"Uchiha Shisui."
Minato murmured the name as he skimmed through the document in his hands. Though it felt slightly surreal, it wasn't entirely surprising. In his previous life, before his rebirth, he had encountered this genius boy from the Uchiha clan. Shisui had made a name for himself during the Third Ninja World War, carving out a reputation as one of Konoha's most talented shinobi.
Much like himself, Shisui excelled in speed, mastering and even innovating upon the teleportation techniques that Minato was so well-known for. He recalled offering the young Uchiha advice during their encounters on the battlefield, appreciating Shisui's sharp mind and unyielding determination.
Apart from Kakashi, who had been promoted to Jonin at just twelve years old, Shisui was perhaps the most dazzling young genius of that era. It made sense that, when Hiruzen mentioned assigning a promising young Uchiha to him, Shisui's name came to mind immediately.
Minato's eyes scanned the details on Shisui's file. The boy had just turned six. "It seems it's not yet time for the Ninja Academy graduation exams," he said, frowning slightly.
Hiruzen nodded, chuckling as he leaned back in his chair. "Correct. Shisui is technically a skipped-grade student, much like Kakashi in your team. According to protocol, he should wait another six months before taking the graduation exam. However..." The Hokage's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Just last week, his class sensei and the Academy's dean approached me with a request to arrange a personal graduation exam for him."
"Oh? What prompted that?" Minato asked, raising an eyebrow.
"They explained that there's nothing left to teach the boy," Hiruzen replied with a laugh. "Keeping him in the Academy would only hinder his growth. He's mastered every subject to the point where even his instructors find it difficult to challenge him. In their words, continuing his studies there would be a waste of his potential."
Minato nodded thoughtfully as he flipped through Shisui's records. Each line painted a picture of unparalleled excellence: perfect scores in every subject, flawless execution in both theory and practice. "A true genius," he murmured.
"Indeed," Hiruzen agreed, leaning forward with a teasing smile. "And who better to mentor such a genius than someone like you, Minato? After all, you were no less extraordinary in your youth."
Minato offered a modest smile but didn't deny the Hokage's words. While his official records stated he had graduated from the Academy at ten, those who truly knew him understood that his abilities had far surpassed the expectations of a genin even before his graduation.
Hiruzen's tone grew more serious as he continued. "Shisui is the grandson of Uchiha Kagami, one of my comrades and a loyal follower of the Second Hokage. Kagami's unwavering dedication to Konoha has left a lasting legacy, and I believe Shisui has inherited that same spirit. I ask you, Minato, to guide him well—not only for his sake but for the village's future."
Minato hesitated, sensing the weight behind the Hokage's words. Hiruzen's gaze sharpened. "This is not just about nurturing his talent. It's about fostering unity and trust between Konoha and the Uchiha clan. Do you understand what I mean?"
Minato nodded solemnly. "I understand, Hokage-sama."
"Good. Shisui has been informed and will report to you tomorrow. Take this opportunity to get to know him before he officially joins your team," Hiruzen said, handing Minato a finalized roster.
That evening, Minato visited Rin's residence to inform her about her assignment under Tsunade's tutelage. Afterward, he notified Kakashi and Obito to assemble at the seventh training ground the next morning. Though he didn't reveal the identity of their new teammate, he couldn't help but feel curious about how the dynamics of the group might shift with Shisui's addition.
The Next Day: Seventh Training Ground
"You're here early," Minato remarked as he entered the training ground. Kakashi was already there, practicing precise, deliberate movements.
The young Hatake boy glanced at his sensei, nodding briefly before returning to his exercises. He was running through foundational taijutsu forms, movements that most genin would neglect in favor of flashier ninjutsu. But Kakashi understood the importance of basics, a principle instilled in him by his father, Hatake Sakumo.
Minato watched for a moment, a sense of pride welling within him. "Good work, Kakashi," he said, though the boy didn't respond, fully engrossed in his training.
After a while, the sound of rapid, uneven footsteps reached their ears. Minato and Kakashi turned toward the source, spotting a boy with short, slightly curly black hair running toward them. His face glistened with sweat, and his nose—a distinctive button shape uncommon among the Uchiha—gave him an endearing, almost childlike appearance.
The boy slowed as he entered the training ground, pausing to straighten his clothes and wipe his face. Once he felt presentable, he approached Minato and Kakashi, stopping a few meters away before bowing deeply.
"Hello, Minato-sensei," the boy said, his voice steady and polite. His sharp black eyes met Minato's, reflecting a mixture of respect and eagerness.
Minato's face broke into a warm smile. "Hello, Shisui. It's good to meet you."
Shisui turned to Kakashi, offering a kind smile. "You must be Kakashi-senpai. I've heard a lot about you."
Though Kakashi remained impassive, the sincerity in Shisui's gaze seemed to soften his usual aloof demeanor. He gave a slight nod and extended a hand, which Shisui shook firmly.
"This is Uchiha Shisui," Minato said, introducing him to Kakashi. "He'll be temporarily replacing Rin on the team."
Kakashi's eyes flickered with interest as he studied Shisui. Though the boy was clearly younger, there was something about his demeanor—his confidence tempered by humility—that set him apart.
Shisui, for his part, was equally intrigued. He had heard tales of Kakashi's rapid rise through the ranks, his promotion to Chunin at a mere seven years old. Standing before such a prodigy was both intimidating and exciting.
As the three of them exchanged introductions, the sound of hurried footsteps approached once more. Obito burst into the training ground, panting and grinning sheepishly.
"Hehe, I'm not late today, am I?" he asked, scratching the back of his head.
But his grin faltered when his eyes landed on Shisui. His brows furrowed, and he pointed dramatically. "Why are you here?"
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