Born To Rise In Konoha-Chapter 114

"Yo-sha! Everyone’s here!"

Tsunade sat at the head of the long meeting table inside the central command tent. To her left sat Mitokado Homura, and to her right, the ever-stern Mito Menma. Around the table, the senior officers of Konoha’s wartime command were already seated as night fell.

As she spoke, Tsunade’s eyes flicked briefly toward Saitama, who stood silently behind Uchiha Amaki and Uchiha Mori. Her expression was unreadable—but Saitama noticed the glance. He feigned ignorance, fixing his gaze instead on the oddly-shaped crease on Uchiha Mori’s forehead protector, a result of sleeping too often in awkward positions. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

"We’ve been planning this operation for days now. Tonight, we finalize everything," Tsunade declared, rapping the table with her knuckles. "If there are any last-minute concerns, now’s the time."

"Ahem," Hyuga Shin raised his hand.

"Yes, Hyuga?" Mito Menma adjusted his glasses and gestured for him to speak.

"I have no concerns about Hyuga serving as reconnaissance. That’s our specialty. But... why has the Uchiha clan been designated as part of the medical support team?" He glanced toward Uchiha Amaki with a frown. "Their combat prowess is well-known. Isn’t this a waste of resources?"

"Tch." Uchiha Amaki scoffed, turning to Uchiha Mori. "This was Tsunade-sama’s decision. Why glare at me?"

Menma nodded, thoughtful. He was well aware of the political undercurrents. The Third Hokage had long sought to limit the Uchiha clan’s influence, especially after whispers about their ambitions regarding the Hokage position.

Placing Uchiha in support roles was just another method of restriction—keeping them visible but sidelined from glory.

Still, the logic felt strained even to Menma. After a pause, he offered a compromise: "Then let’s swap Uchiha with the Third Assault Unit. Have them take point in the counteroffensive. Objections?"

He looked between Uchiha Amaki and the Jonin in charge of the third unit.

"No objections here," said the Jonin, a loyal Hokage supporter. "We’ll adjust accordingly."

"Uchiha agrees as well," said Amaki firmly, arms crossed.

Tsunade gave a single nod, clearly approving of the change. "Good. Then it’s settled. We move the day after tomorrow. This counterstrike against Kirigakure must be swift, surgical, and decisive!"

As she stood, the other shinobi rose with her, their expressions solemn.

Menma looked around the room and allowed a rare smile. Despite the war’s brutality, Konoha’s elite were united. Victory was within reach—and Kiri would regret ever thinking they could invade Fire Country.

---

Outside, as the wind rustled the tents:

"Finally, it’s over." Saitama stretched with a yawn, walking alongside Uchiha Mori through the dimly lit camp paths.

"The planning’s done," Mori said, looking up at the star-scattered sky. "Now comes the real hardship."

"Tell me about it." Saitama chuckled. "But hey, that’s the shinobi life."

"Sure, sure. We all know you’re confident," Mori smirked and swung an arm at Saitama’s shoulder, who nimbly dodged it.

But his tone grew serious. "Be careful, Saitama. Kirigakure’s Seven Ninja Swordsmen are on the move. Intelligence suggests you’re near the top of their kill list. You’re a serious thorn in their side."

Saitama’s eyes narrowed slightly. "I know. I won’t underestimate them."

He rested a hand on the hilt of his blade, fingers brushing the guard.

"I just hope we’re not walking into something worse than we expected..."

---

Later that night:

"You’re really leaving tomorrow?" Mute sat on the wooden railing outside the medical tent, legs swinging as she looked out across the camp.

"Yeah," Saitama answered, seated nearby and sharpening his blade. "We move at dawn. The plan’s in motion—we can’t delay."

Mute was quiet for a moment, then asked softly, "The border with Bear Country isn’t that far... but will it take long before you come back?"

Her gaze was uncharacteristically direct—her eyes clear, searching.

"Maybe." Saitama looked up at the stars. "You’ll be staying here with the logistics corps. That’s safer. But those of us leading the assault..."

He trailed off, then added, "According to intel, Kiri gave up on landing in Fire Country directly. Most of their forces are now massed near Bear Country. It’s going to be intense."

Mute’s legs stopped swinging. She said nothing.

After a pause, Saitama stood. "Let’s end the talk here. I should rest."

Mute nodded, then stood as well. "Rest well. And... be careful."

Saitama nodded back with a small smile. "I will."

He turned, walking away. The moonlight cast a long, stark shadow behind him, making his silhouette seem larger, lonelier.

Mute watched him go, her lips moving silently:

"Come back safe, Saitama..."

Then she hopped off the railing and returned to the tent.

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