Hanekawa's office fell silent after Sasori left with Aoi. He leaned back in his chair, finally allowing himself a moment to breathe. The day's paperwork was finished—time to think about something actually interesting.
The Impure World Reincarnation technique occupied his thoughts. Konoha didn't have anyone who knew it, but that was hardly a problem. Learning it himself was just a matter of time and resources.
His eyes snapped open.
Something had entered his office—something wrong. In the entire ninja world, only one technique could slip past his awareness like this.
"White Zetsu," he said with certainty.
A pale figure emerged from the floorboards, looking genuinely nervous. "As expected of you, Lord Hanekawa. I thought... well, I thought you might kill me."
"Why would I?" Hanekawa leaned forward slightly. "You're far too useful alive."
"Then I swear my loyalty!" White Zetsu's grin was unsettling. "I'll serve you with absolute devotion!"
Hanekawa didn't believe in loyalty—not really. But as long as White Zetsu worked efficiently, that was enough. With the Outer Golem under his control and both Madara and Black Zetsu gone, the creature had nowhere else to go.
"Continue your surveillance of the ninja world," Hanekawa instructed. "Report any disturbances immediately. But leave Konoha alone."
"Understood!" White Zetsu paused awkwardly. "By the way, do you know what it feels like to—"
"No," Hanekawa cut him off flatly.
White Zetsu sank back into the floor, his cheerful voice fading. "I'm going now!"
Hanekawa shook his head. Even the true form of White Zetsu had that ridiculous personality. At least it was predictable.
I need someone to test the weakened Yin Seal on.
His fingers drummed against the desk. Nohara Rin was the obvious choice—excellent medical ninja, perfect chakra control for feedback. Yuhi Kurenai could work, but she wasn't a medical specialist.
He used the Flying Thunder God Technique to reach Konoha Hospital.
The moment he arrived, four familiar faces greeted him.
"Hanekawa!" Might Guy's voice boomed across the lobby.
Nohara Rin's eyes widened in surprise. Yamato and Kakashi stood nearby, the latter looking distinctly unimpressed with Guy's volume.
"Guy broke his bones training," Kakashi explained with the tone of someone who'd already had this conversation. "He's being discharged today."
"Eight Gates?" Hanekawa asked.
"You got it!" Guy gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up. "My lifelong rival knows me so well!"
Hanekawa turned to Yamato. "How's Team Three treating you?"
"Very well," Yamato replied, his former Root coldness replaced by something almost normal. The green tights were... a choice, but Hanekawa could guess how that happened.
"Yamato walks the path of youth with us now!" Guy declared.
Kakashi sighed deeply. One Guy was manageable. Two was psychological warfare.
"You have my sympathy," Hanekawa told him, patting his shoulder.
"Appreciated," Kakashi said dryly.
"Want to spar?" Guy asked hopefully.
"Rest another two days," Rin advised gently. "We'll have other chances."
"Next time," Hanekawa agreed. Guy's Eight Gates made him genuinely dangerous, but the cost was too high for casual sparring.
"We should head to the Hokage Building anyway," Kakashi said, glancing at the others. "Lord Hokage called us for a mission briefing."
"Go ahead," Hanekawa nodded. "Rin and I have something to discuss."
As the three left, Rin looked up at him, her expression soft but uncertain. "Long time no see," she said quietly.
Hanekawa felt a twinge of guilt. Between the Rain Village and Akatsuki operations, he'd been neglecting her. He reached out and gently touched her head. "I know. I'm sorry."
"What did you need?" she asked, her voice steadier now.
"Let's sit," he said, taking her hand and leading her to a nearby sofa.
Rin's breath caught at the contact. She followed almost automatically, her face flushing as she realized what was happening.
"Remember what I told you about transforming the Yin Seal?" Hanekawa asked, stroking the back of her hand.
"Yes," she managed, not meeting his eyes.
"I've figured out how. I need someone to practice with." He paused. "You're one of the best medical ninjas in the village."
"I'm not—" she started to protest.
"You are," he said firmly. "After Tsunade and me, there's only Nonō Yakushi. You're at the limit of what ordinary medical ninjas can achieve."
Rin's heart warmed at the compliment, though she tried to hide it.
"The Yin Seal works by storing chakra in the forehead," Hanekawa explained, shifting to business. "But it requires incredible chakra control. I thought of something today—I can guide you through it."
"Guide me? How?" Rin looked confused.
"I'll control your chakra alongside yours," he said simply. "We'll see if it works."
Rin's eyes widened. "Is that even possible?"
"Only one way to find out."
She nodded, trusting him completely. "What do I do?"
"Refine chakra to your forehead."
As she did, Hanekawa placed his hand there, his own chakra flowing out to guide hers. For a moment, it seemed to work—their chakras synchronized, moving in tandem. But the harmony was fragile. Without being from the same source, they couldn't maintain perfect synchronization.
Hanekawa withdrew his hand. "The original Yin Seal won't work this way. But a weakened version might."
"What's different?" Rin asked.
"Instead of storing chakra in your forehead, we store it in your lower abdomen." He watched her face flush slightly. "It's the central hub of your meridian system. Chakra spreads faster from there, and it requires less control."
Rin hesitated only briefly before lifting her shirt slightly, revealing her flat stomach. Her hands trembled a little.
Hanekawa placed his palm against her warm skin. Rin's body tensed, and she turned away, her face burning.
"Meditate," he reminded her gently.
"Right," she whispered, focusing on her breathing.
The day stretched on. They worked through multiple attempts, each one bringing them closer. Rin's body grew more comfortable with his touch, though her heart never quite stopped racing. By evening, they'd made real progress—not complete, but undeniable.
"That's enough for today," Hanekawa said finally, withdrawing his hand.
Rin smoothed her shirt down, still flushed. "Thank you, Hanekawa."
"You've basically got it," he assured her. "Practice when you can. I'll help when I'm free."
"I'll work hard," she promised, glancing at the darkening sky. "Would you... like to get dinner?"
"Next time," he said, and meant it. But Tsunade and Kurenai were waiting at home, and he'd already been gone long enough.
Rin tried to hide her disappointment. There would be other opportunities. They'd be spending a lot of time together after all.
---
Later that evening, Hanekawa found Tsunade in her office, ready to leave for the day.
"Finally," she said, stretching. "Ready to go home?"
"Always," he replied, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close.
She gave him a look that was half-amused, half-exasperated. "Your hands are always so forward."
"You could do the same," he suggested with a grin.
Tsunade lifted his chin with one finger, and they kissed—a brief clash of wills before she pulled back, breathing slightly harder. "Home. Now."
Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, they appeared in their living room. Tsunade settled onto the sofa, and Hanekawa immediately stretched out across her lap, burying himself in her warmth.
"Tired?" she asked, her fingers threading through his hair.
"Exhausted," he admitted. "I've been working on transforming the Yin Seal."
"How?" Tsunade's hand continued its soothing motion.
"I'm storing chakra in the Abdomen instead of the forehead," he explained. "It's simpler, but it changes the whole purpose. I'm calling it the Seal of Immortality."
Tsunade was quiet for a moment. "That's for your girlfriends, isn't it?"
Hanekawa didn't answer, which was answer enough.
She flicked his forehead lightly. "You little brat. Always thinking ahead."
He said nothing, just stayed where he was, and Tsunade couldn't bring herself to push him away. Her body had grown used to him, her defenses worn down by months of his presence.
"Go to the bedroom," she finally said, her voice slightly strained.
"Gladly," he murmured, standing and lifting her effortlessly.
---
The next morning found Hanekawa at Training Ground One, his Rinnegan activated. The whirlpool patterns in his eyes were unmistakable.
He'd obtained the Rinnegan, but not its techniques—not yet. Unlike Nagato, who'd discovered them through intuition and experimentation, Hanekawa had the advantage of knowing exactly what they should do.
Shinra Tensei.
He raised his hand, and invisible repulsive force exploded outward. Dust and debris scattered in all directions.
It worked on the first try.
Banshō Ten'in.
A suction force erupted from his palm, pulling a distant tree toward him. The trunk snapped under the strain.
Hanekawa caught it with another Shinra Tensei, sending it flying away.
He continued testing, moving through the Six Paths abilities. The Asura Path's mechanical arms manifested perfectly, complete with wires and cannons. The Deva Path's gravity manipulation was intuitive. Each technique responded to his will as if he'd always known them.
The only limitation was the black rods—those required Yin-Yang Release, which he hadn't mastered yet. That would take time.
---
Two months later, in April, Hanekawa sat in Rin's office at the hospital, reviewing the final stages of the Yin Seal transformation.
The weakened version was nearly complete. It wasn't quite right to call it the Yin Seal anymore, but the name worked.
Rin arrived looking tired from surgery, but she smiled when she saw him.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," she said.
"Rest first," Hanekawa suggested, patting the sofa. "The Yin Seal requires full concentration."
Rin hesitated, then sat beside him, her posture tense.
"Relax," he said softly. Without waiting for permission, he gently took her ankle and placed her leg across his lap. Her over-the-knee socks were soft under his hands as he began to massage her foot.
Rin's eyes widened. She bit her lip, her face flushing as warmth spread through her. The sensation was overwhelming—not painful, but deeply intimate in a way that made her heart race.
"How is it?" he asked, his eyes meeting hers.
"Th-thank you," she stammered, looking away.
Hanekawa smiled at her reaction. She was adorable when flustered.
"You should master the Yin Seal today," he said, continuing the massage.
"Today?" Rin sounded almost disappointed. Once she learned it, would he still have reason to touch her like this?
"It's only the weakened version," he explained. "It keeps your body in peak condition—no healing, no power boost. But you'll stay young and beautiful forever."
Rin froze as the implication hit her. He wants me to stay young. For him.
Her face turned crimson as chaotic thoughts flooded her mind.
After a few minutes, Hanekawa released her leg. "Ready?"
Rin nodded, trying to steady her breathing. She lifted her shirt, revealing her stomach, and turned away in embarrassment.
Hanekawa placed his hand against her warm skin and began channeling chakra.
By dusk, it was done. A perfect chakra reservoir formed at her Abdomen.
"Success!" Rin opened her eyes, genuine excitement in her voice.
"Halfway there," Hanekawa corrected gently. "The reservoir is empty. You'll need to fill it over time."
"Thank you," Rin said earnestly. "I never thought I could learn this."
"How will you thank me?" he asked, his fingers still resting against her abdomen.
Rin's body trembled. "I... I'll treat you to dinner."
"Just dinner?" He withdrew his hand and moved closer, his eyes holding hers.
Rin's heart hammered in her chest. She didn't know what to say, what to do. Her face burned as she stared at him.
Hanekawa leaned in and kissed her softly. "This is a thank you gift."
Rin froze, her mind going blank. She'd never experienced anything like it.
When he pulled back, he touched her head gently. "See you tomorrow."
He disappeared using the Flying Thunder God Technique, leaving Rin sitting alone, her fingers touching her lips, her heart still racing.
---
Back at the ANBU base, Samui approached with a scroll.
"Information about the centipede," she reported.
Hanekawa unrolled it and began reading. The centipede had reached the dragon vein two months ago but hadn't attempted to break the seal immediately. Yesterday, it had finally made its move—unsuccessful, but the seal had weakened.
Interesting timing, Hanekawa thought. Things are accelerating.
He had work to do.