Just as Zhang Miao had anticipated, Sasuke in the Konoha Hospital had already awakened. He was lying in bed, staring blankly at the hospital's ceiling, and if someone were to approach him at that moment, they would find his eyes completely unfocused.
He had been struck too hard.
The entire clan was wiped out overnight, including his own parents. What Sasuke found most unacceptable was that the culprit was none other than his favorite brother!
"Why... why would you do this, just to test your own limits? Dammit... DAMMIT!"
Thinking this, Sasuke clenched his fists suddenly. His originally dark eyes turned into blood-red—Sharingan!
Like others in the Uchiha clan, Sasuke's Sharingan was activated under immense stimulation.
However, usually, when the first Sharingan was activated in an Uchiha, it would be a single tomoe Sharingan. But Sasuke's was a bit different. He had a single tomoe in one eye and two tomoes in the other.
As Sasuke's eyes changed, a series of clapping sounds came from outside the door.
"Clap clap clap clap... Not bad, huh? Activating the Sharingan at such a young age, and it's even a two-tomoe! A bit stronger than Itachi in the beginning!"
Hearing the name "Itachi," Sasuke, who had been lying in bed, abruptly sat up. He glared angrily with his furious eyes fixed on the door where Zhang Miao was applauding and walking in. Through clenched teeth, he managed to utter a few words.
"Don't mention that man's name in front of me!"
Seeing the furious expression on Sasuke's face, Zhang Miao, who had just entered the ward, immediately sneered and shrugged.
"Don't look so terrifying, getting wiped out is just a thing to get used to. Come on, let big brother pat your head!"
Saying this, Zhang Miao ignored Sasuke's expression, walked straight to his bedside, and reached out to pat his head.
However, just as Zhang Miao's hand was about to touch Sasuke's head, Sasuke moved!
He tilted his head to avoid Zhang Miao's hand, simultaneously slapping away Zhang Miao's hand with his right palm. At the same time, he propped himself up on the bed with his left hand, instantly flipping upside down, and swiftly kicked towards Zhang Miao's head with his right leg!
With the assistance of the Sharingan, Sasuke's movements were quick and fluid. In terms of Taijutsu, at that moment, he was at the level of a competent Genin. Faced with an average academy student, almost no one would be able to dodge his attack.
Unfortunately for him, he was up against Zhang Miao.
Faced with Sasuke's sudden kick, Zhang Miao didn't dodge at all. He simply nonchalantly retracted his hand and effortlessly grabbed Sasuke's ankle, then grinned.
"Nice strength, but compared to Itachi back in the day, you're still a bit lacking. Itachi wouldn't have let me catch him so easily!"
Zhang Miao's tone was relaxed, but these casual words once again enraged Sasuke.
"I told you, don't mention that man's name in front of me!"
Furious at being caught by Zhang Miao, Sasuke shouted angrily and again pushed against the bed with both hands, springing up like a coil. In mid-air, he completed a 180-degree turn and kicked at Zhang Miao with his left foot.
Faced with Sasuke's incoming left foot, Zhang Miao smiled faintly again, immediately extending his other hand to catch it.
"Watch this move—Lu Zhi Shen Uprooted the Weeping Willow!"
After the last word fell, Zhang Miao gently lifted both hands, lifting Sasuke's entire body upside down.
Although Sasuke was young, he was no pushover. After being lifted by Zhang Miao, he immediately prepared to resist.
But just as he was about to resist, before he could do anything concrete, Zhang Miao pulled his legs apart in a "big" character shape, then grinned at him once more.
"Silly little brother, time to face the punishment!"
Seeing Zhang Miao's smile, Sasuke felt a sense of alarm, but before he could react, Zhang Miao swiftly extended one foot between Sasuke's legs, then forcefully pulled his legs backward!
"Ahhh!"
In an instant, Sasuke felt a surge of pain between his legs. The pain swiftly overwhelmed his resistance, making him involuntarily scream in agony.
"Ahh!! Let go!! Please, let go!"
Amid Sasuke's screams, Zhang Miao burst into laughter.
"Wow hahaha... Itachi never did this to you, did he? Let me tell you, the name of this move is 'Dandan's Sadness'! Hahaha... Hahaha!"
"Ah... Damn it... DAMN IT… AAAHHHH..."
Zhang Miao's maniacal laughter and Sasuke's screams quickly attracted the attention of the medical staff at the Konoha Hospital, along with the arrival of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen, who came to visit Sasuke.
A few minutes later, a pale Sasuke was sent back to his bed. He clutched his legs tightly, glaring with eyes almost spewing fire at Zhang Miao by his bedside.
Zhang Miao, however, appeared nonchalant. He sat by Sasuke's bedside in a relaxed manner, crossing his legs on the chair that was placed there. He casually picked a banana from the fruit basket brought by Hiruzen and peeled it open, speaking as he ate.
"You know, I'm not here just for fun. I came to visit our Sasuke, but I found him quite bored. So, I decided to crack a little joke with him. Sasuke, you'll agree, won't you?"
"Hmph!" Upon hearing Zhang Miao's words, Sasuke immediately scoffed and turned his head away.
Observing this, Zhang Miao shrugged towards everyone.
"See? Wasn't I right? He seems much livelier now, doesn't he?"
Everyone: "..."
"Yeah, right! As if we believe you!"
Hiruzen knew Zhang Miao the best. Watching him seemingly indifferent, he shook his head helplessly.
"Well then, even if you came to check on Sasuke, you've seen him. Is there anything else?"
Hiruzen's words sounded like a question to Zhang Miao, but in reality, it was a polite way to ask him to leave.
Of course, Zhang Miao understood his intention, so he immediately shrugged.
"As for other matters..."
Originally, Zhang Miao intended to say "there's nothing else", but in the middle of his sentence, he seemed to recall something, so he quickly changed his statement.
"There is one more thing, and it's about Sasuke!"
"About Sasuke?" Hearing Zhang Miao's words, Hiruzen's face immediately displayed curiosity. "What is it?"
Not only Hiruzen, but also the medical staff present and Sasuke lying in the bed, all turned their attention to Zhang Miao after hearing his words.
Amidst the puzzled looks from everyone, Zhang Miao grinned suddenly.
"Heh heh, since Sasuke doesn't have a home now, I thought I'd invite him to my place. It's just an extra pair of bowls and chopsticks anyway!"
"This..." Hiruzen pondered after hearing Zhang Miao's words, then looked back at Zhang Miao. "Is this what Minato intended?"
"No!" As Hiruzen finished speaking, Zhang Miao immediately shook his head. "He's not responsible at home. In my house, it's Big Sis Kushina who's in charge, and Big Sis Kushina and Aunt Mikoto are close friends. She'd agree if Sasuke comes over!"
"Well, that's not a problem then. The rest depends on Sasuke!"
After hearing Zhang Miao's words, Hiruzen finally nodded, then turned to look at Sasuke lying on the bed.
"Sasuke, you heard our conversation just now. Are you willing to go to the Fourth Hokage's home?"
Sasuke was a child with strong pride, and after experiencing the upheaval in his family, he had a hint of rebellion in his character. So, upon hearing Hiruzen's words, he was about to speak up to refuse.
But at that very moment when Sasuke was about to decline, he suddenly paused, then turned to look at Zhang Miao sitting beside him.
When he turned, Zhang Miao also turned and even winked at him.
Seeing this, Sasuke initially frowned, then nodded slightly towards Hiruzen.
"Third Hokage, I'm willing to go to the Fourth Hokage's home!"