Naruto: With maxed-out affection, I am invincible in the ninja world.

"Haha... But Haneda, why did you skip class with Kakashi this morning?"

"Yes, skipping class isn't a good thing."

Sakumo secretly tugged at Kakashi's pants and chuckled.

Upon hearing about skipping class, Haneda subconsciously thought of his actions in helping the Uchiha clan win over Uncle Sakumo.

Chapter 023 The Dark Side of Konoha

He gave an awkward laugh and replied:

"Hmm, let's give it a try."

"Let Kakashi experience what it's like to break the rules."

"Actually, it's just that feeling, it's only for a moment when you feel free."

Haneda was telling the truth, but he concealed another purpose within his words.

Sakumo didn't connect Haned with the idea that Haneda wanted to help the Uchiha clan win him over. He chuckled a few times and said to Kakashi:

"You can feel free the moment you break the rules, but this kind of freedom from the constraints of rules is not true freedom."

"Sooner or later, this freedom will be bound by another set of rules."

"Kakashi, and Haneda, remember this: true freedom is living within the rules you set for yourself."

"These rules have a bottom line, human morality, and a certain degree of self-restraint."

"Instead of creating terror and killing people in the name of freedom."

"Don't I eat beef?" Haneda asked thoughtfully, resting his chin on his hand.

He recalled his past school days, when he would climb over the wall to skip class during evening self-study to go to an internet cafe;

He stole a cell phone from the homeroom teacher's office at night and took it to the dormitory to play with it...

At that moment, he truly felt free.

But is this kind of freedom really a good thing?

In the end, fearing being caught by the teacher, they created new rules...

Haneda shook his head, clearing his mind of complicated thoughts.

He's just a child, why is he thinking about these complicated philosophies of life like he's fighting seven people at once...

At that moment, the waitress came in carrying a small cart.

"Here's your orange juice with ice, little one," the waitress said with a smile, handing Haneda a glass of orange juice.

"OK, thanks."

Haneda raised his head, and a bright smile reappeared on his face.

…………

Night Moon, on the edge of Konoha Village, in the Forest of Death.

Four masked men leaped swiftly among the tree branches when suddenly, a man carrying a short knife appeared in front of them.

The man had long, silver-white hair and was dressed in casual clothes.

But when he pulled out the dagger from his back, his eyes changed.

It became incredibly sharp and full of murderous intent.

When the four men looked into his eyes, they immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

"Sakumo Hatake, what do you think you're doing? We're Root ninjas, under Lord Danzo's command!"

Muramasa pulled a kunai from his pouch, held it in his hand, and forced himself to calm down.

“A lesson learned,” Sakumo said calmly.

Before he could finish speaking, a flash of light appeared, and Muramasa's mask was cut open.

The silver-white blade grazed Muramasa's pale face.

Sakumo had already arrived behind him.

There was no time to react.

Brush, brush, brush!!!

Three flashes of light pierced through the air, and the masks of all the Root ninjas were cut open, revealing their true faces.

Muramasa raised his kunai, about to instinctively attack.

Sakumo said softly:

"Don't move, or you'll die."

Muramasa was completely intimidated by Sakumo's imposing presence. He was sweating profusely, and his shirt was soaked through with sweat.

"What do you want, Lord Sakumo? We are Konoha ninjas!"

Muramasa spoke again, but this time his tone was noticeably different, much weaker.

rustling...

The night wind brushed against the four people's cheeks, stirring up the withered yellow leaves.

Time seemed to stand still at that moment, until Sakumo sheathed his short sword and slowly left.

After taking a few steps, Sakumo turned around and gave the four of them a cold look.

"Tell Danzo that children's affairs should not involve adults."

"Also, the Root members are also Konoha ninjas, they should be doing the village's mission, not spying on the villagers."

After saying that, Sakumo disappeared in a flash, leaving the four Root members standing there, not daring to move.

After a long silence, Muramasa finally spoke:

"Come on, what are you standing there for? Go back and report this to Lord Danzo!"

Upon hearing this, the remaining three finally realized what was happening.

"Yes."

…………

"That's what he said?"

Danzo sat on a stone chair, his left eye slightly closed, his face expressionless.

At this moment, he was incredibly calm, so calm that it frightened the four members of the Muramasa group.

"Yes, Lord Danzo."

"Hatake... Lord Sakumo also said that Root members are also Konoha ninjas, and should do the village's mission, not monitor the villagers."

Muramasa spoke cautiously, afraid of provoking Danzo in the slightest displeasure.

"I understand. Withdraw all those who are monitoring Uchiha Haneda."

"Also, not a single word about Hatake Sakumo personally instructing him must be leaked!"

"Go down."

Danzo said calmly, his tone utterly composed.

"Yes, Lord Danzo." Muramasa and the other three quickly replied and disappeared in an instant.

Danzo remained seated on the stone chair, his left eye slightly closed, lost in thought.

Suddenly, he stood up and looked at the tunnel leading directly from the office to Konoha.

The tunnel was dark, with only the faint light from the oil lamps on the walls barely enough to make out its interior.

"Hiruzen, you're too weak..." Danzo said unconsciously, as if recalling something.

At this moment, he sat down again and took out a confidential document from the drawer of the stone table.

"It seems we need to move the plans forward."

"Don't blame me, Hiruzen. I will prove that I am the one most suitable to become Hokage!"

…………

Meanwhile, Haneda returned to the clan's territory with cheerful steps.

Just then, a young boy rushed over.

"You bastard Haneda, you actually skipped a whole day of class with that idiot Kakashi!"

Obito charged forward, fists clenched.

"Kakashi's father, Uncle Sakumo, is treating us to dinner, so I'm going over..."

Haneda caught Obito's fist and asked in a joking tone, "What's wrong? Not feeling well?"

"Damn it, who cares about you!"

Obito turned his head away, pretending not to care at all.