Mastering the Elements - Chapter - 87

Shisui Uchiha walked calmly into the Hokage’s office, his flak jacket still dusted from training ground debris. Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, pipe smoldering faintly, eyes sharp even beneath his kindly exterior.

“So,” the Hokage began, puffing a ring of smoke, “you’ve tested your team?”

Shisui gave a small bow. “Yes, Lord Hokage. Naruto Uzumaki, Hinata Hyūga, and Midori Uchiha. They’ve surpassed even my expectations. I officially request they be registered as Team 11, under my command.”

Sarutobi nodded slowly, hiding a smile behind his pipe. “Team 11, is it? A strong number… You’ve chosen well. Take care of them, Shisui. They will carry not only the Will of Fire, but the weight of their clans’ hopes.”

Shisui’s dark eyes glimmered. “I know. And I’ll guide them with everything I have.”


Meanwhile, at the training ground, Naruto could barely contain himself.

“Team 11! With Shisui Nii-san! Believe it!”

Hinata smiled softly at his energy, her cheeks pink as always. Midori rolled her eyes, pretending annoyance, but the twitch of her lips betrayed her pride.

“Don’t act like you’re the only one excited,” Midori teased. “We’re all shinobi now, idiot.”

Naruto grinned wide. “Yeah, but I gotta tell my family first!”

In a flash of golden light, Naruto vanished.


Mikoto sat on the balcony of the Pottaru estate, the afternoon sun catching her raven-black hair. She had Nawaki in her lap, the child giggling as he tried to tug at her hairpins.

Suddenly, a yellow flash lit the courtyard.

“Naruto!” Mikoto exclaimed as her adoptive son appeared, practically glowing with joy.

He bounded up the steps two at a time. “Mom! Guess what— I did it! I graduated, and I’m on Team 11 with Shisui Nii-san!”

Mikoto’s eyes softened with pride. She stood, embracing him with one arm while balancing Nawaki with the other. The toddler squealed, tugging at Naruto’s new headband.

“I knew you’d do it,” Mikoto whispered warmly. “You’ve grown so much.”

Naruto’s eyes shimmered. “Thanks, Mom… This is the best day ever.”


One by one, Naruto told everyone. Tsunade laughed when she heard, scooping him into a crushing hug despite his protests.

“You’re officially a shinobi, brat. Better not slack off now.”

Shizune clapped politely, though her smile carried genuine fondness. “Congratulations, Naruto-kun. Team 11 will be something special.”

When Itachi returned from his training, he gave Naruto a small smile—the kind Naruto knew meant everything. “Well done. Shisui is a good teacher. Learn all you can.”

Finally, Harry Pottaru stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Naruto’s shoulder. His voice was steady, but his green eyes gleamed with pride.

“I’m proud of you, son.”

Naruto froze, his throat tight, his entire body shivering at those words. I’m proud of you. He could think of no greater gift.

“Thanks, Dad,” he whispered hoarsely.


By evening, the Pottaru estate was alive with light and laughter. Long tables were covered with food—roasted meats, steaming rice, sweet dumplings, and cakes piled high with frosting.

Midori and Hinata joined with their families, though the girls spent most of their time teasing Naruto about his appetite. Konohamaru and Hanabi darted between the adults, trying to sneak extra sweets. Nawaki, barely two years old, toddled from lap to lap, giggling at the attention.

Naruto sat in the center of it all, headband gleaming proudly.

Harry raised a glass. “Tonight, we celebrate Team 11 of Konoha.”

Everyone cheered.

Naruto stood, cheeks flushed. “Thanks, everyone! We promise, We’ll become the best shinobi ever—and one day, I’ll be Hokage! Believe it!”

Laughter and applause filled the hall.

Mikoto smiled at him, Tsunade smirked knowingly, and even Itachi gave the faintest nod of approval. For Naruto, it felt like the world was his.

And thus, the journey of Team 11 began, forged not only from power, but from bonds of love and family.



Naruto hardly slept a wink that night. He tossed and turned, staring at the ceiling, his headband on the bedside table gleaming faintly in the moonlight.

“Tomorrow’s the day,” he whispered to himself. “Princesses to rescue, bandits to smash, treasure to find… Believe it!”

Every time he closed his eyes, images of adventure filled his mind—him riding on top of a giant toad while Hinata and Midori cheered, or him standing heroically in front of a rescued princess. By the time the sun rose, he practically jumped out of bed.


Halfway down the cobbled street that led to the training grounds, Naruto spotted Hinata and Midori waiting under a blooming sakura tree. Hinata had her hands folded neatly, eyes soft as ever, while Midori leaned against the trunk, tapping her foot impatiently.

“Naruto!” Hinata waved. “You’re early…”

Midori smirked. “Or maybe you’re just late every other time.”

Naruto ignored the jab, bouncing on his heels. “So—what do you think we’ll be doing today? Guarding royalty? Chasing bandits? Ooh, maybe some rogue missing-nin!”

Hinata laughed nervously. “I think it will be something simpler. We just graduated…”

Midori raised an eyebrow. “Knowing your luck, it’ll probably be cleaning dog kennels.”

“Hey!” Naruto crossed his arms. “Don’t jinx it, Midori-chan! This is our first mission—we’ve gotta start with a bang!”


When they reached the training field, Shisui was already there, leaning casually against a post, arms folded, Sharingan eyes glimmering faintly under the sunlight.

“You’re late,” Shisui said flatly.

Naruto blinked. “What? We weren’t even told a time to meet! You didn’t say anything yesterday!”

Shisui’s lips curved into a sly grin. “If I say you’re late… then you’re late.”

Naruto sputtered. “That’s not fair!”

Hinata and Midori tried—and failed—to stifle their laughter.

“Anyway,” Shisui continued, pushing himself upright, “today we’re going to the Hokage’s office. Our team needs missions, and this is how we begin. Don’t get too excited, Naruto.”

“Too late!” Naruto grinned, practically bouncing again.


The Hokage’s tower loomed over them as they entered. Inside, the hall smelled faintly of ink and burning tobacco. Scrolls lined the walls, and the familiar figure of Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his heavy desk, pipe in hand.

“Team 11,” the Hokage greeted, his voice warm but formal. “So Shisui, these are your three new shinobi?”

“Yes, Lord Hokage.” Shisui bowed lightly. “They’re ready.”

Naruto puffed his chest proudly, tugging at his new headband so it gleamed in the candlelight. Hinata stood quietly but resolutely at his side, while Midori’s sharp gaze wandered over the Hokage’s stacks of scrolls, as if sizing up secrets.

Hiruzen studied them carefully, his eyes lingering on Naruto. “I see… the new generation begins.”


The Hokage shuffled through a pile of mission scrolls.

“Now then, your team will begin with a D-rank mission, appropriate for newly graduated genin.”

Naruto’s face fell. “D-rank? What about missing-nin? Bandits? Princesses to rescue?!”

Shisui ruffled Naruto’s hair. “Told you not to get excited. Every shinobi starts at the bottom. Even your father did.”

Naruto froze. “…Even Dad?”

“Yes,” Hiruzen said with a faint smile. “The Fourth Hokage once chased stray cats for hours before proving himself in greater missions. Don’t underestimate the importance of small tasks, Naruto. Every mission trains discipline.”

Naruto grumbled but nodded. “Fine… but I’ll still be Hokage one day, you’ll see!”

Midori smirked. “You’ll start by being Hokage of catching cats, then.”

Hinata giggled softly behind her hand.

The Hokage handed the scroll to Shisui. “Team 11’s first mission: assisting the village laundry guild with drying and folding uniforms for the military reserves. Report back once complete.”

Naruto’s jaw dropped. “Laundry?! Are you serious?!”

Shisui tucked the scroll under his arm with a straight face. “Yes, Naruto. Deadly serious.”

Naruto groaned dramatically, throwing his hands up. “This is going to be the lamest Hokage journey ever…”

But even as he pouted, a small smile tugged at his lips. He was finally a shinobi of Konoha, on his very first mission with his team.



For days, Team 11 had been running around Konoha with buckets, brushes, leashes, and cleaning rags instead of kunai.

Naruto stood in front of a half-painted fence, brush dripping with white paint, glaring like it had personally insulted him. Hinata was quietly repainting a crooked section, her movements neat and graceful. Midori, looking thoroughly disgusted, held her nose as she shoveled straw in the Inuzuka kennels.

“This isn’t what I trained my whole life for!” Naruto shouted, tossing the brush into the bucket with a loud splash. “I didn’t master Flying Thunder God so I could… paint fences!”

Midori muttered from the kennel, “Told you. I jinxed it. Dog kennels. Should’ve kept my mouth shut.”

Hinata giggled softly but didn’t look up. “At least we’re being useful…”

Naruto stomped over. “Useful? Hinata, this is not shinobi work. This is chores! I do chores at home already!”

That evening, when they returned their mission report, Naruto finally snapped.


They stood in front of the Hokage’s desk. Hiruzen puffed on his pipe as he skimmed their completed D-Rank scrolls.

“Well done, Team 11. The kennels are clean, the fences painted, and Lady Tsuru is pleased her cats have been retrieved.”

Naruto slammed both hands on the desk. “I’ve had enough of this, old man! We’re shinobi! Real shinobi! Why are you making us do this… this bullshit! Give us a real mission!”

The Anbu at the door stiffened, but Shisui only smirked, arms folded. “Well… he has a point. They’ve been at D-Ranks long enough, Lord Hokage.”

Hiruzen raised a brow. “Even the son of Minato must learn humility.”

“I’ve been humble enough!” Naruto fumed. “I didn’t train for years to scrub floors or babysit brats!”

Midori finally spoke, her tone sharp. “And what about our pay? These D-Ranks barely cover food. You expect me to fight bandits in the future after cleaning dog kennels for pocket change?”

Hinata nodded shyly. “I think… we’re ready for something more.”

Shisui leaned forward, mischief in his eye. “Besides, Lord Hokage, I like fried chicken too much. D-Rank pay isn’t enough to keep me fed.”

Naruto blinked. “…That’s your reason?”

“Hey,” Shisui shrugged, grinning. “A man has his priorities.”

Hiruzen exhaled heavily, smoke curling in the air. He studied the team—three pairs of determined eyes staring back at him, and one Jonin with a lazy grin who clearly wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

“Very well,” the Hokage said at last, his tone grave. “Team 11 will be assigned their first C-Rank mission tomorrow morning. Report here at dawn.”

Naruto’s eyes widened. “Really?! Yes! Believe it!”

Midori smirked. “Finally.”

Hinata smiled softly, relief showing in her eyes.

Shisui clapped Naruto on the back. “Careful what you wish for, kid. C-Rank missions aren’t as fun as you think. Sometimes, you really end up wishing for kennels again.”

Naruto puffed his chest. “Never!”

But deep down, he couldn’t wait.



The next morning, at exactly nine o’clock, Naruto, Hinata, Midori, and Shisui stood in front of the Hokage’s desk.

Hiruzen Sarutobi adjusted his robes and gestured to the man beside him.
“This is Daichi Watanabe, a merchant from the Fire Capital. He has been selling his goods in Konoha, and now that his stock is gone, he wishes to return home safely with his earnings. You four will escort him back.”

Daichi bowed deeply, smiling warmly. He was a middle-aged man with kind eyes and a travel-worn cloak, his voice carrying the easy politeness of someone used to dealing with customers.
“Thank you for your service, shinobi. The roads can be dangerous with bandits, and while I trust my horses, I’d rather not test my luck. I have heard much about Konoha’s fine ninja, and I am honored to have you as my escorts.”

Naruto grinned, puffing his chest out. “Leave it to us! We’ll protect you and your wagon no matter what!”

Shisui gave him a side glance. “Don’t promise too much, gaki. Bandits don’t care about your enthusiasm.”

Daichi chuckled. “Enthusiasm is worth half the fight, young man. My old master used to say that.”

Hinata smiled politely, bowing her head. Midori crossed her arms but smirked—she could tell this merchant was going to be talkative.

The best part? The wagon, drawn by two strong brown horses, was completely empty.
“Since I’ve sold everything in Konoha, there’s plenty of space. Please, ride with me. It’s faster than walking, and we’ll have time to share stories on the way.”

Naruto’s eyes lit up. “Seriously? Awesome!”

And with that, Team 11 climbed aboard the wagon, their first real mission finally underway.