319. The Alliance of the Hidden Stone and Hidden Sand

Konoha's Shinobi Sect

Hanekawa surveyed the newly constructed facility.

After six months of construction, the Shinobi Sect was finally ready for operation.

The complex was twice the size of the neighboring Ninja Academy, yet Hanekawa still considered it somewhat small.

No matter. There would be opportunities for expansion later. Building too large now would be meaningless without sufficient students to fill it.

"Hanekawa!"

A familiar voice called out - Sarutobi Asuma. Standing beside him was Uchiha Shisui.

Hanekawa had entrusted Shisui with the Shinobi Sect's reconstruction during Yuuhi Kurenai's birthday celebration. Now that construction was complete, Uchiha Shisui had officially become its director.

As for Sarutobi Asuma, he had come voluntarily.

After leaving the Mining Division, he had planned to become a squad leader. But upon hearing about the Shinobi Sect's revival, he requested to join instead.

The Shinobi Sect now functioned as one of Konoha's official institutions, equivalent in status to the ANBU or Mining Division.

"Senior Hanekawa."

Uchiha Shisui offered a formal greeting as they approached, his demeanor more reserved compared to Asuma's casual manner.

"This is the current status report of the Shinobi Sect."

Shisui presented a prepared scroll. Hanekawa had previously notified him of his visit for the inauguration.

Hanekawa nodded and unrolled the scroll.

The contents matched his initial specifications.

The Shinobi Sect was divided into seven departments: Medical Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, Fire Release, Wind Release, Water Release, Lightning Release, and Earth Release.

The first batch of students consisted of recent graduates from the Ninja Academy - mostly twelve-year-olds who had only mastered basic techniques like the Three Academy Jutsu. After chakra nature testing, they were assigned to the appropriate departments.

While standard chakra paper could only detect the five basic natures, Hanekawa's modifications allowed for identification of Yin and Yang releases as well.

"Too few students," Hanekawa remarked after reviewing the report. "Have all major clans send their eligible members."

"Wouldn't that cause issues?" Asuma hesitated.

"No issues at all," Hanekawa replied with a light chuckle. "If any clan has objections, let them come to me directly."

"Understood." Asuma didn't press further.

Truthfully, even with clan members included, student numbers would remain insufficient. Hanekawa's real target was students from other villages.

Only by incorporating trainees from all hidden villages could he achieve the desired enrollment.

Beyond the seven existing departments, Hanekawa planned to add an eighth - the Scientific Research Institute.

Konoha already housed numerous ninja researchers, from former ROOT members to specialists like Orochimaru and Yakushi Kabuto.

However, they were all self-taught, as the Ninja Academy offered no formal research curriculum.

Hanekawa's plan called for three years of foundational ninjutsu training.

Students showing aptitude would continue as ninja, while others would transition to the Research Institute.

This institute wouldn't focus solely on scientific research but also practical applications - Wood Release for civil engineering, Water Release for irrigation systems, and so forth.

"For now, this will do." Hanekawa returned the scroll to Shisui. "You may resume your duties."

"See you later." Asuma led Shisui back to the Sect's administrative offices. As a new institution, there was no shortage of work awaiting them.

"Kaguya, what are your thoughts?" Hanekawa asked.

"I preferred the original Shinobi Sect," came the reply as Ōtsutsuki Kaguya materialized beside him.

"Times have changed. That version can't be replicated," Hanekawa shook his head.

"It matters not to me." Kaguya's expression remained neutral beneath her ANBU mask.

Even the original Shinobi Sect held little sentimental value - her memories centered solely on the time spent there with Hanekawa.

"Would you like to oversee the Sect?" Hanekawa turned to her, though the mask concealed her features.

"No. No chakra involved." Her response was terse.

A millennium ago, she had become the Shinobi Sect's Rabbit Goddess because it facilitated chakra's dissemination.

Now that chakra was universally established, the Sect held no purpose for her.

"You're remarkably single-minded," Hanekawa chuckled.

Kaguya tilted her head slightly in silent inquiry.

"Perhaps it's better this way," Hanekawa stepped closer. "Stay by my side instead."

"Mm." Kaguya nodded. "I will."

"Good girl." Hanekawa reached out to pinch her thigh playfully.

"Return home now?" Kaguya caught his wrist.

"Later tonight," Hanekawa replied with mild amusement.

Kaguya had developed a habit of seizing every opportunity for intimacy. Sometimes Hanekawa hesitated to initiate contact, knowing it might lead to being pinned down.

"Understood." Her disappointment was minimal - she'd grown accustomed to occasional refusals. At least evenings usually provided satisfactory compensation.

"Let's return to the Hokage's office." A flicker of the Flying Thunder God Technique transported them away.

"Hanekawa?" Yuuhi Kurenai rose from the sofa as they appeared.

"How long have you been waiting?" Hanekawa moved to embrace her waist, breathing in her subtle fragrance.

"Wait-" Kurenai glanced nervously at Kaguya. "We're not alone."

"It's fine," Hanekawa assured her. "She's ANBU - completely discreet."

"Who is she really?" Kurenai eyed Kaguya's distinctive horns with curiosity.

"ANBU identities remain classified," Hanekawa murmured against Kurenai's neck. "Shouldn't the Hokage's secretary know this?"

"I- of course I know!" Kurenai shivered, a blush coloring her cheeks. Even this mild intimacy before an observer flustered her, despite their far more private exchanges.

"Dismissed," Hanekawa told Kaguya, who vanished with a nod.

  Seeing this, Yuuhi Kurenai visibly relaxed.

"Do you need me for something?" Hanekawa sat on the sofa but didn't release Kurenai. He shifted from holding her waist to cradling her thighs. She wasn't wearing stockings, and the soft, pale flesh of her legs filled his vision. Hanekawa leaned in and kissed her thigh.

"Dirty," Kurenai reflexively tensed her legs.

"How could it be dirty?" Hanekawa chuckled. "Your thighs look like white jade—I can't keep my hands off them."

"Stop saying such strange things," Kurenai protested, her blush deepening. But she knew Hanekawa meant it. After all, he had done far more outrageous things to her at night.

"Fine, I won't say it," Hanekawa conceded, his hands still stroking her long, fair thighs.

"And stop touching!" Kurenai scolded, torn between embarrassment and frustration. "I have urgent news to report!"

"What's so urgent?" Hanekawa nuzzled her thigh.

"Is the Hidden Sound Village Lord Orochimaru's doing?" Kurenai took a deep breath before asking.

"Yes," Hanekawa admitted without hesitation, having already guessed the topic. "I ordered him to establish it."

"And what about the conquest of the Land of Iron?" Kurenai's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Was that also your command?"

"That was me too," Hanekawa answered frankly.

"No wonder," Kurenai murmured, quickly regaining her composure. Hanekawa had previously mentioned his ambition to unify the shinobi world, but she had assumed he meant only the Five Great Nations—not the minor villages.

Though, strictly speaking, the Land of Iron didn't even have a hidden village.

"I've just received intelligence from several villages," Kurenai said, looking down at Hanekawa. Unable to resist, she reached out and ruffled his hair. "They claim your actions against the Land of Iron violate established rules."

The Land of Iron was a neutral nation. By convention, neither hidden villages nor their affiliated countries were permitted to attack it—a principle underscored in the original timeline when the Five Kage Summit preceding the Fourth Great Shinobi War was held there.

"The Hidden Sound Village broke the rules. What does that have to do with Konoha?" Hanekawa deadpanned.

"You don't honestly think they won't trace the Hidden Sound back to its founder, do you?" Kurenai retorted.

"I'm counting on them to figure it out," Hanekawa replied, giving her thigh a playful squeeze. "Combined with the weapons they've purchased, they'll make their move soon."

"So that's your plan," Kurenai murmured, then brightened with excitement. "Does that mean Konoha should prepare for another war?"

She didn't relish conflict, but she adored guaranteed victories. With Hanekawa leading them, Konoha's triumph seemed assured.

"Not Konoha—just me," Hanekawa corrected.

The village was in the midst of restructuring.

Mobilizing for war now would disrupt progress.

If so, why involve them at all? At his current strength, Hanekawa could single-handedly dismantle four nations. And for added insurance, he could always bring Kaguya along.

"What do you mean?" Kurenai blinked, momentarily confused.

"I mean I can handle them alone," Hanekawa stated bluntly.

"But—isn't that dangerous?" Kurenai's chest tightened with concern.

"You doubt my abilities?" Hanekawa tilted his head up, though his view was obstructed by the generous curves of her chest.

While Kurenai couldn't rival Samui in that regard, she was hardly lacking. And right now, pressed this close, the comparison hardly mattered.

"I don't," Kurenai admitted after a brief hesitation. "But I worry they might unite against us."

"They probably will," Hanekawa conceded. "But even united, they're nothing more than a disorganized mob—hardly a threat."

"If you're that confident, I won't press further," Kurenai relented.

"Just keep an eye on the other villages' movements," Hanekawa said dismissively. "As for the Hidden Sound, leave it be."

"Understood." Kurenai's eyes gleamed with a sudden idea. "Can I come with you?"

"And do what?" Hanekawa's hand drifted upward to her backside, giving it a light pat. "Be a good girl and wait for me at home."

Kurenai yelped in protest. "Why did you hit me?"

"Punishment for misbehaving," Hanekawa teased, his touch softening to a caress along her thigh.

"You're just taking advantage," Kurenai huffed.

"I'm the Hokage," Hanekawa countered. "Everything I do serves a purpose. How could it be taking advantage?"

"Even Hokage shouldn't lie," Kurenai shot back, her expression stern.

"Then... shall I make it up to you?" Hanekawa's tone turned suggestive.

"Not now!" Kurenai quickly pulled away, putting distance between them. "I still have work to do!"

Previous "apologies" from Hanekawa had left her utterly drained—hardly conducive to productivity.

"What kind of attitude is that?" Hanekawa stood, pinching her cheek lightly.

"Your apologies are never proper ones," Kurenai muttered, then turned on her heel. "I'm leaving!"

Without another word, she strode out of the Hokage's office.

Kurenai hadn't lied—she truly had tasks awaiting her. The most pressing was responding to the other villages. Following Hanekawa's directive, her reply was succinct: Konoha had no connection to the Hidden Sound's actions.

Within hours, the message reached every major village.

The Hidden Sand and Hidden Stone, in particular, reacted with outrage. Hanekawa could imagine their fury but paid it no mind.

A week passed uneventfully.

Hanekawa spent his days alternating between Tsunade, Kurenai, Kaguya, and Samui. If this continued, he mused, he might earn himself a "Time Management Master" title.

Then, one day, a knock sounded at the Hokage's office door.

Before Hanekawa could respond, it swung open. Only Kurenai would dare such informality. Tsunade, now retired, hadn't set foot in the office since.

"Hanekawa!" Kurenai hurried in, her expression grave. "The Hidden Sand and Hidden Stone have just announced an alliance."

"Not surprising," Hanekawa remarked with a faint smile.

"What should we do?" Kurenai asked, her tension easing slightly at his calm demeanor.

"Nothing," Hanekawa shrugged. "Let them make the first move."

"Understood," Kurenai nodded. "I'll have ANBU monitor them closely."

"Anything else?" Hanekawa prompted.

"This just arrived from the Hidden Sound." Kurenai produced a scroll. "After the Land of Iron, they've taken the Land of Hot Water."

Hanekawa unfurled the report.

The Land of Iron had its samurai. The Land of Hot Water housed the Hidden Hot Springs Village—though its shinobi were largely unremarkable, save for a faction devoted to the cult of Jashin.

In the original timeline, Hidan of the Akatsuki had hailed from there, his immortality granted by the cursed god.

Hanekawa skimmed the scroll.

It mentioned Jashin's followers—all of whom had been eliminated by Tsukihime.