Ying Yue recommended Yakushi Kabuto from the orphanage to Orochimaru, believing that Kabuto had displayed astonishing talent in medicine and intelligence gathering and was well suited to further development in scientific research.
Orochimaru strongly agreed and swiftly took Yakushi Kabuto on as his disciple, beginning to impart more knowledge to him.
Orochimaru greatly admired Ying Yue's eye for talent, saying that Ying Yue always managed to discover outstanding people.
Although Orochimaru already had a disciple, Mitarashi Anko, Anko was more focused on researching snake-based ninjutsu and had shown little interest in scientific research, which left Orochimaru somewhat disappointed.
Yakushi Kabuto's arrival filled that gap. He displayed immense potential and interest in research, which greatly satisfied Orochimaru.
Watching Orochimaru become increasingly absorbed in scientific research, Ying Yue felt gratified.
Although Orochimaru's research direction sometimes seemed overly radical, he remained an indispensable scientist to Konoha.
Meanwhile, Ying Yue's three disciples—Sarutobi Asuma, Yuhi Kurenai, and Shizune—had gradually grown into jōnin capable of standing on their own.
During the Third Shinobi World War, they had performed exceptionally well and were already able to shoulder the village's heavy responsibilities.
As Sarutobi Hiruzen's son, Sarutobi Asuma greatly respected Ying Yue, but deep down, he yearned for independence.
He proposed joining the Twelve Guardian Ninja of the Daimyo, protecting the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, leaving Konoha to step out from beneath the shadow of being the Third Hokage's son, and proving himself.
Though Sarutobi Hiruzen was reluctant to let him go, he ultimately could not refuse his son and agreed to his request.
Ying Yue understood and supported Asuma in pursuing loftier goals.
Under Ying Yue's arrangements, Yuhi Kurenai and Shizune followed Tsunade to study medical ninjutsu.
After the war ended, Tsunade returned to medical work and discovered the talent Yuhi Kurenai and Shizune displayed