284. Uchiha Madara’s Backup Plan

"I'm tired, little maid."

Hanekawa waved at her and said, "Sit down and give me a massage."

"If you're tired, go to sleep!"

Mei Terumi rolled her eyes and said, "I've been working all day, and no one gave me a massage!"

"Then I'll give you one."

Hanekawa patted his lap and said, "Put your feet up here."

"What do you mean?"

Mei Terumi couldn't help but ask.

"As your master, my authority is unlimited."

Hanekawa glanced at her and said.

"You said it!"

Mei Terumi gritted her teeth and sat down on the sofa.

She took off her maid shoes, lifted her long, slender legs wrapped in white stockings, and rested them on Hanekawa's lap.

Hanekawa reached out, grabbed her delicate feet, and slowly massaged them with both hands.

Mei Terumi instinctively tensed her legs, her toes curling up.

"Does it feel good?"

Hanekawa caressed the smooth arch of her foot.

Even through the white stockings, he could still feel the texture.

"Not at all!"

Mei Terumi bit her lip and said.

"You're really cute."

Hanekawa pinched her ankle and said.

"Praising me won't work."

Mei Terumi turned her head away, her cheeks slightly red.

"Looks like you've been training well."

Hanekawa moved his hand to her calf and said, "Very toned."

"Of course!"

Mei Terumi instinctively responded, but then realized something was off. "Stop complimenting me!"

"If I don't compliment you, should I insult you instead?"

Hanekawa looked at her delicate, ice-cream-like white-stockinged feet and asked.

"You can't insult me either!"

Mei Terumi quickly replied.

"Why does this little maid have more rules than her master?"

Hanekawa raised an eyebrow and suddenly applied a little pressure.

Mei Terumi immediately let out a muffled hum.

She quickly covered her mouth, her face flushing red.

"Didn't you say it didn't feel good?"

Hanekawa teased.

As a medical ninja, he naturally knew the pressure points on the feet.

"I'm feeling pain, that's all."

Mei Terumi tried to endure the intense tingling sensation and stubbornly argued.

"Take off your stockings."

Hanekawa looked at her and said.

"Why?"

Mei Terumi's heart skipped a beat.

"This is an order from your master."

Hanekawa put on a serious face. "No questions."

Mei Terumi hesitated for a few seconds, then reached out, pinching the top of her stockings and pulling them down.

She stopped halfway, just as the stocking edge reached her calves, and let go.

Hanekawa applied a bit of force and slid the white stockings off completely.

His gaze trailed from her ankle, gliding over her fair skin, up to her soft, full thighs, until it was blocked by her maid skirt.

"Your skin is like snow—perfect."

Hanekawa gently stroked her calf.

"Y-You… Stop complimenting me…"

Mei Terumi felt overwhelmed with embarrassment.

This was the first time someone had touched both her legs and feet like this.

"Then I'll just continue the massage."

Hanekawa changed his massage technique, pressing gently on key acupoints.

Mei Terumi bit her lip hard.

A wave of soreness and numbness washed over her, making her feel both uncomfortable and oddly relaxed.

She couldn't help but let out soft hums now and then.

By the time she realized it, her face was already flushed.

"How do you feel?"

Hanekawa looked up at her.

"What do you mean?"

Mei Terumi huffed. "Are you some kind of foot fetishist? Pervert!"

"I'm being kind enough to massage you, and you're calling me names?"

Hanekawa played the victim.

Mei Terumi blinked.

As she came back to her senses, she suddenly realized her whole body felt relaxed—completely free of fatigue.

Did he really know how to massage?

"Thank you…"

Mei Terumi felt a little embarrassed.

"So how do you plan to repay me?"

Hanekawa smiled.

"Why are you still holding my foot?"

Mei Terumi twitched her mouth.

"Because the massage isn't over yet."

Hanekawa spread his fingers, gripping her foot again, pressing into her sole.

Mei Terumi's body stiffened, and she let out a soft moan.

"Aren't you enjoying it?"

Hanekawa teased.

"Of course not!"

Mei Terumi, flustered by his gaze, quickly looked away.

"You still haven't said how you'll repay me."

Hanekawa reminded her.

"You took advantage of me—what more do you want?"

Mei Terumi pouted.

"This doesn't count as taking advantage."

Hanekawa let go of her feet, stood up, and stepped in front of her.

"Y-You… What are you doing?"

Mei Terumi instinctively leaned back, bumping into the sofa, her maid skirt shifting slightly.

Hanekawa didn't answer. He simply bent down, slowly leaning closer.

"You… I…"

Mei Terumi panicked.

As they got closer, a deep blush spread across her face.

She stared at Hanekawa, bit her lip, then suddenly closed her eyes.

"…?"

Hanekawa was stunned.

He swore he only meant to tease this little maid.

But he never expected Mei Terumi to just surrender like that.

Still, he knew exactly what to do in this situation.

Hanekawa captured her soft, pink lips.

Mei Terumi's eyes widened in shock.


Because Hanekawa didn’t stop at just a kiss.

She quickly felt her mouth go dry and had no choice but to passively engage in a battle of lips and tongues with him.

Mei Terumi’s body softened, her face flushed, and her beautiful eyes shimmered with watery ripples.

"Now this is what you call taking advantage."

Hanekawa licked the corner of his lips and said.

Mei Terumi looked at him, her gaze dazed.

Her lips were slightly parted, her breath uneven, and her chest rose and fell as if her heart was about to jump out of her chest.

"I'm hungry. Time to cook."

Hanekawa reached out and flicked her forehead.

"I can't cook."

Mei Terumi snapped back to reality, suddenly becoming very obedient and quiet.

"I’ll do it."

Hanekawa turned and headed to the kitchen.

Mei Terumi let out a deep breath and collapsed onto the sofa.

She raised two fingers to cover her lips.

Why was that pervert so skilled?

It was clearly her first kiss.

But she had to admit—it was intoxicating.

Mei Terumi quickly shook her head, pushing away the thoughts of what had just happened.

She picked up the white stockings from the sofa and put them back on.

After spacing out for a moment, she unconsciously found herself standing at the kitchen door.

Watching Hanekawa busy cooking, she surprisingly thought—this kind of life didn’t seem so bad.

But she knew it wouldn’t be easy.

She was the Fifth Mizukage, and he was the Hokage’s advisor.

How could they ever be together?

"What are you standing in the doorway for?"

Hanekawa turned back and glanced at her.

"Huh?"

Mei Terumi froze for a moment and asked, "What’s wrong?"

"I should be the one asking you that."

Hanekawa couldn’t help but laugh. "Why does the Mizukage look so clueless?"

"I am not!"

Mei Terumi’s face reddened as she instinctively retorted, "I just came to see when you’d finish cooking!"

"Almost done."

Hanekawa didn’t bother exposing her awkward cover-up and casually replied.

It was only then that Mei Terumi noticed—he was using Fire Release to cook.

What kind of chakra control was this?

Cooking with Fire Release was basically like stir-frying with an intense blaze—it was incredibly difficult to control.

One small mistake, and the dish’s flavor would be ruined.

Yet, Hanekawa’s food was always delicious, proving his insane chakra control.

Mei Terumi pursed her lips.

This guy really was a pervert.

In every sense.

"It's done. Take the bowls and chopsticks out."

Hanekawa instructed.

"Okay."

Mei Terumi took two sets of dishes and utensils to the dining room.

As she set the table, she suddenly felt dazed.

This felt… too much like a married couple.

But after glancing at her maid outfit, she quickly dismissed the thought.

What kind of couple looked like this?

"Dinner’s ready."

Hanekawa brought out two dishes from the kitchen.

"Mm."

Mei Terumi instinctively swallowed.

Ever since she had tasted his cooking, she had been craving that unforgettable flavor.

But unfortunately, even the best chefs in Kirigakure couldn’t replicate one-tenth of its taste.

She really didn’t understand—what was up with Hanekawa’s cooking skills?

How was he this ridiculously good?

Then again, it made sense.

After all, everything about him—his talent, his strength—was absurd.

"When are you leaving?"

Halfway through the meal, Mei Terumi hesitated and asked.

"What, trying to kick me out?"

Hanekawa asked with a grin.

"N-No…"

Mei Terumi lowered her head and softly said, "If you're staying, I can prepare a room for you."

"Isn’t this place just one big room?"

Hanekawa blinked and said, "Last time, I slept on the sofa."

"Then this time, you sleep on the bed."

Mei Terumi huffed. "I'll sleep on the sofa."

"You sound like a completely different person."

Hanekawa was a little surprised.

"If you don’t want to, then go sleep on the sofa!"

Mei Terumi glared at him angrily.

"No need."

Seeing her return to her usual self, Hanekawa shook his head and said, "I’m not staying."

"You're leaving?"

Mei Terumi’s expression froze.

"Relax, I’ll come see you tomorrow."

Hanekawa reached out, pinched her cheek, and said.

With his Sage Body, teleporting between Kirigakure and Kumogakure was as easy as one Flying Thunder God technique.

No need to constantly use the technique and exhaust himself for an hour or two like before.

"Mm."

Mei Terumi wasn’t used to his affectionate gestures, but she didn’t avoid them either.

"It's your turn to do the dishes, little maid."

After finishing dinner, Hanekawa set down his chopsticks and said.

Mei Terumi didn’t argue. She cleaned up the table and went to the kitchen.

When she finished washing the dishes and returned to the living room, she found that Hanekawa was already gone.

She stood there, stunned.

"Didn't even say goodbye?"

A wave of disappointment rose in her heart.

But the next second, her eyelids twitched—Hanekawa suddenly reappeared in front of her.

"You… Why are you always appearing and disappearing like a ghost?"

Mei Terumi glared at him.

But despite herself, the corners of her lips curled up slightly.


"This is for you."

Hanekawa took out a jewelry box and said, "Consider it a gift to celebrate you becoming the Fifth Mizukage."

Mei Terumi was momentarily stunned before instinctively taking the jewelry box.

"Alright, see you tomorrow."

Hanekawa waved at her and disappeared on the spot.

"Tha—"

Mei Terumi paused, then muttered in dissatisfaction, "Why did he leave so quickly?"

She lowered her head and looked at the jewelry box, anticipation flashing in her eyes.

What could it be?

A bracelet? A necklace?

With that thought, Mei Terumi opened the box.

She twitched the corners of her mouth and complained, "You really are a foot fetishist!"

Inside was an anklet, something she hadn't expected.


---

Konoha.

The sky had darkened, and the moon had taken the sun's place.

Hanekawa arrived at Tsunade's room.

The lights were off, but that didn’t affect his vision.

Tsunade was lying on her side, facing away from him.

Her black nightgown clung to her body, naturally sliding down, revealing the faint curves of her full, peach-shaped hips.

The hem of her nightgown barely covered her lower body, exposing two long, pale legs.

They were slightly curled, overlapping each other.

Hanekawa stepped forward and embraced her from behind.

He reached out, tracing from her thick, toned thighs up to her plump hips.

He gave a light slap—causing a slight ripple.

Tsunade woke up.

She glanced at Hanekawa before flipping over and lying on her stomach.

Hanekawa froze for a moment, then his eyes widened.

Tsunade grabbed the hem of her nightgown and lifted it, revealing her smooth, bare hips.

Her body arched slightly, assuming a completely unguarded posture.

Seeing this, Hanekawa naturally held back no longer.

Tonight, he was the Knight King!


---

A new day.

Hanekawa woke up in a warm embrace.

As he opened his eyes, he was met with a snowy white peak.

"Awake?"

Tsunade yawned and asked.

"Yeah."

Hanekawa inhaled her intoxicating scent and asked, "Sensei, do you want to rest a little longer?"

"Do I look that weak to you?"

Tsunade huffed in dissatisfaction.

Though she was always thoroughly satisfied, her competitive nature would never allow her to admit defeat.

Especially as his teacher.

"Not at all."

Hanekawa quickly said, "Sensei is definitely the best."

He wasn’t lying—Tsunade was the only one who could keep up with him.

Samui could never fully satisfy him, but her only advantage was that she was willing to do anything.

"That’s more like it."

Tsunade nodded in satisfaction. "Go make breakfast. Call me when it's ready."

She was pretty exhausted.

Every night with Hanekawa was a battle, no less challenging than the Third Great Ninja War.

She had even considered pushing him to marry Kurenai Yuhi—to help share the burden.

But in the end, she didn’t know what to do about it, so she just took it one day at a time.


---

After breakfast with Tsunade, Hanekawa headed to Amegakure.

His time was spent traveling between Amegakure, Konoha, and Kirigakure.


---

Mid-February.

Amegakure was still raining.

No matter the month, the weather never changed.

Nagato suddenly opened his eyes, his expression filled with excitement.

After all this time, he had finally mastered the Rinnegan.

He had originally thought Chibaku Tensei was already an absurd ability—until he discovered Rinne Tensei.

The only downside? It required sacrificing one’s life.

But that was understandable.

After all, it was an ability that resurrected the dead.

In theory, the more chakra one had, the more people they could revive.

There was no limit.

But what Black Zetsu didn’t tell him was that if the target was an Edo Tensei summon, Rinne Tensei would automatically undo the Edo Tensei state.

This was Madara Uchiha’s final trump card.

Edo Tensei.

In the original story, during the Fourth Great Ninja War, Kabuto revived Madara Uchiha using Edo Tensei.

But Madara immediately broke free from the technique.

This was because Madara already knew how to counter it.

However, Edo Tensei couldn’t restore his peak strength, so he needed Rinne Tensei.

The problem was, Rinne Tensei could only resurrect the dead—it couldn’t make them young again.

The only solution was to have Nagato use Rinne Tensei on an Edo Tensei Madara.

For this reason, Madara had even preserved parts of his younger body.