In the end, the teacher and students still went to the barbecue restaurant across from the ramen shop, missing out on the legendary Ichiraku Ramen run by the so-called Ōtsutsuki Ichiraku.
After all, the team had just been formed. It was important to properly consider the emotions of the team members and students — these were people who would eventually fight and risk their lives together.
In Konoha, there were three kinds of teacher–student relationships, ranked from shallow to deep.
The first was the introductory teacher — the ones from the Ninja Academy or private tutors before enrollment, like Iruka and Naruto in the original storyline.
Going a step further was the seated master: the chūnin or jōnin who led a rookie squad after graduation, helping newcomers adapt to the ninja world as quickly as possible, like Team Seven in Shippuden.
The final type was the true mentor who taught the way and passed on knowledge. This bond was the closest of all, like Jiraiya and Naruto, or Kakashi and Sasuke.
The relationship between Senju Tobirama, Danzō, and the Third Hokage roughly fell into the second category. Hiruzen Sarutobi's bond with the Sannin did as well.
Ordinary squads were often reorganized. Teacher–student relationships weren't necessarily close, and even when they were, they didn't always translate into meaningful benefits or influence.
Elite squads were different. Those selected were all exceptionally talented young ninja, and their leaders were almost always jōnin. The team structure was relatively stable.
Because the captain's strength and status — and the members' talent — were superior to ordinary squads, the connections and networks formed within such teams were far more valuable.
Whether emotionally or practically, relationships inside elite squads were well worth maintaining.
Minato had the three kids wait on the commercial street for a moment, then deliberately used the Body Flicker Technique to return home. He moved so fast that a golden afterimage streaked across the street.
When he came back, there was now a stunning beauty at his side — his girlfriend, Uzumaki Kushina.
Mai guessed Minato hadn't brought enough money and had gone home to "apply for funds." Since it would be awkward to leave his girlfriend at home while he went out for barbecue, he'd simply brought Kushina along.
"So these are your two new students, Minato? They're adorable," Kushina said warmly.
She clearly knew Kakashi. After nodding to him, she leaned down with a bright smile and gently patted Mai and Guy on the head.
"Good evening, Sensei's partner," Kakashi greeted politely. At this point in time, he wasn't particularly withdrawn yet.
Minato stood to the side like a little brother following a big sister and introduced everyone.
"This is my girlfriend, Uzumaki Kushina.
And these are my new teammates and students — Uchiha Mai and Guy."
"Good evening, Sensei's partner," Guy echoed after Kakashi.
"Hello, Sister Kushina," Mai said instead.
That one word instantly bumped her up a generation, quietly placing her above Kakashi and Guy.
"Haha…"
Kushina's eyes curved into crescents at being called "sister." She gave Minato a light punch in the chest and laughed.
"This student of yours is pretty interesting."
Amid laughter and chatter, the five of them piled into the barbecue restaurant and ate to their hearts' content. By the time they were full, it was already eight or nine in the evening.
Kushina stayed behind to handle the bill and haggle, while Minato led the three kids out of the restaurant.
Moonlight spilled across the street as Minato spoke.
"Our first team meal since forming the squad is officially complete."
"From now on, gather every morning at nine o'clock by the small lake on the west side of the village. You'll undergo three to five days of cooperative training before we take on more difficult missions."
"To work well together, you need to clearly understand each teammate's strengths and characteristics. Tomorrow's training will be internal team drills."
"Get a good rest tonight and be prepared. Eat breakfast tomorrow morning, and don't be late."
Minato was an honest, straightforward leader — unlike the Kakashi of later years, who loved pulling strange tricks when leading Team Seven.
That straightforwardness was also a product of the era.
By Naruto and Sasuke's generation, the major ninja villages had been nearly drained of power by constant wars. The overall situation was relatively peaceful, and the Ninja Academy functioned more like a kindergarten or daycare.
Now, undercurrents were stirring and war could break out at any moment. The Academy was closer to a reserve ninja training base.
Schemes, betrayals, and life-and-death struggles — Mai's generation had seen plenty of them already, even while still in school.
After just a few days of intensive training, they could be sent straight out to clash with other factions.
"Alright."
"Kakashi, Mai — see you tomorrow!"
"Goodbye, Sensei Minato. Goodbye, Sister Kushina."
The team disbanded. As Mai walked home, he reviewed the day's gains and thought about tomorrow's internal drills.
Beating down Asuma and the others right in front of Minato had raised his style points from 35 to 167 — acceptable, but not amazing.
If he wasn't mistaken, the Third Hokage and Clan Head Fugaku had probably watched that entire fight from the office. The quality of both opponents and audience was far higher than the first time he'd beaten Asuma, yet the rewards were much lower.
There had to be some kind of "resistance" or "diminishing returns" mechanic at work. After all, he couldn't keep farming Asuma forever.
Tomorrow's internal drills would almost certainly be combat-focused. Only real fighting could test a ninja's true strength.
The only difference would be whether it was a simulated battlefield exercise or something closer to an arena match.
It seemed necessary to do another half-star draw — to give Minato a "surprise" and create the impression that his strength was improving rapidly every day, making it easier to harvest style points.
That was, of course, assuming the draw gave him something useful.
Before long, Mai returned home. Just as he was about to light incense and bathe, preparing to adjust his mindset and try some mystical luck, another knock sounded at the door.
He opened it, looked around, and — seeing no one — instinctively lowered his gaze.
Sure enough, it was little Shisui again.
The kid had a runny nose, white sugar stuck at the corners of his mouth, and a skewer of red bean dumplings in each hand.
"Brother Mai," he said.
"Uncle Clan Head asked me to tell you to come to his place."
"You passed by the clan head's house again?" Mai asked with a smile.
Shisui shook his head vigorously, took a bite of a dumpling, and answered while chewing.
"No. The clan head had other uncles come to my house. They gave me dumplings and asked me to call you over."
Mai narrowed his eyes slightly. Once was coincidence — twice was intentional. Fugaku was clearly being strategic.
When humans face creatures much larger than themselves, they instinctively become cautious and tense.
A seven- or eight-year-old who was already considered "grown" would feel even more pressure if summoned by adults far larger, stronger, and more powerful, hearing, "The clan head wants to see you. Come with us."
Especially when most adult Uchiha ninja had served in the police force — expressionless faces, voices that sounded like interrogations even when greeting someone.
To show this level of care even when dealing with a child… no wonder Fugaku managed to earn support from both the hardliners and the moderates.
Condition's a bit rough. Transitional chapter.