Chapter 39: Namikaze Minato, Team Nine Introductions
After the Uchiha clan dispersed, Sarutobi Hiruzen returned to the Hokage Residence, Anbu in tow. He hadn't even taken his seat before summoning Shimura Danzo. The two elders clashed in a heated argument that ended in an icy silence.
Not that Uchiha Tonan expected Hiruzen to actually punish Danzo. That was never the point. He was simply using the Hokage's authority to issue a veiled threat—a reminder to Danzo that he wasn't an easy target.
"Can't trust anyone, not really," Tonan thought as he lay in his new, spacious bedroom, staring at the ceiling. After a brief sense of security from his recent power growth, the incident with the Aburame assassin had stripped that away.
That attacker was just a regular Aburame jonin. Even with the Sharingan and the Byakugan at his disposal, Tonan had only barely managed to restrain him. Victory wasn't guaranteed.
He wasn't strong enough. Not yet.
By Tonan's estimate, there was about a year left before Hatake Sakumo's downfall. Time was ticking.
Among his current "prey," only Umino Naoto, Hatake Kakashi, and Uchiha Tenzou had shown signs of emotional attachment—along with three utterly forgettable girls in his class. Out of all of them, Naoto seemed the most viable for the time being. He was a chunin, at least.
But still… "He's not particularly useful."
Naoto was a civilian-born chunin—barely knew a handful of basic jutsu, and had little real battle experience. The biggest issue was risk. Tonan had no intention of making a move himself. Taking the initiative meant opening himself up to discovery. And if he was caught murdering a fellow shinobi?
Game over.
No, the best predators never moved first. They waited in silence, letting the prey come to them. And in a place like Konoha, there was always something stupid enough to wander into striking range.
With a faint sigh, Tonan shut his eyes and drifted into sleep.
The early morning sun crept over the tiled rooftops of Konoha, rousing the village from its dreams. Today was the day Tonan would officially become a genin.
He rose early, washed, packed, and stepped out of his new home—another spacious house in the heart of the Uchiha district, courtesy of the Great Elder. Barely a few steps out the door, he could already feel it.
Whispers.
Stares.
From both sides of the street, clan members pointed at him and murmured, some not even bothering to keep their voices down. The story of his "disrespect" from last night had clearly made the rounds.
Insults floated in the air like smoke from a poorly controlled Fire Style jutsu.
Tonan didn't react. Not outwardly. Inside, though, he noted every face.
"They're all just rations. If trash-talking me helps them feel like they have value before I take it from them… fine."
"Up early today, Tonan?"
The voice caught him off guard. He turned to see the Great Elder watering flowers in the yard next door, smiling like a grandfather. Tonan hadn't realized they were neighbors now.
He bowed slightly. "Good morning, Great Elder."
"Come see me first thing when you get back," the old man said casually.
Tonan nodded, then turned briskly and left. Spending even a minute longer with that sly fox made his skin crawl. Compared to him, Hiruzen was practically transparent.
At the Ninja Academy, Tonan took a random seat in the classroom. Before long, Kakashi arrived, scanning the room before settling into the seat beside him.
"Where've you been these last few days?" he asked.
"Had a bit of a situation," Tonan replied calmly.
Kakashi nodded without pressing.
At around nine, the proctor for the genin exam entered the room and cleared his throat.
"Congratulations," he announced. "You've all passed the Ninja Academy's final exam and are now officially genin. With the exception of special cases, all genin will be placed into three-man squads led by a jonin sensei."
"When I call your name, come up and receive your forehead protector."
He began reading off the teams one by one.
"Team 1, Furukawa Nohara, Inuzuka Kou, Hyuga Hokawa…"
…
"Team 9, Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Tonan."
After assigning everyone, the proctor added, "Your jonin instructors will be arriving shortly to pick you up."
Moments later, the door opened and team leaders began filtering into the room.
"Team 9, come with me," a blond-haired young man called, waving cheerfully.
Tonan narrowed his eyes but nodded politely. He and Kakashi stood and followed. The spiky blond hair, youthful face, and absurdly clean vibe left no doubt.
Namikaze Minato.
The man who mastered the Flying Thunder God.
The man who created the Rasengan.
And—eventually—the man who would marry Uzumaki Kushina.
Tonan's eyes gleamed.
"Flying Thunder God… Rasengan… and if possible, Kushina. But that's a few years away. Can't drink spring water when you're already on fire."
They followed Minato to the rooftop. He sat on the railing, spinning a kunai between his fingers as he studied his two new students. Kakashi leaned on the railing with arms crossed, clearly sizing up Minato with skeptical eyes.
He looked too young, too gentle. It was hard to imagine this guy as a feared shinobi.
Tonan stood perfectly straight, hands at his sides, an amiable smile fixed on his face. He showed no impatience at all.
After a few quiet minutes, coo coo—a few white pigeons fluttered down and landed on Tonan's shoulder, nuzzling into him like affectionate pets. Tonan raised a hand, gently stroking one on the head.
"Shh," he whispered. "I'm busy right now."
The birds seemed to understand, fluttering away without protest.
Minato finally broke the silence.
"The pigeons seem to like you."
"They've always been friendly," Tonan replied, brushing off a stray feather. "They tend to stick around."
Minato grinned. "Alright, let's do introductions. I'm Namikaze Minato. Jonin. Your new team leader. Favorite food: ramen. Dream: to become the Hokage. What about you?"
He looked to Kakashi first.
"Hatake Kakashi," the silver-haired boy said without hesitation. "Don't have any favorites. My goal is to become a strong shinobi."
As he spoke, an image of his father, Sakumo, flickered in his mind. His hands curled into fists.
"Father… I'll surpass you one day."
Minato nodded. "That's a worthy dream. I'm sure you'll get there."
He turned to Tonan.
Tonan pushed his glasses up by the bridge and looked to the side.
"Uchiha Tonan. I like tea, books, and feeding animals."
He smiled warmly.
"My dream… is for more people to acknowledge me."
Minato paused. For a moment, it felt like he was looking at a younger version of himself. That same gentle hunger for recognition.
He smiled. "That's a special dream. I believe Konoha will acknowledge you, Tonan."
Tonan's smile softened. "Nothing would make me happier."
Minato jumped down from the railing and placed a hand on Tonan's shoulder. "Alright, we're done with introductions. Let's get started."