Born To Rise In Konoha
Chapter 61

Chapter 61 - 61

"I should be on the battlefield next time," Shisui said, staring ahead with a serious expression.

"It'll be good experience," Saitama replied, placing a hand on Shisui's shoulder and leaning closer to speak quietly.

At the dinner table, the two had polished off a large pot of braised pork and a full plate of seaweed rice balls. Shisui clutched his swollen stomach, waved goodbye to Granny Kaka and Saitama, and headed home.

Peace never lasted long. Now that Saitama had returned from the frontlines, he felt the war with Sunagakure was far from over. There was no point in staying idle.

Next year would be the 46th year since Konoha's founding. If his memory was correct, the Battle of Kikyo Pass, one of the major turning points in the Third Shinobi World War, would likely take place then.

And now that he thought about it—after all this time among the Uchiha, Saitama realized he hadn't once seen the senior who left a strong impression on him. Where was Uchiha Obito? The future antagonist of the entire shinobi world... right now, he should still be just a Genin.

In the stillness of the night, time drifted by. Dawn's light slowly crept across the sleeping earth.

---

CLANG!

BOOM!

Two figures clashed again and again, sparks flying with each strike.

"Ugh!" One of them was launched into the air and crashed hard onto the ground.

Thud!

Dust rose as the body hit the dirt.

"Khh..." Shisui coughed, struggling to stand. "Saitama, your speed's unreal!"

The two had been sparring for the past few days. Most of the time, Saitama overwhelmed Shisui—unless he was deliberately practicing something new. This time, he was refining his mastery of the Body Flicker Technique and his newly acquired taijutsu style.

"I went easy on you," Saitama said calmly, standing unscathed. He didn't even look like he'd been fighting.

"Yeah, yeah, you're amazing. I get it." Shisui brushed himself off and put on an exaggerated pout—so unlike his usual cool demeanor.

"Your shunshin is fast," Saitama said, tapping under his eye with a finger, "but my reaction's faster."

"I haven't figured out your chakra control technique yet. It puts a lot of strain on the body," Shisui admitted. During one of their sparring sessions, Saitama had demonstrated his version of Chidori-enhanced movements within the Lightning Release Chakra Mode.

Saitama had quickly adapted to using the Shattering Fist Style in combination with Lightning Release, and though he wasn't fully proficient, it was already combat-effective. Shisui, meanwhile, could imitate it but hadn't fully grasped the fundamentals. He could use it in short bursts, but it taxed his body heavily.

Maybe it was talent—or maybe it was just Saitama's freakish dedication—but even his Lightning Mode seemed more refined than Shisui's imitations.

"Let's take a break. We've been at it all morning." Saitama slung an arm around Shisui's shoulders and nudged him toward the edge of the field.

"You two make me feel like my twenty years of training were all for nothing," came a voice from the sidelines. It was Mori, who had been watching their session.

"Don't say that, Mori-san. I'm still just a Genin," Shisui said humbly. Though his skills had already reached Chūnin level—or higher—he hadn't applied for promotion yet. For now, he was content staying under the radar.

"I've watched you both grow up... especially Saitama. I still remember the day I first met him," Mori said with a smile.

"Alright, enough nostalgia. Shisui's treating us to barbecue, right?" Saitama grinned and waved.

"Huh? He is?" Mori lit up immediately.

Shisui blinked in confusion. Didn't we just finish training? How did this turn into a feast?

Still, with both of them looking expectantly at him, he sighed. "Fine, let's head to the commercial district. There's a new place called Yakiniku Q."

"Sounds great. Lead the way, Shisui," Saitama said with a wink at Mori as they headed out, leaving the older shinobi slightly bewildered.

---

Konoha's commercial street wasn't too crowded yet. The trio soon arrived at the barbecue shop.

"Boss, fifty plates of meat and plenty of that secret spicy sauce!" Shisui called out as they walked in, clearly familiar with the place.

The owner, a sharp-looking man in his forties with twin goatee strands, grinned. "Hey, it's Shisui! Grab a table—the meat's coming right up."

Aside from the owner, only three people worked the shop, so he had to juggle several roles himself.

"You come here often?" Mori asked, noting Shisui's familiarity.

"Yeah. After Saitama went to the frontlines, I ate here a lot. The sauce is amazing," Shisui said, rubbing the back of his head.

"The atmosphere's nice," Saitama added. The shop was small—just six tables—but decorated with care. Potted plants lined the walls, and there was even a tiny pond in the center with ornamental turtles.

They were the first customers of the day. Soon, their table was filled with sizzling meat and sauce plates.

"Try this!" Shisui placed a few slices on the grill. The aroma spread instantly.

"Smells fantastic," Mori said, leaning closer to sniff the sauce.

"Eat up! Shisui's paying, so don't hold back," Saitama joked with a sly grin, earning a scowl from Shisui.

The meat cooked quickly. They dipped it in the sauce and started eating.

"This is actually great. Shisui has good taste," Mori said between bites.

Even the owner, overhearing the praise, couldn't hide his pride.

"Welcome, come in!" the boss called as new customers entered.

Saitama kept grilling, focused on the meat, when Shisui suddenly elbowed him.

"Hey, quit hogging the meat!" Saitama grumbled, but Shisui just whispered urgently, "No—look at the door!"

Saitama looked up, eyes following the light pouring through the entrance.

There stood five figures—one of them unmistakable.

Minato Namikaze. The future Fourth Hokage. "The Yellow Flash" of Konoha.

Behind him stood three more recognizable faces:

A silver-haired boy with a cold expression—Kakashi Hatake, already a prodigy.

A dark-haired boy wearing goggles—Obito Uchiha, still full of optimism.

And a girl with short hair—Rin Nohara, Obito's teammate and crush.

Saitama stared for a moment and smirked. "What a coincidence. Looks like the whole Konoha kiddie team showed up."

"You saw them?" Shisui whispered.

"Yeah," Saitama said calmly, though inside, his heart was anything but quiet.

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