278. The Fourth Kazekage, Pakura

"Good morning, Minato-senpai."

As soon as Hanekawa landed and steadied himself, he saw Namikaze Minato.

Minato stood in the yard, holding a clothes hanger in one hand and spreading wet clothes with the other, hanging them out to dry.

Judging by the style and size of the clothes, they all belonged to a child—Uzumaki Naruto.

At this moment, Minato didn't resemble the elusive "Yellow Flash" of the battlefield but rather a good husband and father.

"Ah, Hanekawa," Minato flashed his trademark smile and asked, "Here to learn sealing techniques?"

"Yes," Hanekawa nodded. "I'll have to trouble you again today, Minato-senpai."

Uzumaki Kushina had just given birth to Naruto and hadn't fully recovered.

As a new mother, she was busy taking care of Naruto, leaving her with little time to teach Hanekawa.

Fortunately, Minato was also skilled in sealing techniques.

"It's no trouble," Minato said with a sigh.

"You're learning sealing techniques incredibly fast. It's been less than a week, and you're already ready to learn a new one."

"You flatter me, Minato-senpai. I still have a long way to go," Hanekawa replied honestly.

His current sealing technique level had just reached Chunin, with Special Jonin and Jonin levels still ahead.

"..."

Minato's mouth twitched. He wasn't exaggerating.

Sealing techniques were inherently difficult, and mastering one in a week was practically unheard of.

Yet, Hanekawa still wasn't satisfied?

Minato could only conclude that geniuses, when they went all out, were truly inhuman.

Minato considered himself a genius, but compared to Hanekawa, he fell short.

No wonder Hanekawa, not yet twenty, was already regarded as the strongest ninja of his generation.

"Give me a few minutes," Minato said, continuing to hang the clothes.

"I'll go say hello to Sister Kushina and check on my student," Hanekawa said, heading inside.

"Hanekawa," Kushina greeted him with a smile as he entered.

"Sister Kushina," Hanekawa walked over and looked at Naruto in her arms.

"How's Naruto today? Has he been crying?"

"He's been very well-behaved today, no crying," Kushina said, pinching Naruto's chubby cheeks.

"I'll head out to train now. I won't disturb you two," Hanekawa chatted for a bit longer before preparing to leave.

"One more thing," Kushina called out to him.

"Can the training trip to Kumogakure's Turtle Island be postponed for another year?"

"That's easy. I'll let Kumogakure know," Hanekawa guessed her concerns.

The training on Turtle Island required a significant amount of time, and she wasn't comfortable leaving Naruto, who had just been born.

Hanekawa reappeared in the yard.

Minato had finished hanging the clothes and, seeing Hanekawa, began teaching him sealing techniques.

Today, Hanekawa learned the Fire Sealing Technique, a technique used by Jiraiya in the original story to seal all types of flames, including Amaterasu.

Within an hour, Hanekawa had grasped the basic theory of the Fire Sealing Technique.

All that remained was practice to master it and unlock a new jutsu trait.

"Minato-senpai, see you next time," Hanekawa said, not lingering any longer, and teleported away using the Flying Thunder God Technique.

He was quite busy these days.

As the Hokage's assistant and head of the Anbu, he had a lot of work.

Besides sealing techniques, he was also learning Sage Mode, Lightning Release, and sensory ninjutsu.

Specifically, he was focusing on the Strongest Lightning Armor and Hell Stab techniques.

---

Anbu Base

Hanekawa had just sat down when he heard a knock on the door.

"Lord Hanekawa," Haru entered and said, "This is a reply from Pakura of Sunagakure."

Hanekawa had visited Sunagakure earlier and decided to help Pakura.


But help wasn't free—he expected something in return.

What he wanted was Pakura's Scorch Release and a favor.

Hanekawa casually opened the letter.

The content was simple: she agreed to the deal.

Hanekawa closed the letter and fell into thought.

Making Pakura the Kazekage wasn't difficult.

The reason was simple: Konoha was at its peak, and Sunagakure wouldn't dare to resist, forced to comply.

Hanekawa thought of Tsunade.

As the Hokage, her involvement would make things quick and easy.

"Is there anything else?" Hanekawa asked as flames erupted from his hand, burning Pakura's letter to ashes.

"Samui from Kumogakure is on her way back to Konoha. She should arrive in three or four days," Haru paused, then added, "Like last time, she's brought eight ninjas."

Hanekawa raised an eyebrow.

He couldn't help but miss Samui's mature and voluptuous figure.

"I see. You may go," Hanekawa stood up and vanished.

---

Hokage's Office

Hanekawa reappeared and blinked in surprise.

Besides Tsunade, Nara Shikaku and Nara Suzaku were also present.

Both were members of the Hokage's advisory council.

"Lord Hanekawa," Shikaku and Suzaku quickly bowed upon seeing him.

"You two continue," Hanekawa nodded slightly and walked behind Tsunade.

"Shikaku, go on," Tsunade glanced at Hanekawa, then turned back to Shikaku.

"Yes," Shikaku gathered his thoughts and continued reporting on recent developments.

Hanekawa listened for a few minutes before losing interest. An idea struck him.

Tsunade, who had been listening intently, suddenly jumped. She felt Hanekawa's foot lightly brush against hers.

Realizing what had happened, Tsunade angrily stomped on his foot.

If Shikaku and Suzaku hadn't been present, she would have scolded Hanekawa severely.

Fortunately, their report was nearing its end.

"There don't seem to be any major issues," Tsunade said calmly. "I'll review the documents and contact you if there are any problems."

"Yes, Lady Hokage," Shikaku and Suzaku bowed slightly before leaving.

As soon as they were gone, Tsunade stood up and aimed a kick at Hanekawa. But she stopped just before making contact.

"Why didn't you dodge?" Tsunade asked, rolling her eyes.

"Because I like you, sensei," Hanekawa replied with a grin.

"..."

Tsunade's anger dissipated instantly.

Seeing this, Hanekawa took advantage of the situation.

He stepped forward, wrapped his arms around her, and buried his face in her chest.

A rich fragrance filled his senses.

Hanekawa blinked, his vision filled with her fair skin.

"You smooth-talking brat!" Tsunade realized she'd been tricked and tightened her arms, roughly ruffling his hair.

Hanekawa's eyes widened.

As she moved, he sank deeper into her embrace.

The only downside was the lack of air—it was getting hard to breathe.

Tsunade's body trembled slightly.

Hanekawa's rapid breaths against her chest made her feel a bit weak.

"What did you need?" Tsunade released Hanekawa and sat back down.

"There's something I wanted to discuss," Hanekawa took a few deep breaths, still catching hints of her fragrance.

"Stand over there," Tsunade said sternly.

This brat always took advantage of her, but she couldn't bring herself to refuse.

In the Hokage's office, the best solution was to keep him at a distance. If anyone saw them, it would be a huge problem.

"Yes, sensei," Hanekawa obediently walked to the opposite side of the desk. "I wanted to talk about the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure."

"Hasn't Sunagakure not yet decided on the Fourth Kazekage?" Tsunade asked, confused.

As the Hokage, she received intelligence faster than Hanekawa and was well aware of Sunagakure's current situation.

"Sensei, who do you think has a better chance—Pakura or Rasa?" Hanekawa countered.

"Based on the current situation, Rasa is more likely to win," Tsunade said after a moment of thought.

"But for Konoha, having Pakura as Kazekage would be more advantageous," Hanekawa said with a smile.

Tsunade frowned slightly.

She understood Hanekawa's reasoning.

Having Rasa as Kazekage would strengthen Sunagakure.

But replacing him with the weaker Pakura would create internal strife, making it harder for Sunagakure to develop.

"Interfering with the Kazekage position won't be easy," Tsunade said slowly.

"It's not difficult, especially so soon after the war," Hanekawa smiled. "All you need to do is publicly support Pakura as Kazekage on behalf of Konoha."

"Who have you been learning from, brat?" Tsunade glared at him. "You're starting to sound like Danzō."

"This is an open strategy," Hanekawa coughed lightly. "Pakura needs your support, even if it makes Sunagakure suspect she made a deal with us."

"They'll only suspect, not act," Tsunade chuckled. "Fine, I'll do as you say."

Having grown up under Hashirama and Tobirama's guidance, Tsunade wasn't the type to shy away from such tactics.

Besides, this open strategy didn't harm anyone and benefited Konoha, so she had no reason to refuse.

"Sensei, please," Hanekawa took out a scroll and spread it in front of her.

"Good boy," Tsunade smirked, reaching out to pat his head.

After some thought, she began writing.

"This scroll should be sent to Chiyo," Tsunade said after finishing.

"Chiyo?" Hanekawa was surprised. "Will she agree?"

From what he remembered, Chiyo and Tsunade didn't get along, stemming from their clashes during the Second Shinobi World War.

"She has no choice," Tsunade looked at him with a smile. "If she refuses, you'll have to visit Sunagakure."

"As expected of the Hokage!" Hanekawa gave her a thumbs-up.

"Enough of that," Tsunade handed him the scroll. "Now, tell me about this 'Shinnō' guy. Why did you let him steal sealing techniques?"

"Do you know about the Hidden Sky Village?" Hanekawa wasn't surprised she knew about Shinnō.

As the head of the Anbu, he reported directly to the Hokage.

"During the Second Shinobi World War, the Hidden Sky Village attacked Konoha but was destroyed in return," Tsunade recounted.

She had participated in the war and was well-versed in its history.

"I've already investigated him," Hanekawa nodded and explained about the Ancor Vantian and the Zero-Tails.

"Such a thing exists?" Tsunade mused. "The Zero-Tails is worth pursuing."

Tailed beasts were the ultimate trump cards of the major villages.

Having an additional tailed beast, even if it wasn't as powerful as the others, would still be a significant advantage.

"Also, he possesses two forbidden medical techniques," Hanekawa added.

Tsunade's eyes lit up. As one of the greatest medical ninjas in the world, she understood the value of Physical Resurrection and Physical Rebirth.

Especially the latter—if it could be applied to patients, it would be a tremendous boon for Konoha.

"I was planning to surprise you once it succeeded," Hanekawa said with a smile.

Tsunade stared at his handsome face for a moment, her heart fluttering slightly.

She stepped forward, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him.

The sensation was warm and soft.

Hanekawa was momentarily stunned but quickly wrapped his arms around her waist.

His hands gently caressed her hips, feeling their fullness.

Tsunade's body tensed briefly before relaxing. She had grown accustomed to Hanekawa's boldness and let him have his way.

After a while, Tsunade pushed him away.

She breathed lightly, her eyes glimmering, her cheeks faintly flushed.

"Consider that your reward," Tsunade said, regaining her composure. "Now go do your work."

"I'm not actually that busy," Hanekawa blinked.

"Oh?" Tsunade clenched her fist. "Do you want me to throw you out?"

"Goodbye, sensei," Hanekawa vanished on the spot.

He reappeared in the Anbu base, vowing to make her beg for mercy someday!

Hanekawa called Haru and instructed her to deliver Tsunade's scroll to Chiyo.

Then, he headed to Mount Myōboku to continue his Sage Mode training.

---

Three days later, the long-vacant position of the Fourth Kazekage was finally filled.

Pakura, the acting Kazekage, officially dropped the "acting" title and became the true Fourth Kazekage.

The driving force behind this was the retired Chiyo, who argued that Sunagakure needed stability and supported Pakura's ascension.

Rasa, though resentful, could only seethe in silence in the face of Chiyo's influence.

The rift between him and Pakura had been sown, and it was only a matter of time before it erupted.

Chiyo understood this, but Tsunade's forceful stance left her no room to refuse.

She couldn't risk Hanekawa showing up in Sunagakure, so Rasa had to make the sacrifice.

---

Konoha's Main Gate

Hanekawa stood waiting for Samui.

Moments later, two lines of text appeared before his eyes.

[A-Level Talent Trait 'Second Kage' effect upgraded.]

[All concealment-type jutsu effects increased by 200%. All sensory-type jutsu effects increased by 100%.]

Hanekawa let out a soft exclamation.

Pakura becoming the Fourth Kazekage had upgraded his A-Level trait 'Second Kage'?

Was this implying he was like Danzō, stirring up trouble everywhere?

But the effects were different.

Previously, it was a single effect; now, it was dual. The boost to sensory jutsu, in particular, pleased him greatly.

Mind's Eye!

Hanekawa closed his eyes. His sensory range had doubled.