The last rays of sunlight faded from the sky, leaving only the gentle darkness of evening.
After a day of missions, peace had finally settled over the Konoha base camp. A small river ran nearby, and the summer breeze carried the promise of cool relief.
Tsunade sat by the water's edge, watching the ripples spread across the surface. She lifted her right leg slowly, hooking her fingers around her trouser leg and sliding her hand up her fair skin, revealing her slender calf. Her toes—like small pearls—flexed slightly against the stones, their red polish dimmed by the fading light.
She switched legs, rolling up the other trouser leg to examine the anklet around her ankle for a moment before letting it fall back into place.
With a satisfied sigh, she dipped both feet into the water. The cool sensation made her eyes narrow in pleasure.
This is what summer's for, she thought, wiggling her toes.
Then her eyebrows rose.
The water around her feet began to swirl—gentle streams rotating in deliberate patterns, massaging her soles as if possessed by intention.
Tsunade's toes curled instinctively, her legs tensing.
A smile tugged at her lips. "Brat, who taught you to use Water Style like this?"
"Ninjutsu is a tool," came Hanekawa's voice from behind her. "Whether it's for fighting or foot massages, the principle's the same."
"That's nonsense," Tsunade snorted.
"If Teacher doesn't like it, I'll stop." Hanekawa withdrew his chakra.
"Don't waste chakra during wartime," Tsunade said, reaching back without looking. "Come sit."
"Ah."
Hanekawa walked forward—then his eyelids twitched.
Tsunade had removed her tea-green jacket. Her sleeveless top left her shoulders bare, and when he looked down, he caught a glimpse of pale skin at her collar. Below that, her slender legs glistened in the water like jade, smooth and luminous.
Oh no.
"Why are you standing there?" Tsunade glanced back at him, then seemed to realize what he was looking at. Her hand moved to adjust her collar.
"Teacher, have you eaten yet?" Hanekawa asked quickly, sitting beside her and desperately searching for a new topic.
"Just a little," Tsunade said, pulling her collar higher. "Not very filling."
Close call, Hanekawa thought, relieved at his own quick thinking.
"Then you must still be hungry," he said. "How about grilled fish?"
Tsunade's stomach seemed to answer for her. "Where?"
Hanekawa pointed. "There. Two crucian carp."
"They're small," Tsunade observed.
"We can catch more." Hanekawa smiled. "Watch."
He formed hand seals, and the river responded to his will. Water rose like living arms, reaching out to snatch the fish from their habitat. The carp, which had lived their entire lives in relative peace, never imagined they'd be ambushed by the very water they swam in.
Tsunade stared. "Your Water Style..."
This level of control was extraordinary. To manipulate water with such precision meant Hanekawa had mastered both the form and nature transformations of Water Style to an exceptional degree. Among every water-style ninja she'd encountered, only Senju Tobirama came close.
"I'm not sure how it happened," Hanekawa said casually. "Just kept practicing until it worked out."
Tsunade's eye twitched. Is that still human language?
She'd experienced Hanekawa's abnormal talent before, but it never stopped being unsettling. Still, she couldn't complain—the stronger he became, the better his chances of survival.
Hanekawa caught her expression and laughed. Of course, his explanation was nonsense. The truth was far more interesting: he'd finally completed the progress bar for the A-Rank entry "Water Style Jonin."
Nearly six weeks had passed since the battle with Hidden Cloud's thousand-strong force. Apparently, Danzo had decided that suppressing Tsunade wasn't worth the effort, because the pressure had eased considerably. Missions had returned to something resembling normal—mostly logistics and deep reconnaissance, with fewer direct engagements.
But there had been enough battles.
Hanekawa now possessed three entries boosting Water Style power:
- A-Rank: "Water Style Jonin" (+150%)
- B-Rank: "Rain God"
- B-Rank: "I am the Mizukage"
In theory, his Water Style techniques could reach a 350% power multiplier. It was his strongest element by far—even his Lava Style couldn't compare. Bloodline limits were theoretically superior to single nature releases, but all of Hanekawa's techniques had bonus attributes. That's why he favored them.
Earth Style was progressing similarly, though slightly slower. He estimated another half month before he could synthesize Wood Style.
Just a little longer, he thought.
"That's enough," Tsunade said, eyeing the ten fish he'd caught. "Go grill them."
"Right away, Teacher."
Hanekawa set up a fire nearby, cleaned the fish, and skewered them. He used Fire Style chakra to intensify the flames, having grown accustomed to using chakra as a universal tool. A little here, a little there—it all proved useful.
Soon, the aroma filled the air.
Tsunade's eyes lit up. She leaned forward slightly, and Hanekawa had to look away very carefully.
"Almost ready," he said.
"Hurry," she urged, touching her stomach.
Minutes later, he handed her a skewer. "Here."
"Thank you." Tsunade bit into the fish eagerly, then immediately blew on it—her red lips forming a perfect O as she cooled the bite.
"Teacher, you're adorable," Hanekawa said with a chuckle.
Tsunade glared at him but said nothing, too focused on eating. Hanekawa suspected she was mentally composing something about respecting one's teacher, but her mouth was too full to voice it.
He picked up his own skewer and ate.
"Shimura Danzo's been quiet," Hanekawa said after a moment. "Shouldn't we monitor him?"
He didn't want Danzo ruining his synthesis at the critical moment.
"Monitoring Danzo directly is too dangerous," Tsunade replied thoughtfully. "But we can watch his Root subordinates instead. Hizashi's heading back to The Hidden Leaf tomorrow to check on his newborn. I'll have him get a list of former Root members from the ANBU."
"His child was born?" Hanekawa asked, interested.
"This month, yes. He needed to verify everything was well." Tsunade paused. "It's a boy."
Hanekawa's mind immediately calculated. Hyuga Neji's birthday was July 3rd—very soon. Next year would bring Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, and Hinata Hyuga into the world.
Which means Madara's time is ending, he thought carefully. He and Sasuke are both Indra's reincarnations. When Madara dies, Sasuke is born. When Sasuke dies, the cycle continues.
There had been no word from Obito since his injuries. Madara was likely using this time to train him and advance the Moon Eye Project.
If Madara died soon, would Obito become unstable?
But there was still time. Hanekawa would master the Flying Thunder God Technique by next year.
"You're overthinking this," Tsunade said, glancing at him. "As you said before—absolute strength makes schemes irrelevant."
She'd misunderstood his concern, but Hanekawa didn't correct her. She didn't know about Obito, after all.
"I just want Danzo gone," he said with a smile. "That old man's annoying."
"He won't stay arrogant much longer," Tsunade said, exhaling. "If we weren't at war, I'd have captured him already for the Wood Style experiments."
"Ah." Hanekawa handed her another skewer as she finished the first.
Tsunade sighed. "I wish I could drink."
"You could have a little," Hanekawa suggested. "Your strength means alcohol won't affect you."
"If I start, I won't stop," Tsunade admitted, tempted but resistant. "And with Danzo looking for any excuse to undermine me... I can't give him ammunition."
"Then drink when we get back," Hanekawa said with a smile. "Celebrate properly."
"Mm." Tsunade finished eating, stretched luxuriously, and let out a satisfied groan that made Hanekawa's eyes drift—
"What are you looking at, you little devil?!"
Her hand shot out, pinching his cheek before he could respond.
"Sorry!" he said at lightning speed.
"And you're still looking?!" A cross-popping vein appeared on her forehead.
"Teacher's too charming," Hanekawa managed, forcing his gaze away.
Tsunade's mouth curved upward. She began kneading his face like dough, her mood visibly improving.
"Ow!" Hanekawa gasped. "That hurts!"
"Does it?" Her hands moved faster, clearly enjoying herself.
For a moment, Hanekawa considered fighting back. Then he remembered he valued his life and stayed still.
"Alright, let's head back and rest," Tsunade finally said, releasing him.
"Yes," Hanekawa said weakly.
She studied his wilted expression with amusement. "Unhappy with your teacher?"
"Never," he said carefully.
Tsunade smiled—then suddenly leaned close. Before Hanekawa could process what was happening, she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a warm embrace. She kissed his forehead gently.
"Good night," she whispered, then stood and walked away.
Hanekawa watched her go, then looked down at himself.
Another sneak attack!
He couldn't help but smile despite himself. He stood, brushed off his clothes, and headed back to the tent, his mind already spinning with plans for the synthesis ahead.
---
The next day, Hyuga Hizashi returned from The Hidden Leaf.
He'd originally hoped to arrive in time for Neji's birth but had missed it. This trip, however, had been perfectly timed.
"Congratulations," Hanekawa greeted him warmly.
Hizashi looked surprised. "How did you know?"
"Your expression gave it away," Hanekawa said with a smile. "You're practically glowing."
Hizashi's usual quiet demeanor had cracked—his face was full of barely contained joy.
"It's a boy!" he said, his voice still carrying traces of excitement despite his attempt at composure.
"What's his name?"
"Hyuga Neji," Hizashi said proudly.
"He'll grow to be as strong as Uncle Hizashi," Hanekawa said warmly.
From what he knew of the original timeline, Neji's talent would eventually surpass even Hizashi's. The boy would teach himself advanced Gentle Fist techniques like the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms. It was a shame he'd died so young.
"Thank you," Hizashi said, hesitating as if he wanted to say more. Finally, he simply bowed his head slightly.
He'd probably wanted to ask if Hanekawa would take Neji as a student, but such a request would cause friction with the main family—and Tsunade would never agree to train two Hyuga clan members simultaneously. Better to let the matter rest for now.
"My assignment today is to help move the supplies you escorted back," Hanekawa said, changing the subject.
Hizashi blinked in surprise. Danzo actually assigned Hanekawa to supply logistics? That seemed... unlikely. But he didn't question it.
Hanekawa, meanwhile, didn't care about the assignment at all.
Because yesterday, he'd obtained the A-Rank entry "Earth Style Jonin."
Its effect was identical to "Water Style Jonin"—a 150% power boost to all Earth Style techniques.
Which meant he now had everything he needed.
The synthesis was ready.
---
[A-Rank Talent Entry: Wood Style (Yamato Version)]
[Trigger Condition: Synthesized from A-Rank "Earth Style Jonin" + A-Rank "Water Style Jonin"]
[Effect: Automatically comprehend Wood Style]
[Note: Can be further synthesized with A-Rank "Medical Jonin," A-Rank "Sealing Jonin," and S-Rank "Chakra of Kaguya" to create S-Rank "Wood Style (Senju Hashirama Version)"]
Hanekawa stared at the notification.
Wait. I can synthesize it into Hashirama's version?
His heart began to race.