Zhang Miao's Resolve

Konoha's Anbu was founded by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Its full name was the "Special Assassination and Tactical Squad."

The Konoha Anbu's primary duties were to protect the Hokage and defend against enemy invasions. At times, they were also responsible for gathering intelligence and carrying out assassinations. The nature and content of their missions were mostly extremely harsh and tedious.

Therefore, every Anbu member was an outstanding ninja selected from the village, and the fact that Nightingale had entered the Anbu was proof of her excellence.

And yet Zhang Miao had actually dared to flirt with such an outstanding female Anbu elite. That was undoubtedly an extremely serious provocation!

A serious provocation was bound to bring serious consequences. Zhang Miao's ultimate fate was to have both cheeks mercilessly pinched swollen by Nightingale!

"I'm still just a child!"

Zhang Miao lay in bed, cupping his swollen, aching face, on the verge of tears.

At the same time, he maliciously speculated that beneath Nightingale's mask had to be a hideous face everyone despised!

May you never get married for the rest of your life!

At that moment, Zhang Miao suddenly missed Kakashi, who had always indulged him, as well as Kakashi's Pan-fried river fish and boiled river fish.

"Pan-fried river fish and boiled fish are both so delicious..."

As he thought about it, his head tilted to one side, and he fell asleep.

Zhang Miao did not know that not long after he fell asleep, the door opened once more, and Nightingale, with her beautiful purple hair, entered from outside.

She walked to Zhang Miao's bedside. Seeing him sleeping soundly with a finger in his mouth, the corners of her lips curled into a smile beneath her mask.

"This little brat is only a little cute when he's asleep!"

With that, she tucked Zhang Miao's blanket around him before turning and leaving the room.

Perhaps because his body was still so young, Zhang Miao had always slept well. This nap lasted from the afternoon until the next morning, and as usual, he was awakened by Naruto's loud cries.

"Mmm... it's already the next day!"

Zhang Miao rubbed his eyes, climbed down from his little bed, then walked over to the nearby crib and picked Naruto up.

"There, there... don't cry. Big Brother will get that ugly woman Nightingale to feed you right away!"

The instant Zhang Miao finished speaking, the door flew open with a bang, and a familiar figure appeared before him, swiftly reaching out to pinch his cheek between two fingers.

"Who did you call an ugly woman? Hmm?"

"Uh... that hurts..."

This time, Zhang Miao finally experienced the consequences of speaking ill of someone behind her back. Feeling the pain in his cheek, he was nearly in tears.

"Sister Nightingale, you heard wrong. I said you were a great beauty. How could Sister Nightingale possibly be an ugly woman?"

"Hmph! At least you know better!" Seeing Zhang Miao give in, Nightingale nodded in satisfaction and released his little face. Then she held out her hands to him. "Come, give the Jinchuriki... Naruto to me!"

Nightingale had originally intended to say "Jinchuriki," but the moment those two words left her mouth, she suddenly noticed that Zhang Miao's expression had changed. His gaze had become extremely fierce, nothing like the look a child should have!

Seeing that look in Zhang Miao's eyes, Nightingale's heart trembled for no reason. She quickly corrected herself, then discovered in surprise that Zhang Miao's gaze had returned to its former harmless appearance.

The change in Zhang Miao's eyes reminded Nightingale of the last time he had flown into a rage, making her realize that Zhang Miao might understand what Jinchuriki meant!

"Looks like I can't say that word in front of him anymore!"

Thinking this, Nightingale secretly decided that she would tell the other Anbu later that they were forbidden from mentioning the word Jinchuriki in front of Zhang Miao.

In fact, Nightingale had guessed correctly. Zhang Miao did know what Jinchuriki meant.

A Jinchuriki was a ninja possessed by a tailed beast. To put it bluntly, a Jinchuriki was a container for a tailed beast!

Before crossing over, Zhang Miao had not felt much when watching the anime, but things were different now.

He had now crossed into the world of Naruto, and Naruto was his biological younger brother. Under such circumstances, how could Zhang Miao tolerate his brother being treated as a container for a tailed beast?

That was right. Naruto was indeed the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, but he also had his own name. His name was Naruto Uzumaki!

He was a living, breathing person. Zhang Miao could never forgive anyone who treated him as a container for the Nine-Tails!

At that moment, Zhang Miao suddenly recalled Naruto's miserable childhood in the anime because he had become a Jinchuriki. Thinking of this, Zhang Miao clenched his fists.

"Naruto, don't worry. Big Brother will become strong, incredibly strong. As long as Big Brother is here, no one will dare bully you!"

While Zhang Miao silently made this resolution, Nightingale had already finished feeding Naruto. Full and satisfied, Naruto smiled happily and reached out for Zhang Miao to hold him.

Zhang Miao smiled faintly and took Naruto, then gently rubbed his golden hair. Naruto babbled as he burrowed into Zhang Miao's arms.

Watching this warm scene, Nightingale's face beneath her mask showed a faint smile and a trace of emotion.

"The bond between these brothers is truly enviable!"

Just as Nightingale thought this, she suddenly saw Zhang Miao raise his palm high, then strike Naruto's face at lightning speed!

Iron Palm of Love!

Smack!

"Waaah..."

Nightingale: "..."

What happened to the brotherly bond?

While Nightingale stood there dumbfounded, the door opened again, and an Anbu wearing a beak-shaped mask entered from outside.

"Nightingale, someone has come looking for Ryunosuke, but he doesn't have Lord Hokage's written authorization!"

"Hm?" Hearing this, Nightingale immediately frowned. "No written authorization from Lord Hokage? Who is it?"

"A Chunin. His name seems to be Might Guy!"

So it was him!

Hearing the beak-masked Anbu's words, Zhang Miao immediately showed a look of realization.

At first, when Zhang Miao heard that someone had come to pick him up, he had been puzzled, because he remembered that Kakashi had already gone out on a mission yesterday afternoon, and Kakashi also had Hiruzen Sarutobi's written authorization.

Now that he heard it was Might Guy, Zhang Miao understood everything. That guy had always been reckless and impulsive. He must have found his way here on his own, so naturally he would not have the Hokage's written authorization.

Thinking this, Zhang Miao raised a hand toward Nightingale.

"Sister Nightingale, I know this Might Guy. He's someone we can trust. Help me look after my little brother for now. I'll go see what he wants!"

After saying that, without waiting for Nightingale to react, Zhang Miao stuffed the wailing Naruto into her arms, then turned and ran out.

Watching Zhang Miao dart out the door in the blink of an eye, while Naruto wailed in her arms, Nightingale gritted her teeth again.

"This damn little brat!"

Zhang Miao had no mood to care what Nightingale thought of him. Right now, he stood blankly staring at Might Guy, who was waiting at the door.

Might Guy was still wearing his eternally unchanged green jumpsuit, and he was holding several paper bags stuffed full of chestnuts. They looked to weigh at least a dozen pounds.

Seeing Zhang Miao come out, he immediately gave him a thumbs-up and flashed a toothy grin.

"Youth! Let us stake our youth on a blazing duel!"

Zhang Miao: "..."

A duel of youth? Just say you want to treat me to chestnuts!

Thinking this, Zhang Miao slapped his thigh.

"Fine! I've never lost when it comes to eating. If you can out-eat me today, I'll never call you Acorn Brother again!"

"Really?"

Hearing Zhang Miao say that, Might Guy's eyes immediately lit up!