Naruto: The Favorability-Devouring Uchiha

Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent for a moment after hearing the report.

His son losing a fight? That was nothing unusual. After all, Uchiha were famed for their combat prowess.

But Kakashi… being defeated—that was something else entirely.

Kakashi was no ordinary child. Among the Academy students, he was a prodigy. Even among prodigies, he stood out. Hiruzen could only compare that level of talent to Orochimaru… or Minato.

"Did he awaken his Sharingan?" the Hokage asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Yes. A single tomoe in each eye," Bunta replied. "But, Lord Hokage, Haneda didn't rely on it from the start. In fact, most of the fight was without the Sharingan."

"Oh?"

"His taijutsu was only slightly weaker than Kakashi's, and he already mastered a C-rank Fire Release—Great Fireball Technique. During the battle, Kakashi surprised us by using the Shadow Clone Jutsu, but even then, Haneda adapted. Once his Sharingan activated, Kakashi couldn't keep up."

Hiruzen exhaled slowly, taking a deep draw from his pipe. Smoke curled in the air as his lips formed a faint smile.

"It seems… Konoha's new leaves have begun to sprout."

His eyes hardened slightly.

"Bunta, keep an eye on both Haneda and Kakashi. They are the buds of the new era. They must not wither."

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

"Good. You may go."

Takakura Bunta bowed and left the office.

Once alone, Hiruzen opened a manila folder from the stack on his desk. The name Uchiha Haneda was printed across the top. His eyes drifted to the notes:

Academic Ranking: Second to last.

The corner of his mouth twitched. Then he chuckled softly. Just like the Nara boy… lazy, hiding his true ability.

"Uchiha… always full of surprises," he murmured.

His smile faded as another thought surfaced.

Asuma… Bunta glossed over something. Did Haneda clash with him over Sakumo and Kakashi? Most likely…

Hiruzen sighed. "I'll have Bunta file a detailed report on the Kakashi-Haneda fight later."

He was about to reach for his pipe again when the door creaked open without a knock.

A gray-clad figure entered, his right eye concealed behind bandages. His steps were silent, but his presence carried the chill of deep shadows.

Danzo Shimura.

The man known as the Darkness of the Shinobi World.

Without preamble, Danzo tossed a folder onto Hiruzen's desk.

"Hiruzen. This boy—Uchiha Haneda. Transfer him to Root."

Hiruzen's gaze sharpened.

"Danzo… you know as well as I do—the Uchiha will never accept their children joining Root."

His voice was calm, but there was steel beneath the words.

Danzo's single visible eye narrowed.

"You're too soft, Hiruzen. Uchiha are dangerous by nature. This boy is already a threat. If we don't control him now—"

"Enough!"

The Hokage's voice cracked like a whip as he slammed his hands on the desk. For a heartbeat, the room was tense with killing intent.

Then, slowly, Hiruzen exhaled, forcing his tone calm again.

"The Uchiha are Konoha shinobi. That is not up for debate. I will not authorize this."

He added coldly, "And Danzo… it's time the White Fang rumors stopped. He will never become the Fourth Hokage—not with the council's current stance. You know what that means."

Danzo's eye flickered at the veiled command. After a pause, he said hoarsely,

"…I'll suppress the rumors. But about this boy—" His voice dropped, poisonous and sharp. "You know what our sensei believed about the Uchiha. Evil… inherent in their blood."

Hiruzen's eyes hardened.

"That's enough. Stop this, Danzo. The Uchiha of today are still Konoha's Uchiha. That will not change—not while I draw breath."

Danzo's jaw tightened. His whisper was almost a hiss.

"You'll regret this, Hiruzen."

"I am the Hokage," Hiruzen replied evenly, his hand gripping the desk.

Bang!

The door slammed shut as Danzo stormed out, his figure melting into the evening shadows like a phantom.

Hiruzen stood for a long moment, pipe smoke curling around him, his face carved with worry.

---

Meanwhile – Uchiha Compound

Haneda was oblivious to the storm brewing in the Hokage's tower. Even if he knew Danzo had set his sights on him, he wouldn't panic.

I have two shields, he thought with a smirk. Hatake Sakumo… and the entire Uchiha clan.

At that moment, in the Uchiha main house, news of Haneda's victory over Kakashi had already spread. Uchiha Kenji, the clan head, decided to meet him personally.

"Come in," a deep voice called from inside.

Haneda slid the door open, stepping into the tatami room. He felt a flicker of awkwardness—he never liked formal socializing. But for survival and power? He'd swallow his discomfort without hesitation.

"Clan Head," Haneda greeted respectfully.

Kenji smiled warmly.

"Haneda. Sit. There's someone I want you to meet."

A tall, stoic youth about sixteen sat by the low table, his expression as stiff as a drawn blade. Haneda's eyes widened internally.

"This is my son, Fugaku. If you don't mind, call him Brother Fugaku."

Fugaku Uchiha… future clan head, father of Sasuke and Itachi. One against seven during the coup night.

Haneda masked his excitement with a polite smile.

"Brother Fugaku."

Fugaku inclined his head slightly.

"Haneda. I heard about your match with Kakashi. Impressive."

He paused, searching for conversation. Social warmth wasn't his strength.

"Your grades must be excellent, right?"

Haneda almost choked. Grades? Seriously?

But his smile didn't waver. "Not bad," he said smoothly.

Fugaku nodded seriously.

"I thought so. To beat Kakashi, you must be among the top of your class."

Haneda's internal scream nearly broke through his mask. Top of the bottom, maybe…

At that moment, the clan head returned with tea, his refined movements exuding quiet dignity. He set the tray down with practiced grace.

"Fugaku," Kenji said gently, "Haneda's academic ranking… may not be ideal."

Haneda chuckled lightly.

"Second to last, Clan Head. Right above Obito."

Fugaku blinked. Obito… that loudmouth idiot who helps old ladies? He's dead last. And this boy… defeated Kakashi?

The irony wasn't lost on him. But Fugaku's eyes softened a fraction as he thought: Grades don't measure strength. In battle, ability speaks louder than paper.

Haneda, meanwhile, was already plotting.

Kaleidoscope Sharingan, clan goodwill, future leverage… Fugaku, my brother, let's get along very well.