Chapter 46: What Kind of Ending Deserves This Bumpy Journey

Kaiho Tora eventually returned to the Capital City. On the day he arrived, nearly a hundred samurai lined the road to welcome him, chanting, "Hail the General!"

Saitama stood with his arms crossed, saying nothing. Kaiho Tora seemed to have expected this scenario all along. His expression unchanged, he ordered these samurai to follow him into the city, displaying unmatched majesty.

"In that case, my mission is basically complete." Standing on top of the carriage, Saitama saw a figure standing atop the city wall.

"Sanjoshi!" Kaiho Tora naturally noticed that person too and called out loudly.

"Hmph!" Sanjoshi waved a hand and left, followed closely by his subordinates.

"Hahaha!" Kaiho Tora laughed heartily, raising one arm high like a triumphant general.

"Let's go! Head back!"

The man with the thick mustache drove the carriage while a group of samurai followed closely behind. The grand procession entered the city in full splendor.

...

"Once you've healed, you can leave. Enjoy yourself in the capital for a few days," Upon reaching Kaiho Tora's mansion, he turned to Saitama and said, naturally aware that Saitama had sustained injuries during the journey which wouldn't heal overnight.

"Yeah," Saitama nodded without showing any urgency to return.

Although there was no solid evidence linking Saitama to the murders of two Root ninja, Danzo wasn't the type to care about proof.

Maintaining his optimal condition and slowly adapting to his recently upgraded Sharingan were currently his top priorities.

After receiving Saitama's response, Kaiho Tora didn't stay by his side any longer. He arranged accommodations for Saitama and ordered servants to take good care of him before busying himself with his own affairs.

This conflict with Sanjoshi hadn't ended yet. Since the enemy failed to ambush him on the road, they certainly wouldn't give up easily. However, now that he had returned to the capital city, this matter couldn't be resolved through ordinary methods anymore. The game was still ongoing!

Upon arriving at his quarters, Saitama summoned the mansion physician, asking him to provide additional bandaging and follow-up treatment for his wounds.

Although those injuries had already been sealed shut by intense electric currents without causing serious consequences, Saitama wasn't a professional medical ninja. It was always best to leave specialized work to professionals.

"These injuries aren't serious, my lord. The wound on your back is quite deep, but thanks to your excellent constitution, it's already begun to heal and form scars," the physician sitting opposite Saitama explained regarding his injuries.

"I'll re-bandage you shortly, my lord. Please make sure to get enough rest; you should recover very soon."

"Oh, then thank you," Saitama nodded. He understood his body well—his recovery ability far surpassed that of ordinary humans; it could even rival that of some extraordinary individuals.

"In that case, I'll go prepare first and come back shortly to bandage you," the physician stood up, bowed slightly, deliberately maintaining a humble attitude.

He knew some ninja had peculiar temperaments, quick to violence at the slightest displeasure. Although Saitama didn't appear to be such a person outwardly, it was still better to remain cautious and maintain a modest stance.

"Alright, please hurry. I plan to go out for a walk later," Saitama waved his hand, signaling the physician to leave.

"Yes, yes!" the physician grabbed his medical kit and quickly departed to prepare medicines for Saitama's bandaging.

"Phew, the Capital City really is bustling! It's definitely more impressive than Konoha Village!" After finishing up at the residence where a physician had bandaged his wounds, Saitama slipped out. Though he'd been here before on assignments, back then he had been too focused to take in the sights. Now that the mission was completed, he figured he might as well take a look around.

Still smelling slightly of medicine, Saitama walked lightly through the streets, passing countless people along the way.

A sword hung naturally from his waist. Carrying weapons was a common habit here, so Saitama didn't stand out particularly.

Now over five foot six in height, Saitama no longer seemed too short when walking through crowds.

Izakayas were everywhere, as were bathhouses, gambling halls, and some adult-oriented establishments with questionable reputations...

"Sir, won't you come inside for a bit?" While Saitama was looking at a large banner, a warm voice suddenly whispered in his ear.

Realizing he might look grown-up but was still just eight years old, Saitama quickly walked away from the trouble.

...

"Come one, come all! Don't miss this chance! The legacy of an unknown ninja—you deserve to own it!"

"If you've got money, support us financially! If you've got influence, bring us connections! Witness incredible transformations today!"

An abundance of goods and constant shouting filled Saitama's ears.

With money in his pocket, Saitama felt completely at ease. Whenever something unusual caught his eye, he would stop for a closer look. Having eaten nothing but rations for the journey here, he now let himself indulge, snacking as he walked. Truth be told, the local snacks were both plentiful and delicious.

Days passed quickly like this. Saitama didn't particularly care about the outcome of the struggle between Kaiho Tora and Sanjoshi. Calculating the appropriate time, he prepared to return and report his mission completion.

"Saitama, leaving already?" Kaiho Tora smiled slightly, his right arm strapped across his chest in recovery from an earlier injury. Unlike Saitama, who possessed nearly abnormal regenerative abilities, Kaiho Tora naturally needed time to heal properly.

"I've rested for several days, so it's time to go back." Saitama nodded.

"Then I'll send your payment along shortly." Kaiho Tora wore a smile on his face recently, clearly not having lost in his struggle against Sanjoshi.

"As you wish." Saitama packed his belongings neatly and left directly, waving his hand casually toward Kaiho Tora as a farewell upon departure.

...

"This mission finished faster than expected. You may rest first," The Third said with a pipe in his mouth, revealing a slight smile on his aged face. A few days earlier, he had received a letter sent by carrier pigeon from Kaiho, dispatched shortly after his arrival at the Capital City.

Traveling solo meant moving faster, so Saitama sped things up on the way back and made it to the village in just two days.

"Yes!" Bowing slightly, Saitama exited the Hokage's Office, officially ending this mission.

...

"Saitama has returned to the village!"

"Just leave him for now. Focus on completing our current tasks and cooperate with that person's actions."

"Yes!"

In some dark and damp location, things unfolded unbeknownst to Saitama.

"Welcome back, Saitama!"

Mori, still beaming from his recent marriage, stood at the training ground overseeing the Clan Guards' drills.

Mori was the first to spot Saitama arriving at the training ground, and he spoke up.

"Hmm, this mission took more than half a month. That's quite a while."

"Rest well now that you're back. We'll probably leave the village again soon enough," Mori said as he slapped Saitama on the shoulder, barely moving him.

"Sure thing," Saitama replied naturally. He already knew the Uchiha were sending reinforcements to the Land of Water border—no surprise there.

"Saitama!" "Saitama!"

The other members of the Clan Guards greeted Saitama one by one, including Shisui and Nagare.

Among these guardsmen, several had volunteered to go to the battlefield.

"What's wrong, Shisui?" Saitama asked, noticing Shisui's gloomy expression.

"The captain didn't approve his request to join us on the frontline," Nagare explained beside him.

"Oh really?" Saitama frowned slightly in confusion.

Normally, the other members of the Guards were qualified for combat duty. It made no sense that Shisui wouldn't be ready.

"It was my father. He advised the captain," Shisui replied as he walked toward one side of the training ground.

"I see," Saitama nodded. He understood clearly in his heart—it was an act of protection toward Shisui, even though such protection might not make Shisui feel any better.

Shisui's father was just an honest Chunin without notable ninja abilities, often engaged only in patrolling Konoha Village. For Shisui's safety, keeping him behind wasn't a bad idea.

"The frontline isn't like going on regular missions with just a few enemies to deal with," Saitama said, looking between Nagare and Shisui.

"There's a lot more to consider on the battlefield compared to your usual duties. And besides, Chunin are nothing but stronger pieces of cannon fodder during wars—or maybe all ninja are. Victory doesn't come down to just one or two people anyway." As Saitama expressed his views, the other two stayed silent.

"Wanna spar with me, Shisui?" Saitama nudged Shisui with his elbow.

"Sure thing!" Shisui, whose Sharingan was already active, had long wanted to test his skills against Saitama, but time hadn't allowed it before.

"Nagare, step aside," Saitama turned his head, signaling Nagare.

"Eh, fine then!" Nodding, Uchiha Nagare moved to the edge of the training ground where Mori, clearly amused, already stood.

"What do you think, Nagare?" Mori asked as Nagare approached.

"What am I supposed to think? Just stand here watching, right?" Nagare pouted slightly.

"No, I mean, who do you favor in this fight?"

"Saitama, obviously! Shisui may have awakened his eyes, but he still isn't a match for Saitama."

"Yeah, true!" Mori scratched his head, surprised he'd even imagined Shisui defeating Nagare and beating Saitama.

"Let's see just how strong you've become now that you've awakened your eyes!" Saitama grabbed the hilt of his sword. A light breeze blew beneath his feet, causing dust to spiral into the air.

"You got it, Saitama!" Shisui blinked once, revealing Twin Tomoe spinning within his eyes.

His gaze brimming with sharp intensity, Shisui had been looking forward to this battle for a long time.

"Shing!"

Shisui made a hand sign, and disappeared into thin air—but so did Saitama.

"What was that?!" Mori stared in disbelief. For a moment just now, he seemed to have seen Three-Tomoe swirling inside Saitama's eyes!

"So fast? What exactly have we encountered on this mission?" Mori mused inwardly. After all, each upgrade of the Sharingan always came after some intense stimulation—either facing death or undergoing significant change.

Before Mori could think further, the sound of clashing blades echoed from the training ground.

"Hehe!" Saitama pressed down on Shisui, smirking.

Just as Shisui activated his [Shifting Body Technique], Saitama's Three-Tomoe Sharingan tracked every movement. His body reacted instinctively, copying what it saw and immediately activating the same ninjutsu.

"Didn't expect Saitama to improve so much," Shisui said, revealing a genuine smile at this point. He had known about Saitama's frustration over his long-overdue Sharingan upgrade. Never imagining it would evolve so soon after returning from this mission.

"If Shisui's giving it his all, I'm not holding back either!" Saitama quickly stepped back, dodging an attack from Shisui before countering with a wide slash of his blade.

"Krrsh!" Saitama launched himself forward with a powerful push, rapidly closing in on Shisui.

In this battle, Saitama didn't tap into chakra at all. He relied purely on physical taijutsu combined with Chidori Current.

The two clashed repeatedly across the training ground. Watching from the sidelines, Naoki looked confused. He could barely follow their movements, only clearly seeing their actions during brief moments when they stopped fighting.

His fingers tightly clenched, Naoki recognized the gap between them. He was torn between joy and disappointment—joy that these strong fighters stood by his side, disappointment at how far behind he'd fallen.

The fight ended quickly—with Saitama naturally emerging victorious. Actually, he could've ended things quicker, but deliberately held back part of his strength to test Shisui's abilities.

"Not bad at all, Shisui," Saitama said, returning his sword to his waist.

"I know you were holding back some of your strength," Shisui admitted with slight dejection.

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