Mastering the Elements - Chapter - 55

The village hidden in the leaves had never been so crowded.

Stalls were open on every street corner. Lanterns in red, gold, and pale green fluttered above merchant stalls displaying imported silk, chakra-reactive paints, rare herbs, and weaponry gleaming under sunlight. The Chūnin Exams had transformed Konoha into a city of color and coin, buzzing with the energy of foreign merchants, daimyo entourages, and clan emissaries from every corner of the Elemental Nations.

And at the heart of this controlled chaos, Itachi Pottaru stood silently in full uniform, a black jonin flak jacket over his sleeveless high-collared tunic. His hands were gloved, his eyes calm and calculating beneath a dark forehead protector. Despite being only thirteen, he moved with the silent confidence of a seasoned elite, his presence gaining him nods of respect and whispers of curiosity from shinobi and civilians alike.

A group of academy girls passed by the street where Itachi stood. One of them pointed.

"That’s him!" she whispered. "The one who became a jonin at thirteen!"

“The Hokage trusts him with watching over the visitors,” another added in awe.

“Did you know he trained under Lord Hokage himself?” someone said. “He must be unbeatable!”

Itachi heard it all, of course. He didn’t react. He stood at his post with one hand resting lightly on the pouch strapped to his leg.

His duty for the day was clear: watch the arrival of the high-profile guests. Nobles, feudal lords, retired generals, and foreign shinobi—some came to observe, others to judge. The Chūnin Exams weren’t just a trial for genin; they were a political theater, where nations evaluated one another’s future.

“Still getting more popular than me, eh?” came a teasing voice behind him.

Itachi didn’t need to turn to recognize it. “You're late, Shisui.”

Shisui Uchiha leaned lazily against the wooden fence beside him, arms crossed behind his head. His signature short ponytail and green-flamed Uchiha cloak made him stand out, but the ever-present grin on his face disarmed even the most wary onlookers.

“I was checking on the Lightning Country’s delegation. They're already annoyed about their lodgings not being up to standard,” Shisui said with a sigh. “Apparently, they expected hot springs and personal chefs.”

“They’ll survive,” Itachi replied dryly.

Shisui chuckled. “Probably. So, how’s the world of noble babysitting?”

“I escorted the Land of Honey’s daimyo’s family earlier. One of the children threw up on a Hyuga elder’s sandals.”

Shisui whistled. “Bet that went well.”

“No,” Itachi said. “They might demand compensation.”

The two shared a look, and for a moment, Itachi allowed himself a small smirk.


That evening, after the shift ended, Itachi made his way through the village toward the intelligence bureau to submit his report. On the way, he passed a small training ground where a group of young genin were sitting on benches, recovering from the day’s written test.

“Did you hear? The Kirigakure team passed easily,” one of them muttered.

“They didn’t even hesitate,” said another. “That Haku kid finished before the others even figured out the trick.”

Itachi paused in the shadows, listening.

“That’s the one they say uses ice, right?” a third voice said.

“I thought Ice Release was very rare.”

“Maybe he’s from a surviving bloodline.”

Itachi exhaled quietly. He already knew Haku passed. Word traveled fast in the shinobi network. But hearing it again made him strangely… proud.

You made it, Haku. You’ve grown.

But he couldn’t dwell on it long. Inside the Hokage Tower, the real work awaited.


“Jonin Itachi,” said Shikaku Nara, standing beside a chalkboard filled with notes on foreign teams. “Your report?”

Itachi handed it over. “All present nobles arrived without incident. Three individuals from the Land of Iron are still en route. No suspicious activity detected.”

“Good,” Shikaku said. “We’ll rotate you to the west gate tomorrow. The Raikage’s brother is expected, and he’ll likely need special handling.”

“Understood.”

“And—just a note. The Hokage may want to assign you to surveillance duty during the second exam round.”

Itachi frowned faintly. “Why surveillance?”

Shikaku shrugged. “You’re calm, unnoticed, and know how to recognize danger before it becomes a threat. In the Forest of Death, that’s a rare skill.”

“Very well,” Itachi replied.

As he left the room, a familiar ANBU operative passed him a folded note. It was sealed with the Pottaru Estate’s family seal.


Back home, night had fallen. The windows glowed with warm candlelight, and the courtyard smelled of cooked rice, grilled meat, and Harry’s latest culinary experiment involving honey-glazed noodles.

Inside, Naruto, Hinata, and Midori sat around the low table, arguing over their training techniques, while Tsunade calmly read a scroll nearby, her belly now visibly round. Shizune brought out tea and medicinal herbs, giving Itachi a quick smile as he entered.

“Itachi ni-san’s back,” Naruto called, grinning with half a mouthful of food.

“You’re late,” said Midori with mock sternness.

“I’m on Hokage duty,” Itachi replied. “You try babysitting twenty nobles.”

Harry emerged from the kitchen. “They’ll never understand true shinobi culture unless you teach them how to cook.”

Itachi smirked. “I’ll consider it.”

Later that night, Harry joined him outside under the stars.

“Haku passed,” Itachi said quietly. “First round.”

Harry didn’t respond immediately. He just nodded. “Good.”

“He’s strong. If I hadn’t seen it myself, I wouldn’t believe how much he’s grown.”

“You saved him,” Harry said. “That matters. But you’re not here to protect him anymore. You’re his shadow. He doesn’t know it—but you’re the reason he’s made it this far.”

Itachi stared into the darkness.

“I just hope,” he whispered, “he never has to fight me.”



The stars hung like silver needles above Konoha, their glint lost behind drifting clouds. From the rooftop of the Potaru Estate, Itachi sat cross-legged, his eyes half-closed in meditation. But his mind was not still. It wandered, as it often did lately, back to Kirigakure, back to the betrayal, to Riku, to Haku, and to the war-torn streets now being rebuilt under Mei Terumi’s banner.

Down below, laughter echoed from the courtyard. Naruto Uzumaki, barely nine, spun through the air with a playful cry as he practiced a wind-style flip, only to crash into a bush with a thud. His orange shirt had a new tear. Again.

Itachi opened one eye.

“Uzumaki,” he called calmly.

Naruto sprang to his feet, brushing off leaves. “Yo! You watching me? I almost nailed the landing!”

“I need a favor.”

Naruto blinked. “A mission?”

“Yes.”

He zipped forward until he stood in front of Itachi, fists on his hips, eyes wide. “For real? Secret mission? Like, I go rogue and infiltrate enemy territory and become a spy?”

Itachi’s gaze was even. “You’ll infiltrate the Kirigakure Genin team.”

Naruto’s mouth dropped open.

Itachi folded his arms. “You’ll befriend Haku. Learn what you can about how Kiri is recovering after the civil war. What kind of shinobi they’re training. What kind of strength they’ll bring to the table. Keep it casual. Make no one suspicious. No flashy jutsu.”

Naruto grinned wide. “So I am a spy!”

“No,” Itachi said, “you are an observant, cheerful academy student who stumbled into new friends.”

Naruto leaned forward. “What’s in it for me?”

Itachi sighed. “Name your price.”

“Ten jutsus,” Naruto said immediately, holding up all ten fingers. “Not basic ones. Real ones. Wind style, shadow stuff, clone upgrades—stuff I don’t already know.”

Itachi tilted his head. “Eight.”

“Ten!”

“Seven and a chakra scroll.”

“Ten or I’ll tell Granny Tsunade you gave me a secret mission.”

Itachi narrowed his eyes. “You’d blackmail me?”

Naruto beamed. “You raised me too well.”

After a long silence, Itachi relented with a quiet sigh. “Fine. Ten.”

“Yes!” Naruto punched the air. “This is going to be so awesome! Me and Haku, best friends forever! Maybe he’ll teach me powerful jutsus!”

“Unlikely,” Itachi muttered. “Be careful. Don’t let anyone know what you’re doing. Not even Hinata or Midori. This is your mission.”

Naruto saluted. “Yes, sir!”


The training fields behind the academy were brimming with life. Teams from every village were allotted training area, and it was Kiri’s team.

Naruto made his move.

He approached with a dumpling stick in one hand and his biggest, most innocent smile plastered on his face. “Yo!”

The three Kiri Genin turned around, wary. A Jonin in a gray Kiri vest, standing nearby, watched but didn’t interfere.

“I saw you yesterday,” Naruto said, nodding at Haku. “You were awesome in the written exam! You finished before anyone else!”

Haku blinked, then gave a small, polite smile. “Thank you.”

“I’m Naruto,” the boy said, sticking out his hand. “Naruto Uzumaki!”

There was a pause.

Then Haku stepped forward and shook his hand. “Haku. I’m pleased to meet you, Naruto.”

Naruto leaned in with a conspiratorial whisper. “Are you the strongest in your team?”

The Kiri Jonin chuckled, looking away.

Haku’s smile widened. “I wouldn’t say that.”

Naruto pointed at the other two kids. “You guys look strong, too. What’s your team name?”

“We don’t have one,” said the taller boy, a brown-haired Genin with tired eyes. “We’re not flashy like Konoha.”

“Want me to help you pick one?” Naruto offered cheerfully. “How about… Team Snowstorm!”

All three of the Genin gave him a strange look.

Naruto laughed. “Okay, okay. Maybe not.”

Over the next few minutes, Naruto cracked jokes, showed off a few harmless jutsu, and tossed out candy. By the end, the three Genin were relaxed—and laughing. Even Haku seemed to smile more easily.

Far above, from the roof of a nearby building, Itachi watched in silence, arms folded, eyes hidden behind his gloves. He saw how Haku gently touched Naruto’s shoulder when laughing. He saw how the Kiri Jonin didn’t intervene. He saw the slow blooming of trust.

He’s doing well, Itachi thought. He always does.


Back at the Pottaru Estate, Naruto sat on the porch steps with a bowl of ramen, still steaming.

“Success,” he announced proudly.

Itachi sat beside him, resting a cup of green tea on his knee.

“They like you?”

“Yup. Haku said I’m annoying but interesting.” Naruto slurped. “That means I’m in.”

“Learn what you can, slowly. No suspicion.”

“I got this,” Naruto said. “They’re just kids like me. Haku’s nice. He said he doesn’t like fighting unless he has to.”

Itachi was silent.

“Did you know him?” Naruto asked.

Itachi gave the smallest nod. “Yes.”

Naruto looked up. “You miss Kiri?”

“I miss the people,” Itachi said quietly. “Not the place.”

Naruto nudged his elbow. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure Haku stays safe. Promise.”

Itachi didn’t smile, but there was warmth in his gaze. “You already are.”



In the sun-warmed gardens of the Potaru Estate, the scent of wildflowers mingled with the sound of sparring. Hinata Hyūga and Midori Uchiha moved through taijutsu drills with elegance and precision, but their minds were far from focused.

Midori wiped sweat from her brow, her emerald eyes narrowed. “He’s doing it again.”

Hinata lowered her stance. “Naruto-kun disappeared after lunch.”

“He said he was going to buy dumplings,” Midori hissed. “That was two hours ago.”

Hinata looked off toward the village walls. “He doesn’t even take us with him anymore…”

That wasn’t normal.

For as long as they could remember, the three of them had been together. Midori, intense and brash. Hinata, calm and observant. Naruto, the boisterous glue between them. They trained together, sparred together, even got in trouble together.

But lately, Naruto was… secretive. He’d sneak out of training early. Slip away during lunch. Disappear when they were supposed to meet.

And worst of all, he smiled when he came back.

A new smile.

A smile that wasn’t theirs.


Hidden behind a pair of crates near the western training fields, Hinata and Midori crouched side by side, peeking through a slit between the wood.

And there he was.

Naruto Uzumaki, golden hair tousled in the wind, was laughing—hard. Standing in front of him was a pretty Kirigakure Genin with long black hair and soft features. The girl’s hand was resting lightly on Naruto’s shoulder. Naruto said something else, and she giggled, brushing her hair behind her ear.

Midori’s Sharingan spun to life with rage.

Hinata's Byakugan flared like a pale moon. "He touched her shoulder."

"He let her," Midori whispered, eyes wide with betrayal. "That traitor."

Hinata’s voice trembled. “Do you think… he likes her?”

“I don’t care if he likes her,” Midori growled. “She’s not in our team.”

Hinata turned to her. “What do we do?”

Midori looked back at the pair with venom. “We break them up.”


“…and that’s why,” Hinata said, fidgeting with her hands, “we came to you.”

Tsunade blinked, thoroughly confused. “Let me get this straight… you two are upset because Naruto is spending time with a girl from Kiri?”

“Yes,” Midori said, arms crossed.

“And you want me to do what exactly?”

“Help us break them up,” Hinata whispered. “You’re the only one we can trust. You and Mikoto-sama…”

Midori jumped in. “If you two can share Uncle Harry, then surely Hinata and I can share Naruto. We’ve decided.”

Hinata nodded. “We’ll share. But no other girls.”

Tsunade sat back, stunned. “You’re… both nine.”

“We’re mature for our age,” Midori said confidently.

Hinata added, “Besides, you and Mikoto-sama are an inspiration.”

At this, Tsunade flushed, suddenly unsure if she was being praised or blamed. She rubbed her temple. “Fine. You want advice on how to break up Naruto and the Kiri girl.”

Both nodded eagerly.

“And you’re sure this girl is… from Kiri?”

“She’s beautiful,” Midori muttered. “Long black hair. Gentle eyes. She even smiles like an angel.”

Tsunade raised a brow, amused. “That narrows it down.”

The door creaked open behind them.

All three turned.

Itachi Pottaru stepped into the room, expression unreadable. “I couldn’t help overhearing from the hallway.”

Hinata blinked. “You were eavesdropping?”

“I prefer the term ‘intercepting a domestic intelligence leak,’” he replied smoothly.

Tsunade snorted.

Midori crossed her arms. “Well? Do you know who this girl from Kiri is?”

Itachi tilted his head. “You mean… Haku?”

“Yes!” both girls cried. “That’s her name!”

There was a long pause.

Then Itachi did something rare.

He laughed.

Not a chuckle. Not a smirk. A full, rich, chest-deep laugh.

Tsunade looked shocked. Hinata looked confused. Midori looked insulted.

“What’s so funny?” Midori demanded.

Itachi wiped a tear from his eye, finally composing himself. “Haku is a boy.”

The silence that followed was soul-crushing.

Midori’s mouth dropped open. “W-what?”

Tsunade burst into uncontrollable laughter, nearly falling out of her chair. “Oh, this is rich. You two were planning a covert operation over a boy?”

Hinata covered her face in her hands. “We’re so stupid…”

“No,” Itachi said, turning for the door. “You’re just territorial.”

He paused before leaving.

“For what it’s worth,” he added without looking back, “Naruto’s lucky. Even if he doesn’t know it yet.”

And with that, he was gone.

Tsunade wiped her eyes, still grinning. “So… what now?”

Midori stood, face still pink with embarrassment. “We regroup. We reformulate.”

Hinata looked up. “You mean, we still—?”

Midori nodded with a fierce gleam in her eye. “We made a pact, didn’t we? No other girls. But Haku’s a boy. So…”

Hinata exhaled in relief. “Then we’re safe.”

Tsunade muttered to herself, “Kami save me from nine-year-old love triangles…”