Saitama sat quietly, lost in thought.
Three days had passed since the graduation exam. He had been resting at home since, recovering and preparing himself. Today, it was finally time to report in with Shisui.
"Grandma, I'm heading out!"
Fully dressed and with his forehead protector secured, Saitama called out to Uchiha Kaka before leaving.
The spring breeze was soft, and the morning sun warmed the village. Saitama felt light on his feet, like he was stepping into a new future. For the first time in a long while, the path ahead felt like his to shape.
"Shisui!"
He spotted his friend standing at a crossroads near the edge of the Uchiha compound, glancing around.
"Saitama," Shisui acknowledged him, and the two began walking side by side.
They were headed east, toward the Uchiha Guard's training grounds. It was located near the clan's police office but hidden away enough to avoid unnecessary attention.
The two young figures moved slowly, the morning light casting long shadows behind them. Despite walking at a relaxed pace, it still took them half an hour to reach their destination—partly due to the sheer size of the Uchiha compound, and partly because neither of them was in a hurry.
From a distance, Saitama spotted the distinct structure: a two-story building with open space on three sides and a dense forest backing it. The building looked aged but solid—quietly enduring, like the clan itself.
This was the Uchiha Guard's training facility, a place that belonged solely to the clan. Not far away stood the main police headquarters, also a modest two-story building.
Before Saitama and Shisui could reach the entrance, two familiar figures approached—Uchiha Mori and Uchiha Rin.
"You're here early," Mori said casually. Rin didn't speak—he merely observed quietly.
"After three days of doing nothing, I figured it was time," Saitama replied with a seriousness that almost sounded comical coming from his young voice.
Mori didn't laugh. He simply nodded and said, "Come with me. We'll report to the captain first."
"Got it."
Saitama and Shisui exchanged a glance and silently followed behind.
Though Mori and Rin looked no older than their early twenties, Saitama could feel the strength radiating from them. Their chakra was dense and composed—likely seasoned chūnin, maybe even tokubetsu jōnin. They were probably considered the backbone of the current Uchiha Guard.
---
"Captain, Saitama and Shisui have arrived."
They climbed to the second floor, where Mori knocked on an office door and stepped inside. A man was seated at a desk, reviewing documents.
Uchiha Mori gave a quick gesture, signaling the two boys to step forward.
Uchiha Fugaku.
Saitama immediately recognized the man—not just the captain of the Uchiha Guard, but also the clan's current patriarch.
"Shisui, good to see you again."
Fugaku looked up from his paperwork and greeted Shisui first. The boy had served with the Guard before, and Fugaku had taken notice of his dedication and emerging talents.
"And you must be Saitama," Fugaku said, shifting his gaze.
"Yes, Captain!" Saitama replied, lowering his head respectfully.
"Call me 'Captain' here—not 'Patriarch.' You're part of the Guard now."
Fugaku offered a faint smile. He remembered seeing Saitama during the New Year celebrations. A quiet but observant child.
"Welcome to the team. I hope you'll find purpose here and live up to your potential."
Fugaku didn't waste words. He recognized that both boys were mature for their age and preferred to speak plainly.
"It's an honor to serve the clan," Saitama replied earnestly.
"Good. Mori," Fugaku said, turning to the older shinobi. "Show them around. You and Rin will handle their training for the next few days."
With that, Fugaku returned to his paperwork, dismissing them without another word.
The four left the office quietly.
---
"The Guard currently has seventeen members, including the Captain. That count now includes the two of you," Mori said as they walked.
"Only seventeen?" Saitama asked, surprised. "With how large the Uchiha clan is, I expected more."
"The Guard only takes the elite," Mori explained. "Everyone here passed several rounds of internal selection."
He paused, then added more quietly, "Besides, if our numbers grew too large, it'd raise suspicion in certain… circles."
Saitama nodded. He understood what Mori meant. The clan was powerful—but also under scrutiny. Shisui, though not fully in the loop, didn't ask any questions.
"Most of the team, aside from Rin and me, are around your age," Mori continued. "A bit older, but still young."
He glanced back. "Come on. Saitama, you'll be meeting them for the first time. Shisui's already familiar with the group."
They exited through the back of the building and arrived at a training field surrounded by trees.