Rejection
"Red Bean, what a coincidence~"
As the four pushed the door open, they spotted Anko Mitarashi standing beside Orochimaru. Bai Ye showed no sign of surprise and simply waved at her, greeting her casually.
"Have you already been accepted as Lord Orochimaru's disciple?" Yue asked, curiosity evident in her voice. Given Anko's performance during the trials yesterday, Yue couldn't quite figure out how Orochimaru chose his students.
"Bai Ye, you're always acting mysterious. Be honest with me—how did you know Anko would be chosen?" Yu Yan leaned in close to Bai Ye, speaking in a low tone with a slightly suspicious glare in her eyes.
"I just said it offhand yesterday. If that counts as foresight, then let me say this now: Tsunade is waiting here just to take you as her disciple," Bai Ye replied with a touch of irritation. He couldn't understand why she always fixated on his offhand comments, especially when it came to serious topics.
"Tsk. Can't I just ask a question without you turning it into a joke?" Yu Yan replied, clearly unconvinced.
"I swear, you're too sharp about the wrong things. If you're so curious, why not go over and hear Anko's explanation with Yue?" Bai Ye muttered, then pulled Yu Yan forward to break her intense stare.
"Lord Orochimaru and the others were actually waiting for you," Anko said to Yue, her expression softening with visible excitement now that they had arrived.
Bai Ye overheard this as he walked up, and a flicker of confusion crossed his mind. Waiting for us?
"You can catch up later," Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, interjected before Bai Ye could speak. "There's something I need to address first."
He opened a drawer and pulled out a folded uniform and a scroll. "Bai Ye, this is your Chūnin certificate and uniform."
Bai Ye was momentarily surprised. He had been wondering when these would be distributed, but he hadn't expected the Third Hokage to hand them over personally.
Without further words, Hiruzen nodded to Tsunade, who stepped forward immediately.
"Are you willing to become my student?" she asked Yu Yan without preamble.
"M-Me?" Yu Yan blinked, clearly stunned. She looked around, pointing at herself in disbelief.
"Yes. Didn't the three of us—Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and I—say yesterday we'd each select a disciple from the competition?" Tsunade explained, her voice uncharacteristically gentle.
Yu Yan stood frozen, overwhelmed by the sudden proposal. She glanced toward Bai Ye and Yue, searching for clarity. She had made an offhand comment yesterday about how amazing it would be to learn from Tsunade, never thinking it would actually happen.
Now that it was real, she hesitated. Agreeing would mean temporarily leaving her current team. She didn't know if she'd be allowed to return—or if someone else would take her place.
"Say yes," Bai Ye mouthed silently.
He could tell from the flicker in Hizashi's expression that this had been arranged beforehand. The surprise the instructors had hinted at was likely this exact moment. Though he didn't want their team to separate, he understood that this was the best path for Yu Yan's growth.
"Our team will not disband," Hizashi said firmly, addressing the thought that weighed most heavily on Yu Yan's heart.
Relief washed over her. She nodded, quietly accepting Tsunade's offer.
"Make sure to visit us often, okay?" Yue said, forcing a smile. Her usual calm demeanor was cracked slightly by the sadness she felt.
Since entering the Academy, the two of them had rarely been apart. They had shared laughter, hardships, and dreams. The idea of being separated now, just as they were starting their journey, filled them with unspoken sorrow.
"Hey, Yue." Jiraiya finally stepped forward, scratching his head awkwardly. "How'd you feel about tagging along with me for a while?"
"…Alright," Yue answered, stealing a glance at Bai Ye. Her voice was steady, but her heart wasn't.
Truthfully, her decision had been made long ago. She could feel the widening gap between herself and Bai Ye, and she knew Hizashi's teachings—while solid—couldn't help her bridge it. Jiraiya's guidance might be her only chance to catch up. More than that, she wanted to be someone who could stand beside Bai Ye, not someone he had to protect.
"Don't forget to come back and check in," Bai Ye said with mock innocence. "Now I'm the only one left."
"Not quite. There's still one more decision," Orochimaru's voice slithered through the air as he stepped forward.
Bai Ye stiffened.
At first, seeing Anko next to Orochimaru made him think the Sannin had already chosen his student. But now, Orochimaru was looking directly at him.
"You're sharp," Orochimaru said, smiling in a way that sent chills down Bai Ye's spine. "What do you say? Would you like to become my disciple?"
He had deliberately waited until the end, letting Tsunade and Jiraiya's choices soften the atmosphere. It was classic psychological manipulation, and Bai Ye recognized it immediately.
Bai Ye smiled politely but cursed internally. If it had been Tsunade or even Jiraiya, he might have considered it. But Orochimaru?
No.
He wasn't ready to be that close to someone so dangerous—not yet.
"I think I'll stay with Hizashi-sensei," Bai Ye replied, feigning sincerity. "Wouldn't feel right leaving an old man like him behind."
His tone was light, but his decision was clear.
Orochimaru's smile thinned, unreadable. "As you wish."
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