Naruto: With Favorabiltity System

Chapter 123

Half a month later, the Uchiha clan's district was bustling with excitement.

The clan head's son, Uchiha Fugaku, was getting married, and the clan members were spontaneously decorating with lanterns and ribbons.

The usually quiet district had a newfound liveliness.

Many people attended the wedding: besides Fugaku's friends and comrades, various ninja clans from Konoha showed their respect either by attending or sending gifts.

Even Minato came with Kushina.

Observing all this from the shadows, Danzo ground his teeth in frustration. If it weren't for that inherently evil Uchiha brat teaming up with Sakumo, Dai, and the others, the Uchiha would never have reached this day!

Early in the morning, Haneda arrived at Fugaku's house.

He greeted Fugaku, his bride, and the clan head, then placed his gift on the table.

"Today is your wedding day. May you and your beloved embrace each other with love and share both joys and sorrows in the days to come."

"May love always overflow in the sweetness of your lives together…"

Listening to Haneda's formal congratulatory message, Fugaku couldn't help but feel an urge to laugh. But he held it in, knowing it wouldn't be appropriate to laugh now.

Haneda noticed and stopped, saying simply to Fugaku, "Anyway, congratulations on your marriage."

Fugaku laughed and asked, "Honestly, how long did you spend memorizing that speech?"

"Copied it with my Sharingan," Haneda replied.

"Alright…" Fugaku's attention shifted to Haneda's gift.

It was a book with the title *The Art of Politics*.

"The Art of Politics?" Fugaku read the title aloud, opening the book to skim a few pages. The text was dense; he could recognize the words, but the concepts together seemed obscure.

Then he noticed a bookmark adorned with the character for "longevity" poking out, and he smiled warmly.

He carefully placed the book on a shelf and turned to Haneda. "Thank you for the gift, Haneda. I really appreciate it."

Seeing Fugaku's response, Haneda and the clan head both chuckled.

Haneda was happy because Fugaku genuinely liked his thoughtfully chosen gift.

As for the clan head, he saw the title of the book and was very pleased. His son truly needed this!

At least Fugaku might read some of Haneda's gift, unlike the books from him that just gathered dust on the shelf…

Mikoto asked curiously, "Fugaku, are you interested in politics?"

"Not particularly, but if it's from Haneda, I like it," Fugaku replied with a smile.

Hearing this, Haneda's lips curled up in a slight smile, as he pretended to gaze at the Hokage Rock, avoiding Mikoto's eyes.

Suddenly, the clan head spoke, "Haneda, I have a request."

"A request?" Haneda looked at him, his thoughts racing.

The clan head continued, "Would you stand in for me at the wedding and give a congratulatory speech? I'm not very good at that sort of thing."

"A speech? No way, Clan Head, you should definitely be the one to do it. I'm really not the right choice."

Haneda shook his head.

But the clan head clutched his stomach and dashed toward the bathroom, calling out as he went, "I'll leave it to you, Haneda! I'm counting on you!!"

Before Haneda could react, the responsibility was already passed to him.

He looked at Fugaku, who was smiling, then at Mikoto, who seemed puzzled but didn't say anything.

As soft music started to play at the wedding venue, it was time for Fugaku and Mikoto, the couple, to come out.

With the music playing, Fugaku held Mikoto's hand and led her out of the house.

Haneda glanced toward the bathroom, gritted his teeth, and went out.

At the wedding venue, Sakumo, Kakashi, Minato, Kushina, Dai and Gai, Obito and Rin… Some were surprised, others curious, some smiled knowingly, and some seemed to understand right away.

Hidden in the tree branches, watching the scene, Danzo ground his teeth and muttered, "That damned Uchiha brat!"

Hiding in the restroom, the clan head smiled as he watched Haneda awkwardly deliver the congratulatory speech.

"No matter what the future brings, Haneda will help you become a competent leader, my son."

Right then, Haneda reached the end of his speech, saying, "Congratulations on your marriage."

...

At the beginning of the following month, Sunagakure officially declared war on Konoha in the 47th year, accusing Konoha of assassinating the Third Kazekage.

The Third Hokage urgently assigned Orochimaru as the main commander of the Rain Country front, and Sakumo as the main commander of the River Country front, forming a dual barrier to defend against Sunagakure's assault.

This was only a week after Fugaku and Mikoto's wedding.

As an elite jonin of the Uchiha, Fugaku would represent his clan in the Rain Country front, assisting Orochimaru in resisting Sunagakure's offensive.

Meanwhile, Haneda was set to follow Sakumo to the River Country.

Now, at Konoha's village gate, thousands of shinobi were gathered, all led by at least a chunin.

Among them were special jonin, jonin, and elite jonin.

As Sakumo's students, the members of Squad 9—Haneda, Asuma, and Kurenai—stood one pace behind him.

Seeing the grave faces of the assembled shinobi, Haneda's own expression grew serious.

The conflict with Sunagakure had begun, marking the onset of the Third Shinobi World War.

How many of those gathered here would return home?

Haneda knew this war would alter countless lives, for better or worse.

He stood silently behind Sakumo.

At that moment, Sakumo spoke:

"Where Konoha's leaves dance, the fire will continue to burn."

"The flames will keep lighting the village, nurturing new leaves."

"This is the Will of Fire passed down from the First Hokage—to protect the village, protect the people in it, and protect our children."

"Now, Sunagakure has declared war on us, in a groundless, absurd manner."

"This involves two great nations, and countless lives will be lost, including perhaps yours and mine."

"But can we retreat? Can we stand by and watch as the enemy tramples our village, kills our wives and children?"

"We cannot, can we?"

"We cannot!"

"If Sunagakure has declared war on Konoha, then we will fight!"

As Sakumo shouted the word "fight," the whole army roared.

They shouted in unison, "Fight, fight, fight!"

The nearly uniform chant echoed across Konoha, filling the air with a sense of awe.

This was a level of intensity even illusion techniques couldn't achieve—a strength born from the desire to protect what mattered most.

Haneda was also swept up in the fierce energy of the moment.

He understood that this was a battle for home and country, a just war.

And in a just cause, the will to fight always burns brighter.

Because behind them lay what they cherished most, the things they could never abandon.

Standing atop a platform, Sakumo looked over the army, then turned toward the direction of the River Country.

After a brief pause, he raised his short blade, cutting down the thorns ahead.

"Form ranks!"

"Advance!"

"Destination: River Country. Objective: Defend Konoha!"

…