The Hokage's thoughts could never revolve around just two people.
His duty was to consider the entire village.
Taking him in as a disciple and placing him in ANBU—this was the greatest protection Minato could offer.
Hakken understood that perfectly. Still, as he stepped out of the Hokage Building, a quiet sigh escaped him.
The threads of fate had been tied at last.
Minato would never know how greatly his kindness would one day be repaid.
"He's a good Hokage."
Walking beside him, Itachi glanced back at the Hokage Building.
To be honest, it was the first time he'd ever felt warmth toward that place.
At least now, there was someone inside who truly cared about him.
Minato Namikaze.
His and Ken-san's teacher.
The word "teacher" had only ever felt right when he used it for Shisui or Hakken.
Shisui was a mentor in life. Hakken was a close friend.
"He really is a good Hokage," Hakken said. "But not exactly a good husband or father."
He shrugged lightly as he spoke.
Everyone loves differently, he thought—each person places their loved ones differently in their heart.
Once Minato became Hokage, everything about him revolved around the village.
It wasn't that he wanted to ignore his wife's existence—he simply had no time left to give her.
The tragic fate he remembered from the original story wasn't something he wanted to see again.
Minato had given his life for Konoha, leaving behind nothing but a newborn child.
He could still recall Minato's dying words to the Third Hokage: Take care of my child…
Hakken let out a small laugh.
Naruto's childhood, huh? Compare that to Konohamaru Sarutobi's.
One was treated like a young master.
The other, a demon fox.
He really wondered—if Minato could watch his son's upbringing from the sidelines, would he clench his fists in anger like any other father?
Maybe the Third really had done his best.
He had, after all, given Naruto a roof over his head and food to eat.
But...
That was hardly the treatment a hero's son deserved.
"Ken-san, what are you laughing at?"
Itachi tugged on Hakken's sleeve, a puzzled look on his small face.
"Nothing," Hakken replied, shaking his head. "Let's go check in."
With that, he strode forward.
Since he hadn't rejected Minato's offer to take him as a disciple, the course of fate had already shifted.
They walked through the streets, ignoring the murmurs and curious glances from villagers who knew nothing of the truth, until they reached the entrance to ANBU headquarters.
This time, no one dared to stop Hakken.
With his strength, his aura, and his new identity—there was simply no one left who could.
...
"Technically, since you two are now Minato-sensei's disciples, that makes the three of us fellow students," Kakashi said. "But during missions, I'll be using your codenames."
It was late afternoon when the two received their ANBU masks and arrived at the designated meeting point.
Outside a modest house, on the second-floor rooftop.
If Hakken remembered correctly, this was the home of the Fourth Hokage—his new teacher, Minato Namikaze.
Right.
Kakashi was still assigned to protect another man's wife.
That explained why Hakken hadn't run into him at ANBU headquarters the day before.
And now, he finally understood what Minato meant about keeping a low profile—about letting people gradually forget his name.
That's why the mission would be so uneventful.
Guarding the Hokage's wife alongside Kakashi... what a job.
Leaning casually against the wall, Hakken tugged off his mask, took a deep swig from his flask, then tossed the gourd toward Kakashi.
That was his version of a greeting.
But they were on duty. During a mission, everything came second to the mission itself.
Drinking on assignment was, without question, a sign of disrespect.
Still—
"Those who don't cherish their comrades… aren't even worth being called scum!"
The words of his fallen friend suddenly echoed through Kakashi's mind.
He pulled down half of his mask and took a swig of baijiu. The fiery burn in his throat reminded him he was still alive—and that he now had two new junior brothers.
"I don't really have a codename anymore. The one they used to call me—'Black Snow'—has long been forgotten. With my hair and my jutsu, people recognize me anyway, so during missions, just use my name."
He tossed the gourd back to Hakken and pulled his mask back into place.
"But you two... you're still unknown. So your codenames matter."
Codenames, huh?
Hakken looked up at the overcast sky.
A lone bird flying across it made him think of one creature in particular.
"Owl."
A fierce predator—one that also happened to share the name of a cruel ancient punishment.
It suited him perfectly.
"What about you?"
Kakashi turned his gaze toward Itachi.
"Me?"
Itachi looked a bit uncomfortable. After thinking back to the records he'd left in ANBU, he finally forced a word out.
"Night."
"Huh?"
Hakken blinked, then reached out and flicked him on the forehead.
Sure, ANBU codenames were often based on animals—but not always. So what was the point of just picking "Night"?
"Night Owl, huh? Got it," Kakashi said, nodding slightly.
The baijiu's purity was starting to hit him; a faint warmth spread to his head as he leaned against the wall and swayed slightly.
To be honest, when he'd first seen these two, he'd wanted to refuse.
In his experience, anyone who became his comrade met a grim fate—each one dying before his eyes.
But this was Minato-sensei's order. He had no right to decline.
And Kakashi knew exactly what Minato intended.
To wash away the darkness in his heart—to surround him with new comrades, ones whose bond might mirror that of his old team.
But forgetting… wasn't so simple.
Swish—
A blade sliced cleanly through the air. Kakashi tilted his head to the side, avoiding it easily.
Even while on duty, this kid never stopped training.
This guy... he really was a bit like Guy.
Comrades, huh?
Maybe.
...
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