327. Tsunade’s New Job

The Hokage’s office.

Hanekawa gazed out the window.

Konoha was experiencing its first snowfall of the year. The view outside was filled with snowflakes as large as goose feathers.

Another year was coming to an end.

Hanekawa thought of his student, Hyūga Hinata.

In the blink of an eye, she was about to turn three.

In the original timeline, a major incident occurred on her third birthday.

She was kidnapped by the leader of a Kumo-nin envoy sent to Konoha.

Fortunately, Hyūga Hiashi discovered it in time and rescued her.

However, Kumogakure used the death of their envoy’s leader to pressure Konoha and the Hyūga clan into handing over the "culprit."

Due to various circumstances, Hyūga Hizashi took his brother Hiashi’s place and went to Kumogakure, where he met a tragic end.

This incident also led to Hyūga Neji’s deep-seated hatred toward the Hyūga main family.

Of course, in the current situation, that event would no longer happen.

What Hanekawa was concerned about was something else.

Hyūga Neji was about to be branded with the Caged Bird Seal.

Hanekawa intended to intervene.

The original purpose of the Caged Bird Seal was to prevent the Byakugan from falling into enemy hands.

But human nature changes.

Now, the seal had become a tool for the Hyūga main family to maintain their authority.

More importantly, as long as the Caged Bird Seal existed, the Hyūga branch family would never truly integrate into Konoha—nor would they ever be loyal to the Hokage.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

Hanekawa turned toward the entrance.

The door opened, followed by the crisp sound of high heels clicking against the floor.

Samui walked in with her usual cold expression.

She was dressed in her standard black secretary outfit.

The fitted women’s suit clung to her voluptuous figure, the collar slightly open to reveal a white blouse and a glimpse of smooth skin.

Her curves tapered at her slender waist, and the pencil skirt accentuated the roundness of her hips.

Below the skirt were long legs clad in black stockings.

With her tall stature, even her casual walk exuded an alluring charm—like a ripe, tempting peach.

Ever since Kumogakure relocated near Konoha, Samui, as the Raikage’s secretary, had finally returned to work in the Hokage’s building.

"Why is your collar unbuttoned?" Hanekawa glanced at her exposed neckline and smiled.

"Would you like to button it for me?" Samui stepped closer, her tone serious.

She had undone the button herself—right before entering.

Because she knew Hanekawa’s preferences.

"No."

Hanekawa grinned. "It’s cold today, and my hands are freezing. You can warm them for me instead."

Samui nodded.

She reached out, took his wrist, and pressed his palm against the fabric of her blouse.

"Thanks."

Hanekawa felt softness and warmth.

"It’s my duty."

Samui’s expression remained unchanged.

Hanekawa noted that she was becoming more and more like Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.

Her personality had always been cold, but after working closely with Kaguya on multiple occasions, the resemblance was inevitable.

"What did you need me for?" Hanekawa asked while continuing to warm his hands.

"There… are two matters."

Samui suppressed the discomfort in her chest and replied.

"Go on."

Hanekawa absentmindedly flexed his fingers.

"The computer technicians you asked me to find a week ago—I’ve located them."

Samui bit her lip. "After searching through ANBU, we identified sixty-seven individuals across the shinobi world who are proficient with computers."

"Good work."

Hanekawa chuckled in approval.

Technology in the shinobi world was somewhat skewed—computers had existed for a long time, but there was no internet.

It wouldn’t be until the Boruto era that the internet would emerge.

Hanekawa had gathered computer experts to accelerate the development of a network.

"Mmm."

Samui let out a soft sound, her body growing weak.

"And the second matter?"

Hanekawa smirked at her flushed face.

Though her personality was becoming more like Kaguya’s, physically, she was the complete opposite.

Kaguya only showed emotion when extremely pleased.

Samui, on the other hand, couldn’t handle even the slightest stimulation.

As Hanekawa had once remarked, she was born to be a water-style shinobi.

"Lord Orochimaru has returned to Konoha with the Otogakure forces."

Samui’s usual icy demeanor faltered, a hint of allure seeping into her expression.

Hanekawa raised an eyebrow.

After Otogakure unified the minor villages, they were supposed to relocate to Konoha together. However, Orochimaru had delayed due to his experiments—only returning now.

The experiment wasn’t the Living Corpse Reincarnation technique, but rather the Cursed Seal.

Since they were now returning en masse, it meant the project was successful.

The Cursed Seal originated from Jūgo, who possessed an innate ability to enter Sage Mode.

A year ago, ANBU had located Jūgo and handed him over to Orochimaru.

Hanekawa was quite interested in the Cursed Seal.

After all, it allowed users to achieve an inferior version of Sage Mode—significantly boosting Konoha’s military strength.

The only issue was the strict conditions for its application.

In the original timeline, only prodigies like Uchiha Sasuke and the Sound Five could withstand the Cursed Seal’s effects.

In other words, ordinary shinobi would struggle to use it.

Hanekawa thought of Kaguya.

Could she modify the Cursed Seal?

The three Great Sage Toads, Snakes, and Slugs might also be of help—given their deep understanding of natural energy and Sage Mode.

In truth, if Hanekawa devoted time to it, he could achieve results himself.

But since others could handle it, he was more than happy to delegate.

"Where is Orochimaru now?" Hanekawa asked.

"After arriving, Jiraiya-sama immediately dragged him to an izakaya."

Samui explained.

Jiraiya had previously been assigned by Hanekawa to the Summoning Beast Corps, but with the New Year approaching, he had returned to Konoha early.

"Did Sensei go as well?"

Hanekawa pondered for a moment.

"Yes."

Samui paused. "Aside from Lady Tsunade, Lord Orochimaru and Lord Jiraiya's students are also present."

Orochimaru’s students were Anko Mitarashi, Yakushi Kabuto, and Uchiha Itachi.

Jiraiya’s students included Namikaze Minato, likely alongside Uzumaki Kushina and Uzumaki Naruto.

As for Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan, they were not currently in Konoha.

"You may leave now."

Hanekawa withdrew his hand.

Samui hesitated, a trace of reluctance flashing in her eyes.

She had expected that after warming his hands, there would be a core-warming session—but there wasn’t.

Still, she didn’t dare protest and quietly exited the office.

__

Konoha Izakaya

"It’s rare for the three of us to reunite! Tonight, we drink until we drop!"

Jiraiya raised his cup enthusiastically. "Cheers!"

"Jiraiya-sensei, there are children here. Maybe take it easy?"

Namikaze Minato glanced at Kabuto and Itachi before offering a gentle reminder.

"The kids can leave after eating. The adults will handle the drinking."

Jiraiya looked at Orochimaru and asked, “Orochimaru, what do you think?”

“I’m fine with anything,” Orochimaru replied calmly.

“Then it’s settled!”

Jiraiya downed his drink in one go and sighed with emotion, “The village’s sake still tastes the best!”

“Why didn’t you ask for my opinion?” Tsunade swirled her glass and asked.

“Do I need to?” Jiraiya said matter-of-factly. “When have you ever missed a drinking session?”

“I…” Tsunade paused for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, “Even our Lord Hokage has come to join in the fun.”

Of course, she knew why Hanekawa had come—it was definitely because of her.

“Sensei.”
Hanekawa stepped forward and greeted each of them.

“Long time no see, Lord Hokage,” Namikaze Minato greeted with his usual sunny smile.

“Senior Minato, we’re not in the Hokage building. Just call me by name,” Hanekawa replied, then turned to Uzumaki Kushina and asked, “Sister Kushina, didn’t Naruto come?”

“He’s still too young. I can’t let him pick up the bad habit of drinking,” Kushina said sternly.

“Drinking isn’t a bad habit,” Jiraiya couldn’t help but comment.

“If I say it is, then it is!” Kushina huffed and glared at him.

Jiraiya could only fall silent with a bitter expression.

When Kushina got angry, she was just like Tsunade—someone he couldn’t afford to mess with.

Especially when it involved Naruto—then it was downright terrifying.

Hanekawa chuckled and sat down beside Tsunade.

“Have you finished your work for today?” Tsunade handed her glass to him and said, “If you’re done, you can have a few drinks.”

“I’m not too busy,” Hanekawa said with a smile, looking at the faint lipstick mark on the rim of the glass. “The busy ones are the advisors and the secretaries.”

“You’re managing so many villages now, you really need to pay more attention,” Tsunade said as she picked up a new glass.

“It’s fine,” Hanekawa took a sip and said, “It’s mealtime right now.”

He understood Tsunade well.

Though she had retired and spent her days gambling and drinking, deep down, like Yahiko and Nagato, she hoped for peace in the ninja world.

Jiraiya looked at Hanekawa’s glass, then at Tsunade’s, wanting to say something but holding back.

From this small detail alone, one could tell that the bond between teacher and student was exceptionally close.

That was the outcome he had always hoped for, but because of the Child of Prophecy, he had kept running away.

Now that the Child of Prophecy had been found, he realized he no longer had a chance.

Tsunade didn’t bother with him at all.

“Orochimaru, now that you’ve come back, are you going to leave again?” Jiraiya changed the topic and asked.

“No,” Orochimaru replied in a flat tone. “The ninja world is unified now. I can finally focus on my experiments in peace.”

“That’s great!” Anko Mitarashi couldn’t help but pump her fist.

Everyone instinctively looked at her.

“I mean, the Sound Village just isn’t as good as Konoha,” Anko explained, shrinking back a little.

Back when she was in the Sound Village, she constantly longed to return to Konoha.

After all, her favorite dango only tasted right in Konoha.

“Well, that’s true,” Jiraiya agreed.

“Uncle Jiraiya, a talent like you shouldn’t be staying in Konoha all the time,” Hanekawa said casually. “I was thinking of assigning you to lead a ninja unit stationed at Sunagakure.”

“Hasn’t Sunagakure already relocated to Konoha?” Jiraiya asked, slightly taken aback.

“That’s right.”

Hanekawa briefly explained to them how ninjas would be handled going forward.

From now on, ninjas would be divided into lifestyle ninjas and combat ninjas.

Lifestyle ninjas would apply chakra across various industries.

As for combat ninjas, they would be stationed at the former Five Great Villages to help maintain peace in the ninja world.

Of course, their numbers would be fewer than before, taking an elite-focused approach.

“I see!”

Jiraiya’s eyes lit up after hearing this. “Leave it to me!”

First, because his dream had always been peace in the ninja world.
Second, because Hanekawa was the Child of Prophecy.
Third, because Hanekawa’s ideas about ninja roles were incredibly novel.

Before Hanekawa, no one had ever proposed that ninjas work across different fields.

This was undoubtedly the transformative change foretold in the prophecy.

In fact, during his stay in Konoha, Jiraiya had already been shocked several times by the changes in the village.

Under Hanekawa’s reforms, the current Konoha was almost unrecognizable to him—yet visibly improved.

Konoha was now far more prosperous and lively. Economically and in population, it had seen huge growth, and everywhere was full of vitality.

And ninjas no longer needed to fight or sacrifice themselves, yet their income kept increasing.

This kind of life had once been unimaginable for Jiraiya.

Hanekawa truly lived up to the title of the Child of Prophecy.

“We can help too,”
Namikaze Minato added at the right moment.

He had once thought Hanekawa became Hokage only because of his performance during the Third Ninja War.

But now, he was wholeheartedly convinced.

If it had been him who became Hokage, Konoha wouldn’t have changed so drastically.

“If there’s something I need from you all, I definitely won’t hold back,” Hanekawa said with a smile.

“Alright, enough work talk during dinner—let’s drink!”
Tsunade raised her glass.

Aside from Kabuto, Anko, and Itachi, she was the only one at the table without a job, spending her days aimlessly.

Hanekawa glanced at her, and a sudden idea came to mind.

He knew there was a job Tsunade would absolutely enjoy.

The group continued eating and drinking.

Unsurprisingly, Tsunade drank the most. By the end, her face was completely flushed, and she was swaying unsteadily.

“I’ll take sensei home,”
Hanekawa stood up and wrapped an arm around her waist.

“Y-You little brat…”
Tsunade murmured as she hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest.

The two of them looked just like a couple, pressed closely together.

Hanekawa raised an eyebrow and used the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Even so, it still caused others at the table to sense something was off.

But considering who the two of them were—and Tsunade being drunk—no one said anything.

Only Jiraiya felt a deep sense of envy.

__

“Sensei, be careful,”
Hanekawa said as he returned to the room, helping Tsunade sit on the bed.

As soon as she sat, she flopped backward.

Her soft, curvy body trembled slightly on the bed, creating gentle ripples.

Hanekawa was already familiar with Tsunade, so this kind of sight didn’t stir him in the slightest.

He reached out, removed her pale green jacket, and tucked her into the blankets.

“Sensei, rest well,”
Hanekawa said, lowering his head to plant a kiss on her cheek before straightening up.

But he didn’t leave the room. Instead, he sat at the desk and picked up a pen.

He was going to write up Tsunade’s new job—Head of the Network Department.

Her role would be to research the network and its applications, such as communications and games.

The reason Hanekawa believed she’d be interested? Games.

Among them were traditional games like card games, which, in essence, were online gambling.

Things like online gambling or mahjong.

Tsunade would most likely enjoy this new form of gambling—and it would give her something meaningful to do.