Born To Rise In Konoha

"If you understand, nod your head."

Saitama slightly reduced the electric current in his hand, just enough to let the man move.

"Good. As long as you cooperate, I'll get what I need and leave."

Saitama nodded once the man complied, then continued.

"One more thing — don't call out. I can kill you before anyone even arrives. Understood?"

Saitama issued the final warning, then released the man, letting him crumple to the ground.

"Don't kill me! I'll tell you everything!"

The man's voice trembled with fear. He slumped to the ground, pupils dilated in panic.

"I ask, you answer."

Saitama didn't expect an ordinary laborer to know top-secret intel, but some useful basics could still be extracted.

"Who ordered the dock to be built here?" Saitama asked, though he already had a hunch.

"It… it was the Daimyō's order. Something about helping Kirigakure. I don't know the full story."

The man panted heavily, fearing Saitama might cut him down without warning.

"How long until construction is complete?" Saitama shifted his focus — a question the man could likely answer.

"Not totally sure. At this pace, maybe two more weeks. But the supervising ninja said more workers are arriving tomorrow, so it might be faster…"

Sweat dripped from his forehead as he watched Saitama warily.

"Are all the ninja here from the Land of Bears?" Saitama asked, eyes scanning the surroundings as he stayed alert.

"Most of them, yeah. But last night, a ship with Kiri-nin arrived by sea. They left early this morning."

The man wiped his forehead with a trembling hand.

"Tch."

Saitama slowly sheathed his blade, a sharp glint in his eyes.

"N-no, wait—!"

The man's voice rose in alarm, but before he could cry out, Saitama struck him with the hilt of his kunai. The man collapsed, unconscious.

"I'll find a real ninja to question."

Saitama slipped out of the small hole in the wall, masking his chakra signature as he vanished into the shadows. Time was short — he had to leave soon.

The man he interrogated wasn't a ninja, just a laborer. Killing him would've been unnecessary — but once he woke up, he'd likely alert the camp. Saitama had to act fast. If tonight didn't work, he'd retreat and return later, better prepared.

---

In the end, Saitama didn't manage to catch a single ninja.

As night approached, he quietly withdrew from the area.

---

"What? Are you sure?"

Uchiha Mori (Pomori) stared at Saitama, disbelief on his face as if waiting for a punchline.

"I confirmed it myself. Kirigakure intends to land directly by sea. The dock was commissioned by the Bear Country's daimyō."

Saitama stood calmly, unsurprised by the confusion this would stir among Konoha's leadership.

"I'll report this soon. Come with me afterward. Let's grab something to eat first," Mori said, shaking off his shock and returning to his usual cold demeanor.

"Alright, I'll head out for now."

Saitama nodded and left the tent.

He'd already reported the critical intel to Mori upon returning that afternoon. The formal report would be Mori's responsibility — Saitama's job was only to gather intelligence.

---

"Captain!"

The Uchiha brothers, Yan and Hi (Fire), called out when they saw Saitama emerge.

"Let's head back. We'll talk later."

Saitama noticed their concerned expressions and cut straight to the point.

"Right!"

The two nodded in unison.

"We bumped into a Mizuna scouting team in the woods earlier. Was that what you were investigating?" Uchiha Yan asked with a bit of tension in his voice.

"Yeah."

Saitama nodded.

"What's the situation there?" Yan pressed further.

"Didn't get a count of the enemy. I interrogated a civilian and got a general overview. Then I withdrew."

As he spoke, Saitama bit into a strange local fruit.

"Hm… a bit sour."

He didn't react to the stares from his teammates, casually commenting on the taste.

The fruit was one of the types foraged by Konoha's support units — a decent source of nutrients and chakra-replenishing vitamins.

"So, what's the next step?" Uchiha Hi's eyes glinted, clearly eager for a mission.

"Wait for orders. I doubt this is the only location like that. It depends on how Lady Tsunade plans our response."

Finishing the fruit, Saitama wiped his hands on his uniform, then stood up.

"Let's eat first. I've got a strategy meeting with Mori later."

Saitama walked off, followed by Uchiha Hi, who perked up at the mention of food.

Uchiha Yan, however, stayed behind, clearly still mulling over what he'd heard.

---

"If this is true, Konoha's strategic plans will need a major overhaul."

Uchiha Mori sat in the command tent, brooding over the intelligence Saitama had brought back.

"I thought our fight with Kirigakure would drag into a war of attrition. But they're aiming for rapid invasion. This changes everything."

He tapped the map with his finger, his gaze falling on the coastline where Saitama had marked the enemy position in red.

Saitama had also warned: "There might be more locations like this."

"This complicates things."

Mori rubbed his forehead, mentally preparing to report the intel to Uchiha Tenaki, who would inform Tsunade and the war council at the evening meeting.

---

Inside the Konoha command tent — a large space reserved for key meetings — Tsunade sat at the head of the table. To her right was a senior advisor: Mitokado Homura. On her left, Mito Menma, the bespectacled elder who once served in the Second Hokage's guard detail.

Saitama didn't underestimate these old men — their generation had fought alongside legends like Hiruzen, Danzō, Kagami Uchiha, and Akimichi Torifu.

The tent held most of the senior shinobi involved in the Mizuna frontline defense. Despite their presence, Saitama remained composed, standing behind Mori.

"Ahem. Let's begin tonight's strategy meeting."

Tsunade's voice cut through the murmurs. She exuded authority, calm yet commanding.

"Let's skip minor logistics. First, hear Uchiha Tenaki's report on enemy activity."

Mito Menma's tone was casual, as if discussing routine matters — but his eyes were sharp.

"Our patrol units confirmed that the Land of Bears is constructing a dock on its eastern coastline. Evidence suggests it is being used to assist a Kiri landing force," Tenaki said grimly.

"What's everyone's opinion?" Tsunade asked, hands folded on the table.

Silence fell.

No one expected Kirigakure to take such a direct approach.

"Can we verify the source?"

The Hyūga clan head spoke first.

"I've brought the Uchiha responsible for the investigation. He can testify himself."

Tenaki nodded toward Saitama, who stepped forward.

"Good evening, everyone."

Saitama bowed slightly. "I swear on my career as a shinobi — this intel is accurate. I infiltrated their camp and confirmed their operation with my own eyes."

Tsunade nodded, then gave him a faint smile.

"You're Saitama, right?"

"Yes, Tsunade-sama."

He stood firm.

Visit patreon.com/TEA_QUILL to get 30+ chapters