As Zhang Miao anticipated, the moment his words left his mouth, Konohamaru's desperate and pained scream filled the air.
"Ugh...ah!"
Hearing the mix of despair and pain, Zhang Miao looked up to see Konohamaru lying on the ground like Naruto, a gourd-shaped bump swelling on his head. His companions anxiously called out beside him, "Konohamaru... Konohamaru, are you okay?"
Seeing this, Senju Workshop showed a disappointed expression.
"Isn't that child at least seven or eight years old? How can he be so weak? He can't even beat a girl. Is he really the Monkey's grandson?"
Zhang Miao knew that "Monkey" referred to Hiruzen Sarutobi, so hearing this, he could only sigh.
"Sigh... He is indeed the eldest grandson of the Third Hokage, named Sarutobi Konohamaru. His weakness isn't due to his bloodline but his environment!"
Zhang Miao shrugged and continued, "Konoha has been out of the Third Shinobi War for over ten years. These kids grew up in a peaceful environment, starting ninja school at six or seven. How strong do you expect them to be?"
"Peaceful times... I see!"
Upon hearing Zhang Miao's explanation, Senju Workshop nodded in realisation, a relieved smile spreading across his face.
"Maintaining peace in Konoha shows the Monkey did a good job protecting the village. It seems I made the right choice leaving it to him!"
Just as the Senju Workshop finished, Uchiha Fugaku couldn't hold back any longer.
"Second Hokage, after you left the village to the Third, your other disciple constantly targeted the Uchiha clan, leading to our extermination. Did you anticipate that?"
"Hmm? You're talking about Danzo?" Senju Workshop turned to Uchiha Fugaku, frowning. "But wasn't the Uchiha clan exterminated by the rogue ninja Uchiha Itachi?"
"That was because..."
As Uchiha Fugaku was about to explain, Zhang Miao raised a hand to interrupt him.
"The Uchiha's attempted coup and subsequent confrontation with Konoha were self-inflicted. Let's not discuss this matter any further!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Hearing Zhang Miao's words, Senju Workshop and Uchiha Fugaku bowed their heads in acknowledgement.
After ending the discussion about the Uchiha clan's extermination, Zhang Miao walked across the street to call Naruto home. But before taking two steps, Konohamaru stood up, angrily accusing Naruto.
"This broad-forehead ugly freak! How can she even be considered a woman?"
Konohamaru's voice was loud, full of anger and despair. Even Zhang Miao, who was quite far away, heard it. This was especially true for Sakura, who had yet to walk too far.
The saying is, "A dragon has its reverse scale; touch it and you shall die." For Sakura, being called "broad forehead" and "ugly" was her reverse scale. Upon hearing Konohamaru's words, she turned back, eyes filled with killing intent, and charged at Naruto and Konohamaru.
Seeing Sakura's fury, Naruto and Konohamaru, having already been beaten once, didn't hesitate. They grabbed their companions and ran as fast as they could, disappearing.
Witnessing this, Zhang Miao paused before bursting into laughter.
"Hahaha, I have a feeling those two are going to get beaten again. Let's follow and watch the show!"
They say, "The bystander is always eager for more excitement." Zhang Miao was in that mood, and he knew that Naruto, the reincarnation of Asura, was known for his tough skin and resilience. He could take a beating without any actual harm!
So, seeing Naruto being "chased" by Sakura, Zhang Miao didn't worry at all. Instead, he eagerly followed, looking forward to watching Naruto and Konohamaru get beaten.
Soon, Zhang Miao heard Konohamaru's cries of pain again. He initially thought it was Sakura but soon realised that the one doing the beating wasn't Sakura. It was a young man with a Sand Village forehead protector.
The young man wore a black robe and had purple face paint. Beside him stood a beautiful girl with hair styled in four spikes, carrying a giant iron fan.
Seeing these two, Zhang Miao's smile widened.
"I thought it was Sakura, but it's Kankuro and Temari. They must be here for the Chunin Exams. I wonder if Rasa is still alive."
In the original story, he established the Sound Village in the Land of Rice Fields after Orochimaru left the Akatsuki. He secretly contacted and killed the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, disguised as him, to control the Sand Village.
Using the Chunin Exams in Konoha as an opportunity, Orochimaru, disguised as Rasa, ordered the Sand and Sound ninjas to attack Konoha, planning to destroy it in an operation called the "Konoha Crush."
Orochimaru's plan went smoothly. During the final stage of the Chunin Exams, he initiated the attack, dragging Konoha into chaos. He also trapped the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, in a barrier and used the forbidden technique "Edo Tensei" to summon the First and Second Hokages, intending to kill Hiruzen.
However, Orochimaru underestimated Hiruzen's resolve to protect the village. In desperation, Hiruzen used the forbidden technique "Reaper Death Seal," sacrificing his life to seal the souls of the First and Second Hokage and Orochimaru's arms, rendering him unable to use ninjutsu.
Orochimaru, without his ninjutsu, fled. Hiruzen died, but Konoha was saved. Hiruzen's sacrifice embodied his will—the Will of Fire.
"Wherever there are leaves flying, the fire burns. The shadow of the fire will illuminate the village, and new leaves will sprout."
Remembering Hiruzen's words, Zhang Miao couldn't help but feel a bit emotional.
"Perhaps it was because of Hiruzen's words that I chose to return to Konoha at this time. After all, Konoha is my birthplace. Orochimaru will have to ask for my permission if he wants to destroy it!"
For others, stopping Orochimaru's "Konoha Crush" might not be easy, but it was a piece of cake for Zhang Miao. After all, he still had Rasa's ninja fragments in his system space!
"As long as I recruit Rasa, the Sand ninjas won't follow Orochimaru. With Konoha and Sand ninjas joining forces, the small Sound Village will have no chance of winning!"
With this thought, Zhang Miao's eyes narrowed.
"Now, I just need to determine one thing: are Kankuro and the others here just for the Chunin Exams, or are they on a special mission for the 'Konoha Crush' plan?"