Chapter 8
Chapter 8: New Routine
“So, by popular vote, our class representative will be... Morgan LeFay Uzumaki!” Hayate-sensei’s raspy voice carried an unmistakable pride, making it sound like an honor. The class broke into applause, and Hanabi, the sister of Hinata the heiress of the Hyuga clan and her closest friend, beamed, giving her an enthusiastic thumbs-up with those signatures of milky Byakugan eyes.
´´Wait... me? ´´
Morgan’s heart lurched, and a flush of disbelief crept over her cheeks as she took in the applause. Standing up, she fidgeted before calming down and taking a deep breath. Walking to the front, she bowed to her class. “Uhm, I might be awkward, but I will do my absolute best to represent this class and help be a great bridge between you guys and the teaching staff.” They applauded, but as her face remained downcast, she slowly returned to her seat, face still flushed. Why me? I’m not that special!
Her pulse quickened as she awkwardly nodded in thanks, the faces around her suddenly too bright, too cheerful. The excitement directed at her felt like an ill-fitting cloak—heavy and strange. Is this okay? she wondered. ´´Me—the one who can’t even do half the things the others can? The one everyone else probably sees as just… useless?´´ She quietly slipped back into her seat next to Hanabi, who still wore a beaming smile, and Han, who nodded at her approvingly, his black hair and eyes sparkling, cheeks adorned with a line of purple war paint. For a Uchiha, he was quite expressive and cute-?
The past week had been an intense blur, a whirlwind pushing her far beyond what she thought she could handle. Her days started before dawn, with Morgan tending to her sanctuary in the abandoned district—the only place she could truly call home. No one else ventured into the forgotten area, where empty, crumbling buildings had been left to gather moss and shadow, a place most villagers preferred to ignore.
The cold, cracked walls, chipped floors, and overgrown weeds… she had taken each one and tried to mend them, coaxing life back into dead soil and repairing floorboards. In the mornings, she fed her rescued family of animals: a few chickens, two cows, and stray cats she had coaxed to stay. The quiet warmth she felt among them was the closest thing to belonging she knew. The only place I belong, she thought, swallowing a familiar dull ache in her chest.
Hayate-sensei’s calm, steady voice brought her back to the present as he began a lesson on deception techniques. His speaking made everything sound like a gentle challenge—a puzzle she was determined to solve. She absorbed his words quickly, her photographic memory a gift from her father, Minato… but that name had lost its warmth. To her, Minato and the rest of her family were nothing more than strangers, fading dreams she couldn’t fully remember. ´´They left me, she reminded herself. They were supposed to be family, but I’m just… forgotten.´´
The day’s tasks lined up in her mind, ticking off one after another: hospital work after classes, representative duties, evening sword practice with Hayate-sensei, repairs on the house… She sighed as the weight of it all settled heavily in her bones. She had gotten used to juggling so many roles, but it drained her more than she’d ever admit.
Fortunately, training with Hayate-sensei included a rare privilege—sometimes, she trained with his other student, a kunoichi in ANBU who wore a mysterious cat mask. Morgan had taken to calling her “Cat-senpai.” The sight of her silent, deadly grace-filled Morgan with admiration. ANBU operatives were legends—ghostly figures that most people never saw—and a female ANBU was almost mythical. Just watching her was mesmerizing, her movements more fluid and focused than anyone Morgan had ever seen. She’s so cool… she thought, wide-eyed as she unsuccessfully tried to imitate her senpai’s precise stances.
As the lesson continued, Morgan sat still, absorbing each word while her classmates frantically scribbled notes. She glanced at her growing list of tasks and felt a pang of frustration. ´´If only I could be in more places at once. Then, an idea flickered to life in her mind. Maybe… I could use the Shadow Clone Jutsu…´´
Her chakra reserves weren’t vast compared to some of the other Uzumaki, but she could handle a few clones. The idea of one clone going to the hospital, another tackling repairs, and a third managing her duties as class representative lightened the weight pressing on her, just a little. Maybe this will help. Maybe I’ll finally feel like I’m not failing at everything.
After the lesson ended, she quietly stepped into the hallway and formed the familiar hand seal. With a soft pop, three identical clones appeared beside her, each looking at her with expectant eyes. She whispered their instructions, watching as they scattered to handle her duties. Taking a deep breath, she felt the tension in her chest ease just a bit. Maybe now I can manage all this… and maybe, just maybe, I won’t feel so useless.
Warm afternoon sunlight bathed the Academy grounds as she walked to her next class, which was split between the boys and girls. In the kunoichi class, she learned the arts of seduction, infiltration, makeup, and how to recognize regional accents—skills designed to give female shinobi a subtle edge in espionage. The curriculum felt strange and disconnected from the intense missions that awaited them, yet every kunoichi was required to study these techniques.
Then came the final class of the day—home education, where the boys and girls regrouped. This was one of Morgan’s favorites. Here, they learned the basics of cooking, cleaning, and other essential skills for independent living. The class had been implemented years ago by Elder Danzo, despite his later exposure as a traitor just a year and a half ago, having manipulated the village from the shadows with his Organization ROOT. ´´He loved Konoha in his twisted way,´´ Morgan thought as she mixed batter for a cheesecake. ´´Even if he caused harm, he understood how many of us didn’t have anyone to teach us these basics. ´´She poured the batter into a tin and slid it into the oven, sighing.´´ A necessary evil, I suppose.´´
As she took a bite of the cake she’d baked under the teacher’s instructions, Hanabi sidled up to her, blushing. “Morgan, can we swap slices? I made strawberry, and yours looks amazing!”
“Uh… sure!” Morgan stammered, feeling her face flush as she handed over a slice of her cheesecake. Before she knew it, more classmates had gathered around, holding out their plates. Han cleared his throat, a grin on his face. “Class rep, I think my tree cake is the best. Try a slice?”
Morgan looked around, surprised by the attention, her heart fluttering with an odd mix of happiness and disbelief. ´´Why are they so interested in me?´´
After the last class, Morgan waved goodbye to her classmates and made her way toward the Academy gate, her thoughts wandering as she observed the children around her. Some were being picked up by family members, while others walked home alone. Her eyes drifted to the familiar sight of Kushina Uzumaki, her bright red hair catching the sun as she swept Natsuki, into a warm hug and twirled her around. Morgan’s chest tightened as she watched them, jealousy twisting her heart. I’m not part of them. I never belonged… and I shouldn’t want this.
She swallowed hard, willing away the sadness that threatened to rise. Kushina in her green Jonin vest, looked beautiful with her red fiery hair. Natsuki always wore lovely light mint-colored outfits, and they were truly a beautiful sight as both of their bright red hair practically sparkled in the sunlight. Looking at them, she saw Menma gesturing and saying something to them, probably to go home and eat.
´´Without me... no, I was never part of them in the first place,´´ she bitterly thought.
Kushina’s green eyes met hers, lighting up with a gentle wave that Natsuki and Menma mirrored, as though they were welcoming an old friend. But Morgan only glared back, turning and darting away before they could say anything more. She didn’t want their pity; she didn’t need their kindness. Not now nor ever. She heard Kushina’s startled exclamation, but she forced herself not to look back.
Next stop… the hospital, she reminded herself, her shoulders slumping as the weight of her responsibilities returned. Her clones had already dispelled, and the influx of memories from their work flooded her mind: medical practice, repairs on the abandoned district, new stalls built for her animals. The sudden rush of memories brought a dull ache to her temples, but it was worth it. One day, when I’m stronger, I’ll be able to handle more clones, she thought with a spark of determination.´´ Imagine what I could do with five… or even six!´´
The streetlamps began flickering to life, casting a soft glow along the streets as she finally made her way home. Despite the quiet surrounding her, her mind buzzed with thoughts. After her sword practice with Hayate-sensei and Cat-senpai, her attention turned to her magical training. She’d been working tirelessly to perfect a spell she was especially proud of—a hardening spell that required precise control. Her device—a magical tool infused with a fragment of her mentor’s power—blipped with light, signaling that Nanoha would soon be reaching out. She smiled in anticipation, her heart warming at the thought of seeing her mentor’s face. It was one of the few moments she truly felt supported.
A small holographic screen flickered on, and Nanoha’s warm face appeared, her ponytail bouncing with her usual lively energy. “Naruto-chan! Oh, sorry, Morgan-chan, I still need some time to get used to your new name.” She chuckled, catching her slip. Her gentle laugh lifted some of Morgan’s fatigue. “It’s late over there, isn’t it? Ellen and Yunoo were caught up, so I offered to review your progress tonight. I heard you’re struggling with the hardening spell for your mana bullets. I don’t use it much myself, but I have a few tips!”
Morgan winced slightly at her old name but felt a surge of gratitude for Nanoha’s kindness. “Thank you, Nanoha-san,” she replied, positioning her hands as she prepared to try the spell.
Nanoha watched with an encouraging smile, offering gentle pointers as Morgan practiced, her side ponytail swinging on the screen. “Your formula’s solid—looks like you were inspired by Ellen’s technique, right? Just a couple of tweaks here and here… I need to tell Yunoo to get you a book on runes. Geh! We forgot you started, but you are better than any beginner mage I have met. If only some of our TSAB cadets were as dutiful as you!” she pointed out, her tone filled with pride in her student, showing with her hands what she needed to add.
After an hour of practice, Nanoha’s face softened on the screen. “You’re doing amazing, Morgan! Keep up the good work, and sweet dreams.”
As the screen faded, Morgan felt an unfamiliar wave of pride wash over her, like the warmth of a distant star finally reaching her. She nestled into her blankets, the day’s exhaustion finally slipping away.
´´Mana bullets. I am getting a hang of it´´
As she drifted into sleep, for the first time in a long time, she felt like she was exactly where she needed to be.
The next few days flew by, and soon enough, Morgan LeFay Uzumaki’s chakra reserves had grown, allowing her to create up to seven clones at once. It was the weekend—a time she preferred to spend helping at the hospital, honing her skills.
“Uh, Shizune-senpai, what could cause someone to have a constant cough?” she asked, concern etched into her voice.
Shizune looked up from her notes, her expression softening in understanding. “Oh, are you asking about Hayate Gekko? It’s… complicated. It’s not an incurable illness, though his case is unique. Hayate-san’s cough is partly psychological—he has a deep-rooted phobia of hospitals because of traumatic experiences from the Third Shinobi War.” She patted Morgan’s shoulder reassuringly. “But he’s in good hands. We’re working with him slowly. No need to worry. Are you all finished with your tasks?”
Morgan smiled, tying off a bandage on her last patient. “Yes, Senpai.”
“Great! Then I’ll teach you some detoxification techniques today.”
“Absolutely!”
Following Shizune to the herb storage room, Morgan spent the afternoon learning how to identify, extract, and neutralize various poisons. The complexities fascinated her, and Shizune’s explanations brought the details to life. Kabuto-senpai even stopped by to add a few helpful tips on poison sources. Good thing I left two clones at home to manage the rest, she thought, relieved.
After her shift, still in her hospital uniform, Morgan made her way through Konoha’s shopping district. She stopped by a few stores, picking up essentials. As she stepped back outside with her purchases, she let out a soft sigh. Maybe I could treat myself to something sweet… but then, you did just have a sugary snack last week! Don’t get too addicted now! She blushed, realizing she’d spoken her thoughts aloud, though luckily no one seemed to notice.
“Morgan-chan!” A familiar voice made her turn around. It was Han, her classmate, walking with Sasuke, Menma, and Itachi. She grinned, blushing slightly, and stepped over to greet them, hardly sparing a glance for Menma.
“Wait—you work at the hospital?” Han exclaimed, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
“Uh, yeah,” she admitted with a bashful smile, rubbing her cheek. “Just as an apprentice medic. I’ve still got a lot to learn.”
“It’s admirable,” Itachi said quietly, nodding approvingly. “Medical ninjas are rare; not many people choose that path.”
Morgan felt a mix of respect and admiration for Itachi, one of Konoha’s youngest ANBU. He was just seventeen, and she could only imagine the responsibilities he had, including keeping an eye on his younger brother, Sasuke, and their friends. “Thank you, Uchiha-san,” she replied, pretending to feign unfamiliarity, although she’d long admired his skills.
“It’s fine to call me Itachi,” he replied smoothly, introducing the others. “And these are Sasuke and Menma.”
“Hn,” Sasuke murmured with a faint smile, just the barest glint of friendliness in his eyes.
“Hey there, fellow Uzumaki!” Menma said with a grin, raising his hand for a high-five. Morgan gave him a polite nod and turned back to Han with a smile.
“I’ll see you tomorrow at Hanabi’s place!” she beamed. “It’ll be so fun to catch up.”
“Looking forward to it! We’ll have a blast!” Han waved as she turned to leave. Sunday was their playdate at Hanabi’s, and the thought made her heart feel unexpectedly light.´´ Feels like such a child’s playdate, but... I could use a bit of fun.´´
As she headed home, she glanced at her round-shaped intelligent device and checked her emails. The screen lit up, its messages a comforting sight:
From: Nanoha Takamichi
Sent via: Intelligent Device Raising Heart
Subject:Package Delivery
Hi Morgan,
I hope you’re doing well! I sent a package via Space-Time Magic to your house. It should have the items you requested.
See ya!
PS: I’ll explain how to use them in our next lesson!
From: Yunoo Scryah
Sent via:Infinite Library Computer
Subject:E-books for You
Miss Uzumaki,
I realized I may have overwhelmed you with information before, so please forgive me!
I’ve attached some e-books with basic runes, spells, and incantations. These should give you a solid foundation.
PS: We can go through them together soon!
From: Ellen Aurora
Sent via: Intelligent Device Star Gazer
Subject:Mission Update
HEY KID!
Sorry, I’m off on a crucial mission right now—got to retrieve an ancient artifact. Looks like Nanoha and Yunoo will keep you company in the meantime.
Cheer up kid, Love,
Ellen
Morgan smiled, feeling a warm spark of happiness as she read their messages. She closed the screen, her thoughts drifting to the pink-glowing package Nanoha had mentioned, which she’d found floating in her living room earlier. This is a bit like opening presents, she thought as she eagerly unwrapped it, her anticipation building. Inside was exactly what she needed for her training.
After a quick, cheesy burrito dinner, Morgan made her way to her evening training with Hayate-sensei, feeling content as the stars began to sparkle overhead. Life is starting to fall into place, she thought, savoring the calm of the night air.
Meanwhile, at the Namikaze House, Kushina, Menma, and Natsuki sat around the living room, sighing deeply.´:"Huh...."
As Minato walked in, he noticed their somber expressions. “What’s with the sad faces?” he asked with a chuckle throwing his Hokage Mantel on the front rag.
“It’s Morgan… we keep trying, but she doesn’t like us,” Natsuki said, her voice soft with disappointment.
Minato blinked, and then a slight smile of understanding crossed his face. “Oh, I see. It’s Morgan you’re worried about, huh? Well, maybe it’s best to give her some space,” he suggested gently.
“No way!” Natsuki protested, her face set pouting in determination. Kushina’s eyes flashed with a rare intensity, and Menma shook his head in frustration.
“She’s family, Uzumakis have it hard dattebane,” Kushina said firmly. But she feels so far away I feel like I have seen her before.
As they ate dinner Natsuki shot a glance at Naruto's room ´´ Unlike her, Morgan works hard and isn't lazy sitting in her room all day. I wish Naruto was as cute as her!´´ Menma followed his twin's face shrugging. Naruto's fault for being weak. Their parents to busy not understanding the dangerous rift that is dividing them. The fact they didn't realize that Naruto was long gone was bad. How much damage they are causing.......who can tell?