The April morning was mild and pleasant, neither too hot nor too cold.

  But Kurenai Yuhi was decidedly unhappy.

  Hanekawa had just told her he was heading to the Land of Fire Metropolis today.

  "When will you be back?" she asked, kicking at a stone on the path.

  "Two days at most," Hanekawa said, taking her small hand in his. "I promise."

  Kurenai's eyes widened. "What mission is so quick?"

  "Not a mission." Hanekawa smiled. "Just accompanying my teacher to meet the Daimyo."

  "The Daimyo?" Kurenai's jaw dropped. "The one who rules the entire Land of Fire and oversees Konoha?"

  "Something like that," Hanekawa said carefully.

  "Can I come?" Hope flickered across her face.

  "Not this time. But when school ends for the year, I'll ask Uncle Shinku to take us both to the Land of Fire Metropolis. We can explore the city together."

  Kurenai's pout transformed into a grin. "Really? I'll tell Father after school. He'll definitely say yes!"

  Hanekawa nodded, then his attention shifted. Three familiar figures had appeared ahead on the path—Kakashi Hatake, Rin Nohara, and Obito Uchiha. Unavoidable, given this was the main route to the academy.

  He hadn't asked for permission to leave, so he'd made a detour to tell Kurenai first. It seemed like the right call.

  "—and that's when Kakashi lost!" Obito was saying excitedly as they approached.

  Rin looked shocked. "You lost to Shisui? But you're so much faster with a blade..."

  "Once," Kakashi said flatly. "He caught me off guard."

  "Off guard?" Obito's excitement ramped up another notch. "He activated his Sharingan! Can you believe it? Shisui actually opened his eyes!"

  Rin's expression shifted to awe. "The Sharingan is that powerful?"

  "Of course!" Obito puffed out his chest. "Once I awaken mine, Hanekawa won't stand a chance—"

  "Shisui sparred with Hanekawa after awakening," Kakashi interrupted calmly. "He lost."

  Obito's fantasy shattered instantly. "Impossible! The Sharingan is the strongest—"

  "Still possible," Kurenai interjected, unable to help herself.

  Rin's head turned. "Hanekawa!"

  Kakashi's expression shifted slightly when he noticed them. Right. I need to thank him properly, he thought.

  Obito's face darkened. Every single time. Why does he always steal the spotlight?

  "Good morning," Hanekawa greeted with an easy smile.

  Rin suddenly noticed Hanekawa and Kurenai holding hands. Her lips pressed into a thin line.

  "Did you really beat Shisui after he opened his eyes?" Obito blurted out, unable to contain himself.

  "Lucky," Hanekawa said modestly.

  Lucky? Obito felt like the ground had opened beneath him. His entire plan—awakening the Sharingan, defeating Kakashi and Hanekawa, marrying Rin, reaching the peak of life—had just crumbled.

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  "I told you!" Kurenai said triumphantly.

  "That's incredible!" Rin added, genuinely impressed.

  "He just awakened it. He hasn't adapted yet," Obito said stubbornly. "Besides, every Uchiha's awakening is different. Mine will definitely be stronger!"

  "We should walk while we talk," Hanekawa said, glancing at the sky. "We'll be late."

  Kakashi caught up with him. "Hanekawa. About my father—thank you."

  "That was my teacher," Hanekawa replied.

  Kakashi nodded. He wasn't good with words, but he never forgot a debt. I'll repay this eventually.

  Hanekawa blinked. What does he understand? But Kakashi said nothing more, so he let it drop.

  When they reached the academy, Hanekawa excused himself and headed to the headmaster's office.

  "Another leave request?" Eiichiro looked up from his desk.

  "Yes, sir. I'm accompanying my teacher to meet the Daimyo."

  The headmaster's face went pale. He practically threw the approval slip at Hanekawa. "Of course! Take all the time you need!"

  ---

  Tsunade was waiting at the village gate, one hand on her hip. When she spotted Hanekawa, she waved. "Let's go!"

  The Land of Fire Metropolis was closer than the Land of Water. By afternoon, they'd arrived.

  Hanekawa took in the sights. The city was noticeably more prosperous than Konoha—bustling streets, shops lining both sides, merchants from distant lands. He spotted a Land of Wind specialty shop selling sand cakes.

  "Should we see the Daimyo now?" he asked.

  "Not yet," Tsunade said with a knowing smile. "First, we visit the Daimyo's wife. We need to understand the situation."

  The Daimyo's wife? Hanekawa vaguely recalled something from the original timeline—a mission involving a lost cat, perhaps? But that was years away.

  Tsunade navigated the streets with practiced ease, soon arriving at an impressive mansion. Guards stood at the entrance.

  "I'm Tsunade," she announced, producing a token. "I'm here to see the Daimyo's wife."

  The guards snapped to attention immediately. "Princess Tsunade! Please, come in!"

  Princess? Hanekawa filed that away. In his past life, people had speculated about Tsunade's connection to the Daimyo's family. Whether it was true or not, she was clearly treated with exceptional respect. As the greatest medical ninja alive, that made sense. But there might be more to it—perhaps something to do with Hashirama Senju and the founding of the village system itself.

  "Impressed?" Tsunade asked, catching his expression.

  "Very," Hanekawa said sincerely. "You're amazing, Teacher."

  "That's right," Tsunade said, looking pleased. She reached over and ruffled his hair. "The Daimyo once wanted to call me sister. I refused."

  Why does she keep doing that? Hanekawa made a mental note: Find a way to stop the head-ruffling.

  "Why refuse?" he asked.

  "Didn't want to get tangled up in court politics," Tsunade said casually. "If I'm too close, she'll bother me constantly."

  "Smart," Hanekawa admitted.

  "You're learning," Tsunade said, ruffling his hair again.

  I hate this woman sometimes.

  A beautiful woman in an elaborate kimono emerged from the palace, eight attendants trailing behind her like a royal procession.

  "Tsunade!" she exclaimed warmly, taking Tsunade's hand. "It's been far too long. You're still as beautiful as ever."

  "And you're still as charming," Tsunade replied smoothly. She gestured to Hanekawa. "This is my student, Hanekawa."

  The Daimyo's wife studied him with an appraising gaze that made Hanekawa deeply uncomfortable. Those eyes are definitely not innocent. Please don't let this turn into some weird palace intrigue situation.

  "A handsome boy," she said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Quite cute."

  "Thank you, ma'am," Hanekawa managed, gritting his teeth slightly.

  She turned to an attendant. "Prepare our finest meal. Tsunade and I have much to discuss."

  As they were led inside, Hanekawa breathed a sigh of relief. Definitely my imagination. Probably.

  He sat quietly beside Tsunade, listening as the two women caught up on old times. He had nothing to contribute, so he simply observed and ate when the food arrived.

  Eventually, Tsunade steered the conversation toward business.

  "It's a small matter," the Daimyo's wife said dismissively. "But since you've come all this way..." She gestured to an attendant. "Fetch the Daimyo."

  A middle-aged man entered moments later. His eyes lit up when he saw Tsunade. "Tsunade! Why didn't anyone tell me you were here?"

  "Daimyo," Tsunade said respectfully, standing. "The Leaf Village has caused you trouble. We came to apologize."

  "Apologize?" The Daimyo shook his head firmly. "If you hadn't intervened, my son Enishi might have died. You saved his life."

  Enishi. Hanekawa recognized the name from the original timeline. The Daimyo's son, who would grow up to rule during Naruto's era. Clearly, Tsunade's medical expertise had already made an impression on the Land of Fire's leadership.

  Once again, Hanekawa witnessed firsthand the true extent of Tsunade's influence—not through strength or politics, but through the lives she'd saved.