Tsunade pushed through the apartment door, already loosening her tea-green coat. "I know I'm late, but I've got something special planned."

  Hanekawa looked up from his book, immediately sensing danger. "Teacher, you should rest—"

  "Try my cooking," she announced, snapping her fingers with the confidence of someone who'd never faced actual consequences for her culinary experiments.

  Hanekawa's stomach dropped. Oh no. Oh no, no, no.

  "That's... very kind," he said carefully, "but you just got home. You must be exhausted—"

  "I'm not tired." Tsunade tossed her coat at him. "Put this in my room. I haven't cooked in ages. I want to see if I've still got it."

  I'm about to find out if I've got the constitution to survive food poisoning, Hanekawa thought grimly, accepting the warm coat.

  He hung it in her room—trying very hard not to notice the pile of undergarments on her bed that she apparently hadn't bothered organizing—and returned to the living room to await his fate.

  The kitchen filled with sounds that ranged from promising to ominous. Hanekawa sat on the sofa, mentally preparing himself. At least if it's tempura, I can choke it down. Please don't let it be something experimental.

  When Tsunade emerged, she looked genuinely proud of herself.

  The food actually looked... decent. Which meant the bad news was definitely coming.

  "Teriyaki chicken thighs and tofu vegetable soup," she announced confidently. "Absolutely delicious."

  Hanekawa picked up his chopsticks with the enthusiasm of a man facing a firing squad. He grabbed a piece of chicken and took a cautious bite.

  The salt content could have preserved a small village.

  "It's a bit salty," he said diplomatically.

  "I did that on purpose," Tsunade said without a hint of shame. "I knew it would be salty, so I made clear soup to balance it."

  No one in the history of cooking has ever intentionally made something that salty, Hanekawa thought, eyeing her fist. But she could punch through a mountain, so we're going with her version of events.

  He grabbed rice and soup, trying to salvage the meal. Between bites, he said, "I want to learn the Dark Walking Technique."

  Tsunade's eyes widened slightly. "Where did you hear about that?"

  "Uncle Shinku mentioned it. He said the Second Hokage created it—some kind of powerful genjutsu—but he wasn't qualified to learn it."

  "It is the Second Hokage's technique," Tsunade confirmed, relaxing back in her chair. "Getting it shouldn't be a problem. I'll talk to Hiruzen tomorrow."

  "Will Lord Hokage really hand over an S-Rank jutsu that easily?" Hanekawa asked, sipping soup.

  "Of course not. Normally, you'd have to earn it." Tsunade's smile turned smug. "But you have an excellent teacher. One of the Legendary Sannin, in fact. I've accumulated enough merit that I can pull strings."

  Right. She's basically untouchable in Konoha's hierarchy, Hanekawa realized. Same reason Minato got the Flying Thunder God Jutsu so young—Jiraiya's endorsement carries weight.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  "You're amazing, Teacher," he said, laying it on thick.

  "Not enough emotion. Try again," Tsunade said, completely serious.

  Hanekawa picked up another piece of chicken—which he immediately regretted—and said smoothly, "My admiration for you knows no bounds, Teacher."

  "Smooth talker," Tsunade laughed.

  "Just honest." He wasn't even lying. She was terrifying and brilliant in equal measure.

  "Then come to the casino with me tomorrow," she said, eyes gleaming.

  "Can't. Too busy." Hanekawa shook his head. "I'm the most famous medical ninja at Konoha Hospital now."

  "I'm the most famous medical ninja," Tsunade corrected, eyes narrowing.

  "That was before," Hanekawa said innocently. "When was the last time you actually went to the hospital?"

  Tsunade coughed. "Don't bring that up. How's your medical training progressing?"

  "I've mastered the Mystical Palm Technique and the Chakra Scalpel."

  The silence that followed was delicious.

  "That fast?" Tsunade's expression suggested she'd swallowed something bitter.

  "It's fine. Not too fast," Hanekawa said with practiced modesty.

  Tsunade's eye twitched. This kid is insufferable sometimes, she thought, but there was no real anger behind it. She'd trained him well—perhaps too well. He was already approaching her level, and he was still a child.

  After dinner, Hanekawa washed the dishes while Tsunade sprawled on the sofa like she owned the place. Once he finished, he excused himself and headed to the Yuhi household.

  ---

  The classroom was sweltering. Hanekawa wiped sweat from his forehead, mentally adding air conditioning to his future Hokage agenda. The ceiling fan was completely useless.

  When the bell rang, their instructor Eiichiro gathered his materials. "One more thing—students applying for early graduation, remember to submit your applications."

  The moment he left, the classroom erupted with energy.

  "Are you graduating early?" Obito asked Rin nervously. "Why don't we wait until sixth year?"

  Because he's terrified of being separated from Rin, Hanekawa thought, amused.

  "I've learned everything the curriculum offers," Rin said simply. "I'm applying for fifth-year graduation."

  "Then I will too!" Obito brightened immediately.

  "Maybe we'll be on the same team," Rin said with a smile that made Obito's entire face light up.

  "Let's fill out the applications quickly," Rin added. "We're visiting Kakashi at the hospital later."

  "What's so great about Kakashi?" Obito grumbled, but he was already writing.

  Within minutes, a small crowd had gathered at Hanekawa's desk, pressing applications into his hands.

  Kurenai was first, followed by Guy, Asuma, and Rin.

  "What about Kakashi?" Rin asked with concern.

  "Already handled," Hanekawa said. "I wrote one for him."

  Rin's smile widened. "You're always so thoughtful."

  Kurenai watched this exchange with narrowed eyes. Something's off here.

  "Go on," Obito said, stepping forward to stand between Hanekawa and Rin. "We'll wait."

  Hanekawa headed to Eiichiro's office, where the teacher accepted the stack of applications without surprise. "These students were ready to graduate months ago," he said, heading toward the Hokage's tower.

  ---

  In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi was reviewing the applications when Tsunade burst through the door without knocking.

  "I need the Dark Walking Technique for Hanekawa," she announced.

  Hiruzen set down his pipe. "That's an S-Rank jutsu. Does he have the capacity?"

  "He's a genius. That's reason enough." Tsunade crossed her arms. "You gave Minato the Flying Thunder God Jutsu at his age. One genjutsu won't hurt."

  "I wasn't refusing," Hiruzen said mildly. "Consider it a graduation gift. He's applied for early graduation."

  "Good. His team will be Kurenai Yuhi, Rin Nohara, and I'll lead them."

  Hiruzen frowned. "Nohara Rin is talented, but with Hanekawa's strength, wouldn't Asuma or Kakashi be better suited—"

  "It's decided," Tsunade said firmly. "Not changing it."

  Hiruzen sighed. When Tsunade made up her mind, arguing was pointless. Besides, having a medical ninja of Hanekawa's caliber on a team would dramatically improve survival rates.

  "Very well," he conceded.