331. Kirigakure’s Surrender, the Unification of the Shinobi World

February 3rd.

After breakfast, Hanekawa arrived at the Hokage’s office.

At the entrance, he spotted a petite figure sneaking around, peering cautiously as if afraid of being noticed.

"Hinata."

Hanekawa couldn’t help but chuckle.

"T-Teacher!"

Hyūga Hinata jumped in surprise before straightening up stiffly.

But when she saw his amused expression, she immediately lowered her head, her fingers nervously clutching the hem of her clothes.

"Why didn’t you just go in?"

Hanekawa walked up and pinched her adorable cheeks.

"I…"

Hinata’s face flushed crimson as she stammered, "I… I was waiting… for you…"

"From now on, don’t wait outside. Just go straight into the office."

Hanekawa instructed.

Now that he was living with Yūhi Kurenai and Tsunade—with occasional interruptions from Ōtsutsuki Kaguya—being late to work had become routine.

"O-Okay."

Hinata nodded, her face still burning.

"Come in."

Hanekawa pushed open the door and entered the Hokage’s office.

Hinata instinctively followed behind him.

"You’re here to see me today… Oh, right, I forgot it’s Monday."

Hanekawa sat on the sofa and held out his hand. "Give it to me."

Hinata handed him a scroll.

Hanekawa unrolled it and skimmed through the contents.

The scroll detailed Hinata’s activities over the past week—mostly leisure, along with some basic medical studies.

"Good job."

Hanekawa said casually.

Hinata exhaled in relief, her tension easing slightly.

"You can go now."

Hanekawa rolled up the scroll and dismissed her.

"Goodbye, Teacher."

Hinata bowed before leaving the office.

Not long after she left, the sharp click of high heels echoed down the hallway.

Hanekawa’s gaze landed on a pair of slender legs sheathed in black stockings.

Following the curves upward, his eyes traced a narrow waist before settling on the eye-catching blazer.

"Hanekawa."

Samui stopped in front of him and handed him a scroll. "The documents you requested."

"Sit on the sofa."

Hanekawa took the scroll and stood up.

Though confused, Samui obeyed.

Hanekawa knelt, gripped her ankles, and removed her high heels.

He lifted her stocking-clad feet and placed them on the sofa, forcing her to shift from a proper seated position to a sideways one.

Hanekawa sat beside her, then leaned back, resting his head against her chest.

Samui finally understood his intentions.

She bent her knees, framing him like armrests, while her arms cradled his head against her softness.

"Thanks."

Hanekawa sighed in contentment.

He reached up and kneaded her thighs a few times before unrolling the scroll.

Samui pressed her lips together.

After a brief hesitation, she undid the buttons of her blouse.

Pale skin spilled into view.

Hanekawa noted the sudden adjustment of her padding and silently praised her perceptiveness.

Returning his attention to the scroll, he reviewed the financial and mineral department reports—more accurately, their profits.

Hanekawa planned to visit Kirigakure soon to settle his bet with Mei Terumī.

But words alone wouldn’t suffice.

This scroll would serve as undeniable proof of his victory.

The latter half detailed Kirigakure’s earnings over the past six months.

Following Hanekawa’s advice, most of their income came from marine resources, particularly minerals and fish.

But compared to Konoha, Kirigakure’s situation was far more complicated.

Between the Daimyō and nobles of the Land of Water and the internal factions within Kirigakure, Mei Terumī had been unable to act freely.

In short, Kirigakure’s profits didn’t even reach a tenth of Konoha’s.

Once finished, Hanekawa rolled up the scroll.

He sat up and turned toward Samui.

The expanse of creamy skin before him was a feast for the eyes.

"How have you been lately?"

Hanekawa reached out and rested a hand on her chest.

"Good."

Samui answered honestly.

Since Kumogakure’s relocation to Konoha, her life had improved in many ways—especially financially.

No more dangerous missions, yet her salary remained generous.

The only difference was the transition from the Fourth Raikage to the Fifth.

But since Hanekawa rarely involved himself in Kumogakure’s affairs, leaving them to Samui and Mabui, her authority had skyrocketed.

"Let me know if you run into any problems."

Hanekawa nodded.

"Actually…"

Samui’s lips parted hesitantly.

"Hmm? Not listening to me?"

Hanekawa tightened his grip slightly.

"You haven’t been home lately."

Samui winced at the pressure and quickly spoke up.

Hanekawa blinked.

Home—she meant Ōtsutsuki Kaguya’s residence, where they both lived.

But Hanekawa had been staying at Tsunade’s place this whole time.

While Ōtsutsuki Kaguya had the audacity to barge in whenever she pleased, Samui wouldn’t dare.

"My bad."

Hanekawa released her and stroked her cheek. "I have been neglecting you."

"I… I didn’t mean it like that…"

Samui lowered her head, guilt creeping into her voice.

"I know."

Hanekawa smiled and buttoned her blouse back up. "Be a good girl and wait for me."

"Mhm."

Samui’s eyes brightened, her body warming as if feverish.

Hanekawa activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and vanished.

___

Kirigakure, Mizukage’s Office.

Mei Terumī massaged her temples, exhaustion lining her face.

Ever since her bet with Hanekawa, reviewing Konoha’s intelligence had become a daily ritual.

Since most of Konoha’s commercial activities weren’t classified, gathering information was easy.

But the more she learned, the more disheartened she became.

The gap between Konoha and Kirigakure was insurmountable—an abyss.

No matter how much she earned, catching up to Hanekawa was impossible.

"Trouble sleeping, little maid?"

A familiar voice rang out.

Mei Terumī looked up to see Hanekawa perched on the windowsill.

She froze momentarily before hardening her expression.

"Don’t call me that in the office."

She huffed.

She couldn’t risk the nearby Anbu overhearing.

"Lady Mizukage."

Hanekawa stepped forward. "How’s this for a title?"

"No need for such formality."

Mei Terumī rolled her eyes. "Just call me by my name."

Hanekawa raised an eyebrow.

He detected a hint of resentment.

Was it because he hadn’t visited in a while? Or Kirigakure’s dire straits?

Leaning down, he closed the distance between them.

"W-What are you doing?"

Mei Terumī’s heart raced.

She instinctively leaned back but was already pressed against her chair.

"Scared of me?"

Hanekawa smirked.

"Why would I be scared of you?"

Mei Terumī straightened up and glared.

Hanekawa’s gaze dropped to her lips.

Then he kissed her.

The softness made Mei Terumī stiffen briefly before she yielded, returning the kiss.

Minutes later, they parted.

"Did you come here just to take advantage of me?"

Mei Terumī panted.

"Here."

Hanekawa handed her a scroll.

"What is it?"

She eyed it warily.

"You can probably guess."

Hanekawa hopped onto her desk.

Mei Terumī’s lips parted soundlessly before she wordlessly unrolled the scroll.

As expected, it detailed the comparison between Konoha and Kirigakure—the results of their bet.

After reading, she fell silent.

"Lady Mizukage, planning to go back on your word?"

Hanekawa watched her closely.

"I…"

Mei Terumī hesitated.

She wanted to renege, but she knew it was futile.

Konoha had more than enough power to force Kirigakure’s surrender.

In truth, the only reason Kirigakure had lasted this long was because of Hanekawa’s bet—and that bet existed solely because of her.

Biting her lip, she felt utterly lost.

"Mei."

Hanekawa cupped her face.

She looked up at him.

"Want to see my plans for Kirigakure?"

He asked softly.

"Yes."

After a moment’s thought, she nodded.

"Here."

Hanekawa produced a second scroll.

Mei Terumī snatched it and scanned the contents.

The document was lengthy, but the key points were twofold:

Kirigakure would relocate near Konoha.

Mei Terumī would lead a specialized ninja unit stationed in the Land of Water.

In essence, aside from changing locations, Kirigakure would remain largely unchanged.

Even the unit’s recruitment would be entirely under Mei Terumī’s control—she could fill it with Kirigakure loyalists if she wished.

Hanekawa’s confidence stemmed from one simple fact: he didn’t care.

With his overwhelming strength, Kirigakure couldn’t possibly rebel.

So why not indulge his little maid?

Mei Terumī’s expression darkened as she finished reading.

She knew how Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure had been treated.

By comparison, Kirigakure was getting off lightly.

"I’ll give you time to think it over."

Hanekawa offered. "A month."

"No need. A bet’s a bet."

Mei Terumī shook her head after a brief pause.

A month sooner or later wouldn’t change the outcome.

"But I’ll need a week to prepare."

She admitted. "Some in Kirigakure won’t surrender to Konoha without resistance."

"Fine by me."

Hanekawa grinned. "I’ll be waiting."

Mei Terumī exhaled as if a weight had lifted.

Slumping back in her chair, she looked utterly drained.

"You alright?"

Hanekawa frowned.

"What do you think?"

She shot him a glare. "Do you have any idea how stressful it’s been, competing with Konoha?"

As Mizukage, she hadn’t wanted Kirigakure to submit.

But Konoha’s overwhelming power, coupled with the other villages’ absorption, left her no choice.

Now that defeat was certain, she felt… relieved.

No more sleepless nights, no more desperate schemes.

"You’ve worked hard. Need a massage?"

Hanekawa mused. If he were Mizukage, he’d have given up long ago.

When the enemy was unbeatable, resistance was meaningless.

The fact that Mei Terumī hadn’t collapsed under the pressure spoke volumes about her competence.

"I want to rest."

Mei Terumī eyed him skeptically. "Would I actually rest if you ‘massaged’ me?"

She knew Hanekawa too well.

His "massages" were just excuses to grope her.

And right now, she wasn’t in the mood.

"Then I’ll treat you properly once you’re in Konoha."

Hanekawa turned to leave but paused mid-step.

He walked back to her.

"…?"

Mei Terumī tensed warily.

"Don’t resist."

Hanekawa pressed a finger to her forehead.

Mei Terumī gasped as a surge of chakra flooded into her.

Seconds later, a diamond-shaped mark appeared on her brow.

"The Yin Seal?!"

She stared in disbelief.

Hanekawa’s actions defied comprehension.

Bestowing a Yin Seal in seconds—was he even human anymore?

"A modified version."

Hanekawa shrugged.

At his current level, creating a makeshift Yin Seal was child’s play.

"Kirigakure isn’t as united as it seems."

He explained. "If you’re in danger, use the chakra stored in the seal."

More importantly, if Mei Terumī tapped into his chakra, he’d sense it immediately.

"Thank you."

Mei Terumī’s voice softened with genuine gratitude.

"No need."

Hanekawa grinned. "You are my little maid, after all."

This time, Mei Terumī didn’t correct him.

As she felt the foreign chakra thrumming in her seal, a thought crossed her mind:

Maybe being his maid isn’t so bad.

"I’ll take my leave now. See you next week."

Hanekawa ruffled her hair. "I’ll be waiting."

"Mhm."

Mei Terumī watched him vanish, a strange emptiness settling in her chest.

Was it because of their fleeting reunion? Or Kirigakure’s impending subjugation?

___

Hokage’s Office.

The moment Hanekawa reappeared, a fragrant breeze assaulted him.

"Hanekawa!"

Samui called out eagerly.

"To the sofa."

Hanekawa patted her pencil skirt.

Samui instantly understood.

Suppressing her anticipation, she walked to the sofa and glanced at Hanekawa for further instructions.

Receiving none, she lay face-down, her black-stockinged legs bent, the curve of her hips accentuated by the tight skirt.

Hanekawa flicked a hand, casting a soundproof barrier over the door.

He approached, gripped her waist, and peeled away the skirt, revealing the black bodystocking beneath.

__

Time passed swiftly.

A week later, Hanekawa stood at Konoha’s gates at dawn, awaiting Kirigakure’s arrival.