Hatake Clan Dojo.
Kawakaze had stood motionless for so long that Sakumo thought his brother might have been possessed. After receiving a cold, detached response when he approached to check, Sakumo left in embarrassment.
Nearby, Nawaki finished his horse stance practice and transitioned into sword drills. The breeze stirred Kawakaze's silver hair, which clung to his sweat-drenched face as he stood deep in concentration. His mental energy was stretched thin, his focus entirely on the Flying Thunder God Technique. Though he felt a faint, tantalizing connection, the breakthrough remained elusive. It was as if a thin layer of paper stood between him and mastery. If he could just pierce through it, he'd unlock the secret of spatial movement.
The power of space… Kawakaze mused silently. Mito Uzumaki's Fūinjutsu had given him a glimpse through the window of understanding; now it was up to him to push it fully open.
Realizing the key still lay in sensing the power of space, he decided to change his approach. Wiping the sweat from his brow, Kawakaze used a teleportation technique to reposition himself beneath a tree. There, he unsheathed the Eight-Sided Han Sword, which instantly disappeared from sight.
Closing his eyes, Kawakaze felt for the faint, shifting threads of spatial energy—wild and violent, yet infinitely intricate. He'd never encountered a power so enigmatic. The sword appeared and vanished repeatedly in his hands as he immersed himself in the fleeting moments between its presence and absence. Each transition was a fleeting window into the mysteries of space.
Suddenly, inspiration struck. Wrapping the sword in Chakra, he bridged the final gap. In that moment, clarity dawned.
The power of space.
When Kawakaze opened his eyes, they gleamed with determination. Without hesitation, he flung the Eight-Sided Han Sword toward Nawaki, who was deep in sword practice. The unexpected attack jolted Nawaki into panic.
"Big Brother! I'm your brother-in-law!" Nawaki cried, frantically raising his wooden sword as a shield. His arms trembled as he ducked behind them, eyes tightly shut. The cry was so loud that it drew Sakumo and Nayuki's attention.
Brother-in-law? So you have a brother-in-law? Kawakaze's thoughts were elsewhere, however, and a slight smile tugged at his lips as he stopped the sword's advance just before it reached Nawaki. He gripped the hilt firmly, the Flying Thunder God Technique now fully realized.
"Big Brother, you weren't actually going to kill me, were you?" Nawaki cautiously opened his eyes when no pain came, only to find Kawakaze standing calmly with the sword in hand. Relieved, he patted his chest and let out a long breath.
The fear still lingered. Facing Kawakaze's strength was like staring down death itself. Even Orochimaru-sensei probably wouldn't escape unscathed if he faced him directly.
"You're my dearest brother-in-law. How could I harm you?" Kawakaze replied lightly, sheathing his sword. "This was just my first attempt at the Flying Thunder God Technique."
He placed a friendly hand on Nawaki's shoulder, but the gesture only deepened Nawaki's discomfort. Testing ninjutsu on me? You really are a good brother-in-law.
Though the thought crossed his mind, Nawaki kept his complaints hidden, forcing a strained smile instead. It's bitter… but who would dare to speak out?
"Big Brother, you're truly a genius! You mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique in just one morning!" Nawaki exclaimed.
"Not at all. The real credit belongs to your grandmother," Kawakaze replied, though the pride in his expression betrayed his modest words. Without Mito Uzumaki's Spatial Seal, he doubted he could have reached this level so quickly.
"Keep practicing. I'll call you for lunch," Kawakaze said as he sheathed the Eight-Sided Han Sword and walked away.
"I'll… just take it easy for now," Nawaki muttered to himself, still shaken. His energy was utterly depleted, and his limbs refused to cooperate for further training. Instead, he idly watched Kawakaze shuttle back and forth between the tree and a stone table. It wasn't until he looked closer that he noticed something: the Senju Clan emblem marked the underside of the table. Kawakaze had already prepared a teleportation point there as part of his practice.
When lunchtime finally rolled around, Nawaki, still hungry and recovering, rushed to meet Kawakaze as soon as the butler appeared. Kawakaze had just finished tidying up his sword and seemed in high spirits. Now that he had unlocked the Flying Thunder God Technique, only daily practice remained before he could use it seamlessly in combat.
This afternoon, he planned to visit the weaponsmith's forge to commission custom Senbon needles, feeling they were better suited for stealthy use compared to Kunai.
As Kawakaze turned to head to lunch, Tsunade arrived.
"Tsunade, you're just in time. Care to join us for a drink?" Kawakaze offered, his joy from the morning's success evident.
"No, I'm not drinking," Tsunade snapped, giving him a sharp glare. Still trying to take advantage of me with that cheerful mood? she thought. "I went to see Sensei, and he—"
"Let's eat and talk on the way," Kawakaze interrupted smoothly, cutting off her rising anger. Staying here too long would only delay their meal.
"Fine, I won't argue," Tsunade said, though it was clear she wasn't pleased. Without further ceremony, she grabbed Nawaki by the neck and dragged him along. Poor Nawaki, still reeling from his morning, had no choice but to stumble along behind her.
At the Hatake Clan dining room, the group met Sakumo and Nayuki. After exchanging polite greetings, Tsunade unceremoniously deposited Nawaki in his seat and sat down herself.
As everyone took their places, Sakumo immediately began eating, decisively breaking the ice. Lunch passed without Baijiu this time—yesterday's debacle had left a lasting impression, and Sakumo had wisely ordered the servants to clear away all the sake.
Midway through the meal, Kawakaze casually picked up the thread of an earlier conversation. "What did the Third Hokage say about the land?" he asked between bites of tuna sushi.
Tsunade sighed, setting down her chopsticks. "Sensei said he would discuss it with the higher-ups, but he didn't give a clear answer either way."
The uncertainty in her voice matched the frown on her face. Nawaki, meanwhile, was wolfing down food, oblivious to the discussion.
Sakumo, ever self-aware, refrained from commenting on anything related to politics or finances. Killing enemies? That was his domain. Business and bureaucracy? He left those to others. Nayuki, for her part, remained quietly attentive, lending her ears to the conversation without speaking.
"Don't worry. The land approval should come through. It's just a matter of how much money will change hands."
Tsunade stared at him, perplexed. "Why are you so certain, Kawakaze? Do you have an informant close to the Hokage?"
Looking at her innocent curiosity, Kawakaze shook his head with a slight smile. You really have a lot to learn if you're going to become Hokage.
Kawakaze continued, his tone steady and measured. "The Third Hokage's main concerns are whether this benefits Konoha and whether it threatens his position. Even if the Hatake Clan establishes a hospital and generates wealth, it will remain a small clan with ample resources, not a political powerhouse."
"He gains goodwill from the villagers by selling the land, and it doesn't pose any threat to his authority. This deal is as good as done."
"However…" Kawakaze trailed off deliberately, drawing everyone's attention. Three pairs of eyes locked on him, their curiosity palpable.
Kawakaze let the moment hang before speaking again. "The land approval is only the first step. You can expect trouble—some people will inevitably try to stir things up, seeing the Hatake Clan as a potential threat."
"Who?" Tsunade and Sakumo demanded simultaneously, their voices sharp with determination. They glanced at each other awkwardly before exchanging wry smiles.
I like this fire in them.