Night had fallen over Konoha.
After dinner, Kakashi, Rin, and the others had left quickly, exchanging polite goodbyes. Shisui lingered a moment longer, his usual composure visibly shaken. He'd left with a heavy heart, though his eyes betrayed something else—anticipation mixed with uncertainty.
The Sage of Six Paths was legend incarnate. And now Shisui wanted to follow that example, to establish something greater than himself. The excitement was barely contained beneath his measured exterior.
But Hanekawa had been deliberately vague. Just enough to plant the seed, not enough to explain the roots.
Hanekawa didn't lose sleep over it. He'd acted on impulse—a dangerous habit, but one that usually worked out. His knowledge of education systems was scattered, incomplete, more theoretical than practical. But in the ninja world, that was almost an advantage. The Academy itself wasn't exactly cutting-edge.
Besides, strength solved most problems. If something went wrong, he could always force it right.
He needed time to develop a proper plan. Shisui could wait.
---
In the living room, Kurenai and her father sat watching television. Kurenai's attention, however, was decidedly elsewhere. Her mind had wandered into territory that made her cheeks flush—specifically, the question of whether a certain someone might visit her bed tonight.
The probability, she thought, was quite high.
After all, he was a shameless opportunist who took advantage whenever possible. And now that she'd finally gotten what she wanted... well, once or twice certainly wasn't enough.
The summer night felt unbearably hot.
"If you're not going to watch," Yuhi Shinku said without looking away from the screen, "you might as well go find Hanekawa."
A father knows his daughter.
Kurenai's face went crimson. "He's working."
"He's the Hokage's secretary," Shinku reminded her. "So are you."
Kurenai's eyes lit up. That's perfect.
She bolted from the couch barefoot, leaving her father to sigh. "She's finally grown up," he murmured, though he made no move to stop her.
There was no point. With Hanekawa's strength and status, refusing would be pointless anyway. And Kurenai's personality meant she'd run off with him the day after he objected.
---
Hanekawa was drafting plans when he heard the footsteps—light, quick, trying to be quiet but failing against his enhanced senses.
He smiled and kept writing, pretending not to notice.
Soft hands covered his eyes from behind. "Guess who?"
Kurenai was pressed against his back, wearing only pajamas. The chair had no backrest, and he could feel every curve of her body against him.
"A greedy little cat," he said, amused.
"I'm not greedy!" she protested, confused.
"No?" He caught her wrist and pulled her onto his lap. "You're telling me you're not greedy?"
"Of course not. I don't even eat more of your cooking—" She stopped mid-sentence, realizing what he'd meant. "—oh, you're terrible!"
Her face flushed. She swung her legs in anger, heels connecting with his shins.
His response was simple. He grabbed her snow-white thighs and squeezed, and she immediately softened.
"Shouldn't you be watching TV with your father?" he asked, stroking her skin gently.
"The show's boring," she said, glaring at him without real heat. After last night, this kind of teasing was just flirtation. She wanted more. The feeling of fullness fascinated her, even if her body couldn't quite keep up.
"What are you writing? Why not do it tomorrow?" She glanced at the documents, startled. "Are you really rebuilding the Ninja Clan?"
"I already gave Shisui the mission. It's not false."
He leaned down, breathing in the faint fragrance of her skin. "It tickles," she whispered, her limbs weakening as he left light kisses along her neck.
"Why do you want to rebuild the Ninja Clan?" she asked, suppressing the tingling sensation.
"For peace in the ninja world."
"I don't believe you."
He smiled and kissed her, and she responded eagerly, taking the initiative this time.
His hand moved from her thighs upward, finally stopping at her heart. Even through the thin yukata, he could feel her softness, her warmth.
"Yu... Hanekawa..." She looked up at him, her eyes watery and hazy, impossibly charming.
"Aren't you worried your father will find out?"
"You... you must have a way..." she said breathlessly.
He had, after all, demonstrated it this morning.
"You really are a greedy little cat," he laughed.
"I'm not!" she protested weakly, even as her body betrayed her, restless and eager.
What followed was inevitable—a blur of movement, the lights going out, clothes falling to the floor. By the time Hanekawa used the Flying Thunder God to move them to her room, Kurenai had admitted the truth about her appetite.
More than admitted it. She'd proven it.
---
By the time Kurenai woke the next morning, Hanekawa was gone. She'd fallen asleep immediately after, exhausted.
One glance at the window sent panic through her. It was already nine o'clock.
She'd taken yesterday off for her birthday, but missing work two days in a row? That wasn't acceptable for the Hokage's secretary. She needed to set an example.
She dressed quickly and rushed downstairs.
Her father was waiting. "Didn't you leave with Hanekawa earlier?"
"I... I forgot something," she lied, her face burning. "I'm heading to the Hokage Building now!"
She fled before he could respond, already cursing a certain someone under her breath.
---
The Hokage's office was quiet when she arrived. Hanekawa sat at the desk, frowning slightly as he wrote. She slowed her approach, softening her steps, preparing to slip back out.
"Kurenai," he called without looking up. "Perfect timing. I have a task for you."
She straightened immediately, puffing out her chest. "Just give it to me!"
He handed her a scroll. "The Ninja Clan reconstruction I mentioned last night."
She unrolled it and began reading. The scroll was brief—just four points:
One: Select land in Konoha and construct a facility meeting ninja school standards.
Two: Recruit experienced special jonin and jonin as instructors.
Three: Establish seven departments based on chakra affinities.
Four: Automatically enroll this year's graduating ninja school class.
"The Ninja Clan is just a new ninja school?" she asked, confused. "But why recruit twelve-year-olds? They're already genin."
"Konoha doesn't need that many genin running missions," Hanekawa explained. "The Ninja Clan's purpose is to develop genin and chunin further."
He didn't mention the real goal—knowledge, not just strength. His vision was six years in the Academy, six years in the Clan, graduation at eighteen, then dedicated service to rebuilding the ninja world.
Understanding dawned on her face. After the Third War, Konoha had entered a peace period. Most genin had nothing to do but run errands. Better to study than waste time on E and D-rank tasks.
She'd been a genin herself. She remembered the boredom.
"I've assigned the reconstruction to Shisui," Hanekawa said. "You'll coordinate with him."
"What if the Uchiha clan tries to take control?"
"Reject them," he said flatly. "If they push back, contact Tsukihime."
The Ninja Clan would become the ninja university of the future. Such an institution couldn't be controlled by any single clan.
"Understood!" Kurenai nodded firmly.
Hanekawa smiled. "You're becoming a qualified secretary."
She straightened, pride blooming in her chest. Finally, recognition for something other than being his girlfriend.
---
---
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.