23 - Poor Compatibility? Minato Namikaze’s Assessment

"What do you think of this team's compatibility?"

Inside the Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, unusually, hadn't picked up his pipe, and a kindly smile adorned his face.

As an old man, beyond maintaining his health, he placed greater emphasis on nurturing the younger generation.

Take the blond young man before him—Konoha's elite jonin, Minato Namikaze.

By lineage, Minato was his grand-disciple.

Yet his status as an elite jonin was no fluke.

Trained by the heroic Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin!

Mastering the Second Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique at a young age, he was Konoha's fastest ninja!

And Minato's genius didn't stop there.

His self-created, seal-less Rasengan had already been recorded in the Scroll of Seals as an A-rank technique.

Now, Minato was about to face a major turning point in his ninja career.

Transitioning from a mission-focused combat elite to the weightier role of a "team leader jonin."

And the team he'd be responsible for? The freshly graduated trio of Yuto Souta, just enough to form a squad…

"Compatibility… I have to say, this team's chemistry is average at best."

Minato pondered for a while before giving a fair evaluation.

Konoha upheld the Will of Fire, placing immense value on protecting its younger ninja.

Especially in wartime… the responsibility of a team leader jonin was monumental.

Minato understood this, and precisely because of it, he couldn't afford to be careless.

"How so?" Hiruzen's smile widened.

The original choice for this team's jonin instructor had been his other disciple, Orochimaru.

All three had exceptional talent, and Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, was indeed the ideal pick.

But the Sand Village needed him to keep them in check… and Orochimaru's temperament wasn't quite suited to nurturing the Will of Fire.

After all… this team had two Uchihas!

Their jonin leader needed careful consideration—

someone with both the strength and talent to guide them, and a Konoha ninja embodying the Will of Fire.

That left Minato as the only fitting choice…

"Their talent and determination are commendable," Minato said, though his brow furrowed.

"But this team's traits—or rather, its flaws—are too glaring."

"Each has their own personality, and their goals seem to differ. That could become this team's Achilles' heel."

Minato saw it clearly.

He hadn't been at their exam.

But from the combat records alone, he could discern plenty…

Like Kakashi Hatake's over-reliance on swordplay, Obito Uchiha's sloppy fighting style, and a certain science student with an exceptional mindset but overly cold methods…

"Minato… since you can see it, I'm at ease," Hiruzen said, his smile unwavering, though his tone grew meaningful.

"They're Konoha's children, Konoha's future. I'm confident entrusting them to you."

Differing goals.

To Hiruzen, that was indeed this team's biggest issue.

It wasn't a huge deal under normal circumstances.

But in critical moments—especially those deciding the team's fate—

those differing pursuits could fracture the squad.

However…

That was exactly why Minato Namikaze was the perfect jonin for this team, wasn't it?

If two Uchiha geniuses embraced the Will of Fire…

The decades-long tension between the Uchiha and the village might be resolved in his lifetime!

And… White Fang's son was in there too.

A child with the potential to become a second White Fang naturally needed a firm grasp of the Will of Fire.

"I understand, Lord Third."

Minato exhaled slowly, giving a slight bow.

Taking on three geniuses—or rather, two geniuses and one effort-driven talent—as their jonin leader was a hefty burden.

He'd have to take it one step at a time…

Meanwhile.

In Konoha, the Hatake clan grounds.

Two boys in similar outfits approached a large house.

One had bandages wrapped around his face…

It was Obito Uchiha, sneaking out of the hospital, and Yuto Souta.

The Hatake grounds weren't hard to find. As a clan of Konoha's honored heroes, the Hatake were few in number but claimed a sizable territory.

This whole hill belonged to them!

Yet Sakumo Hatake disliked extravagance. Beyond a training field, the vast land held only this house.

And it was a very ordinary one at that.

"Obito, ready?" Yuto Souta asked gravely.

"Yeah," Obito replied, equally serious.

"Then… three, two, one!"

The boys took a deep breath, then—

"Kakashi!"

"You owe me money!"

"When are you paying me back?!"

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