The tea had gone cold by the time Hatake Sakumo and Hanekawa finished their conversation. They returned to their tents in companionable silence, the kind that only came from mutual respect.

  Tsunade arrived moments later, her blonde hair still damp from bathing. Water droplets clung to her fair skin, catching the lamplight.

  "Teacher," Hanekawa greeted, looking up from his bedroll.

  "Ah." She settled onto the carpet and pulled out a towel, beginning to dry her hair with methodical strokes. "I have a better way," Hanekawa offered, rising to his feet.

  Tsunade raised an eyebrow, amused. "What, you brought a hair dryer?"

  "I did, but the battery's dead." Hanekawa extended his hands, chakra surging through his palms. The nature transformation was immediate—fire chakra bloomed across his skin, turning his hands into warm, glowing lamps. "This works just as well."

  "When did you learn Fire Style?" Tsunade asked, her brow furrowing slightly.

  "Shisui taught me when I had downtime." Hanekawa kept his tone casual. With the fire attribute already in his arsenal, there was no risk of exposure. "Nothing else to do, so why not?"

  Tsunade studied him for a moment, then smiled. "You know, I've only seen one other person learn this many different techniques... Actually, no. This is the second time." She paused, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Do you know who the first was?"

  "Lord Hokage," Hanekawa answered without hesitation.

  It was true. Hiruzen Sarutobi's mastery of all five elemental releases was legendary—a skill that defined his era. Before him, the Senju founders had each specialized: Hashirama with Wood Style, Tobirama with Water Style and forbidden techniques.

  "Good answer." Tsunade nodded, a knowing smile playing at her lips. "Sometimes I think you'd be better suited as the old man's student."

  "Should I leave, then?" Hanekawa tilted his head innocently.

  "Absolutely not." Tsunade's response was immediate and firm. "Who would cook for me?"

  "So you don't want an apprentice," Hanekawa said, unable to resist the jab. "You just want a chef?"

  "You figured it out, kid." Tsunade's laughter rang out, genuine and unguarded. Her body shook with mirth, and Hanekawa caught himself noticing things he probably shouldn't—the curve of her neck, the way water beaded on her skin.

  He forced his attention back to the task at hand, focusing on drying her hair. Within minutes, the blonde strands were completely dry.

  "Okay, all done," he said, reaching out to pat her head.

  Tsunade stretched, smoothing her hair over her shoulders. "Thank you. Get some sleep—we travel again tomorrow."

  "Right." Hanekawa retreated to his sleeping bag, already grinning to himself. She thanked me after I touched her head. That's two wins in one night.

  He fell asleep quickly, satisfied with the small victory.

  ---

  The next three days blurred together—nothing but endless roads, the rhythm of travel, and quiet evenings when the three of them gathered to talk. On the fourth morning, the Land of Demons finally came into view.

  "The meeting point is the Temple of the Goddess," Tsunade announced, consulting the mission scroll. "We'll be working with ninjas from other villages, so try to keep the peace."

  "With you and Uncle Sakumo here, nobody would be stupid enough to start trouble," Hanekawa said with a grin.

  "Only you could say that with a straight face." Tsunade flicked his forehead, but there was no real heat in it.

  He wasn't wrong, though. The wars had left deep scars between the villages, but most ninja knew better than to escalate tensions. Add Tsunade's reputation and Hatake Sakumo's legendary skill to the mix, and only a fool would cause problems.

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  The Land of Demons was unique—no ninja villages, only shrine maidens and their sacred grounds. The temple appeared in the valley like something from another world, surrounded by armored warriors on patrol. They were competent enough, but in the ninja world, samurai were relics. Only the Iron Kingdom's warriors, who could channel chakra, posed any real threat.

  "We are ninjas from the Leaf Village, here by invitation," Tsunade announced, presenting the commission scroll from Priestess Miroku.

  The warrior bowed slightly. "Please follow me. I will take you to Her Highness."

  They were halfway up the temple stairs when a familiar voice cut through the air.

  "Hey! Little thief!"

  Hanekawa turned to see Mei Terumi, her delicate features twisted in anger. She was beautiful in an undeniable way, though her current expression ruined the effect.

  "First, you didn't say hello," Hanekawa said calmly. "Second, I'm not a thief."

  "You stole my wallet!" Mei Terumi's voice rose. "How is that not theft?"

  "That wasn't theft—that was spoils of war." Hanekawa smiled. "You lost the match. I took the prize. That's how it works."

  "I didn't lose!" Mei Terumi's hands clenched into fists. "If your teacher hadn't interfered, you would have been the one on the ground!"

  "Is that so?" Hanekawa's smile widened. "Then wait. After I meet the Priestess, I'll give you a rematch."

  "You arrogant bastard!" Mei Terumi trembled with rage, her pride clearly wounded. As the top talent of the Hidden Mist—a prodigy who outmatched even Zabuza Momochi—she wasn't accustomed to being dismissed so casually.

  Hanekawa glanced at her once more, noting her lack of... development, then turned to follow Tsunade and Hatake Sakumo into the main hall.

  Well, that's going to be interesting.

  ---

  Inside the temple, Priestess Miroku greeted them with gentle grace. She explained the situation with practiced calm: the previous priestess had sealed away a demon and its undead army, but followers of the Yellow Springs Cult had found a way to release it. The demon's leader, Yomi, was likely gathering forces for a final assault.

  "When the demon appears, I need you to escort me to the Land of Swamp," Miroku continued. "There are seals left by my predecessors that can help contain its body."

  "And the soul?" Hatake Sakumo asked.

  "It will be sealed in the Land of Demons itself," Miroku replied, though Hanekawa noticed she didn't mention the price—that sealing the demon would cost her life.

  If Minato were here, he might be able to save her, Hanekawa thought. The Uzumaki sealing techniques are powerful enough to contain even the Nine-Tailed Fox. But Minato's always a step too slow when it matters.

  After they were shown to their rooms, Hanekawa found Mei Terumi waiting outside, her expression dark and determined.

  "We spar. Now," she demanded.

  "Fine." Hanekawa descended the temple stairs to the courtyard below. "Here works."

  Hatake Sakumo and Tsunade watched with interest as Mei Terumi took her stance. Behind her, three Hidden Mist jonin appeared—Aoi, Gombee, and another ninja Hanekawa didn't recognize.

  "Begin!" Mei Terumi called out.

  She moved fast, but Hanekawa was faster. When she unleashed the Hidden Mist Technique, thick fog rolled across the courtyard, obscuring everything. It was a smart move—without sight, speed meant nothing.

  Hanekawa's eyes narrowed. No Byakugan. This is going to be tricky.

  A water dragon erupted from the mist, roaring toward him. Hanekawa activated the Body Flicker Technique, his form becoming a blur. He caught a glimpse of Mei Terumi's shocked expression before she dissolved into water—a clone.

  The real Mei Terumi appeared behind him, water forming a sharp blade in her hand. She moved with lethal precision, her strike aimed at his back.

  Hanekawa spun, his katana meeting her water blade with a sharp clang.

  "How did you know?" Mei Terumi gasped.

  "Because you're predictable," Hanekawa said flatly. "If you wanted a real sneak attack, you'd change direction."

  Mei Terumi's eyes flashed with anger. "Bastard!"

  Hanekawa released his sword and formed hand seals in rapid succession. "Genjutsu: Sharingan Illusion Technique!"

  Mei Terumi's body went rigid, her eyes wide with terror as the illusion took hold. Her voice came out broken and desperate. "No... don't..."

  But before Hanekawa could press his advantage, a whip of water wrapped around his torso, yanking him backward. The illusion shattered as Mei Terumi's shadow clone released him, the real Mei Terumi standing several feet away, breathing hard.

  "You still dare call me stupid?" she spat, triumph in her voice.

  "Yes," Hanekawa replied simply. He grabbed the water whip with both hands and channeled lightning through it.

  Water conducted electricity perfectly. The current raced through the whip directly into Mei Terumi's body. She convulsed, her hair standing on end, her muscles locking up from the shock. Only her ninja conditioning kept her from losing consciousness.

  When the lightning faded, she dropped to one knee, breathing heavily.

  "Match," Hanekawa said, lowering his hands. "You're getting better, though. That shadow clone trick was solid."

  Mei Terumi glared up at him, too exhausted to respond, but the fire in her eyes promised this wasn't over.

  Behind them, Tsunade smiled slightly. Hatake Sakumo nodded with quiet approval.

  The Hidden Mist had talent, certainly. But they were still a step behind Konoha.