Naruto: The Favorability-Devouring Uchiha

"Controlling the points, Haneda? With strength like yours—stronger than Hatake Kakashi—it shouldn't be hard to rank first in the class, right?" the clan head asked with a genial smile.

Haneda gave a modest shrug.

"Almost… but my theory scores are terrible. Kakashi probably memorized the entire Academy curriculum by now. I can't beat that—at least, not on paper."

The clan head chuckled and patted Haneda on the shoulder.

"Haha… then you'll just have to keep working hard."

Build rapport first. Then negotiate. Haneda noted internally.

As the conversation eased into a comfortable rhythm, the clan head finally exchanged a glance with his son before steering things toward serious matters.

"Haneda," he said softly, sipping his tea, "I've heard you awakened the Sharingan."

Haneda nodded without hesitation. "Yeah."

No reason to hide it. After all, the moment he revealed his eyes in public, he decided to anchor himself to the Uchiha—still one of Konoha's most powerful factions.

"Uncle Clan Head," Haneda began, adopting a respectful tone, "I don't even know when it happened. I just… couldn't afford to lose to Kakashi. And then, it awakened. But at the time, I felt this… deep sadness. Like something from my parents."

A solid story, Haneda thought. Prepped in advance.

Everyone knew Sharingan awakening was triggered by emotional trauma and chakra growth—Sasuke after the massacre, Obito during life-and-death desperation.

The clan head, unsurprisingly, accepted this without doubt and smiled gently.

"Yes. Likely it first stirred when you were around four, but your chakra reserves weren't sufficient. Later, under stress, it naturally activated."

He tactfully avoided mentioning Haneda's parents' death, which earned a silent point of respect from Haneda.

The old fox was testing him too. His earlier small talk, that easy laughter—it was calculated. The clan clearly wanted Fugaku to build rapport with him.

The patriarch's smile widened.

"I remember hearing something… When you were about to lose, you said, 'I can't lose as an Uchiha,' didn't you?"

Haneda nodded firmly, expression full of pride.

"Yeah."

Truth? I just wanted to sound cool, he admitted inwardly.

"Haneda, you've upheld the clan's honor well at the Academy. That makes me proud," the patriarch said warmly. "Fugaku heard about your efforts and insisted I give you a reward. After some thought, I agreed. A genius deserves to be treated like one."

Haneda's eyes lit up. Reward? Jackpot.

"Really, Brother Fugaku?" he asked, turning to the older boy with bright-eyed gratitude.

"Of course," Fugaku replied, though his tone carried a trace of guilt. But one sharp look from his father stiffened his spine instantly. "What do you want, Haneda?"

Haneda put on an exaggerated thinking pose.

"Hmm…" Silence stretched for half a minute before he raised his head, eyes gleaming.

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

Fugaku blinked. "Eh?"

Haneda clenched his fist dramatically.

"That guy Kakashi humiliated me with Shadow Clones. I can't trip over the same rock twice!"

"B-rank ninjutsu…" The clan head feigned hesitation, his sharp gaze flicking toward Fugaku.

Fugaku leaned forward, voice suddenly full of fervor.

"Father, let him have it! Haneda's right—an Uchiha should never fall in the same place twice!"

The patriarch chuckled inwardly. This boy… finally showing fire. Outwardly, he sighed as if conceding a great favor.

"Very well. The Shadow Clone Jutsu is precious, but as I said—a genius deserves a genius's treatment."

Haneda's grin nearly split his face. "Thank you, Brother Fugaku!" he said first—then, catching the patriarch's faint frown, quickly added, "And thank you, Uncle Clan Head."

The room filled with laughter.

Haneda was ecstatic. Originally, he'd hoped the clan would just shield him from political heat. Instead? He scored a ninjutsu that might as well be a cheat code.

Because the true terror of the Shadow Clone Technique wasn't simple scouting. It was… experience transfer.

Each clone trained independently. When dispelled, everything they learned flowed back to the user.

Double experience. Triple. A hundred times.

Think about it—Naruto, the so-called blockhead, used hundreds of clones to master jutsu in hours.

Haneda's grin widened.

This isn't just strong—it's broken.

He might not match Naruto's insane chakra pool, but he wasn't some random genin either. He was a transmigrator with boosted mental resilience—and the Sharingan. His brain could tank the memory flood far better than most.

Another cheat unlocked.

Across the table, Fugaku looked quietly pleased. Helping a clanmate felt good. The patriarch, on the other hand, was practically glowing inside.

My son… finally making meaningful bonds. And with a prodigy no less.

The three chatted as the sun dipped below the horizon. In truth, the patriarch gently steered most topics—subtly weaving trust between Fugaku and Haneda.

When it was time to leave, both father and son escorted Haneda to the door.

"Haneda," the patriarch said warmly, "if you need help with ninjutsu, ask your Brother Fugaku anytime."

Haneda turned, feigning hesitation.

"Would that be okay, Brother Fugaku?"

A discreet pat on the thigh from the patriarch settled any doubts.

"Yes, of course," Fugaku replied with a small smile, though inwardly groaning. He never enjoyed teaching—not even his future sons.

But for now? For the clan's future, he would bear it.

Haneda bowed deeply.

Shadow Clone Jutsu secured. Relationship with Fugaku built. Uchiha backing reinforced.

Step by step… I'll climb to the top.