They stepped out of the Hokage Tower together.
Morning light spilled across the street below, the village already alive with motion. Civilians passed without noticing them. Shinobi moved with purpose, leaping across rooftops or vanishing down alleys.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Ken glanced sideways.
Kakashi walked a half step ahead, hands at his sides, gaze fixed forward. His expression hadn't changed since leaving the office.
Ken cleared his throat.
"Hatake."
No response.
"…Kakashi."
The silver-haired boy didn't slow.
Ken tried again, more casually this time."Since we're going to be teammates, we should at least—"
"Don't."
Kakashi stopped just long enough to speak.
His voice was flat. Empty.
"Don't drag me down during missions."
Then he walked away.
Ken stood still for a moment, watching the silver-haired boy's back disappear into the crowd.
He exhaled quietly.
He didn't like the way Kakashi spoke.
But he didn't take it personally.
Kakashi was just a child—one who had lost his only family in such a twisted way.
If didn't broke under that then that would be weird.
Ken understood the pain.
What he didn't understand was the Hokage's choice.
If the goal was to pull Kakashi out of the shadows, wouldn't someone loud and emotional be better?
Someone like Obito… or Guy.
"…Troublesome," Ken muttered under his breath.
Then he turned and headed the opposite way.
The day passed quickly.
Training Ground Seven
Early morning mist clung to the grass.
Ken stood in full combat gear, equipment secured and ready. If their instructor followed the village tradition of bell tests or surprise evaluations, being unprepared would be foolish.
He glanced sideways.
Kakashi stood several meters away, eyes closed, posture rigid and unmoving.
How is a two-person team even supposed to function? Ken wondered.
Then—
Without sound, someone appeared in front of them.
Ken's eyes widened.
"…Yes!" he nearly shouted.
Minato Namikaze stood smiling beneath the morning sun.
Ken had suspected it might be him, but he hadn't been certain. In the original timeline, Minato had taken Kakashi not only because of his talent, but also because of Obito—the bridge they hoped would connect the Uchiha to the village.
Both were important part of team.
But that bridge didn't exist here.
Yet Minato stood before them anyway.
His gaze swept over both boys, lingering briefly on their expressions before he coughed lightly.
"I'll be your jōnin instructor," he said warmly. "You can call me Minato-sensei. Or just Minato."
He smiled.
"Let's begin with introductions. Kakashi, you first."
Kakashi opened his eyes.
"My name is Kakashi," he said flatly. "I hate incompetent people. I don't have any likes."
That was all.
Minato gave a helpless smile and turned toward Ken.
Ken took the cue.
"I'm Ken. I specialize in Earth Release ninjutsu. As for likes—I enjoy spicy food and difficult fights. Dislikes… nothing specific."
He stopped there.
Minato studied him with mild curiosity.
"That's very little information," he said thoughtfully. "So let's try something else."
His smile sharpened.
"Why don't you two spar?"
Ken blinked.
"A spar will help me evaluate you," Minato continued, "and it should also help with team building."
Then he added casually,
"Ken, didn't you develop a new jutsu? Show it if you can. I happen to be working on one myself—I might be able to offer advice."
Ken's brows furrowed.
A spar?
Wasn't the point cooperation and bonds?
Why suddenly push confrontation?
His mind raced.
Was Minato after his technique?Had the Hokage decided to claim it?
No… if they wanted it, there were far easier ways.
He looked up.
Kakashi was already moving toward him.
His eyes were sharp.
And suddenly Ken understood.
They weren't trying to test teamwork.
They were trying to create rivalry.
To place a fire in front of Kakashi—something close enough, strong enough, threatening enough to force him to move again.
The original plan might likely involved a three-man team with Obito and Rin to create emotional support.
But then he jumped in and showed off a self created jutsu.
This gave them confidence that Ken who was fellow genius might develop a stronger bond much faster
Ken exhaled slowly.
So that's it…