It had been many years since Saitama last tasted a meal cooked by Ka Uchiha, yet this familiar flavor was difficult for him to forget.
"If it tastes good, eat more! Who knows when you'll get to taste it again next time..."
Ka Uchiha sat across from Saitama, constantly watching him and occasionally picking dishes for him with her chopsticks.
As she said, after this reunion with Saitama, who knew when their next meeting would be?
She didn't know Saitama's plans, nor did she want to ask. In her eyes, Saitama had become a rogue ninja, and coming here at risk to see her was already enough.
Even if there's a next time, though Saitama might still be willing to come, she wouldn't want him taking such risks anymore.
Ka didn't yet know Saitama's current status throughout the entire Shinobi World—a rogue ninja powerful enough to command serious attention from multiple Hidden Villages. His strength had already exceeded her imagination.
"I'm full already, Obā-san. Your cooking is just as good as ever, so delicious!"
Saitama polished off the last piece of braised pork, followed by a full bowl of tofu soup. He set down his chopsticks, grabbed a napkin, and dabbed his lips clean.
"Obā-san wants to keep seeing you more, but your visit today has already been enough. Pack up and leave quickly, don't let anyone see you!"
Ka Uchiha pursed her lips slightly. Her facial skin and muscles were loose, giving her a somewhat sagging appearance, yet she looked kind and gentle.
"Okay, but seems like someone has already arrived."
Saitama smiled slightly, as if mentioning a trivial matter.
"Eh?"
Ka froze mid-motion while clearing the dishes, panic flickering across her face as she stared at Saitama.
"Don't worry, it's just Shisui and Itachi!"
Saitama stood up, patted Ka Uchiha's shoulder, indicating for her to continue what she was doing, then headed outside himself.
While they were eating, he had sensed two chakra signatures appear in the yard. However, these two seemed to have no intention of disturbing them, staying outside the entire time without interrupting Ka inside.
"Oh, okay. Be careful then!"
Ka hesitated momentarily before nodding, though concern still lingered deep in her eyes.
Even though they were Shisui and Itachi, people who got along very well with Saitama, she still felt uneasy.
"I'll go now, Obā-san. Take care of yourself!"
At the doorway, Saitama turned back one last time, speaking toward Ka who stood motionless near the table.
He wore a smile, just like every other time he left home, showing no sign of sadness at all.
"All right, you also take care. Obā-san hopes you will stay safe and sound."
Ka looked at Saitama and nodded.
She didn't show too much emotion either—she knew Saitama had his own path to follow.
...
"Shisui, what do we do next?"
Itachi Uchiha and Shisui Uchiha happened to have some free time today, so they made plans to visit Ka Uchiha.
Since joining Anbu, both had increasingly precious little time available, making visits to see Ka even rarer.
Today, on their way over, they noticed an outsider from a foreign Hidden Village entering Ka Uchiha's house.
Concerned about Ka's safety, the two directly sneaked in quietly to check this outsider's intentions.
The result was obvious—they had discovered Saitama Uchiha.
Watching Saitama Uchiha chatting happily with Ka, the two exchanged glances but made no further moves, simply standing quietly in the yard waiting.
"What do you think we should do?" Shisui Uchiha asked Itachi Uchiha.
Though still a child in years, Itachi Uchiha's mind was remarkably mature. He couldn't be treated like an ordinary child because of this maturity.
"As for me… I don't know!" Itachi Uchiha narrowed his eyes, his expression deep and contemplative. He wasn't sure yet what attitude he should take toward Saitama Uchiha.
On one hand, Saitama Uchiha had always been his childhood idol, someone he'd strived to catch up with, and also a clan member who had contributed greatly to the family.
On the other hand, Saitama Uchiha had now become a rogue ninja, committing numerous acts that seriously harmed both Konoha and the entire Shinobi World.
When Saitama was first branded as a missing-nin, Itachi Uchiha had felt injustice on his behalf. But now, based on all the intelligence he had gathered...
Saitama Uchiha had officially become a complete rogue ninja, doing thoroughly despicable "evil deeds"!
"I don't know either! Let's just watch for now!"
Shisui Uchiha also looked troubled. His feelings were exactly the same as Itachi Uchiha's.
He was torn between choices—for the sake of Konoha, he should take action against Saitama Uchiha; but for personal reasons or for the clan's sake, he couldn't bring himself to do it.
It all came down to Saitama Uchiha's attitude. What he'd done wasn't enough for Shisui to turn on him yet.
Creak!
The door to the room opened. Both Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha immediately tensed and turned their gazes toward it.
Saitama Uchiha pushed open the door and stepped out, then gently pulled the wooden door back into place, closing it.
"It's been a long time!"
First looking at Shisui Uchiha, Saitama Uchiha then noticed the shorter Itachi Uchiha beside him.
Neither Shisui Uchiha nor Itachi Uchiha spoke immediately. They remained silent for quite some time before Itachi Uchiha finally broke the silence.
"It's truly been too long, Senior Saitama Uchiha!"
Itachi used to address Saitama as "Brother," but now there was noticeable distance in his tone.
This psychological shift showed through clearly—though respect remained intact, the change was plainly perceptible.
"Let's talk?"
Saitama Uchiha looked at Shisui, noticing how calm his face remained, hiding whatever thoughts might be going through his mind.
"Let's go to the training ground!" Saitama Uchiha's appearance subtly shifted again, perfectly transforming back into Yufei without any flaw.
The two weren't surprised—if Saitama Uchiha could infiltrate Konoha undetected, naturally he had confidence and skills to match.
"Fine!"
Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha exchanged another glance, nodded, then bent their legs and leaped away.
Saitama Uchiha narrowed his eyes slightly and followed after them.
...
Because of lunchtime coinciding with the Chunin Exams, the Uchiha Clan's training ground happened to be unoccupied right now.
The three settled onto two resting benches, sitting silently for a long while.
At this moment, Saitama Uchiha wasn't worried about being disturbed. Having mastered Sage Art, his sensor abilities had reached an almost terrifying level.
As long as he stayed focused, practically no one could approach without being detected.
"This time coming back, I just wanted to check in on Obā-san. There's nothing else I need to do. You two don't need to look so worried."
After sitting down, Saitama leaned back in his chair and met the gazes of the two men watching him closely.
"Tell me, what exactly is it that you plan to do?"
Shisui straightened his posture, leaning forward and staring into Saitama's eyes, attempting to decipher the man's true intentions from those eerily calm eyes.
This had always been the biggest mystery lingering in his heart, the very thing that had been bothering him.
"Peace. It's all for the sake of peace!"
Saitama answered casually, his hands relaxed at his sides.
Shisui fell silent again. The last time they met, Saitama had given the same answer. If this was still the response today, there was no point continuing further.
"A final battle between myself and the ninja villages is unavoidable. What I must do goes directly against them."
Saitama looked at the two slowly as he spoke.
"Itachi Uchiha frowned slightly, his usually rosy lips dry as he asked Saitama."
"Current circumstances aren't quite how I envision things. I need to bring about change!"
"Truth has always belonged to the few. I won't give up my beliefs just because most oppose me. I'll see this through to the end."
"If we meet again, it may be on opposite sides of a battlefield. Once you've chosen your path, don't falter—and I won't show mercy!"
Saitama's eyes darkened, like a bottomless abyss stripping away the very soul.
Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha both flinched slightly, expressions shifting as they listened.
"As things stand now, neither of you has the strength to make me abandon my path—or my beliefs."
Saitama rose to his feet, speaking in a low tone. Then he turned and walked away, leaving behind the two frozen figures seated silently.
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