Chapter 38
This time, the reinforcements weren't just from the Uchiha clan—other prominent Konoha clans had joined as well.
After a momentary pause, the Uchiha forces took up position in an open area near the village gate, while Uchiha Rin stepped forward. Among those gathered was someone Saitama recognized, though they'd only met once before.
"Lord Orochimaru, the Uchiha reinforcements have assembled," Uchiha Rin reported formally as he approached Orochimaru.
Orochimaru was the overall commander of this reinforcement unit; Rin, meanwhile, led only the Uchiha forces.
Glancing toward the Uchiha encampment, Orochimaru licked his lips and spoke in his distinct, hoarse tone.
"Very well. We'll move out once the Hyūga arrive."
"Yes." Despite being a clan leader, Uchiha Rin still showed deference to Orochimaru—after all, the Uchiha respected strength above all else, and the Sannin were unparalleled in that regard.
Saitama studied Orochimaru with intense curiosity. That gaze might've been too aggressive, but he couldn't help it. At this point in time, Orochimaru was still in his prime—and terrifying.
The troops departed that afternoon. Nearly a thousand ninja made up the force, with around 500 hailing from Konoha's various clans and families. The Uchiha, surprisingly, sent one of the smallest contingents—just over twenty members. The Hyūga alone contributed a fifty-man unit.
But Saitama wasn't concerned about the numbers. The Uchiha didn't show their worth through quantity—they demonstrated it on the battlefield.
After three days of hard travel, the Konoha reinforcements reached the frontlines.