Hanekawa emerged from the bathroom and glanced between his two companions. "So, who's going first?"
The wooden house—courtesy of his newly mastered Wood Style Four Pillars technique—lacked modern amenities. But he'd come prepared. A bit of Fire Style chakra would heat the bathwater just fine.
"You go ahead," Kurenai and Rin said simultaneously, then exchanged glances.
Hanekawa waved them off. "No need for politeness. Kurenai, you're up."
"Okay." Kurenai didn't argue, heading toward the bathroom without hesitation.
He settled onto the sofa—one of several pieces of furniture he'd brought along specifically for moments like this. This is the life. Compared to sleeping rough on missions, this was luxury.
"You're quiet," Hanekawa observed, turning to Rin, who sat rigidly beside him.
"I... I don't know what to say." Rin's hands pressed against her dark red over-the-knee socks, her posture screaming discomfort.
Ah. Hanekawa understood. The awkwardness of being the third wheel was hitting her.
"Do I look like a bad person?" he asked lightly.
"No! No, you're—you're a good person!" Rin's face flushed crimson as she shook her head vigorously.
Hanekawa smiled. Nice guy card activated.
Rin lowered her gaze, her heart hammering. After a few seconds of silence, she turned to check on him—and immediately met his eyes. Her blush deepened visibly.
"You're adorable," Hanekawa said, reaching over to gently ruffle her hair.
"I..." Rin's breath caught. She wanted to ask what he was thinking, but the words wouldn't come.
"What's wrong?" he asked, enjoying the softness of her hair.
"N-nothing." She quickly changed the subject. "Is this house made with Wood Style?"
"Yeah. Pretty impressive, right?"
Rin was about to respond when she felt his hand drift from her hair to her cheek. The warmth of his palm made her face burn.
"How's your training been?" Hanekawa asked, gently stroking her skin—soft as jade, warm as summer.
"I've learned most medical ninjutsu," Rin answered in a daze. "Everything except the Yin Seal."
"The Yin Seal isn't simple medical ninjutsu. It's incredibly difficult. Don't be discouraged if you can't master it."
Hanekawa wasn't surprised. Even in the original timeline, only Tsunade and Sakura had successfully learned it. Shizune never managed it. Rin's struggle was perfectly normal.
I should create a simplified version, he thought. Keep the anti-aging effect, drop the complexity.
"I won't give up!" Rin declared softly.
The bathroom door opened.
Rin's expression froze. She felt caught—guilty for being so close to Hanekawa without Kurenai knowing. But she couldn't help herself.
Hanekawa withdrew his hand smoothly, as if nothing had happened. Thick skin is essential when you're juggling this many people.
Kurenai emerged in kimono-style pajamas, her hair still damp and dripping. "I'll change the water," Hanekawa said, standing up.
The bathroom smelled faintly of her. The bathtub was filled with bubble bath—Kurenai's preference.
He drained it, refilled it with fresh water, and used Fire Style to heat it quickly.
"Kurenai, aren't you going to dry your hair?" Rin asked uncertainly.
"Hanekawa will do it," Kurenai explained. "He's faster with Fire Style."
Rin's eyes widened. Using Fire Style to dry hair? Only Hanekawa could pull that off. She felt a pang of envy. This must happen every day.
"You can ask him to help you after your bath," Kurenai offered with a knowing smile.
"I... I don't need—"
"Rin, go shower," Hanekawa called from the bathroom, cutting off the conversation.
"Thank you." Rin glanced at him and headed inside.
"Hanekawa! Come here!" Kurenai called from the living room, perched on the sofa's edge with her legs slightly swinging.
Hanekawa emerged and smiled at the sight—her messy wet hair framing her face, adding an undeniable charm. He held out his hands, channeling Fire Style chakra to dry her hair.
From this angle, he could see the fair skin of her collarbone through her pajama collar. Kurenai sat perfectly still, her long white legs swinging slightly, water droplets catching the light.
"Hanekawa, make sure you dry Rin's hair too," Kurenai said suddenly.
He blinked, surprised but pleased. "Sure."
After a few minutes, he dispersed the chakra and ruffled her hair. "Done. Get some rest—we're traveling tomorrow."
"Mmm." Kurenai stood, taking his hand. "Walk me to my room?"
He led her to the left bedroom. The space was simple—just a wooden bed with fresh bedding.
"Good night," she said, squeezing his hand reluctantly.
Hanekawa studied her for a moment, seeing the reluctance in her eyes. Something shifted in his chest. He bent down and kissed her left cheek.
Kurenai's eyes widened in surprise. They'd always been close, but this was their first truly intimate gesture.
"One left, one right—only fair," he murmured, kissing her right cheek.
Kurenai's face turned crimson. She quickly shut the door, dove into bed, covered her face, and swung her legs excitedly.
---
Thirty minutes later, Rin emerged from the bathroom to find only Hanekawa in the living room. Her heart skipped.
"Kurenai's already in her room," he said, standing and waving her over. "Come sit."
After she sat, he extended his hands, Fire Style chakra blooming gently. The warmth was perfect—comfortable, not uncomfortable.
Rin was stunned. Is there anything this man can't do?
Her admiration for him had evolved over time into something deeper, more complex.
[D-Rank Talent Entry: Threesome - UPGRADED]
[New Effect: One-handed seal formation speed increased by 100%]
Hanekawa froze as the notification appeared. Why now?
But this was undeniably good. One-handed seals had always been too slow to use effectively. With a 100% boost, they were barely viable now—though still inferior to two-handed seals, which had a 150% bonus.
The entry can probably upgrade further, he noted mentally.
"All done," he said, ruffling Rin's hair.
"Ah." She responded softly.
"You'll sleep in the right room tonight. See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow." Rin stood, glanced at him, and walked to her room.
---
The Next Day
After breakfast, the three boarded a ship heading toward the Land of Water. Hanekawa stood at the bow as a ninja hawk descended from the sky.
He retrieved the message scroll from its back and unrolled it.
Hiruko's location. After killing Chūji, he'd headed northeast—likely trying to escape the Land of Water for the Land of Lightning. Mist Village ANBU were in pursuit.
We need to move faster.
Hanekawa released the hawk and raised his hand, drawing sea water beneath the ship. Their speed tripled instantly.
An hour later, they docked on an unnamed island.
"Hiruko's northwest, in the forest," Hanekawa said, closing his eyes to activate his sensory abilities. "I'll handle him. If things get rough, back me up."
"I'm coming with you," Kurenai said eagerly. She'd been itching for real combat.
"Be careful."
Kurenai leaped away at high speed. Hanekawa and Rin followed.
---
They found Hiruko standing on a tree trunk—a small figure wrapped entirely in bandages.
"I expected Mist ANBU," Hiruko said, his voice dripping with contempt. "Instead, I get three brats from Konoha."
He'd heard of Hanekawa's reputation but never seen him. And as the Hokage's assistant, Hanekawa wouldn't typically engage in direct combat. These kids are beneath me.
"I think you're the brat," Kurenai shot back without hesitation.
"You dare?!" Hiruko's rage was instant. His short stature—a side effect of his Chimera Technique—was his greatest shame.
He vanished in a blur of speed.
Kurenai reacted instantly, flinging six shuriken. Hiruko dodged easily, but the half-second delay was enough.
Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!
A dragon of water erupted toward him. Hiruko raised his palm without flinching. The seal on his hand flashed, and the water dragon simply... disappeared.
"What?!" Kurenai's eyes widened.
"Dark Release," Hanekawa explained calmly. "It absorbs ninjutsu and can release it back."
As if on cue, Hiruko flicked his hand. The water dragon shot back at Kurenai.
Water Style: Water Formation Wall!
Kurenai formed seals rapidly, creating a barrier of water that blocked the attack.
"What do we do?" she asked, frustrated.
"Not all ninjutsu can be absorbed. There's a limit," Hanekawa replied.
Hiruko snarled at being ignored. He formed seals and slammed his palms to the ground.
Summoning Jutsu!
Smoke erupted. A grotesque creature emerged—dog's body, bird's wings, two snake heads. A stitched abomination created by the Chimera Technique.
Water Style: Water Trumpet!
Kurenai spat a massive torrent of water shaped like a morning glory.
Dark Release: Suction Hole!
Hiruko's palms generated suction. The water vanished.
The summoning beast's feathers flew like shuriken toward Kurenai.
Water Style: Water Formation Wall!
Another barrier. The feathers exploded against it violently.
Kurenai backstepped as Hiruko absorbed her previous Water Trumpet technique and sent it back at her.
The battle had only just begun.
---