There was a knock on the door.
"That should be Asuma and Guy," Hanekawa said, ending his chat and standing up.
He opened the door to find Asuma Sarutobi, Might Guy, and Shizune waiting outside.
"Hanekawa." Asuma smiled. "Still cooking today?"
Over the years, they'd celebrated birthdays together, but once Hanekawa's culinary skills became legendary, they'd unanimously voted to make him the permanent chef. Free food and delicious food was an unbeatable combination.
"I'll cook," Hanekawa confirmed.
"Finally!" Asuma practically vibrated with excitement. "It's been two months since I've had anything you made. Two months!"
"Has it really been that long?" Hanekawa blinked.
"You assigned me to the Transportation Ministry, and you forgot?" Asuma threw his hands up. "The road renovation project expanded into the Fire and Lightning Countries. We're building trains, Hanekawa. Trains. I've been gone the entire time."
The Transportation Ministry had grown exponentially since its inception. What started as simple road repairs had evolved into an ambitious railway project—technology imported from the Land of Snow. Asuma had been managing it all, which meant two months of constant travel.
Meanwhile, Shizune had been reassigned to the medical department after Hanekawa's butterfly effect prevented her from becoming Tsunade's direct student. Working under Sakumo Hatake, she'd become nearly as skilled as Rin in medical ninjutsu.
"Thank you for your hard work," Hanekawa said, patting Asuma's shoulder. "I'll make whatever you want."
"Anything?" Asuma rubbed his hands together eagerly.
"I want some too!" Guy struck a thumbs-up, grinning widely. "Let's create a meal bursting with the flames of youth!"
What does youth taste like? Hanekawa wondered, suppressing a smile. Bitter melon and cilantro?
"Come inside," he said, gesturing them in.
"I heard that conversation!" Kurenai called from the living room, hands on her hips. "Isn't my cooking delicious?"
"Of course it is," Hanekawa said smoothly. "But it's your birthday. The birthday girl doesn't cook for herself."
Kurenai tilted her head, satisfied. "I'll let you off the hook this time."
Asuma visibly relaxed. Guy scratched his head. Shizune laughed.
"It's getting late," Hanekawa said, glancing at the clock—10:15. "I need to start cooking soon if we're feeding this many people."
"I'll help!" Rin stood immediately.
"You're a guest," Kurenai protested, shaking her head. "I'll help instead."
She didn't wait for Hanekawa's response, simply pulling him toward the kitchen. Rin's expression flickered with something—envy, maybe—before she looked away.
In the kitchen, Kurenai wrapped both arms around his arm, her face radiant with happiness.
"You're this happy just cooking?" Hanekawa asked, his eyes drifting to the soft curve of her neckline.
"I'm in a good mood," she murmured, resting her cheek against his shoulder.
"But I can't cook if you don't let go."
Kurenai flushed and stepped back, embarrassed. She'd been so focused on being close to him that she'd forgotten the actual purpose of being in the kitchen.
"What should I do?" she asked eagerly, already looking for a task.
"Do you have the strength?" Hanekawa raised an eyebrow.
Kurenai's face turned crimson. She'd overextended herself this morning—and then Rin and Shizune's arrival had scared her half to death. Her body hadn't fully recovered.
But she'd never admit that.
"Does cooking require strength?" she snapped, puffing out her chest. "Don't underestimate me!"
Hanekawa's gaze lingered on her white shirt, remembering last night's pale skin and graceful curves. Definitely shouldn't be underestimated.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Kurenai's voice wavered as she crossed her arms defensively.
"Why are you shy?" he asked innocently. "Didn't we see everything last night?"
"You—bad guy!" Her legs felt weak. She didn't understand how Hanekawa had so much more experience than her. It seemed impossible, given his limited contact with other women.
Hanekawa pulled her close. "I think you're enjoying this."
"I'm not!" she protested immediately.
He squeezed her hips gently, and she gasped.
After last night, her body was hypersensitive. Her weakness was completely exposed now, and within seconds her eyes grew misty and unfocused.
"Your body's honest," he murmured, his hand sliding to her inner thigh.
"Wait, wait, wait—" Kurenai trembled, caught between desire and panic. But Rin and Shizune were in the living room. If they took too long, they'd be noticed. And her body couldn't take much more anyway. Last night plus this morning was already her limit.
"You... cook first," she managed, grabbing his wrist with what little strength remained. "After they leave... it's up to you..."
"Really up to me?" Hanekawa studied her flushed face.
"Yes," she whispered, unable to meet his eyes.
He licked his lips. Among his women, Samui and Kaguya were willing to try anything. Tsunade was traditional, always doing things properly. But Kurenai—traditional as she was—had a surprising willingness to experiment.
We'll see what happens later.
Hanekawa turned to start cooking. Kurenai took a moment to compose herself, then offered to help wash and cut vegetables, her movements careful and deliberate.
---
By noon, Yuhi Shinku had returned home. He'd realized Hanekawa had deceived him, but what could he do? The man was Hokage. Besides, his daughter was happy, and that mattered more than his pride.
"Coming!" Hanekawa emerged from the kitchen carrying dishes, Kurenai following behind.
Asuma immediately took the plate from Kurenai's hands. Rin and Shizune jumped up to fetch the rest.
Once everything was arranged, Kurenai raised her juice glass. "Thank you all for coming."
In the original timeline, she'd been a drinker, but Hanekawa's influence had changed that. When he'd asked why, she'd simply said she didn't want to get drunk and damage her image.
"Happy birthday!" everyone chorused, clinking glasses.
Rin, Shisui, Guy, and Shizune drank juice. Shinku, Asuma, Yamato, Kakashi, and Hanekawa had sake—weak by ninja standards, but enough to warm the belly.
"Still incredible!" Asuma took a bite of fried shrimp, eyes closing in bliss.
"Once the railway's finished, you can eat like this every day," Hanekawa suggested.
"No!" Kurenai cut in sharply.
"Why not?" Asuma looked baffled.
"Because Hanekawa's the Hokage now. He's busy," Kurenai said firmly. "I can cook for you twice a week at most."
"You're monopolizing him!" Asuma accused.
"When will your Transportation Ministry project finish?" Hanekawa asked, smoothly changing the subject.
As Kurenai opened her mouth to answer, she felt a foot brush against her calf—twice. Her heartbeat quickened. Instead of pulling away, she clamped her legs around it.
Hanekawa glanced at her. This girl's getting bolder.
"Probably three more months," Asuma said thoughtfully. "Depends on whether we discover new mineral deposits in Fire and Lightning Countries."
"There will be," Kurenai said confidently.
"How do you know?" Asuma asked.
"I'm the Hokage's secretary," she smiled proudly. "I get information faster than you."
"That's not fair!" Asuma suddenly sat up straight. "Hanekawa, can you reassign me?"
Building railways everywhere was tedious. He'd rather stay in Konoha or go on missions.
"Talk to your brother," Hanekawa said casually.
"Perfect!" Asuma grinned. "With your backing, he'll definitely let me come back."
"So what will you do when you return?" Shizune asked, cutting into her chicken. "Shisui and I both have assignments. We can't go on missions with you."
"That's fine!" Asuma said brightly. "I'm a jonin. I can lead my own team!"
"You want to be a team leader?" Hanekawa was mildly surprised—though not as surprised as he was by Kurenai's increasingly bold foot movements under the table.
"That's the plan," Asuma confirmed.
Hanekawa's mind worked quickly. In the original timeline, Asuma had led Team 10—Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji. But they were barely born now. This was an opportunity to separate the Sarutobi clan from the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance.
Not that it mattered much. Against absolute strength, the Sarutobi clan couldn't make waves anyway.
"Fine," Hanekawa nodded. "Come back once you've selected three promising students."
"They'll be stronger than yours by then," Asuma said confidently.
"We'll see." Hanekawa was amused. His three students—Hinata, Sasuke, and Naruto—each had more cheats than the last.
"Hanekawa-senpai," Shisui spoke up hesitantly. "What's my new assignment?"
Hanekawa paused. He hadn't actually thought about what to do with Shisui after the Kankinso investigation.
"Do you know about the Ninja Clan?" he asked suddenly.
"The one founded by the Six Paths Sage?" Shisui's eyes widened slightly.
"Yes. Do you know why he established it?"
"To reduce conflict and bring peace to the ninja world," Shisui recited.
Hanekawa smiled. "I have a task for you. Rebuild the Ninja Clan."
He had two reasons. First, he'd promised Tsukihime. Second, he'd decided the rebuilt Ninja Clan should function as a university for ninja—a place of learning and unity.
"What?!" Shisui's eyes went wide. "I'm... I'm going to rebuild the Ninja Clan?"
Kurenai, Kakashi, and the others stared in shock.