Chapter 7
Chapter 7: New Paths and Bonds
The next day dawned bright and full of promise, excitement bubbling in Morgan's chest as she packed her lunch—a fluffy egg burrito and a can of tea. Her mind wandered to her beloved teacher, Ellen, and the wise head librarian of the Infinite Library, Yunoo. I wonder how they’re doing, she mused, picturing Yunoo surrounded by countless scrolls, meticulously sorting through ancient texts. And then there was Nanoha, Ellen’s senior in the Striker Corps, with her signature one-sided ponytail. Morgana chuckled at the thought of Ellen’s serious superior, Admiral Chrono. I hope they’re all okay, she thought, her heart swelling with warmth. Whenever Ellen called, she had the chance to get to know the other adults better, especially since Yunoo often shared his magical wisdom whenever he could.
Shaking her head to dispel her daydreams, Morgan turned her attention to the small coop of chickens she had rescued from the abandoned district. “Don’t do anything reckless!” she called out to the cows grazing nearby, a hint of a smile on her lips as one responded with a loud moo. I’m talking to cows now, she thought, shaking her head with amusement. At least I’m not talking to myself!
With a burst of energy, she dashed off to the Academy, her heart racing as she pushed through the gates. I made it on time! She settled into her desk, relief washing over her. Glancing around at her classmates, hope fluttered in her chest. Their homeroom teacher had been Mizuki, a stuck-up Chunin who treated clan kids like royalty while dismissing the civilian-born shinobi. Classism at its finest, she thought bitterly. But today was supposed to be different—Mizuki had been sent off on a mission, and they were getting a new teacher.
“I hope he isn’t as discriminatory as Mizuki,” Hanabi murmured from beside her, her milky purple eyes narrowing with concern. Morgan nodded, sharing her friend’s unease. Mizuki’s punishments had often been unfairly harsh, especially towards civilian students. Even Hanabi, a proud Hyuga, seemed to share her disdain for Mizuki’s ways.
Just then, the classroom door swung open, and excitement rippled through the room. A figure strode in—unlike any teacher they had seen before. Morgan's heart skipped a beat. He looks like an Anbu, she thought, narrowing her eyes to focus on him. Her sensor abilities, honed over time, allowed her to read the atmosphere, and she could feel he was a Jonin. As he approached the front of the class, he coughed, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Well, hello,” he rasped, his voice rough and strained. “Due to an incident on his mission, Chunin Mizuki will not be returning to this class. From now on, Jonin Hayate Gekko will take over. Just call me Hayate-sensei.”
Morgan couldn’t help but notice the effort it took for him to speak. Does he have a problem with his lungs? she thought, concern bubbling up. But he was a Jonin, so surely he was getting treatment for whatever was bothering him.
“Without further ado,” Hayate announced, straightening slightly, “after roll call, we’ll have a test so I can assess your skills!”
“Yes, Sensei!” the class responded in unison, excitement buzzing in the air.
Morgan felt a mix of anxiety and fear.
She took a deep breath, focusing on the swirling energy within her. Hopefully, she won't be useless... As Hayate called out names, she felt the tension build, her heart racing with anticipation.
After the roll call, the students were led to the test ground, where an obstacle course awaited them. I’ve been neglecting my body, Morgan thought as she walked to the starting line, her mind racing with ideas for improvement. I should focus more on exercises like running and weightlifting!
Hayate paired her against her classmate Han. “Ready? Start!” he ordered, raising his hand as he wore a watch on his wrist.
With a burst of adrenaline, Morgan dashed forward, focusing all her energy. The course was a round-shaped parkour obstacle course, with hurdles to jump over, traps to dodge, and walls to climb. She balanced on a thread line above a small pond, her heart pounding, and finally crossed the finish line, panting. Did I just do that in three minutes?
“Hmm, three minutes is just the bare minimum,” Hayate said, eyeing her critically. “Uzumaki. You’re fast, but you lack strength. Han, you were too slow but have strong muscles.”
Morgan’s heart soared. Wow, unlike Mizuki, he sees our weaknesses and calls out what we need to improve! Next up was shuriken and kunai throwing—something Morgan was confident in. She hit most targets dead center with kunai. Knives are easy! But shurikens were a different hurdle; she could only hit eight out of ten. Hanabi, next to her, had a perfect 10/10 score in both kunai and shuriken throwing.
“Amazing, Hyuga-san. You scored the highest!” Hayate praised her, and Hanabi blushed happily. “Uzumaki, it seems we need to work on your shuriken skills. Your hand posture is off.”
After a few more kids were tested, Morgan made up her mind to fix her schedule. Most mornings are spent reading or lazing around. Maybe I could spend an hour or two exercising?
The last test was announced. After the obstacle course and throwing tests, Hayate began sparring with the children in taijutsu. One by one, he assessed their strengths and weaknesses. Finally, it was her turn.
“Uzumaki,” he coughed. “Next!” Nodding, she looked at the training weapon rack and picked up a sword. Raising an eyebrow, Hayate-sensei reprimanded, “Oy, are you just grabbing that by chance? Do you know how to wield a sword? Which sword style?”
Morgan gripped her sword in its unique hold, closing her eyes in concentration. Her legs parted, both hands on the hilt. Hayate’s eyes widened when he saw which form it was: one leg in front, the other behind. She exhaled deeply, gathering her focus. It was the Uzumakis' treasured sword style, Tidewave, replicating the dangerous parts of the sea and the most serene. Fitting for an Uzumaki.
“I see you’re not an Uzumaki for show,” Hayate remarked, a hint of admiration creeping into his voice.
Maybe he’s a sword expert? she thought, feeling a rush of pride. Swordmasters are usually cranky and hardly teach anyone their style. With a light dash, she unleashed the first move of the sword style, Wave Flurry, executing a high spin kick combined with a crescent sword slash downwards, her red hair swirling like fire.
“Wow, Uzumaki-san can use a sword... did you know, Hanabi?” a random classmate whispered.
“No... she looks like a whirlpool,” Hanabi whispered back, mesmerized. But Hayate easily blocked her attack. “Not bad, but this was dangerous! You should have worn me out first before making this!” He pushed her back effortlessly. Stumbling, Morgan quickly regained her balance, circling and jabbing with her wooden sword. But Hayate was an impenetrable wall.
What do I expect? He is a Jonin for heaven’s sake. Morgan, you have a long way to go! She reprimanded herself, executing her second stance, Water Piercer, a decisive strike meant to pierce an opponent's defense. But was immediately kicked out of the ring.
After a few more exchanges, Morgan, tired and sweaty, heard Hayate’s dismissive command. “We need to improve your taijutsu. Although your sword technique was okay, it was not enough for the battlefield. Put it back with the training items.” Clapping his hands, he called everyone in her class while she gloomily put away the wooden sword.
"Not bad, I must say. Luckily, we have seven years together until you graduate. By then, I’ll make you into better ninjas.", Hayate clapped with his hands. For a moment, she was too stunned to speak. Help us? A Jonin offering to help us improve? She nodded eagerly, sparing him a grateful look along with her class.
“Yes!” the class cheered, their spirits high.
Walking back home, Morgan made a pit stop at the hospital to resume her three hours of training as a medic ninja before heading home, still feeling defeated. I’m not good enough yet, she thought, glancing up at the rooftop where she often practiced. She skipped up to her usual spot and took out her sword, repeating the moves one by one. Morgan found herself reflecting on Hayate’s words. She closed her eyes, focusing on her stance. My balance is off, she noted, adjusting her weight. She moved through each motion with careful focus, her swings growing smoother.
She was so absorbed that she almost didn’t notice Hayate’s approach.
“Hmm. No wonder your sword style felt stiff. You never had someone to spar!” A familiar voice broke her concentration. It was Hayate-sensei, seemingly having followed her. If it wasn’t for her sensor skills, she might have been startled. His eyes scanned the makeshift barn for her cows and chickens. “Do you live alone?”
“Kinda,” she replied, swinging her wooden sword to her shoulder as she looked at the barn and then back to her stance.
“Aye, aye, stop! That posture is horrendous!” With that, Morgan began her intense training with Hayate Gekko, her new teacher.
A few hours later, at Akimichi Meat Bar...
“You’re quiet, Gekko-chan!” Genma teased, glancing at his coughing colleague. Cooking the meat on the grill he shot glances to his quiet coughing friend.
“Nothing, just thinking about the class I’ve taken over,” Hayate replied, a thoughtful look on his face.
Ibiki, dealing some cards and scratching his scarred head, chimed in. “The class of that traitor Mizuki we carted off. Why, do you have a troublemaker in the class?”
Hayate shook his head. “Opposite. I have more like the nicest class. They’re good kids; just one of them..that one......” He sighed, staring at the table.
Genma moved his senbon in his mouth and tilted his head. “Hmm, what about that one?”
Just then, a chair was pushed, and a tired Shisui plopped down next to them. “I’m done; I quit! I swear I’ll hand over my resignation next Arashi!”
Minato, disguised as Arashi—a character he played when he wanted to get away—grumbled, “You say that, but you’re going on an S-rank mission in the morning anyway; you love doing them. So tell us, Hayate, more about that one."
"Just that kid, she is strange. She lives alone in the abandoned district. She made herself home there. No adult and stuff. I worry most kids in her class have family, but she seems on her own," Hayate coughed.
"In that area? Why? What's her name?" Arashi/Minato wondered aloud.
"Morgan LeFay Uzumaki—strange name, but she is an Uzumaki with red hair and purple eyes," Hayate explained, his brow furrowing with concern.
"Red hair and purple eyes?" Ibiki glanced at Arashi, intrigued. "Isn't that the trait mark of the Uzumaki royal line, like Kushina's?"
After all, Kushina is the last traceable descendant of the royal Uzumaki clan. Maybe some survive. What is Morgan doing in Konoha?
"Does it matter? As long as she is loyal to the village, it’ll be fine! Oy, waiter, a few more strips of meat!" Shisui declared, lifting his hand to get the attention of the staff.
And the tension in the air dispersed.