Chapter 6: meeting team minato
The gentle rays of the sun filtered through my window, casting a warm glow that gently roused me from my slumber. The familiar voice of my mother, Kushina, filled the room, a perfect blend of gentleness and determination. "Kaito-kun, wake up, or you'll be late for your first day of training." Instantly, my grogginess dissipated, replaced by a surge of energy and anticipation. Today marked the beginning of my journey as a shinobi, a path I had dreamed of countless times.
Fully awake, I stepped into the shower, allowing the cascading water to invigorate my senses. The shower served as a ritual of preparation, clearing my mind and fortifying my determination for the momentous day ahead. Afterward, I dressed in the training attire my thoughtful mother had laid out for me on my bed: a simple white T-shirt and black pants. As I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, I couldn't help but contemplate the unique combination of features I had inherited from my parents. My father's facial features and striking blue eyes stared back at me, while my hair, the same vivid shade of red as my mother's, fell in a spiky yet slightly droopy manner. It was a distinctive blend, reminiscent of Shisui's hairstyle but longer and distinctly red.
With my appearance satisfying me, I left my room, guided by the enticing aroma of breakfast wafting from the kitchen. Downstairs, I found my parents, Kushina and Minato, already engaged in conversation.
"Good morning, Kaa-chan, Tou-chan," I greeted them with a mixture of enthusiasm and nervousness.
Kushina turned toward me, her smile radiant. "Good morning, Kaito-kun. Are you ready for your first day of training?" Her enthusiasm was infectious.
I nodded firmly, my voice filled with conviction. "Hai, Kaa-chan, I'm ready to train and become stronger."
Minato, my Tou-chan, affectionately ruffled my hair and added, "That's the spirit, kiddo." His azure eyes sparkled with pride and joy. "But remember, the training will be challenging. It's essential to stay focused and work hard, but don't push yourself too far. You're still very young."
I listened attentively, understanding the importance of maintaining a steady pace and avoiding reckless behavior.
After a hearty breakfast, my Tou-chan and I were ready to embark on our day. "See you later, Kaa-chan," I said as we made our way to the door.
Kushina's parting words were filled with motherly concern. "Train hard, and don't overexert yourself. Take breaks if you find it too much, you know. I'll bring you guys lunch. Please take care of him, Mina-koi," she said while hugging me.
Minato reassured her, "You don't have to worry, Kushina. I'll keep him safe." With our goodbyes said, we left for the third training ground.
As we journeyed along the road, my excitement couldn't be contained, and I found myself inundating my Tou-chan with questions.
"Where are we heading?" I inquired as we ventured southeast of the village.
"We're going to meet my team at the third training ground," Minato replied.
"So, I'll be training alongside your team?" I asked, eager for more details.
Minato provided clarity. "Yes and no. While I'll assign them tasks and monitor their progress, I'll focus more on teaching you the basics."
Upon reaching the training grounds, we were greeted by two individuals, with no sign of their third member. Rin exuberantly extended her greetings. "Ohayo, Sensei, and Ohayo to you too! Who might you be?" Rin was a girl with brown hair and brown eyes, adorned with some markings on her cheeks. She appeared to be around 14. Next to her stood Kakashi, with his signature silver hair and striking black eyes. Despite his young age of 13, he exuded an air of maturity.
Minato acknowledged their punctuality with a smile. "Ohayo, Rin-chan, Kakashi-kun. I'm glad you guys are early. It seems Obito is late again." He then introduced me, saying, "Let me introduce you guys; this is my son, Kaito Uzumaki. Kaito, these are my students, Kakashi Hatake and Rin Nohara."
I returned their greetings warmly. "Ohayo, Rin-san, Kakashi-san. It's nice to finally meet you." Curiosity got the best of me, and I couldn't help but ask Kakashi, "Hatake?, are you related to Konoha's White Fang by any chance?"
In my previous life, knowledge about Sakumo Hatake, famously known as Konoha's White Fang, was relatively scarce. However, the legends surrounding him were undeniably powerful. He was rumored to possess a strength that eclipsed even the combined might of the legendary Sannin during their prime. Sakumo Hatake's prowess was considered one of the primary reasons Konoha had survived the brutal turmoil of the Second Shinobi War.
Tragically, his life took a sorrowful turn when he fell victim to a series of unfortunate events. It was a heartbreaking shame that his exceptional abilities and unwavering dedication were overshadowed by the alleged incompetence of Hiruzen Sarutobi. This led to Sakumo being unfairly used as a scapegoat for a critical mission's failure, allowing Danzo Shimura to maliciously spread damaging rumors about him. The weight of these false accusations ultimately pushed him to commit a tragic act of suicide, marking the untimely end of a shinobi legend.
Kakashi's expression shifted slightly as he grappled with my question, seemingly caught off guard. Just as he appeared ready to respond, a newcomer burst onto the scene – none other than Obito Uchiha.
"Sorry I'm late, Sensei. I had to help a grandma carry groceries," Obito apologized while catching his breath.
Minato was quick to reassure him. "It's okay, Obito. You arrived just on time; we were just about to start." Before Minato could delve further into our training agenda, Obito's curiosity got the better of him.
"Who's the small fry beside you, Sensei?" Obito inquired, causing my eye to twitch in irritation. However, Minato intervened before I could respond, saying, "This is my son, Kaito Uzumaki, and Kaito, this is my last student, Obito Uchiha."
Feigning ignorance, I casually asked, "Hmm, so he's related to Itachi?" Minato confirmed, "Yes, both of them are from the same clan."
Obito appeared intrigued by the mention of Itachi, but Minato quickly redirected the conversation. "We can talk after the training; for now, let's get started."
Obito, still filled with curiosity, sought clarification. "Is he gonna watch us train, Sensei?" he asked.
Minato clarified, "No, he'll be training with me after I'm done assisting you with your training. At the end, we'll have a sparring session, as always. Now, enough talking; let's
get started." With those words, our training commenced, and the day unfolded with promise and adventure.
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