Chapter 47 I Sympathize With Those Who Seek Light in the Night

"Good morning, Grandma!"

"Morning! Come quickly and eat something."

Saitama's life had returned to normal—eating at home, then training. When he felt good, he'd join the Security Force for a patrol around Konoha. When not, he'd drag either Nagare or Shisui for some sparring.

"Yeah, coming!" Saitama strode over, sat down at the table, and prepared himself for breakfast with ease.

Still the same meal: rice balls and seaweed soup. Saitama felt like he could never get tired of these two things.

He polished off the whole tray of rice balls in no time—breakfast was over before it even began. After patting his stomach, he got up and headed out to the training ground.

He stepped outside, then glanced back at Grandma Ka Po-pu tidying up inside. Saitama smiled slightly, closed the door properly, and walked out.

"Saitama, morning!"

Uchiha Nagare's voice came from behind. Saitama gave a brief nod in reply. They had fallen into the habit of walking to the training grounds together each morning.

"The weather is getting warmer. It must be almost time to head to the battlefield."

Nagare trailed behind Saitama, muttering under his breath. Recently, due to his significant power increase, he always wanted to find somewhere to prove himself.

Saitama had reminded Nagare about this mindset several times, but the moment he turned away, Nagare would always revert back to his old self. It was frustrating, but there was nothing he could do about it.

...

Soon, both arrived at the training ground where some people were already practicing. With the approaching war, everyone seemed increasingly urgent; even the slightest strength improvement brought hope of survival on the battlefield.

After warming up near the edge of the training field, Saitama picked up his sword and started walking deeper into the grounds—he enjoyed being alone.

Saitama and Nagare were practically the last ones to arrive. After them, a few more arrived, and soon all the Clan Guards were gathered together.

"Come here, everyone!" At this moment, Mori stood at the training ground and clapped his hands, signaling everyone to gather.

Following the crowd, the group lined up neatly and stood straight in the center of the training field.

Due to Saitama's unique strength, he stood independently at the front of the line, positioned beside Mori.

Ever since awakening [Three-Tomoe], Saitama's strength had grown even further. Mori was no longer a match for him. Saitama had also subtly become the strongest member of the entire Clan Guards.

About twenty people stood neatly in formation, silent before Mori, their eyes fixed on him.

"Cough cough!" Mori scanned the group, raised his hand to cough lightly, preparing to begin his speech.

"I am glad to stand before all of you—you are all ninjas carefully selected from within the Uchiha clan. It feels as if I am now speaking directly to the future of the Uchiha clan!" Uchiha Mori revealed a smile, though his tone remained serious.

Not a single person stirred or made noise. Everyone continued watching Mori silently, not finding such praise strange nor letting it make them proud. Those qualified to enter here wouldn't alter their attitude toward life because of external factors.

Although most of the Clan Guards were only around twelve or thirteen years old, each of them carried themselves with surprising maturity and wisdom.

"In just one week, many of you will step onto the battlefield. This is the path each of you has chosen for yourself!"

Uchiha Mori's voice was calm as he looked at Nagare, Saitama, and the others who had volunteered to go to the battlefield.

"Most of you here are strong—at least stronger than most of your peers. That proves you're all geniuses! But the battlefield is no game. Don't think just because you've completed a few missions that it's some playground for you to come and go as you please!" Mori's voice rose, ringing out clearly and forcefully.

"There's no need for more words. This time, nearly ten of our clan guardians will be joining the frontline forces. I hope you all return safely—we need you in the Uchiha clan!"

"Understood?!"

"Understood!" Everyone shouted loudly in response, and Saitama, standing at the front, nodded slightly as well.

Mori looked over everyone before him. He knew in his heart that once they stepped onto the battlefield, Nagare, Saitama, and the others would face death head-on. Just how many would return was unknown—even he himself couldn't guarantee his own safe return. There were simply too many uncertainties on the battlefield.

"Everyone keep training. Dismissed! Saitama, come with me."

Mori waved his hand, signaling for Saitama to follow as he strode toward the office building on the other side.

"What is it?" Saitama casually poured two cups of tea and brought them to the table.

"We're about to depart soon anyway—I just wanted to have a chat with you."

Mori took a sip, then continued speaking.

"Right now, the situation seems still relatively stable. After all, the Hidden Mist Village hasn't decided yet whether to formally declare war against us. Our arrival on the battlefield will mostly involve facing off against the enemy, and the danger level won't necessarily be very high," said Saitama as he sat down, his mind racing quickly through thoughts.

"That's true, but there are sure to be some skirmishes."

"I heard the Stone Shinobi from the northwest aren't staying quiet either—they're planning something?" Saitama fixed his eyes on Uchiha Mori's face, his tone very relaxed.

"That's correct. Konoha's current situation indeed isn't optimistic, though it doesn't directly affect us. It's something the Third Hokage must handle."

"The clan leader's planning a secret family meeting and wants you there. Since this will be your first time attending such a gathering, meeting everyone beforehand might be good—right?" Mori spoke calmly.

"When?"

"Tonight at eight, at the ancestral hall of the family estate." Mori held the teacup in his hands, his eyes focused on it as if speaking casually.

"Got it." Saitama nodded. Naturally, he couldn't miss such a meeting—this was an opportunity to establish his voice within the clan. The people present were unavoidable figures.

Although he'd already gained some reputation in the clan due to his achievements, others had only heard rumors and hadn't seen him in person. This was his chance to step closer to the clan's core.

Looking at the faint smile on Mori's lips, Saitama chuckled lightly.

"Suddenly feel a bit excited! Haha."

"Sometimes, I really don't see Saitama here as just an eight-year-old child."

"Then just stop seeing me as a kid, right?" Saitama shrugged nonchalantly.

Although most shinobi tend to mature early, even by those standards, Saitama didn't look like a child under ten.

"If there's nothing else, I'll go get back to work."

Saitama stood up and waved his hand.

"Alright!" Mori nodded but didn't rise, staying seated as he sipped his tea quietly.

...

Stepping out of the Clan Guards' office, Saitama quickened his pace. He placed immense importance on tonight's meeting—it was, after all, his first time meeting all the clan's senior members and key personnel together.

"Saitama, what did Mori want with you?" Shisui asked as he saw Saitama exiting.

"Not much really; the captain just had something for me and wanted me to come by tonight." Saitama didn't directly mention attending the family meeting since it was a secret gathering anyway. He saw no need to inform others—it wasn't that significant.

"Oh right, let's go spar! I thought of a new move yesterday, let's try it out." Shisui, satisfied with the answer, didn't probe further, calling Saitama along toward the deeper parts of the Training Ground.

"Sure." Though there was quite a gap between him and Shisui in terms of strength, Saitama often found inspiration during their sparring sessions, so he didn't mind training with Shisui.

After training with Shisui for a bit, Saitama noticed Nagare running over. Once Shisui finished demonstrating his new technique, Saitama moved aside to watch the two spar.

Time flew—by noon it was already lunchtime. After quickly returning for lunch, Saitama decided not to head back to the Clan Guards' Training Ground in the afternoon.

He had arranged to meet Kakashi later that afternoon deep within Konoha Forest.

Speaking of Kakashi, Saitama couldn't help but smile slightly. Ever since their last meeting at the BBQ joint, they hadn't had much interaction, even though Saitama had mentioned arranging a session with Kakashi before.

Two days ago, after finishing his afternoon training, Saitama suddenly felt like having some fresh fish and went alone to Market Street hoping for luck when he unexpectedly found Kakashi awkwardly standing at the entrance of a store.

It turned out Kakashi had finished eating only to realize he'd left his wallet at home. The rather reserved Kakashi at this time could do nothing but stand there helplessly. Meanwhile, the shopkeeper, newly settled in Konoha, didn't recognize Kakashi's already considerable local reputation. Thus, both sides ended up in an impasse—the shopkeeper wouldn't allow Kakashi to leave, yet Kakashi couldn't find anyone to pay for him.

Seeing Kakashi's awkward situation, Saitama naturally stepped in to pay, earning what might have been a rare grateful glance from him.

Of course, actual gratitude was never voiced—but Kakashi made a point to promise repayment the next day. As Kakashi prepared to leave, Saitama detained him and voiced his idea of exchanging techniques.

Lately, Saitama's fighting reputation had started to quietly spread through select martial circles, and naturally Kakashi had also heard about it through Minato Namikaze. Kakashi himself held some private thoughts regarding Saitama, especially now that Saitama had recently gained recognition as a genius "approaching or even surpassing Kakashi."

After setting their meeting time, Saitama parted ways with Kakashi. Though he hadn't managed to buy the fish he originally wanted, running into Kakashi still proved a pleasant surprise.

Arranging to meet Kakashi at two o'clock at Konoha Grove, Saitama started heading over around half past one—he wasn't in a rush anyway, particularly since his opponent would be Kakashi, someone he shouldn't rush against.

The Kakashi of this time seemed close to Jonin promotion, and his Chidori was likely already perfected—Saitama couldn't ask for a better chance to learn it firsthand.

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, carrying the warmth of the season. Even now, the forest remained lively with small creatures.

Leaning comfortably against a large tree, Saitama waited patiently for Kakashi's arrival.

As expected of Konoha's infamous latecomer, Kakashi still hadn't shown up even though Saitama had deliberately slowed his pace and arrived at a quarter past two.

Bored, Saitama fiddled with his fingers while glancing toward the entrance of the woods.

"Crunch!"

At exactly half past two, Kakashi was about to arrive at their meeting spot.

"Were you taking the scenic route again?" Saitama stood upright and smiled.

"Ahhaha!"

Although Kakashi wore a mask that hid his face, he awkwardly scratched the back of his head in response to Saitama's remark.

"Here, this is from last time." Kakashi stepped forward and handed over a stack of bills.

"Oh, sure thing," Saitama accepted it casually and stuffed it into his pants pocket.

"How should we start? Want to test each other with a quick match?" Kakashi said after seeing Saitama take the money.

"Not yet. Let me show you something first."

"Fine."

Kakashi frowned slightly as he stood several meters away from Saitama, assuming that Saitama had only called him over for a quick spar.

Seeing Kakashi adopt a spectator-like posture, Saitama took a few steps sideways and began using his own version of [Chidori].

"Crackle! Crackles!"

Brilliant lightning crackled in his palm as Saitama lowered his stance, focusing completely on channeling the ninjutsu.

Determined to impress Kakashi—the one who created it—Saitama gave it a hundred and ten percent to really show off.

Blinding arcs of electricity crackled in Saitama's palm. Kakashi narrowed his eyes; a familiar sensation stirred within him.

"I heard you've created your own ninjutsu too, Kakashi," Saitama continued the technique without interruption, steadily maintaining his chakra flow.

Looking at Saitama's hand, Kakashi first formed a hand seal before assuming a similar pose. Blue-white electricity also surged in his palm.

In the forest stood two figures in nearly identical postures. The techniques in their hands looked very similar too, but the one wearing a sword at his waist radiated a stronger aura.

"When had Saitama come up with this move?" No matter how he looked at it, Saitama's ninjutsu seemed more refined than Kakashi's.

"I came up with the idea very early on and slowly perfected it during battles," Saitama calmly withdrew his chakra as the [Chidori] in his hand dimmed and vanished completely.

"This technique is something I just thought of recently. I haven't used it in actual combat yet," Kakashi gave a puzzled look, surprised by how Saitama already knew about his newly-created jutsu.

"Haha, I caught wind of it somewhere," Saitama replied evasively.

<><><><><><><><>

Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!

~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!

<><><><><><><><>

~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!

~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!

patreon.com/Tansnovel

<><><><><><><><>