---
Chapter 4 – "When the Hungry God Steals"
Saiko stepped out of his cottage on the night of destruction, the sky cloaked in heavy gray clouds that flickered with faint, dying light—like the sky itself was mourning.
A cold ash-laden breeze hit his face, carrying the sharp scents of blood, iron, and charred wood.
Everything around him was silent, except for the crackling of burned wood beneath his feet and the soft whistling of wind weaving through debris.
Without hesitation, he headed straight for the heart of Konoha, activating Kamui through his Jōgan.
Reality tore open silently, like paper burning in reverse, and he vanished—only to reappear from nothingness in one of Konoha's ruined alleys.
---
[LEGENDS CHAT ROOM]
Madara: He really went out to steal!
Hashirama: Saiko! Don't steal from the innocent! And you, Madara, stop encouraging him!
Tobirama: That's right. It's unacceptable to rob helpless people, Saiko.
Saiko: Oh, please... don't you see? I'm currently the poorest person in Konoha... and also the strongest. That doesn't add up!
---
Saiko stepped out of the alley, his footsteps barely audible on the scorched ground as if the earth itself refused to acknowledge his presence.
He saw the broken village—shattered walls, half-burnt houses, blood smeared across cracked roads—and people running, screaming.
Children's cries, wounded groans, and desperate screams pierced the thick air.
But Saiko didn't flinch. He muttered to himself, almost whispering to the void:
"Pitiful... why didn't you train to become strong too?"
---
His voice was so cold it could chill bone marrow.
In that moment, his Song Eye began to slowly swirl, as if recalibrating the world's rhythm, then stilled.
He kept walking with an untraceable gait—like a shadow swimming through a field of falling stars.
As people passed by, trembling or crying, he skillfully swiped coin pouches and supplies from their cloaks with smooth precision.
Even his movements sounded like wind brushing through shattered pillars.
---
[LEGENDS CHAT ROOM]
Madara: Did you hear that tone just now?
Hashirama: Yeah… bone-chilling.
Tobirama: You think he has split personality disorder?
Minato: Honestly? Maybe. He's cheerful in chat, but in real life… he's emotionally dead.
Saiko: [sighs] I'm still here, you know...
---
Saiko exhaled slowly, the sound heavy like iron being dragged across stone.
He thought seriously—am I really losing my emotions?
Suddenly, the system interface lit up before him, casting a dim blue glow across his pale features:
> Of course, dear user. This is a result of the Ōtsutsuki genes within your body.
Don't worry. In time, your mind will fully synchronize with your current body.
The reason you can speak freely in the chat room is because the system uses your original mind there.
---
Saiko stared at the floating window, its reflections swirling in his eyes like a quiet vortex. He sighed again:
"Ah… great power always comes with stupid side effects."
---
He pulled out a bulging pouch of coins and cracked it open.
The sound of clinking metal whispered promises of satisfaction.
He glanced around at the fractured sky and smoke-laced air, and decided he'd taken enough for one trip.
He activated his Jōgan again and began opening a Kamui portal—
but before his body could fully reappear inside his cottage... he vanished again.
---
[LEGENDS CHAT ROOM]
Minato: Why did he vanish again?
Madara: Who knows? Maybe he forgot the mayonnaise.
Saiko: There's an uninvited presence here...
Hashirama: What?
---
Saiko reappeared in the pitch-black sky, suspended midair.
The wind around him was eerily calm, yet heavy enough to make trees below shiver.
His white hair flowed freely, his cloak rippling like a silent war banner.
His eyes… one pitch-black with a glowing white pupil, the other a Rinnegan split into white and black halves—glared downward with divine detachment.
Below, a mysterious figure darted through the trees—each step precise, silent, calculated.
Saiko whispered, his voice low and resonant:
"Uchiha Obito..."