Chapter 100

Chapter 100

When the news of Konoha's White Fang, Sakumo Haneda, and the Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze, returning to Konoha reached Sunagakure, Chiyo quietly sighed in relief.

Previously, out of fear of Sakumo's reputation, she had been holding back her forces, pretending to search for something. In reality, Konoha had released information that the Third Kazekage had been turned into a puppet. However, Chiyo suppressed this news. She had already guessed the truth—that her grandson, Sasori, was involved. If this were to come out, both she and Ebizō would have to step down in disgrace.

With the Third Kazekage gone, Sunagakure couldn't afford to lose both her and Ebizō, the two elders holding it together, especially with war against Konoha on the horizon.

What surprised Chiyo, however, was that a mere Genin from Konoha, Uchiha Haneda, could face Sasori and not immediately fall behind in the fight. This meant that Haneda could hold off against a Kage-level opponent, even if only briefly.

And this genius was merely a ten-year-old who had just graduated!

"Konoha truly is a place of abundant talent," Chiyo thought.

Konoha was planning to hold a Chūnin exam soon, inviting numerous large and small ninja villages. Perhaps she could use this opportunity to gather intelligence on Konoha's younger generation and focus on these new up-and-comers in the upcoming war.

---

In a black market in the Land of Rivers, Sasori held a scroll of information about how Sakumo Hatake had been saved by Orochimaru, deep in thought.

He had chosen not to take action with Kakuzu and instead left because his grandmother Chiyo and Sunagakure's shinobi had come looking for him. Sasori had no desire to make things difficult for Chiyo, nor did he want to be hunted by Sunagakure.

Besides, with Kakuzu's strength, he should have been able to finish the job. Also, like him, Chiyo wouldn't let Sakumo off the hook.

However, an unexpected twist occurred: Orochimaru's support team arrived, and Hanzō, the leader of Amegakure, didn't want Konoha and Sunagakure to clash in his territory. For the sake of the bigger picture, Chiyo had to let Sakumo go.

That was something Sasori hadn't anticipated.

"You're still the same, always thinking from the village's perspective. You don't realize that it was your beloved village that caused all this tragedy—my parents' deaths," Sasori scoffed as he stored the intelligence scroll.

Sasori had killed the Third Kazekage not only in pursuit of his art but also as revenge against the true perpetrators of the war. As for Sakumo Hatake, he was merely carrying out orders from Konoha, so he wasn't entirely at fault.

But Sakumo was still the direct killer of his parents, and Sasori couldn't forgive him.

"Konoha's White Fang... and the Uchiha boy, Haneda, who fought by his side, has considerable strength."

"He could suppress Magnet Release with Lightning Release."

"If the Third Kazekage hadn't been turned into my living puppet, retaining some of his original battle experience and instincts, it would've been difficult to take Haneda down quickly."

"I need to spend more time mastering Magnet Release."

---

In the hidden underground base of Kirigakure's "Bloody Mist," a strange half-black, half-white humanoid figure emerged from the ground. It was Zetsu, who had been secretly observing Haneda.

"Lord Madara," Black Zetsu called to the elderly Uchiha Madara, seated on a stone chair with his eyes closed.

Hearing the voice, Madara knew it was Zetsu returning with a report. He opened his eyes and asked, "How did Haneda get along with Yahiko? And Nagato, is he still the same?"

Black Zetsu responded, "Lord Madara, Haneda gets along very well with Yahiko. Yahiko trusts him deeply, considering him a kindred spirit. Nagato is the same as ever, not saying much, and relies heavily on Yahiko and Konan."

"Oh?" Madara's interest was piqued when he heard the phrase "kindred spirit," and he immediately thought of Yahiko's pursuit of peace. He grew curious. "It seems this boy is also a lover of peace. Not bad."

"What is his view on peace?"

Black Zetsu answered, "He has two perspectives. One is to unify the world, and the other is to distribute weapons of mass destruction, making the great nations wary of each other. But Haneda leans more toward the former, Lord Madara."

Hearing that Haneda shared his old philosophy, Madara recalled the time when he had left Konoha. Back then, at sunset, no one had stood behind him. But now, in his final days, he had found a young person who agreed with his views. Madara couldn't help but feel a unique appreciation for Haneda, especially since the boy had embraced not just Hashirama's ideas but also his own. And between the two, Haneda favored Madara's!

"A fine successor... it's a pity." Madara sighed as he reminisced.

His old friend and brother, Hashirama, had never agreed with his vision for peace, sticking instead to what Madara believed was a flawed philosophy. If only Haneda had been there back then, perhaps everything would have been different.

However, now Madara had an even grander, more noble goal—the Infinite Tsukuyomi, to completely end all conflict and bring eternal peace.

After a while, Madara refocused, glancing at the face of Hashirama embedded in his chest, and said calmly, "To protect some things, you must sacrifice others. Even if that person is a clansman who agrees with my former self."

"The plan proceeds."

---

Two and a half days later, Haneda and his team returned to Konoha. Before they could even grab a hot meal, they were summoned to the Hokage's office for a debrief.

At the Hokage Tower, Team 7 and Team 9 were gathered. The Third Hokage looked around before focusing his gaze on Sakumo.

"This time, you've done well, Sakumo. You risked yourself to uncover Sunagakure's intentions," the Third said.

"I should be the one to apologize; I almost couldn't fulfill my promise," Sakumo replied.

The Third Hokage's eyes flashed with approval at this. After a brief chat with Sakumo about Asuma, he then turned to Haneda, his expression gentle.

"You didn't run into any danger in the Land of Rain, did you?"

Feigning discomfort, Haneda hesitated before replying, "Apart from being attacked by bounty hunters from the black market, I also encountered... something like what happened five years ago."

At the mention of five years ago, the Third Hokage's smile froze.

The meaning behind Haneda's words was clear. It was another attempt by Root, led by Danzō, to harm him.

"I jumped off a cliff, barely survived, and didn't dare return. Only after fully recovering did I head back to the Land of Fire," Haneda continued, his tone full of suspicion toward Danzō.

Hearing this, the Third Hokage's first instinct was to suspect Danzō. Back when Haneda had disappeared, Danzō had reluctantly agreed to search for him, but who could say whether he had actually been putting on an act?

The Third knew Danzō too well; when it came to the Uchiha, his old friend had become obsessed. Danzō might very well be capable of doing something like this.

***