Naruto: Born Gifted in Konoha

Saitama had no idea that the one chasing him was Kitsuchi. If he did, he might have fled even faster.

Who exactly was Kitsuchi?

He was not only the son of the current Tsuchikage but also a powerful elite Jōnin. According to Saitama's past-life experience, Kitsuchi could be considered a near-Kage-level expert. After all, this was a man who could knock off Kinkaku while he was in his one-tailed transformation with just one punch, and who had temporarily suppressed both the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and the Ten-Tailed Transformation using ninjutsu.

From such details alone, it was clear Kitsuchi was no weakling. Even the current Saitama, who already possessed the Mangekyou, wouldn't stand a chance against him.

Of course, this assessment applied specifically to Saitama's present condition—exhausted, low on chakra, and physically drained.

It had taken a long time, but Saitama finally passed through the forest and reached the open plains.

Before him stretched endless layers of desolate yellow rock formations. Though technically a plain, vegetation was sparse, and the area lacked any greenery.

This entire region seemed boundless at a glance.

Saitama licked his chapped lips, feeling their dryness.

Throughout this prolonged escape, he hadn't stopped for food or even taken a sip of water.

The few times he had refueled along the way were by hastily grabbing some wild fruits.

But those small snacks had done little more than offer momentary relief.

Looking back at the dense forest behind him, Saitama leapt straight down from the trees.

The terrain of the woods stood much higher in elevation than the plains ahead. As he descended, Saitama applied chakra to his feet, sliding rapidly down the slope angled at dozens of degrees toward the flatland below.

Technically, he could have just jumped directly down, but because of his injured left leg, he hesitated slightly and chose the safer route.

Once on the plains, Saitama ran forward without looking back. Although sprinting like this made him highly visible and increased the risk of being spotted, he simply couldn't afford to care right now. Getting back to Konoha encampment as soon as possible was the priority.

Although this area belonged to Iwagakure, it was located in an unimportant region, so there weren't any stationed ninja forces here. That's why Saitama dared to travel so openly across such an exposed terrain.

Although his left leg had been treated to some extent with the Mystical Palm Technique, all this running had still put significant strain on it.

Enduring the pain, Saitama tried leaning most of his weight onto his right foot while relying on his left foot primarily for balance, steadily advancing across the rocky wasteland.

As time slowly passed, Saitama was nearly out of the desert when suddenly, without warning, his heart lurched. A strong sense of unease began spreading deep within his chest.

"What's going on?"

Saitama stopped abruptly, frowning deeply as his forehead muscles tensed, causing his eyelid to twitch involuntarily.

There used to be an old saying from his past life: "A twitching left eye means danger, a twitching right eye means good fortune." But Saitama no longer believed in such superstitions.

He lifted his head, staring at the distant horizon. Nothing seemed out of place—just the same desolate land where yellow and red bled into each other, leaving a bleak and lifeless view.

"Could be I'm just worn out. Didn't get any rest last night!"

Saitama came up with a plausible explanation but still kept his guard raised at its highest, ready for unforeseen dangers.

He had come this far. Just on the verge of leaving Iwagakure territory—he certainly didn't want anything unexpected to happen now.

Moreover, his current condition was terrible. The previous night's battle had drained his vitality, leaving him feeling hollowed out.

After some thought, Saitama continued moving forward.

...

"Lord, the target isn't far from us anymore!"

A ninja wearing a bird mask knelt before an elderly man wrapped in bandages on half his body and dressed in dark robes. The ninja lifted his eyes, revealing entirely white irises—cold and composed.

"Hmm, start making preparations! Don't let him escape! Everything must go flawlessly!"

Danzo's lone visible eye flashed with bloodlust. He had waited for this day for a long time.

Based on the intelligence already in his possession, he had learned something intriguing.

Saitama could summon a massive skeletal giant to fight under his command.

This ninjutsu reminded him of his former teammate, Kagami Uchiha.

That was Kagami Uchiha, bearer of the Huo spirit, and also a powerful ninja.

In his youth, Danzo and Kagami were both members of the Second Hokage's Clan Guards; therefore, Danzo understood Kagami very well.

Many rumors about the Uchiha Clan had come from Kagami himself.

Including that forbidden technique—the very same that summoned a giant!

Naturally, as a high-ranking official in Konoha Village, Danzo later learned many other secrets.

Susanoo!

That was the name of the jutsu! [A technique sealed away in the deepest archives of Konoha], marked as top secret!

[The first recorded mention of this technique] came from one of Konoha's founders himself—Madara Uchiha!

Danzo's fascination with the Uchiha Clan started entirely with his teammate, Kagami Uchiha.

Once Kagami opened that door for him, his obsession with Uchiha bloodline grew uncontrollably.

Later, when he became a true leader of Konoha, Danzo accessed every secret regarding the Uchiha Clan, even studying them extensively.

When his subordinates reported back that Saitama could use Susanoo, his heart felt as though grabbed by someone's hand, his heartbeat slowing momentarily.

Mangekyo Sharingan!

That was Danzo's immediate thought upon reading the report.

That legendary eye, once possessed by Madara Uchiha, had reappeared within the Uchiha Clan.

Danzo's heart trembled again! Originally, this mission was just to compensate for his physical deficiencies, but unexpectedly, Saitama gave him a pleasant surprise, making the whole situation feel somewhat dreamlike.

Mangekyo Sharingan! Danzo's knowledge of the Sharingan rivaled true Uchiha ninja experts. In fact, currently among all Uchiha living in Konoha—including everyone except Saitama—no one knew the Sharingan better than he did.

Thinking thus, Danzo's heart burned with desire!

He seemed to see himself wielding those Mangekyo Sharingan, spreading the will of Konoha—and his own will—across the entire Shinobi World.

His gaze swept across the surroundings. Several Root operatives were setting up barriers.

It was an order he had specifically issued earlier. If Saitama truly awakened the Mangekyo, then only barriers and sealing techniques could contain him at this stage.

After all, if Saitama used Susanoo again, no one here would be able to truly stop him or prevent his escape. Therefore, Danzo had arranged these measures beforehand.

Danzo placed his right hand on his chest and slipped behind a large rock.

Saitama is coming!

...

Huff! Saitama let out a deep breath, his whole body aching, but he had no choice but to push on.

"Almost there!"

Glancing around cautiously, Saitama realized he was about to enter Konoha's territory.

He pushed off with his right foot, launching himself across the ground for over twenty meters in one bound.

[Four-Corner Sealing Barrier]

The moment his right foot touched the ground, a sudden sense of danger flared in his mind. Before Saitama could react, four voices rang out around him at once!

"What is this?"

Standing firm, Saitama reached toward his waist while scanning his surroundings.

He noticed that four masked ninja were forming hand seals — a fundamental part of performing ninjutsu — around him, positioned like the four corners of a square.

A purple barrier formed around him as part of the technique.

Saitama had originally assumed his pursuers would be enemies from Iwagakure, but upon closer look, he realized these were actually ninja from Konoha.

Such secret arts only existed within Konoha's Jutsu Scrolls and had never been leaked outside.

Seeing the masks on those ninja faces, Saitama immediately understood who he was facing.

Without a word, he kept his right hand near his sword, eyes fixed on a stone just ahead.

His poor physical condition had reduced his Sensor abilities to their lowest point—he hadn't even detected the enemy being so close by.

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