Please Me With Your Life!

Fortunately, Tanakamura was a qualified jonin and quickly identified the only weakness in the team.

That's right, it was our little cutie Kushina.

She was unremarkable, so ordinary that she had already drifted to the edge of the battlefield, restrained and hesitant, terrified of disrupting the tacit understanding between the other four.

Tsunade crossed her arms, her red lips pursed: "It's a pity for a child like Kushina. If she weren't a weakness, this team would have no flaws at all."

Jiraiya watched with great interest, rubbing his hands together: "Hahaha! That yellow-haired brat is quite interesting! He reminds me of myself back in the day! His timing is incredibly precise, and his use of the Three Body Technique is flawless. I want him as my disciple."

Orochimaru's golden slit pupils narrowed slightly as his gaze swept across the field: "As expected of the Ino-Shika-Cho formation; their coordination is truly astonishing."

Ten minutes later, Shikaku Nara's tactical layout suffered a lapse, causing the battle to end prematurely.

The reason was that Kushina simply couldn't suppress the urge to join the fray. Seeing Tanakamura's ankles ensnared by the Shadow Possession Technique, she ignored the tactical plan and lunged forward, intending to strike directly.

She hadn't expected Tanakamura to suddenly unleash the full strength of a jonin, breaking free from the restraint and taking Kushina hostage instantly.

The field fell into a stalemate, and the once seamless tactical coordination was completely shattered.

"You're cheating! How could you use me as a human shield!" Kushina struggled, her red hair standing on end in anger, though her eyes turned slightly red—she knew her impulsiveness had ruined everyone's hard work.

Tanakamura let go, his tone calm: "In ninja combat, there is no such thing as 'cheating.' Seizing an opponent's weakness is the key to victory. Your coordination was excellent, but your remaining chakra is limited; you couldn't have defeated me before running dry."

"However, since I used the strength of a jonin, the examination ends here."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, his voice echoing across the arena: "I agree. Qualified candidates will be notified by their respective instructors. Now, for the final examination."

"There's more?"

"Isn't it over?"

"Who else is there!"

The students in the crowd did not disperse. Even after their own assessments, they continued to watch the remaining performances, hoping to see the gap between themselves and the others.

Seeing the battle between Minato Namikaze and the others, they wore expressions of disbelief. Were these really the same students applying for early graduation alongside them?

How could the gap be so vast?

Hiruzen Sarutobi pressed his hands down, silencing the whispers in the arena.

"The final candidate is Bai Lin. I believe everyone has heard his name at least once." Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was steady and powerful.

Hearing this, Bai Lin, who had been waiting for so long, knew it was finally his turn. He walked forward with a smile and squinted eyes.

"So that's Bai Lin? The kid nicknamed 'Little Brother Phosphorus' in the village, who is said to be the true successor to the Will of Fire?" Orochimaru licked his lips, looking quite surprised.

Most villagers in Konoha had seen Bai Lin, as he often wandered around the village when idle, chatting with everyone about daily life.

Some of the higher-ups had met Bai Lin and held his character in high regard.

Others had never seen him; after all, they moved in different circles. Even with his reputation, he was just an ordinary person to them, holding little appeal for the high-end combat power of Konoha.

Jiraiya leaned in, scrutinizing the approaching Bai Lin, and scratched his head: "So he's Bai Lin! I occasionally pass by the women's bathhouse—er, I mean, I've heard others talk about him. I'd been meaning to see him for myself, but I didn't expect him to be so young!"

Tsunade crossed her arms, her red lips pursed, her eyes filled with scrutiny: "A successor to the Will of Fire, you say?"

Bai Lin walked to the center of the field. With black hair and black eyes, dressed in a white kimono and flip-flops, he wore a faint smile. He appeared casual, yet he possessed an inherent, steady aura.

Facing the Konoha leadership and hundreds of watching eyes, he showed no signs of nervousness, moving as calmly as if he were strolling through his own courtyard.

"Bai Lin, your examination will be different from the others," Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice rang out. "My student, Tsunade, will be testing you. If you earn her approval, you will become her direct disciple."

Tsunade: ??? I had no idea about this; I haven't even thought about taking on a disciple.

Jiraiya: ???

"Teacher, why not let me conduct his examination? I quite fancy him." Orochimaru licked his lips, a flicker of displeasure crossing his golden slit pupils; he was clearly dissatisfied with Hiruzen Sarutobi's decision.

This child! This child! His subconscious told him he desperately wanted to obtain this child.

"I have already considered it. Tsunade, it is most appropriate for you to instruct him." Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was beyond reproach, his eyes fixed on Tsunade with deep meaning.

"Teacher, I object." Orochimaru's voice carried a chill, breaking the silence of the arena. "Everyone knows Tsunade's personality. She is not the most suitable person to teach a disciple. How could she guide others? If Bai Lin is truly excellent, he needs the most extreme guidance, and I can provide him with the top-tier cultivation he deserves."

"Hahaha! I told you! Tsunade isn't the type to settle down and teach a student. Orochimaru, it's rare for you to finally stand on my side."

A vein popped on Tsunade's temple, and a flash of anger crossed her eyes.

One by one, all so self-righteous. Just die already!

"Bang! Bang!"

Orochimaru and Jiraiya collapsed to the ground.

"Teacher, I have no intention of taking on a disciple right now," Tsunade said bluntly to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Tsunade knew clearly that there were very few things she could teach.

Aside from medical ninjutsu, there was only Super Strength. Both were heavily reliant on talent; without the right aptitude, it would be a waste of time.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the fallen Jiraiya and Orochimaru, then back at the furious Tsunade, and sighed helplessly.

He had his reasons for choosing Tsunade. Bai Lin seemed to have a transparent understanding of the Ninja World's landscape, and Hiruzen worried he might walk a path of extremism.

Of the three, Orochimaru's mind was too deep, and Jiraiya was too flighty and impulsive. Only Tsunade, as the granddaughter of Senju Hashirama, truly treated Konoha as her own home and would never allow anyone to harm those she considered family.

She was undoubtedly the most suitable candidate.

"Tsunade, I understand your concerns." Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice softened, carrying a hint of earnestness. "Just teach him normally. As for the reason, I will tell you after the assessment concludes."

Tsunade fell silent, not expecting Hiruzen Sarutobi to value Bai Lin so highly.

"Fine." After a long while, Tsunade finally spoke, her red lips pressed into a thin line. "But if he performs poorly, don't blame me."

Tsunade planned to finish off Bai Lin as quickly as possible, giving her a reason to cast aside this disciple and hand him over to someone else to teach.

Orochimaru lay on the ground, a flicker of unwillingness and gloom flashing through his golden vertical pupils.

He had not expected Tsunade to agree in the end, which meant his plan to take Bai Lin as his own had completely fallen through.

Jiraiya climbed up from the ground, rubbing his swollen forehead, and chuckled, "Since you've taken him in, Tsunade, can I offer him a few pointers occasionally? I'm very skilled, you know!"

"Get lost!" Tsunade glared at him, then turned to Bai Lin, her tone softening slightly. "Bai Lin, my assessment is simple: try to please me with your life."

Bai Lin frowned, not expecting Hiruzen Sarutobi to entrust him to Tsunade.

He had thought that based on his conversation with Hiruzen Sarutobi, he would be guided under Orochimaru.

It seemed Hiruzen Sarutobi's schemes were as heavy as ever, intending to use Tsunade to set him on the right path so he could shine and contribute to the village.

Forget it, it'll have to be her, Bai Lin thought to himself, though a faint smile remained on his face as he bowed slightly toward Tsunade. "Lady Tsunade, I haven't learned any ninjutsu yet. Would you mind giving me some time to prepare?"

"Hm?" Tsunade was filled with question marks. If he hadn't learned ninjutsu, he hadn't learned it—did he really think he could learn it just by preparing?