Hanekawa entered the main tent with Tsunade's permission, only to find that Hyuga Hizashi and Chiyo were already there alongside his teacher.
"What's going on?" he asked directly, approaching Tsunade.
Chiyo glanced at him but said nothing. There was no need for introductions—Hanekawa had earned the right to ask questions. It wasn't just his status as Tsunade's student; his strength spoke for itself. She'd heard rumors of him capturing the Four-Tails alive, but she hadn't believed them until witnessing his power firsthand over the past two months in Land of River. The boy was a prodigy with water-style ninjutsu that rivaled even Tobirama Senju's techniques.
"The Third Mizukage has withdrawn his forces from Land of River," Tsunade said, her voice steady. "He's planning something."
Hanekawa nodded. Two months of stalemate would force any commander to change tactics. For Konoha and the Hidden Sand, this meant a critical test—they couldn't take the offensive advantage the Mist Village held with its maritime superiority.
"Hizashi, your Byakugan users need to increase surveillance," Tsunade ordered. "Report any movement from the Hidden Mist immediately."
"Understood, Lady Tsunade," Hizashi replied crisply.
"I'll deploy my puppet reconnaissance units," Chiyo added, taking initiative. The Hidden Sand needed to prove its value in this alliance.
After they left, Hanekawa waited until they were alone. "I have good news."
Tsunade's curiosity flickered across her face. "Oh?"
He extended his right hand. Chakra surged from his palm, rotating and compressing until it formed a sphere of molten rock.
Tsunade's eyes widened. "That's... Lava Release?"
"Lava Release Rasengan," Hanekawa confirmed, dispersing it. "Roughly twice the power of a standard Rasengan."
"Incredible." Tsunade shook her head in genuine amazement. "The old man tried synthesizing bloodline limits for years without success. If Hiruzen knew you'd achieved this..."
"It was mostly your guidance, Teacher."
"Don't be modest." She studied him with new appreciation. "Your talent might actually exceed his."
Hanekawa seized the opening. "Speaking of synthesis... can Wood Style be combined?"
The question hung in the air. Tsunade's expression froze.
Wood Style. The legendary kekkei genkai of Hashirama Senju, the God of Shinobi. Konoha had spent decades trying to recreate it without success. For Tsunade, it represented something sacred—the power of the First Hokage himself.
"Absolutely not," she said flatly. "Don't even think about it."
"Why not?"
"Because it can't be done. That's why." Her irritation was clear. "Wood Style isn't some parlor trick you synthesize after a few months of training."
Hanekawa smiled. "Then let's make a bet."
Tsunade stared at him. "You're serious?"
"Completely."
She crossed her arms, her competitive nature rising to the bait. "Fine. What are the stakes?"
"If I synthesize Wood Style within three years, you grant me one request. In return, I'll grant you one."
Tsunade considered this, then raised her hand. "Three years. Deal."
They sealed it with a high-five.
"Don't regret this, Teacher," Hanekawa said with confidence.
"The only one who'll regret anything is you," Tsunade shot back. "If it were that easy, we'd have Wood Style users already."
Before she could continue, Hanekawa produced a small jewelry box. "Birthday present."
Tsunade blinked. She'd completely forgotten her own birthday—too many battles, too much responsibility. No one ever remembered except...
"I bought it in Konoha two months ago," he explained, opening the box to reveal an elegant light-gold anklet, delicate flowers etched along the band.
"Another anklet?" She raised an eyebrow. "Do you have a foot fetish?"
"I don't!" His denial was immediate. "The last one was for combat. This one's for everyday wear."
Tsunade studied the piece. It was beautiful—impractical for fighting, but genuinely lovely. She rarely bought herself such things. Her lifestyle didn't allow for vanity.
"I don't have a gift for you," she said quietly. "I'll get something when we return."
"Not necessary." He smiled. "How about the same as last time?"
Last time. A hug on her birthday—the only gift that had ever mattered.
Tsunade felt her chest tighten. It was just a hug. Nothing significant. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him briefly, then stepped back just as quickly.
"Go. I have work to do," she said, turning to the map.
After he left, Tsunade sat down and carefully removed her old anklet, replacing it with the new one. She admired how it caught the light, how perfectly it fit. A small smile played at her lips.
---
Hanekawa didn't return to rest. Instead, he found an open space and began training his wind-style techniques, forming seals and exhaling compressed wind bullets that punched clean through the earth like projectiles.
After thirty minutes of intensive practice, notifications flooded his vision.
[B-Rank Talent Entry: Wind Style Special Jonin]
[Trigger Condition: Master nine wind-style ninjutsu techniques]
[Effect: All wind-style ninjutsu power increased by 100%]
[Note: Learning additional wind techniques enables advancement to A-Rank Wind Style Jonin]
Finally. All seven elemental attributes now reached Special Jonin level.
But the next entries made his pulse quicken.
[B-Rank Talent Entry: Seven-Attribute Special Jonin]
[Trigger Condition: Possess Special Jonin entries in all seven chakra natures: Yin, Yang, Wind, Fire, Lightning, Earth, Water]
[Effect: Chakra property mastery increased by 150%. Resistance to all seven-nature ninjutsu increased by 100%]
The resistance effect was new—essentially elemental defense. Fire wouldn't burn as easily. Genjutsu would break faster. Every element would have reduced effectiveness against him.
He synthesized immediately.
[A-Rank Talent Entry: All-Around Jonin]
[Trigger Condition: Synthesized from B-Rank Seven-Attribute Special Jonin and B-Rank Perception Special Jonin]
[Effect: Chakra capacity increased by 300%. Chakra refinement speed increased by 200%]
[Note: Synthesizing A-Rank Seven-Attribute Jonin with A-Rank Seven Bloodline Limits creates S-Rank Invincible Shadow]
Hanekawa's breath caught. A 300% increase to his chakra pool was transformative. Combined with the Yin Seal, he'd rival Kisame in raw reserves.
But the S-Rank requirement made his stomach drop.
Seven bloodline limits.
He only had one—Lava Release from the Four-Tails. To get seven, he'd need to defeat all nine tailed beasts. And Wood Style would require synthesizing water and earth attributes at jonin level.
Three years suddenly felt very optimistic.
Still, the path was clear. Hanekawa looked up at the stars and allowed himself a grim smile.
Time to start collecting.