Born To Rise In Konoha
Chapter 64

Chapter 64 - 64

"Haha." Saitama chuckled softly. This Root operative's thinking is really twisted.

"Huh!"

In a flash, Saitama vanished from sight.

"What?" The Root ninja's eyes narrowed and his posture instantly stiffened.

"Don't move."

A kunai pressed coldly against his waist. Beads of sweat rolled down the back of his neck. He hadn't seen Saitama's movement at all.

Electric chakra sparked from Saitama's hand, seeping through the man's flak jacket and paralyzing him in place.

"I don't trust shinobi who hide their faces," Saitama said quietly, standing behind the man. His voice was low, emotionless—piercing. "Especially ones who can't even show their true identity."

The Root agent's body trembled involuntarily.

"Go back and tell your superior: I'm not interested."

Saitama withdrew the kunai and leapt off the wall, landing lightly on the ground below. He walked away, calm and unhurried.

"Tch..."

The Root agent—codenamed Minister Gen—exhaled deeply. In that brief moment, he had genuinely felt the chill of death. Against this boy, he hadn't even had a chance to react.

Ignoring the lingering paralysis from the electric jolt, he watched as Saitama disappeared around the corner.

"This kid... he's dangerous," Gen muttered, turning to retreat into the shadows.

Meanwhile, Saitama left the alleyway, unfazed. People will start noticing my strength sooner or later. But he was no longer a nameless Uchiha, nor someone who would roll over for the powerful.

Power, he thought, is the prerequisite for having a voice. Only with strength can you survive in this village.

---

Chapter: A Meal at Home

Dinner was at home tonight. Granny Kaka had made fish soup using a fresh catch from the market—bought at a steep price. The growing unrest in the Land of Wasui had driven seafood prices through the roof.

Despite the cost, Uchiha Kaka's cooking skills were impeccable. The soup was light and rich, and the fish practically melted off the bone. Unfortunately, Saitama had no idea what kind of fish he was eating.

"Mother-in-law, I'm done."

Saitama smiled, setting down his bowl. His tone was slightly smug, like a child showing off how much he'd eaten.

"Still hungry? There's more in the pot—I'll get you another bowl," Kaka offered, reaching for his dish.

"No, no, Granny. I'm full. You eat too."

Saitama quickly pulled his bowl back, knowing full well that she would skimp on her own portion to feed him if he didn't finish everything first.

He made quick work of the last bits in her bowl too.

"All right. Go rest. I'll clean up here."

Kaka smiled kindly, tapping her chopsticks against the edge of the table.

"Okay then!"

Saitama didn't argue and headed off.

I'll come down and wash the dishes later, he thought. Granny Kaka's getting older—she shouldn't have to do everything herself. But since she liked having something to do, he didn't argue about the little things.

Still... there's nothing like a home-cooked meal. Compared to the rations on the front lines, this was paradise.

After changing into indoor slippers, Saitama climbed the stairs.

It was already late December. The new year was fast approaching. He would be eight soon. Has it really been that long since I came to this world?

He was beginning to get used to this life.

As long as no one disrupts the peace...

---

The room was warm, so Saitama shrugged off his shirt and sat on the tatami, bare-chested. His lean body was covered with scars—souvenirs from his time as a genin and from the battlefield. A long, clean gash marked his chest; another jagged scar ran along his shoulder.

He pulled a scroll from the shelf and unrolled it across his lap.

It was filled with his notes on Lightning Release: Chakra Mode—his own creation. He had documented everything from the chakra nature transformation process to his training insights.

Touching his forehead, he began to revise. The technique still had flaws.

Shisui copied this scroll the other day, he remembered. Not that it matters—it's not a secret.

He paused, frowning slightly.

Around this time, Kakashi should already have the prototype for Chidori. Or maybe he's completed it? I should try to talk to him soon.

Saitama's own version of Chidori had less impact than Kakashi's—more of a B-rank jutsu compared to the original's A-rank power. But maybe, with some help, he could improve it.

With one hand on his chin, he jotted down ideas, mentally preparing experiments for the coming days.

Time flew by. Except for going downstairs to wash the dishes, he remained there until well past midnight.

---

Chapter: In the Shadows

A pitch-black room. Metal pipes crisscrossed the ceiling. A narrow bridge stretched across the darkness, linking two platforms.

Clang!

A metallic sound echoed. A figure appeared at one end of the bridge, their features obscured.

"Mission failed," a masked operative reported, kneeling on the other side. "The target is more dangerous than intelligence suggested."

"Oh?" The standing figure's voice was dry and old, but sharp with irritation. "Stronger than Root estimates?"

"His speed is extraordinary. My subordinates were subdued in seconds."

The standing figure paused. "Continue monitoring him."

"Yes, sir."

With a quiet rustle, the kneeling figure vanished, leaving the bridge empty once again.

"Uchiha Saitama..."

A whisper drifted through the pipes, and a thin shaft of light pierced the darkness, illuminating half of the speaker's face—bandaged and hidden.

"The Uchiha always hide something, don't they? Let's see what you're hiding."

---

Chapter: A New Morning

"Saitama! Saitama!"

Granny Kaka's voice filtered through the door. Saitama rubbed his eyes, reflexively reaching for the kunai beside his pillow.

"I'm up," he muttered groggily. It was rare for him to sleep in.

He dressed and equipped himself, then walked downstairs.

"You're getting less and less like a proper ninja," Granny Kaka teased as he approached the kitchen. "Ninjas don't sleep late!"

"It's been a while since I had a decent rest," Saitama replied, dodging the jab.

It was just past 7 AM. The winter sky was still dim. Granny Kaka had probably started breakfast around 6.

Today's meal was simple—rice balls and seaweed soup.

Saitama sipped the soup carefully, blowing off steam. Across the table, Granny Kaka ate slowly, her expression content.

This life... he thought, isn't bad at all.

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