Hanekawa ignored Mei Terumi's troubled expression and settled onto the sofa with a stretch. He pulled out the ninjutsu scrolls the Hidden Stone had provided—four of them, each sealed with a different technique: Earth Style, Explosion Style, Lava Release, and Boiling Release.
"So many options, so little time," he thought, rubbing his forehead. Learning everything at once was impossible. Even with his attribute bonuses, mastering multiple jutsu—especially bloodline limits—required serious commitment.
He prioritized mentally. Flying Thunder God Technique came first. Wood Style second. Then Earth and Water styles. The bloodline limits like Lava Release and Boiling Release could wait.
"Little maid," he called out, glancing at Mei Terumi, who stood rigidly nearby. "Pour me some tea."
"I'm not your maid!" she snapped, her face flushing.
"Don't dawdle." Hanekawa opened the Earth Style scroll casually. "Think carefully about the consequences of breaking our bet."
Mei Terumi's body trembled with barely suppressed rage, but she had no choice. She walked over in her black stockings, the fabric hugging her thighs, and knelt beside the sofa. After retrieving tea from under the table, she stood to prepare it.
Hanekawa blinked. From his angle, he could see the curve of her thighs clearly—fair skin peeking above the black silk.
"What are you staring at?" Mei Terumi's face reddened as she glared at him.
"Reading my scroll," he replied with perfect seriousness.
She huffed and left to make the tea. Hanekawa turned his attention to the first Earth Style technique: Rock Fist. Simple concept—harden your fist into stone, increase its weight and density. Combined with the Strength of a Hundred, it could be devastating.
"Here!" Mei Terumi returned, setting the cup down with a sharp clink.
Hanekawa picked it up and sipped. "Average taste."
"Then don't drink it!" she shot back, arms crossed, glaring down at him.
"About that payment plan we discussed," he continued, ignoring her irritation. "One day at once, or installments?"
"Installments," she said through gritted teeth. Embarrassing herself in front of Hanekawa was preferable to anyone else discovering her current outfit.
"Sit on the other side of the sofa," he instructed.
Mei Terumi's eyes narrowed. "What now?"
"Maids obey their masters' orders," he reminded her.
She pursed her lips and sat. Without hesitation, Hanekawa reclined and rested his head on her black silk thighs. A faint fragrance surrounded him—refreshing, intoxicating.
"You—!" Mei Terumi's fists clenched. She wanted to throw him off, but the consequences held her back.
"Massage," he commanded, returning his attention to the scroll.
"The bet only mentioned wearing the outfit, not—"
"A proper maid must know how to massage," he interrupted smoothly. "It's a basic skill."
"No!"
"Is that so?" He narrowed his eyes meaningfully.
Mei Terumi panicked. She stared at him, then reluctantly said, "Fine. I'll do it."
"Much better."
She took a shaky breath, placed her hands on his temples, and began massaging with careful precision. Her fingers worked with surprising skill.
"You're good at this," Hanekawa observed. "Ever given massages to anyone else?"
"No." She kept her voice steady. "Controlling your strength is basic ninja training."
"True. You're one of the Hidden Mist's finest geniuses."
Mei Terumi's pride flared—then immediately soured. A genius reduced to playing maid. How humiliating. And it was all his fault.
"Is there a ninja named Hoshigaki Kisame in your village?" Hanekawa asked suddenly.
She hesitated. "How do you know about him?"
"Tsunade's student has access to ANBU intelligence," he lied smoothly. "I'm familiar with most major shinobi."
She accepted this without question. His strength and status made it plausible.
"Do you want to become Mizukage?" he asked, changing subjects.
"It's my goal," she admitted directly.
"What if we worked together to remove the Fourth Mizukage?"
"Impossible!" Mei Terumi's hands stilled. "That's treason!"
"If you fail, yes. If you succeed, you become Mizukage," he said casually. "Who knows what the future holds?"
She didn't respond, just resumed her massage with renewed tension.
After a while, Hanekawa shifted position, lying on his side to face her. From this angle, he could almost see up her skirt—almost.
"Pervert!" Mei Terumi quickly blocked his view with her hands.
"I just need a better reading angle," he said innocently, holding the scroll upright against her abdomen, propped on her thighs.
This was, admittedly, perfect. Reading the scroll, face pressed against black silk, receiving a massage—pure bliss.
"How much longer?" Mei Terumi asked, her voice tight with embarrassment and anger.
"Another half hour," he replied peacefully. "You're a maid for the whole day, remember?"
She bit her lip and continued, her leg trembling slightly as she worked.
Thirty minutes later, Hanekawa sat up. He'd absorbed the theoretical knowledge of Rock Fist—now came practice.
Mei Terumi practically leaped off the sofa, patting her thigh with obvious disgust. The flesh jiggled slightly from the impact.
"I'm leaving," she announced.
"You don't need to come back tomorrow. I'll contact you when I'm free," he said casually.
"You're delaying on purpose!" Her eyes darkened.
"You could come tomorrow, but then you'd need to be a hostess as well," he countered.
Mei Terumi froze for two seconds. "I'll... wait for your notification."
"See you next time."
She stalked into the other room, changed out of the maid outfit, and vanished without a word. Hanekawa wasn't surprised—being a maid was humiliating for someone of her status.
---
The next two weeks blurred together. Mornings training Earth and Water styles with Kurenai at Tsunade's house. Afternoons attempting the Flying Thunder God Technique. Boring, repetitive, essential.
Tsunade collapsed onto the sofa the moment she returned home, relief washing over her face.
"Are the negotiations with the Mist Village finished?" Hanekawa asked, handing her water.
"Finally," she sighed. "Remember to return those six ninja swords and the summoning scroll."
Hanekawa had fused the Thunderswords: Kiba into his Thunder-Fire Sword, leaving six. The Mist Village wasn't happy about it, but they had no leverage. Six swords or nothing—they chose six.
In exchange, he'd obtained Mei Terumi's Lava Release and Boiling Release entries. She'd made him promise not to teach them to anyone else. He'd agreed easily—it wasn't like he could teach them anyway, and the restriction was meaningless.
"Who should I give them to?" he asked. "Or will the Mist ninja come collect them?"
"They'll come to you," Tsunade said, sipping water. "Just wait."
"There's something else," she continued, leaning back. "Next month, we're going to the Frost Country."
Hanekawa's eyebrows rose. "To end the war?"
"Sooner is better than later," she confirmed, closing her eyes.
"I haven't mastered Flying Thunder God yet," he said regretfully.
"That technique isn't easy," Tsunade grumbled. "You geniuses are insufferable."
"You're a genius too, Teacher."
"Don't start with me." She yawned. "I'm hungry."
"Sleep for half an hour first," he suggested. "We'll eat after."
"Good idea."
She slid down the sofa, her body settling with a soft collision. Her clothes shifted, revealing the full curve of her form. Hanekawa's eye twitched slightly before he turned toward the kitchen.
"You sneaky little brat," Tsunade muttered with a snort.
She'd felt his gaze. But she didn't stop him. Must be more tired than I thought, she told herself before drifting off.
When she woke to the smell of cooking, Hanekawa was already setting down a piece of steaming chicken. She didn't hesitate—her lips parted, and she drew it in with her tongue.
Her eyes narrowed in pleasure. Ever since he'd obtained the Super Chef entry, eating had become transcendent.
Hanekawa reached out and touched her head without thinking.
She looked up at him.
"Dinner's ready," he said calmly, standing to walk to the table.
Tsunade considered teaching him a lesson for his presumption, but the spread of food distracted her. She let it slide—for now.
---
The next day, Mei Terumi arrived to collect the swords.
"Hand them over," she demanded, extending her fair hand.
"This feels too casual," Hanekawa said with a smile. "How about you change into that maid outfit again?"
"Absolutely not!" she snapped. "I won't indulge your perverted fantasies!"
"You still owe me twenty-three hours," he pointed out.
"You really want it?" she asked uncertainly.
"I was joking," he said, producing two scrolls.
Mei Terumi froze. Is this a trap?
She snatched the scrolls and examined them carefully.
"Don't worry. They're just swords. I didn't tamper with them," he assured her.
"These are not 'just swords'!" she protested.
"Twenty-three hours," he said with a smile.
"I know! Stop reminding me!" she snapped, losing patience.
"I'll visit the Hidden Mist Village sometime and collect," he said casually.
Of course, his real interest was in Kaguya Kimimaro and Shiro—the Corpse Bone Vein and Ice Release were worth the trip.
"You'd dare come to the Mist Village?" Mei Terumi's gaze sharpened.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"..." She had no answer. They wouldn't dare kill him. If he died in the Mist Village, Konoha would declare war. They'd have to protect him instead.