After dinner, four tents were pitched in the clearing—one belonged to Baji-hu, while the other three were used by the rest of the entourage. As for Saitama, he had personally requested to rest atop the carriage, since the tiger slept inside it during the night.
The interior of the carriage was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate the tiger, and its bedding was soft and wide, ideal for early spring nights.
Sitting on the roof, Saitama leaned back and looked up at the night sky.
"The stars in the Naruto world really are something else... So many." Saitama kept his senses sharp, even as he listened to the faint breathing coming from within the carriage.
Although he was part of this mission, he couldn’t afford to fully relax. During the afternoon, he had maintained a half-awake, half-resting state to preserve energy for the night.
After all, while the others took turns keeping watch during the day, everyone would be asleep come nightfall.
Drawing his blade, he pointed it at the sky, then slowly lay down on the carriage roof.
"Whoosh!" The sword whistled through the air as he flicked it with ease.
Saitama casually placed the blade beside him, folded his hands behind his head, and smiled.
He liked moments like this—peaceful, quiet. Being the only one awake gave him a sense that the entire world belonged to him alone.
Tap!
A subtle sound reached his ears—barely a whisper of footsteps. Saitama’s eyes narrowed, his hand instantly gripping the sword. He sat up, turning toward the direction of the sound.
"Yo. Strange time for a stargazing party, huh?"
Two masked figures stood on the branch of a nearby tree. The one who spoke wore a Shura-style ANBU mask.
Saitama didn’t respond. He silently leapt to the ground, his movements almost inaudible. He didn’t sense immediate hostility from the pair.
"Who are you?" he asked calmly.
"We’ve met before," the one in the Shura mask said. "My comrade had... a rough time with you. Ring any bells?"
"Root?" Saitama recalled the nervous ROOT operative he’d frightened during a previous encounter.
"What do you want?" he asked warily. "Danzo doesn’t exactly have a friendly policy toward the Uchiha clan. Why are you reaching out to me again?"
"It’s because of that previous encounter," the Shura-masked ninja replied, emotionless. "We’ve been ordered to recruit you. Your talents have drawn the interest of our leader. Consider this offer seriously."
Saitama scoffed. "I’m an Uchiha. Why would I join some shadow organization with no accountability?"
"Because our leader sees potential in you," Shura replied stiffly, his tone turning colder.
"And if I refuse?" Saitama asked, narrowing his eyes.
Shura’s gaze hardened. "We were told—if persuasion fails, return with the Sharingan. Eyes only."
A smirk spread across Saitama’s lips as lightning flickered around his body. He dashed into the woods without a word—he had no intention of waking the others.
"After him," Shura ordered. The ninja in the Aku mask followed closely.
Saitama landed in a clearing, turning to face them.
"You’re still trying to reason with me while threatening to take my eyes?" he said, sword raised. "How about you come and try?"
He moved first.
Bang!
His kick landed square on Shura’s mask, sending the ROOT ninja stumbling. At the same time, he slashed toward the Aku-masked operative, thunder chakra crackling along the blade.
"Hmph. You’ve got some skill." Shura wiped dust from his mask, seemingly unfazed by the blow.
That kick should’ve done more... He’s built different, Saitama thought.
Suddenly—
Bzzzzzz!
The air filled with the sound of buzzing wings. A dense swarm of insects emerged from the trees, surrounding him.
Aburame... Saitama realized, activating his Sharingan. With the two-tomoe spinning in his eyes, his vision sharpened, clearly tracking each insect despite the darkness.
"What Danzo wants... are those eyes," Shura muttered.
He raised his hands, and the insects surged forward.
Saitama responded instantly. Lightning chakra flowed from his hands into his blade, covering it in Chidori Nagashi.
Clang!
The Aku-masked ninja charged him, only to receive a slash across the chest. The lightning-infused blade left a shallow wound—but Saitama noticed something odd. The strike hadn’t penetrated as deeply as it should have.
"Earth Release... Hardening technique?" he muttered.
Sure enough, the enemy’s skin was a dull, rocky brown. Earth Spear, a high-level Doton jutsu that increased both offensive power and durability.
He’s tougher than those Sand ninja, Saitama thought grimly.
The insects struck next, swarming his face and limbs.
Crackle!
Saitama discharged chakra in a full-body burst of Chidori Stream, frying the insects mid-flight. Their tiny corpses rained to the ground like dark snow.
Thud!
He didn’t see the punch coming. The Earth Release user slammed a heavy fist into Saitama’s jaw, sending blood spraying from his lips.
"Gah!" Saitama spat, flipping backward to dodge the follow-up strike. He wiped the blood from his chin, his expression now sharp and serious.
Shura stood behind the tank-like operative, watching coldly.
They were a well-practiced duo. One to draw attention, the other to capitalize.
Saitama gripped his sword tighter, blood still trailing from the corner of his mouth.
One’s a taijutsu tank using Earth Release. The other is an Aburame. This isn’t going to be easy.
He began recalculating his strategy, his eyes glinting.
I need to hit harder. Faster. Cleaner.
"Let’s go, then."
Zzzzzzzt!
Blue and white lightning danced across his limbs.
He darted forward with a burst of speed, slamming his foot into the brute’s chest with enough force to lift him off the ground.
BOOM!
Midair, Saitama flipped, blade glowing with Chidori.
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