Naruto: The Favorability-Devouring Uchiha

"In the shinobi world, those who break the rules are trash… but those who abandon their friends are worse than trash."

Haneda's voice echoed in Kakashi's mind as he walked through the quiet streets of Konoha. The setting sun stretched long shadows across the cobblestones, yet his thoughts felt heavier than the twilight air.

Kakashi didn't notice the old man until—

Thud!

The two collided lightly. Kakashi blinked, startled out of his thoughts.

"Ah—sorry, uncle," Kakashi said quickly, bowing slightly.

The middle-aged man chuckled, scratching the back of his head.

"It's alright, kid. I walk fast, and, well—" he patted his stomach with a sheepish grin, "—I'm not exactly small. You okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm a ninja… not that fragile," Kakashi replied, a faint smile curving his lips beneath the mask.

"Good answer." The man grinned, waving as he left.

"See you around, future shinobi!"

"Goodbye, uncle."

Kakashi watched him walk away before his gaze shifted, catching a glimpse of his reflection in a shop window. For a long moment, he stared at the masked face staring back at him. Then, almost without thinking, he pulled the fabric down.

A child's face looked back—sharp gray eyes, soft features hardened too soon by grief and expectation.

Kakashi's lips curled into a small, genuine smile.

And then—his father's voice came flooding back.

"Kakashi… strength is meant to protect your comrades and the village."

He remembered that day vividly—the pride in Sakumo's eyes when Kakashi first entered the Academy, the quiet nod Kakashi gave instead of words.

This time, though, the boy had an answer in his heart.

Just like that uncle cared for a stranger's child, just like his father bore the hatred of the village to save a friend—

That is the Will of Fire.

Kakashi pulled his mask back up and turned toward home, his steps lighter than they had been in weeks.

The setting sun painted the street in gold, and for the first time in a long time, his eyes were clear.

---

At the Hatake Residence

Kakashi pushed open the sliding door, neatly placing his sandals by the cabinet.

"I'm home, Father," he called, his tone relaxed—almost cheerful.

His voice was the same as yesterday, but when Sakumo heard it, something in his chest eased for the first time in months.

"Kakashi," Sakumo said softly from the low table. "You seem… in a good mood. Did something happen at school?"

Kakashi walked in, gray eyes calm yet bright.

"Father… this afternoon, the Third Hokage's son—Asuma—said something about your mission."

"Oh?" Sakumo's tone was mild, though his fingers stilled around his teacup. "I imagine that didn't sit well with him, huh?"

He waved it off gently. "Don't trouble yourself over children's words."

But Kakashi shook his head.

"He called you trash, Father. But… someone else called you a hero."

Sakumo blinked in surprise. "…Oh? And whose child was that?"

"Uchiha Haneda," Kakashi said simply. "And Obito agreed."

For a fleeting moment, Sakumo's brows knit, then relaxed. The Uchiha? He almost smiled. Whatever tension lingered eased when he saw the clarity in his son's eyes.

Kakashi continued, his voice firm:

"Haneda told me… 'Those who break the rules are trash. But those who abandon their comrades… are worse than trash.'"

"Father… do you remember what you told me?"

"Strength is for protecting… your friends and the village."

"A shinobi isn't a tool. He's a shield—a protector. That's the Will of Fire."

Kakashi's words rang like tempered steel.

Sakumo stared, silent, before laughter—deep, unforced laughter—broke free. His smile was no longer heavy with regret, but alive with something he thought he'd lost.

"…You're right, Kakashi." His voice was steady now. "Strength means nothing without purpose. And that purpose… is to protect."

His gaze softened, pride glimmering through the tired lines of his face.

"This… this is my way of the ninja. The Will of Fire."

Kakashi smiled behind the mask, bowing his head slightly.

"Yes, Father."

For the first time in what felt like years, the Hatake home was filled not with silence… but with hope.

---

System Notifications

Ding! Hatake Kakashi's favorability +5

Ding! Hatake Kakashi's favorability +7

Ding! Hatake Kakashi's favorability +37

Ding! Hatake Sakumo's impression +61

✅ Host's favorability with Sarutobi Asuma reaches 63 → Unlock: Basic Fire Release mastery

✅ Host's favorability with Hatake Kakashi reaches 153 → Rewards: +0.3 Chakra Cards, A-Rank Ninjutsu: Chidori, Partial Sharingan Power

✅ Host's favorability with Hatake Sakumo reaches 81 → Reward: Advanced Kenjutsu Expertise

Haneda's eyes lit up at the screen.

"Chidori unlocked… and Sharingan potential boosted. Perfect."

Then he paused, smirking.

"And Sakumo gave me swordsmanship mastery too? Not bad… though Asuma's favorability going up after I humiliated him is weird."

Haneda tilted his head, chuckling darkly.

"…Is that kid a masochist?"

---

Meanwhile – Hokage's Office

In the Hokage Building, Sarutobi Hiruzen leaned over his crystal ball. Its surface shimmered faintly, showing… the interior of a hot spring inn. The Sandaime's eyes narrowed, pipe between his teeth, his expression unreadable.

Countless young women were laughing and splashing in the steaming water.

"Ahem. As Hokage, one must… monitor the people's morale," he muttered, wiping the ball just as a knock sounded on the door.

Boom, boom, boom.

"Come in," Hiruzen said calmly, exhaling smoke.

Takakura Bunta—homeroom teacher of the Academy's top class—stepped in and bowed. His class was filled with clan heirs: Uchiha, Hyūga, Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka… even the Hokage's own son.

"Lord Hokage," Bunta began formally. "I've come to report on today's incident."

Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. "Asuma… caused trouble?"

"Yes," Bunta admitted. "He insulted Sakumo Hatake in front of the class. Called him a failure."

The pipe clicked softly as Hiruzen set it down.

"…I see. I'll take him to apologize myself."

Before Bunta could leave, Hiruzen's sharp eyes flicked up.

"There's more, isn't there?"

"Yes," Bunta said slowly. "When Asuma mocked White Fang… two Uchiha—Haneda and Obito—stood up for him. Called Sakumo a hero."

Hiruzen's brows lifted slightly.

"And… Haneda defeated Asuma in a duel. Then…"

Bunta hesitated, his next words almost incredulous:

"…Haneda also defeated Kakashi."

Smoke curled silently from the Hokage's pipe.

An Uchiha… strong enough to beat Kakashi, even at this age?

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly, thoughts moving behind a calm smile.

"…Interesting."