The next day.
With the help of medical ninjutsu, it didn't take long for Ken to recover completely. By morning, the soreness had faded, and the burns had vanished without a trace.
He arrived at Training Ground Seven as sunlight crept over the treeline.
Someone was already there.
Kakashi stood near the center of the field, arms at his sides, staring ahead in complete silence.
Ken paused.
…Who would have thought this guy would be always late in the future.
Kakashi noticed him. A complex emotion flickered briefly through his eyes before disappearing. He said nothing and returned to his stillness.
Ken didn't try to start a conversation.
He had his own thoughts to struggle with.
He didn't care much about how events were supposed to unfold, but he couldn't help wondering what had happened to Obito's team. After all, knowledge of the plot was the only real edge he possessed.
As for Kakashi—
Ken had no intention of interfering directly in his life.
He wouldn't betray him. With time, he might help if the opportunity arose. But actively trying to fix another person's trauma?
That was far more effort than he was willing to invest.
While both boys remained lost in thought, a familiar presence appeared behind them.
"Good morning."
Minato landed lightly on the grass, hands tucked into his sleeves.
Both genin straightened instinctively.
"Yesterday," Minato said, "I completed my observation of you two."
His gaze moved between them.
"Starting today, we'll begin outlining your training plan."
A faint smile curved his lips.
"How closely you follow it—or whether you add extra training—is your choice. I'll simply conduct evaluations."
He paused.
"If you pass, we move forward."
"And if we don't?" Ken asked.
Minato's smile sharpened slightly.
"…Then be prepared for punishment."
Both nodded without hesitation.
Ken raised a hand.
"Are we going to be a three-man team?"
"Yes," Minato replied easily. "You're both talented—and experienced enough. There's no need to add a new genin and start from scratch."
Ken relaxed slightly.
"So… we don't have to take D-rank missions?" he asked hopefully.
He really didn't want to chase cats again.
And he was painfully short on money.
Minato chuckled.
"No need to worry about that."
Relief washed over Ken.
Throughout the entire exchange, Kakashi hadn't moved an inch—silent as stone.
Minato glanced toward him.
"Let's begin."
Minato brought his hands together.
A second Minato appeared beside him in a flicker of chakra.
The clone turned toward Kakashi.
"Come with me."
Without a word, Kakashi followed.
Minato gestured for Ken to walk with him in the opposite direction. They stopped near the edge of the training field, far enough that voices wouldn't carry.
For a moment, Minato simply observed him.
"Ken," he asked, "what kind of shinobi do you want to become?"
Ken blinked.
"…An all-rounder."
Minato nodded thoughtfully.
"A common answer," he said. "And a dangerous one."
Even if versatility was the goal, Minato explained, a shinobi still needed a foundation. Attempting to grow in every direction at once would slow progress to a crawl.
"Right now," Minato continued, "you're inclined toward ninjutsu. Your chakra shaping, control, and creativity make that clear."
"If you chose to continue down that path," he added, "taijutsu-only sparring wouldn't be necessary."
"I won't," Ken interrupted.
Minato paused and looked at him.
"I won't focus only on ninjutsu," Ken said. "I'll focus more on close-range combat."
"Why?"
"…Because I don't have enough chakra."
Minato blinked.
Then laughed softly.
"That isn't true. You already possess more chakra than most shinobi your age."
Ken smiled.
"I know."
He didn't explain further.
Compared to his peers, his chakra reserves were impressive.
Compared to what lay ahead?
They were negligible.
The coming war alone would demand far more than this.
Unlike missions, battlefields wouldn't be one-on-one. Without strong close-combat ability, he would be overwhelmed the moment he faced multiple enemies.
Minato studied him quietly.
"…Very well," he said at last. "Then we'll train accordingly."
He glanced toward the clearing where his clone had already begun drills with Kakashi.
"For Kakashi, the focus will be burst strength and sudden acceleration. He fights like an assassin—short engagements, decisive strikes."
Ken nodded.
"And for you," Minato continued, "we'll build a body that can withstand your own fighting style."
A faint smile crossed his face.
"You pursue dangerous techniques. That means your foundation must be even stronger."
Minato reached into his pouch and withdrew three scrolls.
He handed them to Ken without ceremony.
"For now," he said, "these will be your focus."
Ken accepted them—
and froze.
Earth Release: Subterranean Voyage.Earth Release: Earth Spikes.
And beneath them—
Earth Release: Earth Spear.
His eyes practically glowed.
How could he forget that technique?
The hardened skin.The overwhelming defense.The jutsu that had once left him battered and helpless.
He swallowed.
It was far beyond what a normal genin should possess.
He had wanted it—
but he hadn't dared to ask.
Minato noticed his expression and smiled.
"I thought you might."
Ken tightened his grip on the scrolls.
"Minato-sensei… this is a high-level technique."
"I know."
Minato's voice softened.
"There's no need to worry. The village won't waste your effort—or your talent."
Ken nodded deeply.
Even if it was partly propaganda, the words still steadied him.
Minato's gaze drifted briefly, memories surfacing.
I was a civilian shinobi too, he thought.Though I found my teacher early… I still know what it means to walk alone.
"For now," Minato said, straightening, "focus on mastery—not quantity."
He gestured toward the scrolls.
"Subterranean Voyage for mobility. Earth Spikes for offense. Earth Spear for defense."
"When you stabilize them, we'll slowly incorporate them into sparring."
He met Ken's gaze.
"In the end, I can only give you tools."
His smile returned—calm and sincere.
"How you shape them… and what kind of shinobi you become—that part is yours."
Ken bowed deeply.
"I won't waste them."
Minato chuckled softly.
"I hope so."