Naruto: With Favorabiltity System

Chapter 376: Shikaku: What Exactly Has the Hokage Been Doing Behind My Back?!

Haneda didn't mind Shikaku's somewhat strange gaze. Ever since he took down the Daimyo, he'd grown used to being misunderstood by others.

He continued,

"Currently, tools like trains and computers can connect the entire world."

"Moreover, aside from slight differences in accents, the languages and scripts of all known nations are essentially the same, and cultural differences are minimal."

"So why not unify the world, instead of letting nations fight each other over interests?"

"A unified nation could mobilize global resources to make up for individual countries' deficiencies."

"For instance, sending the Rain Country's water resources to the Wind Country, and the Wind Country's oil and natural gas to the Rain Country."

"If the Wind Country no longer lacks water, and the Rain Country gains industrial materials, mutual benefits can be achieved."

"This wouldn't just solve the problem of peace; it would also increase the happiness of people across all nations."

Shikaku was silent for a moment before replying, "You're right, but it's a hassle."

"When the Daimyo system was abolished years ago, the Fire Country experienced a prolonged rebellion, and chaos dragged on for over a year."

"The same thing would probably happen in other countries."

"People tend to cling to what they're used to, whether good or bad."

"When the existing order is disrupted, the disruptor will be resented, even if it's for their own good."

"I must remind you, Lord Hokage, this is a thankless task."

Haneda replied, "That's fine. After all, I have you."

"…" Shikaku twitched slightly at the corner of his mouth. Thinking about it carefully, most of the work involving suppression and pacification had indeed been his to arrange.

Haneda merely stood by and spouted encouraging words.

Seeing Shikaku fall silent, Haneda returned to his office, splitting into several shadow clones to start working.

Shortly afterward, Kakashi, who had already discussed things with Haneda, sought Shikaku out.

Dragging Shikaku out of the office, the two of them walked, one behind the other, into a secret room.

At the moment, the room contained only Shikaku, Kakashi, and a squad of Anbu who had followed them in.

Today, the one overseeing security in the Hokage building was Shisui, the vice-captain of the Anbu.

Kakashi made no effort to exclude Shisui. After closing the door, he began,

"Early this morning, something happened. The Anbu sealed off the information, and only a handful of people know the details."

Shikaku replied, "Kakashi, you're the captain of the Anbu. Matters concerning the Hokage's secrets are not my responsibility."

Kakashi said, "I'm just here to share some news to clear up your doubts."

Lowering his voice, Kakashi continued,

"I know you have your reservations about Haneda's decisions—not about whether they're right, but about whether he can lead Konoha to victory over the anti-Konoha alliance, and what kind of damage this war might do to Konoha."

"Shikaku, you always think things through comprehensively. You tend to anticipate the worst-case scenario and figure out ways to avoid it."

"You know you can't persuade Haneda otherwise, so when he hands you the plan to execute, you'll want to refine it, ensuring its success while minimizing harm to Konoha."

"What I want to tell you is, wars aren't always won with the most meticulous plans—often, the simplest plans are the most effective."

"And what I want you to know is that Haneda possesses absolute power to win this war. But what he seeks isn't merely to win; he wants to conquer hearts, to have the other nations genuinely embrace Konoha's new era of the Will of Fire."

Shikaku asked gravely, "Is that even possible? After slaughtering their comrades, their families, causing wars, and inflicting endless pain—how can they possibly forgive? How can they possibly understand?"

Without hesitation, Kakashi answered, "As long as Haneda is here, everything is possible."

"I can tell you with certainty that Haneda has awakened the legendary Sage's Eye, the Rinnegan!"

"This morning's earthquake was Haneda testing the Rinnegan's capabilities."

"The Rinnegan? Pain's eyes?!!" Shikaku's expression turned to one of shock.

The Sage's Eye, the pinnacle of the three great dōjutsu, was the ultimate evolution of the Sharingan?

The Uchiha were descendants of the Sage of Six Paths?

These revelations were things Haneda and Kakashi had never mentioned before.

Could it be that the Hokage was finally treating him as a true friend, a genuine ally, instead of just the hardest-working cog in the machine?

"That's right," Kakashi nodded with a mysterious smile. "And Haneda's power isn't limited to the Rinnegan."

"When he fully masters this power, he'll become the second Sage of Six Paths!"

"Not just the Sage's Eye…?!!" Shikaku was once again stunned.

What on earth had Haneda been doing behind his back?

How was it that such critical developments were completely unknown to him?

No, wait…

Wasn't the Hokage supposed to be lounging around Konoha, doing nothing, taking Naruto to and from school, training occasionally at the Third Training Ground, and signing papers here and there?

And now the Rinnegan, and even other powers?

From Kakashi's tone, it seemed the "other powers" weren't inferior to the Rinnegan, and might even surpass it!

What exactly had the Hokage been up to?!

How could such important matters escape the notice of Konoha's hardest-working elder?!

Noticing Shikaku's repeatedly shocked expression, Kakashi patted his shoulder and smiled,

"Trust Haneda. He's always been someone who acts after careful planning—he won't do anything rash."

Shikaku said, "But, but… Kakashi, no matter how strong someone is, they can only conquer an enemy's body, not their heart."

"Even if the Hokage is powerful, he can't make them genuinely embrace the Will of Fire!"

"Don't tell me you plan to have Shisui cast Kotoamatsukami on them one by one?"

Kakashi replied, "I forgot to mention one of the Rinnegan's abilities. The Rinnegan is the Eye of Life and Death—it has a technique called the Samsara of Heavenly Life Jutsu, which can resurrect the dead."

"Haneda plans to use this jutsu to bring back everyone who died in the war after defeating the enemy."

"As for Kotoamatsukami, that's reserved for the stubborn ones."

"Haneda isn't a saint. For those who refuse to change, it's either execution or Shisui's intervention."

Shikaku asked again, "Every jutsu has a cost. The stronger the jutsu, the higher the price. Surely the conditions for using the Samsara of Heavenly Life Jutsu aren't simple?"

Kakashi replied, "Haneda has his own ways."

Knock knock knock—

There was a knock at the door.

"Kakashi-senpai, the Hokage has requested your presence."

It was Itachi's voice. Kakashi knew that Haneda must have something important to discuss.

Otherwise, it wouldn't have been the Anbu vice-captain, Itachi, coming to fetch him, but an ordinary member of the Anbu.

As Kakashi prepared to leave, Shikaku asked one last question,

"Kakashi, tell me honestly—don't lie to me."

"How many people know about the Hokage awakening the Rinnegan?"

Kakashi replied, "Myself, Itachi, Shisui, Fugaku—four people. Now there's one more: you."

Hearing that even the other elders didn't know, Shikaku's face lit up with satisfaction.

As the hardest-working elder of Konoha, he was, after all, one of the Hokage's trusted inner circle.

Even Asuma, the Hokage's most devoted fan, didn't know!