"Saitama, over here!" Uchiha Mori waved his hand, signaling him to come over.
This was Konoha's large, custom-built meeting tent, where all the village's key figures were gathered.
"Alright." Saitama nodded and walked over to stand beside Mori, with everyone watching him.
"Ehem! Then today's meeting shall begin!" Tsunade-sama sat at the head of the long table, with Hokage Advisor Homura Mitokado on her right—an elderly man wearing glasses.
But Saitama never underestimated this elder, who wielded considerable influence within Konoha. In his youth, he had been part of the Second Hokage's personal guard squad.
That guard unit was no ordinary force—after all, the Third Hokage, Danzō, Kagami Uchiha, and Torifu Akimichi had all once served there.
All the influential and high-ranking Konoha ninja along the Mist defense line were seated here, yet Saitama remained completely calm without showing any nervousness. He simply stood composed behind Uchiha Mori, unbothered by the scrutiny.
"The missions for each unit today are relatively light," Homura said in a calm tone, like an ordinary old man. "Let's skip the routine ones and get straight to the important matters—the Uchiha clan's report."
"Very well," Uchiha Tianming said, his expression serious, voice firm. "Our patrol units observed that Bear Country has started constructing docks along its coastline, which appears to be preparation for a Mist ninja landing operation."
"What do you all think?" Tsunade-sama tapped the table and asked the room.
For a moment, silence fell across the chamber. None had expected such a move from Mist.
"Is this intelligence reliable?" The leader of the Hyuga clan spoke up first.
"Yes," Tianming replied. "I've brought the Uchiha ninja responsible for the reconnaissance mission. You may ask him directly." He turned slightly toward Saitama, who was standing behind Mori, and gave him a brief nod.
"Good evening, honorable ninjas of Konoha," Saitama declared with unwavering confidence, standing tall and scanning the room with sharp, assured eyes. "I stake my entire ninja career on the accuracy of this report. And to confirm it, I personally risked entering their camp and gathered further evidence."
"Ahh... Saitama, that's your name, right?" Tsunade-sama started to speak, then paused slightly, smiling as if recalling something and confirming his name.
After receiving a nod from Saitama, Tsunade continued.
"Even though Saitama Uchiha has already scouted the location, for safety, I will send more reconnaissance teams tomorrow. Those assignments will be coordinated among all of you present. Any volunteers?"
Tsunade-sama rested one hand against her face, her tone firm and authoritative.
Saitama gave a slight smirk, directing it toward Shizune, who stood behind Tsunade-sama.
Shizune naturally noticed Saitama watching her but maintained her composed posture, eyes fixed forward. Still, a faint blush slowly crept onto her cheeks.
"The Hyuga clan will dispatch two squads at Hokage-sama's command."
"The Hyuga Clan representative will speak. This time, he's a Main House ninja from the Hyuga Clan, sent to the frontline to lead the Branch House ninjas. His name is Hyuga Xin."
"Hn!" Tsunade nodded, glancing at the others in the room.
"The Uchiha will continue to provide personnel for follow-up. Since we were the ones who uncovered this situation, naturally we won't just drop our involvement," said Uchiha Tianming.
"The Aburame Clan will assign an insect handler to join the team." A ninja sitting on the left side of the long table, right next to Hyuga Xin, spoke up. Wearing sunglasses and with a timeless appearance, he remained expressionless as he spoke, then quickly returned to his composed sitting posture.
"Hn!" Tsunade nodded again. Homura Mitokado removed his glasses and placed them on the table beside him.
"This time, our goal is simply to verify the authenticity of the intelligence, so we don't need too many people. However, ninjas from both the Hyuga and Aburame Clans are essential."
Homura's eyes gleamed with intensity as he continued.
"Therefore, the Hyuga will send one ninja who has awakened the Byakugan, the Aburame will also dispatch one ninja, and together with this Uchiha ninja who originally uncovered the intelligence, they'll temporarily form a squad. Tomorrow, they'll carry out reconnaissance to ensure absolute success."
"Agreed!" The representatives from the relevant clans nodded when their names were mentioned.
Saitama simply stood there, showing no surprise — he knew full well he wouldn't be left out of this mission.
"Now, let's hear reports on other matters." Seeing that this matter had been settled, Tsunade moved on to the next agenda.
...
"Saitama, tomorrow while we're out, stay alert," Uchiha Tianming said as he walked ahead, with Mori and Saitama behind him.
The meeting had concluded, and the group was slowly making their way toward the Uchiha district.
"After your scouting today, the enemy will definitely have noticed and heightened their vigilance. They might even take the initiative to attack and set ambushes for you."
As the highest-ranking Uchiha officer present, Tianming naturally cared deeply for Saitama. The young ninja had recently gained considerable attention within the clan, and his future looked incredibly bright. He certainly didn't want anything to happen to him.
"Yes, sir!" Saitama gave a slight nod.
"Tianming, please rest assured — Saitama is already used to these kinds of missions. Don't underestimate him," Uchiha Mori said, placing a hand on Saitama's shoulder.
"Hn!" Uchiha Tianming quickened his pace.
...
"Phew, I think that's enough for today — I need to prepare to head back now." Saitama swung his arm around, still feeling slightly numb from where Shizune had kicked his wrist earlier.
"Yeah, definitely." Shizune glanced up at the moon. Its shift across the sky told her time had passed.
"You go back first. I'll do a bit more training here — I don't have any daytime duties anyway. My role's just to keep Tsunade-sama company." Smiling, Shizune looked energetic despite the sweat clinging to strands of her short hair after their intense workout.
"Alright, see you." Saitama patted the sword at his waist and bid farewell before walking away.
"Okay, goodbye." Shizune waved, holding a positive impression of Saitama that made her attitude toward him quite amiable.
Saitama turned and walked toward his own tent.
"Hey, Saitama!"
"Then what?" Saitama stopped, a faint smile appearing on his face as he looked at the girl still holding a kunai.
"Be careful tomorrow! I'll wait for you to come back tonight, and then I can teach you that [Medical Ninjutsu] I promised," Shizune said while looking at Saitama who had turned around. For a moment she felt something peculiar, but she spoke anyway.
"Alright, you should head back early too." With that, Saitama strode away, and behind him, no more voices followed.
"Shizune, you must work hard!" As Saitama disappeared around the tent corner ahead, Shizune tightened her grip on the kunai in her hand and whispered to herself.
Moonlight bathed Konoha's heavily guarded campsite in a gentle glow, casting soft shadows and creating an ethereal atmosphere.
"Hmph!" Back at the tent, Saitama simply splashed water onto his face and rinsed his feet before climbing into bed.
His ninja sword was placed on the right side of the bed, close against the edge—right where Saitama could grab it easily.
That night, he kept his promise and visited Shizune, guiding her through several techniques—an act that finally eased the weight on his heart.
"Another hectic day tomorrow," Saitama muttered, staring up at the tent ceiling before closing his eyes.
...
"These are all the members of your squad. This mission depends on how well you three work together—get it done," Tsunade said, arms crossed over her chest, addressing the three ninja standing before her.
"Yes, ma'am!"
One was a young man about twenty years old from the Hyuga clan named Hyuga Dun, an experienced Jonin; the other was from the Aburame clan, a Chunin named Aburame Nagare.
"Saitama will temporarily serve as team captain since he obtained this intelligence and his strength is formidable, making him most qualified to have authority."
Saitama shot the Hyuga ninja a knowing glance, lips curling slightly in amusement.
This ninja was the Jonin from the Hyuga clan who had wanted to 'spar' with Saitama earlier on the road.
When Tsunade declared Saitama the leader, Hyuga Dun's eye gave a slight twitch—but he swallowed his pride, choosing not to show more than that.
As for Aburame Nagare, he didn't really care who the leader was, maintaining silence with hidden intentions behind his mirrored sunglasses.
"Let's move out then," Saitama said after glancing at Tsunade, sensing she had nothing more to add, exercising the authority newly granted to him.
"Okay, stay safe," Tsunade said offhandedly, already turning her attention elsewhere.
Without glancing back at the watchful gaze hidden behind Tsunade, Saitama led his two new teammates toward the camp gate.
Shizune looked at Saitama's retreating figure before walking off with Tsunade.
"What's wrong, Shizune?" Naturally noticing Shizune's odd behavior lately, especially whenever Saitama was around, Tsunade asked.
"Nothing much, Lady Tsunade," Shizune replied, keeping her head down without meeting Tsunade's gaze.
"Oh well, suit yourself," Tsunade decided not to dwell on Shizune's little secret and walked forward briskly.
...
"We need to cross through this forest and continue heading toward the coastline to reach the location I mentioned before," Saitama explained, pointing at the map as the three huddled together.
"Understood!"
Hyuga Dun nodded. He hadn't shown any hostility toward Saitama in this mission, though his tone still carried a hint of resentment.
"Aburame Nagare, use your insects to scout ahead! There might be enemies in this forest. Hyuga Dun, check your surroundings with [Byakugan] every three minutes."
Saitama issued the orders with practiced ease. Aburame Nagare nodded, pushing up his sunglasses with one finger.
"No problem," Hyuga Dun agreed.
"Then we'll move out. Stay alert—the enemy must have tightened their defenses. Don't let your guard down," Saitama emphasized again, putting away the map.
"Swoosh!"
"Swoosh!"
With two elite scout ninjas backing them up, Saitama and his team moved through the forest like shadows, making swift progress without resistance.
After advancing for quite some time, they were nearly through the forest when Aburame Nagare suddenly signaled for a stop.
"Wait!"
*Thud!* Several figures landed on tree branches. Saitama looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"Some of my scouting insects have lost contact!" Aburame Nagare's voice remained calm as usual while adjusting his glasses with a finger.
"Hyuga Dun!" Arching his brow slightly, Saitama called out.
"[Byakugan]!" Veins bulged visibly around his eyes. Hyuga Dun formed a hand seal with both hands and gazed into the distance.
Saitama could feel chakra flowing from Hyuga Dun's body into his eyes—an amount even greater than what he himself used when activating the [Sharingan].
"What do you see?" Saitama asked.
"I don't see anything unusual, but my gut tells me something's wrong," Hyuga Dun replied, continuing his observation with those all-seeing eyes.
"What do you mean?" Saitama asked with a confused expression, sensing contradiction in Hyuga Dun's words.
"It's too quiet," murmured Hyuga Dun, closing his eyes as the visible veins disappeared.
"Aburame Nagare, send more insects ahead. We'll advance cautiously," Saitama issued new orders, unwilling to back down at this point.
"Got it!" Nodding, Aburame Nagare extended both arms forward.
*Buzzzzz!*
A thick black line of insects swarmed from his sleeves, vanishing from sight in seconds.
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