Born To Rise In Konoha
Chapter 121

Chapter 121: Chapter 121

"Okay!" Shizune nodded, stood up, and walked behind Saitama. She placed her hands on his shoulders and began to knead them using the massage technique she’d recently learned.

"How is it?" she asked after a while. Her hands trembled slightly at first—still not used to the movements—but gradually became steady and firm.

"Not bad. Feels good," Saitama replied, leaning back slightly into her touch, visibly relaxing.

"Hehe." Shizune was startled by his response, pausing for a second.

"Don’t stop now. What, you scared?" Saitama teased her with his eyes half-closed, clearly enjoying the massage.

"Anyway, I’ve mastered the Shōsen Jutsu—the Mystical Palm Technique—these past few days. Tsunade-sama even said I have talent."

She spoke casually, her breath lightly brushing the back of Saitama’s neck since they were sitting almost at the same height. Saitama had propped himself on a wooden beam, which was level with Shizune’s standing height.

"Oh, amazing. Truly impressive," Saitama said sarcastically, voice dripping with mock praise.

"Hmph." Shizune clearly didn’t appreciate the sarcasm and increased the pressure of her hands.

"Hey, hey! I was just kidding!" he winced slightly, though not from pain. Thanks to his trained body, the pressure didn’t actually hurt—but teasing each other like this had become second nature.

"Hmph. See if I let you off next time." Shizune eased her hands, returning to a normal rhythm.

"If you’re so good at it, maybe you should teach me," Saitama murmured, letting his head rest on her hand.

"Might as well learn, since I don’t like being the one getting pressed all the time."

"Actually," Shizune said, straightening up a little, "I asked Tsunade-sama today. She said I could teach you the basics."

Her voice was quiet, but Saitama heard her clearly.

"Oh? Hehe..." Saitama gave a strange chuckle, and in retaliation, Shizune’s fingers dug into his shoulders again.

"That’s for being smug," she snorted and looked away, pretending to ignore him.

They sat like that in silence for a while. The night had fallen completely now, and the sky was thick with clouds—the type that looked like wet tofu and promised rain. But here and there, stars still shone through the gaps, stubborn and bright. The moon was nearly full, glowing behind the clouds and casting silver light down on the camp.

Saitama looked up at the sky and muttered, "From tomorrow, this place won’t be peaceful anymore."

The wind stirred slightly. It was already July, and the muggy heat of summer clung to them even at night. Unconsciously, Saitama realized—he’d been in this world for nearly half a year.

"Alright," he said, shrugging his shoulders lightly, signaling to Shizune. "That’s enough. Any more, and I’ll feel more tired instead of relaxed. Sit for a bit. We’ll talk, then rest."

He patted the spot beside him on the beam. Shizune hesitated for only a second before sitting down, close beside him.

"The war’s finally moving," she said softly. "They say the battle with Sunagakure is coming to a close. I wonder how much longer it will last here..."

Saitama reached out and took her hand gently—not doing anything else, just holding it, feeling the warmth.

"Yeah," Shizune answered, her voice barely a whisper. Her mind seemed to blank out the moment he held her hand.

Saitama looked up at the sky again. He knew the general course of events from his memory—how Konoha and Sunagakure’s conflict would play out—but since he had come to this world, the butterfly effect was always in the back of his mind. Anything could change. Still, for now, things seemed to be progressing as expected.

"Let’s go back. The night’s getting chilly," he said, patting the back of her hand.

Despite her slender frame, Shizune’s hands were warm and soft.

"Okay. You too—rest early. We might get assigned missions tomorrow."

She tugged lightly on his sleeve as she stood.

"Yeah. Let’s go."

Saitama nodded, hopping down from the crossbeam.

"Whoop—!" Shizune tried to hop down too, but her legs were too short, and she landed awkwardly, making a small "puff" sound.

"Pfft—haha!" Saitama couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the sight.

"What are you laughing at?!" Shizune snapped, her face turning red.

"Nothing, nothing. Come on, let’s go." Saitama grinned, placing a hand on her shoulder and nudging her forward.

"Good night?" she asked after being pushed a few steps, turning to look back at him.

"Yeah. Good night."

Saitama reached out and ruffled her hair gently, then tapped her nose with his finger before heading back to his tent.

---

Back at the tent, Saitama found Uchiha Huo and Uchiha Yan still sitting inside, chatting in hushed tones.

"You two still up?" he asked, lifting the tent flap and stepping in casually.

Both brothers looked at him with oddly serious expressions. They didn’t answer at first. The single lantern inside cast long shadows—Saitama’s figure loomed large across the canvas, while the two Uchiha shadows were curled up like wary cats.

"...I heard you came back with Tsunade-sama’s apprentice tonight?" Uchiha Huo finally said, unable to hide his suspicion.

"It’s nothing. Just friends," Saitama replied without much thought, brushing it off.

"The whole camp saw it," Huo continued. "Word is Tsunade-sama herself got so angry, she was practically blowing steam out of her nose!"

"She’s a woman, not an old man. Where would the beard come from?" Saitama said with a chuckle.

"So it is true?"

Huo still wasn’t convinced. Saitama just looked at him silently, answering with his eyes.

"Tch, Yan and I should’ve followed you instead of heading back early," Huo muttered with regret.

"Alright, enough. Out. I’m going to sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow if anything comes up."

Saitama waved them off and sat down on his bedding, unfastening the blade at his waist.

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