Chương 36: Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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"Please sit down," the Third Hokage gestured to the tatami mat in front of him with a smile.
Once Haneda sat down properly, the Third Hokage continued, "I know you're a smart child, and I'd like to hear your views on the Uchiha clan and the village."
???
Although Haneda had guessed that the Third Hokage would hint at these questions, he didn't expect him to be so direct.
"Views on the Uchiha clan? Um…"
"Lord Hokage, I believe most Uchiha are actually kind-hearted at their core, but due to various painful experiences, they've become obsessed with power, especially those who have awakened their Sharingan."
"As for the village, I'm not too sure. To me, the village is made up of countless individuals."
"To protect the village is to protect one's own interests, and correspondingly, the village will also protect the interests of the individuals."
Haneda spoke his thoughts candidly, neither praising nor criticizing. Since the Third Hokage wanted to test him, he decided to be frank.
After all, with Uncle Sakumo behind him, neither the Third Hokage nor the Uchiha clan would dare to act against him lightly.
Of course, he kept one view about the village to himself: when the village fails to guarantee individual interests, defection is understandable.
"Hmm. Your views on the Uchiha clan are quite similar to those of my teacher, the Second Hokage," the Third Hokage nodded slightly. He did not comment on Haneda's views about the village.
The Hokage was more interested in knowing whether Haneda valued his family more or the village, which was why he had placed the Uchiha clan and the village together in his question.
However, whether Haneda was clever or simply missed the point, he answered them separately.
Overall, the Third Hokage was somewhat satisfied with Haneda's response. He felt that Haneda indeed had the potential to become the next Kakashi.
After this, the Third Hokage didn't discuss the Uchiha clan and the village any further.
He felt that such allegiances needed to be inferred step by step from the side; asking directly would not yield a truthful answer.
Taking a puff of smoke, the Third Hokage slowly exhaled a ring of smoke, revealing a relaxed smile.
"Since I've become Hokage, I've rarely paid attention to my two sons."
"Asuma is my youngest son and your classmate."
"He has always been quite rebellious at home. To be honest, I'm curious about how others see him; perhaps this could change my perspective."
"Haneda, could you share your thoughts on Asuma?"
Upon hearing this, Haneda wasn't quite sure what the Third Hokage was getting at. Was he perhaps thinking about the time Haneda had taken Asuma down easily and mocked him?
"Asuma? Lord Hokage, I actually think Asuma is quite loyal, speaks his mind, and is very righteous."
Loyalty—most delinquents are loyal to their peers.
Speaking his mind means he has a tendency to let secrets slip.
As for being righteous, that "evil" he despises pointed directly at you, Sarutobi Hiruzen!
"Is that so?" The Third Hokage smiled, surprised that his rebellious son was getting a good evaluation from Haneda.
The Third Hokage then spoke about Haneda's parents, emphasizing how they sacrificed for the village and what they had done for it.
In short, he was trying to brainwash Haneda continuously.
Yet, it was unclear why, despite such sacrifices, Haneda's parents received the bare minimum of compensation.
After leaving the carriage, Kakashi approached him.
With his dead-fish eyes, he quietly said, "It's a bit boring, isn't it, Haneda?"
"Just hang in there for a few more days, Kakashi. We'll get through it," Haneda chuckled awkwardly, recalling how he had dragged Kakashi into this mess.
Kakashi responded with a sound of acknowledgment and instinctively glanced at Dai, who was also on the fringes.
At this moment, Dai was pacing back and forth, his eyes scanning the surroundings continuously.
"I wonder why Uncle Dai is so full of energy. With the Anbu around, do we really need to be here?"
As he spoke, Kakashi's tone carried a hint of complaint.
After all, it would have been better to use this time to train and improve their abilities than to execute such a tedious political task.
"Uncle Dai? If he didn't have that enthusiasm, we'd probably be in trouble," Haneda chuckled lightly.
"Is that so?" Kakashi looked at Haneda in confusion.
Though he didn't understand why Haneda placed such importance on Dai, he trusted Haneda's judgment and couldn't help but value Dai a bit more.
...
Time slowly passed as the carriage continued to move forward.
After switching out numerous times, dusk fell, and night quietly approached.
"Here, these are your soldier pills."
An Anbu ninja approached and handed Haneda and the others their soldier pills.
"Is this all we get?" Haneda complained as he looked at the dark soldier pills.
"During the mission, priority must be given to the task," the Anbu ninja said coldly before intending to leave quickly. Suddenly, the Third Hokage's voice came from the carriage.
"It's getting dark; let's set up camp. We still have time before we reach the Daimyo's residence."
Upon hearing this, the Anbu ninja, hidden behind his mask, showed a flicker of displeasure and jealousy.
Originally, the plan did not involve taking the carriage and setting up camp at night.
It was all to accommodate Haneda and the others, and the task was suddenly changed, particularly at night.
One must know that nighttime is when most incidents occur.
The Anbu ninja didn't dare to refute the Third Hokage's words and respectfully replied, "Yes, Lord Hokage."
However, as he left, he cast a disgruntled glare at Haneda and the others.
"Three deadweights, just causing trouble."
The Anbu ninja muttered quietly as he departed.
"Hey, why did he call us deadweights?" Dai said, watching the Anbu ninja leave with a puzzled expression.
"Maybe he's jealous of our good looks," Haneda smiled.
Kakashi nodded in agreement.
"Is that so?" Dai curiously pulled out a mirror from his waist bag to look at his bright watermelon head.
Could it be that he really was more handsome than he thought? Perhaps others just didn't notice his charm regularly?
...
The tents were portable and set up quickly.
In less than ten minutes, several tents were installed.
Haneda's tent was set up beside the Third Hokage's, while the Anbu and other ninjas formed a circle nearby.
Overall, they created a protective formation around the Third Hokage's tent.
"Haneda, what are you thinking about?" Kakashi asked, noticing Haneda sitting by the campfire, lost in thought, and took a seat beside him.
"Don't you think something's strange right now?"
"This is a secret mission, yet it feels like we're just out for a picnic, moving leisurely."
"Lord Hokage doesn't seem anxious; it's almost as if he's waiting for something, remaining unfazed."
"And now, it feels like he's deliberately exposing weaknesses."
Haneda glanced at the Third Hokage, who was with several ninjas gathered around a large campfire, and spoke softly.
The Third Hokage had only revealed himself when he called for Haneda. At other times, he remained hidden, rarely making an appearance, yet now he stepped out into the open.
Kakashi grew serious, "Are you suggesting there's a conspiracy?"
"But Haneda, Lord Hokage is the strongest Hokage. Surely no one would dare to attack us in the Land of Fire, right?"
***
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