Under everyone's gaze, the Fourth Raikage remained silent.
After a while, seeing that he still wasn't speaking, Amai, standing beside him, addressed Tsunade.
"As I told you on the way here, our mission this time was to steal the secret technique from Sugi Village!"
"Why is it always about collecting secret techniques?" Hearing Amai's words, Tsunade looked exasperated.
Seeing her expression, Zhang Miao, hidden in the shadows, smiled again.
"The Fourth Raikage is so determined to collect secret techniques. Besides wanting to make Kumogakure stronger, the main reason must be to deal with me. After all, I did give him a good beating seven years ago, hehe!"
Seven years ago, during the fallout from the attempted kidnapping of Hinata, the Fourth Raikage led over ten thousand Kumogakure ninjas in an attack, only to have Zhang Miao wipe out two-thirds of his forces at the Kusaba Coast. Even the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer Bee, was captured.
That battle cost Kumogakure many ninjas and a significant amount of money to ransom Killer Bee, dealing a heavy blow to their manpower and resources.
"Now the Fourth Raikage is desperately collecting secret techniques from various ninja villages, undoubtedly related to that battle!"
As Zhang Miao thought this, Tsunade, sitting on the stone bed, spoke to Amai again.
"Go on."
"Yes!" Hearing Tsunade, Amai continued, "After we obtained the secret technique, I moved separately from the others."
"Let me continue." The Fourth Raikage, who had been silent, finally spoke. "This is what happened..."
As the Fourth Raikage recounted the events and Tsunade analyzed them, Zhang Miao also learned about their ordeal.
After obtaining the secret technique from Sugi Village, the Raikage's group split into two teams. Amai moved alone, while the Raikage, Karui, and Nikai left together.
However, they encountered the Xuanen Corps, mercenaries hired by Sugi Village, and fell victim to their unique jutsu—Explosive Bugs!
Explosive Bugs are particular insects bred by the Xuanen Corps for combat. They are as tiny as bacteria and invisible to the naked eye. Once inhaled, they lie dormant in the victim's body.
When a ninja infected with Explosive Bugs uses a jutsu, the bugs absorb their chakra, rapidly growing and exploding with a force comparable to explosive tags!
All three members of the Raikage's team were infected with Explosive Bugs. During the battle, Nikai used a jutsu, causing the bugs inside him to grow and explode, killing him.
Karui, having only half-released his jutsu, had the bugs grow to a non-lethal size, barely surviving.
Understanding this, Zhang Miao's smile widened.
"It seems the Xuanen Corps have some skills. They might just be worth my effort... Hmm? They're here?"
Since arriving at this abandoned house, Zhang Miao has used his sensory abilities. He now detected five chakras rapidly approaching, stopping about a hundred meters from the house.
The chakra signatures were not particularly strong, roughly at the Jonin level. Sensing this, Zhang Miao was a bit disappointed and smirked.
"Tch... 'Ninja Hunters of Ninjas,' I thought they'd be stronger. Turns out it's just five Jonin using bugs to ambush others. If I handle this, it'd be beneath me!"
Thinking this, Zhang Miao considered for a moment before narrowing his eyes.
"They like to play with bugs? Then I'll find them a match who also likes bugs!"
Having decided, Zhang Miao's form blurred, and in an instant, his surroundings changed.
Moments ago, he had been in a narrow, drafty old house, but now he stood in a spacious, clean, bright office.
Smelling the salty sea breeze from the window, Zhang Miao's lips curled into a smile.
"Flying Thunder God is really convenient. Just a bit of chakra to travel hundreds of miles back to the Land of Waves. Nice!"
As Zhang Miao finished speaking, there was a knock on the door.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
"So fast?" Hearing the knock, Zhang Miao grinned. "Come in!"
As soon as he spoke, the office door opened, and a young man wearing sunglasses, a Whirlpool Village forehead protector, and a gray coat walked in.
Entering, he knelt before Zhang Miao.
"Shino Aburame reporting, boss!"
The newcomer was Shino Aburame, the "Bug Ninja" from Konoha Twelve, whom Zhang Miao had previously recruited!
The Aburame Clan specializes in controlling parasitic insects. They use their bodies as nests to breed and feed the insects with their chakra, using them in battle—a unique clan technique.
Explosive Bugs might work well against ordinary ninjas, but they are insufficient against the bug masters of the Aburame Clan.
Thus, Zhang Miao summoned Shino immediately after using the Flying Thunder God to return to the Land of Waves.
Smiling at Shino, who was kneeling before him, Zhang Miao walked over and patted his shoulder.
"Konoha already has an Aburame Shino. From now on, your name is Aburame Chuunou. Stand up."
"Yes!"
Hearing Zhang Miao, the newly named Aburame Chuunou, stood up and nodded at him.
"Thank you for the name, boss. I like it very much. If you ask why, it's because you gave it to me. Chuunou is grateful!"
"Hahaha!"
Hearing this, Zhang Miao laughed and nodded.
"Good, I'm glad you like it. I have a task for you. There's a group called the Xuanen Corps that uses Explosive Bugs. I want you to take care of them."
"Got it, boss!"
Before Zhang Miao finished speaking, Aburame Chuunou nodded.
"I will do my best to eliminate the enemies, no matter how strong they are. If you ask why, it's because it's your order!"
Zhang Miao: "…"
Damn, this guy's way of speaking is unique!
Thinking this, Zhang Miao clicked his tongue and again placed his hand on Aburame Chuunou's shoulder.
"Alright, let's head out—Flying Thunder God Technique!"
With Zhang Miao's low shout, the surroundings changed again, from the office to the inn's bedroom.
Seeing the change, Aburame Chuunou was momentarily stunned.
"This is…"
"This is a hot spring inn in Tanzaku Town!"
Seeing Aburame Chuunou's stunned look, Zhang Miao removed his hand from his shoulder and smiled, revealing two rows of white teeth.
"The Xuanen Corps is in the ruins south of the city, five of them. Find them and eliminate them, dead or alive!"
"Yes, boss!"