---

  Another day at the academy.

  Eiichiro stood at the podium, launching into his lecture on the Will of Fire. Hanekawa suppressed a groan and immediately tuned him out, pulling a scroll of Lightning Style jutsu from his bag instead.

  Great. Will of Fire on day one of fourth grade. Either the universe has a sense of humor, or Hiruzen's getting creative with his revenge for yesterday.

  He studied the jutsu diagrams, his mind drifting to Kakashi's Raikiri. The man had created that technique as a teenager—a lightning blade so sharp it could cut through anything. Hanekawa's fingers traced the seal patterns. If Kakashi can do it, why can't I?

  Two jutsu dominated the series from start to finish: Rasengan and Raikiri. Both unmarked techniques. Both capable of instant kills. Both worth learning.

  Rasengan seemed more achievable right now. Unlike Raikiri, it didn't require a Sharingan to control, and its beauty was in its simplicity—pure chakra manipulation that could absorb any elemental attribute. A weapon that accepted everything.

  The bell rang. Eiichiro packed up his notes and left. The classroom erupted into chatter.

  "Rin!"

  Obito appeared at Rin's desk, beaming. "I got a cat summon during the break. Want to see it?"

  The Uchiha had always favored cats—their clan's traditional contract. Rin smiled politely. "I'm sorry. I have training today."

  "Training?" Obito's expression shifted. "What kind of training?"

  "I'm not sure yet," Rin admitted. "Hanekawa's going to help me with my medical ninja studies."

  Obito's face darkened. "What can he teach you?"

  "Hanekawa is Lady Tsunade's student," Rin explained calmly. "She's guiding him in medical ninjutsu. Kakashi's coming too—do you want to join us?"

  "No!" Obito blurted, then immediately regretted it. The thought of Rin alone with Hanekawa made his stomach twist. "I... I'll come with you."

  His face burned red.

  Kakashi stood and ended the conversation with typical efficiency. "Hanekawa's waiting."

  ---

  Tsunade's training ground was already crowded when they arrived.

  Shisui was there, along with Kurenai and a jonin Hanekawa didn't immediately recognize—probably Maruboshi Kosuke, here to teach water jutsu. The group split into pairs, each heading to their designated area.

  Shisui and Kakashi moved off to practice swordsmanship. Asuma began working through hand seals for a new Wind Style technique. Obito wandered aimlessly, clearly out of his depth.

  "Rin," Hanekawa called, waving her over to a nearby tree.

  Obito followed, unwilling to let her out of his sight.

  "If you want to master medical ninjutsu, you need exceptional chakra control," Hanekawa explained, already demonstrating. He gathered chakra at his feet and walked smoothly up the tree trunk. "Tree climbing is the simplest and most effective training for that."

  "I understand!" Rin watched intently, nodding.

  "Once you can do this, we'll move to the next stage," Hanekawa said, dropping back down.

  Rin began her attempt. Her first few steps were shaky, but she pushed forward with determination.

  Obito tried to follow her example. He made it two steps before his feet slipped. "Rin! I'm coming—AAAAHHHHH!"

  He crashed to the ground with all the grace of a falling log.

  Rin hesitated, glancing back, but continued climbing. Halfway up, her concentration wavered. She jumped down safely, landing beside Obito as he groaned.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  "You're way better than me!" he complained, brushing dirt from his clothes.

  Rin realized the truth then. Obito's chakra control was terrible—which explained his struggles with Fire Style jutsu. It wasn't a lack of talent. It was a fundamental issue with how he managed his energy.

  Hanekawa ignored the drama and found his own space to train. Lightning Style ninjutsu today. Medical techniques and poison-making could wait until tomorrow at the hospital.

  ---

  From the window of her study, Tsunade watched the training ground below, arms crossed.

  This kid really does have Hokage potential.

  A true leader wasn't a lone wolf. They were a leading wolf—someone others respected and wanted to follow. Hanekawa was already showing that quality. Every ninja who trained with him came away impressed. His peers actively sought him out.

  In ten years—maybe less—geniuses like Kakashi and Shisui would make their mark on the world. And if they supported Hanekawa, his path to the Hokage's seat would be nearly guaranteed.

  Pity he's too young, she thought with a sigh. Even if he wanted it, he'd probably be the Fifth Hokage at earliest.

  Her mind drifted to the Fourth position. Could I...?

  She'd lost interest in the Hokage title after Hashirama and Nawaki died. But lately, thanks to a certain brat's constant mentions, her perspective had shifted.

  Why am I even thinking about this? Tsunade rubbed her forehead in frustration. It's all that kid's fault.

  ---

  Night fell. The others left, but Hanekawa stayed behind to cook.

  Tsunade lounged on the sofa with a cup of tea, looking unusually contemplative. "They're all gone?"

  "Yeah." Hanekawa glanced at her cup. Tea? Since when does she drink that?

  "Want some?" She held it out.

  He didn't hesitate, bending down to take a sip. The flavor was pleasant—calming.

  "You've gotten so tall," Tsunade murmured, studying him with an odd expression. "I didn't even notice."

  Hanekawa rolled his eyes. "Why are you being so sentimental?"

  "No reason." She set down her cup.

  She's wrestling with something, he realized. The Hokage position, probably. He could see it written all over her face.

  "Go gamble if you're bored," he suggested dryly. "Lose some money and you'll stop having crazy thoughts."

  "Can't you say something nice, brat?" Tsunade's eyes narrowed.

  "Hey!" Hanekawa protested. "You're bullying an honest person!"

  "Honest?" Tsunade laughed, stretching her bare feet toward him. "You're never honest."

  "That's slander!"

  "I'm your teacher," she said, emphasizing the point. "Teachers don't lie."

  "Exactly," Hanekawa countered seriously. "So you can't say that."

  Tsunade's leg shot out. Hanekawa leaned back, her toes missing him by centimeters. He bolted toward the kitchen. "I'm cooking!"

  Tsunade watched him disappear, shaking her head with a slight smile. Smart kid.

  She closed her eyes and let the Hokage question drift away. There would be time to decide later.

  ---

  The next morning, Hanekawa found Rin waiting at his desk.

  "Hanekawa," she said quickly, standing up. "I have a question about the tree climbing."

  He sat down beside her. A faint floral scent lingered around her. Why does she always wear those purple marks on her cheeks? he wondered absently.

  "I made it halfway up yesterday," Rin explained, "but then I couldn't continue."

  "How are you gathering your chakra?" Hanekawa asked.

  Tree climbing didn't require much power—it was all about control. If she was struggling, her chakra distribution was off.

  "Let me show you," Rin said. Before he could respond, she rolled up her pant leg and removed her shoe, revealing her smooth left foot.

  She took a deep breath, concentrating chakra at the sole of her foot.

  Hanekawa's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed the chakra flow. Without his Sharingan active, he couldn't see it perfectly, but he could sense the pattern.

  Rin's face flushed under his gaze. "H-how is it?"

  "I see the problem," Hanekawa said calmly. He reached out and touched the top of her foot with his fingers, pointing out the specific issue.

  Rin's body trembled, but she held still, listening to his explanation.

  When he finished, she quickly pulled her shoe back on, her face bright red. "Thank you."

  "No problem." Hanekawa reached out and touched her head—a habit from training with Kurenai.

  Rin's heart skipped. She didn't pull away.

  Hanekawa suddenly realized what he was doing. "Sorry. I'm used to doing that."

  "It's... it's fine," Rin whispered, not meeting his eyes. "I... I don't mind."

  "Try climbing again after school," he said, pretending not to notice her reaction. "If you have any problems, come find me."

  "Okay!" Rin stood quickly, her voice bright. "I'll go back to my seat!"

  ---

  After school, Rin stood before the tree, taking a deep breath.

  She gathered her chakra at her feet exactly as Hanekawa had explained, then began climbing step by step.

  This time, she made it all the way to the top.

  She couldn't help but smile.

  "Rin! You're amazing!" Obito called from below, struggling to reach even a third of the way up.

  "Hanekawa taught me," Rin said, her voice light and happy.

  Obito felt like he'd been struck by lightning.