Mastering the Elements - Chapter - 66

The Pottaru Estate had never been so alive.

Streamers of soft gold and forest green fluttered from the rooftops, dancing in the breeze like falling leaves. Lanterns floated in the air, enchanted with gentle light, illuminating the sprawling gardens. Tables laden with sweets, rice cakes, grilled delicacies, and brightly colored drinks stretched under the shade of tall trees. A stage had been built in the center, where musicians from the Fire Capital played cheerful tunes on flutes and shamisen. It was Nawaki Senju's first birthday, and Harry Pottaru had spared no effort in making it unforgettable.

Harry stood at the entrance of the estate in formal black robes with deep green embroidery, holding his son in his arms. Nawaki gurgled happily, clinging to Harry's robes and occasionally reaching out toward the fluttering flags above.

"Say hi to everyone, little guy," Harry whispered, nuzzling Nawaki's cheek. The baby responded with a babble and a loud, clear, "Dada!"

Cheers erupted from those nearby who witnessed the moment. Harry beamed.

Tsunade, clad in a deep red kimono with golden maple patterns, stepped beside him with a smirk. "Show-off," she muttered, though her eyes sparkled with pride.

But her mood deflated slightly when Nawaki pointed at Mikoto and chirped, "Mama!"

The guests nearby chuckled as Tsunade crossed her arms and glared playfully at Harry. "I'm sulking," she announced.

Mikoto, dressed in an elegant lilac kimono, chuckled and walked over to gently kiss Tsunade's cheek. "Come now, you were the one he kicked the hardest while in the womb. I'm sure he meant you."

"That better be true," Tsunade huffed, though her expression softened as she looked at her son.

From the far courtyard, Naruto came running, wearing a dark blue vest with the Senju crest sewn on the back. He paused before Harry and bowed dramatically. "I brought them."

Behind him, a group of nearly fifty children followed, wide-eyed and hesitant. They were the children from Konoha's orphanage, many of whom had never been beyond its gates. Naruto waved them forward.

"Come on, you're all invited! There's food and sweets and games!" Naruto said cheerfully.

Harry bent down and greeted the children with a warm smile. "Today, everyone is family. Enjoy yourselves."

The children lit up with joy and scattered across the garden, their laughter soon filling the estate. Some ran to the food tables, others to the game stalls. A group gathered near the pond where enchanted swan boats waited to give rides.

"That was a beautiful idea, Naruto," Mikoto said as she joined her son. "They look so happy."

Naruto shrugged. "I just thought... birthdays are special. And I remembered mine, before... you adopted me. There weren't any. So, I thought... Nawaki’s could be special for everyone."

Harry placed a hand on Naruto’s shoulder. "You’re growing into the kind of man who brings joy to others. I'm proud of you."

Naruto flushed slightly, rubbing the back of his head. "Thanks, Dad."

Later, the garden was filled with laughter and performances. Shikamaru and Choji arrived bearing rare puzzle boxes and food gifts. Hinata and Midori, dressed in matching pale pink and green, helped with handing out small toys and sweets to the orphanage children.

Jiraiya, dressed in his usual red vest and gray robes, took to the stage with a dramatic flair. "And now, to honor my godson’s little brother’s first birthday, I will perform the legendary tale of the Toad Sage and the Baby Dragon!"

His exaggerated performance had the children in stitches and even made Nawaki bounce excitedly in Harry's arms.

The Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, arrived in full robes with the Fire Daimyo’s personal messenger trailing behind him. Sarutobi gifted a hand-crafted mobile made of chakra-infused wood that gently floated and played lullabies when activated.

The Fire Daimyo’s representative presented a sealed scroll, stating, "For Nawaki Senju, the heir of the noble Senju clan, a personal education grant and invitation to visit the Fire Capital when he is older."

Tsunade, now beaming with pride, accepted the scroll. "Thank you. He’ll be worthy of the name he carries."

As night fell, a giant cake appeared—baked by chefs Harry summoned from across the continent. It was frosted in soft cream, shaped like a sleeping dragon, with golden candles flickering like its breath. When Harry helped Nawaki blow the candle, a small burst of harmless green sparkles filled the air.

"Happy birthday, Nawaki," Harry whispered, pressing a kiss to his son's forehead.

Cheers erupted once more. And somewhere in the back, Naruto stood beside the orphanage kids, grinning as he handed a plate of cake to a small girl with wide eyes.

"See? I told you. Best party ever."



The morning sun filtered gently through the tall trees surrounding the Pottaru Estate. Birds chirped high in the canopy, and the grounds were already abuzz with the rhythmic thuds of training. Midori moved like a blur, her sword cleaving through practice dummies with deadly precision. Hinata spun and struck with elegance, her new Gentle Step style flowing seamlessly with the Gentle Fist, striking targets with pinpoint chakra control. Each of her hits landed like silk over steel—soft yet devastating.

Across from them, Naruto laughed loudly as he vanished in a yellow flash, reappearing on the far edge of the training field, then again mid-air, raining shuriken etched with Flying Thunder God seals. One embedded into the post just inches from Midori’s shoulder.

“Hey! Watch it!” Midori shouted.

“Too slow,” Naruto grinned, flashing next to her and poking her forehead before vanishing again.

“You’re so annoying!” Midori yelled, though the small grin tugging her lips betrayed her amusement.

Inside the estate’s warm kitchen, the aroma of steaming rice, grilled fish, and miso soup filled the air. Hanabi, Mikoto, and Tsunade worked in tandem—Hanabi humming softly as she sliced vegetables, Mikoto stirring a pot with a calm expression, and Tsunade fussing over the seasoning like a strict gourmet.

“You added too much salt,” Tsunade scolded gently.

Mikoto gave her a knowing look. “You’re just grumpy no one calls you 'Mama' yet.”

Tsunade pouted. “That little brat called Mikoto ‘Mama’ and Harry ‘Dada’ but not me. I gave birth to him, damn it.”

Hinata giggled, and Mikoto smiled wryly. “Maybe it’s because I’m the one who wakes up with him at night while you snore like a bear.”

“Oh shut up,” Tsunade muttered, cheeks turning pink.

Meanwhile, Harry stood in his study, explaining a healing seal to Shizune, who was watching with rapt attention as his hand glowed faintly, drawing lines in the air that hovered like floating ink.

“This sigil channels vitality through the bloodstream, forcing the body to repair at an accelerated rate,” Harry explained. “It’s dangerous if overused, but it can bring a dying man back from the brink.”

Shizune’s eyes widened. “This is beyond chakra control… it’s like… rewriting life.”

“Healing often is,” Harry said, his voice steady, though his arms gently cradled the cooing Nawaki, who clutched at his robes with tiny fists.

And then… Ding dong.

The chime echoed throughout the estate.

“I’ll get it,” Harry said, excusing himself. Nawaki gurgled happily in his arms as he made his way through the halls and out to the grand iron gate adorned with protective seals.

When he opened it, he blinked. Standing there, slightly sweaty from the climb up the hill, was a small boy with brown hair, tan skin, and a familiar fire in his eyes. He wore a simple shirt and shorts, a scarf wrapped confidently around his neck. He stared straight up at Harry with the seriousness of a shinobi three times his age.

“Konohamaru?” Harry said in surprise. “What are you doing here alone?”

The boy didn’t answer immediately. He looked Harry up and down, then his eyes landed on Nawaki, who gave a small baby sneeze. The boy's face wrinkled slightly, then he blurted, “Where’s Boss?”

Harry furrowed his brows. “Boss?”

“My boss! Uzumaki Naruto!” Konohamaru declared, chest puffed out proudly. “He said he’d help me train to become Hokage! He promised! He told me if I came here, he’d start my lessons.”

The boy brushed past Harry like a determined whirlwind, walking up the path toward the estate with the confidence of a visiting diplomat.

Harry blinked again. “Did he just—?”

“Yes,” Shizune said from behind him, hiding a grin. “He did.”

“Of course,” Harry sighed and followed.

Inside, Naruto was flipping mid-air again when he heard Konohamaru’s voice booming through the courtyard.

“Naruto-niisan! You lied! You said training starts today!”

Naruto blinked mid-air, landed, and turned around. “Konohamaru?!”

“You said!” Konohamaru pointed accusingly. “You said you’d teach me the way of Hokage! You said it in front of the ramen stand!”

“I also said not today!” Naruto held up his hands.

“You didn’t mean it, and I’m here now, so let’s go!” Konohamaru plopped down on the training mat and crossed his arms.

Midori whispered to Hinata, “He’s even more stubborn than Naruto.”

Harry handed Nawaki to Mikoto and stepped in beside Naruto. “Is he serious?”

“He’s been calling me ‘Boss’ ever since I saved him from a water bucket prank,” Naruto said sheepishly. “I kinda said I’d make him Hokage one day.”

Harry turned to Konohamaru. “You understand what it means to become Hokage, don’t you?”

“Of course!” the boy said confidently. “It means everyone in the village respects you. It means you’re strong and brave and protect everyone!”

Harry studied him for a long moment, then slowly smiled. “Then let’s start.”

“Wait—really?” Naruto and Konohamaru said in unison.

Harry nodded. “I’ll oversee his training with you. He’ll need discipline and structure if he’s serious. No nonsense. But if he can keep up with you, Naruto, then he deserves to try.”

Konohamaru jumped in joy. “Yes! I’m going to be Hokage!”

Naruto scratched the back of his head. “I guess I’ve got a student now.”

Harry smiled and turned to go. “Just make sure you teach him more than pranks.”

“Alright, Konohamaru,” Naruto said, tossing a set of three kunai to the boy. “Let’s see what you’ve got. Hit that target.”

Konohamaru adjusted his stance, narrowed his eyes at the wooden post, and took a deep breath. With a swift motion, he threw all three kunai. Two struck the outer ring of the target. The third hit the ground with a soft thunk just short of the mark.

“Tch!” Konohamaru clicked his tongue. “I missed!”

“Not bad,” Naruto said, nodding. “You’ve got good aim. And a strong wrist. Who taught you before?”

Konohamaru looked away, then back. “One of Grandpa’s bodyguards. He used to help me train sometimes... but it wasn’t serious. They were always too busy.”

Naruto smiled knowingly. “Yeah. I know that feeling.”

Konohamaru glanced up at him. “You do?”

“Before I came to live here,” Naruto said, “I didn’t really have anyone. I learned a lot on my own, just messing around. But you—you’ve got a head start.”

He ruffled the boy’s hair.

Konohamaru blushed and quickly swatted Naruto’s hand away. “Tch! Don’t treat me like a kid!”

Naruto laughed. “You’re six, Konohamaru.”

“I’m all most seven!” he retorted, cheeks puffed out.

“Alright, alright,” Naruto grinned. “You wanna skip the basics and go straight to ninja techniques?”

“Yes!” Konohamaru bounced. “I want to learn a real jutsu! Not just throwing stuff!”

“Okay then,” Naruto said, stepping back and making a hand seal. “Let’s start with something cool.”

He vanished in a poof, and before Konohamaru could blink, Naruto reappeared far from him and where Naruto before had a normal kunai.

“W-Whoa!” Konohamaru gasped. “What was that?! That wasn’t the Body Flicker, was it?!”

“Nope,” Naruto said, walking back to him. “That was a variation of the Replacement Technique. A better one. I call it the Flash Flicker technique.”

“Flash Flicker?” Konohamaru tilted his head.

“It’s kind of like this,” Naruto explained. “Normally, in the Replacement Technique, you swap yourself with a log or something nearby when you're in danger, right? But what if you could replace it with small objects like a kunai, and then switch places with it just as it’s about to be hit? That’s what I did.”

Konohamaru’s eyes went wide. “You trick the enemy into thinking you’re teleporting?”

“Exactly,” Naruto grinned. “And I’ve added a twist using seals from the Flying Thunder God technique. I can use a seal to instantly swap places with a kunai or an object tagged with my chakra.”

“That’s so cool!” Konohamaru said, bouncing in place. “Can I learn it?!”

Naruto paused. “It’s tricky. But if you master the basic Replacement Technique, I’ll teach you the rest. Deal?”

Konohamaru didn’t hesitate. “Deal!”

“Then let’s start with the basics,” Naruto said, holding up his fingers to demonstrate the hand signs slowly. “Ram. Boar. Ox. Dog. Snake.”

Konohamaru followed along, slowly forming each sign with furrowed brows.

“Good. Now, put a little chakra into it.”

Konohamaru focused hard, tongue peeking out from the corner of his mouth as he gathered his chakra. “Here goes—Replacement Technique!”

Poof!

The boy vanished—and reappeared two meters to the right, having replaced himself with a practice post.

“I DID IT!” Konohamaru shouted, jumping up and down. “I actually did it!”

Naruto clapped. “Nice one, Konohamaru! That’s solid for your first try!”

“Now what?!” Konohamaru grinned. “Show me the teleporting one!”

“Whoa, slow down,” Naruto laughed. “First, we make sure you can do that ten times in a row. Then we upgrade it.”

“But—!”

“No buts. You want to be Hokage, right?” Naruto said, crouching down to Konohamaru’s eye level.

“Yes!”

“Then learn this now: the best shinobi are the ones who do the basics perfectly,” Naruto said, tapping his forehead. “You master the foundation, you build the tower. Got it?”

Konohamaru stared at him, then nodded slowly. “Got it, Boss.”

Naruto grinned again. “Good. Now give me ten perfect replacements.”

As Konohamaru got back to work, panting and focused, the sun climbed higher into the sky. From the balcony, Mikoto watched with a soft smile, Nawaki in her arms and Hinata and Midori beside her, sipping tea.

“He’s teaching that boy with such care,” Hinata murmured.

Midori smirked. “It’s like looking at a mini-Naruto.”

“More like a mini headache,” Mikoto chuckled.

But her heart was full as she saw Naruto instruct the boy with genuine passion—just as Harry had once taught him.

Below, Konohamaru threw another kunai, then shouted, “Replacement Technique!”

Poof! A cloud of smoke erupted—and Naruto grinned.

“That’s number six. Keep going, future Hokage.”