Hanekawa and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki returned home.
Tsukihime wasn't there. As captain of the ANBU, she carried responsibilities that kept her occupied well into the evening. Despite her rapid ascension through the ranks, she'd proven herself more than capable—strength was the only currency that mattered in the black ops division, and masks ensured no one played politics.
"We're heading to Takigakure tomorrow to retrieve the Seven-Tails," Hanekawa said, pausing at the kitchen entrance. "I'll prepare lunch before we leave, but I won't be here to eat it."
Kaguya tilted her head. "Where are you going? I'll accompany you."
"Stay home and wait for me." Hanekawa reached out, his fingers brushing her cheek. "I promise I'll be back."
"Understood." Kaguya's snow-Byakugan fixed on his with absolute certainty. "If you don't return by nightfall, I will find you."
She didn't question where he went or who he saw. Her needs were simpler—his presence, his attention, his return. Everything else was irrelevant.
Hanekawa smiled. "You little greedy cat."
"I'm not a greedy cat," Kaguya replied with complete seriousness.
"Not little, then. Big white cat." Hanekawa glanced at her pristine hair, the only color adorning her entire form. The observation made perfect sense to him, even if it confused her.
"...?" Kaguya's expression remained blank.
"I'm going to cook." Hanekawa leaned in and kissed her forehead, then turned toward the kitchen.
After finishing the meal, he vanished using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
---
When Hanekawa materialized in Tsunade's study, he found her sprawled across the sofa in a foul mood. He didn't need to guess the reason.
Another losing streak at the casino.
"Teacher," he greeted, settling beside her before burying himself against her side.
Her fair skin and rich fragrance made his pulse quicken immediately.
"You're taking advantage of me the moment you walk in?" Tsunade knocked his head, though without real force. "The money I lost today is yours now."
"Fair deal." Hanekawa's lips brushed her collarbone. "Consider it tuition."
Tsunade shuddered slightly, then relaxed. Her hand rose to stroke his hair with unusual gentleness.
"Jiraiya visited today," she said after a moment. "He claims you're the Child of Prophecy. Says Mount Myōboku will support Konoha."
"Do you believe him?" Hanekawa asked, his breath warm against her skin.
"If you're not the Child of Prophecy, I can't imagine what the real one would look like." Tsunade's voice carried absolute conviction. According to Jiraiya's teachings, the Child of Prophecy would revolutionize the ninja world—requiring unmatched power and terrifying intellect. "Better than you? Impossible."
"Are you complimenting me, Teacher?"
"I'm stating facts." Tsunade's expression softened as his hand slid down her back, settling on her curves. Her figure was perfectly suited to the word "voluptuous," and he was experiencing that reality firsthand.
Hanekawa raised his head, meeting her gaze. Her glossy lips curved into a knowing smile. She extended her tongue, tracing her lower lip slowly.
He couldn't resist.
Their kiss was immediate and heated, a dance of dominance and surrender that lasted several minutes before they broke apart, both breathing heavily.
"Go cook," Tsunade said, her cheeks flushed.
"Let's cook together," Hanekawa countered, making no move to leave.
"Together?" Tsunade blinked. "My cooking is terrible."
"I'll handle the cooking. You just need to help."
"Well, if you insist—" Tsunade started to rise.
Hanekawa stood and lifted her in one smooth motion.
She gasped, her eyes widening as her instincts kicked in. Her limbs wrapped around him automatically, her sleeveless top and trousers falling forgotten to the floor.
"Asshole!" she shouted once she recovered. "What kind of help is this?!"
"Haven't you heard?" Hanekawa grinned as he carried her toward the kitchen. "A happy chef makes better food."
"That's complete nonsense!" Tsunade laughed despite her indignation, though her voice trembled slightly.
"Too late to back out now," he said.
"Get to the kitchen!" she commanded, using enough force to make him grunt.
"Y-yes, right away!" His speech slurred under her grip, but he didn't slow down. His physique could handle anything she dished out—and honestly, it was hard to say who was winning.
Tsunade bit her lip as they moved through the hallway. The short distance felt eternal.
"Don't dawdle!" she called out loudly. "I'm hungry!"
"You're the one slowing us down," Hanekawa pointed out.
"Shut up!" Her voice was sharp, but her flushed face and coquettish tone undermined any real anger.
"I'm your teacher!" Tsunade suddenly declared, sensing his intentions escalating.
"Yes, Teacher," Hanekawa said smoothly. "What would you like to eat?"
"I... anything is fine," Tsunade managed, holding him tighter.
"Tempura, then. Nothing too complicated today." His meaning was clear—with her as his burden, he couldn't move freely enough for complex dishes.
"You're asking for trouble!" Tsunade bit his shoulder in retaliation, but without any real bite.
"Are you a dog?" he asked, amused.
"Cook now, you traitor! I'll deal with you later!"
Hanekawa walked into the kitchen, already formulating a plan. He waved his hand, and chakra flowed outward—opening the refrigerator, retrieving fish and shrimp with invisible precision.
"How is your chakra control better than mine?" Tsunade asked in surprise, watching the display.
Cooking with chakra seemed simple but required extraordinary finesse. Most jonin couldn't manage it.
"Isn't it natural for students to surpass their teachers?" Hanekawa smiled. "Your technique needs work, Teacher."
"Does it?" Tsunade's expression darkened. She tightened her grip. "Looks like I need to teach you a lesson, brat!"
Hanekawa's focus sharpened. He controlled the faucet with precision, water cascading over the seafood in perfect streams. Tsunade's interference had zero effect—she only succeeded in exhausting herself.
The realization hit her: this kid's strength was leagues beyond hers.
"How?" she asked, breathless.
"Giving up?" he teased.
"Damn you!" Tsunade's mouth twitched. "How is this fair?!"
But as time passed, sweat beaded on her forehead. She tilted her head back, her face flushed and beautiful, her body relaxing against his as she surrendered to the moment.
Hanekawa glanced down at her, unable to suppress his smile. He continued cooking while holding her, maintaining distance from the actual stove—controlling everything through remote chakra manipulation. It was his first time attempting this while carrying someone, but strength made him willful. He could manage two tasks simultaneously without breaking a sweat.
"How did you get so strong so quickly?" Tsunade asked softly, her head resting against his chest.
Her understanding of his power was based on the Third Shinobi War. She'd thought him roughly equivalent to Hashirama Senju. But she'd noticed the gap widening—twice now, she'd been forced to acknowledge a disparity she couldn't explain.
Could strength really improve this dramatically in just a year or two?
"I'm gifted," Hanekawa said simply. He couldn't exactly explain his cheat system.
Tsunade hesitated, wanting to call him out, but the facts spoke for themselves.
"Don't get cocky," she said instead, shifting slightly.
"I'm not. After some time, I'll help increase your strength." He touched her head gently. Once he consumed the Divine Tree's fruit and ascended to Ōtsutsuki godhood, he could elevate both Tsunade and Kurenai to Six Paths level—granting them eternal youth and immortality.
"That's unnecessary," Tsunade said quickly. "I'm strong enough."
She didn't want him sacrificing for her sake. The thought made her movements gentler, her eyes growing soft with affection.
"No rush," Hanekawa replied, not bothering to explain. "Let's eat first."
"Mm."
But her calm expression shifted as they walked from kitchen to living room. The distance seemed impossibly long. Hanekawa moved steadily, holding the tempura in one hand and bowl with chopsticks in the other, each step deliberate and unhurried.
Tsunade, lacking his strength, felt every second of the journey.
"I'll feed you," Hanekawa said, reading her discomfort.
Tsunade opened her mouth without protest, waiting.
"Fried shrimp first." He picked up a piece with chopsticks and offered it.
She bit into it, chewing slowly as her eyes narrowed in pleasure. The taste was exquisite—perfectly seasoned, crispy exterior giving way to tender flesh.
"Is it that good?" Hanekawa asked, smiling at her expression.
"Delicious," Tsunade confirmed seriously.
"Eat more, then."
"Aren't you eating?" she asked, moving her legs slightly.
"You first."
He picked up another piece, but Tsunade suddenly leaned forward and kissed him, stealing the shrimp from his mouth.
Hanekawa blinked as he swallowed, the savory flavor mixing with her taste.
"Thank you," he said, licking the corner of his mouth. "Better than I expected."
"You're such a pervert," Tsunade said with a snort.
"Why scold me suddenly?" Hanekawa patted her thigh. "I was just feeding you."
"Nothing." Tsunade shifted. "I want more."
"Yes, Teacher."
The meal stretched from afternoon into evening. Finally, Tsunade's belly rounded noticeably.
"No more. I'm full," she said weakly. "Please go."
"Go?" Hanekawa leaned close to her ear. "This is my home."
"Go find your little girlfriend," Tsunade said, closing her eyes. She was exhausted, her whole body burning with a fever-like sensation. Without activating her Yin Seal, one afternoon was her limit. Her mind was blank except for the desire to rest.
Hanekawa's eyebrows rose. The way she said it—like a queen dismissing a servant—made him realize his plan was working perfectly.
"Rest well," he said, kissing her flushed cheek before dressing and leaving the room.
Outside, he stretched beneath the night sky. The moon hung bright and full above Konoha.
His thoughts drifted to Ōtsutsuki Toneri, still waiting on the moon. How to handle that problem? Direct elimination would be difficult. But the Rinnegan up there... that was another matter. He could relocate it to the Fire Nation's capital, where it could serve as a surveillance tool. With him protecting Konoha and his S-Rank entry "Konoha's Unseen Hand," the village would remain secure.
A patrol Rinnegan could monitor the entire ninja world with sufficient chakra.
But now he faced a choice: return to Kurenai Yuhi, or return to Kaguya Ōtsutsuki?
He'd made a promise to Kaguya before leaving.
As for Kurenai... he could handle her tomorrow with a few tricks. The girl was too shy to cause problems, and she likely thought he was still on a mission anyway.
Her birthday was June 11th—next month. Perhaps he should make it unforgettable.
Hanekawa activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and vanished.
---
He materialized in Kaguya's room and immediately froze.
Beneath the moonlight, her snow-white body lay waiting on the bed, completely bare. Her skin seemed to glow with an otherworldly radiance, impossibly beautiful and alluring. Her pale legs were slightly closed, her chest rising and falling with each breath, her Byakugan fixed directly on him with absolute certainty.
Hanekawa had no choice but to surrender.
Another sleepless night awaited.
---
The next morning, after breakfast, Hanekawa arrived at the Hokage Building with Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
"Someone is in your office," Kaguya informed him before disappearing.
Hanekawa entered to find Jiraiya standing by the window.
"Uncle Jiraiya. When did you arrive?"
"Just now." Jiraiya turned, his expression serious. "I have something important to tell you."
"I'm listening."
As expected, Jiraiya confirmed the Child of Prophecy revelation and Mount Myōboku's intention to support Konoha.
"I don't believe in prophecies," Hanekawa said with a slight smile, "but if Mount Myōboku wants to help, I welcome it. Leave the contractor recruitment to you."
"Understood." Jiraiya nodded eagerly. "Anything else?"
"Since you're confirmed as the Child of Prophecy, I'm staying in Konoha permanently," Jiraiya declared. "If you need anything, just ask."
His real meaning: he wanted a position. Specifically, Hokage Advisor.
"Shikaku-senpai is quite busy," Hanekawa said thoughtfully. "You should coordinate with him."
Jiraiya left satisfied, only to discover later that Hanekawa had made no actual promises. He decided not to press the issue—he could learn about Konoha's changes through Shikaku anyway.
---
Back in his office, Hanekawa raised his hand. Chakra surged outward, twisting space itself.
A small dark blue snake fell to the floor.
"Lord God's Messenger, please spare me! I mean no harm!" the snake spoke in human language.
"A snake from Ryūchi Cave," Hanekawa said, loosening his grip. "What do you want?"
The snake transformed in a puff of smoke, revealing a young woman in a white dress.
"Princess Ichikishima pays respects to the God's Messenger," she said formally. "I've come on the White Snake Sage's orders to help Konoha."
"How can you help?" Hanekawa asked, raising an eyebrow.
"The same as Mount Myōboku—establish summoning contracts with more of your ninjas."
"Any conditions?" Hanekawa smiled knowingly. "I recall needing sacrifices to contract with Ryūchi Cave snakes."
"No conditions whatsoever!" Ichikishima assured him quickly. "We'll help unconditionally!"
She'd visited Mount Myōboku yesterday and seen the Divine Tree. Even without knowing Hanekawa and Kaguya's identities, she'd sensed its terror. Learning the truth had made her decision instant.
"Very well," Hanekawa agreed. "Establish a Summoning Beast Division. Jiraiya will lead it."
He'd just solved the problem of Jiraiya wanting a position by sending him out to manage the new unit. Out of sight, out of mind.
"Ichikishima, follow Haru to Ryūchi Cave," he added.
"Yes," both women replied.
After they left, another puff of smoke revealed a massive white slug.
"Master Hanekawa, just call me Slug. I don't deserve such honor," the creature said humbly.
"I already know why you're here," Hanekawa said. "You're different from Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave—no descendants, no need for more contracts."
"Thank you, Lord Hanekawa." The slug bowed slightly.
"Just stay in Shikkotsu Forest. I'll arrange a suitable student for you eventually."
"Understood."
The slug vanished in smoke.
With all three holy places assessed and handled, Hanekawa turned his attention to the documents on his desk. He had a village to run.