Naruto: With Favorabiltity System

Chapter 244: Sasuke, Naruto, and Haneda

After the jonin meeting concluded, Haneda gathered Kakashi and the newly appointed elders to his office for a private discussion.

Once everyone was seated, Haneda began:

"The reason I called you all here is to discuss your roles moving forward."

"Haneda, if there's anything you need from me, just say the word. I'll give it my all!" Asuma chimed in enthusiastically.

"I'm with you as well," Kakashi added with a slight smile.

Seeing Asuma and the others so at ease, Shikaku shifted in his seat, feeling a little out of place.

Haneda, however, quickly moved on to the matter at hand, cutting straight to the point:

"Asuma, you'll be responsible for mediating conflicts within the village and welcoming foreign guests. This includes overseeing the allocation of resources among Konoha's various clans. For the upcoming reception of the Daimyō, that's on you too. You can consult your father for advice if needed."

"Kakashi, you'll take charge of both the Anbu and the Root division. Assign the most dangerous missions to Root whenever possible to gradually diminish their numbers. Once they're worn down, Root will be disbanded altogether."

"As for you, Shikaku, you'll serve as the Hokage's advisor. You'll mostly handle matters from the office."

"Understood," Asuma, Kakashi, and Shikaku replied in unison.

Haneda then unrolled a map, pointing to the Land of Lightning, and continued:

"The war between Konoha and Kumogakure won't end anytime soon. Shikaku, you'll oversee the procurement of supplies and the mobilization of ninja."

"For now, that's the general plan. We'll adjust as needed. Tonight, go home and get some rest."

Asuma and Kakashi got up and left, but just as Shikaku was about to rise, Haneda smirked and added, "Oh, Shikaku, one more thing—this stack of paperwork is now yours. I'll review it tomorrow."

"???"

Shikaku looked up at the massive pile of unfinished documents left by the Third Hokage.

Haneda patted the stack with his hand and casually walked toward the office door. As he passed Shikaku, he gave him a few encouraging pats on the shoulder before stepping out.

"???"

Shikaku turned to see Kakashi leaning against the doorframe, smiling knowingly as if he had been expecting this. In an instant, Shikaku understood everything, and the excitement he had felt about becoming an elder turned bitter.

Suddenly, Haneda's voice came again: "Oh, one more thing—I forgot to mention. Could you also write that letter to the Daimyō for me?"

At this, Shikaku couldn't muster a smile anymore.

...

On the way home.

Haneda and Kakashi were walking hand in hand with Naruto along a lively street.

Everyone they passed greeted Haneda warmly.

Naruto listened closely to the voices around him, noticing that the villagers' hostility toward him had diminished significantly.

"Uncle Haneda, does this mean that starting tonight, people won't call me a demon fox anymore?"

"There might still be some, but it will become less and less frequent. Over time, it will almost disappear," Haneda replied gently.

Haneda knew he couldn't completely control how the villagers treated Naruto. How they referred to him was their choice and right.

"Does this mean I'll make lots of friends?" Naruto asked excitedly.

"Yes," Haneda said with a warm smile. "Just like how Sasuke and Haku are willing to play with you."

"Sa-su-ke... Mm!"

Naruto began imagining how the kids who used to refuse to play with him would now become his friends, just like Sasuke. They would call him their best friend.

He pictured shops and restaurants that had once turned him away now welcoming him inside.

He imagined being able to drink fresh milk and eat delicious food.

"It will definitely happen!"

Naruto beamed, looking up with joy.

Kakashi glanced at Naruto, feeling a pang of guilt for not having returned to the village to see him in the past three years.

Haneda, meanwhile, looked at the lanterns illuminating the street, memories of Minato's final wishes surfacing in his mind.

Eventually, they arrived at Haneda's house.

Sasuke was sitting on the doorstep, waiting.

When he noticed Naruto, Sasuke stood abruptly and ran toward him, only to slow his pace nonchalantly as he neared.

"Here, this is what you wanted."

Sasuke handed Naruto a kunai with an air of indifference.

However, in the brief moment he turned away, his eyes revealed a flicker of reluctance.

That kunai had been a gift from his older brother.

"Thank you, Sasuke! You really are my best friend," Naruto said gratefully.

"Who said I was your best friend, you big idiot!"

After handing over the kunai, Sasuke plopped down beside Naruto without further comment.

Haneda smiled and asked teasingly, "It's pretty late, Sasuke. Shouldn't you be heading home?"

"I'm waiting for my brother, Uncle Haneda. He left with you earlier, but he hasn't come back yet," Sasuke replied.

"Sasuke, didn't you say you were going for a walk? How did you end up here?"

Itachi suddenly appeared, jumping down from a nearby rooftop.

Caught off guard, Sasuke blushed slightly and sneaked a glance at Naruto, who seemed oblivious to the exchange.

"Naruto, you big idiot…"

"Big brother, I told you I was going home after my walk. Why did you come looking for me?" Sasuke huffed and walked over to Itachi's side.

"See you tomorrow, Sasuke. Thanks for the gift! I'll come to your house to play," Naruto called out.

"See you tomorrow, Naruto," Sasuke said, waving before lowering his head and following Itachi.

Curious, Itachi asked, "Sasuke, what did you give him just now?"

"Just a regular kunai, nothing special," Sasuke replied nonchalantly.

...

Back at Haneda's house.

Haneda smiled and asked, "Sasuke waited outside for so long just to give you that kunai?"

"Probably," Naruto said hesitantly. "It's something I begged him for."

"Can I take a look?"

After a moment of hesitation, Naruto handed the kunai to Haneda.

"The scent of Itachi…"

The moment Haneda held the kunai, he sensed Itachi's presence on it.

Smiling mysteriously, Haneda handed the weapon back to Naruto.

"This is something Sasuke treasures. Take good care of it, and don't lose or damage it."

"Really?" Naruto asked, puzzled. He couldn't understand why Sasuke would value it so much.

After all, kunai weren't exactly rare—Haneda's home had plenty, Haku's room was filled with them, and Kimimaro had even more.

It was already quite late when Haneda and Naruto returned home. If not for Haneda's sudden ascension as Hokage, the streets would have been much quieter.

By this time, Haku and the others had already gone to bed.

As Haneda opened the door to his room, he felt that someone had been there earlier, though he detected no lingering chakra.

"Was it Haku or the others?"

Walking to the window, he noticed a faint footprint. A wave of familiarity washed over him.

Smiling softly, he turned to his desk and saw a folded piece of paper resting there.

Unfolding it, Haneda saw seven words written in clumsy handwriting: "Congratulations on becoming Hokage."

"Still such terrible handwriting. Four or five years, and it hasn't improved," Haneda muttered with a chuckle.

Carefully, he folded the paper again and tucked it into a hidden drawer on his bookshelf.

After storing the note, Haneda began writing a letter.

"I received your congratulations. I wish you success in achieving your own goals…"

"And one more thing—remember to practice your handwriting, Obito."

Summoning his messenger bird, Kojū, Haneda handed the letter to it.

"Deliver this to the Memorial Stone. A masked ninja will come to retrieve it."

...