Lunchtime.
The trio, along with Minato Namikaze, found themselves in a ramen shop.
Not just any ramen shop…
This was Ichiraku Ramen—touted as Konoha's top-rated spot, run by a boss with the toughest background, a place said to grant wishes for wealth, jobs, or marriage!
In the end, the three didn't snag the bells.
Kakashi Hatake and Obito Uchiha fell at the beginning, while Yuto Souta, after exhausting his chakra, simply gave up.
Yet Minato treated them anyway.
Partly to celebrate their official team formation after passing the test, and partly… because they hadn't exactly lost.
Those bells had melted into a puddle of iron…
"So, where's Teacher Minato?" Obito asked suspiciously, waiting for the ramen to arrive.
"He's not planning to show up late and make us pay first, is he?"
A certain spiky-haired kid had a poor impression of this teacher.
He'd been so cool, ready to sacrifice himself with that Great Fireball, emotions perfectly in place—only to get knocked out with one punch?
"He's just changing clothes," Yuto Souta explained.
Fifteen ultra-high-speed, ultra-hot beams had forced Minato to abandon offense and switch to evasion.
Minato's strength was undeniable.
The future Golden Flash, even without sealing the Nine-Tails yet, was a bona fide Kage-level powerhouse.
But who was Yuto Souta?
A double-degree prodigy from Kyushu and Yandu, guaranteed a graduate spot!
As a ninja and a student, Yuto Souta hadn't won.
But as a science geek, he'd never lost in this ninja world!
Still… despite earning recognition, the trio's mood wasn't exactly upbeat.
Kakashi Hatake stood out the most.
Initially, they'd been a bit excited when told to meet at Ichiraku.
But as they walked through Konoha's streets,
the murmurs about White Fang's mission failure reached their ears, plunging Kakashi's spirits to rock bottom.
Seeing this, Yuto Souta sighed inwardly.
What was coming had finally arrived.
When regret struck, every Konoha higher-up played a part.
Did the Kannabi Bridge really matter that much?
Yuto Souta sneered inwardly.
It was just a bridge.
Sure, it held strategic value, potentially slowing Iwagakure's advance, but in reality?
How long could a bridge hold off Iwagakure?
Before it was built, didn't Iwagakure attack just fine?
Even later, the task was handed to Minato's four-man team.
And back then, Minato wasn't yet the "mission killer" who'd single-handedly crush the Cloud's AB combo…
In short,
a bridge was a bridge.
It just bore too much darkness…
"Four large tonkotsu ramen with extra toppings and ten portions of chashu, ready!"
The owner, Teuchi, personally delivered the four bowls.
The aroma wafted through the air.
Too bad the diners' focus was elsewhere…
"Thanks, boss," Kakashi said politely, accepting his bowl.
But as he prepared to dig in, he noticed a pair of eyes staring at him.
None other than Obito Uchiha—who'd never beaten him yet still claimed he could thrash him in minutes, even mocking Kakashi for lasting 1.5 seconds longer in the test.
"Don't forget what Souta told you that day," Obito said.
Then he turned, shouted, "I'm digging in!" and buried his face in his bowl…
Kakashi froze.
He glanced at his other teammate, also nose-deep in ramen.
After a long pause, Kakashi's gaze returned to his own bowl.
Large portion with extras, plus ten servings of chashu…
Ordered by a certain spiky-haired kid, it cost over twice a regular bowl.
A strange warmth flickered in Kakashi's chest.
"I'm digging in!"
A week later.
In that same secluded forest,
Team Minato gathered again, reviewing the day's tasks and training.
Minato handed out the day's D-rank mission pay with a smile, then briefed them on what was next.
"Our next mission is a C-rank with some danger."
"Don't get too excited… I can't reveal the details yet. Go home, prep supplies for leaving the village, and meet under the Hokage Building in three days."
"Oh, and no need to remind you about ninja tools and soldier pills—but make sure to pack proper travel clothes!"
Minato was as considerate as ever.
After a few more instructions, he vanished with a Flying Thunder God.
As he left, the trio prepared to bid farewell and end their tiring day…
But Kakashi suddenly approached Yuto Souta.
"Souta-san… if it's not too much trouble, could you come to my place?"
"My dad wants to treat you both to a home-cooked meal."
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