Gekko Hayate was startled by Asuma's heavy expression and subconsciously asked, "What is true love?"
Asuma gazed affectionately at Kamizuki. His eyes were slightly moist, and he said softly, "I was like you before, pursuing a girl and neglecting those around me. It wasn't until I faced life and death years later that I suddenly realized what love is."
"The people who truly cared about me were always by my side."
Gekko Hayate suddenly had goosebumps all over his body. He looked at Asuma and Kamizuki, who were gazing at each other affectionately, and hesitated, "Could it be that you two..."
"It's just as you think."
Asuma said earnestly, "Hayate, you are still young. Perhaps you haven't met the right person yet, but you absolutely cannot let yourself fall into the whirlpool of love. No, that's not love at all, just wishful thinking from youthful impetuosity!"
Gekko Hayate fell silent. Was his feeling for Yuugao merely wishful thinking? But he only had a good impression of Yuugao now; it hadn't reached that level yet.
Moreover, Senior Asuma and Senior Kamizuki... Gekko Hayate felt his worldview shattering.
Lin Yu took a small sip and said calmly, "Hayate, this world is vast. Many things cannot be contained within a single piece of parchment. How can you know that this is not the correct outcome?"
"I..."
Before Gekko Hayate could ask, Ebisu, who was half-drunk, jumped up incredulously. "Teacher Lin Yu, what... what is going on? And Mr. Asuma, Mr. Kamizuki, you..."
Ebisu had initially thought they were just good friends, but he never expected their friendship to be this deep!
Lin Yu retorted, "Ebisu, have you ever thought about marriage?"
"Marriage? My duty is to train more outstanding ninjas for Konoha. Marriage can wait."
"But with your abilities, teaching students basic ninjutsu is sufficient. It's impossible to train geniuses like Hatake Kakashi or Uchiha Itachi."
Ebisu fell silent. Teacher Lin Yu was right. Although he was confident, he also had a clear understanding of his own strength.
Whether it was taijutsu or the throwing of kunai and shuriken, he far surpassed the level of a mid-level ninja. However, he lacked advanced ninjutsu, which was his biggest weakness.
Lin Yu sipped his clear sake and continued, "Actually, Hayate and Ebisu, you are not pursuing love. It can be said that love is irrelevant in your lives. In your hearts, the village is greater than love. Am I right?"
The village is greater than love?
Gekko Hayate and Ebisu nodded silently. They could sacrifice everything for the village, and of course, they could also sacrifice the ethereal love.
"Then the outcome is clear. Why not find someone with a shared belief who can complement each other's shortcomings to be your partner on life's journey?"
Asuma and Kamizuki nodded heavily, looking at Lin Yu as if they had met a kindred spirit on their life path.
Senior Lin Yu is indeed experienced!
Ebisu fell silent, this conflicted with his values. He needed to think carefully.
Gekko Hayate's gaze was distant. As someone from the direct line of the Hokage's ANBU, his faith in the village was even stronger than Ebisu's. He felt that Senior Lin Yu's words made sense.
In the ninja world, the average lifespan was less than forty years. Instead of pursuing unforgettable love, it was better to find a like-minded life partner with whom they could grow together.
At this moment, Gekko Hayate's head buzzed, and his eyes sharpened. He picked up his sake cup and drank it down in one gulp.
"Drink!"
Indeed, this trip was not in vain. Gekko Hayate had gained many profound truths he hadn't known before, some of which even struck his heart!
"You've opened your eyes, kid! We won't stop drinking until we're drunk tonight!"
Asuma and Kamizuki also breathed a sigh of relief. Although they didn't care about others' opinions, it was even better if others could understand them!
If they could become like-minded people...
Lin Yu smiled and took the wine jar. Two small red pills quietly dropped from his sleeve, dissolving instantly in the water.
Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night!
...
In the early morning, Lin Yu lay contentedly amidst a expanse of tender, fair skin. This red pill was truly effective. Even he himself had drunk it, and who would be suspicious?
That was impossible!
They would only think it was a drunken impulse, coupled with the previous "brainwashing"... Gekko Hayate had likely also embarked on the correct path in life!
He should ask Orochimaru for two more bottles later. No, he had to forbid him from selling them to others. Lin Yu didn't want anyone using this stuff against him.
"Mmm! Tsunade, you still have energy?"
Tsunade raised her head, her delicate tongue tracing her red lips. Her fair, rosy cheeks turned towards Lin Yu, and she seductively asked, "Can you still go?"
Lin Yu: ???
A challenge? One blow and your health bar will vanish!
Soon, the passion from inside the room reached Yuugao, who was squatting on the roof.
"It's happening again... When will it stop..."
Yuugao stealthily peeked in, her face flushing crimson, her chest heaving.
Lady Tsunade, she actually... *sob*!
...
In a certain inn, heavy gasps continued for an entire night before gradually subsiding. The room was a mess, with various clothes, ninja tools, and even Konoha headbands scattered on the floor.
An indescribable atmosphere permeated the room. After an unknown amount of time, a ray of bright sunlight shone through the gap in the curtains onto Gekko Hayate's pale face. However, a hint of rosy color had yet to fade.
Perhaps it was due to an intense naked combat, the dark circles under his eyes had lessened considerably due to the exertion, and he appeared much more vibrant.
After a while, Gekko Hayate woke up, but his head was still swimming with dizziness, and the memories of last night were fragmented.
"Was I drunk... Yes, last night I had some drinks with Master Lin Yu and Senior Asuma... then..."
Gekko Hayate suddenly paused as he thought of this. He noticed his current appearance and the inexplicable pain from behind. He fell silent.
Gekko Hayate's fists slowly clenched, and he looked at the ninjatō lying on the floor. He could never have imagined that something like this would happen to him.
He had actually been... *sigh*!
Gekko Hayate found it hard to accept, but since it had already happened, he was powerless to change it.
Gekko Hayate drew out his half-ninjatō. His own reflection appeared on the gleaming blade. His hair was messy, but his eyes seemed brighter than before, and his complexion was much better.
What was going on?
Gekko Hayate stared at himself blankly. If this had happened before yesterday, he might have been so ashamed that he would have committed suicide, but now...
Gekko Hayate remembered what Master Lin Yu had said last night. Compared to love, finding someone who could complement each other's shortcomings and who also loved the village to advance together, wasn't that more valuable than love?
Special Jonin Ebisu, although his combat power was slightly lacking, his teaching ability was excellent. Moreover, as a private tutor, he would also understand basic medical knowledge and, most importantly, know how to manage time reasonably.
Gekko Hayate, on the other hand, needed someone like Ebisu. His body was not ideal, and his sword technique training lasted from dawn till dusk, which further burdened his body.
Perhaps Ebisu was not the best candidate, but the other party was also a ninja who loved the village. Plus, they were already like this.
"Sigh..."
Gekko Hayate put away his ninjatō and let out a long sigh. Perhaps it was fate.
Without waking the sleeping Ebisu, Gekko Hayate picked up his clothes and gently closed the room door.
*Click.*
After the door closed, Ebisu, who had been pretending to sleep, dared to open his eyes. Tears welled up in the corners of his eyes.
"I, Ebisu, the most outstanding private tutor in Konoha, actually got drunk and..."
Ebisu still found it hard to accept the reality. This was a huge blow to him, but with Asuma's example, Ebisu wouldn't be too impulsive.
"Sigh, I'll see how it goes in the future. Perhaps it's just as Teacher Lin Yu said, compared to women, I should focus more on teaching."
Gekko Hayate, a former ANBU member, mastered the highly lethal Konoha-style swordsmanship, which could perfectly compensate for Ebisu's lack of offensive power. Even if he couldn't learn it himself, he could ask Gekko Hayate for guidance and then teach it to his excellent students.
Thinking of it this way, Ebisu suddenly felt that it was somewhat acceptable.
"Hiss, my butt hurts a bit. As expected from someone who practices sword techniques!"
...
"Are you ready, Yuugao? We're leaving!"
"Master Lin Yu, I need to report to the Hokage first. I'm currently only responsible for your activities in Konoha Village... Ah!"
A golden light flashed, and Lin Yu instantly embraced Yuugao's slender waist. The two figures then vanished from where they stood.
At this moment, far away in the Land of Lightning, three chicken ninjas wearing overalls stood at the entrance of Kumogakure...