---
Mei Terumi stood frozen in the doorway, her red lips pressed into a thin line. Hanekawa gestured casually from the couch.
"You're standing awfully far away. I don't bite."
She hesitated, then crossed the room with measured steps and sat beside him—close enough to be proper, far enough to maintain control.
"The other villages sent representatives," Hanekawa said, taking her hand. "What brought you here personally?"
Mei's fingers tensed in his grip. She'd rehearsed this conversation a hundred times during the journey, but now the words scattered like startled birds.
"Just wanted to see me?" he asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"No." She glared at him, gathering her courage. "I need to know your intentions toward the Hidden Mist."
Great. Now I'm a supervillain, Hanekawa thought. What's next, a monologue about my evil plans?
"How about Hidden Mist simply joins us?" he suggested lightly.
Mei's answer came instant and absolute. "Impossible."
She was the Mizukage. Defecting to Konoha would make her a traitor to her people—her name would be cursed for generations. More than that, she couldn't accept becoming a vassal, no matter who held the Hokage's seat.
"Your village can't defeat Konoha," Hanekawa said simply.
"Are you threatening war?" Mei's voice dropped dangerously.
"I'm stating facts. The strong survive. That's how the world works."
Mei fell silent, her hand slipping from his grasp. The thought of opposing Hanekawa made her chest ache, but what choice did Hidden Mist have? They couldn't win a direct conflict.
"The Hidden Mist will not join Konoha," she said firmly.
"Then let's compete differently." Hanekawa reclaimed her hand. "What's the real purpose of war?"
"...Power?"
"Money," he corrected. "Everything comes down to money. You've already proven that—ending the Blood Mist era, rebuilding diplomatic ties, stabilizing the nation. All of it costs resources."
Mei tilted her head, uncertain where this was leading.
"Ninjas don't have to survive on mission commissions alone," Hanekawa continued. "The world is changing. Traditional warfare is becoming obsolete. Business is the future."
"That's not a ninja's work," Mei protested weakly.
"The ninja world is entering a new era. The old ways will fade." He pinched her cheek gently. "If you want Hidden Mist to truly prosper, you need capital. And capital comes from commerce."
Mei's expression twisted between defiance and desperate hope. For Hidden Mist, this was the only viable path forward.
"I'll do it," she said quietly.
"Thank you." Hanekawa pulled her close, and she rested her head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
"What should I be happy about?" she asked softly.
"If you win, Hidden Mist becomes more prosperous than ever. If you lose..." He paused dramatically. "Hidden Mist joins Konoha and becomes exceptionally powerful."
Mei lifted her head, caught between laughter and exasperation. "That's complete nonsense."
"Absolutely," he agreed cheerfully.
She kicked at his legs in mock anger, but when he caught her foot and began playing with it, she didn't pull away. Her body stiffened, toes curling involuntarily.
"You're a pervert," she breathed.
"And the Mizukage is clearly enjoying herself," he teased.
"I'm not!" But she didn't move.
Hanekawa casually produced a scroll and handed it to her. "For you."
Mei unrolled it, her eyes widening as she scanned the contents. The concepts were revolutionary—ocean development, resource extraction, maritime trade routes. Everything was meticulously detailed.
"Aren't you afraid I'll win?" she asked, closing the scroll.
"I won't lose. It's difficult for a student to surpass their teacher."
He didn't hide his advantages, but he knew Hidden Mist faced an insurmountable obstacle: the Land of Water's Daimyo. Once word spread of profitable ocean development, the nobility would intervene. And ocean mining required tools and techniques Hidden Mist didn't possess—even their water-based jutsu had limits in the deep sea.
"Not always," Mei said with sudden confidence. "I'll definitely win."
"Then if you do, will you spare my life?" he asked playfully.
Mei's face flushed crimson. She turned away sharply, but her mind was already spinning through the fantasy—if she won, she'd keep him by her side forever.
"Why are you blushing? What are you—"
"I wasn't thinking anything!" she snapped, standing abruptly. "We're finished here. The Hokage should leave."
"How heartless," Hanekawa sighed, rising to his feet.
Something in his tone made Mei's chest clench. She watched him move toward the door, felt the weight of impending separation, and made a decision.
She stepped forward, rose on her tiptoes, and kissed him—a brief, soft press of lips that spoke volumes.
When she pulled back, her cheeks were burning. "See you next time."
Hanekawa touched her head gently, then vanished in a flash of yellow light.
Mei stood alone, fingers touching her lips, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
---
Hokage's Office
Hanekawa had barely settled into his chair when Kaguya Ōtsutsuki materialized before him, her expression perfectly neutral.
"Who's prettier—Mei Terumi or me?" she asked without preamble.
Hanekawa blinked. "You are."
The answer came too smoothly, too practiced. Kaguya accepted it with a satisfied nod—she'd never developed the capacity to doubt his words.
"I have a task," Hanekawa said, standing. "Find Tsukihime and tell Shisui Uchiha I need to see him."
Kaguya disappeared.
Hanekawa smiled to himself. Tsukihime was now the ANBU captain, but he'd asked Kaguya to fetch her mainly to give mother and daughter a chance to talk. There was another reason too—Samui was currently occupied with Mabui, which meant he had a window of opportunity.
The knock came moments later.
"Lord Hokage." Shisui Uchiha entered with respectful precision.
Hanekawa studied him briefly. Both Shisui and Itachi were fiercely loyal to Konoha. As Uchiha clan head, that would be a nightmare. As Hokage? They were perfect weapons.
"Do you know about the Gold Exchange?" Hanekawa asked directly.
"The underground black market for rogue ninja commissions," Shisui confirmed. "I've heard rumors."
"High-ranking Konoha officials have bounties on their heads through that network. It's a symptom of a larger disease." Hanekawa leaned forward. "The Gold Exchange threatens our village's stability. It needs to be eliminated."
Shisui's eyes widened with purpose. Finally—something meaningful to do.
"Your Sharingan makes you ideal for intelligence work," Hanekawa continued. "Find whoever's running the Gold Exchange."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
"If you need additional personnel, request them from Konoha Police Department. Tell them it's my order."
Shisui's expression shifted as he understood the implications. This wasn't just a mission—it was an opportunity for the Uchiha clan to gain prestige and influence. His father would be pleased.
"Don't rush," Hanekawa added. "These networks span multiple countries. Find them all."
After Shisui departed, Hanekawa stretched and activated the Flying Thunder God Technique.
---
Hidden Cloud Quarters
The Cloud ninja scattered nervously as Hanekawa materialized in their midst. The psychological scars from the Third Ninja World War ran deep.
Mabui appeared at the door almost immediately, her composure barely holding. "Lord Hokage. Welcome."
Samui emerged behind her, offering a formal greeting.
"I have something to discuss," Hanekawa said, stepping inside.
Mabui's heart rate spiked. "Please, speak freely."
"I'm originally from the Hidden Cloud," Hanekawa began casually. "You've asked me to return several times. I refused, and I regret that."
Mabui's stomach dropped. This is bad.
"I plan to visit the Hidden Cloud with you," he continued.
The color drained from Mabui's face. The Hokage—the strongest ninja alive—coming to their village unannounced? It was either a diplomatic visit or a prelude to conquest. Either way, it was a catastrophe.
"I... see," Mabui managed. "I'll inform the Raikage immediately."
"No need for elaborate preparations," Hanekawa said. "Just a simple visit."
After he left, Mabui collapsed onto the sofa, her legs useless.
"Mabui?" Samui's concern was genuine.
"This is very troublesome," Mabui whispered. "If he decides to act, we have no defense. We can only hope the Raikage orders restraint."
Samui's mind was already working. She needed to extract information—to understand his true intentions before they reached the Hidden Cloud.
---
Hokage's Office - Later
Kaguya Ōtsutsuki waited at the door. "Someone with weak Byakugan is here."
Hanekawa nodded and entered to find Hizashi Hyuga waiting nervously.
"The Ministry of Mines," Hizashi began hesitantly. "Konoha has no mineral deposits, and those outside our borders belong to the Land of Fire. Won't the Daimyo object?"
"The Land of Fire's law is clear," Hanekawa explained. "Whoever discovers a deposit can develop it, provided they share profits with the Daimyo. We'll follow the rules."
Hizashi understood now—the Byakugan's ability to detect underground resources made the Hyuga clan invaluable. But Hanekawa's vision of ninja work extended far beyond traditional missions. It was unconventional, even unsettling.
Yet Hanekawa was Hokage. And more powerful than anyone had ever been.
After Hizashi left, Hanekawa reviewed the documents on his desk. One caught his attention—a report from Orochimaru detailing successful White Zetsu cell applications in medical treatment. Limb transplantation was now possible.
Perfect for Rin, he thought. Promoting this technology would help rehabilitate her reputation.
He sensed Samui approaching before she knocked—hesitating, pacing, clearly wrestling with something.
"Come in," he called.
She entered, and Hanekawa's breath caught slightly. She'd abandoned her ANBU uniform for her original outfit—a low-cut grey garment with mesh panels that left little to imagination.
She walked directly to him, reached up, and slowly pulled her collar down, exposing more of her pale skin.
"Very beautiful," he murmured, his fingers tracing the exposed curve of her collarbone.
"Thank you," she said coldly. "Why do you want to visit the Hidden Cloud?"
"Is this interrogation?" he asked with amusement.
"I... no, that's not..." Samui panicked, shaking her head.
"This torture alone isn't sufficient," Hanekawa said, moving to the sofa and spreading his arms invitingly.
Understanding his meaning, Samui hesitated only briefly before rolling up her black skirt, revealing long white legs. She wore nothing beneath it.
Hanekawa's eyes darkened with interest.
Samui reached behind her back. With a soft sound, her dress fell away, pooling at her waist. Her shoulders were bare, her skin luminous in the office light.
"Hanekawa," she said, her voice still ice-cold despite her battle-damaged state. She knew his preferences—the contrast between her cold demeanor and exposed vulnerability drove him wild.
She was right.
"What's next?" he asked, his gaze burning across her body.
Instead of answering, Samui knelt before him, her lips parting slightly, breath misting in the cool air.
"Samui," Hanekawa said, his voice rough. "Are you loyal to the Hidden Cloud, or to the Fourth Raikage?"
She raised her head, confused by the question even as she continued her work.
"The Hidden Cloud," she answered when she could.
"What if I became the Fifth Raikage?" he asked, feeling her warmth around him.
Samui froze, her eyes widening. The whites of her eyes reddened as understanding crashed over her.
"Every ninja in the Hidden Cloud is eligible to compete for Raikage," Hanekawa continued smoothly. "I'm qualified too."
The implications were staggering. If he became Raikage, she wouldn't be torn between two villages anymore. But Mabui would never accept it. The entire Hidden Cloud would resist.
"You seem excited," Hanekawa observed, feeling her involuntary response.
Samui's throat worked as she processed the revelation, her mind spinning through impossible scenarios. Her neck flushed deep purple as she continued, caught between shock and something dangerously close to hope.
---