If there was one advantage to being reassigned from the Mist frontline, in Saitama's opinion, it was getting the chance to return to Konoha Village first.
After being away for nearly ten months, Saitama occasionally thought about Ka Po-pu who had remained in the village. Of course, he also missed other close clansmen like Shisui, Nagare, Itachi, and Fugaku, the current head of the Uchiha Clan.
Together with Shikaku and other ninjas summoned by the Hokage, Saitama's group took almost five days to return to Konoha from the frontline.
Many of them carried resentment, so naturally, no one was traveling at full speed—Saitama included.
Although this behavior might seem childish, it was a way of showing dissatisfaction with the Hokage's decision.
"Phew! Finally made it back to the village!" Shikaku, wearing a topknot, looked somewhat relaxed despite his usually serious expression, even though he was barely in his twenties.
"It's time for some grilled meat!" Choza Akimichi stood on Shikaku's right side, his plump figure radiating an unmistakable devotion to meat.
Inoichi said nothing; among the trio, he was always the most reserved. Shikaku's silence came from laziness, while Inoichi had trained in mind-based secret arts, making him more composed and introverted—he rarely voiced his opinions.
"Hey, Shikaku, Inoichi, and Saitama, let's grab some grilled meat together later! I'll treat you!"
Choza stretched out his arms as if embracing Konoha's gates.
Saitama got along well with the Inoichi–Shikaku–Choza trio. His maturity allowed him to easily build rapport with them.
Moreover, his strength and background convinced them it worthwhile to deepen their relationship—they were all from influential clan families within Konoha.
Although the Inoichi–Shikaku–Cho clans could only be considered mid-tier compared to the powerful Uchiha Clan, the three young men were already set to become the next clan heads, meaning conversations with Saitama wouldn't burden them unduly.
"Umm, I'm kind of in a hurry to get home—let me treat you another time!"
Saitama patted the sword at his waist.
He wore the Uchiha Clan's signature dark high-collared coat over a mesh combat suit styled like Shizune's, paired with loose capri pants.
Although the weather was freezing, his physical constitution could handle it easily.
"Aww, okay then! What about you guys, Shikaku?"
Choza sounded slightly disappointed but quickly turned his attention toward the others with his usual good-natured attitude.
As expected, the remaining two kindly agreed to let Choza treat them.
Waving goodbye, Saitama strode toward the Uchiha Compound.
The other ninjas also dispersed—some heading home, others off to find some fun.
Everyone went their separate ways according to their own personalities.
Around a hundred shinobi had been recalled from the Mist front, mostly consisting of additional personnel affiliated with the Inoichi–Shikaku–Cho alliance, plus various other types of ninja.
Saitama didn't know most of them and simply couldn't be bothered to socialize.
...
At Saitama's residence.
Ka Uchiha, as usual, rose early, washed up, and steamed a rice ball she had prepared the previous day, eating it alongside reheated seaweed soup—a simple breakfast routine.
Then, putting on the glasses the clan had specially issued to each elder a few days earlier, Ka Uchiha left the house for a stroll and to pick up some ingredients for lunch.
Since Saitama Uchiha left the village, Ka Uchiha felt like her life had gone back to the lonely state it was in before she'd taken care of him. Her daily life felt somehow less energetic now.
She bought some fresh fish, haggling with the fishmonger for quite a while over the price—even though it was just a hundred taels. She walked home happily with her groceries in hand.
Even though Saitama wasn't around, she still made it a habit to buy fish once a week, saving it for midweek. If he hadn't returned by then, there'd already be fish set aside for her to cook.
But if he did come back, there'd already be fish set aside for him to cook. Knowing how much Saitama Uchiha loved fish, this had already become a habit over the past several months.
Smiling happily, Ka Uchiha strolled along the road heading home.
In a daze, she noticed a familiar figure standing at the entrance of the Compound ahead.
But this figure was taller and more muscular than Saitama, so she figured it must have been a trick of her eyes brought on by missing Saitama too much.
After all, she was getting older. Even though the clan had given her glasses, her vision was still blurry.
With both myopia and presbyopia, everyday tasks were still inconvenient.
Walking slowly, Ka Uchiha gradually approached. She knew that couldn't possibly be Saitama—her Saitama was still fighting for the glory of their clan at the frontline!
Closer now!
Saitama Uchiha stood at the crossroad. Somehow, he suddenly felt his eyes welling up slightly.
He saw that the old woman who had raised him had a more stooped back, even more white hair, and seemed to struggle more as she walked.
A lump formed in his throat. Saitama walked toward Ka Uchiha.
Looking down at her shadow, Ka Po-pu suddenly realized someone was standing in front of her.
Frowning in confusion, she lifted her head with effort, and then two warm hands gently landed on her shoulders.
"Ka Po-pu?"
Ka Uchiha, wearing her glasses, looked uncertain, widening her eyes as she stared at the familiar face before her.
"Ka Po-pu, it's me!"
Saitama bent down so that Ka Po-pu's hand, which reached out to stroke his face, could easily touch his cheek.
Cold—that was the first sensation she felt when she touched his face.
"It really is you, Saitama!"
The grandmother became excited, dropping the shopping bag entirely with her other hand as she grabbed onto Saitama's arm.
"Yeah, Ka Po-pu, I'm back."
"Ohhh, coming back is good!"
Ka Po-pu's wrinkled face suddenly lit up with vitality. Her eyes, behind her glasses, also seemed clearer.
One hand gripping Saitama's arm, the other lightly patting it, Ka Po-pu couldn't hold back her emotions.
"Let's go back home, Ka Po-pu. It's been ages since I've tasted your fish!"
Saitama squatted down and picked up the dropped fish bag with her other hand. The fish inside were still wriggling and gasping.
"Mm, okay! Let's go home. Ka Po-pu will cook fish for you!"
Ka Po-pu composed herself slightly, holding tightly onto Saitama's hand as they walked home together.
It was already pushing noon—time for lunch.
...
"Saitama Uchiha!"
Danzo sat in the darkness, his right side wrapped in gauze and bandages. Something seemingly heavy was hidden beneath his right arm's wrapping.
At this moment, Danzo didn't cover his right hand with a cloth.
He sat silently in that place—dark, but vast.
"My physical condition has been stabilized. Now it's time to compensate for my body's shortcomings!"
Danzo reached his left hand toward his right arm, completely wrapped, hiding whatever lay beneath.
A cold smile curved at the corner of his lips. His scar on the chin became even more grotesque when he smiled, while his lone eye exuded boundless ruthlessness and restrained killing intent.
"Not yet... soon! Complete my body. As a member of the Uchiha Clan, I will finally make a contribution to Konoha's future!"
The darkness stretched endlessly, swallowing Danzo's form. Only his lone eye glimmered with fiery ambition!
...
"Eat more, Saitama!"
"Mm, you eat too, Granny. The fish today is especially fresh and delicious!"
Inside Saitama's home, harmony filled the air.
After dinner, Saitama took care of everything himself. Ka Uchiha was getting older; these tasks weren't easy for her anymore.
Aging often happens unexpectedly fast.
Take Ka Uchiha's aging process, for example. When Saitama had left, he still thought she was in good shape. Who would have expected that once he came back, she'd already be like this?
Her back had stooped significantly within just half a year, making her appear smaller.
And her hair had nearly turned completely white.
"Did you return because of a mission this time?"
Though living in the village, Ka Uchiha learned about some of Saitama's deeds from other villagers. Many now respected her more because of him.
Sitting beside Ka Uchiha, Saitama held her hands and warmed them with his own.
"Yes, I returned due to being transferred from the battlefield. I probably won't stay long before departing again."
Saitama smiled, warming the room with a tender, affectionate presence.
"Oh? Then during your few days at home, what would you like to eat?"
Now, all Ka Uchiha could do was cook delicious meals for Saitama—anything else was beyond her strength.
"Mm, just cook like you usually do! Everything you make tastes great!"
Still warming her icy hands, Saitama spoke softly to his beloved grandmother.
They chatted together for nearly an hour until Ka Uchiha soon felt drowsy. After settling her comfortably, Saitama quietly closed the door and went out. He hadn't visited Fugaku and others yet since returning. Now with some free time, he could go pay them a visit.
...
In the East Asian tradition, Itachi Uchiha would turn four when December ended.
In recent months, he had been doing quite well. Although his most admired person, Saitama, had left the village for the battlefield, he had met someone he deeply admired through training under his father—Shisui Uchiha.
Throughout this time, Itachi trained at the Uchiha Clan Guards' training grounds every day. Though barely over three years old, his talent was already evident.
Especially in ninja tools throwing techniques—Itachi seemed born knowing how. The ninja tools came alive in his hands.
On one hand, it was due to Itachi's status, and on the other, Itachi had genuinely earned the respect of the ninja in the Clan Guards.
After some back-and-forth, Itachi finally gained permission to train at the training grounds.
Today, Shisui wasn't on a mission. The entire shinobi world was in turmoil, so naturally, the number of missions assigned to each hidden village had sharply decreased.
Plus, Shisui himself had certain standards for accepting missions. Tasks like tracking down some old lady's runaway tabby across the whole village or helping an episodically sight-impaired elder harvest crops—Shisui simply didn't have the time or energy for such things.
"Shisui, teach me how to use a blade!"
Itachi tugged at Shisui's sleeve, his tone serious.
He looked up, locking his sharply contrasting eyes onto Shisui's with intense focus.
"Hmm, are you sure? Your father is far better than me in this area. Why not ask him to teach you instead?"
Shisui patted Itachi's shoulder, his tone slightly helpless.
It wasn't that he didn't want to teach—it was just that he didn't know how.
If he had Itachi just go through the motions step by step, it'd be like he hadn't taught him anything at all. And if he tried to teach seriously, he himself was completely clueless.
After all, Shisui himself was still a child who hadn't fully grown up yet; teaching others was simply beyond his capabilities.
But seeing the determined expression on Itachi's face, Shisui could only agree.
"Alright, alright. We can definitely exchange ideas. I can offer you some guidance based on my experience."
"Great! Thank you so much, Shisui!"
Itachi's face lit up with joy as he clenched his right fist tightly.
"Phew!"
Shisui exhaled in relief. Meanwhile, several other members of the Clan Guards watching from not too far away smiled upon seeing the two interacting.
...
Knock knock!
Fugaku Uchiha sat at his desk going through the latest clan reports when he heard a knock at the door.
Didn't he clearly say not to disturb him for the next few hours?
A trace of confusion appeared on Fugaku Uchiha's face, but he immediately set down the documents in his hands.
"Come in!"
Fugaku thought to himself, Perhaps it was something urgent after all.
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