---

  The March morning was perfect—warm enough to be comfortable, cool enough to keep you sharp. Hanekawa was up early, dressed, and heading straight for Konoha Knowledge Bookstore before most of the village had finished their coffee.

  When Tsuchihashi spotted him entering, the bookstore owner's eyes lit up with anticipation. "Hanekawa! Please tell me you have something for me."

  Hanekawa pulled out a scroll and handed it over without ceremony. "New manuscript."

  "'The Recovery Wizard's New Life,'" Tsuchihashi read aloud, then opened the scroll. His expression shifted as he scanned the opening pages. "Wait—the hero starts off this miserable?"

  "Suppress first, then elevate," Hanekawa explained simply.

  Tsuchihashi kept reading. When he reached the scene with the princess's impossible choice, his face lit up like a kid on his birthday. "This is going to be huge! Absolutely massive!"

  "I want the novel and manga published simultaneously this time," Hanekawa suggested. "Save us some time."

  Tsuchihashi hesitated for a moment, stroking his chin. "Normally, we wouldn't risk something that ambitious, but... for the Thunder Fire Sword imprint? I think we can make it work. I'll arrange it immediately."

  "Thank you, Uncle Tsuchihashi."

  Hanekawa left the bookstore and headed home. The moment he opened the door, he found Kurenai standing in the entryway, bent over while changing her shoes. Her long black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and her pale calves caught the morning light as she slipped her feet into her sandals.

  When did that happen? Hanekawa blinked. Kurenai had transformed from a scrappy kid into an actual girl. A pretty one, at that.

  "Hanekawa? You're up early," Kurenai said, straightening up and noticing him. "Where were you?"

  "Took out the trash," he lied smoothly.

  "Do you think I can place third again this year?" Kurenai asked, her mind already jumping to the practical exam. "Like I did last year?"

  Hanekawa considered it for a moment. "Shouldn't be a problem. Your main competition is Asuma, and honestly? You've got the edge."

  "Really? What edge?" Kurenai stepped closer, her eyes bright with interest.

  A faint floral scent drifted toward him. Right. She's not a kid anymore.

  "Genjutsu," Hanekawa said, keeping his voice steady. "Use Water Style to keep him occupied, then hit him with an illusion when he's focused on defense. He won't see it coming."

  Kurenai's eyes widened. "That's brilliant!"

  "You've got this," Hanekawa said, reaching over and ruffling her hair.

  "I'm not a little kid anymore!" Kurenai protested, swatting his hand away—though she didn't actually dodge. "Stop treating me like one!"

  Oh no. Is my head-patting career over? Hanekawa felt a genuine pang of loss. This is a tragedy.

  "Come on," he said, extending his hand. "Let's grab ramen before the exam."

  Kurenai glanced at his hand, then took it. "Uncle Shinku won't be back until tonight. He left on a mission two days ago."

  "He'll be fine," Hanekawa assured her as they headed out. "Worst case, he's delayed a week or two."

  In the original timeline, Yuhi Shinku died in the Nine-Tails attack. But that's years away. He'll be okay.

  "By the way," Kurenai said as they walked, "your cooking keeps getting better. Who taught you?"

  "My teacher," Hanekawa admitted without hesitation. "She's lazy, so I cook for her."

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Kurenai's expression flickered with something like disbelief. "Tsunade? The legendary Sannin? Lazy?"

  "You have no idea," Hanekawa said dryly.

  "Teach me how to cook sometime?" Kurenai asked suddenly.

  "Deal."

  They arrived at Ichiraku Ramen just as the lunch crowd was building. Kurenai ordered char siu ramen, Hanekawa did the same, and they settled into their usual seats.

  "I'm digging in!" Kurenai announced, clapping her hands together before lifting the bowl to her lips. She sipped the broth and smiled with genuine satisfaction. "So good."

  "Cute," Hanekawa said with a slight smile.

  "Of course it is!" Kurenai accepted the compliment without hesitation, raising her eyebrows slightly.

  After they finished and paid, they headed toward the Ninja Academy. By 8 AM, the classroom was filling up with nervous energy.

  "I can't be late again," Obito muttered to himself, eyes squeezed shut in concentration.

  "Praying won't help if you didn't study," Kakashi observed flatly.

  "I did study!" Obito protested. "I train with Rin every day!"

  "Theory class," Kakashi corrected. "That's what I meant."

  Obito's confidence visibly crumbled. "I... I pay attention in class..."

  "First place will probably be Hanekawa again," Kakashi said, glancing toward the front of the room where Eiichiro was organizing papers.

  "Not necessarily!" Obito shot back. "I think it'll be Rin."

  "I can't compete with Hanekawa," Rin said modestly, shaking her head.

  "You almost beat him last month!" Obito insisted, trying to boost her confidence.

  "Alright, everyone," Eiichiro called out, silencing the chatter. "I'm announcing yesterday's theory test rankings. First place: Hanekawa."

  Obito's face fell. He'd been hoping for a miracle.

  "Last place: Uchiha Obito."

  "Again?!" Obito's voice cracked with frustration.

  "Everyone head to the training grounds in ten minutes for the practical exam," Eiichiro continued, closing his ledger. "Let's move."

  Kakashi's eyes met Hanekawa's for a brief moment, and something flickered there—determination mixed with competitive fire. This was his last chance before Hanekawa graduated. He wasn't going to waste it.

  ---

  The training grounds were already crowded with students. Hanekawa spotted Shisui Uchiha, Yugao Uzuki, and Anko Mitarashi among the spectators. He and Kurenai hung back, not wanting to distract anyone before their matches.

  Asuma jogged over, his expression serious. "Kurenai, I'm not losing this time. I'm serious."

  "What happens if you do?" Kurenai asked with a teasing smile.

  "Then I'll... I'll buy everyone barbecue!" Asuma declared, then noticed Hanekawa standing nearby and his confidence wavered slightly.

  "Everyone?" Kurenai gestured toward Rin and the others. "We're inviting them too."

  "Fine, fine," Asuma said with a wave. "It's just money."

  "Hey, we didn't agree to this!" Obito protested.

  "They're all friends, Obito," Rin said gently.

  Obito sighed in defeat. So much for asking Rin to dinner alone.

  "First match!" Eiichiro called out. "Shizune versus Yuhi Kurenai!"

  Shizune didn't stand a chance. Kurenai was faster, stronger, and more skilled. The match was over in minutes.

  One by one, the students competed. Might Guy showed impressive progress with his Eight Gates training—his physical strength had improved dramatically. In the original timeline, he graduated two years earlier than this group. Too bad his theory scores held him back.

  "Next match!" Eiichiro announced. "Yuhi Kurenai versus Asuma Sarutobi!"

  "Ready to pay up?" Kurenai asked with a confident smile.

  Asuma's jaw tightened. She's just like Hanekawa. Infuriating.

  They took their positions and formed the seal of opposition. Following Hanekawa's strategy, Kurenai opened with Water Style jutsu. Asuma countered with Wind Style, trying to neutralize her attacks. The two traded ninjutsu back and forth, each technique more complex than the last. The crowd murmured appreciatively—this was the kind of match you didn't see from students who hadn't even graduated yet.

  But Asuma was getting comfortable. His guard against genjutsu was slipping.

  Now, Kurenai thought.

  She wove her hand seals, and her water technique transformed seamlessly into an illusion. Asuma, focused on what he thought was another water attack, didn't react in time. By the moment he realized his mistake, it was too late.

  The illusion shattered, and a water dragon surged toward him. Asuma flew backward, crashing hard onto the ground.

  "Winner: Yuhi Kurenai," Eiichiro announced, his tone carrying genuine surprise.

  She beat the Hokage's son. The implications rippled through the crowd. Eiichiro had always assumed Asuma would dominate his peers, but instead, he'd lost to Kakashi, then Hanekawa, and now Kurenai. The boy's reputation was taking a beating.

  ---

  By noon, the rankings were finalized. Hanekawa in first place. Kakashi in second. Kurenai in third.

  True to his word, Asuma treated everyone to barbecue. As they sat around the grill, laughing and eating, Hanekawa caught Kurenai's eye across the table. She was grinning, genuinely happy.

  Not bad for a day's work, he thought, reaching for another piece of meat.