August arrived with a suffocating heat that settled over Konoha like a heavy blanket.

  "I'm heading to the hospital," Hanekawa called out to Asuma at the intersection, already turning to leave. "See you tomorrow."

  The moment he disappeared around the corner, Kurenai emerged from the direction of Maruboshi Kosuke's house, her expression smug.

  "You're absolutely sure today is Hanekawa's birthday?" Asuma asked.

  "Of course!" Kurenai lifted her chin with obvious pride. "Nobody knows him better than I do!"

  Asuma immediately regretted asking. The look on his face suggested he'd just been force-fed something unpleasant.

  Obito, standing nearby, looked like he wanted to escape but couldn't bring himself to leave—not with Rin staying. He had no particular interest in celebrating Hanekawa's birthday, but for her, he'd endure it.

  "Let's go," Rin said, glancing at Kurenai with barely concealed envy before turning toward Konoha's commercial district.

  "What are you planning to give him?" Guy scratched his head as they walked. "I have no idea what to get."

  He'd considered green tights, but he'd already given those before. Repeating gifts seemed wrong.

  "A book," Kakashi said without hesitation. "He reads during class constantly."

  "Then I'll get a book too!" Guy's eyes lit up.

  "That's not a good idea. Duplicate gifts are tacky."

  Kakashi shook his head.

  "Oh. Right." Guy looked confused.

  "We'll figure it out when we get there," Kakashi suggested.

  "Rin, what are you thinking of buying?" Obito suddenly perked up. "I could pay for it."

  The implication was clear—if he paid, it was his gift, even if Rin selected it.

  "No," Rin refused immediately. "I can't let you do that."

  "Then pick something out yourself," Obito said quickly. "Birthdays only come once a year. We can't be careless about this. Besides, Hanekawa helps us all the time."

  Obito nodded reluctantly, knowing that any further objection would upset her.

  "What about you, Kurenai?" Shisui interjected at the perfect moment, smoothly redirecting the conversation.

  "A kimono!" Kurenai's face brightened. "I saw one the other day. It'll look amazing on him!"

  So that's how close they are, Rin thought, pressing her lips together.

  "I'm thinking of medical ninja tools," Shisui offered. "Do you think he'd like that?"

  "Definitely," Kurenai said after a moment's thought. "He's always at Konoha Hospital. He'll definitely need them."

  "Good. I'll head to the ninja tool shop first." Shisui glanced around. "Everyone meet outside Lady Tsunade's house in an hour."

  They nodded, watching him depart.

  "The bookstore," Kakashi said, spotting the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore nearby. "See you later."

  He walked straight in—and immediately his eye twitched.

  A massive poster dominated the entrance:

  "The Black Beast by bestselling novelist Rai Kaen—Coming Soon as a Comic! Pre-order Now!"

  Below the text were two elf women in scandalously minimal clothing. One had dark skin and pointed ears, wearing an outfit that made Kakashi's mouth go dry.

  He couldn't look away.

  "Excuse me, young man. Minors can't purchase that title."

  A young female employee appeared beside him.

  Kakashi jumped. An adult book?

  Curiosity flooded through him, but he forced it down.

  "What book would you like?" the employee asked with a smile. "Tell me what you're looking for and I can recommend something."

  "A gift for a friend who just turned ten," Kakashi said honestly. "He's a ninja school student."

  The employee noticed the sword on his back. "I have something perfect for you."

  She returned moments later with a book. "The Legend of the Strong and Persevering Ninja, by Master Jiraiya."

  "Lord Jiraiya? One of the Legendary Sannin?" Kakashi's eyes widened.

  "The very same. Many ninja love this book."

  "I'll take it!" Kakashi bought it without hesitation.

  The employee's smile widened. Finally, someone bought one of these.

  She'd been truthful—just selective. Most ninja didn't actually buy it. Sales were so poor they'd only printed one batch. But Jiraiya's second novel, Interspecies Intimacy Paradise, was doing better, though it was suspiciously similar to The Black Beast.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  ---

  Meanwhile, the other three arrived at the gift shop.

  Rin, Obito, and Guy entered together. Kurenai had split off to find a clothing store, while Asuma had mysteriously excused himself without explaining what he was buying.

  "What are you getting, Rin? Give me some advice," Obito asked.

  "A pen," Rin said straightforwardly. "I ask him questions all the time, and he writes out answers. A good pen is essential for a student."

  "That's perfect!" Obito felt relief wash over him. A pen is practical. Not intimate.

  "Then I'll get a notebook!" he announced excitedly. "Pen and notebook go together!"

  Rin nodded and headed toward the stationery store next door. Obito followed immediately.

  "Wow! So many gifts!" Guy exclaimed as he entered the gift shop, eyes wide with wonder.

  He didn't have many friends—Kakashi didn't care about gifts—so this was his first time shopping for a present.

  "Welcome," the clerk said. "Can I help you find something?"

  "Is there anything that represents youth?" Guy asked eagerly.

  The clerk considered this, then returned with an armful of cherry blossom-themed items. "These are popular gifts for girlfriends."

  "What?" Guy's eyes widened. "No, no—it's for my classmate's birthday!"

  The clerk's expression shifted to confusion. "...Boyfriend?"

  "It's my classmate!" Guy looked genuinely puzzled by her reaction.

  The clerk took a breath. "I'd recommend sporting goods."

  "That's perfect!" Guy's face lit up. "We can have a youthful sports competition!"

  What is wrong with this kid? the clerk thought, maintaining her professional smile.

  Guy selected a tennis racket and paid without hesitation.

  ---

  An hour later, everyone gathered outside Tsunade's house with their gifts. Since Hanekawa hadn't returned yet, they continued training until Tsunade arrived home carrying an enormous cake.

  "This kid's quite popular," Tsunade observed with a smile, watching them hide behind the couch.

  They'd come to her door yesterday asking for help with a surprise party. She'd agreed immediately.

  ---

  Night fell.

  Hanekawa left Konoha Hospital later than usual. An extra surgery had delayed him, and he quickened his pace toward home.

  Teacher's probably starving again, he thought with amusement. Four years of living with Tsunade had taught him that feeding her was a daily requirement.

  He was surprised to find the house dark.

  Gambling again, probably.

  He unlocked the door—and froze.

  His hand went to the kunai at his hip, senses sharpening.

  Then the lights blazed on.

  "Happy birthday, Hanekawa!" a chorus of voices shouted.

  Kurenai, Rin, Guy, Kakashi, Obito, Shisui, and Asuma surrounded a cake covered in candles. Tsunade stood at the center, smiling.

  Hanekawa's wariness melted instantly. His chest felt warm, and a genuine smile spread across his face.

  "Make a wish," Tsunade said, gesturing to the cake.

  He stepped forward, closed his eyes, and made his wish—the same one he made every year. Then he blew out the candles in one breath.

  Please let me keep this, he'd wished. This life. These people.

  "Cake first," Tsunade announced, already cutting generous slices.

  After they'd eaten, it was time for gifts.

  Kurenai handed him an elegant box. "Open it at home," she said, clearly wanting to see him wear whatever was inside.

  "Got it," Hanekawa said, curious.

  "Let's have a tennis match tomorrow!" Guy thrust a tennis racket forward enthusiastically.

  You bought that for yourself, Hanekawa thought, but he smiled. "Thanks."

  Kakashi presented the Jiraiya book with characteristic bluntness.

  Hanekawa stared at it. I read this years ago. The prose is... rough.

  "Thank you for all your guidance," Rin said seriously, handing him a pen and a small sachet.

  "And mine!" Obito quickly offered a notebook before Hanekawa could respond to Rin.

  Asuma simply said his gift would definitely satisfy him, then handed over a wrapped box.

  Shisui didn't bother with wrapping—he presented a complete set of medical ninja tools.

  An hour later, everyone said their goodbyes and left.

  "Your friends are decent people," Tsunade said, crossing her arms.

  "They are," Hanekawa agreed, clearing the table.

  "What did you wish for this year?" Tsunade asked. "Please tell me it's not the same thing as last year."

  "You already know," Hanekawa said with a slight smile.

  "The same wish every year isn't a wish—it's a curse," Tsunade said, rolling her eyes.

  "A curse that comes true is still a blessing," Hanekawa replied casually.

  "You want me to be Hokage that badly?" Tsunade asked, genuinely curious.

  "If you become Hokage, I can walk around Konoha like I own the place, and nobody would dare touch me," Hanekawa said with a straight face.

  Tsunade snorted. "You're a dreamer."

  She raised her hand and flicked his forehead—gently, by her standards.

  "Is it really impossible?" he asked, blinking innocently.

  "Just wait," Tsunade said, standing up. "It depends on my mood."

  "Teacher," Hanekawa said, juggling a gift box. "Happy birthday."

  Tsunade froze. She took the box slowly, then leaned down and kissed his cheek before straightening.

  "That's your gift," she said.

  Hanekawa blinked, processing what had just happened. Too fast. I didn't even get to react.

  Absolutely unfair.

  At least it wasn't on his forehead this time.

  ---

  After washing the dishes, Hanekawa returned to the living room and sat across from Tsunade. He opened the gift boxes one by one.

  Rin's pen was high-quality, and the sachet smelled of lavender.

  Guy's tennis racket was... a tennis racket.

  Kakashi's book made him wince internally.

  Asuma's gift turned out to be a set of throwing knives with excellent balance.

  Shisui's medical tools were professional-grade.

  Kurenai's box contained a beautiful blue kimono with white patterns.

  "Ask for tomorrow off," Tsunade said suddenly.

  "Off?" Hanekawa looked up. "A new mission?"

  "The ANBU came by earlier. The old man wants to assign me something." Tsunade shrugged. "They didn't say what. Since it was your birthday, I didn't rush over to find out."

  There were two types of missions in Konoha. Self-selected from the mission hall, or directly assigned by leadership—usually the Hokage. The latter was rarely refused.

  "The ANBU didn't mention what it is?" Hanekawa asked.

  "No. We'll find out tomorrow." Tsunade waved a hand dismissively. "If it's too difficult, I'll refuse."

  "Won't Lord Hokage be upset?" Hanekawa couldn't help but smile.

  "Let him be," Tsunade said with absolute confidence. "Jiraiya's out there every day doing whatever he wants. The old man doesn't have the authority to push me around."

  That explains so much, Hanekawa thought. The Hokage's authority crumbles when he doesn't establish himself as both leader and teacher.

  "You're right," he said aloud.

  Tsunade smirked, clearly pleased with his agreement.