Seeing Temari's face suddenly change colour, Zhang Miao couldn't help but sigh.
"Sigh, dear, actually, three months ago, I saw your father in the Land of Waves. At that time, he was sitting with the Third Hokage, and they seemed to get along quite well."
As he said this, Zhang Miao gently patted Temari on the shoulder.
"Think carefully. When did your father decide to collaborate with the Sound Village? Hasn't he been acting unusually lately? Haven't you noticed anything off?"
"This..."
Hearing Zhang Miao's words, Temari was left speechless.
She hadn't noticed before, but now that Zhang Miao pointed it out, she began to see the problem.
Although she didn't say anything, her expression revealed her thoughts to Zhang Miao, so he patted her shoulder again.
"Alright, I just wanted to inform you. You don't need to make any decisions. The person in charge this time should be Baki, right? Tell him what I said. Let him investigate the gorge areas around the Sand Village; he should find something."
Zhang Miao remembered that Orochimaru assassinated Rasa in a gorge in the original story, so he wanted Temari to relay this information to Baki.
Seeing Zhang Miao speak so confidently, although Temari didn't say it out loud, she believed him in her heart. She nodded solemnly.
"Okay, I understand. I'll inform Teacher Baki. I'll be heading back now."
After saying this, she got up and left.
As she reached the door, Zhang Miao's voice sounded behind her.
"Temari, don't worry. I'm here. Do your best in the Chunin Exams!"
Hearing Zhang Miao's words, Temari felt a warmth in her heart. She stopped, turned around, and smiled at Zhang Miao.
"I know. I'll do my best in the Chunin Exams."
Before Zhang Miao could respond, she turned and left.
As soon as Temari left, Kankuro came in, smiling and handing Zhang Miao the pack of cigarettes he'd bought.
"Hehe, only you can handle my sister, brother-in-law. She's usually cold to everyone except you!"
"Is that so?"
Hearing Kankuro's words, Zhang Miao chuckled, then lit a cigarette before speaking again.
"Alright, Kankuro, you can go back too. Don't tell Gaara anything for now. We'll discuss everything after the Chunin Exams."
"Understood. I'll be heading back then!"
After saying this, Kankuro left the dango shop. Several figures emerged from behind Zhang Miao.
It was Senju Karuma and his group!
They had been hiding behind Zhang Miao the entire time, only revealing themselves after Kankuro and Temari left.
After revealing themselves, Senju Karuma immediately asked Zhang Miao, confused.
"Boss, who is this Orochimaru you mentioned, planning to destroy Konoha?"
"Hmm? You don't know?" Senju Karuma's question took aback Zhang Miao.
Seeing Zhang Miao's reaction, Senju Karuma became even more confused.
"Is this Orochimaru very famous?"
"Uh... I almost forgot; you died when Orochimaru was still young!"
Thinking of this, Zhang Miao gently patted his forehead, then looked at Senju Karuma again.
"Alright, let me explain. Orochimaru is the Third Hokage's disciple and a researcher of forbidden jutsu. He defected after being caught conducting human experiments."
As he spoke, Zhang Miao raised an eyebrow at Senju Karuma, a playful smile on his face.
"There's one thing you probably didn't expect. Your incomplete forbidden jutsu, the Impure World Reincarnation, has been perfected by Orochimaru. This time he's back, intending to use it to destroy Konoha!"
As the creator of the Impure World Reincarnation, Senju Karuma understood the Jutsu's terror more than anyone else. Hearing Zhang Miao's words, he immediately frowned.
"Such a thing cannot be allowed to happen!"
"Of course not!"
As soon as Senju Karuma finished speaking, Zhang Miao nodded.
"I'm here to stop him. If he succeeds, what would be the point of me being here? I have a plan, and I'll act when the time is right!"
Just as Zhang Miao finished speaking, a masked Anbu entered the dango shop. He approached Zhang Miao and bowed slightly.
"Lord Ryunosuke, the Hokage requests your presence in the office."
Hearing the Anbu's words, a smile spread across Zhang Miao's face. He casually used his telepathic technique to communicate with Senju Karuma and the others.
"The time has come!"
After transmitting his message, Zhang Miao nodded at the Anbu before him.
"I understand. I'll go now. Lead the way."
After saying this, Zhang Miao stood up and walked out, with Senju Karuma and the others closely following behind.
Soon, they arrived at the base of the Hokage Tower.
Looking at the familiar building, Zhang Miao turned to Senju Karuma and the others, gesturing with his chin.
"Wait here for me. I'll be out soon."
"Yes, boss!"
After seeing the group respond in unison, Zhang Miao nodded in satisfaction and walked into the Hokage Tower.
As he entered the Hokage's office, he found it crowded with people.
Besides Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma, other Jonin, including Kotetsu and Izumo, were also present.
When Zhang Miao entered, the two nodded at him in greeting.
Seeing Zhang Miao enter, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, began to speak.
"Everyone, the reason for today's gathering is known to all. Therefore, I will directly announce that the Chunin Exams will officially begin in seven days, in July of this year!"
After announcing the Chunin Exams, the next step was for the Jonin to recommend candidates.
As in the original story, Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma recommended their Genin.
For this, Iruka, a teacher at the Ninja Academy, voiced his objections.
He felt that Naruto and the recent graduates should not participate in such a harsh exam, but Kakashi firmly rebutted his opinion.
Zhang Miao watched their debate with a smile. Once everyone had their say, he walked unhurriedly to Sarutobi Hiruzen and placed a pipe on the desk.
"Third Hokage, this is the pipe I took from you. I'm returning it now. Keep it well; there will be a surprise!"
After saying this, Zhang Miao turned and left the hokage's office. Everyone else looked puzzled.
Only Sarutobi Hiruzen remained composed, picking up the pipe Zhang Miao had returned and murmuring.
"A surprise...?"