Hanekawa opened his eyes to June sunshine streaming through the window.
The quilt beside him had a distinct shape—one he recognized immediately. Samui.
He yawned and stretched, taking in the peaceful morning. The past month had been remarkably relaxed. The ninja world continued its predetermined course, and all he had to do was wait and reap the rewards.
Warmth radiated through his body. Being woken by Samui's presence on mornings like this was a rare luxury.
He turned his head.
Kaguya Ōtsutsuki slept peacefully beside him, her fair skin rising and falling with each breath. Her expression remained serene, unchanged by emotion—yet somehow beautiful in its stillness. She'd never slept before meeting him. Now it had become habit.
Her eyelashes trembled. Her eyes opened.
"Good morning," Hanekawa said with a smile.
"Ah."
Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's gaze sharpened as she registered the situation. How did this happen while I was sleeping?
She glanced at him, then buried herself entirely under the quilt.
Hanekawa blinked. Well, that's one way to handle it.
He closed his eyes for a nap.
---
The afternoon light had dimmed considerably when Hanekawa woke again—tangled between two bodies, unable to breathe.
He opened his eyes to find himself staring directly at Samui's chest. Her arms wrapped around his head like a vice.
This is not how I planned to go.
He patted her back. "Samui."
She stirred, released him, and sat up with difficulty. From his vantage point, Hanekawa could appreciate her long legs and the curve of her hips.
For her age—roughly the same as Kurenai—Samui had matured remarkably. Like a peach, he thought. Soft, fragrant, and perfectly ripe.
"Kaguya," he said, turning to the other woman.
Kaguya Ōtsutsuki met his gaze without expression. After a moment, she stood, her white feet pressing into the mattress. Hanekawa couldn't help but admire her legs in the sunlight—perfect curves, skin luminous and flawless.
Half my masterpiece, he thought with satisfaction.
He got out of bed and dressed. He was still at Samui's residence in the Hidden Cloud—had been since yesterday afternoon. The culprit was obvious: Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, who possessed an uncanny ability to discover his desires and pull him into indulgence.
There are no years or months in the cave, he mused, watching the two beauties dress. Fitting.
After breakfast, Hanekawa arrived at the Raikage's office.
"Lord Raikage," Mabui greeted, standing quickly.
She glanced at Samui—noting the flush still lingering on her face—and thought, As expected.
Samui was two hours late. With Hanekawa.
Mabui's intelligence was sharp enough to draw obvious conclusions.
Samui's lips pressed together, embarrassment coloring her features.
Hanekawa felt no shame. In his mind, the Hidden Cloud was already his property. Including Mabui.
"What's on the agenda?" he asked, settling into the chair.
"A newly discovered mineral vein," Mabui said, opening a map of the Land of Lightning.
"Contact Hizashi Hyuga," Hanekawa replied after a glance.
"Yes."
Half a month ago, the Hidden Cloud had partnered with Konoha's mining division—ostensibly a 50-50 split, though in reality all profits flowed to Konoha.
Mabui sighed internally. The Hidden Cloud suffered no losses, having never mined before. But Konoha was making a fortune.
Hanekawa's logic was simple: the ninja world would eventually unify. Mining profits were the same regardless of who held them. For now, they should go to Konoha.
"I'm leaving," he announced, standing.
The Hidden Cloud had countless matters requiring attention, but he only concerned himself with the most critical. The rest fell to Mabui and Samui.
He activated the Flying Thunder God Technique.
The next second, he sat at the Hokage's desk in Konoha.
A small note lay on the surface: "Hanekawa, come see me when you return. I have something to ask."
No signature was needed. He recognized Kurenai's handwriting immediately.
Only she would dare order him around.
He smiled, pocketed the note, and moved to the adjacent office.
After knocking, he entered.
"Little Secretary," he said playfully, "what can I do for you?"
Kurenai's surprise flashed across her face before she frowned. "Where have you been? You disappeared for so long!"
Hanekawa wrapped his arms around her soft frame. "The Hidden Cloud."
"You still haven't answered my question!" she protested, hands on her hips.
He patted her hip. "Why is a little secretary interrogating the Hokage?"
She trembled at his touch, feeling the familiar numbness spread through her. His hand didn't leave—it squeezed and kneaded with clear intent.
"Bad guy!" She pushed him away, face flushed. "I really do have something important!"
"Go ahead," Hanekawa said, blinking innocently. Mission accomplished. Distraction successful.
Kurenai bent down and withdrew a scroll from her drawer—an ANBU communication scroll, used only for classified intelligence.
Hanekawa took it casually and scanned the contents.
His eyebrows rose.
The ANBU had discovered that the Hidden Sand and Hidden Stone were purchasing massive quantities of chakra-infused ninja tools. The scroll detailed the significance of Thousand Miles of Sunshine and their products.
Interesting. I told Konan to act discreetly, but the ANBU still found out.
He read further and understood: Tsukihime had done this deliberately. She likely could have eliminated everyone involved if she'd chosen to.
"What do you think?" he asked with a slight smile.
"We can't let them monopolize it," Kurenai said seriously. "We need to make purchases ourselves and investigate the company's true purpose."
"Good thinking."
As he spoke, his right hand drifted to her thigh, kneading gently. She tensed but didn't pull away.
"Should I arrange it now?" she asked.
"No," Hanekawa shook his head. "Konoha needs a reason to move against them. This is perfect."
"What are you planning?"
"The ninja world only needs one ninja village," he said simply.
Kurenai's eyes widened. Unify the ninja world?
She hadn't expected such ambition. The ninja world had never been unified—not even Hashirama Senju had attempted it. He'd only redistributed the tailed beasts and brought temporary peace.
"Why are you spacing out?" Hanekawa touched her face.
"What should I do?" she asked eagerly, already imagining herself as secretary to all five villages.
"Go shopping," he said with a smile.
"...What?"
How did that connect to unifying the ninja world?
His hand touched her head, then he pulled her close and kissed her.
She hesitated only a moment before responding, arms wrapping around his neck.
When they parted, she was breathless, her ruby eyes hazy with moisture.
"Why did you kiss me suddenly?"
"Can't I?" he asked.
She bit her lip, unable to answer, and whispered softly, "...I suppose."
"You're adorable," he said, pinching her flushed cheek. "Why the shopping?"
"Tomorrow is your birthday," he said. "More precisely, at midnight."
Kurenai glanced at the window. "We haven't even finished work yet."
"I'm the Hokage," Hanekawa said confidently. "I can leave whenever I want."
She laughed despite herself. "Since it's the Hokage's order, I suppose I must obey."
She stood and extended her hand. "Let's go through the window."
"Why? Afraid people will know about us?"
"No," she said, explaining as they moved. "I'm concerned about the appearance of the Hokage skipping work."
"Fair point. Should I use the Flying Thunder God?"
"Absolutely not!" She pulled him toward the window. "That wouldn't count as shopping!"
They leaped into the afternoon air.
Kurenai's excitement was palpable as they landed and ran toward the commercial district. Hanekawa kept pace, amused by her enthusiasm.
Within minutes, they were surrounded. Pedestrians recognized the Hokage and gathered, greeting him enthusiastically.
Kurenai smiled, proud. He's worthy of my attention. So popular everywhere.
But the crowd grew overwhelming. Shopping time would be consumed.
"I have a solution," Hanekawa said, opening his Rinnegan.
Invisible chakra rippled outward like waves.
"Is the Hokage leaving already?"
"What a shame!"
"I wanted his autograph..."
The crowd dispersed.
"You're incredible," Kurenai said, admiring his Rinnegan.
"Simple illusion application," he replied casually. "You could do it too."
"Not as easily," she said thoughtfully. "Now—shopping!"
"Where first?"
"The bookstore!" Her eyes lit up. "Your new novel came out yesterday!"
Hanekawa paused. Right. I'd forgotten about that.
He'd published "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" under his pen name to legitimize his earnings. A month ago, he'd given Tsuchiya an outline for "Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World" and left the writing to him.
They entered the nearest bookstore.
Hanekawa picked up a copy and began reading.
The novel differed significantly from his previous life's version, but the core plot remained consistent. The outline had been preserved well. This should sell well, he thought. Another world narrative isn't common here, and the celebrity effect won't hurt.
"This ability to return after death is terrifying," Kurenai suddenly exclaimed.
"Would you want it?" he asked.
"I'd like the ability," she said, conflicted, "but not the condition. Death shouldn't be necessary."
"True. That's the prerequisite."
"That's not why," she said seriously. "This world is already beautiful. I don't want it to restart."
"It won't," Hanekawa said, patting her head. "Because such ninjutsu doesn't exist."
"Exactly," she smiled. "Let's buy the book and read it later. I'm hungry."
They continued shopping through the afternoon—clothing, accessories, random items. Finally, they arrived at a specialty shop.
"More clothes?" Kurenai shook her head. "We have plenty. Let's eat instead."
"You're missing a few special pieces," Hanekawa said seriously.
"My clothes are distinctive enough," she protested.
He pointed at a display of intimate apparel.
Her face flushed crimson. "No! Absolutely not!"
"Try it on," he said calmly. "You'll look beautiful."
"I won't satisfy your perverted demands!" she whispered fiercely.
"Do you know the penalty for defaming the Hokage?" he asked with mock severity.
"I'm not defaming you. I'm stating facts," she shot back.
"Pack those up," he told the shopkeeper, already moving forward.
"I won't wear them even if you buy them!" Kurenai protested.
"Waste is shameful," he said, meeting her eyes with an intensity that made her stiffen.
The blush spread to her ears.
These clothes were beautiful but used minimal fabric—clearly intimate wear for couples.
Couple?
The word made her dizzy. She stood frozen, murmuring, "I...no...I..."
"You're so cute," Hanekawa whispered, biting her ear gently. "Will you wear them for me tonight?"
Her face turned completely red. She hesitated for several seconds, then fled in panic.
"Guest, everything is packed," the shopkeeper said cheerfully. "Anything else?"
Hanekawa glanced around. "Those too."
He bought stockings, swimsuits, cheongsams, pajamas—essentially one-tenth of the store's inventory. Money was no object.
The shopkeeper beamed. A customer like this was a dream.
Hanekawa sealed everything away and headed home.
Kurenai had arrived first.
"I won't wear them!" she declared firmly.
"Really?" Hanekawa approached, lowered his head, and kissed her.
His hands moved simultaneously.
Her eyes widened as sensation flooded through her—tingling across her body, especially her hips, legs, and waist. Within moments, she was breathless and flushed, forced to surrender.
"...Fine," she whispered. "Tonight."
---