"Ding!" "Dang!"
"Bam!" "Bam!" Two figures kept clashing, sparks flying continuously.
"Whoosh!" One figure got sent flying, quickly crashing aside.
"Bam!" The person slammed onto the ground, dust rising up.
"Cough! Cough!" Shisui's voice came out hoarse.
"Saitama, how can your speed be so crazy?" Shisui stood up, rubbing his chest with a helpless tone.
These past couple of days, the two trained whenever they could. Naturally, most of that time involved Saitama overpowering Shisui—unless Saitama was polishing certain ninjutsu techniques, like the newly learned [Shifting Body Technique].
"Alright, I wasn't even using my full strength," Saitama said calmly, standing in front of Shisui as if he hadn't just been fighting at all.
"Okay okay, you're strong now. You look down on me." Shisui patted off his pants, pretending to be wronged—a complete contrast from his usual self.
"Your [Shifting Body Technique] is pretty fast," Saitama said, tapping his own eyes lightly with his index finger, signaling Shisui. "It's just that my reflexes are faster."
"I still haven't figured out your Ninja Taijutsu; it feels like it puts too much strain on my body." Shisui said this because not long ago, the two had exchanged lessons. Saitama mastered the [Shifting Body Technique], while Shisui learned Saitama's [Lightning Release — Chakra Mode], which was also considered a form of Ninja Taijutsu.
Here's where they differed: Saitama picked up the [Shifting Body Technique] pretty fast—even if he wasn't quite mastered it yet, he could still use it effectively in battle. As for Shisui, due to certain reasons, he couldn't quite grasp the core principles of the [Lightning Release — Chakra Mode]. But if he insisted on using it anyway, he could pull it off—at least physically. According to him, though, his body couldn't handle the strain properly.
It might simply come down to talent, although Saitama himself couldn't explain clearly, similar to how his own execution of the [Shifting Body Technique] lacked the smoothness that Shisui displayed.
"Let's rest for a bit; we've been practicing the whole morning." Saitama placed a hand on Shisui's shoulder and nudged him away toward the side.
"You two really make me feel like I've done nothing useful in the last twenty years!" Mori was also at the training grounds today, speaking with slight melancholy.
"Don't talk like that, Master Mori. After all, I'm still just a Genin," Shisui humbly replied. Honestly, his strength was already at Chunin level, but he never bothered applying for a promotion—he didn't mind staying a Genin.
"I've personally seen both of your growth. How long has it really been? Especially Saitama. I remember exactly what he looked like when I first approached him." Mori gave a small eye-roll and smiled.
"Enough talk. Time for lunch. Shisui's treating us to barbecue. Are you coming?" Saitama smiled faintly before waving his hand dismissively and asking Mori.
"Oh? Is that so? If Shisui's footing the bill, count me in—can't pass up a free meal." Mori's eyes lit up. Normally, Shisui never treated others to meals, so having Saitama around meant a chance to enjoy a free lunch—one he wouldn't dare miss.
"Huh?" Shisui widened his eyes slightly, stunned. Wasn't Saitama just saying earlier that they should rest? How did things turn into this?
But since Saitama and Mori had both said that, Shisui could only nod. "Alright then, let's eat at the shopping district. There's a new place called 'Barbecue Cue'—their grilled meat is really good."
"Sure thing. You lead the way, Shisui," Saitama replied, winking at Mori before following Shisui outside, leaving Uchiha Mori standing there slightly confused.
What did that wink mean? Mori couldn't quite wrap his head around how a genius's mind worked.
At this hour, Konoha's shopping street wasn't very crowded, so before long, the three reached the restaurant Shisui had mentioned.
"Boss, start us off with 50 plates of meat and bring some of that special spicy sauce too!" Shisui ordered as soon as they walked in, clearly familiar with the place.
The owner was a middle-aged man around forty, sporting neat goatee-style sideburns that made him look particularly sharp.
"Oh hey, it's Shisui! Just grab a seat, the meat will be right out!" After greeting them, the boss headed back into the kitchen. With only two other employees, most of the work fell onto him.
"You come here often?" Mori asked when he noticed how comfortable Shisui seemed with the boss.
"I came once not long after it opened. The sauce is amazing. Since Saitama left for the frontline, I mostly eat here." Shisui scratched the back of his head.
"Yeah, the atmosphere here is actually pretty nice," Saitama added. It wasn't a big space—only six tables fit comfortably; anything more would've been cramped.
The interior was thoughtfully decorated with potted plants throughout the room. At the center stood a round pool about a meter across, home to several ornamental turtles. Stepping inside brought an immediate sense of calm.
Right now, the restaurant was completely empty—Saitama and the others were the first customers of the day. The meat arrived quickly, neatly stacked across the table, with even more placed on racks beside their seats.
"Mori, give it a try. The sauce here has its own unique flavor," Shisui said while laying slices of meat onto the griddle. The scent of sizzling meat began to spread, and small dishes filled with sauce were set in front of each of them.
"You can't beat that smell!" Mori leaned in and took a deep sniff of the sauce, clearly impressed.
"Dig in, dig in. Opportunities to have Shisui treat us don't come every day!" Saitama didn't care much about the sauce but rather who was footing the bill. He gave a teasing smile as he spoke, causing Shisui's face to darken immediately.
"Haha!" Mori watched from the side, momentarily confused before realizing it was all a joke, then burst into laughter.
Within minutes, the meat was cooked, and they picked up pieces from the grill with chopsticks, dipped them into the sauce, and began lunch.
"Gotta say, Shisui's taste isn't bad at all," Mori commented after taking a bite of the saucy meat.
Shisui smiled lightly. Even the boss, standing near the entrance, couldn't help but wear a proud expression upon hearing the compliment.
"Welcome, guests! Please come in!" As they continued eating, the boss greeted newcomers from the entrance again.
They didn't pay much attention—Saitama kept eating and added more meat onto the griddle.
"Hey Saitama! Pay attention!" Shisui, sitting to Saitama's left, elbowed him a few times.
"Then cook your own if you want more. I can barely keep up with mine as it is!"
"Saitama thought Shisui wanted the grilled meat in front of him.
"No! Look at the door!" Shisui whispered, explaining with an exasperated expression.
Shisui took another big bite of the thick grilled meat. The rich flavor of the meat spread through his mouth, blending with the savory sauce as he chewed. Saitama lifted his head and followed the light toward the entrance.
There were five people at the door—one was the owner of the barbecue restaurant, and the others were ninjas.
Saitama recognized all of them: the blonde leader was Minato Namikaze, the future Fourth Hokage known as the "Yellow Flash." Standing behind him were two men and a woman. The silver-haired one was Kakashi Hatake, a ruthless genius who could fight anyone; the other one, wearing a forehead protector and dark hair, was none other than Obito Uchiha—the future big boss who nearly destroyed the entire ninja world for love. And finally, there was the girl—Obito's so-called "love."
"Well would you look at that—Konoha's little celebrity squad's here too," Saitama smirked slightly, shifting his gaze back.
"Saitama, do you see them?" Shisui whispered again.
"Yeah, I see them," Saitama replied calmly, without any excitement in his tone.
"The leading blonde guy is the rising Jonin Minato Namikaze! And the silver-haired one with the mask is Kakashi Hatake from the Hatake clan—a prodigy with incredible strength. Even you might not be his match, Saitama!"
At this moment, Shisui seemed to have turned into a fanboy introducing his idol to others.
"I know," Saitama said, glancing at Kakashi while narrowing his eyes slightly.
"Sensei, let's eat here! This place looks pretty good!"
At the entrance, Obito bounced forward like a lively goofball.
"Rin, what do you think?" Minato turned to ask the only female member of their team.
"Since Obito really wants it, let's just stay here. We haven't had barbecue in a long time—it's worth trying," Rin Nohara replied, watching Obito with a slightly helpless look in her eyes.
"Rin, you're the best! Nailed it!" Seeing Rin support him, Obito waved joyfully, pointing his fist toward the sky.
"Idiot..." Kakashi mumbled softly under his breath.
"Hmm?" Suddenly feeling someone staring at him, Kakashi shifted his eyes toward the inside of the restaurant, where three ninjas dressed almost identically in black sat around a table. He saw a symbol on the back of the taller ninja facing away from him, and it looked exactly like the one on Obito's clothes—was that...Uchiha?
He also noticed the person who had been watching him earlier—an apparently young guy. A ninja sword leaned diagonally against the chair beside him.
Saitama nodded lightly and smiled faintly toward Kakashi. He actually really admired Kakashi—he was a genius ninja full of both courage and wisdom!
Kakashi paused briefly, then slowly nodded back. Although he didn't recognize Saitama, he could still sense the latter's friendly gesture.
"What's wrong, Kakashi? Did you meet someone you know?"
Minato glanced at Kakashi and followed his line of sight toward Saitama's table, noticing Uchiha Mori.
"Jonin Minato Namikaze, you're here for a meal too?" Uchiha Mori sensed the gaze from behind and turned around, spotting Minato Namikaze standing at the doorway.
"Then let's go in!" Minato said, stepping inside.
"That's right, Mori, you're here as well!" Minato approached with a warm voice and that gentle smile of his.
As both were respected Jonin in Konoha, naturally Uchiha Mori and Minato Namikaze knew each other from various missions together.
"The barbecue here is quite good. You two should really give it a try." Mori leaned back in his chair, slightly sideways.
"We definitely will." Minato nodded, politely smiling at Saitama and Shisui who sat opposite Mori.
Honestly speaking, Minato did possess great charisma—Saitama even felt a sense of closeness just from seeing his smile.
"Hello, Jonin Minato!" Shisui stood up, bowing slightly. He had long heard about Minato's reputation and deeply admired how someone from a commoner background could rise to such heights.
Meeting him now made Shisui too excited to hide it.
"Hello!" Shisui's enthusiasm made Minato slightly embarrassed, causing him to wave again apologetically.
"Sit here beside Jonin Mori and his group." Minato turned back, signaling Kakashi and others to take seats at a nearby table.
"Honored Mori!" Obito came over to greet Uchiha Mori. As a member of the Uchiha Clan, he knew Mori served as the right-hand man of the current clan head—a powerful and young ninja indeed. As for Saitama and Shisui, the Uchiha was huge; one couldn't possibly know everyone.
"Yeah, hello!" Mori nodded. He vaguely remembered the boy—wasn't he just promoted to Chunin not long ago?
Rin curiously glanced toward Saitama's table. These three individuals all exuded a unique presence, especially the ninja who leaned his blade beside his feet—Saitama.
He looks younger than us, Rin observed Saitama.
"Boss, thirty platters of meat please!" Once seated, Obito revealed his true colors by shouting out loudly.
"Sure thing, coming right up!" The owner replied before quickly heading into the kitchen.
"Keep eating. You don't get this kind of meat every day." Saitama pulled Shisui back down after looking away.
Minato smiled and returned to his own table, ending the interaction there.
"Sensei, who are they?" No sooner had she sat down than Rin whispered her question, eyes full of curiosity. Kakashi listened closely from the side while Obito longingly stared toward the kitchen area.
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