3. The Plan

"Is this really your first time refining chakra?"

As Hanekawa finished his training, Kurenai Yuhi couldn't help but lean closer.

"Yes, it's my first time," Hanekawa replied, blinking his eyes.

"Ugh! So frustrating!"

Kurenai clenched her small fists and said indignantly, "But don't think it'll be easy to surpass me!"

"I'll do my best," Hanekawa responded with a smile.

"You… don't have to take it so seriously," Kurenai murmured, momentarily dazed by his smile.

It turns out, good looks can really influence perception, especially for someone like Hanekawa. Whether it's older women or cute little girls, he's universally charming.

"Hanekawa."

Shinko Yuhi stepped out from the house and handed him an enrollment notice.

Hanekawa opened it and quickly scanned the contents.

The notice was straightforward—it said he had passed the assessment and officially joined the ninja academy as a student in Class 1-A.

But he didn't recall taking any assessment, so it must have been Hiruzen Sarutobi pulling some strings.

"Kurenai, take him to meet your homeroom teacher tomorrow," Shinku instructed.

"No problem!"

Kurenai perked up and said confidently, "I'll make sure the mission is completed!"

"I'll go out and buy some daily necessities for Hanekawa," Shinku paused, then asked, "Is there anything you two want me to bring back?"

"I want three-color dango," Kurenai demanded without hesitation.

"And you?" Shinku turned to Hanekawa.

"From now on, we're family. No need to hold back."

"I'll have the same," Hanekawa said casually, unsure of what to request.

Three-color dango is a specialty snack of Konoha Village, popular among ninjas like Itachi Uchiha and Anko Mitarashi. Now that he had the chance, Hanekawa was curious to try it.

"If you have any questions about training, just ask Kurenai," Shinku said, waving his hand before turning to leave.

"Heh!"

Kurenai crossed her arms, raised her chin slightly, and looked at him smugly, as if silently urging him to ask her something.

Hanekawa couldn't help but laugh at her expression.

"What are you laughing at?" Kurenai pouted, displeased.

"I just thought of something funny," Hanekawa replied with a light cough.

"What's so funny?"

Kurenai felt slightly offended and subconsciously put on a stern face.

"When's your birthday?" Hanekawa suddenly shifted the topic.

"June 11th," Kurenai answered, then asked in confusion, "Why are you asking?"

"That makes me older," Hanekawa said with a slight smile. "You should call me 'big brother.'"

"Wait a minute!"

Kurenai instantly rejected the idea. "No way! I'm the older one!"

"But you're younger than me," Hanekawa said with an air of seriousness, though he was bluffing.

After all, he had no memory of his exact age or birthday, being a war orphan.

"No means no!"

Kurenai thought quickly and said, "It's not just about age—it's about strength!"

"So, if I defeat you, you'll admit to being my little sister?" Hanekawa raised an eyebrow, smiling as he asked.

Kurenai almost agreed immediately but hesitated, remembering how quickly Yukawa refined his chakra.

Biting her lip, she muttered uncertainly, "We'll see if you can defeat me first."

Hanekawa's smile grew even broader.

Teasing a pretty little girl like Kurenai was surprisingly fun.

To clarify, he wasn't into little girls—his interests leaned more toward mature women.

Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed nearby.

"Back so soon?"

Hanekawa instinctively turned his head, and his expression froze.

It wasn't Shinku Yuhi but a woman who was both unfamiliar and familiar—Nonō Yakushi.

However, unlike the gentle image he remembered, her face was heavy with concern.

Hanekawa didn't need to think to know what this was about.

It was most likely Danzo Shimura, still harboring ill intentions toward him.

"Director," Hanekawa said to Nono Yakushi before walking forward.

Nonō Yakushi, in the original story, was undoubtedly a tragic supporting character.

Her kindness had led her to leave the Root organization, but Danzo coerced her to continue working for him by threatening the orphanage. Ultimately, she met her demise because she knew too much.

In one of Danzo's schemes, she was pitted against her adopted son, Kabuto Yakushi, leading to a heartbreaking conclusion.

"Hanekawa, I'm glad you're alright."

Nonō Yakushi reached out and gently patted his head, her voice soft.

"Thank you for your concern, Director."

Hanekawa noticed the hesitation on her face and asked, "Is there something you want to tell me?"

"..."

Nonō Yakushi fell silent.

Not long ago, Danzo had come to the orphanage to speak with her about Hanekawa.

He expressed his desire for Hanekawa to join Root, arguing that if it was Hanekawa's own decision, even Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't have a reason to interfere.

"What arrangements has the Hokage made for you?"

Nonō Yakushi thought for a moment before asking.

"He's sending me to the ninja academy," Hanekawa replied.

Nonō Yakushi's eyes brightened slightly.

Her exceptional abilities, which had earned her the title of the "Wandering Priestess," were the reason Danzo valued her so highly.

Upon hearing about the ninja academy, she immediately thought of a way to buy time.

"Hanekawa, no matter what happens, you must graduate normally," Nonō Yakushi said firmly.

"Understood," Hanekawa responded, picking up on the unspoken message.

As long as he remained at the ninja academy, Danzo wouldn't make a move—yet.

But the shadow of Danzo's schemes lingered as a constant threat.

"If you can't beat them, join them?"

That's not going to work.

Danzo wouldn't just demand loyalty; he'd take your heart and brainwash you in the process.

Joining Root would be like turning into a puppet on a string.

Hanekawa chuckled inwardly.

If Danzo were replaced by Tsunade, he might consider it—despite her debts, after all, "big" is justice.

Hanekawa recalled that Kabuto wasn't yet at the orphanage. Judging by the timeline, it was at least ten years away.

The Evil—no, the Justice Gardenia Plan begins now!

Three years to prepare, three years to grow, and ten years to save Nonō Yakushi—it was a manageable goal.

Although he was placed in the orphanage by Kumogakure's scheme, this kind-hearted director had always treated him very well.

"Come visit the orphanage whenever you have time."

Nonō Yakushi gave him a warm smile.

"I will," Hanekawa said with a firm nod.

Nonō Yakushi reached out and patted his head again before turning to leave.

Watching her departing figure, Hanekawa couldn't help but twitch his lips.

Why am I already getting head pats on my first day here?

"Kurenai," Hanekawa turned to her and asked, "Can you teach me how to throw ninja tools?"

Danzo's looming threat had given him a strong sense of urgency—he needed to step up his training.

Mastering ninja tools was one of the necessary skills to earn the "Genius Genin" title.

While the system didn't specify how to trigger it, based on his previous experiences, it clearly required corresponding actions.

"Of course!"

Kurenai snorted lightly, a confident look on her face. "I'm pretty good at ninja tool throwing, you know."