Chapter 49 – The Formation of Team Minato
"Man... today's really boring," Yusuke muttered after finishing his Taijutsu training. With nothing else to do, he looked up at the sky and sighed.
"…Maybe I should check out Kakashi's new team," he mumbled to himself.
Without delay, he made his way toward the training grounds. Even without using the power of the Door-Door Fruit or the Glint-Glint Fruit, it didn't take long for him to arrive. From a distance, he spotted Minato speaking to three young Genin.
"Hello, everyone. I'll be your instructor—Namikaze Minato," the man said with a gentle smile. "My hobbies are developing new Jutsu and reading. My dream is to become Hokage. Now, I'd like you all to introduce yourselves."
"I'll go first!" Obito blurted out, full of energy.
"My name is Uchiha Obito! My hobby is helping others, and my dream is to become Hokage too! I specialize in Fire Release!" he declared, proudly adjusting his goggles.
"My name is Nohara Rin. I like collecting seashells. My dream is to become a great kunoichi like Lady Tsunade. I'm studying Medical Ninjutsu," Rin said softly, a calm smile on her face.
"My name is Hatake Kakashi. My hobby is Kenjutsu training. My goal is to surpass my father and follow in my brother's footsteps. I specialize in Hatake Sword Style, One-Sword Style, and Lightning Release," Kakashi stated with quiet determination.
Rin blinked in surprise. She'd always known Yusuke was stronger than Kakashi, but she didn't realize just how much his older brother had influenced him.
Meanwhile, Obito gritted his teeth, muttering internally, That show-off again…
"Obito, aiming to become Hokage like your sensei, huh? Keep up the spirit," Minato said with a warm grin.
"And Rin, I believe you'll become a fine kunoichi."
Then Minato turned to Kakashi, voice growing more serious.
"Kakashi… wanting to surpass the White Fang is already a lofty goal. But to follow in your brother's footsteps… that might be an even steeper mountain to climb."
He wasn't exaggerating. Even Minato, with his famed Flying Thunder God Technique, wasn't confident he could beat Yusuke if they ever went all out. (And at this point, he hadn't even fully mastered it yet.)
"Wait—Kakashi's brother is that strong?!" Obito shouted in shock. He still assumed Yusuke was just another regular shinobi.
"Alright, enough chatter," Minato clapped his hands together. "Even though you've all received forehead protectors, you're not real shinobi yet. Your first mission is to take these bells from me. If you fail, two of you will be sent back to the Academy for another year… and yes, even Kakashi would be demoted back to Genin."
As those words left his mouth, all three Genin immediately focused, their expressions sharpening.
"Let's begin."
Obito dashed in first, kunai in hand.
"Idiot…" Kakashi grumbled. He'd originally planned to hide and strategize, but Yusuke's advice about teamwork echoed in his mind. Unless you possess overwhelming strength, cooperation is the key.
Obito launched a close-range strike. Minato caught his wrist with his right hand. Obito tried a follow-up with his left, but Minato blocked again. Even a desperate kick was stopped mid-swing. In mere seconds, all of Obito's movements were locked down.
Just then, Kakashi drew his sword and swung toward Minato. With fluid motion, Minato released Obito and sidestepped the blade.
Obito quickly formed hand seals.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
A massive ball of fire roared toward Minato.
Kakashi followed up immediately.
Hatake Sword Style: Lotus Slash!
A spiraling lotus-shaped slash of aura raced forward. It was a powerful move… but still lacking when compared to Yusuke's execution of it.
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!
With a single C-rank technique, Minato easily dispersed both attacks.
Kakashi grabbed Obito and retreated to Rin's position.
"What the heck was that for, Kakashi?!" Obito snapped.
"Shut up, idiot. There's no way we can win against him like this. We need a plan," Kakashi replied firmly.
"I agree," Rin nodded. "Even a Chūnin would be hard for us to handle. Minato-sensei is an Elite Jōnin."
"I've got a plan. Here's what we do..." Kakashi whispered his strategy.
"Alright."
"...Fine," Obito grumbled but went along with it.
The three of them vanished into the trees.
Then, all at once, they reappeared in front of Minato.
Water Release: Water Ball Technique!
Rin attacked first, followed by—
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
Obito launched his attack in perfect sync.
Their combined strikes shot toward Minato. He jumped back to avoid the blast. The fire met the water midair, exploding into a dense fog.
Earth Release: Headhunter Jutsu!
Kakashi took advantage of the smoke screen, attacking from underground.
Minato sensed the shift beneath him and tried to leap away—only to be met by another Fireball from behind, cutting off his escape.
With no choice, Minato braced himself. He infused his kunai with Wind chakra and sliced through the flame.
From below, Kakashi was waiting. He formed a seal, a loud buzzing echoing across the field.
Chidori!
Lightning surged from his hand as he rocketed upward. For the first time, Minato looked a bit serious. He waited until Kakashi closed in, then caught him mid-charge and tossed him aside.
Obito followed up by hurling a flurry of kunai.
Minato evaded and charged toward the weakest target—Rin.
"No! Rin, get out of the way!" Obito shouted and dashed after him.
But could Rin really avoid Minato?
Just as Minato's hand reached her—poof!
A puff of smoke appeared.
"Clone Technique," Minato muttered, nodding slightly.
The real Rin emerged from the opposite direction and snatched the bell from his belt.
Minato didn't resist.
"We did it! We passed!" Obito cheered. Rin smiled, relieved.
"Congratulations. You've passed. That teamwork was exactly what I wanted to see. Honestly, you already passed the moment you chose to work together," Minato said warmly.
"You're really a mess, Minato-nii-san," Yusuke's voice suddenly rang out as he stepped into the clearing.
"Finally decided to show yourself, huh?" Minato didn't even flinch. He'd sensed Yusuke nearby the whole time.
"Just got bored at home," Yusuke replied with a casual grin. "Figured I'd watch a bit. Didn't expect you to be Kakashi's instructor though."
"Yeah, well… I didn't have much of a choice," Minato sighed.
"Yusuke! What're you doing here?!" Obito ran over and gave him a hug.
"Just stopping by to see you guys," Yusuke said.
"Alright then! Today's meal is on me!" Minato announced.
"Yay! Long live Minato-sensei!" Obito whooped with joy.
And just like that, Team Minato was officially born.
Yusuke gazed at them, deep in thought.
None of these people were ordinary.
Namikaze Minato — future Fourth Hokage, host of the Yin half of Kurama, known as the Yellow Flash.
Nohara Rin — future Jinchūriki of the Three-Tails, and the key to Obito's descent into darkness.
Uchiha Obito — future Jinchūriki of the Ten-Tails, mastermind of the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Hatake Kakashi — the legendary Copy Ninja, one of the few who resisted the Infinite Tsukuyomi, and future mentor to Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha.
A legendary team... formed right before his eyes.
And Yusuke stood at the edge of it all, silently watching the gears of fate begin to turn.
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