---

  Kurenai formed the hand seals with practiced precision, her small fingers moving through the sequence. Chakra gathered in her throat, and she exhaled a stream of water that struck the tree trunk with a satisfying crack. Visible gouges appeared in the bark.

  She spun around, eyes bright with excitement. "I did it! Hanekawa!"

  Hanekawa watched her bounce toward him, her ponytail swinging with each step. He reached out without thinking and ruffled her hair. "Congratulations."

  Kurenai's face flushed red. She lowered her head, allowing him to continue, clearly pleased despite her embarrassment.

  A familiar voice interrupted the moment. "Kurenai has real talent."

  Maruboshi Kosuke approached with an approving nod. The older genin—technically still a genin despite his considerable strength—smiled warmly. "Keep working hard, and you'll become an excellent water-style ninja."

  "Thank you, Uncle Kosuke," Kurenai said sweetly, quickly stepping back from Hanekawa's reach.

  Hanekawa withdrew his hand as if nothing had happened.

  "Being around you kids makes me feel young again," Kosuke laughed, his weathered face crinkling at the corners.

  "You are young, Uncle Kosuke," Kurenai said with the kind of innocent flattery only a six-year-old could deliver.

  "That's what I like to hear!"

  Hatake Sakumo had arrived at the training ground but held back, not wanting to interrupt. When Kosuke finally noticed him, the older genin greeted him warmly. "Lord Sakumo. It's been a while."

  "Gu Jie, good to see you." Sakumo's expression was pleasant, though his silver hair and the weight behind his eyes marked him as someone carrying heavy burdens.

  "Let's call it a day," Kosuke said, glancing at the sky. "Come back tomorrow."

  "Yes," Hanekawa acknowledged.

  "Okay!" Kurenai's excitement was still written across her face, though a faint blush lingered from what had just happened.

  Once they were alone, Sakumo turned to Hanekawa. "I came to thank you."

  Hanekawa tilted his head. "For what?"

  "For the advice you gave Kakashi. He passed it along to me." Sakumo's tone was measured but warm. "He told me about your words."

  Ah. So Kakashi actually listened. Hanekawa kept his expression neutral. "I didn't do much. My teacher deserves most of the credit."

  "I understand. Tsunade's position and strength speak for themselves." Sakumo nodded knowingly. "But I'm curious—where did you hear about this situation?"

  "From Kakashi," Hanekawa said simply. "He cares about you. He approves of your methods and wants to become a ninja like you."

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  Sakumo's eyes widened slightly. A warmth spread through his chest—pride mixed with something deeper. Kakashi rarely expressed his feelings openly. To hear such a direct compliment from someone else, especially someone as perceptive as Hanekawa, meant something.

  The corners of Sakumo's mouth curved upward. For a moment, the weight seemed to lift from his shoulders. "This boy..."

  "Kakashi is lucky to have a friend like you," Sakumo said, placing a hand on Hanekawa's shoulder. "Thank you, Hanekawa."

  "I'm happy to be friends with Kakashi too," Hanekawa replied with a genuine smile.

  Two lines of text materialized in his vision:

  [D-Rank Talent Entry: "Silver Tongue" has been upgraded.]

  [Seal-making speed increased by 100% on the original basis.]

  Wait, upgraded? Hanekawa processed this quickly. Had it been convincing Sakumo? Changing Kakashi's perspective? Either way, the result was excellent.

  A hundred percent increase in seal-making speed was genuinely significant. The Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique normally required forty-four hand seals. With this upgrade, Hanekawa could execute it in roughly half the time.

  In combat, time was everything.

  "Goodbye, Uncle Sakumo," Hanekawa said as Sakumo offered to take them for barbecue. "Maybe next time?"

  When they reached the fork in the road, Hanekawa stopped and released Kurenai's hand. "Go home. I need to find Teacher."

  "Okay," Kurenai said reluctantly, though she didn't argue. She was obedient by nature.

  "I'll bring you takoyaki when I get back," Hanekawa added.

  Her face lit up immediately. "I'll be waiting!"

  They waved goodbye, and Hanekawa watched until she disappeared down the path before turning toward Tsunade's residence.

  I wonder if Sakumo will survive the next failed mission, Hanekawa thought as he walked. The original timeline was murky on the details, but he knew Sakumo had eventually taken his own life—driven by accusations from his comrades, the losses inflicted on the Land of Fire, and the deafening silence from Konoha's leadership. Isolated and broken, he'd chosen death.

  But now, with Tsunade's support and Kakashi's pride in him, maybe things would be different. Maybe one conversation could change everything.

  I've done what I can. The rest is up to him.

  ---

  "Teacher, I'm back!" Hanekawa announced, pushing open the door to the living room.

  Tsunade was sprawled across the couch as usual, but this time a scroll lay on the table in front of her. A mission scroll, judging by the official seal.

  Hanekawa picked it up and unrolled it carefully. The details were extensive, but the summary was clear: retrieve Konoha intelligence personnel from the Land of Water. A support mission, which meant pursuit was likely. Combat was probable.

  "For you," Tsunade said, sitting up and tossing him a wallet.

  Hanekawa caught it, confused. "What's this?"

  "We're going to the Land of Water. It's a long journey." Tsunade's expression was serious now. "You need to learn how to prepare for extended missions. The academy taught you survival skills—this money is for supplies."

  Ah. A practical lesson. Hanekawa understood immediately. This wasn't just about combat. Tsunade was teaching him how to think like a real ninja.

  "I'll go now," he said.

  "Buy too little and you'll face consequences," Tsunade called after him, already settling back into her lazy posture.

  ---

  The commercial street was busy with afternoon shoppers. Hanekawa moved methodically through the vendors, selecting a tent, sleeping bag, detailed maps of the Land of Water, ration pills, and smoke bombs. He chose quality over quantity—better to have fewer items that actually worked than a pile of useless gear.

  When he returned, Tsunade inspected everything with a critical eye. She nodded approvingly. "Good. Meet me at the village gate at 9 AM tomorrow. Bring all of this."

  "Understood," Hanekawa said.

  As he left, his mind was already working through the mission parameters. The Land of Water. Potential combat. His first real field assignment.

  Well, he thought with a wry smile, at least the save points are getting more interesting.