The morning sun filtered through the windows of Hanekawa's apartment as Kurenai emerged from the bathroom, her damp hair clinging to her shoulders. She wore a light pink robe that fell to her calves, water droplets still glistening on her skin.
"Come here," Hanekawa said, opening his eyes.
She settled onto the couch with her back to him, and he placed his palms against her lower back, fire chakra flowing steadily from his hands.
"How's your Yin Seal training progressing?" he asked.
"Almost there," Kurenai said, swinging her bare feet playfully. "I think I could master it tonight if you help me."
Hanekawa chuckled. "We'll practice later."
Kurenai stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, her expression bright. After he reminded her to let her hair dry, she settled back down, eager to begin.
Hours passed. By late evening, a small diamond-shaped seal had formed on Kurenai's lower abdomen—the mark of a successfully learned Yin Seal.
"Congratulations, Kurenai," Hanekawa said, withdrawing his hands.
She touched the pattern in wonder, then leaned forward to kiss him again. This time, Hanekawa didn't let her escape so easily. His hand slipped beneath her robe, fingers tracing her thigh.
Kurenai's breath caught. "Mmm—wait..."
But she didn't pull away. Her body softened under his touch until a sudden sharp sensation made her eyes widen. She quickly pushed him back, crossing her arms over herself with a flushed face.
"It's late. We should sleep," she said breathlessly, then hurried toward the bedroom.
Hanekawa looked at his hand with mild amusement. Well, that happened.
---
Later that night, Hanekawa slipped into Tsunade's bed. She stirred as he buried his face against her shoulder, her skin warm and bare.
Tsunade's eyes opened. She turned to face him, pressing him down onto the mattress with characteristic directness. What followed was a night neither would soon forget.
---
The next morning, Hanekawa arrived at the ANBU base to find Samui asleep on the office sofa, still in her uniform. Her mask lay beside her, and her posture was decidedly undignified.
"Fell asleep here?" he asked, genuinely confused.
Samui's eyes fluttered open. After a moment of disorientation, she sat up quickly. "Lord Hanekawa! I apologize—"
"Just call me Hanekawa when we're alone," he said, settling onto the sofa. "Did you not sleep last night?"
"I... couldn't sleep," she admitted quietly. "So I came to your office."
"You've been waiting here all night?" He shook his head. "You really shouldn't—"
"I'm sorry," she said, lowering her gaze.
"That's not necessary." He patted the space beside him. "Rest now."
Samui hesitated only briefly before lying down, her head on his thigh. Hanekawa removed her mask, noting the faint blush on her cheeks and the slight tremor of her breathing. He reached for the documents on his desk, reviewing reports about the Akatsuki's arrival and the ANBU recruitment.
---
By afternoon, Hanekawa had returned Samui to her quarters. At the village gates, thirty-two Rain Village ninjas arrived, led by Nagato and Konan.
"Welcome to Konoha," Hanekawa greeted them. "Let's skip the pleasantries. I have work for you."
Konan exchanged a glance with Nagato. "A mission for Konoha?"
"Not exactly," Hanekawa said with a slight smile. "For a company I'm establishing."
Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, he transported all thirty-two ninjas to the Artisan Village, where Kakuzu waited. After explaining the operation and handing over the company charter—titled "Thousand Miles of Sunshine"—Hanekawa left them to handle the details.
---
A week later, Hanekawa stood in his ANBU office, observing new recruits sparring below. Among them were Morino Ibiki, Gekko Hayate, Uzuki Yugao, and Uchiha Tetsuka. He approved their assignments, ensuring Yugao would train under Aoi in Konoha-style swordsmanship.
A report arrived: Mukade, a rogue Hidden Sand ninja, would break Minato's seal on the dragon vein within days.
---
In the Hokage's office, Tsunade was shaking a dice cup when Hanekawa appeared.
"Announce yourself next time!" she snapped, though her expression softened as he approached.
"As Hokage, you shouldn't be gambling in your office," he teased, leaning down to kiss her.
After they parted, Hanekawa explained the situation. "A rogue ninja named Mukade is attempting to unseal the dragon vein in Loulan. I should investigate."
Tsunade agreed without hesitation. "Go. But come back to me first."
---
The next morning, Hanekawa found Kurenai already packed and eager.
"Just us two?" she asked excitedly.
"Rin has surgeries scheduled," he explained. "Ready?"
Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, they arrived in the desert near the ruins of ancient Loulan. The steel city lay half-buried in sand, a monument to lost glory.
They descended into the underground chamber where Mukade waited. When Kurenai attacked, her Water Style techniques overwhelmed him—but in desperation, he seized Minato's kunai and shattered the seal.
Chakra erupted like a fountain. Purple light twisted through space, and reality seemed to fracture.
When the distortion cleared, Hanekawa found himself alone in an impossible landscape. Before him stood an ancient tree of incomprehensible size, crowned with a single massive fruit.
The Divine Tree. The Chakra Fruit.
"Who are you?"
The voice was cold, inhuman, and carried the weight of eons. Hanekawa turned to see a figure materializing from the purple chakra—a woman with long black hair, pale skin, and eyes that burned with terrible power.
Kaguya Ōtsutsuki had awakened.