The morning sun filtered through the windows, casting golden light across snow-capped mountains. Hanekawa stirred awake, finding himself nestled against Samui's shoulder, her skin impossibly soft beneath his cheek.
"Did I wake you?" he asked, lifting his head.
"No." Samui's voice carried the rasp of sleep, though her expression remained composed despite the exhaustion evident in her features. "I woke naturally."
Hanekawa's movements had been careful—deliberate, even. But Samui's early waking owed nothing to him. The credit belonged entirely to Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, who'd monopolized most of the night.
A weight settled against his back. Kaguya's pale eyes appeared over his shoulder, her expression serene and energized in stark contrast to Samui's fatigue.
"We should get moving," Hanekawa said, gently extracting himself from Samui's embrace. "You'll be late for work."
"Mm." Kaguya complied without protest, leaning forward to kiss him before rising. The blanket slipped away, revealing her flawless form to the morning air.
Samui's gaze drifted toward Hanekawa, who found himself momentarily distracted. She rose with deliberate grace, her golden hair catching the sunlight as she positioned herself before him.
"Let me help you dress," she offered, her tone carrying an edge of something unspoken.
Kaguya observed the exchange with detached interest. Competition, in her estimation, was a nighttime affair.
"Thank you," Hanekawa accepted without hesitation, spreading his arms.
Samui moved with practiced efficiency, her movements fluid and intentional. Hanekawa required nothing of her except to appreciate the view—which he did, thoroughly.
By the time he was dressed, Kaguya had already donned her ANBU uniform and stood waiting with characteristic patience.
---
After breakfast, the three departed for the Hokage Building. Samui peeled away at the entrance, heading toward the Hidden Cloud to summon its jonin for the day's meeting. The first five-village jonin assembly since the ninja world's unification would determine much about the future.
Hanekawa pushed through the Hokage Building's doors and caught a familiar scent.
"You're late!" Kurenai's voice cut through the air before he'd fully entered.
"There's no rule against a Hokage being tardy," he replied smoothly.
"You're just making excuses!" She huffed, clearly annoyed.
"Now, now—important business awaits, little secretary." Hanekawa caught her hand and drew her toward the Hokage's chair. Once seated, he pulled her into his lap, his right hand settling naturally on her thigh.
Kurenai shot him a look but said nothing, long accustomed to his behavior.
"The jonin meeting is scheduled for nine o'clock," she reported, opening a scroll. "I've already notified the secretaries."
Hanekawa scanned the contents without bothering to take the scroll himself. "Prepare a few more copies."
"You're already Hokage, yet you remain completely shameless," Kurenai complained, though she was already moving to comply. She snapped the scroll shut and grabbed his wrist. "That's enough. I'm leaving before you get any ideas."
She jumped down and darted away with a smile, leaving Hanekawa to shake his head in amusement.
"Would you like to touch it?" Kaguya's voice emerged from nowhere, her expression utterly serious.
"Back to work," Hanekawa said flatly.
"Understood." She vanished without further comment.
---
The meeting room was already crowded when they arrived. Jonin from all five villages packed the space—standing room only, despite the chamber's considerable size. This room had never been designed for such gatherings.
Hanekawa took his seat, flanked by Nara Shikaku and Sakumo Hatake, the Hokage's advisors.
"The jonin meeting is now in session," Kurenai announced. "First agenda item: financial report. Kakuzu, please proceed."
The name meant little to most present, though many recognized him as head of the financial division. Kakuzu stepped forward, flanked by Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan—the three Akatsuki members who'd surrendered with the Hidden Rain.
As Kakuzu detailed Konoha's financial reserves, shock rippled through the assembly. The figures were staggering—numbers most ninja had never conceived possible. For the first time, many understood why Hanekawa had implemented the ninja wage system.
Ōnoki, Rasa, and the others exchanged dark looks. This was a calculated move. Within decades, how many would remember their original villages when faced with such prosperity?
If Hanekawa even lives that long, their expressions seemed to say.
"Second agenda item," Kurenai continued. "Ninja force reorganization. Sakumo Hatake will present."
Sakumo stood. "With the ninja world unified, our previous organizational structure is obsolete. We require integration of all five villages' forces."
He outlined the proposal: five ninja units of five thousand each, stationed in their respective countries. Leadership would be distributed among the village heads, with one exception—the Hidden Mist would retain its full complement under Mei Terumi's command, designated as a specialized naval force.
Mei Terumi's relief was palpable. Hanekawa had kept his word.
The meeting continued through numerous agenda items. The most significant involved education—all ninja under eighteen from the five villages would return to school. The ninja world no longer needed child soldiers. It needed administrators, managers, and skilled professionals to govern the five great nations.
By noon, the meeting concluded. Hanekawa rose to leave, but Kurenai remained, preparing to distribute the day's decisions.
"Kaguya," Hanekawa called suddenly.
She materialized before him instantly.
"Status on the sacred tree?"
"Results within two days," she replied, her pale eyes gleaming with rare excitement.
"Mount Myōboku. Now."
Hanekawa seized her hand and activated the Flying Thunder God Technique.
The towering sacred tree materialized before them, its massive form dominating the landscape. Hanekawa raised his hand, focusing on his newly acquired S-rank entry: Lord of the Ninja Realm.
The air itself seemed to vibrate. Natural energy surged from every direction, converging on the tree with visible intensity.
Kaguya's eyes widened. "What is this?"
Under Hanekawa's control, the sacred tree accelerated its maturation cycle. The fruit took shape before them, swelling with power.
"Go ahead," Hanekawa said, withdrawing his hand.
Kaguya didn't hesitate. She'd consumed one fruit before—the process was familiar now, and she no longer risked the indigestion that had once forced her to create Tsukihime.
As she approached the fruit, Hanekawa's mind drifted. Ōtsutsuki Urashiki.
The time-traveling Ōtsutsuki would arrive seeking the Nine-Tails, if the timeline remained consistent. But would he still come, knowing the beast was no longer available? Would he even exist in this altered future?
Hanekawa had no answers. For now, all he could do was wait.