Minato Namikaze

Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "The three students you'll be responsible for are Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara, and Kakashi Hatake."

"Kakashi Hatake? Didn't he graduate early a long time ago?" Minato asked.

Although he had spent all this time on the battlefield, Minato still knew a little about what had been happening in the village.

That included the news of Kakashi's early graduation, as well as the recent death of Konoha's White Fang.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "That's right. Kakashi has been a graduate for quite some time."

"But what happened to Hatake Sakumo hit Kakashi very hard. He's become a little too extreme in the way he handles things."

"I've received repeated complaints from various squad leaders, saying that Kakashi goes too far when carrying out missions and disregards his teammates' lives."

"Recently, I assigned Kakashi to other teams, but he hasn't gotten along with his new teammates either. He's remained isolated."

"Minato! Kakashi is an exceptionally gifted child. I don't want him living in the shadow of Hatake Sakumo's death. That would destroy him."

Minato nodded thoughtfully, more or less understanding what the Third Hokage meant.

The members of the other teams all disliked Kakashi, too. They couldn't tolerate such an extreme young fellow.

Minato said, "Lord Third, you want me to help Kakashi escape that shadow and return to a normal life."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "Yes. Kakashi is still emotionally immature. I believe you can guide him in the right direction."

"There's also a youngster named Obito Uchiha whom I'd like you to keep a close eye on."

Minato asked, "Obito Uchiha? That's the little prodigy who awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan at nine, isn't it? The Uchiha have produced another remarkable talent."

Obito's awakening of the Three-Tomoe Sharingan had long since become the talk of the village.

Naturally, Minato had already heard about it as well.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "That's right. I've dealt with Obito a few times. He's a good child, too."

"But I'm sure you're also aware of the complicated, delicate relationship between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha."

"I hope Obito can become a bridge between Konoha and the Uchiha, helping ease their relationship, just as Kagami Uchiha did."

"Obito is exceptionally talented. I'm entrusting him to you, so please guide him properly as well."

Minato nodded. "I understand, Lord Third."

The Ninja Academy, Konoha.

In one of the classrooms, Muki held a sheet of paper as he read out the students' team assignments.

"Team 3: Might Guy, Shizune, Yata Shimura!"

"Team 4: Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi, Genma Shiranui!"

"Team 5: Hokoku Shimura, Mizuki, Midori Nara!"

"Team 6: Mitaraishi Anko, Ibiki Morinai, Aoba Yamashiro!"

"Team 7: Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara, Kakashi Hatake!"

The students listened attentively, waiting to hear their names.

But Kakashi's name still caused a stir. Everyone leaned toward one another, whispering and discussing it.

Anko turned to look at Obito and Rin and asked, "Didn't Kakashi graduate ages ago? Why is he being assigned to the same team as you two?"

Shizune leaned a little closer as well and said quietly, "Yeah, I heard Kakashi was promoted to Chunin a long time ago. Why is he coming back to join us...?"

Rin looked equally puzzled. She shook her head. "I don't know either. Do you know, Obito?"

"I don't know either. Why don't you ask him when you see him later?" Obito leaned back in his chair with his hands behind his head, looking perfectly relaxed.

Although Obito had read the original story, he no longer clearly remembered the exact reason Kakashi had been sent back down like this.

Soon, Muki finished reading out the team assignments.

There were more than thirty students in the class, but only eighteen had successfully graduated. The rest would have to repeat the year and take the assessment again the following year.

The teachers leading each team entered the classroom one after another and took their students away.

Rin and Obito waited in the classroom for a full hour, left all alone until the very end.

The others never got the chance to ask Kakashi what was going on, either.

Fortunately, not long after everyone else had left, Minato Namikaze finally appeared at the classroom door.

With a gentle smile on his face, he waved to Obito and Rin inside the classroom.

"Hello. Are you Obito Uchiha and Rin Nohara?"

Obito pouted and complained, "Teacher! You're so late!"

Minato scratched his head awkwardly and smiled. "Sorry! Something held me up on the way, so I'm a little late!"

Rin tugged on Obito's arm and smiled at Minato, her eyes narrowing. "It's all right, Teacher! We haven't been waiting long."

Minato gave a soft hum of acknowledgment. "I'm Minato Namikaze. I'll be your supervising teacher from now on."

As he spoke, Minato turned toward the classroom door. "Kakashi! Come in and meet them!"

Soft footsteps sounded as a white-haired boy entered through the doorway. He wore a black mask over his face. It was Kakashi Hatake.

Kakashi stopped beside Minato and said flatly, "We can skip the introductions. They know me."

Kakashi had happened to be home when Obito, Rin, Kurenai Yuhi, and the others visited his house before.

At the time, rumors disparaging Hatake Sakumo had already spread throughout the village.

But Obito, Rin, and the others had visited Kakashi's house entirely out of kindness.

Deep down, Kakashi was still grateful to classmates like Obito and Rin.

Because back then, hardly anyone in all of Konoha would associate with the Hatake family, apart from Obito and his group of classmates...

Minato wasn't angry at Kakashi's cold attitude.

He nodded. "I see. All right, then. From today onward, Team 7 is officially formed. Come on, let's get out of here first."

With that, Minato turned and walked out of the classroom.

"Understood, Minato-sensei!"

Rin and Obito answered and followed Minato.

Kakashi said nothing, walking quietly at the back.

Before long, Minato led the three out of the academy, across a street, and to the edge of a wooded area behind the school.

Lush green grass covered the ground, and a gentle breeze brushed their faces, making it feel especially pleasant and comfortable.

Minato stopped at the edge of the trees, turned back, and swept his gaze over the three of them before saying:

"All right! We'll use this spot. Today, you'll carry out your first mission since passing the graduation assessment."