Hanekawa didn't have to wait long.
After consuming the fruit of the sacred tree, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki descended once more, materializing before him. He studied her for a moment—her appearance unchanged, yet the aura radiating from her was exponentially more terrifying. When she deliberately suppressed it, she became almost indistinguishable from an ordinary ninja.
The most dangerous things are always the quietest, Hanekawa thought.
Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's strength had increased dramatically. The specifics would require time to explore.
He glanced toward the sacred tree. Without its fruit, it looked sickly and drained, like a patient recovering from a severe illness. Regrowing fruit would demand enormous energy—energy the Pure Land could no longer provide in abundance.
"The ninja world still has natural energy," Kaguya Ōtsutsuki said, reading his thoughts. "The tree will bear fruit again. Three or four hundred years, perhaps."
Hanekawa nodded. He understood the math. The sacred tree had multiple energy sources: the remaining Pure Land reserves, Takigakure's tree, the meteorite from the Hidden Star Village, and Mount Myōboku's natural chakra. Combined, they were substantial. For the Ōtsutsuki clan, centuries were nothing—they'd waited millennia already.
If he were cruel, he could harvest the entire ninja world immediately. Over a hundred thousand ninja, thousands of years of accumulated civilization—all of it could feed the tree instantly. But Kaguya Ōtsutsuki knew his nature well enough not to suggest it.
"Release the nine tailed beasts," Hanekawa said. "We'll reabsorb them when we have sufficient energy."
He didn't know if Ōtsutsuki Urashiki would attempt time travel. If successful, it would be ten years from now. No need to keep the beasts sealed that long—they were Tsukihime's creations, after all. Besides, the sacred tree would continue growing normally without them.
Kaguya Ōtsutsuki waved her hand without question.
Nine rays of light erupted from the tree, striking the ground and transforming into nine colossal beasts. They stood confused for a moment before recognizing their captors. Fear flooded their expressions. They retained their consciousness, understood their powerlessness, and knew exactly how terrifying these two were.
"I'll retrieve Tsukihime," Hanekawa said, vanishing.
He reappeared with her instantly.
"The nine tailed beasts are yours to manage," he instructed.
"No problem." Tsukihime patted her chest confidently. "They'll be perfectly obedient."
"One condition," Hanekawa added. "Don't let them interfere with humans."
"Understood."
Tsukihime nodded. The beasts' size and fearsome reputation terrified people. Without proper management, chaos would follow.
Hanekawa pulled Kaguya Ōtsutsuki back to the Hokage's office.
The moment he sat down, a letter caught his eye on the desk. He opened it casually—an invitation from Mei Terumi, expressing gratitude for his assistance to the Hidden Mist and requesting his presence for dinner this evening.
Hanekawa smiled. The little Mizukage is thoughtful.
He and Mei had progressed considerably. Kissing was routine now. Could tonight be the breakthrough?
He pocketed the invitation. Regardless, he'd be there. Couldn't waste Mei's kindness.
The documents on his desk were routine—nothing urgent except notes on the Five Village Jonin Conference that had just concluded. Hanekawa tapped the table thoughtfully.
The villages had merged. But what about the five major countries? That merger would be far more complex, involving countless political interests. His strategy: transform the Fire Nation's capital into the center of the unified ninja world, then merge the other four countries' capitals around it. Eventually, he'd add another title to his collection—daimyo of the ninja world. True master of everything.
He drafted a scroll outlining the plan and left it on Kurenai's desk for execution.
With nothing else demanding attention, Hanekawa extended his senses. Tsunade wasn't at the casino—she was in her office.
He teleported there.
Tsunade stood at the window, bent slightly forward, hands on the sill. Her posture created a rather... distracting visual.
Oh, that's a view, Hanekawa thought, licking his lips.
"Teacher," he said, approaching from behind. "What are you looking at?"
Tsunade started to answer when she gasped instead—Hanekawa's hand had already slipped beneath her clothes.
"Stop that!" she snapped, raising her leg to kick him. "You're assaulting the Hokage! You deserve punishment!"
"My apologies," Hanekawa murmured, wrapping his arms around her waist and hips. He kissed her neck, his right hand moving upward.
Tsunade's fists clenched. She raised her head, anger flashing across her face. "You bastard—"
Her protest died as Hanekawa continued his assault. A blush spread across her features, and a charming aura radiated from her. The Yin Seal allowed her body to adapt quickly.
"You—" she started, but her eyes widened as her feet left the ground.
She grabbed the windowsill to steady herself, but Hanekawa didn't relent. Her words transformed into breathless gasps.
Two hours later, they'd relocated to the sofa. Tsunade sat on his lap, leaning against his chest, her eyes closed. She looked utterly exhausted and had no intention of moving.
Hanekawa stroked her golden hair, guiding chakra through his fingertips. A document from the desk drifted into his hand.
It was the network infrastructure project—the local area network Hanekawa had been developing. They planned to test it in Konoha first, then expand it across the ninja world.
After reviewing it, Hanekawa carefully laid Tsunade down and tucked her under the blanket.
"Rest well," he whispered, kissing her lips softly before disappearing.
---
By the time Hanekawa arrived at Mei Terumi's residence, the afternoon had nearly vanished. He knocked on the door.
It opened to reveal Mei in a classic black and white maid outfit—complete with cat ears, a cat tail, and twin ponytails.
"Welcome home, Master," she said, holding her skirt hem and bowing with practiced grace.
Hanekawa's eyes widened. Is this the same arrogant Mizukage from before?
"What's that look?" Mei straightened, rolling her eyes. "This is gratitude, not an invitation for your imagination to run wild!"
There's the real Mei. Hanekawa smiled.
"Your gratitude lasted less than thirty seconds," he observed. "You're a terrible maid."
"Master, please come inside!" Mei gritted her teeth, forcing a smile.
"Help me with my shoes," Hanekawa said, stepping through the door.
Mei's fists clenched, but she complied, squatting down. Her twin ponytails swayed as she worked.
"Any other orders?" she asked, standing again, her black-stockinged legs looking particularly striking.
"I'm hungry. Serve dinner."
Mei hesitated. "I... didn't cook."
"Then why invite me?"
"You'll cook," she said, her face reddening. "I was worried about... well, I didn't want to embarrass myself."
"How can I cook for my guests?" Hanekawa settled onto the sofa, smiling. "And I'm your master."
"You can't cook for nothing," he continued, gesturing her closer.
Mei approached cautiously. Hanekawa's hand found her thigh, and even through the stockings, he could feel the firmness of her leg.
"W-what are you doing?" she asked nervously.
"I should ask you that," Hanekawa replied, his gaze traveling up her skirt. "What's your payment for this meal?"
"It's... just dinner," Mei said weakly.
Hanekawa's hand came down in a sharp pat against her thigh. The sound was crisp, the stockings trembling.
"I'm the Hokage," he said, meeting her indignant stare. "My cooking is priceless."
"Fine! I'll cook myself!" Mei stepped back stubbornly.
"Go ahead," Hanekawa said with a smile.
Mei opened her mouth, then closed it. She glared at him, turned, and marched toward the kitchen.
Hanekawa followed, stopping at the doorway. Mei tied on an apron and began cooking—competently enough, though not expertly.
"Let me help," Hanekawa said, moving behind her and taking her wrist.
"No need—" Mei stopped abruptly as Hanekawa kissed her neck.
"Y-you—" Her voice trembled.
"You shouldn't wear so many clothes while cooking," he murmured, his hands moving from her hips to her waist.
The maid skirt soon became optional.
"W-wait..." Mei grabbed his wrist, her breathing uneven. "I still need to cook..."
"Didn't you prepare dinner already?" Hanekawa asked, admiring her curves.
"What?"
"You're the main course," he said, his hand moving lower.
Mei's breath caught. Her fair skin flushed, her body trembling slightly. The apron's partial coverage only heightened the effect.
"You're... you're a pervert," she managed.
"It's called appreciating beauty," Hanekawa corrected.
"It's perverted!" Mei rolled her eyes.
"Stubborn, then. We'll have to be more direct."
Hanekawa lifted her effortlessly and carried her toward the bedroom.
Mei's face burned, but she didn't resist.
Once there, Hanekawa pulled back the covers and drew her close from behind, biting her ear gently.
Mei felt a mix of ticklishness and nervousness. She bit her lip, her face paling slightly.
"I'm... I'm fine," she said, gripping the pillow and shifting her hips slightly. Her pride as the former Mizukage wouldn't allow her to show weakness.
But the night was long.
By morning, even the strongest Mizukage had to admit defeat.
---