Chapter 45

Uchiha Tianming set down his brush. After carefully checking the letter twice, he rolled it into a tube, tied it with a ribbon, and prepared to send it back to Konoha by carrier pigeon. This was his and Uchiha Fugaku's routine monthly report on the war situation, concisely recording the Uchiha Clan's movements on the front lines. For nearly half a year, he had deliberately mentioned Saitama's outstanding performance in every report—this young ninja was not only an important fighting force at present, but also, in his eyes, a symbol of the Uchiha Clan's glory for decades to come.

The tent flap was suddenly thrown open, and Uchiha Mori strode in carrying a food box. "Eat while it's hot." He set the meal on the low table and gestured at his companion, who was buried in work.

"Much appreciated." Uchiha Tianming rubbed his aching eyes and picked up his rice bowl. Ever since they had decided to take the initiative and attack, the command staff had been rushed off their feet every day. They had to attend full-scale strategy meetings and repeatedly work through tactics with the think tank. Even eating had become a luxury.

"I ran into that kid Saitama earlier. He's so young, yet..." Uchiha Mori leaned against the table and chatted, taking rare advantage of the meal break to relax.

"Hm?" Uchiha Tianming instantly perked up, his chopsticks hanging in midair.

"I saw him having lunch with that short-haired female ninja beside Lady Tsunade. The two of them seemed rather intimate." Uchiha Mori tapped the tabletop with his fingers and wore a teasing grin.

"That is interesting. I wonder whether Lady Tsunade knows?" Uchiha Tianming swallowed a mouthful of rice, fine smile lines appearing at the corners of his eyes.

"That's hard to say." Uchiha Mori shrugged. Uchiha Tianming suddenly wanted to add another line to the war report—news that Uchiha Saitama seemed to have fallen in love. The clan head's expression upon reading it would surely be quite something. He quietly imagined the scene.

"Everyone is here."

Tsunade sat upright in the seat of honor, while Mitokado Homura occupied a side seat and the commanders of each unit took their places in turn. When she announced the start of the meeting, her gaze seemed to casually sweep over Saitama, who stood behind Uchiha Tianming. A hint of inscrutable amusement flashed in her eyes.

Saitama sat straight as a pine tree, his eyes fixed on the stray lock of hair sticking up from Uchiha Mori's forehead because of poor sleeping posture. It swayed from side to side with Mori's movements. He had long noticed Tsunade's gaze, but out of guilt, he deliberately pretended not to.

"After days of discussion, it is time to finalize the plan today. If anyone has objections, raise them now."

Tsunade tapped the table with her curled fingers, emphasizing that this was the moment of final decision.

"Ahem!" Hyuga Shin raised his hand.

"Hyuga Shin, speak." Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses.

"It is reasonable for the Hyuga Clan to serve as the reconnaissance unit. But why is the Uchiha Clan assigned to receive the wounded? They have always excelled at combat." Hyuga Shin's tone carried dissatisfaction as he stared directly at Uchiha Tianming across from him.

"Hmph! Who are you to question Lady Tsunade's arrangements?" Uchiha Tianming turned to look at Uchiha Mori, who was dozing beside him.

Mitokado Homura sighed inwardly. This was actually meant to suppress the Uchiha Clan's military achievements—the Third Hokage had long intended to step down, and the Uchiha Clan had their eyes fixed on the Hokage's position.

"If that is the case..." He pretended to ponder. "How about transferring the Uchiha Clan to the assault unit and having them switch places with the former Third Unit?" His gaze swept across everyone present.

"As ordered." The civilian jonin immediately voiced their agreement.

"The Uchiha Clan has no objections." Tianming folded his arms and nodded.

"Any other questions?" Tsunade looked around the room. She had already felt uneasy about the arrangement to suppress the Uchiha Clan, and this change suited her wishes perfectly.

"The operation begins at dawn the day after tomorrow! Our counterattack against the Hidden Mist must be swift, precise, and fierce!" Tsunade abruptly rose to her feet. All the ninja stood in unison, watching her solemnly.

Mitokado Homura smiled and nodded. The Hidden Mist might be strong, but victory would ultimately belong to Konoha—such was the iron law of war.

(

As his thoughts turned, the tent lights reflected off Mitokado Homura's lenses, concealing every trace of emotion in his eyes.

"At last, that's over!" Saitama stretched his limbs and spoke to Uchiha Mori beside him.

The two walked down the dirt paths of the camp. The meeting had just ended, and they were heading toward the Uchiha Clan's encampment.

"The real test is only beginning."

Uchiha Mori looked up at the vast night sky, and the boundless heavens stirred countless thoughts within him.

"Isn't that true? But so what?" Saitama shrugged indifferently.

"I know you're skilled. On the battlefield, you move as though no one can stop you!"

Uchiha Mori made as if to pat him on the shoulder, but Saitama nimbly avoided it.

"The Hidden Mist has plenty of formidable people, especially the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, renowned throughout the ninja world. You're now the top target on their kill list. If you run into several of them at once..."

Though he did not want to discourage his companion, Uchiha Mori could not help reminding him.

"I understand. I never underestimate my enemies."

Saitama's fingertips brushed the sword at his waist as he thought to himself, If we really meet, who knows who will be the one to suffer.

"I heard you'll be setting out soon?" Shizune sat on a crossbeam, her dangling legs gently swaying.

"We leave at dawn tomorrow. The plan has been set, so it must be carried out."

Saitama toyed with his sword hilt, but his gaze never left Shizune's gently swinging calves.

"The Land of Bears border isn't far. How long until you return?"

Shizune suddenly looked up, her clear eyes meeting Saitama's directly. It was the first time in two days that she had looked at him like this.

"Hard to say. Your medical unit will remain in the rear, but our vanguard won't have it so easy."

Saitama looked toward the stars, the coming battle already taking shape in his mind. "The Hidden Mist's main force is gathering in the Land of Bears..."

"Oh." Shizune fell silent again.

"That's enough for today."

Saitama rose to take his leave.

"Get some rest early. And be careful."

Shizune gave him a soft reminder.

Moonlight flowed like water, coating his departing figure in a cold silver glow.

"You should head back soon too," Shizune softly said to his receding back.

Shizune silently watched Saitama disappear into the distance, then leaped down from the crossbeam and quietly left.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Countless figures darted rapidly through the forest. Their matching green ninja flak jackets and Konoha forehead protectors declared their identities.

"Captain, how much farther do we have to go? We've already been running for half a day!"

Uchiha Huo irritably stepped across the branches, following close behind Saitama as he complained.

"We've entered the Land of Bears. Keep calm."

Saitama lightly tapped the tree trunk with the tip of his foot, shooting forward like a swallow.

Several hours earlier, this vanguard had cleared the border outposts and officially invaded the territory of the Land of Bears.

"These trash are so slow to react. We still haven't seen a single reinforcement!"

Uchiha Huo curled his lip, his face full of disdain.

Saitama frowned slightly. Uchiha Huo's spoiled attitude was precisely the bad habit bred by long-term success.

This operation was meant to severely damage the Hidden Mist and completely ignite the flames of war—only by making the enemy feel true pain could they be forced to bare their real fangs.

Whistle—

The shrill sound of a signal arrow tore through the sky.

Swish!

Nearly a hundred ninja stopped at once.

"Enemy attack! Southeast, contact in five minutes."

An Aburame Clan ninja stood atop a high branch, his voice accurately reaching the entire area. The intelligence spread swiftly like ripples.

As commander of the First Regiment of the Second Unit, Saitama's eighty elite subordinates had silently formed a combat formation. The instant cold blades left their sheaths, the entire forest fell dead silent.

Rustle—

Amid the roar of the rolling sea of trees, a dark mass of Hidden Mist troops suddenly appeared. Though they held the numerical advantage, Saitama knew that every Konoha elite behind him was a battle machine tempered through countless trials.

Blades reflected a cold gleam. The storm was imminent.

As far as he could see, Saitama spotted a group of still-childish recruits clutching their weapons in fear. They had clearly never experienced a confrontation on such a large scale.

"Hey! You Konoha bastards!"

A ninja with protruding fangs wore a sleeveless vest, the massive ninja sword in his hand gleaming coldly.

"Hmph!" Saitama caught sight of the man's distinctive white hair and sharp fangs and immediately recognized his origins.

He was a ninja from the Hozuki Clan, masters of the Hydrification Technique, capable of avoiding the vast majority of physical attacks.

The Hidden Mist ninja had all manner of appearances, and they now let out strange cries toward the Konoha camp.

"Give these honored Konoha guests a proper 'welcome'!"

A one-eyed ninja waved a bizarre weapon as he shouted, cruelty dripping from his words. He seemed not to regard the Konoha forces as a threat at all. Beside him stood a tall, thin masked ninja with a slender katana slung diagonally across his back.

"Hahaha!"

The Hidden Mist camp instantly erupted. Everyone cracked their knuckles, murderous intent surging.

"That is Munashi Jinpachi, wielder of Blast Sword: Shibuki, and Kurosuki Raiga, wielder of Longsword: Nuibari." An Uchiha clansman whispered in Saitama's ear. "Elite jonin of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, known as the 'Merciless Duo.' Their enemies never leave behind intact corpses."

"Understood." Saitama nodded slightly.

"Hidden Mist scum, die!"

There were hot-tempered ninja in the Konoha camp as well. Upon hearing the provocation, they immediately shouted back.

"Crush them!"

Munashi Jinpachi swept out a hand, and the Hidden Mist ninja surged forward like a tide.

"Kill!"

Konoha's elites showed no weakness. They had been selected as the finest from every unit, so how could they fear these grotesque Mist ninja?

Saitama locked his gaze on the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. On the entire battlefield, only they qualified as opponents.

As captain of the Second Company, Uchiha Mori charged forward alongside Saitama.

"One each?" Battle intent burned in Uchiha Mori's eyes. As a seasoned jonin, he was confident he could contend with one ninja sword.

"Deal." Saitama suddenly accelerated, heading straight for Munashi Jinpachi.

"You're courting death!"

Seeing the young ninja rush directly at him, Munashi Jinpachi's face turned icy, killing intent spilling forth.

The two armies crashed together, and ninja paired off into fierce combat. Saitama facing Munashi Jinpachi seemed only natural, considering he represented Konoha's top combat strength.

A cold flash appeared as a fierce slash struck Munashi Jinpachi's weapon.

Hiss! Saitama caught sight of hidden weapons shooting from the enemy blade like a venomous snake striking. His pupils contracted, the three tomoe spinning rapidly as he kicked off the ground and retreated.

"Brat, be buried here!"

Munashi Jinpachi grinned savagely as he swung the Blast Sword, his killing intent almost tangible. Wherever the blade's light passed, explosive tags filled the sky like dark clouds pressing down.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The explosive tags dogged Saitama's figure, detonating blazing fireballs across the ground. Amid screams, ninja from both Konoha and the Hidden Mist were swept up in the indiscriminate explosions.

"Run! Keep running!" Munashi Jinpachi's sinister gaze stayed locked on Saitama as he dodged and weaved. He paid no heed to injuring ninja from his own village.

"Troublesome..." Saitama swept his gaze across the scorched ground. Although the explosive tags were not as powerful as proper explosives—

"I have to end this quickly!" Saitama glimpsed Uchiha Mori being suppressed by his opponent. The ninja called Kurosuki Raiga was clearly not someone he could handle.

Crackle—!

Deep violet currents wrapped around the blade, changing the weapon's form. This was Saitama's improved Chidori Stream—compressing violent lightning onto the blade to grant it Chidori's tearing properties.

Munashi Jinpachi's sword hand still carried a lingering numbness. Staring at Saitama's transformed weapon, he clicked his tongue. "Kurosuki Raiga! Hurry up and finish off that trash on your side, then come support me!"

"Heehee, even you can't handle him?" Kurosuki Raiga's steel wire tore a fresh wound across Uchiha Mori's shoulder. The end of his needle-like weapon was connected to a transparent thread, making its attack paths tricky and unpredictable.

The young Uchiha clansman could only barely hold on with his Sharingan, and his movements had already become disordered.

"Mori!" Saitama's path was cut off by the Blast Sword as he rushed forward. Munashi Jinpachi grinned savagely and brought his weapon down. "Your opponent is right here!"

Clang!

Wrapped in lightning, Saitama used the force to leap into the air. The instant the Blast Sword was knocked away by Chidori Stream, several explosive tags slid down along its blade and fell to the ground.

Boom!

As flames swallowed Saitama's figure, Munashi Jinpachi's blackened right hand continued forming seals. "He should be ashes by now, right?" he muttered as he stared into the smoke.

"Saitama!" Uchiha Mori's cry was cut off by Kurosuki Raiga's assault.

The smoke screen suddenly tore apart!

Saitama, completely unscathed, had already placed the tip of his sword against Munashi Jinpachi's throat. Only his tattered hem showed any trace of the explosions.

"How is that possible?!" The Blast Sword hastily blocked, and the clang of metal rang across the battlefield.

"Lightning Release: Chidori Blade!" Saitama named his lightning-wreathed sword technique, simple and forceful.

Clang!

The ninja sword suddenly erupted with dazzling light, lightning surging wildly along its blade!