Samui's emerald eyes fixed on Hanekawa with an intensity that made her intentions clear. The blonde kunoichi from the Hidden Cloud had come to Konoha with a specific purpose—to test the limits of the genius everyone kept talking about.

  "Be careful," she said, her voice steady despite her youth.

  Here we go, Hanekawa thought. Strength assessment time. I'm guessing the Third Raikage sent her to confirm I'm still properly... contained.

  Samui's body flashed forward with impressive speed. Hanekawa watched her approach, noting the precision of her movements. He formed hand seals without hesitation.

  "Genjutsu: Sharingan Illusion!"

  The world shifted. Samui's vision fractured into a thousand spinning images before she could process what happened. Her dagger swept through empty air.

  "Illusion, Release!"

  Her eyes cleared just in time to feel cold steel against her throat. Hanekawa's katana rested gently against her neck, his expression calm and almost apologetic.

  "That was quick," he said simply.

  Samui's face flushed crimson. "That doesn't count! Again!"

  Oh, she's competitive. I like that. Hanekawa lowered his blade. "Fair enough. No genjutsu this time."

  She gripped her dagger tighter, took a breath, and launched herself forward even faster than before. This time, Hanekawa didn't dodge. He met her blade with his own.

  The impact sent a shockwave through her arm. Her fingers went numb. The dagger clattered to the ground, and she skidded backward, crashing against the wall hard enough to knock the wind from her lungs.

  "Again?" Hanekawa asked, not unkindly.

  Samui retrieved her weapon with shaking hands. She was breathing hard now, but her eyes burned with determination. She attacked again, this time channeling Lightning Style chakra through her strikes. The dagger became a blur of silver and blue.

  Hanekawa sidestepped the flurry of attacks, then created two shadow clones. Three versions of him surrounded her, katanas raised.

  "Dance of the Three Suns and Moons!"

  She managed to block the center blade, but the other two found their marks—one on each side of her neck. She froze, realizing the fight was over before it had truly begun.

  "How about it?" Hanekawa withdrew his clones.

  Samui's shoulders sagged. "I... I lost."

  The defeat stung worse than any physical blow. She'd been outmatched in every way—speed, strength, technique, everything. There was no comparison between them.

  "You're stronger than most genin," Hanekawa said, and he meant it. "You're just young. You'll improve."

  He extended his hand. Samui hesitated, then took it.

  "Your swordsmanship has potential," he continued, patting her head gently. "I can show you some techniques while we're here."

  Welcome to the Head-Patting Village, Hanekawa thought with amusement. Population: everyone I meet.

  Samui looked up at him, confused by the gesture. Then something clicked. "We're both from the Hidden Cloud, aren't we?"

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  The realization hit her like a lightning bolt. She'd never thought of him that way before—he'd always been "Konoha's genius," "Tsunade's student." But now, seeing him like this, understanding his strength, his character... she finally grasped why the Third Raikage regretted letting him go.

  The door opened. Dodai stepped inside, taking in the scene of two young ninjas discussing swordsmanship. His expression shifted to understanding.

  "Hanekawa," he said, approaching and patting the boy's shoulder. "You've done well in Konoha. The Raikage asked me to convey his gratitude."

  "It's what I should do," Hanekawa replied seriously.

  Right. The seal check. Let's keep this quick before Tsunade gets suspicious.

  "We should wrap this up," Dodai said. "We don't want to draw unwanted attention. Tsuchihashi will contact you if anything comes up."

  Hanekawa nodded. The meeting had served its purpose—confirming the seal was still in place, that he remained bound to the Hidden Cloud's interests.

  A moment later, Hina's voice called from outside. "Little guest, Granny Cat wants to see you, meow!"

  "I'll take my leave," Hanekawa said, excusing himself.

  Once he was gone, Dodai sighed. "Remarkable talent. The kind that comes along once in a generation."

  Samui stared at the empty doorway, her mind racing. In less than ten minutes, Hanekawa had completely dismantled her confidence and rebuilt her respect for him. She dreaded explaining this to Yugito.

  ---

  Hanekawa followed Hina through the winding paths of the empty district until they reached a modest structure surrounded by ninja cats. The air smelled of pipe smoke and ink.

  Granny Cat sat cross-legged, her orange coat bright against the shadows, black cat ears perched on her head. She looked up from her work as he entered.

  "So you're Hanekawa," she said, unsurprised. "Shisui mentioned you. Looking for ninja tools?"

  "Actually, I need a few things," Hanekawa said, settling across from her. He produced his katana and a lightning chakra crystal. "Can you integrate these?"

  "No problem." She waved a paw, and a ninja cat collected his items.

  "I also need a wakizashi forged from chakra metal," he continued. "A backup blade."

  The cat lady smiled. "Ambitious. That'll take time—three months, at least."

  "That works. I'll return before the fourth-grade finals."

  After arranging the details, Hanekawa stood to leave. Granny Cat ordered Hina to escort him back to the village.

  The ninja cat walked beside him until they reached the village boundary. "Right here, meow."

  "One question," Hanekawa said, crouching down. "Can I pet your head?"

  "No, meow!" Hina's ears flattened indignantly. "I'm not some house cat!"

  Hanekawa raised a finger. "What about one thousand ryō?"

  Hina's eyes widened. After a moment's hesitation, she nodded.

  Hanekawa's hand found her soft fur, and he began the ancient art of cat massage—the technique that transcended species and time. Hina's eyes slowly closed in bliss.

  I just bribed a ninja cat with money and cat scratches, Hanekawa thought. My life has become very strange.

  After the transaction was complete, Hina waved goodbye with surprising enthusiasm. Hanekawa headed toward Konoha Hospital, his mind already shifting to his next priority: maxing out his medical ninjutsu proficiency.

  ---

  Three months passed in a blur of training, missions, and hospital work. By the time March arrived, Hanekawa had made significant progress. The fourth-grade finals were approaching, and he had one final errand before the exams began.

  Granny Cat's workshop was exactly as he'd left it. She handed him two beautifully crafted blades.

  The katana he named Thunder and Fire Sword—a fitting name given its enhanced lightning properties.

  The wakizashi he called Zangetsu—Moon Slash.

  Both weapons gleamed with purpose.

  [B-Rank Ninja Tool Entry: Thunder and Fire Sword]

  [Trigger Condition: Lightning Chakra Crystal Integration]

  [Effects: Chakra conduction speed +10%, Durability +100%, Lightning Chakra power +10%, Lightning Chakra conduction speed +100%]

  [C-Rank Ninja Tool Entry: Zangetsu]

  [Trigger Condition: Chakra Metal Forging]

  [Effects: Chakra conduction speed +10%, Durability +100%]

  The upgrades were substantial. The Thunder and Fire Sword's new effects would give him a significant edge in combat, especially against opponents who used Lightning Style jutsu.

  Not bad, Hanekawa thought, testing the weight of both blades. Now let's see if Kakashi's ready for what's coming.

  He had a feeling the finals were going to be interesting.