Team Minato's Junior Uncle

Sen Chisato pushed aside the tent flap and stepped out first, his face etched with clear displeasure.

Namikaze Minato didn't find this unusual; he reached out to rest a hand on Sen Chisato's shoulder, leaning down with a smile. "Chisato, how about I speak with Lord Orochimaru and have you stay here?"

After all, once the mission was complete, he would use the Flying Thunder God technique to transport his three students directly to the border of the Land of Fields. If Sen Chisato tagged along, he would have to bring him back afterward, which would only add to the trouble.

He wasn't afraid of the hassle, but since the boy didn't want to go, he wouldn't force him. Given his status, if he asked Lord Orochimaru, the request would not be denied.

As for the mission itself, Team Minato was more than capable of handling it; with a bit of close supervision, it would even serve as good training for his students.

"This is a mission assigned by the master; don't you go causing trouble for me. I don't want to disappoint him." Sen Chisato crossed his arms and stiffened his face, his tone and expression radiating such deep respect and affection for Orochimaru that he looked as if he were desperate to cling to the man.

In truth, he was blooming with joy inside.

Since the war hadn't broken out on this front yet, staying here would only be a waste of time. It would be far better to follow Team Minato; given the objectives of this mission, the harvest would surely be substantial.

The three members of Team Minato stood outside the tent, waiting for their teacher, Namikaze Minato, to emerge.

Hearing Namikaze Minato's voice, they all turned their heads, only to see a brat speaking rudely to their teacher.

"Teacher Minato!"

The lively and gentle-hearted Nohara Rin stood on her tiptoes and waved, but just as she was about to step forward, someone else darted ahead of her.

"You little brat, show some respect to Teacher Minato!"

Uchiha Obito threatened with claws bared, his face nearly pressed against Sen Chisato's.

Sen Chisato leaned back to put some distance between them, squinting as he sized up Uchiha Obito.

Hmm, full of energy and drive, with eyes reflecting a pure, unadulterated stupidity.

This was the current state of the future grand boss of the ninja world—nothing more than a reckless fool and a combat-weakling.

Of course, there was one more thing...

"Who is this shorty?" Sen Chisato asked, turning his head.

"Sh-shorty?" Uchiha Obito was confused at first, but once it registered, he grew so angry that his nostrils flared, puffing out two streams of white smoke.

"You damn brat, watch how Master Obito teaches you a lesson!" He rolled up his sleeves and leaped into the air.

Before he could land on Sen Chisato, a hand grabbed his collar and hauled him back.

"Idiot." Hatake Kakashi, with his white hair and mask, offered this assessment before letting go.

"Damn it, Kakashi, are you looking for a fight?" The target of his mockery shifted, and Uchiha Obito changed his focus immediately.

Kakashi shoved his hands into his pockets, glanced at him with dead, listless eyes, and let out a single syllable from his throat: "Hmph!"

"You bastard, I'm going to beat you up today!" Uchiha Obito clenched his fists and gestured threateningly at Kakashi.

Sen Chisato observed Team Minato, his attention focused primarily on Uchiha Obito. Even though the chakra measurement standard the system had arranged for him was linked to Kakashi, it still couldn't pull his gaze away.

Hatake Kakashi, the future "Copy Ninja" rumored to have copied thousands of jutsu and known for fighting to a draw with anyone, was currently just a cool little guy immersed in grief, obsessed with completing missions, and possessed of a one-track mind.

Even if he grew up, what did it matter to Sen Chisato?

Burying him wouldn't yield much value.

Compared to Uchiha Obito, quite simply, he just wasn't tempting enough.

Sen Chisato was already considering how to quietly and surreptitiously do away with Uchiha Obito without anyone noticing.

If nothing else, given the current situation, he had nine ways to easily kill Uchiha Obito without anyone discovering or suspecting him—nine whole ways!

But after thinking it over carefully, he ultimately gave up on the idea.

Forget it, there's no point in killing him now. I have to wait for him to grow up. Sen Chisato thought to himself, his gaze shifting to the only girl on Team Minato.

"Alright, alright, Kakashi, Obito, calm down."

Nohara Rin was trying to stop the bickering between Uchiha Obito and Hatake Kakashi. Her face, painted with greasepaint and still youthful yet visibly beautiful and lovely, was filled with helplessness.

It was this girl's death that triggered Obito's descent into darkness, leading to the "Sage of Six Paths" power-up.

It's decided, it'll be you! Sen Chisato's lips curled slightly. In his mind, he had already begun using Nohara Rin as an anchor to write the script for Team Minato.

At that moment, goaded by Kakashi's expressionless mockery, Obito's rage hit its peak.

He grabbed Kakashi by the collar and swung his clenched fist.

"Obito!" Nohara Rin cried out in alarm.

Kakashi had no intention of holding back, his own fist already raised.

Slap!

With a crisp sound, the arms of both Obito and Kakashi were pressed down simultaneously, and as they stumbled, a pair of hands landed on top of their heads.

"You two..." Namikaze Minato forcibly suppressed them, his face full of helpless, bitter smiles. He didn't scold them too harshly, though he did cast a surprised look at Sen Chisato.

Despite the flaws in their personalities, he was quite satisfied with these two students.

"Teacher, it was all this guy Kakashi, he..." Obito started off by shifting the blame and condemning Kakashi.

Yet, Kakashi's eyes were locked onto Sen Chisato, who had appeared beside them at some point.

This guy!

He and Obito had been on the verge of a fight just moments ago, only to be stopped by someone.

Obito had assumed the person who stopped them was Namikaze Minato, but he was certain that the one who had moved first to pin their arms down was the boy standing before them, who looked even younger than they were.

"Who are you?!" Kakashi asked, his gaze sharpening.

Sen Chisato didn't answer. He let out a yawn and said to Namikaze Minato, "So these are your subordinates? Full of energy, aren't they?"

"Haha, they are all excellent ninjas," Namikaze Minato praised, both to smooth things over for Kakashi and Obito and because it was his heartfelt opinion.

Tsk tsk, truly the Little Sun.

"At least there's one well-behaved one," Sen Chisato glanced at Nohara Rin and said to Namikaze Minato with a look of sympathy, "You really have your work cut out for you."

Obito, whose powers of observation were sharp at this age, noticed Sen Chisato's small gesture. He stepped directly in front of Nohara Rin, hands on his hips, and glared at Sen Chisato: "Hey, who exactly are you, kid!"

"Don't you think you're standing a bit too close?" Sen Chisato smiled.

"What?" Obito didn't catch his meaning.

"What an idiot!" Kakashi couldn't help but cover his forehead.

Obito finally realized it; he discovered that to meet the eyes of the guy in front of him, he had to tilt his head back slightly.

This guy was taller than him!

Obito immediately stepped back: "You... tch! Ninjas are judged by their strength; height is completely irrelevant. Besides, I haven't finished growing yet. I'll definitely be taller than you later, definitely!"

Sen Chisato ignored Obito and tilted his head, asking, "Can we head out now?"

"Ah, I was thinking of introducing you all to each other," Namikaze Minato said, rubbing the back of his head.

"No need to waste time; we can do the introductions while we walk." Confirming the direction, Sen Chisato stepped forward.

"Ah, shouldn't we rest for a bit? You look quite tired," Nohara Rin followed instinctively, concerned about Sen Chisato's condition.

This concern was genuine, coming straight from the heart without any ulterior motives. Even Sen Chisato had to admit that she was truly a kind girl.

No wonder her death was enough to make a fool like Obito break down!

Of course, the fact that it was Kakashi who killed her played a part in that as well.

"In that case, let's get moving," Namikaze Minato nudged his two troublesome disciples, urging them to follow.

"Wait for me, Rin!" Obito realized what was happening and hurried to catch up.

After their brief encounter, Obito couldn't look at Sen Chisato without feeling annoyed.

He turned his head and asked, "Teacher, what is this kid's status? Why is he joining our team for this mission?"

"Maybe some dead-last was just too incompetent, so someone came to replace him."

Kakashi spoke in a cold, eerie tone, making Obito's heart tighten.

"N-no way, Teacher!" Obito asked, his face full of anxiety as he tried to get Namikaze Minato to back him up.

"Ah, no..."

Namikaze Minato had just started to explain, but before he could finish, Sen Chisato interrupted him.

"That's right, that's exactly it." Sen Chisato turned to look at Obito with a malicious grin.

"Th-th-this!" Obito desperately wanted to list his own merits to earn some points, but he was so nervous that his tongue tied itself in knots.

Sen Chisato didn't continue to torment him: "Relax, I'm not here to replace you. I'm the support personnel for your mission."

"As for my status, if you really want to get technical, you should probably call me Uncle-Master."

"Oh, that's a relief, that's a relief."

Obito patted his chest, looking relieved, but once the content of the last sentence registered, his eyes went wide.

"Huh???"