Team Three Disband

"Orochimaru-sama, please accept me as your disciple!"

Anko's voice echoed conspicuously in the empty corridor. Orochimaru, who was walking, trembled slightly and turned around to calmly look at her.

Anko didn't lift her head, still bowing her body, but her face buried in her chest displayed an unprecedented determination.

"Why do you want to become my disciple?"

Orochimaru's smile carried a hint of amusement as he sized up Anko.

...

"Anko..."

Almost everyone in the hospital room was shocked by this sudden scene.

Rin's eyes held a trace of astonishment. That was Orochimaru, one of the Three Sannins. She probably wouldn't have had the courage to approach him so directly. Yet, Anko, the girl who had always seemed timid...

But why did she have to become Orochimaru's disciple?

Shibi let out a sigh. He had noticed Anko's recent changes, but he hadn't expected her to muster such courage.

However, he didn't hold much hope for Anko to become Orochimaru's disciple. Orochimaru was known for having a sharp eye among the high-ranking ninja. Anko had been under his observation for so long, but her talent wasn't particularly outstanding.

Hopefully, she could handle this blow!

A faint smile appeared on Satoru's face. Was this a fateful encounter? Or a self-correction of the timeline?

Originally, under his influence, Anko hadn't become Orochimaru's disciple. Yet now, she had mustered the courage to request an apprenticeship.

Perhaps from the very beginning, this outcome was destined.

...

"Why do you want to become my disciple?"

Orochimaru's voice replayed in Anko's ears as she stood in the corridor, causing her to be slightly dazed.

Why did she want to become Orochimaru-sama's disciple? Anko asked herself this question internally.

Suddenly, scenes appeared in her mind...

Helpless in the face of enemies...

Watching Rin and Kakashi fight, she could only frantically seek help...

Fleeing madly from enemies she couldn't overcome...

In the pouring rain, seeing Satoru, battered and bruised, in the ruins...

"Satoru, am I useless? I hate myself. I hate..."

Memories surged like a tide, engulfing her in an instant. She unconsciously clenched her fists, her body trembling with excitement, tears streaming down her face.

"Because I hate myself, I hate being a useless waste! I hate being so powerless! When my comrades are in danger, I can only watch, and I also want... I want... but I..."

"Orochimaru-sama, please accept me as your disciple! I want to have strength. I want to protect my comrades. I'm so sick of being powerless!"

She almost shouted the last sentence.

Her body bowed even lower, her fists clenched tightly, and tears fell onto the floor before her.

...

At some point, silence descended upon the hospital room.

Anko's hoarse and sorrowful voice resonated, sentence by sentence, from the corridor, like a hammer striking their hearts relentlessly.

Shibi suddenly remembered the first time he met Anko. The cheerful girl had introduced herself, saying, "I love sweets and despise those who harm comrades."

Now, those words seemed resounding and true.

Perhaps I haven't been a responsible teacher. I failed to unleash her true potential... he couldn't help but blame himself.

Rin fell silent. Anko's presence had been so inconspicuous to her. She had always seen Anko as timid, useless, and just following Satoru around. She now realized the inner struggles of that fragile girl...

In the corridor.

Orochimaru suddenly burst into laughter, his voice rough.

"Want to protect your comrades? That's an interesting notion."

"I agree."

What?

Anko, who was still bowing, doubted whether she had misheard. She slowly lifted her head, gazing at Orochimaru with a hint of hesitation.

Orochimaru smiled faintly and repeated himself.

"I agree. From now on, you're my disciple."

"Really...? Orochimaru-sama, no, Orochimaru-sensei."

Orochimaru nodded in response to her, smiling.

"This is great!"

Anko was so excited that she almost jumped. The sudden surge of happiness almost overwhelmed her. In fact, she hadn't held much hope of becoming Orochimaru's disciple, but she wanted to try if there was even a slight chance.

She dashed into the hospital room, grabbing Satoru's hand.

"Satoru, did you hear that? Orochimaru-sama has agreed to take me as his disciple."

"I heard." Satoru smiled wryly. "Could you be a bit gentler? I'm still an injured patient."

"Oh, I'm sorry!"

"Rin, did you hear it?"

"Yes, congratulations."

"Shibi-sensei..."

"Congratulations, Anko. Orochimaru is a renowned member of the Three Sannins. I hope you won't be lazy under his tutelage."

Shibi pushed up his sunglasses. While he hadn't expected Orochimaru to agree, he genuinely felt happy for Anko.

"Yeah, I won't!"

Satoru exhaled and looked up at the ceiling. It seemed like his arrival had caused quite a few changes in the ninja world. He wondered if Orochimaru would still defect from Konoha.

But for now, Anko becoming Orochimaru's disciple was the best outcome.

"Congratulations, Anko." He smiled at her, his eyes holding a hint of complexity. "You'll be training under Orochimaru from now on."

"Thank you." Anko's voice became much softer. Even though she had become Orochimaru's disciple, the thought of being separated from her companions left her feeling somewhat uneasy.

"Anko, don't worry. I'll handle things with the Hokage."

Shibi's voice turned serious. Becoming Orochimaru's disciple would inevitably lead to Anko temporarily leaving Team Three. He could take care of the necessary procedures at the Hokage's office.

"Thank you, Shibi-sensei."

Anko's voice grew quieter. Despite becoming Orochimaru's disciple, the prospect of parting with her teammates still weighed on her heart.

"Anko, don't think too much about it." Satoru smiled. "We're all happy for you to become Orochimaru's disciple. Go on, he's waiting outside for you. I'm looking forward to the day you grow under his guidance."

"Yes."

Anko responded softly, her gaze lingering on her teammates in the hospital room as if she wanted to imprint their faces in her memory...

After Anko left, the hospital room fell silent for a long time.

Shibi contemplated for a moment before looking at Satoru and speaking.

"I had planned to tell you this news later, but since Anko has already left, there's no harm in saying it now."

"The Hokage has promoted you to Chunin, which means..."

"From now on, you might have to lead a team or carry out missions alone. Team Three will be disbanded..."