Konoha Year 42 – Ninja Academy
A middle-aged man in a white Hokage robe and hat stood before the fresh crop of academy students, his voice filled with vigor:
> "Wherever the leaves dance, there the fire burns. The fire's shadow will illuminate the village... and allow new leaves to grow."
The man was none other than the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi—still in his prime, his voice steady and commanding.
Down below, dozens of young students sat listening. Their eyes sparkled with admiration and ambition.
All except one.
A five-year-old boy in a clean white shirt yawned with barely contained boredom. The red-and-white Uchiha fan on his back quietly revealed his identity—Uchiha Haneda.
> "This whole 'Will of Fire' speech again? When is it going to end…"
He sighed internally, his gaze wandering to the excited boy beside him—spiky hair, orange goggles, clan crest on his back.
Uchiha Obito.
> "Young Obito really is as portrayed in the original timeline. Full of passion, eyes shining with the dream of becoming Hokage."
> "Too bad he grows up to be a total love-struck disaster…"
Haneda turned away from Obito and casually looked toward another boy in the row ahead—white-haired, slouched, and wearing a black mask that covered half his face. The unmistakable dead-fish eyes gave him away instantly.
Hatake Kakashi.
> "The future 'Fifty-Fifty' man. Cold, antisocial, overpowered, and annoyingly sharp."
As soon as Haneda looked his way, Kakashi glanced back—expression unreadable.
> "Yep, still sharp. Classic Kakashi."
Haneda didn't look away. Instead, he openly studied him. After all, these were his current targets: Obito, Kakashi, and Might Guy.
> "Might Guy… the future Blue Beast of Konoha. The guy who almost kicked Madara into the next life. Probably the strongest man alive if it weren't for the Eight Gates' cost."
Haneda's gaze flicked to the back of the crowd. Guy, who had entered the academy a little later than the others, stood a few meters behind them.
The reason Haneda was so focused on these three?
The same reason every transmigrator becomes a protagonist.
> A system.
---
Haneda's golden cheat was called:
[Heaven's Strongest Invincible Favorability System]
Cool name. Mediocre function.
When Haneda first transmigrated and activated it, he thought he was ready to surpass even Naruto and Sasuke.
But the real mechanism? It all came down to a single word: favorability.
Build relationships. Increase affection. Gain abilities.
For example: by becoming closer to Obito, Haneda could obtain his ninjutsu, taijutsu, chakra traits, and eventually even Kamui—if their bond reached the level of true friendship.
> "Basically, the same bond Obito had with Kakashi... before everything went to hell."
Master-disciple relationships, mentorships—those were almost worthless in the system.
After all, in the original timeline, Obito killed his beloved teacher, Minato Namikaze, and even his wife, Kushina Uzumaki.
> "This guy ate meals Naruto never dreamed of… and still tried to flatten the village."
> "He even threw explosives on newborn Naruto. What a generous babysitter…"
Still, Haneda couldn't entirely hate him.
> "Obito just wanted to live in a world with Rin. He couldn't confess, so instead he declared war on the world. Honestly? Kind of romantic. Kinda."
> "Though… why didn't he just try shouting: 'Revive, my love!' or something?"
In any case, Haneda wasn't expecting to reach Kamui-level bonding. He just wanted access to the more basic Sharingan-related jutsu.
And Obito was the easiest Uchiha to get along with.
The others?
> "Poker faces, tsunderes, or clinically insane. Most of them wake up their Sharingan and go full religious zealot. Hard pass."
Despite being an Uchiha himself, Haneda really didn't enjoy mingling with his clan too much.
---
Finally, the Third Hokage's long, sentimental speech came to an end. The students stood up and began filing out.
That's when a voice barked behind him.
> "Hey, Haneda! What did you call me yesterday, you bastard?!"
Obito grabbed his shoulder.
Haneda smirked. "Dead last loser. You were last in the exam yesterday. Isn't that the perfect title?"
"Hmph! You were just second to last!"
"And that, dear Obito, makes me better than you."
"You—you—!" Obito's face turned red as he fumbled for a comeback.
Kakashi, standing nearby, added coldly, "What's there for two dead last losers to argue about?"
"Shut up, you idiot Kakashi!!" Obito snapped instantly, glaring at him.
Haneda just chuckled. He wasn't offended in the least.
> "Being second to last was intentional. A genius move. You blend in, avoid attention… and make friends with other underachievers."
And with Obito still in his pre-darkness phase, now was the best time to grind favorability points.
In fact, Haneda had already unlocked Single Tomoe Sharingan, several low-tier ninjutsu, and even occasional boosts to his body's physical resilience, possibly hints of Sage Body compatibility.
> "Among the three, Obito is definitely the best return on investment."
---
Haneda shoved his hands into his pockets and started walking off.
> "Let's go, Obito. You planning to be late again?"
> "You'll get called out by the teacher and drag me down too."
"I know, second to last."
"Glad you remember, dead last loser."
Before the banter could continue, a gentle voice cut in.
> "Come on, Obito. Let's get to class," said Rin, smiling at all three of them.
As soon as she spoke, Obito abandoned Haneda and Kakashi like yesterday's news, running to her side.
He scratched his head awkwardly and mumbled, "Aha… It's 'cause Haneda and Kakashi keep calling me that name…"
Rin just laughed, covering her mouth politely, then pulled him toward the classroom.
Haneda muttered to himself, "Love-struck fool. Tossed away years of brotherhood in a heartbeat."
Kakashi, with Genin-level senses, overheard and walked past.
> "Boring."
---
Classroom.
Haneda sat in the back row by the window.
> "Because everyone knows, back row + window = protagonist's seat."
He chuckled to himself.
Even so, his system wasn't particularly overpowered—not yet. Progress was slow and entirely dependent on building trust.
Obito sat beside him. Rin next to Obito. Kakashi directly in front.
The warm breeze drifted through the open window. The sun was gentle. The teacher's monotone lecture served better than any sleeping pill.
Obito was already slumped on the desk, drooling in his sleep.
Haneda leaned away, disgusted. > "At least use a sheet of paper, man. It's going to soak through."
As he moved his elbow away, the teacher glanced over.
Spotting Obito fast asleep, the man scowled, plucked a piece of chalk, and—thwack!
Right between the brows.
Obito jerked upright with a yelp.
Haneda smirked and shook his head.
> "A true dead last loser."