"Huff…"
Just now, Saitama had forcefully stimulated his chakra, overcharging his body to enhance its activity. It gave him a momentary boost in speed and power—but only briefly. The aftereffects were already setting in, leaving his body tense and uncomfortable.
Though the chakra drain was considerable, it was the physical exhaustion that hit harder, making his limbs feel hollow and weak.
"Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu!"
Uchiha Lin's sudden burst of fire-style ninjutsu exploded toward the two enemy shinobi in front of him. Flames scattered like falling petals, breaking their formation. In one fluid motion, he dashed past Saitama and rushed toward the isolated Sand ninja up ahead.
"Hmph."
A cold snort came from behind—one of the other Suna-nin noticing Lin's aggressive charge. But Lin ignored them. He focused solely on the lone target ahead.
Saitama noticed Lin's movement too. A glint of cold light flickered in his eyes. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, his blade flashing in a silver arc to block the enemy in front of Lin from escaping.
"Zzzt…!"
The sound of crackling lightning accompanied his strike. Electricity surged along his blade, making the Sand ninja break into a cold sweat. The enemy desperately tried to disengage, but Saitama's relentless assault pinned him in place.
As Lin reached them, he frowned. From the start of the battle, he'd been bogged down by opponents, unable to gain an edge. Now that Saitama was here, the pressure eased, and for the first time, a real chance of victory emerged.
"Tch…!"
Lin flipped a kunai in his right hand and threw it with practiced precision, cutting off the enemy's retreat.
Saitama took another step forward, his sword spinning in a deadly rhythm. Each strike narrowed the enemy's options, until finally—
"Gah!"
A clean cut opened the Sand ninja's right arm. Blood spilled out, weakening his grip on his kunai and halving his combat ability.
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!"
Without missing a beat, Lin formed hand seals and expelled a massive fireball at the Sand ninja who had tried to intercept him earlier. The jutsu's force created a backlash that helped propel Lin forward.
"Die."
Saitama's Sharingan spun violently. The time for mercy had passed.
"Shlkt!"
His blade cut deep across the enemy's chest. The Sand ninja's eyes bulged as panic set in. He could feel death approaching from the gaping wound.
"Thud!"
Saitama stepped in close, ramming his shoulder forward and slamming into the enemy's body. In that moment, the enemy's kunai slashed upward, barely missing Saitama's neck.
Tilting his head to the side, Saitama seized the enemy's wrist, holding it firm. Lightning chakra crackled from his own skin into the enemy's arm.
"ARGH!"
Saitama pushed more chakra into the jutsu. The current intensified, violently surging through the enemy's nervous system.
"Zzt!"
Saitama's blade gleamed. He rammed it into the enemy's abdomen.
"Time to go."
His voice was low. The Sand ninja's limbs twitched, and the light in his eyes dimmed.
Just as Saitama stepped back, Lin closed in behind the dying shinobi.
"Shhk!"
Lin's kunai slashed across the enemy's throat, ending his life without hesitation.
"Well done." Lin smirked.
Saitama only shook his head. "Was that necessary? Trying to steal the final blow?"
---
In the end, the larger battle concluded without a true victor. Orochimaru and Rasa (Fourth Kazekage) clashed but ultimately withdrew after sustaining damage. Konoha and Sunagakure both chose to halt the deadly conflict, the frontlines dissolving into uneasy stalemates and minor skirmishes.
'Strange…'
Saitama reflected silently.
'Orochimaru should've been able to kill Rasa. That's what I remember. But now… they ended in a draw?'
---
Later…
"Have you thought about it, Saitama?" Lin stood with his arms crossed, looking down at him.
"Yeah," Saitama nodded. "I've requested to return to the village. The frontlines… don't suit me anymore."
"Injury?" Lin raised an eyebrow. "You were the one who demanded to be sent to the front a few months ago."
Saitama cracked a smile. "Does an Uchiha need a reason not to fight?"
At just seven years old, Saitama was already nearly 150 centimeters tall. He seemed to grow every day. Perhaps it was the daily overuse of chakra stimulating his physical development—but he didn't care.
Let others joke. No one would call him short anymore.
"Heh." Lin chuckled dryly at Saitama's sarcasm. "It's fine. Shisui's begun solo missions too. You'll probably team up with him once you're back in the village."
He reached out, resting a hand on Saitama's shoulder.
Honestly, Lin couldn't help but admire the kid. Saitama's raw strength was only slightly behind his own. In a real fight, it'd likely come down to who landed the first decisive blow.
"You should talk to Lord Orochimaru. He mentioned this morning that he was looking for you."
With that, Lin gave him a couple pats on the shoulder and walked away without looking back.
---
Saitama stood there, frowning.
'Orochimaru wants to see me? What for?'
His exploits on the battlefield had made his name known among the Konoha forces. Even some jōnin began treating him as an equal.
Naturally, that drew Orochimaru's attention. But until now, their interactions had been strictly formal.
"Guess I'll find out."
Strapping his blade back to his side, Saitama headed toward the command tent—the large green one reserved for Orochimaru.
Along the way, several passing shinobi greeted him. Saitama gave curt nods. He wasn't one to flaunt, but he didn't avoid people either.
Standing outside the tent, he wondered how to announce himself.
Before he could say anything, a smooth voice came from within.
"Saitama? Come in."
It was Orochimaru's voice—flat, almost melodic, yet full of hidden undertones.
Saitama pulled back the curtain and stepped inside.
It was dark. His eyes needed a moment to adjust.
At the far end of the room, he spotted a silhouette seated behind a low table.
"Lord Orochimaru," Saitama said, stepping forward and bowing slightly.
Orochimaru looked at him with amused eyes. The corners of his mouth curled into a slow smile.
"So… Saitama still stands like that," he said, tongue briefly licking his lip.
He stared intently. This young Uchiha fascinated him—perhaps even more than any other of the clan's rising stars.
"Did you call for me, Lord Orochimaru?"
"Can't I have a simple chat with you?" Orochimaru's gaze was intense, almost piercing.
"Of course." Saitama met his eyes without hesitation. There was no fear in him—only curiosity.
"You're quite the curious one," Orochimaru said, eyes gleaming. "Among the Uchiha I've observed, you interest me the most. No… you captivate me."
He brushed a hand across the purple magatama earring dangling from his lobe.
"It's an honor," Saitama replied calmly. If Orochimaru had any strange intent, it was buried too deep to read. For now, all Saitama sensed was admiration… maybe even expectation.
"Why not come under my tutelage?" Orochimaru said smoothly. "You're strong, clever… and just the right age."
Saitama's eyes narrowed. "Are you serious?"
"I rarely joke," Orochimaru replied. "You've survived the battlefield. As I promised… I'm offering you a place."
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