Upon hearing Danzo's words, Zhang Miao immediately understood that he had gathered enough information about his own situation.
However, now that Zhang Miao had grown stronger, he no longer cared about these matters. Moreover, in another sense, exposing this information was advantageous to him. It made the collection of ninja fragments much more convenient.
Danzo was a prime example. When he spoke those words earlier, the system's notification chimed in Zhang Miao's mind.
"Ding! Congratulations to His Holiness for making Danzo feel an irresistible and tremendous threat. Obtained 6-star Elite Jonin, Shimura Danzo Ninja Fragment x10."
Upon hearing this system notification, a smile crept back onto Zhang Miao's lips.
Zhang Miao was well aware that Danzo was genuinely combative. Anything he deemed a threat to Konoha, whether it belonged to Konoha or another ninja village, he would eliminate through various means.
In fact, this wasn't the first time Danzo had done so. Leaving aside other incidents, the destruction of the "Akatsuki" organization in the Land of Rain a few years ago had Danzo and "Root" involved.
With these precedents in mind, Zhang Miao didn't believe that his master-student relationship with Danzo would cause Danzo to spare him. The reason Danzo hadn't acted was simple—strength!
"The ninja world is indeed a survival of the fittest. Because I am strong enough, even leaders like Danzo choose to step back."
Thinking this, Zhang Miao's smile became even brighter. He then raised his chin slightly toward Danzo.
"It doesn't matter what you call me. In any case, you are my teacher. That's an unchangeable fact. As long as you don't cross my bottom line, I won't become your enemy!"
"Your bottom line?" Hearing Zhang Miao's words, Danzo first furrowed his brow, then nodded slowly. "I understand. I'll ensure Naruto is protected. Regarding the Uchiha..."
"The Uchiha is not my concern!"
Before Danzo could finish his sentence, Zhang Miao immediately waved his hand.
"I've already warned Fugaku. If he continues obstinately, the consequences will be borne by him and the Uchiha clan. But I also have a word of caution for you, sensei: karma always catches up!"
Having said that, without waiting for Danzo's response, Zhang Miao turned and left the underground base of "Root." He returned to his residence.
On his way home, Zhang Miao glanced at the sky with the crimson full moon and clicked his tongue.
"Tsk... Whether it's Fugaku or Danzo, neither is someone who listens to reason. It seems that things will proceed as per the original plot. Oh well, thinking too much about it now is pointless. I'll deal with it when the time comes!"
With that in mind, Zhang Miao quickened his pace back to his home, burying himself in his large bed, ready for a deep sleep.
The next morning, he pushed aside yesterday's events. After breakfast, he went out with Naruto.
Naruto was heading to the Ninja Academy, while Zhang Miao intended to collect ninja fragments.
Among the Konoha Twelve, apart from Neji, Zhang Miao hadn't recruited any others yet. This wasn't due to laziness but because, at that time, the "Konoha Twelve" were young, their abilities akin to ordinary civilians, making collecting ninja fragments extremely difficult.
But things were different now. After attending the Ninja Academy, their strength had at least reached the level of one star, which meant they had already collected a certain number of ninja fragments.
Thinking about this, Zhang Miao made up his mind.
"Upon returning this time, I have to collect all the ninja fragments of the Konoha Twelve!"
Naruto was unaware of Zhang Miao's intentions. To him, Zhang Miao sending him to school was the happiest thing ever. His face was beaming all the way, and under his influence, Zhang Miao's face also showed a hint of a smile.
Soon, the two arrived at the Ninja Academy. Seeing the empty school gates, Naruto burst into laughter.
"Haha... Brother, look, we're the earliest ones here! There's not a single person here yet. Let's play on the swings for a while before going in!"
After saying that, he rolled up his sleeves and headed towards the large tree near the entrance of the Ninja Academy. Witnessing this scene, Zhang Miao's mouth twitched for a moment, then he gave Naruto a gentle flick on the head.
"Play on the swing? There's no one outside because you're already late! Can't you see the sun is already high up? Hurry inside? Idiot!"
"(⊙o⊙)..."
Upon hearing Zhang Miao's words, Naruto was stunned for a moment. At the same time, the system's notification sounded in Zhang Miao's mind.
"Ding! Congratulations to His Holiness for making Naruto feel the terror of being late and punished with stand-in-the-corner duty. Obtained 9-star Sage of Six Paths-level, Uzumaki Naruto Ninja Fragment x5!"
Previously, Zhang Miao would be pleased upon hearing such a notification. However, this time, he felt no joy in acquiring ninja fragments. He just helplessly covered his face with his hand.
"Damn it, Naruto seems to have been punished for being late before. There's a reason he's at the bottom. To avoid embarrassment, I'd better keep my distance from him for now. As for collecting ninja fragments, I can do it after school!"
With that in mind, Zhang Miao took a deep breath and patted Naruto's shoulder.
Upon reaching home, Zhang Miao left Naruto, saying, "Naruto, I have something to attend to. You should hurry to class. Remember to get along well with your classmates. Bye!"
Without waiting for Naruto's response, Zhang Miao used the Body Flicker Jutsu and disappeared.
Whether Naruto would be punished for being late was no longer Zhang Miao's concern. His current focus was on how to collect the Konoha Twelve's ninja fragments.
However, he quickly grinned.
"These Konoha Twelve are just kids. There's no need to overthink it. Tidying them up a bit will naturally lead to the easy collection of Ninja Fragment x5!"
This was Zhang Miao's approach, and it went something like this—
"Hey, Sasuke, come here and let me give you a punch!"
"Hmph!"
"Ding! Congratulation to His Holiness for Obtaining 9-star Sage of Six Paths-level, Uchiha Sasuke Ninja Fragment x5!"
Or perhaps—
"Kiba, come here and let me give you a punch. If you don't come, I'll hit your dog!"
"Don't hit my Akamaru, waaah..."
"Ding! Congratulation to His Holiness for obtaining 5-star Jounin, Inuzuka Kiba Ninja Fragments x5!"
And again—
"Konoha's strongest insect repellent, scientifically proven. Spraying it kills pests instantly. Shino, do you want to try?"
"Whoa..."
"Ding! Congratulation to His Holiness for obtaining 5-Star Jounin, Aburame Shino Ninja Fragment x5!"
…
Of course, dealing with girls, Zhang Miao had gentler methods, such as—
"Hinata, look, I made a little rabbit out of grass for you!"
"Big Brother Ryunosuke is so nice!"
"Ding! Congratulation to His Holiness for obtaining Six-Star Elite Jounin Hyuga Hinata Ninja Fragment x5!"
And also—
"Ino, this bunch of big daisies suits you best. It's for you!"
"Hehe, thank you!"
"Ding! Congratulation to His Holiness for obtaining Six-Star Elite Jounin Yamanaka Ino Ninja Fragment x5!"
…
In summary, Zhang Miao's strategy involved suppressing boys heavily and giving gifts and flowers to girls. After six months, apart from Naruto and Sasuke, the two destiny's children with 9-star rankings, he had collected all other ninja fragments.
"It looks like I need to visit the Land of Waves again. Besides recruiting the necessary ninjas, those Uchihas in the Land of Waves need my attention. Playing both sides is not something I can afford!"
With this in mind, a glint of determination flashed in Zhang Miao's eyes.