After finishing everything, Saitama turned to leave.
Just as he stepped forward, it struck him that he hadn't asked the kid's name. Turning back to the boy still standing there, he called out, "Hey, kid—what's your name?"
"Huh? Oh! I'm Shisui—Uchiha Shisui! I live down at the end of this street!"
Shisui was momentarily startled, then quickly pointed down the road and responded with a cheerful grin.
"Oh, I see. I'm Saitama—Uchiha Saitama," he replied with a flat expression.
And then Saitama turned and walked away.
But truthfully, his face was stiff because he was holding back laughter.
What kind of name is Shisui?
"Still water"? That's a big name for a kid!
Saitama found it oddly amusing. So this was Shisui as a child? Interesting…
---
"Saitama, you're back!"
As soon as Uchiha Ka finished preparing dinner, she spotted Saitama walking in through the gate.
Uchiha Ka, in her early fifties, was an ordinary civilian woman. Her husband and son had died in the line of duty, and the clan had assigned her to take care of Saitama.
Though officially a caretaker, Ka had long since begun raising Saitama like her own grandson—and Saitama respected her deeply in return.
"Yes, Granny Ka."
"What are you smiling about, huh? Something on your mind?"
Uchiha Ka noticed the faint grin still on his face and asked curiously.
"It's nothing—just ran into an interesting clan kid today. He was pretty funny."
Saitama headed to the washbasin, washed his hands, and helped serve rice into bowls.
"Well, it's good to make more friends at your age."
Uchiha Ka accepted the bowl he handed over and smiled warmly.
Saitama knelt and sat across from her at the low table. Although mentally mature from his previous life, he never gave Ka reason to worry.
It's everyone's first time being human. No one's obligated to coddle anyone.
Even if this is my second go at it.
"Eat up! These are all your favorite dishes. I went to the village market today and got pork knuckles—made them just the way you described!"
Uchiha Ka brushed back a few white hairs from her forehead and smiled gently.
"Mmm, it smells amazing! You should eat too, Granny Ka!"
Saitama didn't hold back on the compliments, and Uchiha Ka chuckled in delight.
Dinner passed in a warm, comfortable atmosphere. Even the vast courtyard outside seemed to hold more warmth than usual, no longer so lonely.
After the meal, Saitama took it upon himself to clear the dishes and store leftovers properly.
In the shinobi world, someone of Uchiha Ka's age—especially a civilian—was already considered elderly. Living with her every day, Saitama was well aware that her health was not what it used to be, and he had naturally begun to shoulder more of the household chores.
Uchiha Ka didn't stop him. She had long since grown used to Saitama's precocious nature, and his thoughtfulness made her feel deeply comforted—almost like she truly had family again.
Once everything was done, she told him to rest early and headed off to bed herself.
"Rest well, Granny Ka. I'll go to sleep in a bit."
Saitama watched her figure disappear around the hallway corner, then returned to his seat.
Granny Ka said the clan will be enrolling me in the Ninja Academy soon. If I'm counting right, it's just a few days away. I should start preparing.
The sky outside had turned dark. Saitama's expression shifted—subtly, but with a maturity not fitting for a child.
My transmigration wasn't a random accident. It was planned.
Before arriving in this world, a powerful being had promised him the "strongest talent"—a unique power that would adapt and grow alongside him.
That power, his personalized "golden finger," was a constantly evolving talent—his greatest cheat.
Until now, Saitama had avoided diving into ninjutsu due to his young age, and he hadn't touched the ninja legacy left behind by his late parents.
But you know what? No time like the present. Let's see what this ninja world really has to offer.
Driven by excitement, Saitama stood up and left his room, heading upstairs.
His house had three floors: the first held the kitchen, living room, and Granny Ka's bedroom and storage. The second floor housed Saitama's own room and several guest rooms. The third floor held his parents' legacy—their scrolls, tools, and hidden techniques.
Granny Ka had once stayed on the second floor for convenience, but as her health declined and Saitama grew more independent, she moved to the ground floor.
Saitama climbed to the third floor and stopped in front of a sturdy wooden door—thicker and heavier than any of the others.
From beneath the mat, he retrieved a key and unlocked it.
The air inside smelled faintly of ink and old parchment—clean, but untouched. Saitama kept it tidy, even if he hadn't used anything here yet.
He flicked on the light, closed the door gently behind him, and walked to the desk.
Unrolling one of the scrolls, he took a seat.
The title on the front read:
"Chakra Refinement Method."