"Alright, stop messing around. We still have things to do," Isamu said, interrupting the two who were bickering.
Hearing there was still work to do, they immediately stopped arguing and looked at him.
"It's almost five o'clock," Isamu said. "Let's start with thirty laps around Konoha today. With your stamina, you should be able to finish it. If you complete it by nine o'clock, I'll treat you to barbecue tonight."
He was directly using the same method Sarutobi had once used to torture him.
"Ah! Big Brother Isamu, we've already been exhausted all day! Running thirty laps around Konoha on top of that will kill us. Can't we just skip it?" Jiraiya begged, trying to get out of it.
"Yeah, Big Brother Isamu, thirty laps is a bit too much," Tsunade also protested.
Only Orochimaru immediately started running the moment he heard the words "thirty laps."
"If any of you don't want to run, I won't force you," Isamu said casually. "Just come over here and let me beat you for an hour. My hands have been itching lately anyway."
He cracked his knuckles as he spoke.
The moment they saw him raise his fist, Jiraiya and Tsunade immediately dashed off, chasing after Orochimaru.
"Brats, you actually tried to negotiate with me? Let's see if I don't beat you later," Isamu laughed as he watched them run.
Afterward, he headed straight to the main gate of Konoha and began chatting idly with the guards.
While they were talking, Isamu noticed someone approaching the gate, looking like they had just returned from a mission.
As the figure drew closer, Isamu recognized him—it was Danzo.
He immediately turned to leave, but Danzo suddenly began lecturing the guards.
"It's broad daylight, yet you're not properly guarding your post and instead wasting time chatting. Don't just talk to anyone you see. If Konoha's secrets are leaked, will you be able to take responsibility?"
Although Danzo was speaking to the guards, his gaze was fixed directly on Isamu.
"Stop talking nonsense," Isamu replied coldly. "I'm also from Konoha, not some outsider. Danzo, if you're looking for a beating, I don't mind giving you one right now."
"I don't believe you would dare to commit violence openly in Konoha," Danzo sneered. "Go ahead—try touching me. I'd like to see just how arrogant you, Uchiha Isamu, really are. You evil Uchiha."
"Heh."
Isamu gave a contemptuous chuckle and slapped Danzo across the face.
Smack!
Danzo was sent flying by the slap.
The two guards stared at Isamu in shock. In their hearts, they silently gave him a thumbs-up—they had long been unable to stand Danzo's arrogant attitude.
"Uchiha Isamu! This isn't over! I will report this to Sarutobi and have him punish you!" Danzo shouted angrily, clutching his swollen face.
"What are you barking about?" Isamu said dismissively. "I hit you, so what? If you're unhappy, go report it to the Hokage. I'm not stopping you, am I?"
Then he turned to the guards.
The two guards didn't dare respond. This kind of conflict between high-ranking figures in Konoha was something they absolutely did not want to get involved in.
"Fine! Uchiha Isamu, just you wait!" Danzo said angrily before leaving while covering his face.
After Danzo left, the two guards quickly crowded around Isamu.
"Isamu, you're amazing! You actually dared to hit Danzo."
"That's nothing," Isamu said dismissively. "From now on, every time I see that dog, I'll look down on him. If he's unhappy about it, I'll just beat him again."
"You're bold, but Danzo is notoriously petty. You'd better be careful," the guards warned him kindly.
"Don't worry. Even if there were ten Danzo's, I wouldn't be afraid."
Just as Isamu finished speaking, a ninja messenger appeared.
"Isamu, Hokage-sama wants to see you. Head to the Hokage Building immediately," the messenger said before leaving.
"There you go," one of the guards said. "I told you Danzo was petty. You're in trouble now."
He patted Isamu's shoulder and returned to his post.
Isamu walked toward the Hokage Building while muttering to himself.
"That damn Danzo is such a coward. I only slapped him once—did he really have to run to the Hokage to complain?"
Soon, Isamu arrived at the Hokage Building and saw Danzo walking out with an angry expression. It was obvious he hadn't gotten the result he wanted.
Isamu raised his hand and gave Danzo the middle finger, staying true to his promise to despise him whenever he saw him.
Seeing the "international gesture of friendship," Danzo merely snorted and left.
"Coward," Isamu muttered with even more disdain.
After that, he walked straight into Sarutobi's office. Inside, several broken chairs and smashed teacups could be seen scattered around the room.
"Hi, Big Brother Sarutobi. What did you want to see me for?" Isamu said with a cheeky grin.
"You still have the nerve to ask?" Hiruzen Sarutobi rolled his eyes. "You know exactly what you did. Do I really need to spell it out?"
"I didn't expect Danzo to be such a coward," Isamu replied. "I only slapped him once, and he actually came here to report it."
Looking at Isamu's shameless expression, Sarutobi sighed.
"I've suppressed this matter for you this time. In the future, when you run into Danzo, try to settle things with words rather than violence if possible."
"Before long, he'll become one of Konoha's Elders. You should at least give him some face."
Hearing that Danzo would soon become an Elder, Isamu shrugged.
"Big Brother Sarutobi, I understand what you're saying. But don't invite me to any Elder Council meetings in the future. I'm afraid if I see Danzo there, I won't be able to stop myself from slapping him again."
Sarutobi nodded helplessly. He truly didn't know how to deal with the relationship between Isamu and Danzo.
"By the way, how are those kids doing?" Sarutobi asked, thinking about his disciples.
"They're doing well. I have them training near the gate right now," Isamu replied casually.
"And Jiraiya? What do you think of him?" Sarutobi asked. Thinking of Jiraiya's usual behavior, he couldn't help shaking his head.
"He's someone who looks foolish but actually possesses great wisdom," Isamu replied.
"I'm quite optimistic about him. His future achievements definitely won't fall behind Orochimaru or Tsunade. He just needs proper guidance. As long as you teach him carefully, he'll grow into someone remarkable."
Jiraiya's future was destined to be legendary, so Isamu had no hesitation praising him.
Hearing this, Sarutobi finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried he might have misjudged his student.
"Coincidentally, I'll have some free time in a couple of days," Sarutobi said. "I'll go train them myself for a few days. You should take a break as well."
"Let's gather the kids together for dinner tonight."
A smile appeared on Sarutobi's face as he thought about his disciples. He hadn't seen them for a few days and genuinely missed them.
"Perfect," Isamu said. "I already promised them barbecue tonight. Let's meet at that barbecue restaurant around nine."
With that, he turned and walked out.
Sarutobi smiled when he heard that Isamu had promised the kids barbecue. It seemed he actually treated them quite well.
But then Sarutobi suddenly realized something.
Wait… the one who promised dinner wasn't even paying.
After thinking about it for a moment, he sighed.
Forget it. He was planning to treat them anyway.
Meanwhile, Isamu arrived on the outskirts of the village and saw the three of them running laps, drenched in sweat, cursing him under their breath as they ran.
A smile appeared on Isamu's lips.
"This is exactly how it used to be when Sarutobi tortured me. Back then, I was the one running laps while cursing his whole family."
"And now it's reversed."
"I'm the one getting cursed instead."
Isamu burst out laughing.
"Hahaha… interesting. Very interesting."