Naruto: Born Gifted in Konoha

Saitama stopped mid-motion with a puzzled look. He had already completed familiarizing himself with his body, and the adaptation period was nearly over.

Normally, Madara Uchiha would only call him over after Saitama finished training to explain techniques like the Yin-Yang Release and the Six Paths Technique.

Why did he send for me so early today? Briefly puzzled, Saitama pushed the thought aside and followed White Zetsu toward the spot where Madara awaited.

The solid feeling of his feet landing firmly on the ground was the most vivid sensation Saitama had experienced lately.

During this time, he'd already adapted to the darkness here, so his steps were steady as he walked. Unlike White Zetsu beside him, who occasionally stumbled over protruding stones.

Should I say it's because he's just a blob of goo? Without provoking White Zetsu, Saitama focused on walking. Soon, they arrived at that spacious stone cave.

Madara Uchiha still sat on that chair wearing a black robe, its hem draping beneath him on the stone seat, while a scythe leaned nearby — extremely reminiscent of Western Shinigami (death gods) from Saitama's past life memories.

Without speaking, Saitama stepped forward to where Madara was, there being a stump-like seat in front.

White Zetsu stood behind Saitama, his expression neither joyful nor sorrowful, his hands idly brushing the moss-green fuzz atop his head.

He didn't care what Saitama and Madara were about to discuss — he simply had to carry out Madara's orders as instructed.

"It's time now, Saitama Uchiha." Madara looked at Saitama. His eyes began changing, soon revealing three tomoe within them.

Over this time, he had slowly passed on the essential points regarding the Yin-Yang Release and the Six Paths Technique to Saitama.

With Hashirama's cells inside him, Saitama could definitely master all elemental release jutsu gradually — it was merely a matter of time.

Saitama stared at Madara's increasingly gaunt face. The dry, bark-like skin seemed almost artificial, tightly stretched over bone.

Even with the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, Madara Uchiha's time was running out.

Saitama stayed quiet, just waiting for Madara to go on.

"My time has ended. From now on, everything is entrusted to you!"

Seated on the chair, Madara slowly raised his right hand. Chakra began rippling in his palm.

Thin strands of black, mucus-like substance began seeping out from the space in his palm, quickly coalescing into a dark figure.

Saitama's eyes narrowed instantly recognizing this as Black Zetsu, though he quickly calmed his surprised reaction and continued watching Madara Uchiha.

"This is my will manifested — created using Yin-Yang Release. You may address it as Black Zetsu."

Black Zetsu stood at Madara's right side, displaying sharp teeth in a smile. "Hello, Saitama Uchiha. I am Black Zetsu," he said.

"Understood," Saitama nodded slightly, shifting his gaze back to Madara, waiting for further instructions.

"It will assist you in completing future plans — one might even say supervise you."

A faint ugly smile surfaced on Madara's face.

Saitama paid no heed to Madara's words, patiently listening until Madara finished speaking.

"Well then, looking forward to our next meeting, Saitama."

One hand reaching behind, Madara directly pulled out the tube inserted there, then leaned back against the chair's backrest.

Saitama and Zetsu silently watched Madara—the man who had once commanded the entire shinobi world—slowly approach death in this unknown place.

Soon, Madara Uchiha—cut off from the energy of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path—closed his eyes and stopped breathing.

White Zetsu chuckled, patted Saitama on the shoulder, then walked toward Madara's body.

Madara had already instructed him on what to do with his remains, so he needed to carry out those orders.

Saitama shifted his gaze to Black Zetsu, his eyes calm.

"Saitama Uchiha, please treat me kindly from now on—for Madara's plan!"

Black Zetsu grinned at Saitama, but Saitama sensed no sincerity behind it.

"You, who have integrated Hashirama's cells, can now use [Yin Release] and [Yang Release], barely qualifying to utilize the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path."

Black Zetsu said slowly while looking at Saitama.

"What should I do next?" Saitama asked Black Zetsu. He wanted to hear Black Zetsu's plan.

"What's next? First, master [Yin Release], [Yang Release], and the Six Paths Technique. Only after mastering these will you qualify to go outside and execute Madara's plan."

After saying that, Black Zetsu slowly merged into the ground and disappeared.

Saitama glanced at the massive shadow ahead, frowned slightly, then turned away without a word.

He understood Black Zetsu's intentions, but it wasn't time to reveal them yet. He still needed time to develop, and Black Zetsu could still be useful.

...

"Saitama, how do you feel now?" Zetsu sat on Saitama's stone bed, and the white side spoke first.

Not long ago, when Saitama met White Zetsu again, he found that it had already fused with Black Zetsu.

Saitama didn't mind. He treated them normally—he had always known they could merge their bodies.

Black Zetsu, sharing a body with White Zetsu, usually remained silent, keeping his own eye closed as if resting.

It had been quite a while since Madara's death. Saitama wasn't sure exactly how much time had passed—his hair had grown long enough to tie into a ponytail at the back of his head.

During this period, Saitama hadn't wasted his time either, gradually becoming familiar with [Yin Release], [Yang Release], and the Six Paths Technique.

Though lacking the Rinnegan, thanks to the Hashirama's cells inside his body and his innate Uchiha bloodline, he mastered [Yin Release] and [Yang Release] very quickly.

[Yang Release] represented physical strength; [Yin Release] symbolized spiritual power.

"About ready, I guess!" Saitama looked at his palm where something resembling a sapling was growing outward, quickly transforming into a sturdy tree.

"Wow, you're truly a genius!" White Zetsu immediately stood up, watching Saitama demonstrate [Wood Release].

The last time White Zetsu saw Saitama use it, the technique couldn't flow smoothly. If Saitama increased his chakra output and tried making the wood thicker, the jutsu would instantly collapse.

Yet not long had passed, and Saitama appeared to have mastered the skill required for using [Wood Release].

With a sudden pulse, Saitama severed the chakra flow and carefully placed the tree he'd just created onto a nearby rock.

"So, are we ready to go out now?" White Zetsu approached Saitama, asking cautiously.

Although he could leave anytime, Saitama decided to master the newly acquired Elemental Release technique first before heading out. Therefore, during this period, while White Zetsu would occasionally send out clones to gather intelligence, his original body remained by Saitama's side.

"Pack up. It's time to go!" Saitama nodded. He had a good grasp of his new ability now, so it was time to move out.

"Do we have any weapons?" Saitama used a blade previously, but that weapon had been lost in the previous battle, so he wanted to find another suitable one.

"Hmm...Lord Madara has a weapon vault. Want to take a look?"

White Zetsu gave it some thought, tilting his head. Since the control of their shared body was currently in his hands, he could go ahead and make goofy faces all he wanted.

"Alright!" Saitama nodded and walked toward the exit of the cave.

...

In the end, Saitama didn't find a weapon that suited him.

Though Madara's collection was impressive, nothing fit his needs. After all, he wasn't accustomed to using fans or sickles, and those even stranger-looking weapons held no interest for him at all.

Following behind Zetsu, Saitama and Zetsu proceeded forward through the pitch-black tunnel as they made their way outside.

The tunnel was long and complicated. Without White Zetsu's guidance, Saitama himself would've taken quite a while to get out.

Both wore black cloaks that fit them well, complete with hoods that completely changed their overall appearance.

Of course, Saitama didn't give a damn about fashion sense—he just didn't have any other choice.

Bright light appeared ahead. They had reached the exit.

Already forgetting how long it had been since he'd last seen real sunlight, Saitama quickened his pace and soon stood at the tunnel's exit.

The harsh sunlight hit Saitama like a punch, making him squint instantly.

It felt warm—his first sensation with his eyes shut. After however long he'd spent underground, he found himself longing for the surface life again.

The exit was located halfway up a cliffside, well-hidden, surrounded by dense bushes effectively concealing the cave entrance.

"Where next?" Saitama had plans of his own, but he wanted to hear other opinions, so he asked Zetsu.

Of course, he wasn't asking White Zetsu, but rather the quiet and usually silent Black Zetsu.

White Zetsu knew well enough that Saitama wouldn't be speaking to him, so he stayed silent, waiting for Black Zetsu's reply.

Black Zetsu opened his eyes, and Saitama could feel a gaze settling upon him.

"First, let's head to the Land of Rain!" Black Zetsu rasped out in a hoarse voice.

"Fine!" Saitama understood that the key to collecting the tailed beasts right now lay with the Rinnegan, which currently resided with Uzumaki Nagato—and Nagato was in the Land of Rain.

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