The Third Hokage took a long drag from his pipe, the smoke curling thoughtfully around his weathered face. "I'm getting old, Tsunade. Konoha needs stability. We need to decide on the next Hokage soon."
Tsunade's lips curved into a thin smile. "Why ask ? Go talk to Danzo. He'd probably love to tell you all about his ambitions."
"Danzo will never be Hokage," Hiruzen said flatly.
"Then why do you let him run wild?" Tsunade's voice carried an edge of frustration.
"Where there is light, there must be shadow." Hiruzen's tone remained calm, asured. "Danzo handles the things that need handling. As long as we keep him on a tight leash, he's manageable."
"You're confident you can control him," Tsunade said, her eyes narrowing. "But what about your successor? If they can't keep Danzo in check, everything falls apart."
Hiruzen nodded slowly. "Which is why we need to choose carefully. Hatake Sakumo is out of the question—he lacks the political finesse to manage soone like Danzo."
"So you've heard the rumors about him too." Tsunade's gaze sharpened.
Hiruzen coughed, suddenly looking uncomfortable. "The Root reports filter through the ANBU. I hear things."
"That's what I thought." Tsunade leaned back, studying him. "So that leaves three candidates."
"Correct. And I need to know if you're one of them."
"I'm not interested," Tsunade said imdiately.
"Then why did you ask about Hatake Sakumo?" Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. "You care about Konoha more than you admit."
"Caring about the village doesn't an I want to run it," Tsunade replied coolly.
Hiruzen sighed. "You, Orochimaru, and Minato. One of you will wear the hat eventually. I know why you're avoiding it—"
"Don't." Tsunade's voice cut like a blade.
"Nawaki's death affected both of you deeply," Hiruzen continued quietly. "Orochimaru withdrew into his research. You ran away."
Tsunade opened her mouth to argue, then hesitated. An image of Hanekawa flickered through her mind—his serious expression during training, the way he looked at her with those intelligent eyes. Sothing shifted in her chest.
"Orochimaru would be better suited," she said, but her conviction wavered.
"Perhaps in raw power and cunning," Hiruzen acknowledged. "But you have sothing he doesn't—the people trust you. You're Hashirama's granddaughter. The Land of Fire daimyo knows your na. You're the only kunoichi ever called a princess."
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"And?" Tsunade's tone was guarded.
"And if you want the position, you should start positioning yourself now. Missions, visibility, influence." Hiruzen paused aningfully. "Less gambling, more work. I've noticed you've been absent from the mission roster lately."
"I've been teaching Hanekawa."
"Exactly." Hiruzen leaned forward. "Which brings to my real concern. He's a genius, Tsunade. Age is irrelevant. His strength rivals a Chunin already. He needs field experience."
"He's too young—"
"War is coming." Hiruzen's voice dropped. "Minato sent intelligence. The Hidden Cloud has been stockpiling supplies and weapons at an unusual rate. We need to prepare."
Tsunade's expression hardened. She'd seen what inexperience cost on the battlefield. Nawaki had walked into a detonating talisman trap because he didn't know better. She would never let that happen to Hanekawa.
"I understand," she said quietly.
---
The school bell rang, and Hanekawa gathered his things with practiced efficiency. He had a sparring match scheduled with Uchiha Tetsuka at the third training ground—a "real manly battle," as Tetsuka had dramatically put it.
Great. More posturing from the Uchiha clan, Hanekawa thought, already ntally preparing himself for the inevitable fire jutsu spam.
"Hanekawa, wait!" Nohara Rin caught up with him, her eyes bright with excitent. "Can we watch your fight?"
Behind her ca Hatake Kakashi, looking characteristically unimpressed, and Uchiha Obito, who looked like he'd rather be anywhere else.
"Sure," Hanekawa said. "Let's go."
Yuhi Kurenai appeared from nowhere, already pumped up. "Co on! Let's see you crush him!"
And there's my personal cheerleader, Hanekawa thought with mild amusent.
When they arrived at the training ground, Uchiha Tetsuka was already waiting, his Sharingan gleaming with anticipation. Beside him stood Uchiha Shisui, who looked like he was ntally reviewing sothing.
"You ca," Tetsuka said, rolling his shoulders. "Let's make this good."
"Rember the strategy," Shisui warned quietly. "Watch out for his illusions."
Tetsuka nodded confidently. "I've got this."
Oh, this should be entertaining, Hanekawa thought.
The match began with Tetsuka imdiately forming seals. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
A massive fireball erupted from his mouth, roaring toward Hanekawa with impressive force. Hanekawa didn't move. He simply drew his katana and slashed downward in one smooth motion. The fireball split cleanly in half, the flas parting around him like curtains.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Immortal Fire Technique!" Tetsuka's follow-up ca instantly.
This ti, flas erupted in all directions, spreading like a cockscomb and cutting off every escape route. To the spectators, it looked like Hanekawa was completely trapped.
"He's got him!" Tetsuka shouted triumphantly.
But Shisui's expression shifted. His Sharingan caught what Tetsuka had missed—the mont of opportunity when the fireball had blocked his vision. Hanekawa's hands had moved with impossible speed, forming seals that Tetsuka never saw.
Genjutsu, Shisui realized with dawning horror.
Tetsuka was still fighting the flas, still convinced he had the upper hand. But to everyone watching, he was simply struggling with a tree, his fists connecting with bark instead of an opponent.
Shisui's face went pale. He'd expected Hanekawa to be strong, but this—this was sothing else entirely. Hanekawa hadn't even needed to move. He'd simply trapped Tetsuka in an illusion so complete that the Uchiha prodigy didn't even realize he was fighting empty air.
What kind of monster is this kid? Shisui thought, his respect for Hanekawa shifting into sothing closer to fear.
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