Naruto: The Favorability-Devouring Uchiha

Haneda gave an awkward smile and replied,

"Well… one time won't hurt. I just wanted Kakashi to experience what it feels like to break the rules for once. Honestly… it felt freeing in that moment."

He spoke truthfully, though his real motives remained buried beneath those words.

Sakumo, of course, didn't suspect anything about Haneda trying to win him over for the Uchiha. The White Fang chuckled softly and turned to his son.

"Kakashi… when you break the rules, it feels like freedom, but that kind of freedom—freedom without limits—isn't real."

His tone grew firm yet calm, filled with the weight of lived experience:

"Sooner or later, that false freedom becomes shackled by a different set of chains. Remember this, both of you: true freedom… comes from living by rules you create for yourself. Rules rooted in morality, in self-control, and a line you never cross."

Sakumo's gaze sharpened slightly, his voice dropping.

"Freedom isn't killing for pleasure or terrorizing others under the excuse of living without rules. That's not freedom—that's chaos."

Haneda rested his chin on his palm, thinking.

When I was in school… climbing the wall to skip class and sneak into internet cafés, or stealing the teacher's phone to play games at night—that felt like freedom too.

But then he smirked bitterly. In the end, I made my own rules to avoid being caught. Was that really freedom? Or just another prison?

He shook his head and forced a smile. Why am I thinking about philosophy? I'm still a kid in this world…

Just then, the waitress returned with a bright smile.

"Here's your orange juice with ice, kid." She placed the glass before Haneda.

"Thanks," Haneda replied with a genuine grin as the thoughts faded away.

---

Night Falls – Edge of the Forest of Death

Four masked Root operatives moved swiftly through the treetops, the night wind hissing past their ears—until a silver-haired figure appeared ahead, blocking their path.

He wore simple home clothes. Yet when he unsheathed the short blade from his back, the air turned cold. His presence sharpened like a drawn sword, murderous intent slicing into the marrow of their bones.

Hatake Sakumo.

"W-White Fang?!" Muramasa's voice cracked as he forced calm, gripping a kunai tight. "What do you intend to do? We're Root! We serve Lord Danzo!"

Sakumo's voice was quiet, almost casual.

"A lesson."

Flash!

Steel gleamed under the moonlight. Before Muramasa could blink, his mask split in half and fell to the ground. His cheek burned where the blade had kissed his skin. Behind him, his comrades froze—three more clean cuts shattered their masks as well.

"Move and you die," Sakumo said coldly, his killing intent thick as mist.

Muramasa's breath hitched. Cold sweat soaked his back. His body screamed to run, but his instincts knew—any movement would be the end.

"W-we're Konoha shinobi!" he stammered, voice cracking. "Why attack us?!"

Leaves rustled in the night breeze, dancing across the ground. No one moved. Time itself seemed to hesitate.

Then—Sakumo sheathed his blade with a sharp click. His presence receded like a vanishing storm, leaving silence in its wake.

"Tell Danzo this—adults have no place interfering in children's affairs. And remind him—the Root exists to serve the village, not spy on its own."

With that, Sakumo disappeared in an instant, leaving only the lingering chill of his killing intent.

For a long moment, none of the operatives spoke. Their faces were pale as death.

Finally, Muramasa swallowed hard and rasped, "Report back. Now."

The others nodded stiffly. "Yes."

---

Root HQ – Danzo's Chambers

"…That's what he said?"

Danzo's lone visible eye narrowed as he sat upon the cold stone chair, expression unreadable. His voice was calm—too calm.

"Yes, Lord Danzo," Muramasa replied, bowing low. "Sakumo-sama also said… Root should carry out missions for the village, not spy on villagers."

A heavy silence followed.

"…Withdraw surveillance on Uchiha Haneda," Danzo ordered finally. His tone didn't rise, didn't falter—it was ice-cold serenity. "And the news that White Fang is personally training him… must not leave this room."

"Yes, Lord Danzo." The four vanished in an instant.

Danzo remained motionless, fingers steepled. The flickering oil lamps carved harsh shadows across his scarred face.

"Hiruzen…" His voice was a low murmur, laced with venom. "You're too weak."

He opened a drawer, pulling out a sealed dossier marked Confidential. His gaze hardened as his thoughts spilled into the darkness.

"It seems… it's time to prepare. Don't blame me, old friend. I'll show the world—I'm the one fit to lead Konoha."

---

Uchiha Compound – Reunion

Haneda strolled into the compound, steps light after the long day. Suddenly—

"Bastard Haneda!" A furious voice cut through the night. "You skipped class the whole day—with that stuck-up Kakashi?!"

Obito barreled toward him, fists raised.

Haneda caught the punch effortlessly, grinning.

"Kakashi's father treated us at BBQ Q. Jealous, Obito?"

"W-who cares?!" Obito turned his head sharply, trying to mask the flicker of envy in his eyes.

Haneda sighed dramatically and reached to pat his shoulder, but Obito jerked away.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry for bailing on you. Forgive me?"

Obito hesitated, then puffed his cheeks and muttered, "Hmph… fine. But why didn't Uncle Sakumo invite me too? I told everyone at school he's a hero!"

Then his eyes widened in suspicion.

"…That idiot Kakashi must've badmouthed me!"

Before Haneda could reply, Obito grabbed his arm.

"Forget it—come to my place! You've got nothing better to do anyway!"

Haneda checked his watch and chuckled.

"It's almost nine, and we've got class tomorrow. Next time, Obito."

He tapped Obito lightly on the forehead with two fingers.

"Gah! Haneda! Who said you could touch my forehead?!" Obito lunged, throwing a punch—but Haneda slipped away, laughing.

Still, when Obito's hand shot out to grab him, his voice dropped to a mumble almost too soft to hear:

"…You don't have to go home alone. My place is… better than empty rooms."

Haneda froze for a second, then smiled faintly.