Hanekawa woke to find himself still cradled in Tsunade's arms, his face nestled against her shoulder. The faint scent of sake and perfume lingered around him. He opened his eyes to see Tansho Street bustling with evening activity below them.

  "Are we heading back?" he asked, shifting slightly and immediately noticing the softness of her embrace.

  "Back for what?" Tsunade's eyebrow arched as she smiled down at him. "We won a fortune today. We have to celebrate."

  "Where are we sleeping tonight?"

  Hanekawa stifled a yawn.

  "Don't worry about it. There's always somewhere." Tsunade came to a stop in front of an elegantly decorated izakaya. A young woman in a cheongsam immediately approached them with a welcoming smile.

  "Welcome! Please, come in!"

  "Bring me your finest sake!" Tsunade announced with characteristic pride.

  "Of course! Right away!" The woman gestured toward the interior. "Would you like a private room?"

  "Yes," Tsunade said without hesitation. "Cost is no object."

  She set Hanekawa down gently. "Thank you, Teacher," he said, thinking wistfully about the loss of his comfortable pillow.

  Tsunade ruffled his hair and headed inside.

  Once seated in their private room, Hanekawa decided to take his chances. "Teacher, maybe drink a little less tonight?"

  Tsunade flicked his forehead—hard. "How many times do I have to tell you? Teachers teach students, not the other way around."

  "I'm just saying—"

  "It better be just saying," she interrupted, rolling her eyes as the server placed the sake bottle on the table. She was already reaching for it.

  This is going to be a long night, Hanekawa thought.

  An hour later, his prediction proved accurate.

  "Come on, come on!" Tsunade's face was flushed, her words slightly slurred as she wrapped an arm around him. "You...you drink with me!"

  "We should go, Teacher," Hanekawa said, gently removing the wine glass from her reach.

  "No, no rush!" She shook her head stubbornly. "One more...just one more drink!"

  She lunged for the glass. Hanekawa held firm, but Tsunade's strength—even drunk—was formidable. She tackled him, and suddenly his world went dark as he found himself buried against her chest.

  "Teacher!" he yelped.

  "Why are you yelling?" Tsunade straightened up, startled enough that some of the haze cleared from her eyes. "What's wrong?"

  "No more drinking," Hanekawa said firmly, his expression stern.

  "Fine, fine." Tsunade looked almost pouting. "If you don't want me to drink, I won't."

  Hanekawa sighed. Someone really needs to look after her.

  "Let's pay and go," he said, turning toward the door—only to catch Tsunade sneaking the wine glass to her lips again.

  "Just one sip," she said, raising a single finger. "One tiny sip."

  "No."

  He walked over, grabbed her hand, and pulled her up. "Come on."

  "Damn little devil!" she cursed, but she followed him without real resistance. "I'm your teacher, you know!"

  Hanekawa ignored her completely.

  After settling the bill, he led her back onto Tansho Street. Despite the late hour, pedestrians still filled the thoroughfare, bathed in the warm glow of street lamps that made the avenue shine like daylight.

  Tsunade glanced at his stern expression and suddenly laughed—a bright, genuine sound that made several passersby turn and smile.

  "There," Hanekawa said, spotting the largest hotel ahead. He booked two rooms and stopped at Tsunade's door. "Are you going to be okay?"

  "Worried about your teacher now?" she asked with a smirk.

  "I've always been worried about you," Hanekawa replied quietly. "I can ask the owner to prepare hangover soup—"

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  "Not necessary." Tsunade flicked his forehead again—gently this time. "This much sake is nothing for me."

  It was true. With the Yin Seal, she could sober up whenever she wished. The fact that she remained drunk was entirely her choice.

  "Stop flicking my forehead," Hanekawa complained. "You're going to damage my IQ."

  "Alright." Tsunade leaned down, and before he could react, she pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. "Goodnight."

  She slipped into her room, leaving Hanekawa frozen in place.

  Wait. Wait wait wait. His mind raced. In the original story, everyone Tsunade kissed on the forehead died. That's the same effect as the First Hokage's necklace. I have both now. Who could possibly stand against me?

  He twitched slightly, considering setting up protective seals around his room. Then he shrugged. I'm durable enough. The Ability System's got my back.

  ---

  The next morning, after breakfast, Hanekawa and Tsunade returned to Konoha.

  "We need to stop by the Hokage's office," Tsunade said suddenly. "We should collect the reward for that B-rank mission. We can't just leave it."

  "Right," Hanekawa agreed, glancing at her. She seemed completely normal—as if last night's drunken display had never happened. Convenient memory, that.

  The Hokage's office door suffered its usual fate when Tsunade kicked it open. Miraculously, it remained intact—a true testament to ninja craftsmanship.

  "Old man, I—" Tsunade stopped mid-stride. "Wait. Sakumo? What's wrong?"

  Hatake Sakumo looked nothing like his usual composed self. His shoulders were slumped, his expression hollow with despair.

  "I...I failed my mission," he said quietly.

  Tsunade's eyebrows rose. "Failed? That's unusual for you."

  "It's more complicated than that," Hiruzen said heavily. "The mission resulted in significant losses for the Land of Fire. The Daimyo himself has taken notice."

  Hanekawa's stomach dropped. This is it. This is the mission that drove Sakumo to suicide in the original timeline.

  But things were different now. Tsunade was here.

  "Let me see the report," Tsunade said, moving forward. She read through Sakumo's detailed account, her expression growing more thoughtful. When she finished, she set it down with quiet authority. "We need to manage this carefully. I'll speak with the Daimyo directly. Blaming Sakumo won't solve anything, Hiruzen."

  Hiruzen blinked, momentarily stunned. In that moment, Tsunade looked every inch the Hokage—focused, strategic, decisive.

  "You're right," he said finally. "Thank you, Tsunade."

  Sakumo's head lifted slightly, hope flickering in his eyes.

  "Go home and rest for a few days," Hiruzen told him. "That's an order."

  As Sakumo left, Hanekawa followed him into the hallway. "Uncle Sakumo? Kakashi's been worried about you."

  Sakumo's expression softened. "Where is he?"

  "Training with Shisui and the others. It's Sunday."

  "Thank you for telling me." Sakumo paused, then added with a slight smile, "Kakashi's fortunate to have a friend like you."

  "Not necessarily," Hanekawa said with a slight smirk. "He's always trying to beat me. His swordsmanship still needs work."

  Sakumo actually laughed—a real, genuine sound. "Is that so? I'll make sure he gets extra training. You'd better watch yourself."

  "I'm counting on it," Hanekawa replied.

  Sakumo took a few steps, then stopped. He's trying to encourage me, he realized. Even though we're not particularly close. For Kakashi's sake. A warmth spread through his chest. "You've chosen an excellent friend, Kakashi," he murmured to himself.

  When Tsunade emerged from the office, she was holding a passbook. "Got the money!"

  "What about Sakumo?" Hanekawa asked. "Will it really be that simple?"

  "Of course." Tsunade tucked the passbook away. "The Daimyo won't pursue it as long as it doesn't threaten his rule. One failed mission? That's nothing in the grand scheme of things."

  Hanekawa understood. In a world ravaged by constant warfare, the Daimyo couldn't afford to lose Konoha's strength over a single setback.

  "Come with me to meet the Daimyo," Tsunade said, patting his head. "Having his approval will make your path to Hokage considerably easier."

  "Alright. I'm curious about the capital anyway."

  "We'll rest tonight and leave tomorrow," Tsunade decided. "There's no rush now that the immediate crisis is handled."

  Hanekawa nodded, but his attention was drawn to rapid footsteps approaching. A middle-aged man with a grim expression rounded the corner.

  "Tsk," Tsunade said, her disgust unconcealed. "Let's go, Hanekawa."

  "Yes."

  As they walked past, Danzo Shimura's eyes followed them with barely concealed resentment. I should have been more aggressive. Should have taken him from Hiruzen when I had the chance.

  He watched Hanekawa disappear down the corridor, his mind cataloging the boy's growing reputation. Swordsmanship rivaling Kakashi Hatake. Genjutsu matching the Uchiha. Medical ninjutsu superior to his peers. Every achievement was another knife in Danzo's heart.

  He turned and entered the Hokage's office, his expression hardening.

  "Hiruzen," he said coldly. "Hatake Sakumo must face severe punishment."

  "Unnecessary," Hiruzen replied calmly.

  "What do you mean unnecessary?" Danzo's frown deepened. "Do you understand the damage he's caused?"

  "I do. Tsunade will handle the Daimyo."

  "Tsunade?" Danzo's voice rose. "She's as reckless as you are! How do we explain this to Konoha? To the Land of Fire?"

  "That is the explanation," Hiruzen said quietly. "As long as the Daimyo doesn't pursue it, the matter is closed."

  "What about the Ninja Code?" Danzo pressed. "Sakumo violated it!"

  "Rules are dead, Danzo. People are alive." Hiruzen paused meaningfully. "How many rules have you violated?"

  "That's different!" Danzo straightened, his expression righteous. "Everything I do is for Konoha!"

  Hiruzen said nothing. Some lies were too transparent even for him to address.

  "Enough," the Third Hokage said finally. "I'm still the Hokage. This matter is settled."

  "You'll regret this," Danzo said, the words escaping before he could stop them.

  Hiruzen's eyes flashed dangerously. "You'd better stay out of this, Danzo. I'm not so old that I can't still fight."

  Danzo's face froze. He knew that tone. He knew that look. Hiruzen wasn't bluffing.

  Without another word, he turned and left, his mind already calculating his next move. But for now, he would retreat. The Third Hokage had made his position clear, and even Danzo knew when he'd been outmaneuvered.