Naruto: With Favorabiltity System

Chapter 351: Akatsuki's New Member, Tobi

"Oh, Obito… What is he doing here?"

Haneda's right hand rested unconsciously on the table, rhythmically tapping in thought.

Countless possibilities crossed his mind, each quickly dismissed and erased.

Obito had long since deviated from the original timeline.

Ever since he got his hands on the book My Struggle—written by Haneda himself—he had grown even more resolute in his belief in the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

His conviction had only strengthened.

Haneda didn't believe his talk no jutsu would work on Obito.

If it were that simple, Obito would have already been persuaded by the book and returned.

"Troublesome."

Haneda sighed. Obito was here as a member of the Akatsuki, accompanying Pain.

Reporters from the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain had already caught wind of the news. Haneda had no choice but to make an appearance.

When that happened, he would inevitably come face-to-face with Obito.

"The fusion of the Tenseigan is still two years away, and my chakra and ocular power have only recovered by half..."

"Thankfully, I have the Ghostly Veil technique to completely conceal my presence."

Haneda instinctively touched the circular seal on his forehead, which emitted a faint green glow.

"Black Zetsu is unlikely to come to Konoha. There are too many eyes here, and the outer perimeter is fortified with barriers. If necessary, I can coordinate with the Sealing Squad to trap anything."

"Most likely, a few White Zetsu will tag along. I can use one to test the effects of my Self-Reincarnation technique…"

After some deliberation, Haneda decided to feign ignorance and act as though he didn't recognize Obito.

After all, Obito had already donned the "Tobi" mask. At worst, they could just act their parts and deceive each other.

"Tobi from the Akatsuki? Does that name have any particular significance, Haneda?"

Unnoticed, Kakashi had approached and was now leaning casually on the desk, peering over Haneda's documents with his uncovered right eye.

Kakashi's sudden question startled Haneda, causing his hand to jerk slightly.

"It's a name I've never heard before in relation to the Akatsuki. Perhaps a new member?" Haneda feigned ignorance.

Kakashi glanced at the photo of Tobi. The mask, revealing only the right eye, and the somewhat familiar hairstyle made his breath quicken.

"Obito?!" Kakashi exclaimed.

Realizing he had drawn attention, Kakashi quickly lowered his head, inadvertently meeting Haneda's gaze.

Neither spoke, aware that Shikaku, who was nearby, was curiously observing them.

"Obito who?" Shikaku asked.

Haneda and Kakashi exchanged a look before simultaneously answering with different responses:

"A naturally kind-hearted Uchiha."

"A very dear friend of mine."

The two glanced at each other again, their lips curling into faint smiles.

"But he's been dead for many years," they both concluded.

"Uchiha Obito, huh? No wonder… Did you see someone who looked like him, Kakashi?" Shikaku asked.

Kakashi didn't respond, so Shikaku continued, attempting to console him:

"I understand Obito's kindness, as well as the deep bond you shared with him, but the dead are gone. Life moves forward."

"If Obito is watching you from the Pure Land, he wouldn't want you to be stuck in the past."

As Shikaku comforted Kakashi, his gaze occasionally shifted to Haneda.

In truth, Shikaku wasn't just consoling Kakashi—he was also comforting the Hokage.

Kakashi and Obito had been classmates and comrades, yes.

But Haneda's deep feelings for Obito had been immortalized in his book.

As someone who often assisted Haneda with paperwork, Shikaku had read My Struggle countless times.

He was well aware of the tangled emotions between the three of them.

Under Shikaku's well-meaning words, neither Haneda nor Kakashi knew how to respond, so they remained silent.

Misinterpreting their silence as emotional turmoil, Shikaku generously volunteered to take on their workload for the day.

However…

When the office door shut with a decisive "bang," it left behind two amused smiles.

…

Discussing Obito's matters wasn't suitable in the Hokage's office, so Haneda and Kakashi used the Flying Thunder God Technique to relocate to the Hokage Rock.

"What's your take on this, Haneda?"

Kakashi's gaze was fixed on the train station being constructed outside Konoha as he spoke softly.

"He's here, so let him be. It's not like we haven't seen him before."

Haneda replied nonchalantly, pointing toward the ninja academy near the Hokage Building.

"Pain's visit is likely on behalf of Amegakure, not the Akatsuki."

"The official correspondence mentions an exchange program, presumably to further strengthen cooperation with Konoha."

"But an unexpected individual showed up."

Kakashi knew exactly who Haneda was referring to. After a moment of contemplation, he said:

"Obito's probably using the exchange program as an excuse to assess the state of the jinchūriki."

"The Akatsuki needs to capture the tailed beasts in sequence, from the One-Tails to the Nine-Tails. With both the first and last tailed beasts in Konoha's possession, Obito must be feeling the pressure."

"Maybe." Haneda continued to gaze at the ninja academy, his expression unreadable.

After a few seconds, he added:

"Last year, he told me the Three-Tails would take another eight years to revive. Obito's left me with eight years—he won't act prematurely."

Haneda's eyes flicked toward Kakashi's concealed left eye, and Kakashi understood his meaning.

The two stood in silence, the cool wind brushing past them atop the Hokage Rock.

"When are you planning to start the Fourth Great Ninja War, Haneda? Two years? After your Tenseigan fully awakens? Or in six years?"

Kakashi's sudden question broke the silence.

The "two years" referred to the time needed for the Tenseigan's fusion, while the "six years" marked the end of the second Five-Year Plan—an unspoken agreement between Haneda and Obito.

Haneda silently summoned a status update on his Tenseigan's progress: 56% complete.

More than halfway there!

Haneda understood the reason—the simultaneous absorption of Tenseigan ocular power through the Omnipotent Truth-Seeking Orb had significantly accelerated the awakening of his Rinnegan.

After all, the Tenseigan's ocular power was of Six Paths-level, far surpassing the Sharingan, which lacked the Yang Release.

At this rate, the Rinnegan might awaken even before the Tenseigan was fully fused.

"Less than three years," Haneda replied. "The sooner we finish this, the sooner we'll have peace."

"You're not planning to wait for Naruto and Sasuke?"

Haneda answered without hesitation. "If we finish this generation's mission, the next generation won't have to carry the same heavy burdens."

"You wouldn't want Naruto to live his life as the Nine-Tails jinchūriki, would you?"

"That was decided a long time ago."

Kakashi fell silent.

For the past year, Haneda had been personally mentoring Naruto and Sasuke.

Especially Sasuke—he'd even begun teaching him dangerous Lightning Release techniques. This seemed to deviate from the original plan.

Kakashi had thought Haneda might have changed his mind, hoping to accelerate the growth of this generation's reincarnations of Indra and Ashura to increase their chances of victory.

"Fine then. I've already fully mastered the power Obito gave me. Just don't push yourself—I'll back you up."

With that, Kakashi disappeared from the Hokage Rock.

Haneda stood alone for a while before leaving as well.

…