Taking On a Disciple

"······"

Kuyue stared wide-eyed, her bright black eyes filled with anticipation as she silently gazed at Katsuki.

"Um... if I may ask, why are you staring at me like that?"

"······"

The little girl's expression instantly fell, revealing an extremely obvious look of disappointment.

"Alright, just kidding. I'm not one to go back on my word. Just tell me what you need!"

Katsuki patted his chest and made a generous promise.

"As long as it doesn't violate my principles, the village rules, or anything that would incur public wrath, feel free to make your requests..."

"I want to become your apprentice."

"You're going to become my apprentice, right? I didn't ask that... what? Wait... what did you just say? I think I'm hallucinating." Katsuki picked at her ear with her little finger.

"I want to become your apprentice!"

Kuyue's pronunciation is clear and standard.

"Disciple... I never thought it would be time for me to take on disciples."

Katsuki held the thick stack of homework in her hands, sighing deeply and filled with emotion.

"Honestly, I thought none of you wanted to be my apprentice, which made me so embarrassed..."

"I don't understand what they're thinking either. Opportunities to have a top-tier expert as a teacher are rare, and I don't understand why they reacted that way."

Kuyue also looked confused.

"After that, I asked Lin about it, and she said she was too familiar with you, Teacher Katsuki, and that she was afraid of your 'sea of questions' approach."

"Uh..." Katsuki gritted her teeth in silence. What a lame excuse!

It is now Konoha Year 45.

So many years have passed since he first arrived in Konoha as a Konoha. Back then, he became a disciple of Sakumo, and now it's his turn to take on disciples.

Looking through the homework submitted by the little girl Kuyue, it's clear that she put in a lot of effort. She's a smart, hardworking, and adorable disciple, so there seems to be no reason to refuse her.

"Teacher Katsuki"

"Teacher Katsuki!"

A soft exclamation brought Katsuki back to her senses.

"Oh, what's up?"

"Teacher Katsuki, someone's looking for you." The teacher pointed to the door, "It's just outside."

Katsuki subconsciously looked up, and what came into view was Orochimaru and Minato, blocking the corridor outside the office. The two attracted a lot of attention and even caused a small traffic jam in the corridor.

Both Orochimaru and Minato are incredibly popular in the village, especially Minato, whose good looks have attracted countless fans.

The loli girls on both sides of the corridor, who usually don't pay attention in class, were now staring at Minato with adoring eyes, while many others were gazing at the slightly sinister Orochimaru with infatuation... To each their own, indeed.

"... Minato, shall we go somewhere else?"

Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique carried Katsuki and Orochimaru away from the crowded corridor, and in the blink of an eye, they appeared on the school's rooftop, the very spot where Minato and Katsuki had spoken just two days prior.

There are marks from the Flying Thunder God Technique on the railing.

"The Flying Thunder God Technique is truly convenient." Katsuki glanced at the empty rooftop and the students gathered on the playground below, then looked at Minato and Orochimaru. "So... Orochimaru- senpai, Minato, what brings you here?"

It was very windy on the rooftop.

The whistling wind could scatter the sound of conversation.

"Then I'll go first!" Minato and Orochimaru exchanged a glance and smiled. The sunny young man spoke first, "Katsuki, the higher-ups have made a decision regarding the black market bounty on Kakashi."

"Hmm? So what?"

Katsuki looked at Minato suspiciously.

Don't you want to know what this decision is?

"Of course I want to! Kakashi is my junior brother." Katsuki glared at Minato.

"I see... But such high-level decisions cannot be communicated to an ordinary teacher at a Ninja Academy, even if... even if you are recommended by the Principal as a candidate for the next Principal, you still cannot obtain this information."

Minato took out a rolled-up document from his sleeve.

Katsuki blinked. What did that mean? Were these two just bored and looking for something to do, coming over to tease him?

"Katsuki, I believe you can take on a more important task than staying here teaching students."

Minato stared directly at Katsuki, finally revealing his intentions.

"A more [important] task? What exactly does that mean?"

Katsuki smiled brightly, revealing a set of pearly white teeth.

"I hope you can take charge of the Anbu," Orochimaru said solemnly.

"... Is this a joke? It's not April Fool's Day, is it?"

Katsuki was no longer calm. What were these two talking about?!

"Katsuki- kun, I'm serious. The current Anbu Chief is older than my teacher. If nothing major had happened in the last two years, he would have retired long ago. And Sakumo- senpai declined my invitation because of his poor health... However, Sakumo- senpai recommended you to me."

Orochimaru said calmly.

"Did the teacher recommend me?"

"That's right. Senior Sakumo thinks it's a waste for you to stay at the Ninja Academy to teach. With your strength and reputation, you are fully capable of taking on more important responsibilities."

Katsuki was immediately flustered, inwardly lamenting that his teacher was simply setting him up for failure, pushing him out to take the fall when he himself didn't want to do it.

"Katsuki, I think so too. It's a waste for you to stay at the Ninja Academy and teach. The Anbu is where you can really shine," Minato advised gently.

"The strategy for dealing with Kakashi's black market bounty has been finalized. The Anbu will be in charge, targeting all underground black markets within the Land of Fire and allied territories... Katsuki, if you assume the position of Chief of the Kobe Department, this task will fall to you."

Lure them with benefits, and appeal to their emotions.

Minato's silver tongue was incredibly powerful; there's definitely a reason why Naruto will become the king of talk-no-jutsu in the future.

He was truly disturbed by Minato's words. He had been thinking of staying at the Ninja Academy, teaching and living a peaceful life, enjoying his current tranquility, and getting drunk every day. How blissful!

But the tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease; he cannot do whatever he desires.

"... Let me think about it. Give me some time. I'll give you an answer tomorrow, Orochimaru- senpai. Is that alright?"

Orochimaru, the undisputed future Hokage, is the dominant figure between the two.

Minato, who was in charge of the Root, held considerable power, but he still couldn't surpass Orochimaru, the future supreme administrative and military leader of the village.

Therefore, Katsuki was asking Orochimaru.

"Then I'll await good news." Orochimaru smiled slightly. "Minato, let's go. We won't disturb Katsuki- kun's class any longer."

The bell rang at just the right moment.

Watching Orochimaru and Minato's departing figures, Katsuki remained lost in thought for a long time.

It's unbelievable that Orochimaru and Minato are teaming up to persuade him; this is truly shocking to him.