Konohamaru's attack stunned everyone. The bandits had thought they were dealing with three little brats, but now they realized that these children, who looked only eleven or twelve, were actually ninja. It was completely unexpected. They abandoned their contempt, but it only made them fiercer.
One of the bandits roared, "So what if you're ninja? You're still just three brats! If you dare stand in our way, we'll kill you! Get them, boys!" With that, he charged ahead. Seeing someone take the lead, the other bandits swarmed forward to attack the three children.
Udon and Huang Meng cried out in worry, "Konohamaru!"
Konohamaru grinned excitedly. "Don't worry! They're weak. They're no match for us at all! Udon, Huang Meng, let's take them together!" He charged toward the bandits, and Udon and Huang Meng rushed after him.
After a brief exchange, Huang Meng and Udon also realized that, despite their numbers, the bandits really were weak. Udon unleashed two Earth Style techniques in succession, while Huang Meng fired off two Water Release techniques, taking down more than a dozen bandits between them. Konohamaru even used the Shadow Clone Technique and unleashed seven or eight Rasengans. Only then did the bandits become frightened and flee in panic.
Konohamaru was panting with exhaustion. Udon and Huang Meng were hardly any better; their chakra was almost depleted, and their stamina had dropped considerably.
Konohamaru laughed smugly. "Hehe. Lucky you ran fast, or I'd have beaten every last one of you! What do you think, Big Brother Naruto? We're pretty amazing, right?" He flashed Naruto a proud grin, his expression plainly begging for praise.
Just as everyone let their guard down, a bandit who had fallen suddenly sprang up and thrust a dagger toward Konohamaru's heart. It happened so abruptly that Konohamaru was completely unprepared.