Naruto: With Favorabiltity System

Chapter 226: The Naka Shrine Speech

Haneda paced back and forth, his sharp gaze sweeping across the gathered clan members.

He began his speech in a loud, commanding voice:

"That's why, in front of tens of thousands of Iwagakure ninja, I killed the Third Tsuchikage and led Konoha to a decisive victory on the battlefield against Iwagakure."

"But even after that, Konoha's leadership hasn't stopped targeting the Uchiha!"

Hearing this, the hawkish members of the Uchiha clan were filled with emotion, their eyes tinged with red.

They knew all too well the targeted oppression Konoha's leadership had imposed on the Uchiha.

Especially when comparing it to the relative peace the Uchiha enjoyed during the Fourth Hokage's reign.

Haneda's speech didn't stop despite the excitement of his clan members. Instead, his voice grew even louder as he declared:

"Since the Second Hokage's reign, Konoha's suppression of the Uchiha has only ever ceased during the Fourth Hokage's time in power."

"That was the result of my and the Fourth Hokage's efforts—efforts that everyone here witnessed firsthand!"

"But ever since the Third Hokage returned to power, and that old vulture Danzo refused to die, they've spread vile rumors. They dared to claim that the Nine-Tails killed the Fourth Hokage!"

"They even said it was the Uchiha who released and controlled the Nine-Tails!"

"Back then, I fought the Nine-Tails alone. Every single person in Konoha saw it. Yet they shamelessly spread their lies, trying to drive the Uchiha out of the village!"

"Is that not deliberate persecution of the Uchiha?!"

"And they did this during wartime—when the Uchiha were risking their lives fighting Kirigakure for Konoha!"

The hawkish Uchiha members erupted in anger.

They loudly cursed the Third Hokage and Danzo, venting their frustration at Konoha's leadership.

Even the more moderate, pacifist members of the clan were swayed by the hawks' fervor. Doubts began to creep into their minds—had their attempts at cooperation with Konoha been misguided?

Seeing the growing unrest, Shisui began to feel uneasy.

He sensed that Haneda might be deliberately inciting the Uchiha, aiming to use a coup to seize the position of Hokage.

Standing up, Shisui shouted:

"The Hokage has always worked toward coexistence between the Uchiha and Konoha! It's not as you're claiming!"

"The Uchiha have always been a part of Konoha! The Hokage is the leader of Konoha—how could he want the village to weaken?"

Haneda let out a cold laugh and retorted:

"Facts speak louder than words. Are you still daydreaming and letting yourself be fooled by them?"

"Look at Konoha's most respected and powerful shinobi. How many of them are willing to stay in the village?"

"I, Uchiha Haneda, can be dismissed. But what about the Third Hokage's own three personal students?"

"Orochimaru was so disappointed in Konoha that he deliberately defected.

"Tsunade was so disillusioned with Konoha that she wandered the world.

"Jiraiya still holds some hope for Konoha, but he's spent his life searching for the so-called Child of Prophecy."

"And as for the Uchiha… ha!"

"What has the Hokage done for us? Especially that inherently evil Danzo!"

"He can't wait for the Uchiha to be wiped out, for us to disappear completely from Konoha!"

Seeing Shisui about to retort, Haneda raised his hand to stop him.

"I have no intention of debating with you. As I said before, facts speak louder than words."

"Think carefully about what the Third Hokage and Danzo have truly done for the Uchiha!"

At this moment, Fugaku spoke up in support:

"As the clan leader, I am unaware of any significant contributions the Hokage or Danzo have made for the Uchiha."

"So am I, as the elder."

"And I as well."

"Me too."

…

The clan elders chimed in, and other Uchiha members followed suit, expressing their agreement.

Shisui looked around at the scene unfolding before him, his heart heavy with unease.

Had the rift between the Uchiha and Konoha grown this deep?

The Third Hokage and Danzo…

Shisui shook his head, still holding onto his faith in Konoha's leadership.

But he sat back down in silence. He couldn't deny that, while the Third Hokage and Danzo might care about the Uchiha, they had never done anything truly significant for them.

Seeing Shisui fall silent, Haneda smirked faintly. He raised his hand, pointing forward as he continued his speech:

"My second reason for being here: I, Uchiha Haneda, will openly and honorably run for the position of Fifth Hokage!"

Hearing this, Shisui looked up in shock, his gaze fixed on Haneda.

Haneda's impassioned speech and efforts to rally the clan weren't for a coup?!

Just as Shisui was processing this revelation, Haneda declared:

"Konoha's leadership is rotten to the core, especially the Third Hokage and that old ghost Danzo!"

"But the next generation of Konoha is full of hope."

"Haneda Kakashi, Might Guy, Sarutobi Asuma, Yūhi Kurenai, Nara Shikaku…"

"These young heroes are the new leaves of Konoha."

"And I, Uchiha Haneda, will be the trunk that supports this great tree, rebuilding a renewed Konoha!"

"I will lead Konoha to greatness once more!"

After finishing his speech, Haneda paused and began walking out of Naka Shrine.

His steps were slow but firm.

He spoke loudly as he left:

"This process requires the unity of the Uchiha. We must stand together against external forces!"

"This is a struggle—a struggle for the survival of the Uchiha, and a struggle to make Konoha great again!"

"I will lead the Uchiha at the forefront of this struggle!"

Haneda stopped at the doorway and turned back to face the clan members. Straightening his posture, he became the pillar of their faith.

"If I fail, I will resort to other methods."

"But I won't fail."

"There will only be one outcome to this struggle."

Raising a finger, he addressed everyone present:

"I will lead the Uchiha to drive out those who have shaken the Will of Fire and restore Konoha to greatness!"

"Victory!"

"Victory!"

The Uchiha members in Naka Shrine shouted passionately, their voices echoing in unison.

They waved their fists, chanting "Victory" over and over as they watched Haneda's departing figure.

Even Fugaku couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for Haneda's charisma.

Even Shisui found himself respecting Haneda, realizing that his resolve was unwavering—whether for the Uchiha or for Konoha.

…

After Haneda left Naka Shrine, the Uchiha jonin stayed for a while before dispersing.

Shisui, burdened with complicated emotions, debated whether he should report tonight's events to the Third Hokage and Danzo.

Haneda had clearly targeted them in his speech, and both were deeply wary of him.

If…

Imagining the possible consequences, Shisui shook his head.

Suddenly, Itachi caught up to him.

The two walked in silence for a while before Itachi broke the quiet:

"Shisui, there's no need to report this, is there?"

"Uncle Haneda is running for Hokage. This isn't a coup."

"As far as I know, Kakashi, the commander of the war against Iwagakure, is Uncle Haneda's friend."

"The subordinates of the late Konoha hero Hatake Sakumo also want Uncle Haneda to return."

"Even the Third Hokage's son, Sarutobi Asuma, has an inexplicable relationship with him."

"This election—if the Hyūga clan or a few neutral ninja clans can be convinced—it's basically a done deal."

Shisui listened silently, then replied in a low voice:

"I know all of this."

"But before I came here, I met with the Hokage and Danzo. They already know about this clan meeting."

"I have to go explain things."