Naruto: With Favorabiltity System

Chapter 208: News from Konoha and the Uchiha Clan

Shortly after the staff went inside to relay the message, a ninja wearing a Konoha forehead protector hurriedly ran up to Haneda.

"Lord Haneda! You—you're finally coming back?!"

Recognizing Haneda immediately upon seeing his weapon *Dawn*, the Uchiha ninja was visibly thrilled.

Haneda waved his hand, signaling him to calm down.

Only after the ninja had composed himself did Haneda speak:

"I'll return in a while. How are things in the village lately? What's the situation with the Uchiha?"

The Uchiha ninja replied:

"Lord Haneda, you have no idea. Ever since Konoha's higher-ups forced you out, the Uchiha have been targeted everywhere in the village."

Clenching his teeth, the ninja continued angrily,

"Especially that naturally wicked Danzo! That old ghost even proposed branding you as an S-rank rogue ninja.

"If it weren't for Kakashi, Guy, and Asuma strongly opposing him, the Third Hokage might have agreed."

"Is that so?" Haneda smirked. While he had anticipated trouble after leaving, he hadn't expected Danzo to openly target him so blatantly.

It seemed the previous lesson hadn't been harsh enough.

The Uchiha ninja ranted on, detailing how the clan had faced discrimination within Konoha. Not only had the police force been relocated to the outskirts, but Haneda's family home was nearly demolished.

Fortunately, a masked man in black launched an attack on the Root division, preventing the Uchiha clan from being entirely moved to Konoha's outskirts.

Even so, the backlash hadn't ended. Shisui's group began aligning themselves with the Third Hokage, which indirectly jeopardized Fugaku's position as clan head.

"Lord Haneda, when you return, you must lead the Uchiha to greatness again!" the ninja concluded with fervent indignation.

Haneda remained silent for a moment, deep in thought.

Returning now wasn't ideal. He was too preoccupied with the Dragon Vein plan, and besides, there was still time. Shisui likely hadn't awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan, and Danzo might not yet dare to act against him.

In a low voice, Haneda said:

"I'll return in a few months. Tell Brother Fugaku that I plan to run for the position of Fifth Hokage."

"Until then, I have other matters to handle. Ensure that my intention to run for Hokage remains a secret."

Haneda emphasized the importance of confidentiality. Though it wouldn't be catastrophic if the information leaked, surprising Danzo would be ideal.

"You're running for Fifth Hokage?!" the ninja exclaimed in shock.

"Why not?" Haneda said calmly.

"Konoha was founded by the Uchiha and Senju clans. We're simply reclaiming what's ours."

Haneda had considered becoming Hokage two and a half years ago, and this was merely a continuation of that goal.

Noting that the ninja spoke mostly about the Uchiha's struggles and less about the village's situation, Haneda asked,

"Has Konoha been at war with Iwagakure recently?"

"Yes, Lord Haneda. After the Fourth Hokage left and you departed, Onoki thought he could raid the village," the ninja replied.

He paused before smiling.

"But this time, the commander of the war is your friend, Lord Kakashi. He's inherited the Fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God technique and has made a name for himself on the battlefield with your Chidori.

"The Iwagakure ninja are even calling him the White Flash."

Haneda smiled, genuinely pleased that Kakashi had mastered the Flying Thunder God technique.

"It seems he hasn't been idle these past two years," Haneda mused. "Even learning Minato-senpai's Flying Thunder God."

Suddenly, Haneda considered changing his plans.

"Is Onoki on the battlefield?" he asked.

The ninja nodded.

"Yes. He's their commander and has been there the whole time. As you know, without Onoki, Iwagakure wouldn't have much left."

Haneda chuckled. Iwagakure still had one prodigy, though he would later join the Akatsuki.

Closing his eyes, Haneda thought of his three-year agreement at the Valley of the End.

"Let's give Kakashi a big gift," he said quietly.

"And avenge Uncle Sakumo while we're at it!"

A deadly intent flashed in Haneda's eyes, filling the security office with a chilling aura that left the room icy.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he turned to the visibly shaken Haku and Kimimaro and said,

"Let's go. We'll cross the sea to the Land of Bears first, then take care of some unfinished business."

Haku and Kimimaro exchanged glances but said nothing as they followed Haneda.

They weren't sure why the usually calm and gentle Haneda was suddenly so bloodthirsty, but they suspected he had a personal vendetta against Onoki.

---

The Land of Bears bordered the southeastern part of the Land of Fire and was a peninsula nation. Like many small nations, it had its own ninja village—Hoshigakure.

It took Haneda and his group two and a half days to reach the Land of Bears by sea. After half a day's journey on foot, they arrived about a kilometer outside Hoshigakure.

Much like Kirigakure, which was shrouded in mist, Hoshigakure was surrounded by a natural barrier: the Valley of Poison Gas.

Anyone wishing to enter the village needed to wear a gas mask.

However, Haneda's arrival was different. Zabuza had been waiting for him at the edge of the valley.

"Lord Haneda!" Zabuza greeted respectfully.

"Well done," Haneda said, smiling as he noticed the welcoming scene orchestrated by the Hoshigakure ninja.

"You've secured the star, I assume?"

"It's right here," Zabuza said, handing over a sealed package. He explained,

"I initially planned to steal the star, but it's peculiar. As soon as I got close, my chakra became unstable.

"So, I hired a rogue ninja from Takigakure and teamed up with Pakura to eliminate their overconfident leader and take control of the village.

"It's a good thing you provided enough funds and sent Pakura to assist. I couldn't have done it alone."

Haneda accepted the package and examined it briefly.

"Was the rogue ninja from Takigakure unusual? Did black threads emerge from their body during combat?"

"You know him, don't you?" Zabuza asked.

Confirming that the person was Kakuzu, Haneda fell silent for a moment before asking,

"Pakura is still in the Land of Wind, looking for the Dragon Vein?"

"Yes, but I suspect she has personal matters to attend to," Zabuza said.

Haneda assumed it was related to her apprentice and replied indifferently,

"As long as it doesn't interfere with her work."

Activating his Sharingan, Haneda surveyed Hoshigakure through the poisonous fog. His original plan had only been to retrieve the star, with no intention of seizing the village.

However, Zabuza and Pakura had not only secured the star but also executed a coup and taken control of Hoshigakure—a pleasant surprise.

Considering its isolation, natural defenses, and strategic location, Haneda smiled.

"This is a good place. We'll make it our base."