Taking Students

Konoha Hokage Office Building

Li Yu, wearing a black robe and a mask, entered the Hokage Office Building after being summoned by the Third Hokage.

"Lord Hokage, what did you need to see me for?"

"Zi Yu, have you given it any thought? The students at the Ninja Academy are graduating soon."

"How about you resume your status as a Jonin? You can just keep your Anbu position as a nominal title—a dual identity."

"You're quite the slacker, leaving all the work for Shui Qi to handle."

Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen took a drag from his pipe and exhaled a cloud of smoke. "If only someone would handle the official business for me, I could finally let these old bones rest."

Li Yu let out a dry laugh, feeling a bit sheepish.

"I have no interest in dealing with paperwork all day."

"A dual identity is fine, though. It's much warmer under the sun."

For the future, Li Yu needed the Anbu identity of Zi Yu to keep himself hidden. With his current strength, the only ones who posed a threat were Nagato of the Akatsuki and Black Zetsu.

Perhaps there was also that old immortal, Uchiha Madara, but given Madara's aged body and lack of the Rinnegan, Li Yu didn't consider him a concern for the time being.

He just didn't know where Uchiha Madara was hiding; the original plot never specified a location.

"It would be perfect to spend some time in the sun, living as Senju Nawaki and teaching a few students."

Upon hearing Li Yu's words, Sarutobi Hiruzen straightened up and opened the files on his desk.

"That sounds excellent. This graduating class has quite a few talented students. Take a look at the roster I've prepared for you."

Li Yu took the files from the Hokage's hand and glanced at them. He chuckled inwardly, The old man is sharp; so this was his goal in calling me here.

Sarutobi Asuma, Yuhi Kurenai, and Uzuki Yuying.

"I must say, Lord Third Hokage, you certainly know how to make arrangements," Li Yu said, placing heavy emphasis on the words "know how."

Sarutobi Hiruzen gave an awkward laugh and immediately prepared to usher him out.

"Nawaki, you have the files now. You can head to the Ninja Academy in a couple of days."

"It's almost time for me to inspect the village, so you should get going."

As Li Yu was leaving, he suddenly added, "Lord Hokage, you should inspect the bathhouses carefully. There's a white-haired man lurking around there who looks very suspicious."

Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen choked on a mouthful of smoke, his face turning beet red.

"Cough, cough!"

Li Yu left the Hokage Office Building, feeling quite pleased with himself.

It's a good thing I warned Uzuki Yuying early on not to go to the bathhouse. I can't let Sarutobi Hiruzen and Jiraiya take advantage of that.

On the streets of Konoha

Li Yu, wearing a forehead protector over his left eye and a green tactical vest, was in a great mood.

He took Yuying with him, intending to head to Yakiniku Q for some barbecue.

In the crowd, a pair with short golden hair and long red hair stood out sharply.

"Minato, Kushina, long time no see."

Hearing a familiar voice, the two turned around immediately.

"Nawaki, long time no see!"

"What happened to your eye?"

Li Yu waved his hand and gave a dry laugh. "It's nothing. I just thought this looked cooler."

To change the subject, Li Yu quickly pulled Uzuki Yuying over.

"Let me introduce you. This is my girlfriend, Uzuki Yuying."

"Yuying, this is Namikaze Minato and his girlfriend, Uzuki Kushina."

"Minato, Kushina, let's go grab some barbecue. My treat."

Kushina's eyes lit up. "Well, if someone is offering to pay, I won't be polite!"

They arrived at Yakiniku Q, the most expensive place to eat in Konoha.

The four of them found a table and sat down.

The proprietress, seeing that her customers were all ninjas, hurried over to ask, "What can I get for you, ninja lords?"

It was Li Yu's first time dining at Yakiniku Q.

"Proprietress, what kind of meat do you have?"

"We have pork, beef, and also top-quality black pork and marbled beef."

"Alright then, bring us ten plates of each of those four types."

Hearing such a large order, the proprietress beamed with joy. "Coming right up! I'll get those served for you immediately."

Before long, all the meat had been served, and the four of them began to chat while enjoying the barbecue.

Li Yu placed a piece of grilled marbled beef onto Yuying's plate, then looked at Namikaze Minato, his mind turning to the matter of mentoring students.

"Minato, I hear this year's Ninja Academy class is about to graduate."

"That's right. Once they graduate, I've been assigned to lead a team."

Li Yu was curious to see if his own arrival had caused a butterfly effect, changing the composition of the team Namikaze Minato was set to lead.

"Minato, which students are you taking? Tell me about them."

"It's no secret: Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Obito, and Rin."

"Minato, that Kakashi from the Hatake clan is a rare genius. I heard he graduated from the Ninja Academy at five years old."

"Since Kakashi graduated so long ago, why is he being assigned to your team?"

Namikaze Minato replied with a smile.

"The village is implementing a policy of one teacher to three students, so Kakashi is still being grouped with the new graduates."

"Nawaki, you're asking me so much—have you been assigned to lead a team as well?"

Li Yu finished the piece of marbled beef Yuying had brought to his lips, feeling incredibly content.

"That's right, I'm going to be a teacher too. Thinking about it, it's not a bad gig."

"As for the students, there's the Third Hokage's son, Sarutobi Asuma, his childhood friend Yuhi Kurenai, and my future sister-in-law, Uzuki Yugao."

"Two girls and one boy—the exact opposite of your team."

In truth, Li Yu kept the rest of his thoughts to himself: Minato, you've got a team of powerhouses, while I've got a team of connections.

"Nawaki, your team even includes the Third Hokage's son."

"It seems the Hokage has high expectations for you."

Li Yu glanced at the Senju Clan crest on his arm, then looked over at Yuying, who was deep in pleasant conversation with Kushina. With the Third Hokage's son and Uzuki Yugao added to the mix, he knew his ties to Konoha Village would only grow deeper in the future.

"Boss, another twenty plates of marbled beef and black pork, please."

Seeing that everyone was still hungry, he couldn't help but think that ninjas were truly voracious eaters. An average family would struggle to afford this kind of appetite, let alone the cost of all their ninja tools.

The four of them walked out of the barbecue restaurant feeling satisfied, though the meal had cost Li Yu 150,000 ryo.

As they stepped outside, Namikaze Minato bowed to him. "I'm truly sorry for making you spend so much."