It was lunchtime.
The three kids and Namikaze Minato appeared at a ramen shop.
Not just any ramen shop—
But the legendary Ichiraku Ramen, said to have the best reputation in Konoha, the hardest background, and rumored to grant wishes for money, jobs, and even marriage.
In the end, none of the three got the bells.
Kakashi and Obito were taken out early, and Jingyan, after running out of chakra, simply gave up.
But Minato still treated them.
First, to celebrate that they passed and the team was officially formed.
Second… they hadn't really lost.
Because the bells had already melted into a puddle of iron.
"So where's Teacher Minato?" Obito asked suspiciously while waiting for the ramen.
"He's not trying to come late so we pay, right?"
The spiky-haired boy clearly had a bad impression of this teacher.
He had been so cool charging in with a fireball—emotions fully in place—only to get knocked out with one punch.
"He just went to change clothes," Jingyan said calmly.
Fifteen ultra-fast, ultra-hot rays had forced Minato into pure evasion mode.
Minato's strength was unquestionable.
The future Yellow Flash—even without the Nine-Tails—was already Kage-level.
But who was Jingyan?
A top physics-and-chemistry student from Kyushu University!
As a ninja, as a student, Jingyan didn't win.
But as a science guy, he had never lost in this world.
Still… after being acknowledged, the mood of the three wasn't very high.
The one most affected was Kakashi.
At first, when told to meet at Ichiraku, they were excited.
But while walking through Konoha, hearing people talk about White Fang's failed mission,
Kakashi's mood sank.
Jingyan sighed inside.
What was supposed to happen… was finally happening.
When tragedy comes, every high-ranking Konoha official is part of it.
Did Kannabi Bridge really matter that much?
Jingyan sneered inwardly.
It was just a bridge.
Yes, it had strategic value and could slow Iwagakure.
But in reality?
How long could one bridge stop an invasion?
Before the bridge even existed, Iwa still attacked.
Later, the mission could even be handled by Minato's four-man squad.
And at that time, Minato hadn't yet become the man who crushed the Cloud's A–B brothers alone.
In short—
It was just a bridge.
It simply carried too much darkness.
"Four large tonkotsu ramens with extra toppings and ten portions of chashu!"
Teuchi himself brought the ramen out.
The smell was amazing.
Sadly, the diners weren't fully focused on it.
"Thank you, boss," Kakashi said politely.
But when he was about to eat, he noticed someone staring at him.
It was Obito—the guy who still hadn't beaten him, yet always claimed he could beat him anytime, and even mocked him for lasting 1.5 seconds less in the test.
"Don't forget what Jingyan told you that day."
After saying that, Obito turned and shouted, "Itadakimasu!" and buried his face in the bowl.
Kakashi froze.
He looked at the other teammate, who was also eating quietly.
After a while, Kakashi looked back at his ramen.
Large size, extra toppings, ten portions of chashu—
This was ordered by that spiky-haired idiot.
It cost more than twice a normal bowl.
Kakashi felt strangely warm inside.
"Itadakimasu."
...
One week later.
In that same quiet forest.
Team Minato gathered again, summarizing the day's missions and training.
Minato smiled as he handed out the D-rank mission rewards.
"Next, we'll take a slightly dangerous C-rank mission."
"Don't get too excited yet—I can't tell you the details."
"Go home and prepare travel supplies. Three days later, meet under the Hokage Tower."
"Ninja tools, soldier pills—I won't repeat that. And make sure your clothes are ready!"
Still as considerate as ever.
After a few more reminders, Minato used Flying Thunder God and vanished.
As the three were about to part ways after a tiring day—
Kakashi suddenly walked up to Jingyan.
"Jingyan… if it's convenient, can you come to my house?"
"My father wants to invite both of you for a home meal."
T/N:
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