The next morning, Team Seven met at Training Ground Three.

Kakashi was already there, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed. He didn't look particularly interested in anything.

"I'm assuming he's not here yet?" Hana asked.

Kakashi gave a single, silent nod.

She sat on a nearby stump, crossing her arms, lost in thought. She didn't know who their sensei was going to be, or how this new team dynamic would even work—especially with those two.

Just as she sighed, a cloud of smoke puffed into existence at the center of the clearing. Hana jumped slightly.

When the smoke cleared, she froze in place.

"...Uncle?!"

Minato Namikaze gave her a warm smile. "Good to see you too."

Obito blinked in surprise—he'd known Hana lived with the Namikazes, but he hadn't pieced together that this was that Minato Namikaze. Rin looked just as surprised. Kakashi, of course, said nothing.

"I'm Minato Namikaze," he introduced. "I'll be your sensei."

Minato crouched down casually as he spoke, his voice calm and encouraging. "Let's start off by introducing ourselves. Tell us your name, dreams, hobbies... whatever you'd like to share."

He pointed at Kakashi.

Kakashi didn't even flinch. "Kakashi Hatake. I don't feel like telling you my dreams, and I don't really have any hobbies worth mentioning."

Minato smiled, unbothered by the flat response.

Next was Rin.

"My name's Rin Nohara," she said sweetly. "I love healing jutsu and I want to be a strong medic-nin someday. I like flowers and helping others."

Hana noticed Obito smile a little when Rin spoke. She quickly looked away.

Then came Obito.

"My name's Obito Uchiha. I'm going to become Hokage, and I'll even get my trademark goggles and my Sharingan carved into my great stone face for all to see," he introduced proudly. "That way, I'll be able to glare down at all the other villages!"

Kakashi sighed, putting a hand over his face.

"I'll scare the hell out of all the other villages with my Sharingan stare, and no one will dare attack our village!" Obito added dramatically.

"Put in that request after you become Hokage—and after you've activated your Sharingan," Kakashi muttered. "Besides, they can't carve the Sharingan if you're wearing goggles."

"So they can carve them on top of my goggles!" Obito shot back.

Hana blinked, then snorted. "Obito, that's just gonna make it look like your eyeballs are trying to escape your head."

Rin laughed, unable to hold it in. Obito flushed a little, clearly not expecting Hana to pile on.

Minato chuckled warmly. "I'm glad someone on the team shares my dream of becoming Hokage. Now it's your turn to introduce yourself, Hana."

Hana stood up straight and took a breath.

"Hana Uzumaki," she said, her voice steady. "I like cooking and taking care of stray cats around the village. And I really like ramen."

That last part earned a quiet snort from Obito, who didn't even try to hide his smirk. Typical.

Hana continued, brushing off Obito's snort. "But more than anything... I want to become Hokage. And not just any Hokage—the first woman to ever do it."

Minato's brows lifted in mild surprise, but he said nothing. Obito, on the other hand, blinked and turned toward her with visible shock like she'd just dropped a bomb he hadn't seen coming.

He stared at her for a beat. "Since when?"

She gave a small, confident smile. "Since always."

Minato didn't comment, but the proud look in his eyes said enough.

Then he stepped forward. "As for me, there's not much to tell. I like reading, I'm married, and... as you already know, Hana is my niece."

All three of them glanced back at her. Hana shifted a little, suddenly aware of the attention.

"Tomorrow morning, meet me here again," Minato said as he stood. "I've got something in mind to test your teamwork."

As he turned to leave, he flicked his hand slightly, signaling Hana to follow. She got to her feet and walked a few paces behind him.

Once they were out of earshot, she sighed. "I can't believe you're my sensei now. Like... I thought they wouldn't even allow that."

"The Hokage hesitated," Minato admitted. "But I promised there'd be no favoritism."

Hana nodded. "I figured. I read about that in the academy—how emotions and personal ties can interfere during missions."

He looked genuinely impressed. "You've done your homework."

"Obviously," she replied dryly. "Just... please don't embarrass me in front of everyone."

Minato chuckled. "No promises. But I'll try."

She rolled her eyes, and he gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder. "See you at home."

Back with the others, Rin turned toward her with a bright smile. "So he's really your uncle? That's awesome. He seems really kind."

"He is," Hana replied, softer this time. "You'll like him."

Kakashi stood up, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeve. "I'm leaving."

Obito perked up, turning toward Rin. "Hey, Rin—"

"Wait, Kakashi!" she called, chasing after him without a second glance.

Obito deflated.

Hana glanced at him. "You wanna go to Ichiraku? They've got a good deal tonight."

He perked up a little. "Yeah, why not. I'm starving."

Their walk through the village was filled with the sounds of foot traffic and both of their stomachs growling. The lights from Ichiraku Ramen glowed warmly up ahead.

"Why's it so busy?" Obito asked as they waited in line.

"Told you," Hana smirked. "Order a large bowl, get a free side and drink. I never miss a ramen deal."

When they finally sat down, Teuchi greeted her with a wave. "Hana! Back again."

Obito blinked. "You're really that much of a regular?"

"I mean... yeah," she said, slightly sheepish. "Kinda embarrassing now that I hear it out loud."

"She's not exaggerating," Obito muttered.

Teuchi chuckled. "The usual?"

"Yup. With pork buns, please."

"You got it."

Obito placed his order, and as they waited, Hana leaned forward on the counter.

"So I guess that makes us rivals now," she said casually.

Obito gave her a confused look. "Huh?"

"For Hokage," she said, that same spark returning to her voice. "You're not the only one aiming for the title."

Obito blinked, then gave her a lazy grin. "You're serious about that?"

"Dead serious," she repeated. "And I'm gonna be the first woman to wear that hat."

He leaned back with a smirk. "Get real. I'm winning that race without a doubt."

"Don't be so sure," she smirked back. "I've got plans."

Just then, Teuchi returned with their food—and a girl about Hana's age trailing behind him.

"This is my daughter, Ayame. She just started working here."

Ayame gave a shy smile. "Nice to meet you."

"You too," Hana said warmly. "You'll be seeing me around a lot."

"She's not joking," Obito added under his breath.

As they started eating, the conversation faded into comfortable silence. But after a while, Obito's voice broke through.

"Hey, Hana?"

She looked up mid-bite. "Yeah?"

"I've been meaning to ask something... kinda serious. You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

She paused, setting her chopsticks down. "What is it?"

"Minato-sensei... saying he's your uncle made me wonder. I never asked before, but... what happened to your parents?"

There was a pause. Then she sighed. "It's okay. You're my best friend. You deserve to know."

Obito stayed quiet.

"My mom was an Uzumaki. She died right after I was born. My dad raised me for a while, then brought me here to the village... left me with Aunt Kushina and Uncle Minato. Told them he'd come back for me."

She stared down at her bowl.

"He never did."

Obito's expression softened. His hand reached across to touch her arm.

"I don't even remember his name. Or his face," she said quietly. "Minato tried to find him, but it was like he vanished."

"I'm sorry," Obito murmured.

"I hate him for it," she whispered. "And if he ever shows up again... I wouldn't forgive him."

"You didn't do anything wrong," he said gently. "He made that choice. You didn't deserve it. He missed out on someone amazing."

Her lips twitched into a faint smile. "Thanks."

He held up his pinky, his voice a little more serious. "I'm not going anywhere. Promise."

She let out a soft laugh and linked her pinky with his. "You better not."

They finished, paid for their food, and walked back through the now-sleepy village streets.

"I'm sorry if that brought up anything heavy," Obito said.

"No, really. I'm glad you asked," she replied. "I've never told anyone before."

When they reached her front door, he gave a little wave. "See you tomorrow, Hana."

"See you."

She stepped inside and immediately felt Kushina's eyes on her.

"That wasn't a date, was it?" she asked, arms crossed and smirking.

Hana blushed. "It was just dinner."

"Sure," Kushina teased. "No questions—for now."

Later, as Hana stood at the mirror detangling her hair, her thoughts circled everything that had happened. The new team. Minato as her sensei. Obito's promise.

Tomorrow was just the beginning.

But this time, she was ready.