Naruto: With Favorabiltity System

Chapter 339: Is Hatred Really That Important?

"Is personal hatred so important for a leader?"

Pain's Rinnegan focused on Haneda, searching for a hint of his stance in the Uchiha's unwavering gaze.

Truthfully, even with the power of the Rinnegan, Pain wasn't confident he could defeat Haneda. This was why he sought to negotiate and save Scorpion's life.

"In the Second Shinobi War and the Third Shinobi War, Amegakure and the Land of Rain suffered invasion by the great nations."

"Konoha, Sunagakure, Iwagakure…"

"Over the years, these invasions have built an enormous reservoir of hatred among the ninja of Amegakure, hatred toward all outsiders."

"Myself included."

Pain's voice was calm but heavy as he began recounting his past:

"I once had a happy family. My mother was gentle, my father steadfast."

"We were kind. We never killed anyone."

"But then, two Konoha shinobi broke into our home and killed my parents in cold blood."

"If not for these eyes," he motioned to his Rinnegan, "I would have died alongside them."

"And now, look at us. Amegakure collaborates with Konoha on multiple fronts, striving for mutual gain and peace between the nations."

"Does personal hatred truly matter that much?"

Pain paused, his voice laced with quiet conviction.

In truth, Konoha had inflicted far greater pain on him than what he had shared.

The original Akatsuki, the dream he shared with Yahiko, had been destroyed by Danzo's schemes. Yahiko's death—pierced by a kunai through the heart—was a wound Pain could never forget.

But he didn't mention this. After all, Haneda had already discarded Danzo, leaving him for Pain to deal with.

"Haneda," Pain repeated, "does hatred matter so much?"

"Sunagakure hates Konoha. Iwagakure hates Konoha. Kumogakure hates Konoha. Even Kirigakure hates Konoha."

"And Konoha hates them all in return. If not for your overwhelming strength, this hatred would have already led to another war."

"If you seek true peace, you have two choices: annihilate all resistance and instill fear so deep that no one dares rebel…"

"Or choose forgiveness, and teach the nations to understand each other's pain."

"Can you do that, leader of Konoha, Supreme Leader of the Land of Fire?"

Pain's words echoed through the tunnel, heavy with meaning.

From his hidden perch, Obito smirked. The hypocrisy of human nature was on full display—demanding others do what one cannot.

Pain's philosophy of peace was, after all, derived from Haneda's manifesto.

If even the writer of those ideals can't uphold them, what hope does the world have for peace?

Perhaps infinite peace under the Moon's Eye Plan is the only solution.

Haneda stood silent for a long time.

Pain, Kakashi, Scorpion, Konan, and even Hiruko awaited his response.

Pain's accusations were true, and they struck at the heart of Haneda's own beliefs.

He knew the suffering Pain endured extended beyond what he had shared. The Second Shinobi War left Pain starving; the Third Shinobi War rendered him homeless.

All of it—his suffering, his trauma—was collateral damage of the great nations' wars, with the Land of Rain as their battleground.

And yet, despite this, Pain had chosen forgiveness.

So, in the grand scheme of nations and villages, does personal hatred really matter?

Haneda reflected on his own journey as a leader.

As Hokage, he had pardoned countless clans and individuals for Konoha's stability. Some had collaborated with Danzo during the Nine-Tails incident; others had stolen from Minato and Kushina's estate.

As the Supreme Leader, he had avoided mass purges, instead working alongside the old guard of merchants and politicians to implement his reforms.

Haneda's gaze shifted to Kakashi.

He remembered the tears Kakashi had shed at the memorial stone—the grief etched on his face as he paid tribute to those he had lost.

Haneda had made his decision. But in front of his friends, he couldn't bring himself to voice it aloud.

Kakashi, understanding the unspoken question in Haneda's eyes, tightened his grip on his father's short sword.

"Does hatred really matter?" Kakashi murmured to himself, his voice barely audible.

He knew the weight of both forgiveness and vengeance.

If he chose forgiveness, it would deepen Konoha's collaboration with Akatsuki, fostering trust for future cooperation. This path would also send a message to Obito, who was surely watching from the shadows.

Perhaps… just perhaps… it could lead Obito to reconsider his path, to eventually return to Konoha.

But if he chose vengeance and killed Scorpion, it would satisfy his personal grievances.

Haneda would likely join him in delivering retribution.

However, such an act would sever Konoha's alliance with Akatsuki, alienate Pain, and birth new hatred.

What should I do?

Kakashi, what should you do?

Kakashi recalled his first meeting with Haneda. A young, idealistic voice echoed in his mind:

"When you ask this question, you've already made your choice."

Quietly, Kakashi said, "Do you have a coin on you?"

Haneda tilted his head, puzzled by the question. Then realization dawned.

Kakashi, uncertain of his choice, was leaving it to fate.

Haneda rummaged through his pouch but found no coins—he rarely carried anything but paper money.

With a spark of inspiration, he used his Magnet Release to extract a small, pristine coin from the metal of a kunai.

He tossed the coin to Kakashi, who caught it and placed it on his thumb.

Everyone in the tunnel held their breath, their eyes fixed on the coin.

For Scorpion, this was the moment that would decide his life or death.

For Pain and Konan, it would determine the future of Akatsuki's relationship with Konoha.

Even Obito watched intently from his hidden vantage point, his thoughts conflicted.

On one hand, he hoped Haneda and Kakashi would choose vengeance—it would fracture their alliance with Akatsuki and deepen the rift between them.

On the other hand, a small, inexplicable part of him wished for forgiveness. He didn't know why, and he didn't try to understand.