Apprenticeship?

(Monday rankings push, seeking clicks, recommendations, and collection support!)

(Wuyue bows in gratitude!)

Just as he followed the Third Hokage into the tavern, a pungent, stifling odor rushed toward him, causing Uchiha Yue to knit his brows slightly.

However, because the Third Hokage was right beside him, Uchiha Yue quickly masked his emotions, simultaneously feeling a sense of anticipation for the master the Third Hokage was about to introduce.

Without a doubt, when Uchiha Yue saw the Third Hokage leading him to a tavern, he already had a fair idea of what to expect.

The only ninja who could catch the Third Hokage's eye and have the leisure time to lounge in a tavern was undoubtedly one of the Sannin, Jiraiya.

In his previous life, while watching the Naruto anime, Uchiha Yue had always felt that Jiraiya was an excellent teacher. Just look at the Akatsuki organization's Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko, or the future Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze, and the savior Uzumaki Naruto—all of them had been taught by Jiraiya, and almost every one of them had become an outstanding ninja.

Clearly, this wasn't just because the disciples Jiraiya chose were geniuses, but because his own ability to teach was exceptional.

Therefore, if Jiraiya could become his teacher, Uchiha Yue would have absolutely no objections.

After all, in Uchiha Yue's view, as long as he could increase his own strength, it didn't matter who his teacher was.

Furthermore, with a big shot like the Third Hokage recommending a teacher for him, there was simply no room for Uchiha Yue to refuse.

Since there was no way to refuse, Uchiha Yue could only hope that his future teacher would be able to instruct him well. With this mindset, he followed the Third Hokage into a private room.

However...

When Uchiha Yue followed the Third Hokage into the tavern's private room and saw the figure holding a wine glass inside, he suddenly froze.

The teacher the Third Hokage is introducing to me...

How could it be her?

Clearly, Uchiha Yue was extremely surprised at this moment, because he never expected that the Third Hokage would go to such great lengths for his sake!

Golden long hair, fair skin, a proud bust...

The teacher the Third Hokage was about to introduce to Uchiha Yue was none other than the only female among the Sannin, Tsunade!

I really didn't expect that the teacher the Third Hokage wanted to introduce to me would be Tsunade!

It seems... it seems I won't be able to learn anything useful from Tsunade, right?

Could it be that the Third Hokage introduced Tsunade to me as a teacher just to have someone from the Senju Clan of the Forest keep an eye on me?

Upon learning that the teacher the Third Hokage intended to introduce was one of the Sannin, Tsunade, Uchiha Yue's mood turned sour.

It wasn't that Tsunade wasn't qualified to be Uchiha Yue's teacher, but rather that having Tsunade as his teacher completely didn't fit Uchiha Yue's path!

At this stage, Uchiha Yue had demonstrated talent in ninjutsu and hidden weapons, which were completely different paths from the one Tsunade walked.

The reason Tsunade could hold the title of one of the Sannin was that the Medical Ninjutsu and taijutsu she mastered were top-tier in the ninja world.

Among them, what made Tsunade most famous was her Medical Ninjutsu, but this type of ninja was completely different from Uchiha Yue's style!

If either Jiraiya or Orochimaru had become his master, Uchiha Yue believed he could grow rapidly under their tutelage. But with Tsunade as his master, Uchiha Yue felt she had absolutely nothing to teach him. At this stage, Uchiha Yue had no desire to practice taijutsu or Medical Ninjutsu, so having Tsunade as his teacher was like a tasteless chicken rib—useless.

Moreover, Tsunade was a member of the Senju Clan of the Forest; this was clearly an arrangement made specifically to target him!

Instantly realizing the Third Hokage's intentions, it was impossible for Uchiha Yue not to feel a shred of anger; he felt he had been played by the Third Hokage.

However, the Third Hokage did not notice the change in Uchiha Yue's emotions; his eyes were currently fixed only on his beloved student.

But before the Third Hokage could speak, Tsunade's hazy gaze shifted toward Uchiha Yue.

Then, seeing the family crest exclusive to the Uchiha Clan on Uchiha Yue's person, Tsunade gave a mocking laugh and said coldly, "Old man Sarutobi, did you call me back just to have me take him as a disciple?" As she spoke, Tsunade showed no regard for the Third Hokage's face, pointing directly at the family crest on Uchiha Yue's clothes. "Look clearly, he is a member of the Uchiha Clan! You actually want me to take a member of the Uchiha Clan as a disciple? Are you joking?"

When she finished the last sentence, Tsunade's voice rose significantly, carrying a tone of interrogation.

Yet, facing his beloved student, the Third Hokage showed none of the airs of a Hokage, not even minding Tsunade's anger.

Then, the Third Hokage sat down directly in front of Tsunade with Uchiha Yue, poured himself a cup of wine, and said, "Tsunade, I know you don't want to return to this place that brings you sorrow. But Shizune is still so young, and you drag her around with you everywhere—don't you think that will burden her?"

As he spoke, the Third Hokage paused slightly, then shifted his gaze to Uchiha Yue, saying, "The war has just ended, but the outside world is not peaceful either! I know that with your strength, protecting Shizune is no problem at all. However, not having peers around is ultimately not good for Shizune's future. Therefore, I hope you can take Yue as a disciple, so that Shizune can have a companion."

"Even if I were to find a playmate for Shizune, I wouldn't want to find someone from the Uchiha Clan."

Before the Third Hokage could finish, Tsunade glanced at Uchiha Yue with disgust and said, "Old man, you should know how my grandfather died!"

Suddenly hearing Tsunade say this, the Third Hokage's words came to a halt; how could he not know how the First Hokage died in battle?

Moreover, Uchiha Yue was a direct descendant of Uchiha Madara in Konoha. If Tsunade were to find out about this, the matter of taking on a disciple would be ruined before it even began. However, what the Third Hokage never expected was that while he and Tsunade were discussing the apprenticeship, their conversation had actually angered Uchiha Yue.

Even if he knew he needed to endure, Uchiha Yue was still an extremely proud person; otherwise, he wouldn't have challenged Hatake Kakashi at the Ninja Academy.

Now, being looked down upon by Tsunade, Uchiha Yue suddenly felt a nameless fire burning in his chest.

Then, Uchiha Yue merely glanced at Tsunade before bowing respectfully to the Third Hokage and saying, "Lord Third Hokage, since Lady Tsunade is unwilling to take me as a disciple, I shall return first. After all... the break time at the Ninja Academy is about to end."

Having said this, Uchiha Yue had no intention of staying any longer and walked straight toward the door.

But before Uchiha Yue had taken two steps, Tsunade suddenly arched her brows and shouted angrily, "Who told you to leave? I haven't finished speaking yet!"

"Apologies, Lady Tsunade, I don't want to listen to you."

Facing one of the Sannin, Tsunade, Uchiha Yue showed no intention of compromising, his tone flat as he said:

"My goal in becoming stronger is to protect the people most important to me."

"If you can't even protect those you wish to guard, what right do you have to be my master?"

"Farewell!"