A-rank Perception Jonin to detect it reliably.
Something to work toward.
For now, he had supplies to escort and a war to help win.