Chapter 20: Mentor and Comrades

That evening, after returning home, washing up, and finishing dinner, Hoshita Shūichi immediately began experimenting with transforming his Memory Palace into a formal jutsu or sealing technique.

The task was daunting, but his foundational knowledge of fuinjutsu—honed through crafting explosive tags—gave him a starting point. He wasn't aiming for an A-rank or S-rank technique yet; his goal was simpler: to channel the memories from his shadow clones directly into the Memory Palace, much like how explosive tags stored energy.

But manipulating memories involved the brain—a delicate organ. Shūichi proceeded with extreme caution, meticulously designing the seal matrix before attempting any practical application. Once I have a prototype, I'll consult Lady Tsunade, he decided.

March 16, Konoha Year 39

At dawn, after his usual training and a hearty breakfast, Shūichi prepared for the day with deliberate care:

Medicinal Bandages: Wrapped around his arms and calves, infused with fatigue-relieving solutions.

Attire: A black combat suit layered with a charcoal-gray jacket adorned with Uzumaki clan spirals on the shoulders and back.

Gear: Iron forearm guards, a tool pouch, and Ame-no-Murakumo secured at his waist.

Thus equipped, he leaped across rooftops to the Hokage Building, where a familiar-yet-unexpected figure stood waiting.

Uchiha Shisui?

The boy noticed Shūichi's gaze and smiled.

"Hello, I'm Hoshita Shūichi," he introduced himself, stepping forward.

"Uchiha Shisui," the other replied warmly. "I've heard of you—graduating at six is impressive."

Shūichi shook his head. "Many achieve early graduation. It's not always an advantage."

For clanless orphans like him, the academy's resources were irreplaceable. Had he been born into a shinobi family, he'd have gladly stayed the full six years.

Shisui blinked, then nodded thoughtfully. "A fair point."

Another voice cut in—a lanky boy with sharp eyes landing beside Shisui. "You're early as usual, Shisui. Who's this?"

"Anma Sanyō, meet Hoshita Shūichi," Shisui said. "Likely our new teammate."

Sanyō's eyes widened. "The six-year-old graduate?"

As Shūichi bowed—"Pleased to meet you, Sanyō-senpai"—the older boy waved his hands. "No need for honorifics! Shisui and I only graduated a year ago."

So Shisui's about two years my senior, Shūichi mused, reassessing his assumptions. Given Shisui's future reputation as "Shunshin no Shisui," earned during the Third War, the timeline fit. He'd be around ten during those battles—a prodigy even among Uchiha.

Their conversation flowed easily. Neither Shisui's genius nor Sanyō's pride as an Anma clansman bred arrogance.

The Mentor Revealed

"You seem to get along well."

The trio turned to see a blond teenager with cerulean eyes standing behind them.

"Minato-senpai!" Shisui bowed first, followed by an awed Sanyō. "Are you our new squad leader?"

Shūichi's breath hitched. Namikaze Minato—at just fifteen?!

He'd anticipated a Sarutobi clansman or even Jiraiya, but the future Fourth Hokage was a thrilling surprise. Minato's presence made sense, though—his rapid rise as a prodigy aligned with mentoring exceptional genin.

Stepping forward, Shūichi bowed. "Minato-sensei, I'm Hoshita Shūichi."

Minato's smile was sunshine itself. "I'm Namikaze Minato, your jōnin instructor from today onward. Let's relocate."

With that, he vanished in a shunshin.

The trio exchanged glances before pursuing.

Rooftop Introductions

At their destination, Minato began: "Let's introduce ourselves. I'll start."

Minato: "Expert in taijutsu, body flicker, and wind release."

Shisui: "Skilled in kenjutsu, genjutsu, fire release, and shunshin. I've awakened a single tomoe Sharingan."

Sanyō: "Genjutsu specialist."

Shūichi: "Proficient in fire release and transformation jutsu. My medical ninjutsu is passable—I know the Mystical Palm Technique in theory."

Minato's eyes crinkled. "Then Shūichi will be our team's medic."

Medics are both shields and targets, Shūichi noted. But with this squad's talent, survival odds just skyrocketed.

Team Dynamics

As the sun climbed, Minato outlined their first mission: a low-rank patrol to gauge synergy. While Shisui and Sanyō discussed tactics, Shūichi's mind raced.

Firepower (Shisui), illusions (Sanyō), and my versatility. Minato-sensei's speed ties it all together.

But one question lingered—why this team?

Minato, as if reading his thoughts, met his gaze. "The Hokage believes your combined talents will reshape Konoha's future."

No pressure, Shūichi almost laughed. Yet, as he glanced at his comrades—Shisui's calm intensity, Sanyō's eager grin—he felt not dread, but possibility.

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