Naruto: With Favorabiltity System

Chapter 361: Konoha's New Age Troublemakers

"What do you think about taking a look around, Haneda?" Pain suggested.

He had an interest in studying (copying) Konoha's systems.

Previously, he had modeled parts of Amegakure after Konoha's layout—building factories, dividing industrial and agricultural zones, and so on—to achieve economic self-sufficiency and break free from the Daimyō's financial control.

Education, being the foundation of any ninja village or nation, was something Pain could not overlook. Since he was already here, he might as well take back some valuable insights.

Konan, sensing Pain's intent, added, "Those excellent students are there, and it's quiet. Let's go take a look."

Haneda glanced at Tobi, then nodded in agreement.

He had noticed the unusual look in Afei's eyes beneath the mask, focused on Naruto and his group.

Haneda had a good sense of Obito's intentions but still chose to proceed.

With his Flying Thunder God seals placed on both Naruto and Gaara, Haneda had full confidence in his ability to protect them—especially since both were within Konoha.

With that, the group made their way into the library.

The library had a front desk where books were registered and borrowed, and a few student volunteers helped organize the books.

Since classes were in session, the library was sparsely populated. Between the orderly rows of bookshelves, hardly a soul could be seen.

The quiet atmosphere seemed to influence the entire group.

Even Haneda and Pain, who were typically serious, and Tobi, who was usually boisterous, unconsciously softened their footsteps, moving as quietly as possible.

That was until voices drifted down from upstairs—Naruto and Sasuke bickering.

Tobi couldn't hold it in anymore:

"Wow, wow! Who argues in a library? Someone who doesn't know might think this is a fish market!"

"Hokage-sama! Should we go up there and teach those impolite brats a lesson?"

Tobi's playful tone and exaggerated gestures made it seem like he was genuinely seeking Haneda's opinion.

But before he could finish, Tobi had already bolted, darting upstairs in the blink of an eye.

"Is he always this hyperactive?" Haneda muttered, his lips twitching.

As a child, Obito had only run like that when he was late…

Pain coughed lightly without answering. He raised his right hand, using Banshō Ten'in to pull the fleeing Tobi back toward him.

"What kind of Akatsuki member behaves like this? Be calm, Tobi!"

Tobi immediately snapped to attention, standing rigidly like a soldier and raising his hand in mock salute:

"Leader! I promise it won't happen again!"

As he spoke, Tobi cast a quick glance at Haneda out of the corner of his eye. He had been testing Haneda's reaction but was unexpectedly pulled back by Pain.

With no choice, he followed Haneda's group upstairs, stepping carefully this time.

The second floor had far fewer books than the first. Instead, it was filled with tables and chairs, meant for students to study.

Konan randomly picked up a book and opened it. It was an introductory text on medical ninjutsu.

The book detailed the development of medical ninjutsu and included some basic theories.

Scanning the nearby shelves, she realized they were all filled with books related to medical ninjutsu.

Pain gave Konan a meaningful glance, and she understood immediately. Using her Paper Release, she silently copied the books without anyone noticing.

Of course, Haneda noticed. But he didn't intervene.

When the library was first constructed, Haneda, Shikaku, and Tsunade had already discussed the scope and depth of the knowledge to be stored here.

All the books in the library were basic-level materials, with the most advanced only covering the principles of C-rank medical ninjutsu.

Haneda and Shikaku had long anticipated that these books would eventually reach other villages.

By bringing Pain and Konan here, Haneda tacitly approved sharing this knowledge with Amegakure.

It had been agreed upon back when the student exchange program was established.

After leading Pain and Konan on a brief tour, Haneda finally approached Naruto and his group.

"Uncle Haneda? What brings you here? And… who are they?"

Naruto, looking like a student caught skipping class, fidgeted nervously as he tried to divert attention.

"Hello~ I'm Tobi. When you were little, I even held you once," Tobi said cheerfully, walking up to Naruto with a familiarly affectionate demeanor.

His overly friendly gestures made it seem as though Naruto was his junior.

"Huh?" Naruto looked at Tobi in confusion.

Haneda coughed lightly and said, "He did hold you when you were little. And… he also exploded you once."

Haneda grabbed Tobi's hand as the latter reached out to ruffle Naruto's hair. Their eyes met for a moment, and Tobi withdrew his hand.

Haneda smoothly pulled Tobi behind him, positioning himself between Tobi and Naruto, before introducing Pain and Konan:

"This is Pain, the leader of Amegakure and the Akatsuki. The one beside him is Konan. You can call her Sister Konan."

Haneda noticed that Karin and Sasuke were each holding books, while Naruto, Toneri, and Gaara were empty-handed.

Smiling, he asked, "Let me guess. You think the school's curriculum is too boring, so you came to the library to study on your own?"

"Karin, you're reading about sealing techniques. Sasuke, you're studying lightning. But what about you, Naruto? And Toneri? And Gaara? What are you three up to, hmm?"

Naruto immediately confessed:

"That's right! The school's lessons are too boring—they can't keep up with us geniuses. Isn't that right, Sasuke?"

Sasuke's eyes widened in disbelief as Naruto sold him out without hesitation.

After a brief pause, Sasuke sighed and said, "Iruka-sensei is a great teacher, but Naruto and I are improving too quickly."

"Uncle Haneda, Naruto and I just want to keep progressing!"

Haneda's smile turned cold as he shifted his gaze to Toneri and Gaara.

"And you two?"

Toneri answered honestly, "Naruto skipped class, so I followed him."

Gaara added, "Me too."

Oh, how wonderful. Konoha's new age of troublemakers.

Sasuke, Toneri, Gaara… all of them in perfect harmony, enabling each other's antics.

Haneda turned his attention back to Naruto.

"Sasuke is improving. But what about you, Naruto?"

"Even if you don't pay attention in class, I wouldn't mind. But you're supposed to be a role model for the school. If you lead others to skip class, the whole school will follow suit. What kind of school would that be?"

Naruto, though mischievous, still had a moral compass. Stammering, he replied:

"Uncle Haneda, I…"

"Use my title when we're outside! How many times have I told you? Call me Hokage-sama!" Haneda said sternly.

"…"

Naruto took several deep breaths.

Getting caught skipping class by a family member was bad enough, but being unable to use Sasuke's excuse of "studying" made it worse.

With no other option, Naruto admitted:

"I came with Karin. She likes reading, so I said I'd take her to the library."

"Couldn't you have done that after school?" Haneda asked pointedly.

"…"

Naruto couldn't very well admit that he found it boring and wanted some excitement. Reading was dull!

At a loss for words, Naruto looked pleadingly at the pretty Sister Konan standing behind Haneda.