Chapter 3
Chapter 3: So It Begins
The next day, Naruto woke up early, excitement bubbling inside her as she gathered scraps from the fridge for Ellen. The kitchen smelled faintly of miso soup, her family already up and about, a comforting scent that reminded her of home and at the same time reminded her that she had been left behind again. Sunlight streamed through the window, reminding the day had started as she walk out the front door. As she tiptoed past the stalls in the bustling marketplace, the tantalizing aroma of grilled fish and sweet pastries wafted through the air.´´ I should probably buy some groceries´for her,´´ she thought, pausing briefly, her stomach grumbling in agreement. ´´But I need to ask Ellen what she likes first. ´´She glanced at her empty pockets.´´ I wish I could find a way to get some money.´´
Determined, she crept into the cellar and snatched a bottle of wine, recalling that she had read somewhere that alcohol could keep you warm and help numb pain. ´´I hope she doesn’t mind, ´´she thought, placing it carefully in her bag. She also grabbed an old history book from the shelf, thinking it might help Ellen understand this place better. ´´I wonder if she even knows about the Nine-Tails it seems her device can read the planet's history or something, how does that work?...´´
When she arrived at the abandoned house, she found Ellen sitting cross-legged on the floor, her eyes closed in deep concentration. A soft glow of magic surrounded her, casting a warm light in the dim room, which was filled with remnants of the past—a faded carpet and peeling wallpaper. The contrast of the vibrant magic against the crumbling walls gave the space a surreal quality.
“You weren’t kidding; you’re quite resourceful,” Ellen said, opening her eyes and looking at Naruto with a hint of admiration. “Are you a shinobi as well? I gathered from my magic scan that shinobi starts very early.”
Naruto shuffled her feet, a bashful grin spreading across her face. “I’m a ninja in training... sadly, I have to wait a few years before I can call myself that. Although, I kinda suck at it.”
Ellen chuckled, her laughter light and soothing. “It takes time and practice. Even the best mages had to start somewhere. Here, let me see what you’ve brought.”
Handing over the bag, Naruto watched Ellen’s eyes light up as she rummaged through the contents. “Wow, you got me food!” Ellen exclaimed, her voice filled with surprise and delight. “This is more than I expected. Thank you!”
Naruto beamed, pride swelling in her chest. Ellen began to eat, her face relaxing with each bite. “Mmm, this is delicious!” She paused, glancing at Naruto. “You know how to pick them. What else did you bring?”
“Oh!” Naruto exclaimed, pulling out the history book. “I thought you might like this. It’s about Konoha and the history of our village. Maybe it can help you understand things better here.”
Ellen took the book, her expression shifting to one of genuine interest. “You know, I’m curious about your world. On my home planet, Milchidan, magic is woven into the fabric of society. We have advanced technology, but we refused to evolve into machine-based weapons after experiencing a devastating war. We didn’t want to unleash weapons of mass destruction again.”
Naruto listened intently, captivated by Ellen’s story. “That sounds... kinda scary,” she said, her eyes wide. “But at least you have magic, right? Does that mean you can do anything?”
Ellen smiled softly. “Magic has its limits. It’s not all-powerful. On Milchidan, we’ve integrated magic into our everyday lives—healing, crafting, and even transportation. But we also value peace above all else. Our goal is to protect our planet, not conquer others.”
“Wow, that’s amazing!” Naruto’s eyes sparkled with admiration. “I wish I could do magic like you. But I’m just learning how to control chakra.”
Ellen placed her hand on Naruto’s shoulder, her gaze earnest. “You have potential, Naruto. Your spirit is strong, and your determination is commendable. How about it? If you ever want to learn more about magic, I’d be happy to teach you what I know.”
“Really? You’d teach me?” Naruto's excitement bubbled over, her heart racing.
“Of course,” Ellen replied, her smile warm and inviting. “But remember, it will take time and patience. Just like with being a shinobi, learning magic requires dedication.”
Naruto nodded eagerly, her determination renewed. “I’ll work hard! I promise!”
Ellen took another bite of food and chuckled. “Then let’s start with something simple. After I finish eating, I can show you how to harness your energy. Channeling magical energy is essential for anything.”
“Yeah! Let’s do it!” Naruto bounced on her toes, her enthusiasm contagious.
As Ellen finished her meal, the two shared stories of their worlds—Ellen describing the lush landscapes of Milchidan, and its tall skyscraper houses and her works as a TSAB agent and Naruto recounting tales of her adventures in Konoha and the ninja academy she attended. Time slipped away unnoticed, each moment deepening the bond between them.
After clearing the remnants of the meal, Ellen led Naruto to the center of the room. “Alright, let’s begin,” she said, a hint of excitement in her voice. “First, I want you to close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Feel the energy inside you. Look for your Linker Core. I’ll guide you.”
Deep within Naruto’s mind, she found a floating, glowing orb—her Linker Core. Imagine your breath flowing through that core!
Taking deep breaths, she watched the orb sing and come alive. With each passing moment, the orb glowed with iridescent light, and she felt her body surrounded by a strange energy.
“What you’re doing is called Magic Energy Visualization. To the naked eye, magical energy is invisible, but when casting spells or using it, it glows. The color one sees is called aura, but I must say... your aura is special.”
Naruto opened her eyes, confused. “Special? No way.”
“Yes, an iridescent aura is rare; only royal or noble mages possess this. The aura color is nicknamed Kaiserfarbe. If I had to translate it, it’s the King’s color.”
“Really? Me, this amazing? No way…” Something overcame Naruto as tears swelled in her eyes.´´ For once, I feel special... like I truly belong.´´
“Ah, Naruto, if possible, could you buy me some groceries? I can make money with magic, so just tell me how much you need. I also need some items, but I’m still too numb to move around,” Ellen sighed, a hint of embarrassment in her voice. It felt odd for an adult to ask a child for help.
“Leave it to me! Just write down the list!” Naruto replied enthusiastically, her determination shining through.
A few hours later, Naruto returned, but her hands were empty.
“Where are the items? Did you... get robbed?” Ellen asked, her brow furrowing in concern.
“Hehe, nope! Look!” Naruto exclaimed, pulling out a scroll. “I stored all the items here using a special sealing ninjutsu. Kai! (Release)”
With a puff of smoke, all the items materialized in a neat pile around them.
Ellen’s eyes widened in surprise. “Wow! That’s impressive! I didn’t know you could do that!”
Naruto grinned, pride swelling in her chest. “Yeah! I’ve been practicing my sealing techniques. It’s one of the few things I’m good at!”
“That’s incredible,” Ellen said, nodding appreciatively. “You’re talented, Naruto. I’m lucky to have you as my assistant.”
Naruto's face lit up with a smile. ´´For once, I feel like I’m helping someone.´´