Regardless of what Hiruzen and Danzo were plotting, Saiki had enough "capital" now that he didn't fear them.
At worst, he'd just have to slaughter his way out of Konoha.
Saiki turned back to Jiraiya. "When do we leave? I'm ready to get out of this dump. The food is terrible, there's nothing to drink, and the mosquitoes at night are driving me insane."
Hearing Saiki's complaints, Jiraiya really wanted to snap back: "It's late autumn! There are no mosquitoes! And I know for a fact you've been eating gourmet steaks every night!"
But he kept it to himself. Saiki provided his own food and supplies; a soldier who didn't drain the army's logistics was practically a saint.
"Are you cursing me in your head?" Saiki, hyper-sensitive to emotional shifts, glared at Jiraiya.
Jiraiya was startled. How is his perception this sharp?! He quickly waved his hands in denial. "No! Why would I curse you?"
But Saiki's cold, suspicious gaze remained fixed on him, making the legendary Sannin feel a prickle of cold sweat.
Jiraiya quickly de-escalated. "Alright, you've all worked hard. You can have tomorrow to rest and pack. We'll head back the day after."
Ultimately, they weren't going to start a brawl over such trivialities.
Tsunade and Jiraiya still had strategic matters to discuss, and Tsume had reports to finalize. Saiki took his leave first.
He hadn't walked far when he heard Tsunade's familiar, earth-shaking roar echoing from the command tent.
That was just her personality; Saiki didn't pay it any mind and kept walking.
Returning to his "private kitchen," Saiki broke the news of their return to Konoha to Kurenai and Genhai.
Both of them looked visibly relieved. The daily patrol grind was exhausting and lethal.
Saiki was a bit annoyed by Genhai, though. The kid was a true Leaf patriot; despite just getting leave, he was already asking when they could return to the fight. He seemed determined to die for the village.
Saiki wouldn't mind taking care of Genhai's beautiful mother if the boy died, but Genhai was one of his few real friends; he didn't actually want to lose him.
Shizune looked worried. She'd finally reunited with Saiki, but if Tsunade was ordered to stay at the front, she'd be separated from him again.
The most devastated was Rin Nohara. As part of Minato's squad, their mission was to find Tsunade.
Now that the mission was complete, they were slated to deploy to the Stone front immediately. She had no idea when she'd see Saiki again.
Saiki also had a headache regarding Rin. He didn't know if Madara Uchiha was already tracking Obito.
He desperately wanted to save her when the time came.
It wasn't just because she had a crush on him; she was a kind, gentle, and beautiful girl, and he considered her a true friend.
Since arriving at the front, Saiki had been searching for any sign of Black or White Zetsu, but he'd found nothing.
He was starting to wonder if Madara hadn't locked onto Obito yet.
Because he couldn't find Madara, Saiki had even briefly considered just assassinating Obito in secret to prevent the future tragedy.
Somewhere else in the camp, Obito—who was training alone, vowing to surpass Saiki—felt a sudden, bone-chilling shiver and fell out of a tree.
What Saiki didn't know was that while Madara and Zetsu were indeed watching Obito, they were also watching him.
Saiki's performance at his age made the young Madara Uchiha look like an amateur.
Saiki's talent defied every law of shinobi growth; Madara had no choice but to pay attention.
If Saiki knew Madara was plotting against him, he'd hunt the old man down and dig him out of his hole.
He wouldn't allow his people to be used as pawns in some convoluted plan to drag the world into darkness.
That night, once Genhai was sound asleep on the adjacent cot, Saiki sat up.
He left a Shadow Clone under the covers and slipped out of the camp, a literal ghost in the darkness.
Within a dense patch of forest outside the perimeter—a training ground where the patrol density was lower.
"Sensei!" With a Body Flicker, Saiki materialized in the center of a clearing.
Under the moonlight, the silhouette standing in the clearing turned to face him. "Saiki. You're here."
It was Tsume Inuzuka.
During dinner, she had whispered for him to meet her here tonight. Saiki assumed she had finally "seen the light" regarding their relationship, and he was excited.
He blurred forward and pulled her into a tight hug. "Sensei, did you call me out here because you missed me?"
Caught in his sudden, fierce embrace and seeing the hunger in his eyes, Tsume was flustered.
But hearing his words, she realized he had completely misinterpreted her invitation.
"What are you talking about?! Saiki, let go! Someone might see us!" Tsume scolded him, giving the top of his head a sharp smack.
Saiki didn't let go. Instead, he tightened his grip, his hand "accidentally" landing on the curve of her plump peach.
"Wait, if you didn't miss me, why are you calling me out here in the middle of the night?"
Between his suggestive words and his wandering hand, Tsume felt like she was going to faint from embarrassment.
"Does this little brat think I'm some kind of ravenous, desperate woman?!" she fumed internally.
She was annoyed, but this wasn't the time for a lecture.
Surprisingly, she reached up and grabbed Saiki's ear. He was so brilliant and powerful that she usually didn't dare to physically discipline him, but tonight was an exception.
"Stop fooling around. Let me go. Do you hear me?" Tsume warned.
Seeing her serious expression, Saiki realized he'd overplayed his hand.
"Oh," he grunted, reluctantly releasing her.
Whether it was from the panic of the hug or her own nerves, Tsume didn't linger.
"Follow me," she whispered, turning and running deeper into the woods.
Saiki was intimately familiar with her voice, her scent, and even the contours of her body.
Confirming it was definitely her and not some Root trap, he followed.
They reached a highly secluded spot hidden behind thick briars and a massive, ancient tree.
Tsume set up two quick barriers: one to scramble sensory perception and another for soundproofing.
Her hyper-vigilance made Saiki curious. Why the secrecy? This makes us look even more guilty.
There was a large, flat rock beside the tree. Saiki didn't know how she'd found it.
"Sit down," she said. "I have things to ask you."
She sat first, and Saiki sat close beside her.
The moment they were settled, Tsume turned and fixed him with a hard stare. "Are you in serious trouble?"
Saiki wasn't sure which "trouble" she was referring to, so he defaulted to his standard answer. "No, not really."
Tsume pressed him. "Then tell me the truth. Did you cause the battle a few nights ago?"
Regarding the massacre of the Root squad, Saiki decided to be honest. "Oh, that? Yeah, I did it. Why?"