"Today I don't feel like running—that's exactly why I run. This is how long-distance runners think."
Saitama found this phrase especially memorable. In his previous life, it had been said by someone who was repeatedly nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature but never won.
He continued treating this saying as his personal motto, using it even in this new world to motivate himself.
When his body was exhausted and his mind ready to give up, these words would once again inject strength into his limbs.
No one's limitless—but that limit is something even you can't begin to predict!
In Konoha, at the Hokage Building—
Though intelligence confirmed Roshi had likely been captured alive by a mysterious individual or organization,
no one saw this as an attack on the Tailed Beasts themselves. They categorized it as an act specifically against Iwagakure.
They couldn't even imagine anyone else—aside from Hashirama Senju, the so-called "God of Ninja"—being bold enough to gather the Tailed Beasts. Even the current Kages from all great ninja villages wouldn't dare entertain such thoughts.
Therefore, despite knowing Roshi was the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, and despite suspecting he might have already fallen victim, neither Konoha nor Iwagakure considered digging deeper into the implications.
"Minato, here's a reply from Iwagakure!"
Shikaku held a scroll sealed with Iwagakure's emblem and Onoki's personal seal.
"Thanks for handling that." Minato Namikaze accepted the scroll, channeled some chakra into it with one hand, then spread it across the table and began reading immediately.
Shikaku didn't leave either. Standing beside the desk, his eyes remained fixed on the document too.
As Hokage's assistant, he was currently the most trusted and valued person alongside Minato—thus he definitely deserved to know such matters.
"Onoki says they've confirmed Roshi indeed appeared there and took part in the battle. They hope we can cooperate to track Roshi's whereabouts and determine where the enemy went," Minato explained while reading, his pale blue eyes showing little emotional fluctuation—as if he'd anticipated this outcome.
"There seems to be some connection between Elder Danzo's actions and Roshi's disappearance. Therefore, sharing intelligence would be quite important."
Crossing one arm over his chest and resting the other atop it, Shikaku rubbed thoughtfully at the tuft of beard under his chin.
"I agree. Also, I plan to dispatch Anbu squads outside to collect related intel. We need to take initiative in handling these affairs."
Minato nodded approvingly, picking up a pen from the desk and spinning it lightly between his fingers.
"I have an idea..." Seemingly having deliberated this extensively, Shikaku fixed his gaze on Minato, his expression slightly tense—what he was about to say clearly troubling him.
Hearing this, Minato stopped twirling the pen and looked up, surprise evident on his face.
"Don't you think there's something odd about Roshi's case?"
After eliciting Minato's attention through his pause, Shikaku spoke first, attempting to draw Minato's interest.
"What do you mean by 'strange'?" Furrowing his brows slightly, Minato seemed confused.
"I think this group targeting Roshi might really be after the Tailed Beasts."
"Roshi is currently the only Jinchuriki outside the villages, and the easiest target."
Minato's eyes narrowed as he listened to Shikaku's theory. It felt like someone had finally shown him the right direction.
"There's definitely a chance. So what should we do next?"
Minato leaned back in his chair, pushing off the floor with his feet to shift the chair slightly backward. This distance and posture made it easier and more comfortable for Minato to listen to Shikaku speak.
"Besides Roshi, I believe the next most vulnerable targets would be Sunagakure and Takigakure, since those two villages currently possess the weakest Tailed Beasts."
"Of course, Sunagakure belongs to the Five Great Villages, so it's unlikely they'd dare confront such a powerful village directly. These enemies probably aren't strong enough for that yet!"
"So if these people targeting Roshi truly are after the Tailed Beasts, then Takigakure would likely be their next target?"
Minato tapped the table lightly with his pen, staring into Shikaku's eyes.
That sharp, clear gaze carried the kind of conviction Minato always trusted.
"I'll immediately dispatch someone to Takigakure Village. Even if nothing happens, at least we can give them a warning!"
Minato pulled the table closer and grabbed a list from the side.
On the paper were several Anbu ninja currently resting in the village without assignments. Each of them was highly skilled—at least Chunin or higher.
"I also plan to send another team to Sunagakure—even though the enemy likely isn't strong enough to challenge a major village head-on, it's only right we warn them considering our alliance."
His gaze landed on two names listed on the sheet.
Kakashi Hatake and Shisui Uchiha! One was his own student, the other currently the most famous ninja within the Uchiha Clan.
Both were top-tier Anbu members who would soon be promoted to Anbu Captains—capable individuals who could stand independently on the battlefield.
This mission could also serve as a valuable training opportunity for them?
"That works—it shows our sincerity too!"
Shikaku nodded in agreement with Minato's idea.
"Then I'll send Kakashi to Takigakure and Shisui to Sunagakure, each leading an Anbu squad."
Minato pressed his hand over the list and made his decision.
"I hope my suspicion turns out to be unnecessary worry. After all, gathering the Tailed Beasts was something only the First Hokage dared to imagine—and do!"
Shikaku gave a bitter smile. His logic told him his theory held some merit, but emotionally, he couldn't bring himself to believe it.
"Hmm."
Minato nodded as well. They already confirmed the person responsible for killing Danzo and fighting Roshi had been confirmed to be either the same individual or from the same faction.
As for the enemy's identity, Minato himself had many suspicions.
"Take my official order and go to the Anbu Training Grounds!"
"Understood!"
Shikaku took a scroll stamped with the Hokage's seal from Minato and immediately left.
Minato, on the other hand, rested his chin on his hands, watching Shikaku's retreating figure, motionless for a long while.
"If the enemy truly sought the Tailed Beasts, why did Elder Danzo get involved—and end up dead?"
"Revenge?" Minato muttered with a frown, rubbing his temples as a particular name surfaced in his thoughts.
"My hands were tied… There were just too many enemies. Saitama Uchiha was already surrounded—I couldn't help him."
"This was his blade. I will wait here for my subordinates to return!"
This was a conversation between Danzo and Minato Namikaze from several years ago during the Iwa frontline battle.
The details were vague and hard to believe, yet Saitama had truly died there.
"Why... Was it really you?"
Minato turned the chair again, gazing out the window at the village below.
Recent events had given him quite a headache—so much remained hidden beneath a veil of mystery, leaving him struggling to make sense of it all.
...
Whoosh! Kakashi's White Fang Tanto flashed, blue lightning carving through the air, twisting into snarling, serpentine arcs of electricity.
Zzzt! Zzzt! Zzzt!
Several wooden posts before him split into pieces, each cut smooth and clean with flawless precision.
He had joined Anbu many years ago, and the experience helped shape him into a more mature and composed man.
Inheriting the Hatake sword techniques, his strength far exceeded what he'd once been!
Kakashi stared at the blade with clear eyes, his emotions rising deep inside.
"Father, I will definitely carry on the honor of the Hatake name. It won't be tarnished by my hands!"
Slowly running one hand along the blade's edge, light reflected off it, revealing the masked silver-haired reflection of himself.
Electric shock crackled softly against his arm as Kakashi thought of someone, his eyes drooping slightly.
To reach this point, he owed not only gratitude to Teacher Minato, but also another person.
That person was Saitama Uchiha, who had helped him develop his Lightning Release techniques. Although they hadn't spent much time together, Kakashi truly considered Saitama his friend.
"I wonder how you're doing down there. Such unexpected twists... I never imagined our last meeting would become our final farewell."
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