Hanekawa pushed open the door to find Tsunade sprawled across the sofa like she owned it. The moment she heard his voice, she was on her feet, shrugging on her coat with practiced efficiency.
"There's a guest," he said.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed as she studied Yamato. "Root ninja?"
"How'd you know?" Hanekawa asked, genuinely surprised.
"The eyes." Tsunade gestured vaguely. "That dead look. Only Danzo's people have it."
Yamato's expression didn't change, but something flickered in his gaze—a question directed at Hanekawa rather than the legendary kunoichi before him.
"His name is Yamato," Hanekawa explained. "He's a survivor of the Wood Style experiment."
Tsunade's eyebrows shot up. "Show me."
Yamato formed hand seals without hesitation. Chakra surged through his body as his arms transformed into thick wooden vines, bark-like texture spreading across his skin.
Tsunade studied him for a long moment. "That name's terrible. You're Yamato now."
"Yamato?" The ninja glanced at Hanekawa, seeking confirmation from the one person he actually trusted.
"She's Tsunade," Hanekawa said simply. "Granddaughter of the First Hokage. If anyone can rename you, it's her."
"Understood," Yamato replied, his monotone voice carrying no inflection.
Tsunade's jaw tightened. "Danzo really does deserve to die. Taking a Wood Style ninja—any ninja—and turning them into this..." She clenched her fists. "What's your plan?"
"Minato's team needs another member," Hanekawa said. "Yamato should join them."
"Minato?" Tsunade considered it. "The little sun. Yeah, that could work. He's strong enough to protect him, and..." She trailed off, understanding the real purpose. Minato's warmth might actually reach whatever remained of Yamato's humanity.
They found Minato at Kushina's place, which surprised no one. The red-haired kunoichi sensed Hanekawa's arrival before he even knocked, greeting him at the door with characteristic enthusiasm.
"Hanekawa! And you brought..." Kushina's eyes narrowed as she assessed Yamato. "A Root ninja?"
"Wood Style survivor," Minato corrected, already moving closer to examine Yamato's chakra signature. "The experiment succeeded?"
Yamato demonstrated his abilities without being asked twice. The wooden vines erupted from his arms again, and Minato's eyes widened with genuine wonder.
"Incredible," he breathed.
"Tsunade thinks he should join your team," Hanekawa said. "He needs someone who can actually reach him. Someone like you."
Minato understood immediately. A Root ninja needed deprogramming, and Minato's natural warmth was probably the only thing that could cut through years of Danzo's conditioning.
"I'll take him," Minato agreed without hesitation.
Kushina beamed and grabbed Hanekawa's arm. "You're staying for lunch!"
"Actually—" Hanekawa started.
"No arguments. Besides, Minato and I need your advice on something." Minato's sudden shyness was almost comical. "We're getting married. We wanted to pick a date."
Hanekawa congratulated them both, already knowing the answer. October 10th. The date was burned into his memory—Naruto's birthday, the day the Nine-Tails attacked, the day everything changed. But here, in this moment, it would just be a wedding date.
"October 10th," he said. "Two tens make a perfect pair."
After leaving Yamato in Minato's capable hands, Hanekawa made his way to the Hyuga compound. Hizashi greeted him with unusual enthusiasm.
"The Konoha Dragon arrives!" the man announced.
Hanekawa blinked. "The what?"
"Your new title." Hizashi grinned. "It's spreading through the village. Something about that dragon transformation during the Eight-Tails fight."
Not terrible, Hanekawa thought. Better than 'that water monster kid' anyway.
"I need to ask you something," Hanekawa said, his tone shifting to something more serious. "Tomorrow, no matter what happens, the Hyuga clan needs to stay neutral. Don't act rashly."
Hizashi's first instinct was alarm—rebellion?—but he quickly dismissed it. With Tsunade becoming Hokage, there was no need for risks.
"You'll understand tomorrow," Hanekawa continued. "It won't be difficult, and it won't harm the clan. I just need your word."
"You have it," Hizashi said solemnly.
---
The next afternoon, the gates of Konoha opened to receive the Fire Country Daimyo.
Hiruzen stood at the forefront, flanked by the village's leadership. Hizashi's eyes found Hanekawa in the crowd, remembering yesterday's cryptic warning. Hiruzen himself looked thoughtful, wondering why the Daimyo would visit so suddenly.
The carriages rolled through the gates with ceremonial precision.
"Hiruzen," the Daimyo greeted warmly. "Impressive results in this war. I had to see Konoha for myself."
"You honor us with your presence," Hiruzen replied, relief evident in his voice.
In the Hokage's conference room, the Daimyo reviewed scrolls detailing Konoha's war contributions. His satisfaction was obvious.
"Excellent work. I'm increasing next year's aid by ten percent," he announced. "And the Fire Nation will cover reconstruction costs."
Hiruzen blinked, caught off-guard by such generosity.
"I hear your student Tsunade was instrumental?" the Daimyo asked, his gaze shifting to her.
"And my student Hanekawa," Tsunade added calmly.
The Daimyo smiled knowingly. "I've heard of him. Impressive young man."
Then came the question that made the room go still.
"Hiruzen, have you chosen your successor?"
Silence. Complete, heavy silence.
"The war has only recently ended," Hiruzen said carefully. "I haven't given it serious thought yet."
"You should start now," the Daimyo said pleasantly. "The war is over. I'd like to know your choice soon so I can prepare accordingly."
After the Daimyo left, Hiruzen's eyes found Tsunade. The subtext was impossible to miss—the Fire Country's leadership clearly favored her succession.
Outside the Hokage building, Tsunade sighed.
"The old man knows I invited the Daimyo," she said quietly.
"Does it matter?" Hanekawa asked.
"He's my teacher," Tsunade replied. "I should have been more honest."
"It's for Konoha," Hanekawa said simply.
Tsunade flicked his forehead hard enough to make him yelp. "Don't sound like Danzo. That's exactly what he'd say."
"I'd never!" Hanekawa protested, rubbing his forehead.
---
In the Konoha detention block, Shimura Danzo sat in his cell when the door suddenly opened.
A Root ninja entered, bowing apologetically. "Forgive my lateness, Lord Danzo."
Danzo's eye widened. "You came."
"The Daimyo arrived this afternoon," the ninja—Hanekawa in disguise—said. "He's in the village now."
Danzo's breath caught. This was it. This was his chance. The Daimyo was his only way out, his only path to salvation. If he could reach him, convince him of his value...
"My chance has come," Danzo whispered, hope and hunger blazing in his eye.
He had no idea the trap was already closing around him.