In a secluded grove in Konoha.
Sakumo Hatake handed Qianyu a drink. "Qianyu," he said, his tone calm. "I heard you were targeted by certain people in Suna. Almost didn't make it back?"
Qianyu looked surprised. Sakumo smiled. "Don't be. I've been to the Suna front many times. Still have some sources there."
"You're right, Sakumo-senpai. Someone was definitely pulling strings behind the scenes," Qianyu admitted, his voice low.
"That's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about, Qianyu. A tall tree catches the wind. I hope you can… rein in your brilliance for a while. Don't end up like I did…" Sakumo sighed heavily, the weight of years in the sound. He reached into his robes, pulled out a pendant, and offered it.
"Sakumo-senpai, this is…?" Qianyu took it, puzzled.
"A token of the Hatake clan."
Sakumo's voice was flat. "If anything should happen to me… I hope you'll look after Kakashi. For old times' sake."
Qianyu's fingers tightened around the cool metal. His heart lurched. "Sakumo-senpai, has something happened? Is there anything I can do?"
Sakumo shook his head, changing the subject. "It's getting late. The Academy exams should be over. Let's head back."
…
Back home, a heavy mood settled over Qianyu.
Without a word, he sat cross-legged and began the Living Puppet Blood Refinement.
Agony ripped through him. Yet, his expression eased. The pain was proof. Proof he was getting stronger.
"Still… not strong enough."
A long time later, he exhaled a turbid breath, ending the session.
Thud.
His door swung open. Nawaki stepped in, pocketing a key, with Tsunade right behind him.
"You brat!" Tsunade stormed across the room, grabbed Qianyu by the collar, and hauled him up. "Back for days and you couldn't be bothered to come tell me you're alive? I had to track you down?!"
"Big sis, don't—"
"Hn?!"
Nawaki tried to intervene. One glare from Tsunade and he wilted immediately.
"My apologies, Tsunade-sama."
Qianyu did something unexpected. He wrapped his arms around Tsunade and buried his face in the soft, generous curve of her chest. The restless anxiety in his heart melted away. Instantly.
He… he's hugging me?!
Tsunade's face flushed scarlet. Her body went soft. All thoughts of scolding him vanished. Her arms rose, almost of their own accord, and held him close.
"Uh, you two gonna let go anytime soon?" Nawaki's voice cut in after a moment. "You look like a couple who haven't seen each other in years."
"Ah!"
They sprang apart, flustered.
"So that's what was poking me," Tsunade said, her cheeks burning as she grasped for anything to break the tension. "Qianyu, why are you keeping a bottle in your shirt?"
It only made Qianyu turn redder.
"It's… a special training method. Tsunade-sama, please wait. I'll go remove it!"
He fled to his room. The door slammed shut.
Qianyu, you bastard.
He splashed cold water on his face, glaring at his reflection.
She treats you like a brother. And you… you actually had thoughts about her?
Soon, calm restored, he walked out.
"Tsunade-sama, Nawaki. Stay for dinner. I bought plenty of ingredients today."
…
That evening, a spread of food covered the table as the three ate and talked.
"Hey Qianyu, guess what?" Nawaki grinned around a mouthful of rice. "I went on an A-rank mission with big sis recently. I'm a Special Jōnin now! Once you get to the Anbu, you better stick close to this future squad leader. I might be your new boss."
"Uh… didn't the Third Hokage tell you? About our specific assignments?" Qianyu's expression was odd. "The new Anbu Special Operations Team… I'm leading it. You and Senior Kosuke are my squadmates. Also… I got promoted to Jōnin."
"What?!"
Nawaki slammed his bowl down. "Bullshit! You just went on some simple diplomatic mission! How'd you jump ranks that fast? It has to be favoritism!"
"Simple?" Qianyu's voice turned icy. "I got caught in the civil war Danzō Shimura started in Suna. I survived a battlefield with the Kazekage and other monsters, and I convinced Suna to maintain their alliance with Konoha. You call that simple?"
"…My bad. You win." Nawaki sheepishly scooped the rice from the table back into his bowl.
"Be careful, Qianyu," Tsunade said, her voice serious now. "Danzō holds grudges. You ruined his plans. Once this current mess blows over, he'll come for you."
"Also… I got word. Your bounty on the black market is thirty million ryō now."
Qianyu froze. "Thirty million?! It was fifteen million last time! It doubled?"
"It's likely linked to your actions in Suna. More than one party probably added to the price on your head," Tsunade analyzed.
"Whoa! That's insane, Qianyu!" Nawaki threw an arm around him, shaking him excitedly. "Your head's worth a whole Anbu squad! How awesome is that?!"
Qianyu ignored him. A cold sweat broke out on his back.
Thirty million. That was dangerous territory. Adjusted for inflation, he'd probably surpassed Love Guru Asuma!
Will Old Man Kakuzu notice me now? I think I just hit his farming threshold…
After Tsunade and Nawaki left, the panic set in. The more he thought, the worse it got.
Kakuzu was pushing seventy, but it didn't matter. The old monster could still crush his skull like a grape.
"I need protection. Now."
He retrieved a scroll hidden in his room and tucked it into his robes. Only then did a sliver of safety return.
This was his long-prepared contingency. His "anti-Kakuzu" charm. If he ever faced the immortal bounty hunter and was outmatched… this might just save his life.
…
The next day, Qianyu reported to Anbu headquarters.
"Lord Thunder. Your equipment." At the service window, a masked woman bowed slightly, sliding a case forward.
Thunder? Cute. How'd you know the only nature I'm missing is Lightning?
Qianyu checked the contents—standard gear, all there. He carried the case to his squad's locker room.
The specialized combat suit. The silver-grey armor plates. The standard-issue Anbu longsword strapped to his back. With each piece, his aura sharpened, turning cold and lethal.
"The only downside is this mask hides my handsome fa—Holy shit!"
The locker room door exploded inward. Qianyu nearly had a heart attack.
"Are you the new captain of Team Zero? 'Thunder'?" The newcomer wore an Anbu mask too, his breath coming in short gasps.
"Yes. That's me," Qianyu snapped to attention.
"Emergency. Follow me. Now!"
The man spun and sprinted down the corridor. Qianyu bolted after him.
"What's happening?" Qianyu demanded as they raced out of the compound.
The man's voice shook with panic. "The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. She knocked out our two guards on duty and left the village."
They cleared the main gate, sprinting into the forest beyond.
"She's just outside the perimeter now…" The man's eyes behind his mask were wide with dread. "And she's lost control!"
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