The Hokage's office was quiet when Hanekawa arrived, save for the soft sound of breathing from the sofa.
Kurenai lay curled on her side, fast asleep, her crimson hair spilled across the cushions like silk. Hanekawa slowed his pace, taking in the sight—her pale legs, the peaceful expression on her young face.
Perfect timing, he thought, recalling his newly acquired S-Rank entry: Dream.
He extended his hand, letting chakra flow gently into her mind. The technique was delicate, precise—a skill he'd perfected over countless applications.
Within moments, Kurenai's body tensed. Her legs drew together slightly, her toes curling. A blush bloomed across her cheeks, deepening by the second.
Her eyes snapped open.
She sat up abruptly, gasping for breath, her mind still half-trapped in the dream. Her hands flew to her face as embarrassment washed over her.
In the dream, she and Tsunade had both been there with him. Together.
The thought made her stomach flutter with a mixture of shame and something else she didn't want to name.
She wiped her forehead and turned—freezing when she saw Hanekawa standing there.
"When did you arrive?" she asked quietly, unable to meet his eyes.
"A few minutes ago." He reached out and tilted her chin up, forcing her to face him. "What were you dreaming about?"
"Nothing!" Kurenai's voice came out too loud, too defensive.
"Really?" His smile was infuriatingly knowing. "You seem pretty flustered for nothing."
"I'm not!" She bit her lip stubbornly, but her blush deepened.
Hanekawa sat beside her and pulled her into his arms. She stiffened, then gradually relaxed against him—though her heart continued its frantic pace. Being this close to him made it impossible not to think about the dream, about Tsunade, about the three of them—
No. Stop.
She forced herself to focus. They were both Tsunade's students. The idea was ridiculous. Impossible.
Yet somehow, the thought didn't feel as wrong as it should.
"I have a job for you," Hanekawa said, breaking the silence as he gently pinched her cheek.
Kurenai seized the distraction gratefully. "What kind of job?"
"Delegations from the Hidden Sand and Hidden Stone arrive in two days. I want you to handle the negotiations."
Her eyes widened. "What conditions should we propose?"
"Whatever you think is fair," he said casually. "Konoha won, after all."
Kurenai puffed out her chest with determination. "Leave it to me! I won't let Konoha lose out!"
Hanekawa smiled. She had no idea that both villages had already surrendered completely—that this was merely a formality. But he'd let her discover that herself. The surprise would be worth it.
---
Hidden Mist - The Mizukage's Office
Mei Terumi stood abruptly, her expression one of pure shock. "What did you say?"
Hoshigaki Kisame, the head of Hidden Mist's ANBU, maintained his composure despite the gravity of his report. "The combined forces of Hidden Stone and Hidden Sand have been defeated. Both villages have declared their submission to Konoha."
"How is that possible?" Mei's mind raced. She'd expected their defeat, but not this—not complete surrender, not this quickly.
"According to our intelligence," Kisame continued, "Hanekawa defeated them single-handedly. Wood Style ninjutsu. The scale of it was... unprecedented."
Mei sank back into her chair. The gap between them had widened to an impossible degree. They were the same age, yet the distance between their power levels was like comparing a candle to the sun.
She exhaled slowly. "What are our options?"
"Limited," Kisame admitted. "If Hanekawa can dispose of ten thousand ninja from two villages without difficulty—"
"Then he can do the same to us." Mei finished the thought. The Hidden Mist had recovered from its dark period, but it remained the weakest of the Five Great Villages. Against Konoha's current strength, they wouldn't last a day.
There was only one path forward.
"I'm going to the Land of Water," she announced, her voice steady despite the weight of the decision. "We need to accelerate our economic development. It's the only advantage we have left."
---
Konoha - Evening
Hanekawa set down his brush, satisfied with the day's work. He'd outlined the future governance of both the Stone and Hidden Sands, and drafted a mission proposal for the Hidden Star Village—a small task involving meteorite negotiations that would keep them occupied and compliant.
He activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and returned home.
Tsunade looked up from the sofa, surprise flickering across her face. "Back already? How did it go?"
"It's finished," he said, moving toward her with a slight smile. "Both villages have surrendered."
"Finished?" She blinked. "You mean—"
He kissed her before she could finish, and she made a small sound of surprise. When they parted, she was flushed.
"You can't just kiss me and expect me to forget my questions," she said, though she didn't pull away.
"The Hidden Sand and Hidden Stone have already submitted to Konoha," he explained, his hands already working at her clothes. "So yes, it's finished."
Tsunade considered this, watching him with an expression somewhere between amusement and resignation. "You're going to reshape the entire ninja world, aren't you?"
"Is that a problem?" he asked.
She laughed—a genuine, warm sound. "No. You're the Hokage. Do what you want."
Later, after they'd moved to the kitchen and Tsunade had eaten her fill, she drifted off to sleep. Hanekawa wove a pleasant dream for her before leaving—one featuring herself, Kurenai, and him in a scenario that made her blush even in sleep.
---
Two Days Later - Konoha
The delegations from both villages arrived with full ceremony. To demonstrate sincerity, Ōnoki himself led the Hidden Stone contingent, while Hagura represented the Hidden Sand.
Kurenai Yuhi, now serving as the Hokage's secretary, managed the entire affair with impressive competence. She negotiated terms, arranged accommodations, and ensured every detail reflected Konoha's newfound dominance.
Hanekawa, meanwhile, had already departed with Kaguya Ōtsutsuki—though not to the Hidden Star Village immediately. First, they had business in the Hidden Cloud.
He found Samui in the Raikage's office, her dark eyes meeting his with calm acceptance.
"We're going on a mission," he said, extending his hand. "You're coming with me."
She took his hand without hesitation. "Where?"
"The Hidden Star Village," he replied. "But first, I need to discuss something with the Raikage."
Samui nodded, already moving to gather what she'd need. She'd learned long ago that questions were unnecessary. Hanekawa's plans always worked out.
As she prepared, Hanekawa gazed out at the Hidden Cloud below, considering the pieces on his board. Konoha's dominance was now undeniable. The other villages would either adapt or be swept aside.
The age of the Five Great Villages was ending.
The age of Konoha's supremacy had begun.