Hanekawa exhaled sharply, watching his breath mist in the frigid air. The cold was brutal—the kind that made you question every life choice that led to being outside. But the knock on the door had other plans for him.

  When he opened it, Kurenai stood bundled in a thick white coat and scarf, wrapped so tightly she looked like an adorable snowball.

  "Going for a run?" she asked, her ruby eyes bright despite the early hour.

  "Let's go." Hanekawa patted her head.

  "Okay!" She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the door.

  "Be safe!" Uncle Shinku called after them. "The snow makes everything slippery—don't run too fast!"

  "We know!" Kurenai called back, already dragging Hanekawa into the winter morning.

  The streets were nearly empty, just scattered snowflakes and the occasional shop owner preparing for the day. As they jogged past the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore, Hanekawa caught sight of Tsuchihashi standing in the doorway. The bookstore owner never greeted customers personally—which meant he was waiting specifically for him.

  Hanekawa gave a subtle nod. Later.

  An hour later, after returning home and eating breakfast, Hanekawa made his excuses. "I'm going to the hospital to work on my medical ninjutsu," he told Uncle Shinku and Kurenai. Not entirely a lie—he would go there eventually. But first, the bookstore.

  "Uncle Tsuchihashi," Hanekawa said, closing the shop door behind him. "New instructions from the Hidden Cloud?"

  Tsuchihashi studied him for a moment. "You've been in Konoha for almost five years now."

  Hanekawa's stomach tightened. Here it comes. "Almost."

  "The Hidden Cloud is sending someone to meet you."

  Of course they are. Hanekawa kept his expression neutral. They'd want to verify his loyalty, check the seals binding him. Fortunately, his A-Rank "Lurker" ability made him immune to most detection methods. "Where?"

  "Don't worry—I won't put you in a difficult position," Tsuchihashi assured him. "Do you know Granny Cat? The one who works with the Ninja Cat Clan?"

  Hanekawa nodded slowly. Granny Cat was an information broker with connections everywhere—including, apparently, the Hidden Cloud. "She's involved?"

  "Not as an agent," Tsuchihashi clarified. "Just business. She'll arrange a chance encounter at her shop. The Cloud ninja will be in disguise, and Granny Cat knows how to keep secrets."

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  It was actually a solid plan. Hanekawa could slip away without raising suspicion, and the risk of exposure was minimal. Plus, he was genuinely curious about what the Hidden Cloud wanted. "Tomorrow at eight?"

  "Eight o'clock," Tsuchihashi confirmed. "Now, about your friend's new novel—"

  "Still deciding," Hanekawa said. He needed to keep publishing under his pen name Rai Kaen. The B-Rank "Master of Books" ability was still a mystery, and he wanted to unlock its full potential.

  ---

  The next morning, Hanekawa made his way to Granny Cat's ninja tool shop in the Uchiha district. A white cat with an almost fox-like appearance greeted him at the entrance, speaking in a surprisingly pleasant female voice.

  "Welcome, meow."

  Great. A talking cat. Just what I needed today. "I need to see Granny Cat."

  "She's in the Empty District right now, meow. But I can take you there—for a price."

  Hanekawa handed over a thousand ryō without hesitation.

  The cat's expression brightened. "Name's Hina-nya. Follow me, meow."

  As they walked, Hanekawa recognized her—one of Granny Cat's two generals. The other was Tanahime. Both were essentially elders of the Ninja Cat Clan. He wondered briefly if they had any connection to the Two-Tails, but dismissed the thought. Tailed beasts didn't have relatives.

  The Empty District was exactly what it sounded like—a deserted area surrounded by ruins and broken stones. The moment Hanekawa arrived, he was swarmed by cats of every color.

  "A human! A human!"

  "Is he here to make a contract?"

  "Pick me! I can do a backflip!"

  "Shut up!" Hina-nya yowled, and the cats scattered like leaves. "He's here to see Granny Cat, not to be a cat slave."

  They continued to a two-story wooden house. Another cat wearing white clothes with a kanji character on its forehead stood guard.

  "Granny's expecting him," the cat said curtly.

  Hina-nya led Hanekawa upstairs to a simple room. When he opened the door, he stopped short.

  A girl sat waiting—younger than him, with short blonde hair and pale skin. Her face was cold and composed, her posture perfect. She wore the standard Hidden Cloud outfit.

  Well, that's unexpected.

  "Are you Hanekawa?" she asked calmly.

  "I am. And you?"

  The girl stood, revealing long white legs. "Before I answer, I need to verify your identity. You have Hidden Cloud seals in your body. I'll confirm them."

  She placed a hand on his head. Hanekawa met her gaze steadily, letting her work. After a moment, she withdrew her hand.

  "I'm Samui, a Jonin from the Hidden Cloud." She extended her hand formally. "I came here with Uncle Dodai."

  Hanekawa's eyebrows rose. Dodai was the Raikage's right hand—no small player. "What does the Hidden Cloud want?"

  Samui reached into her pouch and produced a crystal that gleamed with pale blue light. "A gift. Lightning Style Chakra Crystal. You can use it to enhance your lightning techniques or forge it into weapons."

  Hanekawa accepted it, already thinking about his Thunderfire Sword. "Thank you."

  "I've heard you're quite talented," Samui said, stepping back and drawing a short blade. "Yugito doesn't believe the reports. She wanted to test you herself, but she couldn't come. So I'll do it instead."

  She moved into a ready stance. "Quick and decisive. Right here."

  Of course. Hanekawa stood smoothly, hand moving to his own blade. Can't just have a normal conversation. Has to be a fight.

  But he was already smiling. Let's see what a Hidden Cloud Jonin can do.