Wang Yan's mind-control abilities had now become even more subtle and imperceptible. He had strengthened the scientist side of Orochimaru's subconscious, with remarkable results.
With the experience from the first time, after reading Hiruzen Sarutobi's memories and thoughts, modifying his subconscious had also become effortless.
In fact, not only had the Third Hokage failed to notice anything amiss, he even believed that sending Wang Yan to lead Team 7 had been his own idea.
"Originally, the old Third had planned to have his son, Asuma Sarutobi, lead the Ino-Shika-Cho team... Fatherly love really knew no bounds..."
Wang Yan sighed, feeling somewhat nostalgic for his family back on Earth.
"I wonder how my brother and sister reacted after discovering I'd gone missing..."
He did not want his brother and sister to worry.
Emmm...
As for Wang Yan's parents...
Wang Yan felt that if he disappeared for three to five years, his parents probably would not even notice.
His older brother was named Wang Yan, and his younger sister was named Wang Yan.
Just from the naming pattern of the three siblings, one could probably tell just how carefree their parents were...
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Wang Yan arrived at the agreed-upon classroom.
At 8:30 in the morning, right on time, without a second's deviation.
Since he was not late, Wang Yan did not get to enjoy the blackboard-eraser-to-the-head treatment Kakashi had received in the original timeline.
In truth, that disappointed him a little.
I thought I might get a chance to show off in front of these bratty kids... Wang Yan walked onto the podium without looking aside, his face expressionless, though he felt a little regretful inside.
Standing still, he planted both hands on the teacher's desk and looked down at the three little brats of Team 7.
Little Blonde Naruto Uzumaki tried hard to put on an indifferent, carefree front, but the fine beads of cold sweat all over him and his tightly clenched fists exposed what he was truly thinking.
The aloof yet immature little cool guy, Sasuke Uchiha, had his arms crossed over his chest. It seemed he had been maintaining that cool pose for quite some time.
Sakura's attention was not on the new teacher at all. Her emerald eyes were practically glued to Sasuke's face, immediately irritating him.
"I am your team leader, Jonin Wang Yan."
Wang Yan rubbed his chin and looked teasingly at the three of them. "There is no need for introductions just yet. If you cannot pass my assessment, then go straight back to the Ninja Academy. There is no need to waste each other's time."
The moment he said that, Naruto swallowed hard and shouted, "That's not fair! I worked so hard to graduate! You don't have the right to do this!"
Wang Yan gave him an unreadable smile, his tone mild and unhurried. "Actually, I do have that right. And when you went to steal the Scroll of Seals, I was there too."
How could he possibly miss such a classic opening scene as Mizuki enticing Naruto to steal the Scroll of Seals?
Modifying the memories and subconscious of every participant at once was still rather taxing, even for him now...
"Naruto, don't say anything."
Sakura brushed aside her pink bangs and secretly punched Little Blonde. She whispered, "He isn't lying. I heard there is a strange Jonin named Kakashi Hatake who sends all three members of his team back to the Ninja Academy almost every time. You should be glad our instructor isn't that guy."
Naruto immediately wilted.
He had thought that once he left the Ninja Academy, he would soar into the sky and become a great ninja. Who would have thought he might be sent right back to the Ninja Academy?
"Teacher Wang Yan..."
Sasuke Uchiha spoke, drawing the attention of everyone present. "Please begin the assessment directly!"
Looking at the boy's resolute yet cold gaze, the corners of Wang Yan's mouth lifted slightly. His words carried deeper meaning. "Not bad eyes. I hope that after learning the truth about everything, you can still keep them that way."
After speaking, Wang Yan snapped his fingers.
Bang!
White mist swirled through the room.
When the smoke cleared, each of the three youths held a small-denomination two-tael Silver Note.
Wang Yan spoke leisurely. "I am not like that psychologically twisted fellow Kakashi. Before the assessment, I will tell you the criteria for passing."
A bell-grabbing test of teamwork?
Far too unoriginal.
What he wanted were quick-witted Reincarnators who understood how to adapt, not stubborn ninjas who would refuse to turn back until they crashed through the south wall.
As soon as the voice fell, Naruto and Sasuke exchanged an inadvertent glance, each seeing the gravity in the other's heart.
Sakura clenched her pink fists, her pupils slightly constricted. She was terribly nervous and had no mind left to be jealous.
"My test is this: each of you will use two taels as capital to buy one item and fill this entire classroom with it. If you can do that, you pass. If not, return to the Ninja Academy on your own, or simply give up being a ninja and live obediently as civilians."
The moment Wang Yan said this, the three of them nearly exploded.
Sasuke immediately reached a conclusion. "Impossible!"
"This simply can't be done! Teacher Wang Yan, can you change the question?" Sakura moved close to Wang Yan, speaking in a coquettish voice as she tried to seduce him into changing his mind with her looks.
She was far too naive!
Who was Wang Yan?
A successor to communism, born beneath the red flag and raised in New China!
Would he be corrupted by sugar-coated bullets?
Absolutely not!
Besides, this pink-haired girl had not even begun developing yet. No chest, no butt, no legs, flatter than an airfield, and even a dual-personality violent maniac. Wang Yan did not think he had become desperate enough to settle for that...
The one performing best was actually Naruto. Right now, he was filled with mysterious confidence, his face bright as sunshine.
He cast a disdainful glance at the cool boy beside him and haughtily said, "Hmph! Weak Sasuke, the Nindo of Naruto Uzumaki is to turn the impossible into possible!"
Just when Sakura was about to revise her opinion of Naruto, he furrowed his brow again, his face turning miserable. "Ugh... But isn't this asking too much? With two taels, I can't even buy a bowl of ramen... No, wait! I have a 10%-off coupon for Ichiraku Ramen, and Teuchi has been running a half-price promotion lately. If I calculate it that way, I can buy exactly one bowl..."
Naruto, who could not look cool in front of Sakura for even three seconds, demonstrated a truth to Wang Yan through his actions—single dogs were single entirely on their own merit.
One tael was equal to ten yen.
One yuan could be exchanged for approximately 16.3 yen.
In other words, Wang Yan had given the three little ninjas just over one yuan but less than two, and asked them to buy enough stuff to fill the entire classroom...
"What exactly did the Ninja Academy teach you? Rigid thinking?"
Wang Yan pursed his lips and tapped his temple. "Use your brains. This assessment really isn't difficult."
Circumstances were stronger than people. The three newly graduated Genin wore miserable expressions, but they could only resign themselves to it. No matter how they cursed him inwardly, Wang Yan recorded every bit of it in his little notebook.
"What's wrong with being a privilege dog? I'm proud! I'm honored!"
Wang Yan narrowed his eyes and snorted coldly.
Don't think you can dance around happily now. Be careful, or I'll settle the score with you someday.
For some reason, the three Genin shuddered at the same time.
Fengrao Town.
Shizune hugged her little pig and scampered after Tsunade.
"Lady Tsunade, please slow down!"
The blonde busty woman carried the powerful aura unique to a hero, yet the words she spoke were utterly image-shattering. "Ah~ ah~ Little Shizune, you're old enough to get married too, aren't you? Why not just find a husband? That way, after we win money, someone can help us carry things."
When gambling was mentioned, her expression turned solemn, as though she were discussing some sacred undertaking, her heroic spirit soaring skyward.
"Fengrao Town, the newly emerged gambler's holy land..."
"This time, I'm going to win back everything I lost before!"
Before you continue