Naruto: With Favorabiltity System

Chapter 333: Obito: Skipping the Flowers Today? What Are You Doing Here?

After destroying the spatial portal, Haneda left the Naka River.

He didn't bother searching for Black Zetsu. Without the power of the Sage of Six Paths, Haneda doubted he could locate it.

Black Zetsu's ability to remain hidden was extraordinary. During the Fourth Great Ninja War, it had deceived Obito and even managed to rip out Madara's heart.

At the time, both Obito and Madara were Ten-Tails Jinchuriki—already at Six Paths-level power.

If even they could be ambushed by Black Zetsu, one could only imagine the difficulty of actively tracking it.

And even if he managed to find it, Haneda would have to guard against any attacks.

Haneda had never believed that Black Zetsu was incapable of offense.

Teleporting with the Flying Thunder God, he returned to the Third Training Ground, where Kakashi was sitting on a large rock, polishing his short blade.

Kakashi looked up at the approaching Haneda and commented, "It feels a bit like overkill... So, you completely destroyed it, right?"

Haneda shook his head. "Wherever I go, traces are left behind. There's still residual spatial energy, but it's chaotic enough."

"The disrupted space-time will cause distortions. Even those with ocular powers or expertise in space-time techniques will find it extremely difficult to restore it or use it to travel to the moon."

Kakashi shrugged. "Do as you like... After that trip, I've lost all interest in the moon anyway."

"I have something to take care of. Let me know when we're leaving," Kakashi said, preparing to leave.

"Alright," Haneda replied, assuming Kakashi was off to handle an assignment for the Anbu and not pressing him further.

What Haneda didn't know was that his earlier comments had prompted Kakashi to plan a return trip to the Naka River for an inspection.

When it came to ocular powers involving space-time and expertise in such techniques, Kakashi naturally felt responsible.

Additionally, Kakashi was concerned that Obito might notice the disturbance at the Naka River, potentially interfering with Haneda's plans.

After all, the commotion Haneda had caused there was far too conspicuous to go unnoticed.

…

Meanwhile, Black Zetsu hadn't given up on exploring the moon.

Kaguya's chakra had once revived on the moon, leaving Black Zetsu convinced that there might be another way to save his mother beyond relying on the Rinnegan.

Never put all your eggs in one basket—Black Zetsu understood this perfectly.

"The residual spatial energy there... perhaps it can still be used," it muttered.

Possessing a White Zetsu body, Black Zetsu burrowed underground and soon arrived at the memorial stone, where Obito was waiting for Kakashi to bring flowers.

Seeing Black Zetsu appear, Obito frowned slightly. "What are you doing here?"

Unperturbed by Obito's displeasure, Black Zetsu ignored his tone and said, "Haneda and Kakashi went to the Naka River. There was a fierce chakra clash there."

"The original ruins were destroyed. From what I overheard, it seemed to involve the moon."

Black Zetsu knew Obito's personality well and deliberately mentioned Haneda and Kakashi by name to grab his attention.

It then twisted the facts, suggesting a conflict had occurred, implying that Haneda and Kakashi had encountered an enemy.

As for the ruins and the moon, Black Zetsu subtly hinted that the enemy might have come from the moon.

Given Obito's lingering attachment to Haneda and Kakashi over the past seven or eight years, Black Zetsu was confident he would be willing to assist.

And why should Obito doubt it? Black Zetsu was simply stating facts—there was no deception in what it said!

As expected, by the time Black Zetsu finished speaking, Obito's initial displeasure had turned into active interest.

However, Obito wasn't easily fooled. He asked skeptically, "Were you following Haneda and Kakashi?"

Black Zetsu responded quickly, "You're the one who instructed White Zetsu to monitor Haneda."

Obito adjusted his mask and let the matter drop, instead asking for the specific location.

Once Black Zetsu provided the details, Obito teleported to the Naka River alone, leaving both Black and White Zetsu behind.

…

At the site of the Hyuga clan's ancestral shrine from 400 years ago, the area was now a charred wasteland.

From a distance, Obito could still sense Haneda's overwhelming chakra lingering in the area.

"Yasaka's Divine Thunder... such a grand display," Obito muttered.

He had originally planned to investigate the epicenter of the destruction but stopped after taking just a few steps.

There, in the distance, stood a familiar figure.

Recognizing Kakashi, Obito immediately halted and hid in a concealed spot.

"Skipping the flowers today? What's he doing here?"

Peering out from his hiding spot, just as he used to spy on Kakashi at the memorial stone, Obito observed silently.

Kakashi had lifted his forehead protector, revealing his Sharingan. His left eye gleamed as he activated his Mangekyo Sharingan.

Through his enhanced vision, Kakashi could clearly see the residual space-time energy in the area.

He carefully examined the site several times. After confirming there was no longer a functional pathway to the moon, Kakashi placed a paper bomb on the ground and teleported away with the Flying Thunder God technique.

The explosion further obliterated the area.

As the dust settled, Obito stepped out from the shadows.

Moments later, Black Zetsu arrived as well.

Seeing Obito's Mangekyo Sharingan activated, as if he were searching for something, Black Zetsu remained silent.

It didn't want to disrupt Obito, nor did it want to say anything that might arouse suspicion.

After a while, Obito deactivated his Sharingan and said coolly, "It seems there was indeed a space-time portal here, but it's been destroyed."

Black Zetsu quickly asked, "Can it be repaired?"

Obito smirked and asked in a low voice, "Why are you so interested in the moon?"

Black Zetsu replied, "The Infinite Tsukuyomi requires the moon."

Obito didn't press further. He simply stated, "There's no chance of restoring it," before leaving the area.

This time, he didn't return to the memorial stone to wait.

Obito had been waiting for Kakashi all morning and had no intention of lingering for someone who didn't keep their appointments.

As for Black Zetsu, seeing that even Obito couldn't restore the portal, it had no choice but to drop the matter.

Black Zetsu had already done too many things behind Obito's back and was beginning to sense his growing suspicion.

For now, it needed to tread carefully.

…

Two and a half days later, Haneda, after reviewing all of Shikaku and the cabinet's recent work and laying out new plans, finally left Konoha with Kakashi and Deidara.

Just like last time, they traveled by train.

Along the way, Deidara bragged incessantly about his feats in demolishing mountains and occasionally mentioned Sasori's contributions.

The train wasn't as fast as a modern bullet train, allowing them to take in the passing scenery.

Through the window, vast farmlands stretched out between gaps in the trees, creating a beautiful, fragmented view.

Curious, Deidara asked why the edges of the fields were lined with trees and why tracks or concrete roads ran through the middle.

Instead of answering, Haneda pointed to Kakashi.

Kakashi had once asked the same question, prompting Haneda to explain.

The design was inspired by his experiences in his previous life, particularly a visit to the northwestern plains, where the farmlands were interconnected, lined with trees, and intersected by roads.

The purpose? Multiple reasons: preventing soil erosion, aiding transportation, and even ecological balance. The trees also provided shade for travelers.