Teacher

Konoha's streets.

Jiraiya, still covered in the dust of travel, wore a helpless expression. He had barely returned to Konoha before being summoned by his teacher, who then directly and forcefully assigned him to lead a team of brats fresh out of the Ninja Academy. After a firm refusal, he was talked into a corner and left speechless.

To take care of Nagato and the others, Jiraiya had spent the past three years outside the village, and this period happened to be when the village needed manpower the most. For that reason alone, no matter how unwilling Jiraiya was, he could only accept this mission. Compared to being a team leader, he would rather take on more missions.

If Jiraiya was forced, then Orochimaru volunteered. When he heard from his teacher that Orochimaru would also lead a team of students, he was so shocked his jaw nearly dropped, and he even blurted out, "Tsunade isn't leading a team too, is she?"

Fortunately, the answer was no, but Hiruzen's next words left him quite speechless.

Originally, Tsunade was also scheduled to lead a team of students, but it was deemed more important to focus her on training medical-nin, so she wasn't assigned as a team leader.

The original plan was like this...

Orochimaru would lead Ye Zi's team.

Jiraiya would lead Minato's team.

Tsunade would lead Kushina's team.

All three of these students were exceptionally talented, and Kushina was also the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

"How could that bastard Orochimaru agree to something like this?"

Jiraiya scratched his head as he walked toward the Ninja Academy. He really couldn't imagine that cold-hearted bastard agreeing to such a thing.

Passing by an Izakaya, he immediately caught the scent of sake wafting from inside, easily stirring up the craving in his gut.

Smelling the sake, he stopped in his tracks, looked up at the still-early sky, then turned to the Izakaya and chuckled, "Anyway, it's still early, might as well have a few drinks first."

Only six students remained in the classroom, Minato's team and Ye Zi's team. All the other students had already been taken away by the Jonin who had come for them.

Minato's teammates were a boy and a girl. The boy had a big, sturdy head, dark skin, honest features, and eyes so small they looked like slits. The girl had a delicate appearance, with very bright eyes, and seemed like a gentle-natured girl.

The three members of the team all seemed to be the quiet type, not getting angry over their team leader's tardiness.

Ye Zi had known for two days that the person in charge of his team was Orochimaru. Having spent three years with Orochimaru, he had a certain understanding of him. He knew there must be a reason Orochimaru hadn't shown up yet, and he wouldn't find it strange even if Orochimaru delayed until evening. As for Bei Xingye, with his introverted personality, he wouldn't get angry over something like this either, or rather, he wouldn't dare to get angry over it.

Compared to the two of them, Kushina was different. She was the first to show impatience, complaining several times.

Bei Xingye just smiled weakly from the side, while Ye Zi stared blankly at the playground outside the window.

Slap.

After waiting for a long time, the door suddenly opened.

A pale-faced, handsome man walked in.

As soon as Orochimaru entered the classroom, he saw Ye Zi's group of three in the corner and walked straight toward them.

"O-Orochimaru-sama!" Bei Xingye's eyes widened. He never expected his team leader to be Orochimaru, one of the Sannin. He didn't know if the emotion that burst forth in that instant was fear or excitement.

"Follow me."

Giving Kushina and Bei Xingye a brief once-over, Orochimaru coldly tossed out the words and turned to leave.

Kushina had been a bit unhappy earlier, but the moment she saw Orochimaru, all her displeasure was thrown to the wind.

Having one of the Sannin, Orochimaru, as their team leader was a rare opportunity in itself. No matter how long they had waited, it was worth it.

Bei Xingye and Kushina followed Orochimaru with some excitement, while Ye Zi, having known all along that Orochimaru was their team leader, showed no reaction.

Watching Ye Zi and the others follow Orochimaru toward the classroom door, Minato's two teammates looked on with envy.

Slap!

Just as Orochimaru reached the door, it was yanked open with force, producing a loud bang.

As the door swung open, a faint scent of alcohol drifted in first, causing Orochimaru to frown slightly. Focusing on the person who entered, a trace of helplessness and coldness flickered in his eyes.

"Jiraiya." His slightly hoarse voice carried a flat tone, as if he wasn't surprised at all by Jiraiya's appearance. In truth, Orochimaru didn't know Jiraiya had returned today and would also be leading this year's graduates.

"Oh? Orochimaru." Seeing Orochimaru, Jiraiya was momentarily stunned, then smiled. "What a coincidence." As he spoke, his gaze drifted to the three children behind Orochimaru. When he saw the expressionless Ye Zi, his eyes lingered for a long time, a bit dazed.

This kid... he's quite like Orochimaru.

Withdrawing his gaze from Ye Zi, Jiraiya asked curiously, "Why did you agree?"

Orochimaru knew what Jiraiya was asking and said flatly, "I don't need to answer you."

With that, he stepped forward. Jiraiya instinctively moved aside to let Orochimaru pass, the three students following closely behind.

Standing in the hallway, Jiraiya rubbed his chin, staring at Orochimaru's back, lost in thought.

"Um... are you Jiraiya-sama?" A crisp voice suddenly rang out, interrupting Jiraiya's thoughts.

Looking toward the source of the voice, he saw a timid girl.

"That's right." Jiraiya nodded, not making a big deal out of his title. He was far from the frivolous man he would later become.

Hearing Jiraiya's answer, all three students showed delighted expressions.

They had been envious that Ye Zi's team leader was Orochimaru, but they never expected their own team leader to be Jiraiya.

Looking at Jiraiya, Minato's eyes shone with admiration.

Noticing Minato's gaze, Jiraiya pretended not to see it, but in his mind, he was thinking about what his teacher had said to him before coming.

Minato Namikaze... a once-in-a-generation genius, and also his future student.

He knew very well that the teacher wanted him to train Minato into the pillar of Konoha, someone who would stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

And what about Orochimaru...

Was he that child with the cold expression, whose demeanor so closely resembled Orochimaru's younger self?

Carrying these questions, Jiraiya began the routine assessment with Minato and the others.

At the same time, Orochimaru brought Ye Zi and the other two to a training ground in Konoha.

"Give a brief self-introduction: name, hobbies, and future dreams." Orochimaru looked at the three children before him. He originally only needed to know their names, but he had some interest in Ye Zi's future dreams, so he didn't skip this tradition.

Ye Zi, what exactly is it that you want...