Naruto: With Favorabiltity System

Chapter 259: My Struggle Set to Publish

At noon, Haneda initially planned to invite Kakashi for lunch.

But before he could leave, a figure suddenly barged into his home.

"Haneda-bro! Why is my part in the story so small? I'm not okay with this!"

Haneda immediately recognized the voice—it was Asuma.

When he opened the door, Asuma was standing there, his eyes filled with grievance.

Haneda sighed and said, "Haven't you had enough screentime? I mentioned you plenty of times while writing about the Third Great Ninja War."

"Then why is the focus on Obito and Kakashi during childhood and afterward? I'm not okay with this!"

Rubbing his temples, Haneda realized Shikaku must have handed this task off to Asuma.

He placated, "I couldn't exactly write about how you used to secretly follow me around as a kid, now could I?"

Hearing this, Asuma's face turned red with embarrassment, and he muttered softly, "So you knew about that back then, Haneda-bro."

Quickly shifting his tone to defiance, Asuma protested, "But why does Obito get so much attention even after his sacrifice for the village? Why all the flashbacks about him?"

Haneda's expression darkened. "Obito was my closest friend—and Kakashi's too."

"What about me? What am I to you?"

"You're my long-time comrade and friend." Haneda offered a quick reassurance before diverting the topic.

"Instead of worrying about your role in the story, Asuma, you should be focusing on the revolutionary ideas in this book."

Realizing his mistake, Asuma quickly apologized, "You're right, Haneda-bro. I'm sorry."

"By the way, will this book only be distributed to the ninja academy students, or will it be published in other nations too?"

"Of course it'll be published internationally. Why would we limit it to just the Land of Fire?" Haneda responded, a bit exasperated. He wondered if Shikaku had failed to explain this properly.

Asuma said, "Shikaku mentioned the book might get banned. He wanted me to ask if you'd like it to be secretly circulated instead."

Haneda considered the content of the book. Its themes directly criticized feudal lords and hereditary officials. Those in power would certainly attempt to suppress it.

However, as the most resource-rich country, the Land of Fire attracted merchants from all over the world. Spending significant resources to distribute it covertly didn't seem necessary.

It would be better to promote it openly across the Land of Fire. With proven results, scholars and intellectuals would naturally champion the book's ideas.

Haneda instructed, "No need for secret circulation. Have Shikaku coordinate with the ministers in the daimyo's court to promote the book nationally.

"And if any officials resist this initiative, send them to prison for some tea and reflection."

Haneda then provided detailed instructions regarding the publication, emphasizing that the book must be released on September 15th.

With Haneda's directives in hand, Asuma left.

Around lunchtime, Kakashi appeared outside Haneda's house using the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Sensing Haneda's presence, Kakashi leapt up to the second floor and peered through the window, meeting Haneda's gaze as he sat at his desk.

"Am I interrupting your creative flow?" Kakashi asked awkwardly.

Haneda set down his pen and replied, "Not at all. Let's go find a good place to eat."

"Should we take Naruto to Ichiraku Ramen?"

"No need to bother him. He's over at Brother Fugaku's house playing with Sasuke."

Grabbing Kakashi's hand, Haneda teleported them both directly to Ichiraku Ramen.

They each ordered their favorite bowls of ramen, and while waiting for their food, they started chatting.

"Your birthday is coming up in two days, isn't it, Kakashi?"

"Birthday? Oh, right, I guess it is. I haven't celebrated it in years."

Hearing this, Haneda thought back to the three years he'd been away and figured Kakashi might have forgotten his own birthday during that time.

Feeling a pang of sympathy, Haneda forced a casual smile. "Don't worry, I haven't forgotten."

"Is there anything specific you'd like?"

Kakashi sighed in mild exasperation. "You already know what I want. Are you finally going to give it back to me?"

"Guess you'll have to wait and see." Haneda chuckled, though he'd already decided not to gift him Icha Icha Paradise.

He didn't want Kakashi carrying around that kind of book, sneaking glances at it and tarnishing the image of Konoha's leadership.

Teuchi brought over two steaming bowls of ramen, setting them down in front of Haneda and Kakashi.

As a regular customer, Teuchi was familiar with the two of them.

"Lord Hokage, you must be working hard today to finish early and come here for ramen."

"Indeed, I couldn't resist the lure of Ichiraku's ramen." Haneda replied with a smile.

Noticing Haneda's relaxed demeanor, Kakashi was about to make a remark when he suddenly remembered he had also offloaded his work onto Shikaku. He ended up laughing instead.

Haneda turned to him, puzzled. "What are you laughing about?"

"Oh, nothing. I was just wondering if you'd be willing to come to Yakiniku Q on my birthday for a meal."

Haneda hesitated briefly, but seeing the hopeful look in Kakashi's eyes, he eventually nodded in agreement.

...

Across the sea in the Land of Water, deep within a hidden underground base in Kirigakure.

Obito was speaking with a blue-haired ninja with a shark-like face, wielding a peculiar sword.

"Afterward, you'll take Kisame and leave Kirigakure for the Land of Rain."

"Is this to join the Akatsuki, Lord Mizukage?"

"Your codename will be 'Southern Star.' You'll work for the Akatsuki and act as my spy to monitor their operations."

"Understood. I'll leave immediately."

As Obito finished speaking, a White Zetsu emerged from the ground.

Seeing this, Kisame knew the Mizukage had private matters to discuss and left the underground chamber with a smirk, hoisting Samehada onto his shoulder.

Once Kisame was gone, White Zetsu chuckled theatrically.

"Lord Madara, your best friend sent Jiraiya and Uchiha Shisui to the Land of Frost. It looks like he's preparing to take action against the Hidden Cloud."

Obito responded coldly, "If he truly wanted to act, the Hidden Cloud would've been dealt with long ago.

"If I'm not mistaken, he's keeping them around as leverage against the daimyo."

"This has nothing to do with us. Leave it be."

White Zetsu waved his hands theatrically and laughed. "But it does concern you, Lord Madara. After all, he's your best friend!"

"You're being too loud," Obito muttered, frowning at how lively White Zetsu had become compared to before.

When White Zetsu didn't leave, Obito asked, "Is there something else?"

"Lord Madara, your best friend wrote a book and plans to publish it on September 15th."

Hearing the date, Obito froze, memories of Rin pierced by lightning flashing in his mind.

"I see. Have you managed to get a copy?"

White Zetsu replied, "The book is highly secured. The first edition will only be available in Konoha's bookstores, making infiltration difficult.

"But it seems related to your past—the title is My Struggle."

"Hehe, sounds like an autobiography by your best friend."

Hearing the title and remembering the publication date, Obito thought of Haneda's habits. He unconsciously adjusted his mask.

On September 15th, he resolved to visit Konoha in person.

...