Chương 161: Chapter 161: Facing It, Not Running Away
Chapter 161: Facing It, Not Running Away
*Bang!*
Suddenly, a woman with long, pale yellow hair and an intense maturity kicked open the door.
It was none other than Tsunade.
She looked at the Third Hokage and said, "Old man, you still like wasting time with these outdated relics."
Danzo couldn't hold back and scolded, "Tsunade! You're being far too disrespectful! This is the Hokage's office!"
Tsunade ignored him, dragged a chair over, and sat next to Haneda.
For a moment, silence filled the office.
The Third Hokage took a few puffs from his pipe, his expression unchanging, and said, "I actually didn't call you here for anything serious today. That will be all. Sakumo, Haneda, you two go rest. Konoha won't mistreat its heroes."
Upon hearing this, Danzo understood Hiruzen's intentions and reminded him, "Hiruzen! About the Uchiha—"
"Hiruzen, let's leave it at that for today," the Third Hokage interrupted.
Seeing this, Danzo realized Hiruzen intended to let things slide, pretending today's incident had never happened.
He stood up, visibly frustrated, and snapped, "You'll regret this, Hiruzen!"
"I am the Hokage!"
*Bang!*
The door, newly replaced, was slammed shut.
Haneda exchanged glances with Sakumo and Tsunade, then turned and left the office.
Koharu and Homura sighed quietly and departed as well, leaving the Third Hokage alone, smoking in silence.
---
Outside the Hokage Building, Haneda, Sakumo, and Tsunade walked through the bustling market street.
Seeing Haneda's gloomy face, Tsunade stopped, blocking his path. "I've heard about what happened to you," she said. "I've been through similar things, so I get it."
Noticing no change in Haneda's expression, Tsunade bit her lip and added, "Listen up, kid! Don't take my kindness for granted, got it?"
She grabbed him by the collar, lifting him up forcefully. "If you're dissatisfied with this world, then go out there and change it! Don't just run away or complain."
"You once said those words to me, so I'm throwing them back at you!"
"Go on, Uchiha kid! If you can't even live up to your own words, then what right did you have to lecture me back then?!"
Tsunade let go of his collar and walked away.
Watching her leave, Haneda opened his mouth as if to say something, then stopped.
Finally, he turned to Sakumo and said, "I'd like some time alone, Sakumo-sensei."
"Alright. Take care," Sakumo replied, watching as Haneda walked off, alone, toward the Uchiha compound. His shadow stretched long under the sunlight before blending into the crowd.
---
Back in the Uchiha district, Haneda wandered to a place he'd known since he was young.
Unconsciously, he found himself standing at Obito's doorstep, holding the charm Obito had given him and leaning against a tree.
After a long while, a familiar, gentle voice called out to him.
"Haneda, you're back!" Obito's grandmother greeted him joyfully.
Hurriedly, Haneda hid Obito's charm and put on a casual smile. "Oh, Grandma! It's been a while. I've missed your cooking!"
"Oh dear, the food on the battlefield must be dreadful."
She took his hand warmly. "Come inside and eat. I'd just finished cooking and was sitting here cooling the dishes when I saw you. Hungry?"
Haneda wanted to decline, but his stomach rumbled in protest. She chuckled and led him inside, her grip on his hand as gentle as it had always been.
The aroma of home-cooked food filled the room, bringing back a flood of memories.
"Sit down and eat," she said, placing a bowl of freshly made rice in front of him along with a glass of his favorite juice.
Taking a bite, Haneda felt his throat tighten. He swallowed hard, trying to keep his composure.
As they ate, she suddenly asked, "Is Obito coming back today, too?"
Startled, Haneda quickly replied, "About Obito… well, even though we're close to the New Year and the war with Iwagakure has paused, he decided to stay at the front lines, just in case. You know how much he loves the village."
Her face fell briefly before brightening. "Yes, little Obito always wanted to be Hokage. When he was small, he told me to watch and wait for the day he became Hokage."
"He will, Grandma. I believe he'll make it," Haneda replied with a smile.
*Knock, knock.*
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
Fearing it might be news about Obito, Haneda quickly opened the door. Seeing Fugaku and the clan head, he sighed in relief.
"Haneda, we heard about what happened at the Hokage's office," Fugaku said sympathetically. "About Obito…"
"Obito is fine!" Haneda interrupted, pulling Fugaku aside.
The clan head looked at Haneda and then at the grandmother, understanding the situation. Quietly, he followed them to the side.
"Fugaku-san, please help me keep Obito's situation under wraps. If possible, I'd like the village to stay unaware as well," Haneda pleaded.
Fugaku, taken aback by Haneda's tone, nodded. "Alright. I'll do my best."
The clan head spoke up, "The Uchiha will help keep this quiet. I'll also smooth things over with the Hokage."
He rested a hand on Haneda's shoulder. "You should think about yourself and those close to you. I heard Shuo Mao and Kakashi were deeply concerned for you on the battlefield."
After a pause, he added, "Once some time has passed, you'll see that things are as they always were. The village won't change. None of us will. You have my condolences."
Haneda looked up, eyes steely. "No. Obito isn't dead! I'll bring him back!"
Fugaku and the clan head exchanged a look, sighing silently.
Turning back toward Obito's house, Haneda's thoughts drifted to another battle—the Battle of Kannabi Bridge.
He was certain Obito would reach Kakashi and Rin by then.
That was Madara's and Black Zetsu's scheme, and they'd be counting on it.
'Just wait, Obito. I'll bring you back, to all of us.'
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