Senju Workshop's request to join the journey surprised Zhang Miao but gave him an idea.
"If even recruited ninjas feel nostalgic for their homeland, then resurrected ninjas must feel it even more. For instance, Uchiha Fugaku and Hyuga Hizashi definitely miss their children. It would be a good opportunity to take them along!"
With this thought, Zhang Miao raised his eyebrows and used the Heart Transmission Technique to contact Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Mikoto, and Hyuga Hizashi.
"I'm planning to visit Konoha. You should come with me. I'll be waiting at the village gate. Don't forget to wear masks!"
After sending the message, Zhang Miao removed a head covering and put it on the Grim Reaper, Lingbai, covering his red horns. He nodded approvingly.
"Good, this will do. Lingbai, make sure you keep this hat on at all times. Understand?"
"I understand!" Lingbai promptly agreed.
Seeing his compliance, Zhang Miao's smile widened, and he gently patted Lingbai's head.
Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Mikoto, and Hyuga Hizashi arrived at that moment. They wore the light blue armour of the Land of Waves and whirlpool-patterned masks. Upon reaching Zhang Miao, they knelt on one knee and greeted him in unison.
"Your Majesty!"
Seeing their respectful demeanour, Zhang Miao grinned and gestured for them to rise.
"Alright, stand up. I'm taking you to Konoha to visit your children. We'll return after the Chunin Exams. I have only one rule: do not reveal your identities. Understood?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Good, let's head out!"
With that, Zhang Miao took Lingbai's hand and turned to leave the village. The other four quickly followed.
Once outside the Land of Waves, Hyuga Hizashi, using his Byakugan, took the lead. Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto flanked Zhang Miao, and Senju Workshop brought up the rear.
They formed a tight, protective formation around Zhang Miao, maintaining it until they reached Konoha's gate. There, they fell in behind Zhang Miao.
Seeing the familiar gate, Zhang Miao's face showed a trace of nostalgia.
"Three years since I last came here. Now that I'm at the gate, I feel a bit of homesickness. And I'm sure Sister Kushina will scold me again!"
Thinking of Kushina's nagging, Zhang Miao couldn't help but smile and shake his head as he led the group through Konoha's gate.
As soon as they entered, a voice full of surprise rang out.
"Are you Lord Ryunosuke? You've returned?"
"Hmm?"
Turning to the voice, Zhang Miao saw a young ninja in green armour staring at him with wide eyes.
Zhang Miao frowned, trying to recall, then clicked his tongue.
"Tch... You look familiar. Your name is Kotetsu Hagane, right?"
"Yes, yes!" Kotetsu's face lit up with excitement. "I fought alongside you on the Grass Sea Coast against the ten thousand Cloud Ninjas!"
Zhang Miao: "..."
Ten thousand Cloud Ninjas? Wasn't it less than two thousand? And that battle was all me; when did you join?
Before Zhang Miao could respond, another voice interrupted.
"Kotetsu, would you die if you didn't brag? When Lord Ryunosuke crippled the Cloud Ninja army, you had just become a Genin, right? How could you fight alongside him? Stop embellishing your story! I spit on you!"
Kotetsu: "..."
Everyone else: "..."
Who is this? What a sharp tongue!
Turning to the new voice, Zhang Miao saw a ninja with a dark blue headband walking over. The ninja bowed to Zhang Miao.
"Lord Ryunosuke, I am Izumo Kamizuki, Kotetsu's partner. Are you here to oversee the Chunin Exams?"
Oversee the Chunin Exams?
Zhang Miao was momentarily stunned before realising.
"To most Leaf ninjas, I'm still the Fourth Hokage's son and a Konoha ninja, right?"
With this thought, he smiled and nodded to Izumo.
"Yes, the Third Hokage asked me to come. These are my attendants, not suspicious people, so don't worry."
"We understand!" Kotetsu and Izumo nodded in unison. "Lord Ryunosuke, please proceed with your guests!"
Zhang Miao had already decided that if Kotetsu and Izumo asked Senju Workshop and the others to remove their masks, he would use genjutsu on them.
Unexpectedly, they let him through without any hassle, which pleased Zhang Miao.
"I didn't expect to have such prestige in Konoha. It seems that battle wasn't fought in vain!"
Smiling, Zhang Miao nodded to Kotetsu and Izumo again, then led his group into Konoha, heading towards his home.
As they turned a corner, a loud bang rang out.
"Boom!"
Hearing this, Zhang Miao immediately turned towards the sound. To his surprise, he saw Naruto sprawled on the ground, apparently knocked down by someone. Two young children, about seven or eight, were crying over him.
"No... Leader..."
"He's dead... He's dead..."
Besides the two kids, about three meters away, stood a child with a long scarf and goggles, shouting in a direction.
"You ugly freak... Ugly freak..."
Following his shout, Zhang Miao saw Sakura, in her red qipao, with an iron-blue face, cracking her knuckles.
Seeing this, Zhang Miao helplessly covered his face.
"This kid is the Third Hokage's grandson, right? Daring to provoke Sakura like that, he's either brainless or fearless. If he doesn't get beaten up, I'll write my name backward!"