Naruto: Born Gifted in Konoha

"Hey, buddy, interested in a mask?" A merchant in his early forties approached Saitama. He had noticed the young man browsing through his stall for quite some time.

"Yeah, I'll take this one!" Saitama happily chose a mask of a faceless man with two comically painted red spots on the cheeks.

"Great choice! That'll be 800 taels! Don't let the door hit you on the way out!" The shopkeeper was a straightforward fellow who took the payment without even standing up, watching Saitama leave with an indifferent gaze.

Continuing forward, Saitama wandered aimlessly. He still couldn't figure out exactly why he'd come to Konoha. Maybe just to see some old faces—or take a lazy walk around town?

Not far ahead, as if guided by some silent understanding or unseen force, Saitama suddenly sensed something and instinctively turned his gaze forward.

A hunched figure came into view. Saitama stiffened for a split second before quickly regaining his composure.

This was Market Street in Konoha, the village's most bustling area. The recently concluded war gave a big boost to other industries, so this place naturally became lively and packed with people.

Ka Uchiha lifted her head. She noticed someone watching her from not too far away.

Looking curiously toward him, she saw only a stranger—normally dressed, holding a mask.

"Don't recognize him!" Ka Uchiha confirmed she didn't know this person, though something about his stance felt strangely familiar.

"Ahh, getting old!" Shaking her head slightly, she continued walking.

"Obā-san..." Saitama bit his lip but held back from calling out. It wasn't yet the right time to reveal himself. He didn't want to put Ka in danger or cause her any grief.

Watching Obā-san disappear into the distance, Saitama's lips curled slightly upward. When all necessary tasks were completed, he would reunite with her.

With that thought, he resumed walking forward.

Possibly because the Jinchuriki's due date was approaching, Konoha's security had been significantly tightened. At least according to Saitama's perception, many ANBU (special black-ops units) wearing animal masks seemed especially attentive toward outsiders entering the village recently.

Glancing sideways, Saitama caught sight of a ninja following twenty meters behind him.

The shinobi was currently pressed against a wall corner, observing him closely.

Saitama ignored him. He knew it wasn't because he had exposed himself—it was simply standard treatment for any outsider entering the village.

...

In the Hokage Office.

The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, wore a solemn expression.

About to become a father, he appeared increasingly mature in both appearance and demeanor, gradually transforming into a warm and composed family man.

Years as Hokage had refined him into a capable and steady leader, unfazed even when faced with catastrophe.

But now he looked troubled, his expression visibly unsettled.

"Tsunade-sama, are you really leaving the village?"

Following Minato's gaze, two figures sat on the office sofa—Tsunade and Shizune, master and apprentice.

Tsunade had already removed her Ninja Vest, switching instead to loose clothing. Her golden hair was loosely tied into a ponytail at the back, giving her a wild and unrestrained appearance.

Normally, Tsunade should still have been at the battlefield during this period, but no one could stop her, so here she was, sitting in the Hokage Office.

"I didn't come here seeking your approval. I'm just informing you in advance so we won't suddenly find ourselves branded as missing-nin with bounty orders circulating outside."

Tsunade crossed her arms over her chest, creating a strange shape, but she didn't care at all as she fixed her gaze on Minato Namikaze.

"Fine. Does the teacher know you've returned?" Minato knew there was no changing Tsunade-hime's mind once she'd made a decision—not even the retired Third could sway her.

"Jiraiya already knows—I told him myself." Tsunade nodded.

The war with Mist had reached a relatively stable phase, which was why she decided to leave. After all, there was still Minato to handle Mist.

Iwagakure and Kumogakure are locked in fierce conflict, allowing Konoha to concentrate fully on dealing with Mist.

"In that case, may I ask when Tsunade-sama plans to return?"

Minato sat upright, his eyes showing genuine curiosity.

"Who knows? When I feel like playing enough, I'll naturally come back!"

Tsunade waved her hand dismissively without answering directly.

"Understood then!" Minato displayed a helpless expression. The truth was, being Hokage had its challenges—figures like Tsunade, with her seniority and rank, rarely treated him with the formal respect his title demanded.

Of course, this wasn't out of disrespect toward the newly-appointed Minato. It was simply because both sides needed time to adjust to their new roles—mindset was important.

"Then let's go, Shizune!" Tsunade gave Minato a nod, a smile spreading across her face as she reached out to pull Shizune along.

Shizune managed a tight smile and nodded at Minato.

"Sigh, truly headache-inducing. Being Hokage definitely isn't for newcomers!"

Minato scratched his head, glancing at sunlight streaming through the window. A certain red figure flashed through his mind before he shook his head slightly.

"I wonder how she's doing at the Hospital? Still up to her usual antics? Such a childlike temper."

Minato murmured to himself, though an unmistakable smile graced his face.

...

"Shizune, what's wrong? Still unhappy?" Tsunade slung an arm around Shizune, leaning her face close to Shizune's shoulder.

"Tsunade-sama, do you think... Saitama really died? I always feel like he must still be alive somewhere, but some unknown reason keeps us apart."

Shizune lifted her head, eyes beginning to redden and moisten, voice slightly trembling as she spoke.

"That's right. He must be watching over you somewhere, observing whether you're living happily or not."

Tsunade comforted Shizune with gentle pats on her back.

"Come on, I've already decided where we're going next. It's a place full of excitement. That's exactly where the First Hokage carved out his legendary name through countless battles across the Shinobi World!"

Tsunade slowly spoke in a mysterious tone, gradually dispelling the gloom from Shizune's face.

"Really? Such a place actually exists?" Shizune looked skeptical, yet her rosy cheeks revealed curiosity.

She'd never heard of such a place before, but coming from Tsunade-sama—a descendant of the First Hokage—it was hard to doubt her.

"Yes!"

"Confirmed by Tsunade, Shizune nodded, realizing it was time to get out and clear her head."

"This dumpling still tastes just as good. They still taste great—though eating too many makes your stomach feel heavy. Just a few are totally delicious!"

Saitama held a bunch of wooden sticks in his hand, still chewing away.

As he passed by, he couldn't help stopping at his childhood favorite dumpling shop.

They had already reached the end of the marketplace. Not far ahead stood the Hokage Building, a heavily guarded location within Konoha.

Saitama didn't plan to proceed further and cause suspicion, so he prepared to turn back.

"The jinchuriki should currently be at the Hospital. No need to stir up trouble this late," Saitama said, glancing toward the Hospital in the distance.

In Saitama's sensing ability, there was an overwhelming chakra coming from that direction—violent, dark, laced with something ominous.

Approaching childbirth, the Nine-Tailed Beast sealed within Kushina Uzumaki grew restless, its chakra subtly seeping through the seal and spreading into the surrounding air.

"Shizune, hurry up! We still need to go back and get things ready!"

A familiar booming voice echoed around, and Saitama turned his head.

Tsunade was hurrying Shizune, who lagged one step behind.

"I know, Tsunade-sama!" 

Shizune's voice carried helplessness but also quickened pace.

The two hurried past Saitama without noticing him nearby.

But Saitama kept watching Shizune until she was out of sight.

"She still looks great. Take good care of yourself afterward. It won't be long now!"

With a quick flick of his wrist, Saitama sent all the sticks flying into the trash bin.

His main purpose for visiting Konoha today had basically been fulfilled—he saw the person he wanted to see. Next up was his mission target: Kakuzu.

"Let's go. Wonder what kind of mess our next encounter'll be like!"

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