The great battle ultimately ended without a clear victor. Orochimaru and Rasa injured each other severely, both retreating from the battlefield. Konoha and Sunagakure abandoned their fight to the death and resumed their usual mutual provocations.
Maybe Orochimaru hadn't yet reached his full power at this point. In Saitama's memory, Rasa should have been killed by Orochimaru. Unexpectedly, during this period, the two actually fought to a draw?
"Have you made up your mind?" Hayashi asked, arms crossed over his chest.
"Yeah, I've requested to return to the village. This battlefield doesn't seem suitable for me anymore," Saitama nodded. He had made up his mind to leave the battlefield ever since that fight ended.
"For what reason? Injury?" Hayashi raised an eyebrow. It was Saitama who had insisted on coming to the frontline months ago, and now it was again Saitama wanting to return without anything particularly happening.
"Do you really think an Uchiha needs an excuse to step back from war?" Saitama gave a faint smile, tilting his head as he looked up at Hayashi, who stood a head taller.
Although Saitama was only seven years old right now, he already stood around five feet tall. His height had been changing rapidly recently—maybe because of all the chakra-fueled body training he'd been doing lately?
Saitama didn't care much about these changes. That was fine by him—no one could call him shorty anymore.
"Hehe." Hayashi smirked slightly after hearing Saitama's words.
"It's fine. Shisui has recently begun taking missions alone too. You can keep him company when you go back." Hayashi signaled toward Saitama and placed a hand on his shoulder.
He couldn't deny that the young Saitama was truly gifted. His combat strength was only slightly lower than his own. In a life-or-death battle, they'd probably end up in a mutual stalemate. Plus, he didn't have Saitama's monstrous martial arts (taijutsu) abilities.
"Go tell Lord Orochimaru about it. He said this morning that he wanted to see you."
Hayashi patted Saitama lightly on the shoulder before turning around and walking away without hesitation.
Remaining where he stood, Saitama fell into thought.
What could Orochimaru possibly want him for? His performance on the battlefield had earned recognition from the Konoha ninja who witnessed it. They all acknowledged Saitama as the Uchiha genius, affirming his strength rivaled that of a Jonin (elite ninja).
This naturally won Saitama Orochimaru's favor after the battle and led to more interaction between them, although their relationship remained strictly hierarchical.
"I'll figure it out once I get there. Whatever." Thinking to himself, Saitama strode forward with his sword, heading toward Orochimaru's tent—a large green general's tent.
Along the way, he met many ninja. Saitama merely gave polite nods, and most of them responded normally—not seeing him as arrogant at all, since he acknowledged their presence.
Standing outside the tent, Saitama wondered how to let Orochimaru inside notice him—but a voice had already sounded out.
"Is that you, Saitama? Come in." It was still that deep, magnetic male voice, instantly making Saitama straighten up. Orochimaru's tone remained flat, showing little emotion.
"Whoosh!" Pulling open the tent flap, Saitama stepped inside.
It was dark—so dark that Saitama momentarily struggled to adjust, his vision temporarily failing him as he entered.
Narrowing his eyes, Saitama saw a figure sitting right ahead, facing the entrance.
"Lord Orochimaru," Saitama said, giving a slight bow before stepping forward and straightening up.
Orochimaru watched him with an amused glint in his eyes, the faintest upward curve of his lips betraying his amusement.
Looking at the pale-faced Orochimaru whose gaze held a strangely alluring quality, Saitama remained silent.
"Still keeping your distance, Saitama?" Orochimaru noted as he saw Saitama stop two meters away. He flicked his tongue across his lips.
He found this promising young Uchiha fascinating—an impressive junior in both strength and potential.
"What does Lord Orochimaru need me for?" At Orochimaru's gesture, Saitama sat cross-legged on the cushion beside his right side.
"Just thought I'd have a little chat. Is that such a crime?" Orochimaru's eyes bore into Saitama with unsettling intensity.
"Naturally it is." Showing no fear, Saitama met Orochimaru's gaze. Within those golden pupils, he seemed to see his own reflection.
"You truly are fascinating. Once, you were just another intriguing Uchiha. But now... you're the most compelling of them all." Orochimaru rasped softly, his smile unwavering as he shook the purple tomoe dangling from his ear.
"It would be an honor, Lord Orochimaru." Saitama felt no pressure; there was no strange desire in Orochimaru's eyes—only admiration, or so Saitama believed.
"Have you ever considered joining me? You're at just the right age to become my disciple." Orochimaru made no effort to hide his intentions. From their first meeting, he had declared that if Saitama survived the battlefield, he wouldn't mind something happening between them.
"Can I?" Saitama looked into Orochimaru's eyes. As a disciple of the Third Hokage, if he took in someone from the Uchiha clan, wouldn't that mean bringing them into the Hokage's lineage?
"Why not?" Orochimaru countered. His expression remained unchanged.
"Lord, don't forget that I am from the Uchiha clan." Saitama replied calmly, displaying a composure rare for someone his age.
"And Saitama shouldn't forget that I am one of Konoha's Three Legendary Sanin!" Orochimaru chuckled slightly. He saw no reason to hesitate over taking in an Uchiha. The relationship between the Hokage's lineage and the Uchiha had always been strained—perhaps even outright hostile.
But who cared? He was Orochimaru!
"I'd be honored, but I'm afraid I don't have the time to devote to your teachings right now, Lord Orochimaru." Saitama replied with some regret. He hadn't expected such an offer from Orochimaru at this moment, but it didn't disrupt his inner thoughts.
This period of Orochimaru had apparently already begun his human experiments. It seemed that after this war ended, the Third would discover it, leading to Orochimaru leaving the village in Konoha Year 46 or 47—the standard dating system used in the village.
In other words, Orochimaru would leave next year or the year after.
"Well then. I heard you've requested to leave the frontline. If you change your mind, come find me anytime! I will help you when you need me!" Orochimaru smiled knowingly, his pale cheeks, golden snake-like pupils, and eye shadow stretching toward his nose giving him an eerily enchanting aura.
"Thank you very much, Lord."
The translation edited according to the expert suggestions:
"Orochimaru's hoarse voice echoed in his mind. Nodding slightly, Saitama stood up and left.
Did Orochimaru anticipate it? As Saitama turned away, he couldn't shake the feeling that Orochimaru had seen right through him—as if he had peered into his very soul. Those eyes—Saitama couldn't forget them easily.
'That child is truly fascinating!' Orochimaru licked his lips. He seemed to glimpse a vision of Saitama's future. What would a Uchiha like him become?
Closing his eyes, Orochimaru chose not to force Saitama into becoming his disciple immediately. It was a calculated decision. Perhaps the timing wasn't quite right yet?
A flash of light passed through the tent as Saitama pulled the curtain aside and vanished at the entrance, leaving Orochimaru seated once again in darkness.
'Hmph!' Standing outside, breathing fresh air, Saitama felt incredibly relaxed. Orochimaru hadn't imposed much pressure on him; what unsettled him was an invisible burden born from his own imagination.
'Let's go!' Glancing around the campsite, Saitama thought it was time to return to the village and prepare for something. The end-of-year season in Konoha's 45th Year was drawing near.
'Really going back, Saitama?' Carrying his sword casually, Saitama dug his ear with a finger, showing no concern toward the speaker.
'Hey! At least show me some respect, Saitama!' Soma gritted his teeth, clearly upset. He hadn't even heard about it until the final moment before Saitama's departure—and that felt off to him.
He couldn't believe that Saitama, so fearless on the battlefield, would choose to withdraw from the frontline under such circumstances.
'Well, since we're leaving soon anyway, do you have anything else to say?' Saitama knew Soma was actually a talkative person despite seeming reserved; he just talked nonstop around those close to him. Therefore, he didn't plan on responding, knowing Soma would eventually quiet down by himself.
'Fine, fine. You've got your own plans, don't you?' Soma helplessly gave in. After several missions together, Soma genuinely considered Saitama a companion. He also understood how hard it was to change Saitama's decisions once made.
'Mmm.' Patting Soma's shoulder, the two men were nearly the same height despite their age gap being almost half a lifetime. Born a commoner, perhaps Soma lacked proper nutrition? He was barely taller than Saitama.
'Take care then. I hope to see you again next time!' Saitama stepped forward, leaving Soma only his back. The sword at his waist swayed, casting a long shadow trailing behind.
'You too, Saitama!' Soma spoke softly, but Saitama—who possessed physical abilities far beyond ordinary people—still caught every word.
...
Together with the wounded troops, Saitama acted as an escort. After nearly half a month's travel, they finally returned to Konoha Village.
'You leave as a boy, yet return no longer one'—but the saying didn't really apply to Saitama.
It had been less than half a year since Saitama left the village—nowhere near enough time to warrant a hero's welcome or sweeping changes back home.
After completing the escort mission and handing over responsibilities, Saitama walked along the familiar path.
Homecoming? Surprisingly somewhat warm, even though Saitama didn't think much time had passed. Yet so many events had occurred during that period—perhaps experiences one could encounter only after multiple lifetimes. Wasn't each brush with death another life lived?
Arriving in Konoha past three o'clock in the afternoon, Saitama spent more than two hours finishing all necessary reports. As he walked home, the last golden rays of sunset were already casting their light across the village."
Nothing had changed—it looked almost exactly the same as when he left, except Konoha felt unusually quiet. Even the commercial district was nearly deserted.
Creak! Pushing open the front door, Saitama saw a light on in the kitchen.
"Is that Shisui Uchiha? Is something wrong? It's already so late… and Saitama still hasn't come back. I'm just fine on my own." Ka Uchiha's voice echoed from inside as she heard someone enter. Whoever it was must have come to see her. At this hour, only Shisui Uchiha, who often stayed with Saitama, would visit.
The kitchen door slid open, and wearing an apron, Ka Uchiha appeared before Saitama.
Suddenly, the air seemed to still. Golden rays of sunset bathed the yard in a soft, otherworldly glow.
"Oh my goodness, it's Saitama!" Ka Po-pu gasped, covering her mouth with one hand while holding a plate, her face frozen in disbelief.
"It really is me, Ka Po-pu!" Saitama said, looking at his familiar loved one, Ka Po-pu. Though they shared no blood ties, she always brought him warmth.
Saitama opened his arms and pulled the still-stunned Ka Po-pu into a warm hug.
"Aww..." Even at her age, Ka Po-pu couldn't hold back her tears, overcome with emotion.
"You've been away for so long, Saitama… I almost wouldn't have recognized you! Rubbing Saitama's back, Ka Uchiha clearly felt how much he had grown taller and more built.
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