Chapter 15
"Yes, before I thought there wasn't much to learn in school, and that I could only advance by becoming a ninja."
"But now..." Kakashi looked into Haneda's eyes and said, "I realize there's still so much I need to learn."
"Ninjutsu is important for a ninja, but it isn't everything."
"I want to learn something here, though I don't yet know what it is myself."
As Haneda met Kakashi's gaze, he could sense the sincerity in his words.
Haneda placed a hand on Kakashi's desk and smiled. "I see, Kakashi. But remember, ninjutsu is also important for a ninja, so don't neglect it."
"Of course." Kakashi nodded seriously, "Next time we battle, I won't lose."
"It's a deal."
As they spoke, Haneda extended his right fist. Kakashi, slightly confused, hesitated for a moment before slowly offering his own fist in return.
Their fists bumped together, and in that moment, Kakashi seemed to understand something he had been missing all along.
**[Ding! Kakashi's affection +3]**
**[Ding! Kakashi's affection +5]**
...
**[Kakashi's affection has reached 200. You have gained 0.2 chakra points, partial Sharingan power, and a Chunin-level understanding of Lightning Release chakra.]**
Hearing the system notification, Haneda was momentarily stunned.
What the heck?
How did Kakashi's affection rise like a rocket? It's already over 200!
To think that it took him three whole years to reach this point with Obito.
And yet, Haneda didn't remember saying anything particularly emotional...
Could it be...?
Was he accidentally winning people over??
So it's true that childhood friends can't compete with new arrivals, huh... emmm...
Just then, Kakashi snapped back to reality and, remembering his father's request, said, "Haneda, are you free this evening?"
"What's up, Kakashi?" Haneda asked, already guessing the reason for the question.
"My father wants to invite you to dinner tonight. He said he wants to meet my new friend," Kakashi said, a bit embarrassed.
"A friend?" Haneda muttered to himself, making Kakashi a little uneasy.
"Alright. I, Uchiha Haneda, acknowledge you. Hatake Kakashi is my friend."
"Tell me the place, and I'll be there tonight."
Hearing Haneda's words, Kakashi immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
"Barbecue Q. You know where that is, right, Haneda?"
The two continued chatting for a while, discussing trivial matters. When the teacher entered the classroom, Haneda turned around and sat properly.
However, his mind was still busy with thoughts, so much so that he didn't notice the empty seat next to him.
"The famous White Fang of Konoha is inviting me to dinner. Given the rise in affection last night, it must be to express gratitude."
"I recall the system doesn't show affection levels for people below 50."
"Hmm, 81 affection points. That's nearing friendship territory."
"With this meeting, Danzo likely won't dare touch me directly..."
"Two backers. Double protection. As long as I don't court disaster, I'm solid in Konoha!"
As Haneda considered this, his previous worries about the underhanded rat known as the 5.5th Hokage, Danzo, began to fade.
...
*Thud, thud, thud...*
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway.
A boy with goggles on his forehead burst into the classroom.
"Sorry I'm late, sensei!" Obito said, panting heavily as he leaned against the classroom door.
"No need to explain. Let me guess, helping an elderly woman cross the street again, right?" The teacher said, expressionless.
"Ahaha, the teacher already knows!" Obito scratched the back of his head, embarrassed.
Seeing Obito's foolish expression, the teacher sighed and said, "Take your seat, Obito. But don't be late again tomorrow."
Even the teacher didn't believe his own words.
He had secretly investigated Obito before and found that the boy really did frequently help elderly women cross the street in the mornings.
At this point, the teacher was just trying to comfort himself...
"Mmm, thank you, sensei!" Obito bowed deeply before happily running back to his seat.
Rin, however, was a bit annoyed and muttered softly, "Late again, Obito. That's the fifth time this week... and it's only Friday."
Seeing Rin pouting in frustration, Obito blushed slightly.
"Alright, Rin. Obito didn't mean to be late," Haneda said softly, trying to calm her down. After all, he knew just how terrifying Obito's route to school was. A hundred-meter street lined with dozens of elderly women? Who wouldn't be late?!
"You're always defending Obito, Haneda," Rin huffed, still upset.
At that moment, the teacher, hearing the chatter, turned his attention to Haneda and his friends.
"Enjoying the conversation, Haneda? How about you come up and solve this problem on the board?"
The teacher pointed to a question on the blackboard with his ruler, speaking sternly.
"I don't know," Haneda glanced at the problem and answered bluntly.
???
The teacher looked at Haneda seriously. "Are you sure?"
"Yep. No idea," Haneda replied honestly.
He had only glanced at the textbook on the first day of school and found nothing worth learning. Since then, he had barely paid attention in class, spending most of his time recalling the plot of the original story.
Seeing Haneda's calm and unbothered demeanor, combined with his naturally handsome Uchiha features, many of the girls in the class suddenly had hearts in their eyes.
"Wow, I can't handle it! Even his rejection is so cool!!"
"He's got strength, looks... I think I'm falling for him!"
"Get outta here! Isn't Kakashi enough for you girls? You're all so shallow!"
"Shut up! I just love all handsome guys equally!!"
...
The whispers floating around Haneda's ears were practically polluting his mind.
Wasn't this supposed to be Kakashi's treatment?
How did beating him once lead to me receiving it instead?
I guess the girls really are unpredictable…
Then, another conversation caught Haneda's attention, making his expression turn slightly odd.
"Asuma, look at Haneda showing off again."
"And he doesn't even know that simple problem on the board... what a showoff!"
The boy beside Asuma complained bitterly.
"Watch your mouth. Call him *Haneda-senpai*! He's my most respected rival!" Asuma snapped back, annoyed.
"But... Asuma-senpai, didn't he beat you up just yesterday?"
"Shut up! That was a lesson in love!"
"Yesterday, I snuck into my dad's office and looked up White Fang's file."
"White Fang completed 27 S-rank missions and 123 A-rank missions. How could I possibly badmouth such a legend?"
"Besides..." Asuma's voice grew quieter as he continued.
"I found out that my dad has been letting that scumbag Danzo slander White Fang..."
"Cough, cough. It's only thanks to the guidance of my eternal rival, Uchiha Haneda, that I realized my father is unworthy of his position!"
"Then why don't you expose it to the public, Asuma?" the boy asked, confused.
Asuma's face reddened in embarrassment as he stammered, "My dad warned me not to..."
"In any case, Uchiha Haneda is a worthy rival. Watch your mouth from now on!"
"And one day, I'll overthrow my father's corrupt regime and become Hokage!"
"Yes, Asuma-senpai!" The boy's eyes gleamed with admiration as he spoke.
...
***
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