Isamu ignored him and instead looked over at Orochimaru's team. Before long, he spotted a familiar face among them.
That brat—Nawaki—had really come.
The moment Nawaki noticed Isamu's gaze, he lowered his head.
Seeing that Isamu had gone silent but was staring in one direction, Jiraiya and the others followed his line of sight. Soon, they realized he was looking at Tsunade's younger brother.
"Big Brother Isamu…" Orochimaru began, but Isamu cut him off.
"You don't need to say anything."
He walked straight up to Nawaki and looked down at the boy, who kept his head lowered.
"You're coming back with me. Withdraw from this mission," Isamu said coldly.
"I'm not going back. I'm going," Nawaki replied, raising his head and glaring stubbornly at him.
"Do you even understand how dangerous this mission is?" Isamu's expression hardened. "Even a Jonin could die if they're careless—let alone a rookie like you. If something happens to you, how heartbroken do you think your sister will be?"
"You're her only younger brother. Have you ever thought about her feelings?"
"Hmph, say whatever you want—I'm still going," Nawaki shot back. "This time, I'll prove I'm not some sheltered weakling. I'm strong enough to take care of myself."
"You? Strong?" Isamu let out a cold laugh. "You're just pretending. I've killed hundreds of brats like you. On the battlefield, you'd be nothing more than cannon fodder."
"So what? This isn't the battlefield," Nawaki retorted. "Besides, with Master Orochimaru here, what is there to worry about? I trust him more than I trust you."
That sentence made Isamu's expression darken instantly.
"You naive little idiot. Still talking back?" His voice dropped dangerously. "Believe it or not, I'll break your legs right here."
A surge of powerful chakra erupted from him, shocking everyone present.
"Big Brother Isamu, calm down! Calm down!" Jiraiya hurriedly stepped in. "If Nawaki wants to go, just let him. It's only border defense. With Orochimaru and me here, nothing will happen to him."
But Isamu ignored him completely. His gaze remained locked on Nawaki.
"I'll give you one last chance. Go back obediently… or I break your legs and throw you back myself. Choose."
Seeing that Isamu wasn't joking, Nawaki hesitated briefly—before hardening his resolve.
"If you've got the guts, then do it. Even if you break them today, I'm still going," Nawaki said firmly.
"Damn brat!"
Isamu grabbed him by the collar, looking ready to act at any moment.
Orochimaru's eyes sharpened instantly. If Isamu moved, he would intervene without hesitation. He valued Nawaki too much to let this happen.
Jiraiya also tensed, ready to step in.
The rest of the team stood frozen, not daring to speak. One side was Uchiha, the other Senju—the tension was suffocating.
Everyone thought a fight was about to break out.
But in the next moment—
Isamu suddenly chuckled.
He released Nawaki's collar, walked past him, then stopped behind him without turning back.
"If you weren't Tsunade's little brother, I wouldn't care whether you lived or died," he said calmly. "From here on, you're on your own."
"Orochimaru, keep an eye on him. Don't let him die too pathetically."
Without waiting for a response, Isamu waved his hand.
"The show's over. Uchiha, move out."
And just like that, he left.
Everyone was stunned.
A moment ago, it looked like he was about to break Nawaki's legs—so why did he suddenly walk away?
Nawaki himself was confused. That's it? He just… let me go?
Orochimaru, however, quickly understood.
So that's it… he was just scaring him.
Even he had been fooled—his palms were still slightly sweaty.
"Phew! That scared the hell out of me," Jiraiya sighed in relief. "If they'd actually fought, we'd probably be the ones getting beaten up."
"I thought you weren't afraid," Orochimaru glanced at him.
"What nonsense! You think you weren't?" Jiraiya scoffed. "Big Brother Isamu is practically half a teacher to me. Fighting him? That's just asking to get beaten. My legs were shaking!"
"Enough talking. Let's move before anything else happens," Orochimaru said, waving his team forward.
---
Meanwhile, the Uchiha group headed toward the northern border.
Uchiha Zhan walked up beside Isamu.
"I thought you were really going to break that brat's legs. I was ready to enjoy the show. Didn't expect you to stop—what a letdown."
"Did you really think I'd hit him?" Isamu rolled his eyes. "If I broke his legs, with Tsunade's temper, I wouldn't even be allowed back into my own house."
"Hahaha! Since when did you become henpecked? Afraid of women?" Zhan laughed loudly.
"That's not being henpecked. It's called respecting and cherishing your wife," Isamu replied calmly. "A single guy like you wouldn't understand."
"Damn it! So what if you have a wife?" Zhan scoffed. "Once this mission is over, I'll go back to Konoha and find one too. I'll get someone prettier and with a better figure than Tsunade, then parade her in front of your house every day just to piss you off."
"With your personality? You think any woman would like you?" Isamu shot back. "You're dreaming. Talk about 'better looks' when you actually find someone first."
"What do you mean? Why wouldn't they like me?" Zhan ran a hand through his hair dramatically. "I'm handsome and masculine. There must be countless beauties waiting for me."
"You can keep being delusional by yourself," Isamu said, picking up speed. "My wife doesn't let me hang around fools."
"Damn it! You're the fool—your whole family are fools!" Zhan shouted after him.
Then he pulled out a small mirror and examined his reflection carefully.
Still looking as good as ever.
"…Then why isn't anyone throwing themselves at me?"
After a moment, he nodded firmly.
"Must be their bad taste."
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