Chapter 137

Chapter 137

In the hidden underground base of the Bloody Mist, Madara received the news of Rasa and Sasori's defeat. Chuckling softly, he said:

"They're just grains of sand, nothing of note against the power of the Sharingan."

He continued, "But that boy's Kirin technique is impressive; he can harness the forces of nature."

As Madara reviewed footage of Haneda's fight with Rasa and Sasori, memories of his own youthful strength came to mind. But alas, he was no longer in his prime.

"Obito's talent doesn't quite match up to that Haneda kid," Madara said regretfully. If the Moon's Eye Plan were entrusted to such a gifted successor, he believed peace would be inevitable, and he might even revive Hashirama to boast a bit.

Black Zetsu, standing before Madara, chimed in, "Lord Madara, Haneda is far too perceptive; until he experiences the need for true peace, he won't align with your vision."

Madara responded with a dismissive laugh, "And that's why he's both clever and foolish. Only when one truly sees this world can they seek to change it. Hashirama was like that, and so am I."

Reflecting on his plans to stimulate Haneda and Obito into awakening their eyes, Madara continued giving instructions to Black Zetsu and White Zetsu. The battles within the shinobi world wouldn't stop with the Sand's defeat—they would only grow fiercer.

---

In the Land of Rivers, at the rear hospital, dawn was breaking. Haneda awoke on his hospital bed, sensing something heavy on his leg. He instinctively pushed himself up, looking forward.

It was Obito, drooling over his leg in his sleep!

Slap!

Haneda shoved him off with a look of disgust.

"Ow! What's the big idea, Haneda?!" Obito woke with a start, rubbing his forehead angrily.

Haneda pointed to the drool-stained blanket, frowning, "You're asking me? How many times has this happened now, Obito?!"

"Shut up, Haneda! It's not my fault your leg is just so comfy to sleep on!" Obito, embarrassed, would never admit he was dreaming about a date with Rin.

Just then, Haneda's stomach growled loudly. Obito, remembering something, quickly picked up a bento box from the bedside table. But it had been prepared the night before and was now cold.

"Uh, I thought you'd wake up last night… but it's nearly morning now," Obito said sheepishly, holding the chilly box.

Looking out at the hazy red sky, Haneda smiled, "It's fine, cold food is better than those hard, flavorless rations, anyway."

Understanding that Obito had stayed by his side all night, Haneda took the box gratefully and began eating.

*Gurgle!*

Obito's own stomach growled in turn, his face reddening. Noticing this, Haneda handed him a rice ball with a smile, "Let's eat together."

---

Two minutes later, Kakashi, who had been leaning on the corridor railing, heard noises from Haneda's room and entered. He saw Obito helping himself to Haneda's food and couldn't resist teasing.

"Obito, why are you eating Haneda's meal?"

Obito, munching happily, looked up to see none other than his rival, Kakashi.

"Shut it, Kakashi! Haneda offered me some!"

"Oh, really? Funny how some people still haven't eaten anything," Kakashi retorted with a smirk. "It's not like some idiot got captured last night and caused all kinds of trouble for everyone."

Obito flushed with anger, pointing a finger at Kakashi, "You… you…!"

Kakashi scoffed, "Yeah, exactly, Obito."

"Both of you, calm down," Haneda interrupted.

"Shut up, Haneda!" Obito and Kakashi yelled in unison.

Haneda sighed and returned to his food, listening to their usual back-and-forth. Honestly, it was kind of entertaining…

The commotion continued until two other familiar faces burst into the room.

"Haneda!" Asuma ran in, rushing toward Haneda with tears streaming down his face. Just before he could tackle him, Haneda held up a hand.

"Calm down, Asuma."

"Haneda, I can't believe you… you actually…" Asuma choked up, his voice thick with emotion.

"Relax! I didn't die, right?" Haneda said, trying to reassure him. After all, fighting Sasori hadn't just been for Asuma's sake.

"But still! You faced him and won, Haneda! You're amazing!" Asuma cheered, his face lit with admiration. "Even the infamous puppeteer was no match for you!"

Meanwhile, Kurenai shyly expressed her own gratitude. Obito, recalling Haneda's role in rescuing him, touched his own eyes unconsciously. A pair of three-tomoe Sharingan was now fully active!

"Obito?" Haneda and Kakashi stared in surprise.

"Why are you all looking at my eyes?" Obito asked, confused.

Then Asuma pointed, shouting, "Your eyes… they're like Haneda's!"

"...!"

Realizing what happened, Obito removed his headband, proudly revealing the outline of the three-tomoe Sharingan.

"Ha! Kakashi, see these eyes? They're exactly like Haneda's!" Obito exclaimed, triumphant.

"So what, Obito? You're still just putting on a show," Kakashi retorted, refusing to admit Obito's Sharingan was legitimate, even if it was.

"Congrats, Obito," Haneda said, smiling knowingly. He could guess what had driven Obito to unlock his eyes. It was something complex… a mix of feelings, like a bond.

Obito, hearing Haneda's congratulations, puffed his chest out proudly.

"Hah, Kakashi! I told you—just wait! Someday, I'll be unstoppable!"

"Yeah, keep dreaming, Obito," Kakashi muttered.

Haneda watched them argue, sighing as he rubbed his temples. Well, he thought, at least they weren't fighting… not physically, anyway. Eating his rice ball, he continued watching their endless bickering with a quiet smile..