The massive wave rose in a perfect spiral, water churning with deadly precision.
"Water Style: Water Flash Technique!"
Kurenai's hands moved through the seals with practiced calm. As the torrent crashed toward her, she transformed it into a spreading pool that rushed outward in all directions.
Hiruko leaped onto his summoned beast's back, wings spreading wide as he ascended. From above, he scanned the flooded terrain. Hanekawa and Rin were visible, but Kurenai had vanished.
Hiding, he thought. But not dead.
The remaining water suddenly erupted skyward, forming a high-pressure column that cut through the air like a blade.
Hiruko's hands moved instinctively. "Dark Style: Absorption Hole!"
The suction force pulled at the water—but nothing happened. The column remained unstoppable, slicing through his summoned beast like a knife through silk. The fused creature, a fusion of three powerful summons, split cleanly in half.
Blood sprayed across the sky.
"Impossible!" Hiruko's shock was genuine. His Dark Style had failed. For the first time.
He didn't have time to process it. The water reformed below him, coalescing into a dragon that rose to meet his falling form.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Hiruko breathed easier. This one he could handle. Dark Style absorbed ninjutsu—
A kunai wrapped in water stabbed toward him.
He couldn't absorb ninja tools. His body flickered backward at blinding speed, Swift Style carrying him away from Kurenai's strike.
She emerged from the water, eyes blazing red, completely composed.
Hiruko formed seals, but halfway through, Kurenai simply... disappeared.
His confusion lasted only a moment before vines erupted from the tree behind him, binding him tight.
Magic Tree Binding Kill?
He struggled—
Kurenai emerged from the trunk itself, kunai descending.
The scream that followed echoed across the clearing. Without Steel Style reinforcement, Hiruko was fragile. The blade found its mark, and a second slash ended it.
His body went limp.
---
"How was that?" Kurenai appeared in front of Hanekawa, practically glowing with pride.
"Incredible," Hanekawa said, ruffling her hair. "I was about to help with his summon."
"Just a beast. No problem!" She puffed her chest out, completely satisfied with herself.
"Someone's coming," Hanekawa said quietly, turning toward the distance.
Four figures materialized—masked ANBU, Hidden Mist forehead protectors gleaming.
The captain's posture stiffened the moment he recognized Hanekawa. Fear flickered across his masked face.
"The Dragon of Konoha," he breathed.
"Lord Hanekawa!" The captain stepped forward with a deep bow. "An honor to encounter you. We came for Hiruko's body, but—"
"You don't want it," Hanekawa said simply.
"No, sir! We absolutely do not!" The captain's voice cracked slightly. He bowed again, then he and his team vanished at maximum speed.
"You're still more impressive," Kurenai said, hugging his arm with a satisfied smile.
Rin watched, a flicker of envy crossing her face.
Hanekawa examined Hiruko's corpse with a casual wave of chakra, extracting a scroll. Inside was the Kiyomizu-no-Mara Technique—the only thing worth keeping. He burned the body and pocketed the scroll.
"Mission complete. Time to head back," he said.
"Can't we take the scenic route?" Kurenai asked hopefully. "We've only been gone two days!"
Hanekawa smiled. "Sure."
As they walked, his thoughts drifted to Mei Terumi. He considered detouring to see her, then decided against it. Not with Kurenai and Rin here. That would raise too many questions.
Better to avoid complications.
---
Hidden Mist - Mizukage's Office
Mei Terumi rubbed her temples, exhaustion weighing on her shoulders. The post-war reconstruction was relentless. The Blood Mist era had devastated their bloodline ninja population. Yagura's rampage with the Three-Tails had caused further casualties. Now, as acting Mizukage, she managed the fallout while the Kaguya clan tested her authority daily.
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in."
Four ANBU entered. The captain bowed. "Lady Mizukage, Hiruko has been eliminated."
"By whom?" Mei asked, though something in her chest already knew the answer.
"Three Konoha ninja. The leader was Hanekawa."
Mei's hand froze mid-motion. She stood slowly. "He came to the Land of Water?"
"Confirmed. We encountered him personally. His teammates were Yuhi Kurenai and Nohara Rin."
He was here. And he didn't visit me.
Mei bit her lip hard enough to draw blood. "Is he still in the country?"
"We didn't pursue. We don't know his current location."
"Dismissed," Mei said quietly.
The moment they left, she slammed her hand on the desk. "Hateful!"
Not because Hanekawa had killed Hiruko first—that was actually convenient. But because he'd left without seeing her. Without even trying to see her.
She sat back down, chin resting on her folded hands, staring blankly at nothing.
That pervert. That absolute pervert.
Her mind spiraled with images of him, frustration and longing tangling together.
---
Konoha - One Week Later
Hanekawa left Kurenai and Rin at the village entrance. "I need to report to the Hokage. You two head home."
He didn't go directly to the tower.
Instead, he found himself at the Uchiha compound, seeking out Shisui.
"Hanekawa! When did you return?" Shisui greeted him with genuine warmth.
"Just now. I need your help with something." Hanekawa explained the situation—Orochimaru's stripped powers, his potential value, the need for loyalty. He carefully avoided mentioning Kotoamatsukami, instead suggesting Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan could "influence" Orochimaru's thinking.
Shisui hesitated only briefly. "Does the Hokage know?"
"No. This is my personal request. But Orochimaru should be loyal to Konoha. We're simply... correcting his perspective."
It was a thin justification, but Shisui had his own reasons to distrust Orochimaru—the man had betrayed them in the Land of Snow. He nodded. "I'll do it."
---
They found Orochimaru at his residence. Anko greeted them cheerfully. Kabuto bowed respectfully. Itachi acknowledged them with quiet dignity.
Orochimaru emerged, clearly puzzled by Shisui's presence.
A scarlet light flashed.
Orochimaru's eyes glazed for a moment, then cleared. He seemed entirely unchanged.
"What do you need?" he asked calmly.
"I have a jutsu I'd like you to improve," Hanekawa said, handing over the Demon Geranium scroll.
"No problem," Orochimaru agreed without hesitation.
After a few more instructions, Hanekawa and Shisui left.
"The suggestion will last indefinitely," Shisui said quietly. "If you need adjustments, come find me."
"Thank you. Dinner's on me next time."
"As it should be," Shisui smiled slightly. "Anything for Konoha."
---
Hokage's Office
Hanekawa appeared in a flash of yellow light, steadying himself before the desk.
Tsunade was asleep, head pillowed on her arms.
He approached quietly, unable to resist. His hand found her golden hair, stroking it gently.
Her eyes opened immediately. Alert. Dangerous. Then softening as she recognized him.
"When did you get back?" she asked, not pulling away from his touch.
"Just now. Hiruko didn't surrender. We eliminated him during the mission."
"That took two weeks?" Her gaze was sharp, searching.
Hanekawa felt heat rise in his neck. Was she jealous? "We didn't use Flying Thunder God. Wanted to enjoy the travel."
Her expression shifted—the sharpness melting into something softer. Vulnerable.
"I missed you," she said quietly. "Can you kiss me?"
Hanekawa didn't hesitate. He leaned down, meeting her lips with his own. She reached up, hands cradling his head as they exchanged what felt like an apology and a greeting all at once.
When they finally separated, both slightly breathless, Hanekawa asked, "Are you leaving early?"
Tsunade's eyes held a mischievous glint. "Let's go to the casino."
Hanekawa felt the trap snap shut around him. "Really?"
"Yes," she said, standing and pulling him close, her voice dropping to a whisper against his ear. "Take me."
Beauty trap, he thought, even as his arms wrapped around her waist, even as he nodded agreement.
Some battles, he was learning, couldn't be won.
---
---
Hey everyone,
I've been working on some new material, and I've reached a point where I love both of these ideas too much to choose between them. Since you guys are the ones who make this possible, I want to put the power in your hands.
I have two very different Naruto fanfics ready to go. Here is the breakdown of what each one brings to the table:
Option 1: [Name TBD] (The "Tyrant" MC)The Theme: Survival, Ruthless Efficiency, and Rule-Breaking.
The Story: This is for the readers who love a protagonist who doesn't just "talk" about being a ninja but actually acts like one. The MC, Seiran, finds himself in the Academy alongside Kakashi and Asuma, but he knows the tragedy that's coming. He uses a unique "Tyrant Mode" that trades lifespan for absolute power.
Best For: Readers who like a darker, more tactical Naruto world where the MC is willing to be cold and calculating to survive the Third Shinobi World War.
Option 2: [Name TBD] (The "Systematic Collector" MC)The Theme: Rapid Growth, Jutsu Mastery, and Mystery.
The Story: This follows Meian, a protagonist with a unique physiology that allows him to "lock in" any jutsu just by seeing it or reading a scroll once. It's a story about hidden potential and seeing the world through a more analytical lens. It has a slightly more "system" feel to the progression.
Best For: Readers who enjoy "Op-from-the-start" vibes, deep dives into jutsu mechanics, and seeing a protagonist navigate the village's internal politics and relationships while growing at an impossible speed.