Just as Isamu arrived at the gate, he used medical ninjutsu to treat the swelling on his face.
"Good grief. Tsunade must have eaten gunpowder today—she was really scary," Isamu muttered, shaking his head as he recalled her angry expression.
"Ninja, can we depart now?" Tōwa asked directly when he saw Isamu approaching.
"Soon. The others should be here any moment," Isamu replied.
Just as he finished speaking, Jiraiya and the others arrived.
"Big Brother Isamu, why are you running so fast? At least wait for us!" Jiraiya said while panting heavily.
Seeing Jiraiya out of breath, Isamu wisely chose not to respond. Instead, he turned to introduce the client.
"This is our client, Tōwa. Our mission is to escort him safely back to the Land of Hot Springs."
Looking at the three people standing before him, Tōwa frowned.
"Ninja… they look so young. Can they really handle it?"
"We're young?" Jiraiya immediately protested. "For a simple escort mission like this, I, the great Jiraiya, could finish it alone! Are you looking down on us?"
"That's right. Please don't underestimate the strength of ninja," Tsunade and Orochimaru added.
"Don't judge them by appearances," Isamu said calmly. "Their strength is more than enough to protect you."
The mission was to protect the client. Nothing more.
"I hope so," Tōwa replied, finally letting the matter drop.
"Alright then," Isamu said. "Let's set off."
"Destination: the Land of Hot Springs."
With that, the group departed.
Normally, at the speed of ninja, they could reach their destination in at most seven days. But with Tōwa, an ordinary person, traveling with them, Isamu and the others had to slow down and move at a normal pace.
"I didn't expect that walking slowly while enjoying the scenery could feel so refreshing," Isamu said with a sigh.
Usually, he traveled at full speed and rushed back to the village as soon as a mission was completed. He had never really experienced a slow journey like this.
Jiraiya and the others were also curiously observing their surroundings. They had rarely traveled far before—most of their time had been spent around Konoha.
The outside world was full of novelty for them.
"Big Brother Isamu," Jiraiya asked, "you travel outside often. What is the outside world like?"
"What else could it be like?" Isamu replied casually. "Mountains, rivers… and ninja."
To be honest, he wasn't particularly curious about the outside world. Compared to constantly wandering outside, he preferred staying comfortably in Konoha.
"Big Brother Isamu, you're being too dismissive," Tsunade said, rolling her eyes. "Aren't there any fun or delicious places outside? You've traveled so much—you must know something."
"No matter how fun it is out there, it can't compare to Konoha," Isamu said seriously.
"Konoha is our home, after all."
Hearing him speak so earnestly, the three of them felt unexpectedly moved.
Yes.
Konoha was their home.
But just as they were feeling emotional, Isamu suddenly changed his tone.
"Still, things outside really can't compare to Konoha," he continued. "Konoha has plenty of good food and fun places. And the girls in Konoha are not only beautiful—they speak so sweetly too. How could the outside world compare?"
As he said this, a lecherous grin appeared on his face.
"Don't you agree, Jiraiya?"
"Exactly!"
Slap!
The two high-fived.
After all, Isamu was already an adult, and naturally he had begun to take an interest in women.
"Big Brother Isamu, can you stop acting like a pervert with Jiraiya?" Tsunade snapped, glaring at both of them. "Why can't you learn something from Orochimaru?"
Isamu looked at Orochimaru.
Instantly, goosebumps ran down his arms.
Be like Orochimaru?
He would rather pass.
If life had no women, what was the point?
"Tsunade, what I said is the truth," Isamu replied. "If you don't believe me, ask Tōwa."
"Konoha really is the best place I've ever seen," Tōwa said, stepping forward. "Everyone there looks happy. There's no war. The outside world really can't compare."
It's a pity my country isn't like Konoha.
He kept that thought to himself.
"See? I told you," Isamu said smugly. "Even Tōwa agrees. You should consider yourselves lucky to have been born in Konoha."
Ignoring him, Tsunade turned to Tōwa.
"Uncle Tōwa… is life outside really that bad?"
Tōwa thought for a moment before answering.
"It's worse than bad. It's terrible."
"In places protected by major ninja villages, life is still manageable. But in areas without that protection, war is constant. Rogue ninja roam everywhere."
"Ordinary people can barely meet their basic needs for food and clothing. Sometimes you step outside and never return… because a wandering ninja decides to kill you."
As he spoke, his expression darkened.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru fell silent.
"I didn't realize life outside Konoha was so difficult," Tsunade murmured.
"In Konoha, it's hard to even imagine something like that."
Jiraiya suddenly clenched his fists.
"Then I'll become a powerful ninja," he declared confidently. "I'll bring peace to the ninja world and spread it to every corner!"
"Count me in," Orochimaru said unexpectedly.
At this point in time, Orochimaru had not yet turned dark. His heart still held ideals.
"I believe that one day, people will truly understand each other," Jiraiya said earnestly.
Hearing this, Isamu paused for a moment before pouring a bucket of cold water on their dreams.
"Wherever there are people, there will be conflict," he said calmly.
"And where there is conflict, war will follow."
"Mutual understanding is impossible. All we can do is use our strength to suppress conflicts and stop wars."
"Big Brother Isamu," Jiraiya complained, "I finally said something inspiring, and you had to ruin the moment."
"I'm not ruining it. I'm just stating reality."
Just then, Isamu sensed something.
Two genin-level chakra signatures had appeared ahead.
An ambush.
Finally.
On the surface, however, he continued talking with Jiraiya as if nothing had happened.
"Jiraiya, you'll understand my words someday," Isamu said calmly.
"And you two as well—Tsunade, Orochimaru. Don't be too naive. Wherever there is light, there is also darkness. Some things cannot be seen with the naked eye."
Hearing this sudden remark—and noticing Isamu's subtle glance toward the bushes ahead—Tsunade and Orochimaru immediately understood.
Enemies.
Tsunade quietly moved closer to protect Tōwa.
Orochimaru prepared to strike at any moment.
Only Jiraiya continued arguing.
"Big Brother Isamu, I still think you're wrong," he said seriously. "One day, the ninja world will be peaceful, and people will understand each other."
At that moment—
Two ninja suddenly leapt out from the bushes and threw shuriken straight at Isamu.
Thud!
The shuriken struck him directly.
Isamu collapsed to the ground.
Jiraiya stared in shock.
Just moments ago, Isamu had been talking with him—and now he was dead.
He froze on the spot.
The two attackers immediately rushed toward Jiraiya.
But Jiraiya was still standing there in a daze.
"Jiraiya! Watch out!" Orochimaru shouted.
Seeing the attackers closing in, Orochimaru acted immediately.
"This idiot…"
His hands suddenly transformed into two snakes, which shot forward and bound the ambushing ninja tightly.