317. Daily Life with Tsunade

The Hyūga clan's usually quiet compound had been bustling since early morning.

Today was Hyūga Hinata's birthday.

The celebration was scheduled for seven in the evening.

Most of the guests were Hyūga clan ninjas.

Since Hinata was still young and a junior, the event wasn’t overly extravagant.

But the Hyūga clan still took it seriously—not because of Hinata herself, but because her teacher, the Hokage, would be attending.

By five in the afternoon, the various departments of the Hokage Building had begun winding down for the day.

Hanekawa sat at the Hokage’s desk, flipping through a document.

It was a report from Orochimaru.

After nearly a year of effort, his Hidden Sound Village had begun taking shape.

Orochimaru’s methods were similar to those in the original timeline—recruiting small clans and rogue ninjas.

In the current shinobi world, there was no Shinobi Sect.

For ordinary ninjas, learning high-level techniques was extremely difficult.

Those not from the Five Great Villages had access to only basic jutsu, rarely anything above B-rank.

Orochimaru used jutsu as bait, luring these small clans and rogue ninjas into working for him.

Well… it was a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Hanekawa spotted a familiar name on the list—Guren.

She possessed the Crystal Release kekkei genkai, the ability to crystallize anything. Her combat skills were formidable.

Hanekawa’s first thought was to learn Crystal Release himself.

In his opinion, using it purely for battle was a waste.

Like Wood Release, Crystal Release could have tremendous applications in daily life.

He also considered Magnet Release—another versatile ability.

"The Hidden Sand and Hidden Stone Villages are holding out surprisingly well."

Hanekawa chuckled.

A month ago, Kakuzu and Konan’s "Thousand Sunny Company" had sold them chakra cannons—weapons powerful enough to pierce the moon.

Yet, even with such firepower, neither village had dared to attack Konoha.

Hanekawa understood their hesitation.

This was an all-or-nothing gamble, and neither the Sand nor Stone Village was ready to take that risk.

He decided to wait a little longer.

If they still refused to act, he had one last option—taking control of the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, and the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, forcing them to declare war.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Hanekawa picked up a pen.

Orochimaru’s report was asking for guidance on the Hidden Sound’s next steps.

As he read, an idea struck him.

Orochimaru’s establishment of the Hidden Sound wasn’t exactly a secret.

If the Sand or Stone Villages investigated, they’d likely trace it back to Konoha.

Hanekawa saw an opportunity to push them toward war—by having the Hidden Sound unify the minor villages outside the Five Great Nations.

These small villages acted as buffers between the major powers.

If those buffers disappeared, tensions would inevitably rise.

Especially among the four villages outside Konoha—without neutral zones, they’d become direct neighbors, increasing the pressure.

"Kaguya."

Hanekawa called out.

Ōtsutsuki Kaguya appeared before him, wearing her ANBU mask.

"Deliver this to Tsukihime."

He scribbled a few lines on the document and handed it to her.

The Hidden Sound was capable, but conquering the minor villages alone was unrealistic.

He planned to send Tsukihime and ANBU to assist.

With her there, resistance would be minimal.

Kaguya nodded and vanished.

Hanekawa stood, glancing at the time.

Hinata’s birthday celebration was at seven—still two hours away.

As her teacher and the Hokage, he had no reason to arrive early.

In fact, he was expected to make a grand entrance.

With a flicker of the Flying Thunder God Technique, the surroundings blurred—

And suddenly, the noise of a bustling crowd filled his ears.

He was in a casino.

Hanekawa scanned the room, surprised.

Today, Tsunade wasn’t at the gambling tables—she was playing a slot machine.

Slot machines existed in this world.

In the original timeline, before Orochimaru sought Tsunade to heal his arms, she’d won big on one.

Of course, every time she won, something disastrous followed.

"Sensei."

Hanekawa approached, casually resting a hand on her shoulder, fingers twirling a strand of her golden hair.

The slot machine chimed, the spinning symbols slowing to a stop.

"Finally! A win!"

Tsunade blinked, then grinned triumphantly.

Hanekawa’s gaze instinctively dipped—

Her excited movements had loosened her collar, revealing a generous glimpse of smooth skin.

From his angle, the view was… unobstructed.

"Sensei, since when do you play slots?"

He kept his tone casual.

"Why do you care?"

Tsunade’s smile faltered, her expression turning defensive.

The truth was, slots required less money than the tables.

After losing most of her funds earlier, she’d switched to the cheaper option.

But she’d never admit that.

In her mind, her luck was always just about to turn.

Hanekawa smirked.

He’d already guessed the reason.

"Planning to keep playing?"

He leaned in, his breath brushing her neck.

A faint floral scent lingered on her skin.

"Of course! I’m going to win back everything I lost!"

Tsunade tossed another coin into the machine, eyes fixed on the spinning symbols.

"Just saw my luck change—no way I’m stopping now!"

"In that case, I’ll leave you to it. I’ll come back later."

Hanekawa feigned a step back, teasing.

"No!"

Tsunade’s hand shot out, gripping his sleeve.

If he left, her winning streak would vanish.

She knew it.

"You’re off duty anyway. Stay and wait for me."

She cleared her throat, trying to sound nonchalant.

"We’ll go home together after."

"I have to visit the Hyūga clan later."

Hanekawa settled onto the stool beside her.

"The Hyūga? Did something happen with the Mining Division?"

Tsunade fed another coin into the machine without looking up.

Though retired, she still kept loose tabs on major affairs—like the Hyūga’s expanding mining operations across the Land of Fire.

But what really interested her was the railway system.

Initially built for ore transport, passenger trains had recently been added.

Out of curiosity, Tsunade had taken one.

Aside from the slow speed, the experience was surprisingly comfortable—a luxury compared to the usual rough travel ninjas endured.

"No."

Hanekawa shook his head.

"It’s Hinata’s birthday."

"Ah, that explains it."

Tsunade’s eyes remained glued to the spinning symbols.

They aligned—three sevens in a row.

The machine erupted in a cacophony of clinking coins.

"Hah! Jackpot!"

Tsunade’s laughter rang out, her face alight with victory.

Hanekawa took the opportunity to lean in, pressing his lips to hers.

"Wha—?!"

She jerked back, glaring.

"Are you insane? Someone could see!"


Ordinary intimate gestures, like holding hands or casual physical contact, didn’t bother her.

But kissing—if someone saw that—there would be no way to explain it, even with ten mouths.

“Don’t worry, there’s no one around. They’re all at the gambling tables,”
Hanekawa said seriously, though clearly making things up. “This is just me being happy for my teacher’s win.”

“You really think I’ll believe that?”
Tsunade rolled her eyes.

“Well, do you still want tomorrow’s money or not?”
Hanekawa asked as he placed his hand on her thigh.

The soft, full sensation made him reluctant to move away.

“What’s this supposed to mean?”
Tsunade gave him a light kick. “Are you trying to threaten me?”

“Your student wouldn’t dare,”
Hanekawa replied, though just as he tried to move his hand, it was caught.

Tsunade’s strength was no joke—she was a taijutsu expert, after all.

Hanekawa tried to pull his hand back but failed. So instead, he tapped her inner thigh twice with his finger.

“Quit messing around,”
Tsunade grunted, grabbed his wrist, and tossed his hand aside. “Wait till I finish gambling.”

She was worried Hanekawa wouldn’t be able to control himself and would try something right there—
which had happened a few times before.

They’d barely played a couple of rounds before ending up back home for a different kind of “betting.”

“Yes, Sensei,”
Hanekawa said with a grin, finally settling down.

He scooted closer and leaned against her shoulder as they watched the slot machine together.

Tsunade glanced at him and smirked slightly.

She slipped her left hand into his palm, while continuing to insert coins with her right.

Seeing her so comfortable with the gesture, Hanekawa casually played with her fingers.

Time passed slowly.

“That’s it for today,”
Tsunade said an hour later, gathering the coins she’d won.

“I thought you’d play until seven,”
Hanekawa said, gently stroking the back of her hand.

“I’m hungry. I want to eat,”
Tsunade replied.

“How about we head to the Hyuga clan for dinner?”
Hanekawa asked, eyes drifting to her pale, soft skin rising and falling with her breath.

“Nope,”
Tsunade refused immediately. “I want to eat your cooking.”

“And what’s Sensei offering in return?”
Hanekawa sat up and gave her a little tug, pulling her right into his arms.

“You’re trying to take advantage of me again.”
Tsunade met his gaze, instantly understanding what he was after.

“You’re the one taking advantage of me,”
Hanekawa corrected with a smirk.

“Twisted logic,”
Tsunade muttered, rolling her eyes again. “I’ll help you cook.”

She straightened up, wrapping her arms around his neck.

The soft and heavy sensation pressing against him stirred something within Hanekawa.

Holding her curvaceous and perfect figure close, he disappeared from the spot.

They reappeared in Tsunade’s kitchen.

A single silhouette emerged.


But if you looked closely, there were actually two people.

Because they were so close together, their shadows had merged.

Tsunade exhaled deeply, revealing her fair shoulder.

Her head tilted back slightly, and beads of sweat formed along her neck.

Hanekawa had one arm around her shoulder while the other was cooking.

Since it was just Tsunade eating, he planned to make a single bowl of ramen.

Thin noodles dropped into the boiling water, sending ripples across the surface.

Hanekawa leaned in and gently bit her ear while still watching the pot of ramen.

Tsunade, facing away from the pot, couldn’t see what he was doing.

A blush crept across her beautiful face, her breathing grew rapid, heart racing, and her skin trembled ever so slightly.

Soon, the bowl of ramen was ready.

Since Tsunade was a bit… preoccupied, Hanekawa fed her himself.

Before they knew it, it was already 7 p.m.

Once Tsunade had eaten her fill, Hanekawa stepped out feeling refreshed.

“Lord Hokage!”

Hyuga Hizashi was already waiting at the door and stepped forward as Hanekawa exited.

“Thanks for waiting, Uncle Hizashi,”
Hanekawa said with a slight nod.

Under normal circumstances, there was no reason for Hiashi to wait at the door like this.

First, because this was an internal gathering of the Hyuga clan.

Second, because his current status was quite elevated—after taking charge of the mining division, he’d become one of Konoha’s top officials.

Clearly, he was waiting here specifically for Hanekawa.

“Please, come in.”

Hizashi respectfully stepped aside and followed behind him.

Hanekawa entered the courtyard.

“Lord Hokage,”
Hyuga Hiashi appeared with a warm smile.

Standing next to him was a woman about his age—his wife.

But Hanekawa’s gaze landed on the little girl in her arms.

White eyes, short black hair, and a fair, rosy-cheeked face—all unmistakable signs of her identity.

“Hinata, greet your teacher,”
Hiashi prompted.

“T-Teacher,”
Hinata said sweetly and shyly.

“I have a gift for you,”
Hanekawa said, gently patting her head.

A light chakra flowed into her body.

Hinata instinctively looked up at him, her eyes full of curiosity.

She could feel a warm sensation circulating inside her, though she didn’t understand what it meant.

Hizashi and Hiashi exchanged glances.

They, too, sensed the chakra.

If Hanekawa weren’t the Hokage, they would’ve activated their Byakugan on the spot to investigate.

But that would be an offense against the Hokage—so they didn’t dare.

“All done,”
Hanekawa said, withdrawing his hand.

His gift was actually simple: he had enhanced Hinata’s bloodline, pushing it closer to that of the Otsutsuki clan.

Specifically, the Otsutsuki lineage from Toneri’s branch—not Kaguya’s.

“Hinata, thank your teacher.”

No matter what the gift was, it definitely wasn’t trivial—and definitely not harmful.

“Thank you, Teacher,”
Hinata said obediently.

“Lord Hokage, please take the main seat.”

Hiashi raised a hand and gestured toward the honored position.

Hanekawa nodded and took his place without hesitation.

Hinata’s birthday banquet officially began.

Hanekawa didn’t do much—just shared a meal—then returned home.

After he left, Hiashi quickly came over to examine Hinata.

He couldn’t suppress his curiosity any longer.

“Well?”
Hizashi asked after a few seconds, just as curious about Hanekawa’s mysterious gift.

“It’s… strange,”
Hiashi said with a frown. “I don’t sense any changes in her body.”

“Maybe we should just ask Hinata,”
Hizashi suggested.

“Hinata,”
Hiashi said after a moment’s thought,
“Try to activate the chakra your teacher gave you.”

Although Hinata was still very young, children in the ninja world matured early—especially those with her background. She already understood what chakra was.

After hearing the request, Hinata focused.

Chakra stirred—and her Byakugan activated.

“W-What?!”

Hiashi and the others were stunned.

The Byakugan wasn’t particularly hard to awaken. In theory, every Hyuga could activate it after enough training.

But that typically happened at age eleven or older.

For someone Hinata’s age—it was unheard of.