Naruto: Born Gifted in Konoha

Darkness enveloped everything—no trace of light.

Saitama had been buried dozens of meters below ground. According to the script, he should have been reduced to ashes by Amaterasu—no, not even ashes would remain.

The final sight burned into Saitama's mind was Danzō's grim face.

As Danzō turned and walked away, Saitama sank deep beneath layers of earth, countless heavy stones crushing down upon him with unbearable force.

And then… darkness swallowed everything.

Saitama lost consciousness as Amaterasu began devouring everything!

...

"Are you saying, Elder Danzō, that Saitama has fallen?"

Minato Namikaze fixed his gaze on the elder shinobi seated before him—his expression calm, yet his eyes clouded with shadow.

Danzō held a high position within Konoha's leadership, and although Minato was one of the top candidates for Hokage, he still occupied a lower rank.

Thus, Minato showed the proper respect, though he had never truly approved of Danzō's methods.

"Clang!" Danzō placed the blade he had picked up earlier onto the table—the surface still stained with dried blood.

Minato looked at the ninja sword, his expression hardening.

Though he'd met Saitama only a few times and had little interaction with him, he recognized it immediately—it was indeed Saitama's personal weapon.

"I encountered Saitama during my mission—he was already locked in desperate battle. Though I did my best to assist him, I was ultimately unable to save him," Danzō murmured, lowering his eyelids slightly as his lone visible eye focused on Minato. His tone lacked any hint of emotion.

"My subordinates risked their lives to help me escape, but their fates remain unknown. As for Saitama Uchiha's unfortunate demise... I am deeply grieved."

Minato continued staring at the blade, a swirl of emotions rising within him.

Saitama had only joined this battlefield recently, yet now he was gone—everything felt too surreal, like fiction.

Even someone as composed as Minato found himself stunned for several seconds.

Saitama had become one of Konoha's most talked-about ninjas—was he truly gone just like that?

Minato struggled to believe it, but the evidence lay right before him; he had no choice but to accept the grim news.

"In that case, Elder Danzō, please rest first. If your men return, I will inform you," Minato finally said after a pause.

"Hmph!"

Danzō stood abruptly and headed outside. Before leaving, he cast another glance toward Saitama's blade.

He couldn't be certain whether the Stone Shinobi had seen the coordinated ambush he and others carried out on Saitama. Therefore, declaring Saitama dead first would prevent unnecessary complications later.

This worries me, Minato muttered to himself, watching Danzō disappear beyond the tent flaps before sitting back down and lightly tapping his temple with one hand.

His gaze drifted downward to a scroll spread open on the desk.

There was a name written on it—Jiraiya. It was a letter from his former teacher—nothing urgent inside, yet it mentioned one particular person.

That very person was Saitama Uchiha.

In fact, Jiraiya had commented that Saitama was quite an interesting fellow—though cold and aloof at first glance, he really clicked with the older man's tastes—and he expressed hope that Minato might keep a closer eye on him here on the front lines.

"Although it's common for people to die in battle, Saitama's identity is somewhat sensitive!"

As if suddenly realizing something, Minato Namikaze rubbed his temples.

"Don't announce this news just yet. For many people, this will truly be a blow!"

Minato Namikaze's blue eyes showed hesitation, but soon he looked outward with determination.

Once gone, the dead do not return.

In Konoha Village, at the Uchiha clan compound.

Ka Uchiha had slept unusually late today. As she aged, her sleep had become increasingly brief.

Yet today, she slept until sunlight pierced through the window glass around noon before slowly waking.

The moment she awoke, an inexplicable sadness filled her heart, as though she'd lost something important.

Looking toward the village outskirts, she couldn't shake the feeling that it had something to do with Saitama somehow. But since he was far away at the battlefield, all she knew about him came from the biweekly war reports.

Since Saitama left the village, almost two weeks had already passed — probably meaning a new report containing news about him would arrive soon. After all, he now represented the pride of the Uchiha.

Pushing away the dark emotions pressing on her chest, Ka Uchiha quickly got dressed and sat in the courtyard, anxiety within her growing like wildfire.

...

"Shizune, bring me those documents over there!"

Tsunade commanded Shizune while seated at her position, noticing how distracted she seemed.

"Yes! Right away, Tsunade-sama!"

Shizune took several seconds before finally answering, prompting Tsunade to pout slightly without comment.

Ever since Saitama left this place, Shizune had become emotionally unstable, though this condition wouldn't last long. Soon she would adjust herself back to normal.

"Fine, fine, go get me something to eat. I've been helping Orochimaru process paperwork all day and haven't even had a proper meal."

Tsunade signaled Shizune to step outside for some fresh air, since she had worked beside her the entire day. Young people inevitably feel stuffy staying indoors too long; stepping out for fresh air should help calm her nerves.

Nodding silently, Shizune exited slowly with an abnormal expression.

Her heart pounded uncontrollably, as if she sensed something significant was about to happen.

...

Whoosh! Shisui stabbed his blade into an enemy's chest, then vanished instantly in a flash.

Several flickers later, nearby Mist ninjas burst into blood mist before collapsing lifelessly onto the ground.

"Nice job, Shisui!"

A boy wearing Uchiha clan attire jumped over from the side, holding a tanto smeared with fresh blood.

"Nagare, you're done already? Let's hurry and regroup with the main force. I've got a bad feeling something terrible's coming."

Shisui slid his sword into the scabbard behind his back, frowning as three tomoe marks gradually disappeared from his eyes.

"Tch!" Nagare sheathed his weapon while making a sound at Shisui, clearly finding him overly cautious.

...

Minato Namikaze swept his gaze across everyone, finding them still stunned by the recent shocking news.

Especially the Ino–Shika–Cho trio, who stared at the ninja sword lying on the table without moving.

"Is this information confirmed accurate?" Shikaku broke the silence first, immediately questioning intelligence reliability.

"This is what Elder Danzo brought back, and he personally handed me the blade as well."

Shikaku frowned and stayed quiet, his eyes betraying deep thought.

"So you're telling me Mate Saitama really fell in battle?"

Choza Akimichi looked deadly serious, his cheeks tightening as his eyes narrowed into slits.

"Although it's hard to accept, the truth is indeed like that."

Minato Namikaze placed both hands on the meeting table. His blond hair caught the sunlight filtering through the tent flap, reflecting a faint glow.

The others present wore different expressions, but all felt a pang of regret at the death of such a promising ninja.

They weren't close to him, but that didn't stop them from knowing who he was.

He was young, yet possessed great strength and potential. Perhaps he was destined to be the face of the Uchiha clan for the next few decades, but now he has fallen here nonetheless.

"I'll include this news in my next battle report. After all, Saitama Uchiha's death came too suddenly, and his status was rather unique."

Minato stood up, signaling the meeting had ended.

"Everyone get some rest first. We've got missions tomorrow!"

...

"Lord!"

Three ninja knelt on one knee before Danzo, each bearing wounds of varying severity, yet they sought him out the moment they returned.

"Hmm, go rest now. Return to the village tomorrow."

Danzo squeezed his right arm with his left hand, gazing blankly at his subordinates through his left eye.

He asked no questions about the others. Since only these three had returned to report, the remaining five were most likely already dead.

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