Naruto: With Favorabiltity System

Chapter 224: The Journey's End

"Let's go. It's time to say goodbye."

Minato waved at Haneda and the others as he walked toward the tall tower where Haneda had first arrived after crossing through time.

Haneda knew that this journey through time and space was coming to its end. He lifted his gaze and looked through the icy crystals protecting Obito and Kakashi, focusing on the purple rhombus-shaped seal on his forehead.

This seal, formed from the power of the Dragon Vein and the stars, symbolized the *Yang Seal*. It represented a journey Haneda had planned long ago.

"The end of the journey... is to return home."

Haneda turned his gaze to Obito and Kakashi, who were smiling warmly and waving at him. To them, this had been an extraordinary mission—meeting their future selves, only to return and reunite with their current selves in their era.

But to Haneda, this was a fleeting glimpse of happiness now lost.

After taking a final, long look at Obito, Haneda followed Minato toward the core of the Dragon Vein's seal.

Standing at the center of the tower, Minato turned back to Haneda and said, "You can return the Flying Thunder God kunai now."

"Yeah." Haneda handed back the Flying thunder god kunai that Minato had entrusted to him.

Minato then began the sealing process. As the blade was placed into the sealing point, a formation of symbols combining the *Four Symbols Seal* and the *Contract Seal* lit up on the ground.

Once the seal was complete, light particles began emanating from Haneda and Deidara, and their forms began to blur and fade.

Deidara looked at his glowing, fading hands in wonder before turning reluctantly to Obito.

"Senior!"

"It's time to part ways. Though I didn't get to witness your fire-style art completely, it was nice to meet you, hmm!"

"Goodbye, little Deidara! Who knows, maybe we'll meet in the future," Obito replied with a smile.

He then turned to Haneda, recalling the moment Haneda had placed the glowing Rasengan in his hand earlier. He could still feel the weight and warmth of that power.

Kakashi, leaning casually against the wall, tilted his head and asked Haneda, "So, are you planning to run for Hokage in the future, Haneda?"

Before Haneda could answer, Obito chimed in, "Oh, no way!"

"If you become Hokage, what does that make me? Dumb Haneda!"

"But... uh..." Obito coughed, pretending to think.

"Maybe it's not impossible. Just save a spot for me as one of the Elders!"

"Yeah, I'll be the next Hokage. That's right! That's the plan!"

The pull of the time-space tunnel grew stronger, and Haneda could feel its call. He looked deep into Obito's eyes, then reached out and gave Obito a hard knock on the forehead.

"Ow! What was that for, you jerk, Haneda?!" Obito shouted, rubbing his head.

"Nothing. I just couldn't resist hitting you, you *Crybaby Kamui*."

"What the heck is a Crybaby Kamui?! You're just looking for an excuse to hit me, you idiot!"

...

After the playful banter, Haneda turned to Minato and said, "I'll keep my promise."

"Hokage?" Minato asked.

"Something like that."

"Alright then. I don't know what the future holds, but if what Mukade said is true, you'll be Hokage one day."

"Good luck."

As their final farewell, Minato performed a memory-sealing jutsu, and the time-space tunnel opened fully.

Before stepping through, Haneda took one last look at Obito, recalling their conversation three years ago at the Valley of the End.

"I'll bring you back."

"From the hell you speak of, I'll return you to reality."

"You'll return to your younger self—the innocent, kind boy who dreamed of being Hokage."

"Obito."

...

When Haneda and Deidara awoke, the sky was unchanged.

Haku and Kimimaro had been waiting by Haneda's side. At that moment, Queen Sara of Roran entered, accusing them, "You shouldn't have tampered with this power!"

Haneda glanced at her briefly, noticing she had forgotten everything. His eyes shifted to the people behind her—fewer now compared to six or seven years ago.

"If you can learn to use this power wisely, your people can live happily."

Without another word, Haneda walked past Sara, and Haku and Kimimaro followed suit.

Deidara, still muttering about his "senior," dutifully created a large clay bird. Haneda and his team climbed aboard and left the ruins of Roran behind.

Sara, watching Haneda's retreating figure, felt a strange sense of significance in the young man's presence, as though he was destined for greatness.

Once Haneda and his group had left, Sara inspected the Dragon Vein's seal. Finding it intact, she rejoined her people to continue their nomadic journey across the Land of Wind.

...

On the clay bird, Pakura asked curiously, "Lord Haneda, was your Dragon Vein plan a success?"

"Yes." Haneda nodded slightly, glancing back at the fading ruins of Roran.

"Everything I planned was achieved. Some unexpected challenges arose, but they were insignificant. Most importantly, I've solidified my path."

"Revolution?" Pakura guessed.

"That's only a means to an end, not the goal itself."

Haneda turned to Deidara, seated at the front of the bird. "Fly toward the Land of Fire, Deidara."

"To Konoha, Haneda?"

"No. First, we'll stop at the border. I have some final instructions for Pakura. We'll part ways for a while there."

Pakura listened silently, understanding her next mission awaited. Having spent much of her life in Sunagakure, she was accustomed to assignments.

"Do you still remember the first mission of Akatsuki?"

"Achieving peace in the shinobi world?" Pakura recalled Haneda mentioning this.

Haneda shook his head.

"The wars of this era are coming to an end, and temporary peace will follow naturally. Even if we do nothing, peaceful days will come."

"But that's not enough. I've been missing one crucial element."

The others—Haku, Kimimaro, Karin, and Deidara—all turned to Haneda in unison.

Haneda spoke resolutely, "Happiness for those under our rule."

Haku, Kimimaro, and Karin reflected on their pasts.

Haku had escaped hunger and loneliness, now dressed in fine clothes with newfound friends.

Kimimaro was no longer a wandering, aimless soul. He had found purpose.

Karin had left the hellish life of being a disposable medic in Kusagakure and was living freely with her mother.

Haneda had indeed brought them happiness, and they would continue following him down this path.

"Achieving such ideals will not be easy," Pakura said. Unlike the younger members, her life experience told her how monumental the task was.

Still, she resolved to follow Haneda, believing his clear vision was better than staying stagnant.

The clay bird continued its flight toward the Land of Fire. After reaching the border, Pakura departed for the Land of Bears on her mission.

The bird flew on, eventually arriving in Konoha.

As night fell, snow began to drift from the skies, blanketing the Hokage Monument in white. The streetlights illuminated snow-covered roads, and shops and restaurants bustled with intermittent traffic.

The moonlight shone on Haneda's young face as he stood atop the Hokage Monument, gazing at the glowing village below.

A sudden gust of wind lifted his black cloak.

The boy sighed with a tinge of melancholy.

"It's just a bit of frost and wind."

---

*(End of Volume)*

(T/N: Thanks for reading. It seems another volume ends here.)