Treating You to Barbecue

"Rasengan, a spinning ball of chakra? That's a fitting name," Sarutobi thought, recalling the blue chakra. He felt he'd made the right choice naming it.

"Tianqi, if the village asked you to hand over this jutsu, would you?" Sarutobi considered the future implications of this technique for Tianqi.

After all, an A-rank ninjutsu, especially one that didn't require hand seals, would surely make the village envious. He wanted to know Tianqi's thoughts in advance.

If he was willing to hand it over, that would be best. If not, Sarutobi could also remind him not to reveal it carelessly, lest trouble arise, which would be unpleasant for everyone. He understood the principle that innocence can lead to trouble when possessing something valuable.

"If the village wants it, I'll give it to them. If I can create this one jutsu, I can create the next. I, Uchiha Tianqi, have that confidence," Tianqi replied to Sarutobi with a nonchalant air. With the system, what do I have to fear? Hmph! I'm weak now, so I'll endure. Once I'm strong enough, let's see how I'll handle them if they dare ask for my jutsu.

Hearing Tianqi's words, Sarutobi felt relieved. If Tianqi had refused, it would have put him in a difficult position. While he leaned towards the village's interests, he couldn't bring himself to alienate a teammate just for one jutsu.

"Your mastery of ninjutsu is truly impressive, Tianqi. The ninjutsu you have now is more than enough. Facing a Chunin, this single technique can secure your victory. However, even the strongest ninjutsu is meaningless if it doesn't hit its target."

Tianqi nodded in agreement with Sarutobi. He acknowledged that his ninjutsu was indeed powerful now. Although his physique had been enhanced by the Water of Life, relying solely on elixirs wasn't sufficient; he needed to fully utilize their effects.

"For the next period, we'll focus our training on taijutsu. Let's quickly elevate your strength to the level of an elite Chunin," Sarutobi urged with a sense of urgency.

Tianqi understood Sarutobi's urgency. Calculating the time, he realized the First Shinobi World War was only a few years away. Sarutobi's desire for him to improve his strength was for his own good.

"Alright, Tianqi, enough idle chat. Your mission today is to run 20 laps around the village. Get going, young man. A bright future awaits you!" Sarutobi declared with a somewhat chuunibyou expression.

Tianqi shot a look at the chuunibyou-acting Sarutobi, then without further thought, he sprinted off. Twenty laps were incredibly easy for him at this point. Little did he know, in the following days, he would completely lose this sentiment.

Five days later, Tianqi was jogging outside the village, drenched in sweat. His speed was decreasing, and each step felt like carrying hundreds of pounds.

Returning to a few days prior, on the first day, Sarutobi had him run 20 laps. The second day, it became 40 laps. On the third day, it increased to 70 laps. Sarutobi had also found some weights, adding 20 pounds to each of Tianqi's limbs.

Sarutobi even demanded that he wear them at all times, whether eating or sleeping.

Today, the fifth day, the number of laps jumped to 100, and the weights increased to 50 pounds each, totaling a staggering 200 pounds, exceeding Tianqi's entire body weight.

As Tianqi's pace slowed, Sarutobi shouted from the side, "Tianqi, pick up the pace! What are you doing? You're getting slower! If you want to earn respect, this level of strength is completely insufficient. Do you think you'd have a chance of survival on the battlefield looking like this? If you don't want to die on the battlefield, run!"

Tianqi gritted his teeth, listening to Sarutobi's words, and his speed increased slightly. Damn you, Sarutobi! Easy for you to say when you're standing there. Running 100 laps with 200 pounds of weight? Is this the training regimen for a ten-year-old?

Tianqi cursed Sarutobi in his mind as he ran. Finally, the time reached nine in the evening. "98 laps, 99 laps, 100 laps."

"Hoo, hoo, hoo... Finally, these damn 100 laps are done," Tianqi collapsed on the ground, gasping for air.

Sarutobi looked at the fallen Tianqi and said, "Hmm, you finally finished. Honestly, I wondered if you could complete it, but seeing you finish now, I'm truly proud. With that kind of perseverance, I'm treating you to yakiniku tonight!"

Hearing that he couldn't go back to sleep and had to go eat yakiniku, Tianqi looked at Sarutobi speechlessly.

"Sarutobi-niichan, I'm already like this, how can I possibly have the energy to eat yakiniku? It's a struggle just to walk home, and you want me to eat meat? Let's just forget it."

"Oh, come on, you're young! You should have some youthful vigor. Why are you acting like an old man? If you still have the strength to walk home, you might as well use that energy to walk to the yakiniku restaurant. It'll help replenish your stamina," Sarutobi said, patting Tianqi's shoulder.

In reality, Tianqi was at his limit. However, since the third day, the system had issued missions requiring him to complete the number of laps Sarutobi assigned daily, with the penalty for failure being annihilation. This was why Tianqi secretly resented Sarutobi.

Failure meant death, and Sarutobi increased the daily requirement. Who wouldn't hate that? On the third day, he earned 1000 points. On the fourth day, 2000 points. Today, the fifth day, he earned 3000 points. In three days, Tianqi had accumulated 6000 points.

Hearing Sarutobi's words, Tianqi opened his mouth. "You're right. It's a good time to eat some meat and replenish my energy. Since you're the one who did this to me, I'll eat you poor!"

Sarutobi didn't pay much attention to Tianqi's words. How much could one person eat? At most, it would cost the equivalent of a B-rank mission's reward. He didn't care about such a small sum.

"Sarutobi-niichan, if we're going for yakiniku, can I take off these weights?" Tianqi asked, reaching to remove the weights. Sarutobi, however, stopped him.

"No, no, don't rush, Tianqi. You should keep wearing them. It's beneficial for you. Once your body gets used to the weight, your explosive power will increase in the future."

"You've done very well with the weighted running. There's no point in continuing. Tomorrow, we'll start practical combat training with the weights on."

Hearing Sarutobi's words, Tianqi breathed a sigh of relief. He was finally done running. But wait, this meant there was no more source of points. While he didn't have to worry about annihilation, where would he get the points to exchange for the Mangekyo Sharingan?

Tianqi pondered for a moment, then gave up. Whatever, it's fate. There will be opportunities later. My current mission is to eat yakiniku and teach Sarutobi a lesson.

Soon, the two arrived at the yakiniku restaurant. As soon as they sat down, Tianqi ordered 50 plates of thinly sliced meat. Sarutobi looked at him with a mocking expression. He could eat this much by himself on a normal day. And Tianqi thought he could make him go broke?

Just then, Tianqi began to exert himself. Initially, they both grilled and ate. Eventually, Sarutobi was grilling, and Tianqi was eating. The 50 plates were quickly consumed by Tianqi.

"Boss, another 50 plates of yakiniku!" Soon, Tianqi finished those as well.

"Boss, another 50 plates!"

Looking at the pile of plates on the table, the surrounding customers gathered around.

"This young man can really eat!"

"What kind of stomach does he have? Isn't he afraid of bursting?"

Seeing himself being watched by so many people, Sarutobi lost face. He whispered to Tianqi, "Hey, Tianqi, that's enough. Do you really want to eat until you're full? So many people are watching, aren't you embarrassed?"

"What's there to be embarrassed about? It's just eating. Besides, you're treating today, aren't you going to let me eat my fill?" Tianqi replied nonchalantly.

Two hours later, outside the yakiniku restaurant, Sarutobi shouted at the fleeing Tianqi.

"Tianqi, you scoundrel! You ate over 500 plates of yakiniku! Don't let me see you again. If I see you, I'll beat you up!"

The fleeing Tianqi called back, "Sarutobi-niichan, you're treating, shouldn't I eat the yakiniku you ordered? Why are you so stingy?"

"A little? You emptied my wallet, you bastard!" Sarutobi threw his wallet away.

Watching Tianqi disappear, Sarutobi's angry expression faded, and he said calmly, "This brat can really eat. He's probably getting revenge for me tormenting him these past two days. Looks like I'll have some fun in the future."

On his way home, Tianqi walked with a bulging belly, feeling incredibly happy. Damn Sarutobi, let's see if you dare torment me again. This was just a small taste. Next time you invite me to eat meat, I'll make sure your wallet goes up in smoke.