Bonus chapter
--
"Yeah, I'm heading to the Land of Hot Springs for a mission. Do you need to see my exit permit? I have it with me," Isamu said as he prepared to take out the document.
"No need, no need at all," the older ninja said quickly, waving his hands to stop him. "I know who you are. There's no need to check your permit."
"If you're not checking, then we'll be on our way," Isamu replied, no longer bothering to take it out.
"Please, go right ahead," the older ninja said respectfully, clearly hoping Isamu would leave as soon as possible.
"Let's go. We should keep moving," Isamu said, leading the group forward.
After they left, the younger ninja looked confused.
"Brother, why were you so scared of him? Even if he really is a Konoha ninja, it wouldn't hurt to check."
The older ninja glanced at him with clear disdain.
"Are youngsters these days really this ignorant? Haven't you heard the rumor from the Cloud Village about 'Konoha's Shura'?"
"Konoha Shura?!" The younger ninja's eyes widened in shock. "You mean that Uchiha Isamu who slaughtered a hundred Cloud ninja on the battlefield? That Shura?!"
"Of course," the older ninja replied.
"To the enemy, he's a Shura-like god of death. But to us, he's a hero who protects the village. Why would I try to check him? Am I looking for trouble?"
His face showed open admiration.
"If only I could become a ninja like him…"
After the last great battle, the Cloud Village began calling Isamu the "Shura." Even the newly appointed Third Raikage, Ei, had acknowledged the title.
Coincidentally, Ei became Kage around the same time Hiruzen Sarutobi became Hokage.
---
Four days later.
"We've already left the Land of Fire," Isamu said, pointing ahead. "Let's stop somewhere to rest. We've been traveling nonstop for days, so everyone must be tired. There's a hot spring inn up ahead—we can eat there and restock supplies."
"Hot springs?!"
The moment he heard those words, Jiraiya—who had been exhausted from traveling—instantly perked up and dashed forward.
"Idiot," Tsunade and Orochimaru muttered as they hurried after him.
They were exhausted as well. Earlier, Isamu had been chatting with them during the trip, but after he stopped talking, the last few days had been painfully boring.
Meanwhile, Isamu stayed behind with Tōwa, walking at a slower pace.
"Tōwa, now that we've left the Land of Fire, we're not far from the Land of Hot Springs, right?"
"That's right," Tōwa said happily.
"We've been traveling quickly these past few days, so we've made good time. At this rate, we'll reach the Land of Hot Springs in about another day."
"Be careful," Isamu said calmly. "Those ninjas haven't appeared for a while. Stay alert from now on."
"If I need to stay alert… what about you?"
"Me?" Isamu chuckled. "Those ninjas would have to be blind to come looking for me."
"Even if they do show up, I'm not worried. At worst, I'll just kill a few more people."
"But you're different."
Tōwa immediately panicked.
"T-That won't work! I'm no match for ninjas!"
"Hahaha, relax," Isamu laughed.
"With me here, nothing will happen to you. I was just joking. You're too serious."
He then walked toward the inn.
Tōwa wiped the sweat from his forehead and forced a smile.
Joking? Joking with my life isn't funny at all…
---
Before long, the group arrived at the hot spring inn.
"Huh… 'Youjia Hot Spring Inn,'" Jiraiya read aloud.
"Hmm. It really is called 'Youjia Hot Spring Inn,'" Orochimaru said.
"So what?" Tsunade shrugged while looking at the sign.
"Didn't Big Brother Isamu already say that? Still… the owner must have terrible taste to pick such a strange name."
"I think it's fine," Isamu said as he walked inside.
"'Youjia Hot Spring Inn' has character. I like it."
He had only been here once before—after getting lost while returning to Konoha from a mission. The ninja world was huge, so getting lost occasionally wasn't unusual.
"Welcome!" the innkeeper greeted them with a smile.
"Boss, give us four rooms," Isamu said, placing a stack of money on the counter.
"And bring us some good food. We're starving."
"Of course, guest," the boss replied immediately, his smile widening at the sight of the thick stack of money.
"Would you like to eat here in the lobby or in your rooms?"
"We'll eat here," Isamu said. He didn't like eating in his room.
"Very well. Please take a seat. The food will be ready shortly."
The group sat down in the lobby and began drinking tea while waiting.
After a moment, Jiraiya suddenly looked confused.
"Big Brother Isamu, there are five of us. Why did you only book four rooms?"
"We each get our own room," Isamu replied calmly.
"Except you and Orochimaru. You two will share one."
"I don't mind," Orochimaru said coldly. Such trivial matters didn't bother him.
But Jiraiya immediately exploded.
"What?! I don't agree!"
"Why do all of you get your own rooms while I have to share with Orochimaru? That's unfair!"
Crack.
The teacup in Isamu's hand shattered.
"If you don't like it," he said coldly, glaring at Jiraiya, "you can sleep outside."
"Okay, okay! Fine!" Jiraiya instantly backed down.
---
After dinner, the group headed to their rooms.
All four rooms were next to each other.
"Tōwa, you take the first room," Isamu said.
"I'll take the second. Tsunade, you take the third."
"Jiraiya and Orochimaru, you two take the fourth."
After handing out the keys, Isamu suddenly grabbed Tōwa and dragged him away.
"Let's go."
Soon, they arrived at the hot springs.
"Ah… this feels amazing," Isamu sighed happily as he relaxed in the water.
"Soaking in a hot spring really washes away all the fatigue from traveling."
"I didn't even want to come," Tōwa complained.
"Why did you drag me here? I'd rather lie down and rest."
"I didn't want to bring you either," Isamu replied lazily.
"But if you stayed in your room, you might end up dead."
Tōwa froze.
"W-Wait… are you saying there are enemies here?"
"I don't know," Isamu said calmly.
"But it never hurts to be cautious."
Hearing that, Tōwa stopped complaining and slowly relaxed into the water as well.
About ten minutes later, a white-haired boy quietly walked into the hot spring.
He carefully entered the water and slowly crept toward the edge of the bath near the wooden partition separating the men's and women's sides.
Then he stuck his butt in the air and pressed his face against a small gap in the wood to peek inside.
Isamu opened one eye.
He immediately spotted Jiraiya, naked and shamelessly peeking.
Like master, like student, Isamu thought.
He's exactly like Sarutobi.
A mischievous smile appeared on his face.
Isamu quietly submerged and swam toward Jiraiya.
When he got close enough—
Smack!
He slapped Jiraiya's bare butt.
"AH! That hurts!"
Jiraiya immediately spun around.
"Who did that?! Who dared to hit Lord Jiraiya?!"
He looked around the hot spring.
At the moment, there weren't many people there. Aside from Tōwa, there were only three elderly men.
Jiraiya stared at them suspiciously for a long time but couldn't figure out who had hit him.
Underwater, Isamu was grinning.
What an idiot. I'm right in front of him and he still can't tell.
"That's strange…" Jiraiya muttered.
"Did I imagine it?"
Because of the thick steam rising from the hot spring, it was impossible to see clearly underwater.
After seeing that no one was paying attention to him, Jiraiya shrugged and turned back to the wooden partition.
Then he continued peeking into the women's bath.