Chapter 11

Joining the Team

Namikaze Minato never delayed decisions. As the Yellow Flash of Konoha and commander of the battlefield, he swiftly wrote a transfer order and dispatched a messenger ninja.

Uchiha Gen received the notice and rushed over without hesitation.

After obtaining permission, he entered the command tent, bowed slightly, and said, "Lord Fourth."

"Don't be so formal—relax."

Am I not nervous?

"I already know the situation. Starting today, you will be temporarily assigned to Team Minato, directly under my command."

"If you gain my approval, as well as that of Kakashi and Rin, I will officially take you on as a disciple."

"Let's see what you've got."

With Minato's status as the Fourth Hokage's successor, the fastest shinobi of his time, and a war hero, countless Konoha ninjas aspired to be his students.

"I'll do my best," Gen replied.

His face was flushed with excitement, but deep down, he remained calm. Becoming Minato's disciple was an incredible opportunity, yet it wasn't his only option.

Clinging to a powerful figure like Minato was strategic. If he succeeded, his growth would skyrocket. If not, he had other paths.

He believed that no matter what he did, the Uchiha Clan's fate—the night of the massacre—was inevitable. What mattered was gaining enough power to survive when that night came.

"Go and get acquainted with Kakashi and Rin."

"You'll be teammates for now—maybe even for life."

"Yes, Lord Minato."

Minato returned to his paperwork as the three left the tent.

They walked to a nearby stream, where clear water shimmered under the sunlight, small silver fish darting between the rocks. The surrounding trees swayed gently, carrying the scent of fresh earth. Birds chirped, and the breeze rustled the leaves—a rare moment of tranquility amid war.

"Let's introduce ourselves," Kakashi said, stepping forward as their appointed leader.

At twelve years old, Hatake Kakashi was already a jōnin, the youngest in Konoha's history at the time. His genius and the legacy of the White Fang made him the undisputed captain.

"My name is Hatake Kakashi. I'm twelve. My favorite food is salt-roasted saury and eggplant with miso sauce. I dislike tempura."

"My hobby is reading. My goal is to protect my comrades. My specialties are Kenjutsu and Lightning Release techniques."

He turned to Rin.

Nohara Rin, smiling warmly, clasped her hands behind her back and tilted her head slightly. "I'm Nohara Rin, twelve years old. My favorite food is strawberries. I dislike thick-boiled seafood."

"My hobby is collecting seashells. My dream is to heal every injured Konoha ninja I meet. I specialize in medical ninjutsu."

Both turned to Uchiha Gen.

Gen, unfazed, smiled. "I'm Uchiha Gen, thirteen. I have no favorite or least favorite foods."

"My interests? Many—ninjutsu research, cooking, music, reading, traveling."

"My dream is simple—to live freely. My strengths are Genjutsu and Fire Release."

"Live freely?"

Kakashi sighed. "That's… a difficult dream for a ninja."

The world of shinobi demanded sacrifice. ANBU lost their identities; others spent their lives on missions, bound by duty. Freedom was nearly impossible.

"Freedom doesn't mean doing whatever you want," Gen said, reading their expressions carefully. He needed their approval—especially Kakashi's, whose influence would only grow.

"It means not being forced to do what you don't want to do."

"That makes sense. I like your dream," Rin said.

"I agree," Kakashi added.

"Still, our dreams aren't easy," Kakashi mused. "Obito's is the hardest. He wants to be Hokage."

Rin nodded. "Yes, his dream is the most difficult."

"Obito… I don't know him well, but I've heard of him," Gen said. "Genealogically, we're distant cousins. I'm half a month older, so technically, he should call me 'senpai.'"

"Our ancestors were brothers a few generations ago."

Kakashi and Rin's expressions softened. The connection made Gen seem more familiar, more trustworthy.

Of course, for the Obito who would later walk a path of darkness, this connection meant nothing. The same Obito who orchestrated the Nine-Tails attack, leading to Minato and Kushina's deaths.

Minato—the fastest shinobi in history, yet always a step too late.

Some called it an excuse. But Minato wasn't their nanny; he was a leader, tasked with protecting an entire village. He couldn't always be there for his students.

Kushina had cared deeply for Obito, treating him like a little brother. Yet in the end, he stood before her as the enemy, forcing her to endure the agonizing extraction of the Nine-Tails.

He even placed explosive tags on his sensei's newborn child.

All because, in the illusion of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, Minato, Kushina, and the entire world could be "resurrected."

Who was truly terrifying?

Those who committed atrocities yet believed they were saving the world.

They felt no guilt. They had no remorse. They had their own logic—and that made them unstoppable.

For Minato and Kushina, having a disciple like Obito was an unfortunate twist of fate.

Being a sensei in the ninja world was a high-risk profession.

But Gen saw an opportunity. Kakashi wasn't just a genius; he carried the legacy of both the White Fang and the Fourth Hokage.

Minato and Kushina might not live long, but Kakashi… Kakashi was a walking buff. Anyone who earned his trust gained the indirect support of countless others.

Gen was ambitious, and he wouldn't waste this chance.

Their conversation deepened, their bond forming quickly. Though they were far from the legendary Team 7, they had the makings of something meaningful.

And in the shinobi world, relationships were everything.

Never be alone.

Never be a lone book on the shelf.

That's how you survive.

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