Hanekawa met her gaze with an easy smile. "You have time to think about it."
Samui lowered her head, silent. Her jaw clenched as her blue-green eyes flickered—shifting to white, then back again, growing distant. Hanekawa exhaled quietly. No wonder they call them ninjas. Patience is apparently part of the job description.
Then his eyes narrowed.
Kaguya Ōtsutsuki stood before them without a shred of concealment, her presence as obvious as a blade in daylight.
Samui's breath hitched. Her composure cracked—breathing rapid, neck flushed.
Hanekawa grimaced internally. Of course.
He paused, then waved casually. "Samui, we're all family here. Don't worry. Take your time deciding and give me your answer when you're ready."
He reached over and ruffled her hair. Samui froze, clearly processing the casual intimacy—the first time she'd witnessed this side of him so openly.
"What do you want?" Hanekawa asked Kaguya, removing her mask.
"I'm coming to the Hidden Cloud with you," she said flatly.
"You don't need to ask. I'm taking you anyway."
With Kaguya at his side, no amount of Hidden Cloud preparation or ambush would matter. They were unstoppable.
Kaguya glanced at Samui—who was shaking her head in disbelief—then leaned forward slightly. Her expression remained perfectly neutral, but her intent was unmistakable.
Hanekawa didn't hesitate. This should be interesting.
Their lips met. Soft. Fragrant. His hand found her neck as her ANBU uniform fell away.
Samui glanced up—then quickly looked away, seeing only Kaguya's perfect form. A lump formed in her throat. She's... impossibly beautiful.
But Samui had her own advantages. She shifted, pressing against Hanekawa's thigh.
He blinked, momentarily speechless, hands rising to help support Kaguya. Okay. Each has merit. Definitely different merits.
When their lips finally parted, Kaguya took a sharp breath and immediately frowned.
Because Samui was in the way.
The emotion flickered across her face—raw, dangerous. Hanekawa recognized it instantly. If I weren't here, she'd actually kill her.
He thought quickly. "Samui. You're tired. Rest on the sofa."
Samui hesitated but obeyed, wiping her mouth before lying down.
"Kaguya, you rest too," Hanekawa said, pinching her cheek gently.
Samui understood immediately. Ah. I see.
She gritted her teeth, feeling the weight of the situation settle on her shoulders. But there was nothing to do about it now.
Kaguya's logic was simple: she'd claim what she deserved. Even if she had to share the sofa tonight.
The sofa wasn't large, but two people could manage. Horizontally wouldn't work, so they'd improvise.
Hanekawa felt a surge of satisfaction he'd never quite experienced before.
He stepped forward.
His hand came down gently on Kaguya's pale skin.
"Ah," she gasped.
Samui's trembling voice followed—far less composed than Kaguya's. She's not an alien, Hanekawa thought with amusement. Different physiology entirely.
Time moved strangely.
Samui eventually surrendered to exhaustion and fell into deep sleep.
Hours passed.
When she woke, she wasn't in the Hokage's office anymore. The room was unfamiliar.
She blinked, coming to her senses—and froze.
Kaguya Ōtsutsuki and Hanekawa were still going. Not resting. Not stopping. Fighting with the intensity of two titans locked in combat.
Samui's eyes widened.
What shocked her most wasn't Hanekawa—she already knew his strength. But Kaguya? She's matching him. Trading blows. It's impossible to tell who's winning.
"Samui, come here," Hanekawa called, noticing her awake.
Though he enjoyed fighting—the more opponents, the better—he clearly had room for her too.
Samui forced her trembling legs to move. Hanekawa's gaze swept over her appreciatively, lingering on the dampness of her skin, the slight tremor of her frame. Very tempting.
Kaguya hesitated for a moment, then yielded her position. Samui isn't strong enough. She'll be defeated quickly. Then she won't be in the way.
"Hanekawa," Samui said, kneeling before him, her voice breathless. "I've decided. You're perfect for the Fifth Raikage."
"When I become Fifth Raikage, you'll be my secretary," he replied with a smile.
"Okay..." Tears welled in her eyes as she felt hands around her waist.
She looked down and realized—those weren't Hanekawa's hands.
Kaguya had moved behind her.
Samui barely had time to process before she was overwhelmed. With Kaguya's assistance, her defeat came faster, harder, more thoroughly.
But Hanekawa found it wonderful. The escalating intensity sent adrenaline through his veins.
After Samui finally gave out, Kaguya took the lead once more. Her Byakugan narrowed with satisfaction.
Night deepened.
Hanekawa yawned and drifted into sleep, cradled between them. He dreamed of four moons hanging in the sky.
---
Morning came.
Hanekawa stared at the unfamiliar ceiling for a moment before remembering: Kaguya's room.
He turned his head. Byakugan met his.
"You were very obedient last night," he murmured, noting her state of undress—and the fact that she'd clearly worked through the entire night without rest.
But following his orders, she'd finally relented. Two hours of sleep, at least.
Hanekawa glanced back. Samui was sleeping deeply, breathing steady and even. Normal. She saw three sunrises last night. That's beyond her limits.
He slipped out of bed. "To the Hokage building."
Samui can sleep. I can't disappear too long—Tsunade might get suspicious.
A night away was fine. Two nights? That invited questions.
Time management really is a profound subject.
---
Hokage's Office
Hanekawa settled into his chair with a stretch. Kaguya stood behind him in full ANBU uniform, expression perfectly blank—a far cry from last night's intensity.
A knock sounded.
Kaguya glanced at him and vanished.
"Come in."
Mabui entered, her white hair and dark skin unmistakable. She bowed deeply.
"What brings you?" Hanekawa asked casually.
Mabui hesitated. Samui. Where is she? I haven't seen her since yesterday afternoon.
"Lord Hokage," she finally said, "we're planning to depart for the Hidden Cloud this morning."
"No need," Hanekawa replied. "I'll use the Flying Thunder God Technique to send you back."
Mabui's eyes widened. Flying Thunder God? The distance between villages is enormous. The chakra cost alone...
Most people still measured Hanekawa's strength by Third War standards—powerful, yes, but not this powerful.
"Ten o'clock at the village gate," Hanekawa continued. "That gives Samui time to finish her assignment."
Mabui had no choice but to agree.
"Anything else?" Hanekawa waved dismissively. "If not, go prepare."
"Lord Hokage," Mabui said carefully, "Samui has been in Konoha for three months. I hope she returns with us."
"She will."
"I wonder where she is now?"
"I gave her a task yesterday. She'll be at the gate by ten."
Mabui relaxed slightly. Good. As long as she's safe.
After she left, Hanekawa picked up the documents on his desk. Hinata Hizashi and Nohara Rin had been efficient—the Mineral Resources Department was nearly staffed entirely with Hyuga clan members. The Medical Department was slower but progressing well with Nonō's help.
Everything's on track.
At 9:30, Hanekawa went to the secretary's office next door.
He knocked.
"Come in," Yuhi Kurenai called, straightening immediately. Her expression shifted to warmth the moment she saw him.
"How did you come?" she asked, standing.
"I'm the Hokage. I can go where I want." He flicked her forehead gently.
"You haven't visited in two days!" she protested, a hint of hurt in her voice.
Hanekawa felt a twinge of guilt. Yesterday was... occupied.
"You're cute even when you're upset," he said, pulling her close.
"That's just rhetoric!" she huffed, but she didn't pull away.
"It's the truth." His hand drifted down to her thigh. "Very cute."
"Can you please not take advantage while complimenting me?" She tightened her legs instinctively, but her voice lacked real resistance.
"This isn't taking advantage. It's a massage." He spoke with complete seriousness.
Kurenai's body trembled as his fingers hooked the bandages around her thigh, warmth spreading upward.
"Bad guy!" She pushed him away, face flushed. "What did you come for?"
"I have to go out for a while. Can you manage Konoha temporarily?"
"No problem!" She puffed out her chest proudly.
Hanekawa's eyes immediately dropped to her collar, where the mesh lining revealed fair skin beneath.
"How is it?" she asked, suppressing her shyness.
"Very nice," he said simply, stepping closer to see more.
Her face flushed at his bluntness. He leaned in and kissed her.
Kurenai's arms wrapped around his neck, her red lips parting in surrender.
When they separated, she was breathless, eyes hazy.
Hanekawa stroked her hair gently. Maybe I should find time to really get closer to her. Properly.
"When are you leaving?" she asked softly.
"Half an hour."
They spent it reviewing documents together, Kurenai sitting on his lap as they worked through the backlog. By the time he left, everything was resolved.
"You're amazing," she said, exhausted but satisfied.
"Just practice," he replied. "You'll handle this easily once you're used to it."
"I'll work hard!" She clenched her fists determinedly.
"Then I'll go. Wait for me to come back." He patted her rear as he stood.
"Ah!" She yelped, glaring at him. "You just like bullying me!"
"Who told you to be so cute?" He smiled and vanished.
Instead of heading straight to the gate, he returned to his office.
Because he sensed Samui.
"When did you arrive?" he asked, burying his face in her chest.
"About ten minutes ago," she said, holding his head. "I just woke up."
"Did you see Mabui yet?"
"No." Panic flashed across her face. "Did she come looking for me?"
"I told her you were on assignment. Don't worry."
Samui breathed out in relief. She doesn't want Mabui to know. Can't blame her—it would be seen as betrayal.
But if he succeeded in becoming Fifth Raikage, that would change everything.
"Kaguya," Hanekawa called.
Kaguya Ōtsutsuki appeared.
"Time to go."
He used Flying Thunder God. Three figures materialized at Konoha's gate.
"Samui! Are you alright?" Mabui approached, concerned.
"I'm fine. Just finished my assignment," Samui replied.
"Let's save the pleasantries," Hanekawa said. "We should go."
He gathered everyone in his chakra field and activated Flying Thunder God.
They vanished.
---
They reappeared at the Hidden Cloud's gate.
Mabui and the others froze. Impossible. Thousands of miles in an instant?
Mabui's mind raced. If war came now, Hanekawa could strike anywhere, anytime. No defense would work. No warning would come.
Her dark face paled slightly.
A ninja at the gate immediately rushed inward to inform the Fourth Raikage.
Hanekawa followed Mabui and Samui deeper into the village, familiar with the layout from his shadow clone's previous visit.
Halfway through, three figures landed before them.
The Fourth Raikage stood at the center, his voice booming. "Hokage, you honor the Hidden Cloud with your presence."
Hanekawa smiled. The situation's dire enough that even he's learning manners.
Behind him, two kunoichi—Yugito and Killer Bee—watched carefully. Killer Bee, at least, seemed aware of the situation.
"Lord Raikage," Hanekawa said smoothly, "have you forgotten? I'm also a ninja from the Hidden Cloud."
The Fourth Raikage blinked, confused. He glanced at Mabui.
What is he doing? she wondered, equally lost.
"I wonder if my old place is still here?" Hanekawa continued, nostalgia crossing his face.
"It is," the Raikage replied carefully.
"I'll visit it later."
Mabui understood the subtext and stepped in. "Perhaps Samui could show the Hokage around while we prepare the Raikage building?"
"Good idea," the Fourth Raikage agreed, clearly relieved to have time to think.
"Of course," Hanekawa said.
Samui hesitated, then led the way without comment.
Hanekawa and Kaguya followed her toward the orphanage in the Hidden Cloud.
---
---
Finally, the second book is live—many of you asked for it, and it's here.
Naruto: Don't Count Me In
Do check it out, you'll definitely enjoy it.
I've learned a lot from the first book—improving translations, fixing errors, and reducing inconsistencies to make this one much better overall. That said, I'm still growing, so if you notice minor mistakes, just let them pass and enjoy the story.
Most importantly, don't stay silent—comment on the moments you like. I'd love to know how it felt for you.