Chapter 324: With Your Words, I Feel Relieved

Graduating from Ninja School does not mean a student can become a ninja.

They must pass the Team Leader Teacher's test of character and temperament; only those who pass can become ninjas. Otherwise they are sent back to Ninja School for further training.

For example, snatching the bell on the teacher.

This assessment applies only in peacetime; graduates during wartime can serve as ninjas.

War is a contest of consumption, including the consumption of cannon fodder.

Lian Ye is too lazy for such formalities; while other Team Leader Teachers assess their students, he is already preparing dinner for them.

After all, his three students are not cannon fodder but the future Konoha Three Great Ninja.

Assessments are a waste of time for them, and Lian Ye is certainly not idle looking for trouble.

I don't know whether Shanjiaoyu Banzang made it through; if not, Gangshou and the others may lose the title of Konoha Three Great Ninja.

Hope that guy is still alive, otherwise the Second War would be gone.

He knows war will not disappear; even if Shanjiaoyu Banzang does not start a war, other ninja villages will.

Since that's the case, better let Banzang come; at least he knows some things.

"I'm about to start eating."

At the table, Gangshou and the other two kept picking up dishes and shoving them into their mouths; they hadn't enjoyed good food for a long time.

Even Orochimaru's speed at picking up food noticeably increased.

Although he once openly stole culinary techniques, his dishes never had the flavor that Lian Ye's do.

The three ate the meal very happily.

After the meal, Lian Ye did not let them leave, but led them to the riverbank.

"Uncle Lianye, are you going to assess us?" Gangshou asked curiously.

Graduation requires passing the teacher's assessment to become a ninja; this is common knowledge among Ninja Academy students.

Orochimaru and Zilaoye stood on guard, awaiting Lian Ye's announcement of the assessment details.

"Lian Ye Teacher, I will definitely pass the assessment!" Zilaoye clenched his fist, looking very serious.

He has always idolized Lian Ye; now that he finally became Lian Ye's disciple, he naturally will give his all to pass the assessment.

Orochimaru said nothing, but his solemn expression showed his stance.

He could never miss this once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity.

Lian Ye looked at the three's earnest faces and couldn't help smiling.

"I'm not interested in this kind of formalism."

"Lian Ye Teacher, you mean…" Zilaoye asked, somewhat incredulous.

"I have no assessment for you; you are already my disciples," Lian Ye said.

Hearing this, the three all showed delighted expressions, not expecting it to be so easy to become Lian Ye's disciples.

"I called you here to tell you the importance of respecting teachers," Lian Ye said seriously, "A ninja's life faces countless choices… but no matter how strong one becomes, one must never bear ill will toward a teacher!"

He fears that Orochimaru will, like in the original story, take the old route of betraying his master, and wants to prevent being helpless with crippled legs and falling victim to Orochimaru's poisonous hand.

Now he wants to instill the principle of respecting teachers in the three, to avoid ending up with a script like Yuanfei Rizhan's.

If Orochimaru actually kills him then, the fun would be huge.

Zilaoye and Gangshou were stunned, not understanding why the teacher said such words.

They could never possibly bear ill will toward the teacher.

Orochimaru squinted, always feeling there was a hidden meaning in the teacher's words, wondering if he was implying someone.

"In short, you must remember not to commit teacher‑killing acts; when I'm old I won't expect you to support my retirement, just don't harbor ill thoughts toward me."

Lian Ye truly fears that when he grows old, Orochimaru will drag him into human experiments.

After all, that guy Orochimaru does have a criminal record!

"Don't worry, Teacher!" Zilaoye said first, "I could never do such a despicable thing."

"Uncle Lianye, you can rest easy," Gangshou said with a smile, "When you grow old, I'll take care of you."

Lian Ye: "..."

If I recall correctly, in the future Gangshou will not only lose all the money she has in gambling, but also end up owing a huge debt.

If she really has to support his retirement, he'll probably be rummaging through trash cans by the roadside.

Fortunately, with sponsorship from the Exchange House owner, he now has considerable family assets and need not worry about future retirement.

The only worry is whether Orochimaru will go rogue and betray his master…

"Teacher, whatever circumstances arise in the future, the things you worry about will never happen," Orochimaru said seriously.

He didn't know why, but he felt the teacher's words seemed to be about himself…

Lian Ye nodded appreciatively at the words, "With you saying that, I feel relieved."

He hopes that when Orochimaru eventually destroys Konoha, he will recall the words spoken today.

He cannot guarantee that Orochimaru won't go rogue; such things are impossible to predict.

After all, Orochimaru initially pursued the path of eternal life, so he could never have created a true immortality elixir, right?

"Alright, you may go back now," Lian Ye said to the three, "Gather here tomorrow morning, and I'll lead you to receive a mission."

As a Team Leader Teacher, he must lead students on missions, which in reality means ensuring their safety.

"Understood!" the three replied in unison.

"Uncle Lianye, don't be late again," Gangshou couldn't help complaining, "You made us wait all afternoon today."

If the Team Leader Teacher weren't Lian Ye, she would have reported him to Second Grandfather long ago.

"There was an accident today; it won't happen tomorrow," Lian Ye said awkwardly.

He would never tell the three that he forgot the graduation time for the students.

At first he thought it was tomorrow, but then realized it was actually today…

Lian Ye returned home, packed the cooked meals into a Food Box, intending to deliver them to that old kid Qianshou Feijian.

Laboratory.

"You kid, you didn't even knock!" Qianshou Feijian flustered, hurriedly gathered the documents on the table.

"Uncle, what kind of Ninjutsu are you actually developing, and you won't even show me a glimpse?" Lian Ye felt puzzled.

He didn't understand what Ninjutsu this old kid was developing, making it all mysterious…

"Don't pry into matters you shouldn't," Qianshou Feijian said irritably. "When you have time, properly teach your disciple."

"Got it, Uncle." Lian Ye was somewhat helpless.

If I don't speak, I won't speak; why am I being lectured myself?

"Place the food on the table, and you may leave." Qianshou Feijian waved his hand, indicating that he should depart quickly.

This kid staying here hinders his development of Ninjutsu…

"Uncle, tomorrow I'm taking Gangshou and the others out on a mission; during that time, you should prepare some Soldier's Ration Pills yourself."

Lian Ye finished speaking, turned and left, not caring at all about that old kid's feelings.

Qianshou Feijian: "…"

He gazed at Lian Ye's departing silhouette, sighing helplessly.

…

…

ps: Thanks to Na Ke Ke Ke Xia for the generous gift, kneeling and licking jpg, ying ying ying…