Chapter 6

Saitama turned and left without looking back. At that moment, he deeply understood: only strength could earn true respect. Keeping a low profile was important, but one also had to know when to show one's strength.

The onlookers murmured among themselves. No one had expected the obscure Uchiha Saitama to possess such superb skill with hidden weapons.

The instructor stared at the shuriken deeply embedded in the bullseye, his brow slightly furrowed. Even he felt inferior to such precise throwing technique. In terms of hidden weapons alone, this Uchiha boy had actually surpassed him.

Tokuma Hyuga clenched the ninja tool in his hand, his young face filled with defiance. It's just a cheap trick! he secretly vowed. Uchiha Saitama, I'll defeat you fairly and squarely in actual combat!

"That was amazing, Saitama!" Iruka excitedly circled his friend, his eyes shining with admiration. If he could learn such a technique, his strength would surely improve by leaps and bounds.

"Want to learn? I'll teach you." The corners of Saitama's mouth rose slightly. What happened today had made him realize that excessive restraint would only invite contempt. Showing one's edge at the right time was what earned respect.

In the tests that followed, no one was able to replicate Saitama's feat. When the highest score settled at eight rings, the entire class looked at the boy in the last row differently—the boy had not only hit the bullseye every time, but had also conquered the most difficult moving target with astonishing skill.

During Three Body Technique class, Saitama's fluid demonstration once again drew cries of amazement. When he returned to his seat, Iruka's new round of questions arrived as expected. At that moment, Saitama clearly realized that the gap between him and his peers was widening. Perhaps only Uchiha Shisui, whom he had not seen for a long time, could stand on equal footing with him.

As the semester neared its end, Saitama stood at the counter of a ninja tool shop. "One chakra test paper."

"That'll be one hundred ryo."

After carefully putting away the test paper, the boy turned and disappeared into the evening dusk. Today's class had made him realize that, despite training for so long, he had never tested his own chakra nature. It was time to make up for that oversight.

A short while later, Saitama arrived at the forest where he usually trained.

This patch of woods bore obvious traces of his day-after-day training, but Saitama had no intention of changing locations. Even if someone discovered it, it did not matter.

Deliberately concealing it would only arouse suspicion. It was better to let things take their natural course.

He casually picked an open area and sat down cross-legged.

Taking out the chakra test paper he had bought earlier, he thought for a moment before gripping it tightly and slowly channeling the chakra within his body into it.

One corner of the paper caught fire first. Then another corner began to wrinkle. Finally, part of it showed signs of being cut apart.

So he currently had wind, fire, and lightning natures?

This type of test paper could not detect Yin Release. Therefore, his actual chakra natures were wind, fire, lightning, and the hidden Yin.

A standard Uchiha Clan setup. Saitama was quite satisfied with it.

He crumpled the test paper and buried it in the soil. Within a few days, it would naturally decompose without leaving a trace.

Getting up and leaving the forest, Saitama prepared to go home for dinner.

Granny Xiang should have already prepared dinner. Although testing his chakra nature had delayed him by half an hour, it was still early enough. Going back now would be just right.

However, as soon as he reached a spot not far from his home, he sensed that something was off about the atmosphere around him.

His heart tightening, Saitama quickened his pace and stepped through the gate.

"Little Saitama, you're back?"

Granny Xiang stood safely in the courtyard, and only then did Saitama breathe a sigh of relief.

His gaze swept over the extra figures in the courtyard, but he did not speak first.

"Saitama, these two are members of the clan's guard unit. They said they have business with you."

"I understand, Granny. Go inside and rest first. Leave this to me."

"Alright, alright."

Knowing she could not help, Uchiha Kaori turned and went back inside.

After Granny entered the house, Saitama nodded to the two men in the courtyard and invited them to sit on the stone benches.

The two men also studied Saitama with interest—both wore Uchiha's signature black high-collared attire, and both looked young, around twenty years old.

Saitama was observing them as well.

"You're Uchiha Saitama?"

One of them spoke, breaking the silence.

"Yes, sir."

Saitama was respectful in his attitude. After all, he was still only a student at the Ninja Academy.

"I've heard Shisui mention you."

"What did Shisui say?"

"He said you have decent talent."

Saitama smiled faintly and looked directly at the speaker.

"You should know about my performance at the Academy, sir. Does that count as talent?"

He knew they must have investigated him, so he simply questioned them in return.

"Of course. That exquisite shuriken throwing technique of yours truly shows exceptional talent!"

"News travels fast."

Saitama's expression turned serious as he looked directly at the other man.

"Shisui mentioned your talent before, but at first, we had our doubts. What happened today made us decide to come and see you in person."

"What do you need me to do?"

Saitama put on a puzzled expression.

The other man pointed at himself and his silent companion.

"We are Uchiha's guard unit, directly under the Uchiha Clan."

"I see."

They had deliberately emphasized that they belonged to the Uchiha rather than Konoha. Saitama immediately understood—had the Uchiha already begun preparing for the worst?

Had the conflict already escalated to this point?

A trace of doubt flashed through his eyes.

"Shisui is currently a reserve member of ours."

Saitama understood.

"You should understand why we came. Join us! For the Uchiha!"

The man stood up, his eyes burning.

"After talking for so long, I still haven't asked your name."

Saitama did not agree immediately.

"Uchiha Mori. This is my partner, Uchiha Lin."

The man introduced himself. Seeming to realize he had been too direct, he added:

"Joining us will not only allow you to serve the clan, but will also greatly benefit your personal training."

"There are no professional ninja at the Academy to guide your training."

Mori wore a confident smile. They had investigated beforehand and knew that Saitama was diligent and ambitious, often training alone in the forest—this information had all come from Shisui and had been verified by them.

"I am willing to serve the clan!"

Saitama agreed without hesitation. He had already intended to stand with the clan.

As an Uchiha, he would never betray his clan like Shisui and Itachi had in the original story, becoming pitiful loners—that would go against his heart and bring no benefit at all.

Of course, it was still too early to talk about such things.

Mori's eyes lit up. "Welcome aboard!"

Lin, who had remained silent the entire time, also smiled. Uchiha's guard unit had always been close to its clansmen.

"Saitama, is your current strength enough to apply for graduation?"

Mori's tone carried a hint of probing. Though he acknowledged Saitama's talent, he still had doubts about his actual combat strength.

"If the guard unit needs me, I can graduate next semester."

Saitama no longer held back.

"Very good. Shisui will graduate in the same term as well. You two can apply together."

"Alright."

Saitama readily accepted the invitation.

For him, the chance to receive training guidance was already reason enough to join the guard unit. He had long been dissatisfied with the slow progress of his strength. Moreover, after awakening the Sharingan, he would need professional guidance even more—talent without proper instruction would eventually be buried.

"That will be all for today." Uchiha Mori and Uchiha Lin stood to take their leave. "We look forward to seeing you in the guard unit."

"I look forward to working with you both soon as well." Saitama saw them to the gate and watched their backs disappear into the distance.

After closing the door, the boy sorted through the day's unexpected developments. His original plan had been to proceed step by step: apply for graduation in his second year, strive to gain the guidance of an elite jonin, and make a name for himself in the Third Shinobi World War. Now, Uchiha's recruitment had disrupted his rhythm, yet it suited him perfectly—he had intended to stand with the Uchiha anyway, and now there was no need to take a roundabout route.

The wooden door next door creaked open.

"Little Saitama." Uchiha Kaori leaned against the doorframe, kindness filling the wrinkles on her face. "Granny knows you've always had your own mind. I won't ask too much about clan matters. I only hope you'll never regret your choices."

"Don't worry." The boy's gaze burned brightly. Adults should take responsibility for their own decisions, and he was certain he could protect everyone's hopes.

"How about making do with leftover chicken stewed with vegetables for dinner?"

"I'll leave it to you." Saitama turned and went upstairs. Granny Xiang's cooking had never disappointed anyone.

On the third floor, the boy sat cross-legged on the tatami. The ninjutsu scrolls left behind by his parents lay spread out beside him. Most people viewed the Sharingan as the symbol of the Uchiha, but in truth, not every member of the clan could awaken it. For most ninja, this clan's true hallmarks were blazing Fire Release and precise ninja tools—and what Saitama had inherited was a scroll filled with flames that could set the plains ablaze.

(

Three scrolls lay before him, two of which recorded Fire Release ninjutsu.

Saitama had already studied their contents. One was the common Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique, while the other was Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Flower Claw Red. The former was a C-rank ninjutsu, while the latter reached B-rank.

The third scroll recorded a genjutsu: Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique.

The principle behind the Great Fireball Technique was to gather chakra in the throat, then spew a massive fireball from the mouth and blast the target into the air.

Phoenix Sage Flower Claw Red was an advanced version of the Phoenix Sage Fire Technique. When using Phoenix Sage Fire, the flames scattered in all directions like touch-triggered phoenix sage flower seeds, and every fireball was precisely controlled by chakra, making them extremely difficult to evade completely. Not only was the technique visually spectacular, its power was equally astonishing.

Phoenix Sage Flower Claw Red went a step further, attaching blazing flames to spinning shuriken. The burning blades then assaulted the enemy like phoenix sage flowers filling the sky, making it even more powerful.

The Shackling Stakes Technique was a powerful genjutsu. Though its victim could realize they had fallen into an illusion, their entire body would become rigid and unable to move, as if suffering from sleep paralysis. Its principle was similar to Jiraiya's Sage Art: Toad Confrontation Chant, though its restraining effect was somewhat weaker.

After memorizing all the hand seals, Saitama became curious about who his parents had been during their lives. These ninjutsu were quite powerful, especially the latter two, yet the clan had not reclaimed them and had simply left them to him.

After putting the scrolls away again, Saitama lay on his back on the tatami and stared resolutely at the ceiling. Since he had made his choice, he should see it through to the end. Since he could not agree with the ways of the Third Hokage and Danzo, he might as well formally join the Uchiha and act according to his own will!

Saitama had no special feelings toward Konoha Village. Since arriving in this world, the people he had interacted with most were Uchiha clansmen.

Although a few clan members were as arrogant as he remembered from his previous life, most were as gentle and kind as Granny Xiang. Whenever he thought of the Uchiha Clan, Saitama could not help sighing.

Konoha had originally been founded jointly by the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and Madara Uchiha. Yet governing power had always remained in the hands of the Senju faction, while the Uchiha had received only the empty title of the police force. Despite having no real authority, they were still excluded and suppressed. No Uchiha had ever appeared in the upper ranks' meetings.

During the First Hokage's rule, the Uchiha Clan had still been able to maintain its dignity. Hashirama Senju's deep friendship with his close friend Madara Uchiha was always remembered.

After the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, took office, the Uchiha entered their true darkest hour. Under this ruler, who was deeply wary of the Uchiha, the long-accumulated tensions finally erupted completely. No longer restrained by his elder brother, Tobirama fully unleashed his methods and thoroughly excluded the Uchiha from the core of power.

The Third Hokage and his faction continued this policy, while Danzo pushed the hostility to its extreme, viewing the Uchiha as a cancer that had to be eradicated. Under such high-pressure conditions, the rift between the Uchiha and Konoha grew ever deeper.

When rebellion became the only choice, this proud clan chose mutual destruction. Just as when a blade was pressed to one's throat, advancing or retreating both meant death, the Uchiha's pride meant they were destined not to yield. In the end, it led to the tragedy of their clan's annihilation.

Having chosen to stand with the Uchiha, Saitama had already embarked on a road of no return.

Shisui appeared at the Ninja Academy's final examination grounds. Months of intense training had shed his youthful immaturity, leaving a steadiness in his brow that did not match his age.

"Have you thought it through?" The serious look forced onto his childish face seemed slightly out of place.

"Isn't it obvious?" Saitama replied with a soft laugh.

Their confrontation at the Academy gate naturally split the passing crowd around them. Looking into Shisui's flickering eyes, Saitama tried to determine whether this genius, who had been loyal to Konoha in his previous life, remained the same.

The dusk stretched their shadows long as their childish voices exchanged questions and answers on the stone-paved road:

"What do you think of the Uchiha's current situation?"

"It is still one of Konoha's great clans."

"Is that so..."