Chapter 11
Chapter 10: Class Rep Trip Part 2
The Kazekage approached with his entourage, greeting the other Kages with a broad grin. “Ah, Hokage, Mizukage! Good to see you both. Let’s get you settled into your accommodations and then enjoy some dinner.” His presence seemed to shimmer under the desert sun, sweat catching the light as he moved with steady confidence. As the Kages exchanged pleasantries, Morgan could sense an edge in their words—subtle jabs wrapped in politeness, each remark laced with chilling killer intent. The Academy students felt it too, the tension around them thickening as waves of oppressive energy filled the air. Morgan's heart pounded, shoulders tightening painfully under the pressure of the Kages’ combined KI aura. This is so intense, she thought, struggling to hold her composure.
Just as she felt on the verge of being overwhelmed, a warm hand rested gently on her shoulder. A calming presence radiated from the touch, dispelling the ominous energy pressing down on her. She looked up to see Cat-senpai, one of the ANBU assigned to protect the Hokage. Of course, she remembered. There are always four ANBU trailing a Kage. Her lips curled into a small smile of gratitude as she took a steadying breath. Cat-senpai patted her shoulder reassuringly, and Morgan felt the tension lift, her heartbeat slowing. Around her, other ANBU subtly soothed the students’ nerves in their quiet ways.
Meanwhile, the Kages continued their exchange, which had shifted to a pointed discussion about which village produced the most promising young shinobi.
“These Academy students of mine are the best of their year,” Minato, the Fourth Hokage, stated with pride, a glint in his eye.
“Mine are stronger,” the Kazekage replied with a chuckle. “You’ll see soon enough.”
“Please,” the Mizukage scoffed, removing his hat to reveal a smug grin. “Everyone knows Kiri’s future shinobi have an unmatched edge in skill.”
Morgan sighed softly, noticing anxious glances exchanged among her peers. We’re not even Genin yet, and they’re already competing over who has the ‘best’ students. Only the students from Kiri seemed calm, their faces unreadable. The students were soon ushered to their quarters, separated by gender. Morgan found herself sharing a room with TenTen, Cat-senpai, and the striking Kiri Kunochi Jonin with fiery red-orange hair and a distinctive blue vest.
Curious, Morgan glanced around and asked, “Hmm, isn’t there supposed to be one more girl?”
The Jonin laughed, catching Morgan’s eye. “Oh, are you wondering about Haku?” She smirked, shaking her head. “Haku might have a feminine face, but he’s a boy. By the way, I’m Mei Terumi. And you are?”
Morgan blinked in surprise, sharing an amused look with TenTen, who stifled a giggle. Cat-senpai’s eyes sparkled subtly behind her mask as Morgan bowed. “Nice to meet you, Jonin Mei. I’m Morgan LeFay Uzumaki. This is TenTen Higurashi, my senior in Class 3, and this is Cat-senpai, our ANBU.”
“Oh, you know this ANBU?” Mei’s gaze glinted with interest. “Not many Academy students know an ANBU personally. And Higurashi—that must be the famous weapon merchant clan from the Land of Fire.” She turned to Morgan with a smile. “An Uzumaki too? I’m one-fourth Uzumaki myself. It’s nice to meet another from the clan.”
Morgan and Mei exchanged friendly smiles, and the room soon filled with lively conversation. Mei’s humor and warmth melted any lingering tension, and even TenTen seemed to feel at ease in Mei’s presence.
The door then slid open, revealing a blonde girl with four distinct buns in her hair. She nodded respectfully as she entered. “Excuse me, I’m Temari, an Academy student from Class 3A. I’m here to escort you all to dinner.”
Morgan and the others quickly prepared, dressing in formal attire for the evening. TenTen let her hair down, opting for a long kimono with cut sleeves, while Mei donned a simple navy dress with ruffled accents. Morgan removed her vest, asking TenTen to help tie her hair into braided side buns. Cat-senpai remained in her ANBU attire, as she was there to guard rather than join the meal. She had already set aside her ninja rations, intent on staying vigilant.
In the grand dining hall, Morgan spotted Menma, who gestured for her to sit beside him. As the Hokage's son, he was her superior rejecting him is like disobeying the Hokage. Annoyed she walked towards him. The following etiquette, she took her place, with TenTen on the right-hand side. She was sandwiched between Menma and TenTen. Across the table sat Mei and her group, and further down was the Kazekage with his entourage. Temari had changed as well, dressed in formal attire for the occasion.
After a brief speech from the Kazekage, dinner was served. Morgan maintained her manners, eating carefully despite the strange setting. Still, there was something oddly comforting about it all. Light conversation bubbled around her as she gazed at the desert scenery outside, where a small sandstorm danced beyond Suna’s protective walls. The desert had a stark, haunting beauty. Menma watched her quietly, and TenTen shot her occasional worried glances. Like big siblings, she brooded with a stoic face. ´´I may be the youngest in our group, but I can't be in their way or hold them back.´´
“Morgan-chan…” Mei’s voice brought her back to the present. “Would you be interested in a small spar later? I’ll hold back—just a friendly duel with swords.”
Morgan blushed slightly, honored. “Of course… if I can borrow a sword. I’m still waiting on a custom one.”
Menma and TenTen exchanged looks, their expressions flashing with panic, until she quickly clarified, “It’s an honor for an Uzumaki to be invited to a sword match. Kiri holds similar traditions to Uzu, the Land of Whirlpools, where my clan is from.” It didn't stop those two from fretting though.
A hush fell over the table. The sad story of Uzu lingered in everyone’s minds—the village that had been destroyed in the Third Shinobi War by a coalition of all major villages except Konoha. Uzu’s advanced sealing techniques, powerful chakra, and exceptional longevity had made them targets, and the Land of Whirlpools, centuries ahead in technology, ninjutsu, and politics, had fallen. Suna had distracted Konoha, Uzu’s only ally, allowing the village’s tragic end. Survivor joined villages marked by their signature red hair. It said that Uzumakis could visit the ruin and enter into it but a secret only known to a few Uzumakis. She made a mental note to one day visit it. Morgan had figured this out after researching it in secret just 2 years ago when she lived with the Namikaze. Minato and Kushina often skipped that topic with Menma and Nastuki. Maybe to avoid re-traumatizing Kushina as Kushina used to live in Uzu before it fell.
Minato quickly shifted the conversation to a lighter topic, discussing stock markets and bandit camps on the Suna-Konoha border. Quietly Morgan ate her dessert a pineapple ice cream waffle. For a sandy region, they are capable of procuring fruits somehow...Maybe she should ask Temari how that works.
Her eyes scanned the table. She knew that Temari was the class rep of Suna 3A class and her brother Gaara 2A. Gaara seemed to know Menma well as they shared glances. But the kid of 1A was a bit shy, the girl's name was Maru or something she seemed to look up to Temari. She knew one of the Kiri reps was Haku Yuki of the famous Yuki clan specialized in Ice Release and was from Class 3A. A bloodline limit that allowed to manipulation of ice chakra. The Other kid with his bandaged sword was Chojirouhe the newest youngest member of the 7 swordsmen of Kiri his mentor died and he took the mantle. He was young but she could tell he was skilled with the special sword and 2A the other kid couldn't catch his name but he was definitely from 1A. This year was just A huh...
Quickly washing up she meditated before walking to her agreed battle. After that delicious dinner, TenTen handed her a sword, and they gathered at the training ground for Morgan’s spar with Mei. Morgan went into her stance, one foot to the front, one in the back sword raising both hands on the hilt. Calming her breath she dashed and started to swing, Right left, Mei blocked and stricken back, With a twirl she jumped to the right and tried to land a hit again but was blocked.
“I see… Tide Wave, the royal bloodline’s unique sword style,” Mei observed as their swords clashed. “You’ve got the basics down, but you’ve got a long way to go…”
With an agile jump back, Mei prepared her next strike. Morgan could feel the presence of her group—TenTen, Menma, and even Cat-senpai nearby, silently rooting for her. She could sense a small bit of pride from Cat-senpai.
“Fight, kick that lady’s butt!” TenTen cheered enthusiastically. “Don’t go too hard on her, Mei,” Haku, the feminine-looking boy from Kiri, called, watching the spar closely. He must be close to her, maybe their sibling or she is his classroom teacher. Suddenly, a yellow flash appeared—Minato had teleported in, along with the other Kages, class reps, and teachers, now watching their match intently.
“Will Morgan be okay?” Iruka fretted the scarfe faced chunin ruffled his hair. “I’m worried, Hokage-sama…”
Cat-senpai emerged from the shadows to reassure him. “Chunin Umino, I can attest to Morgan’s skill. Her sword techniques, while not yet perfect, are on par with a mid-Jonin.” Busy in their intense spar, neither Mei nor Morgan heard the conversation.
With a determined breath, Morgan put some distance between herself and Mei, gathering moisture from the desert air as she concentrated her chakra into her blade. A thin sheet of water began to form, shimmering against the sandy backdrop. She twirled gracefully, building a barrier. “Sword Style: Wave Wall!” Mei smiled, her sword glinting with water chakra. “Kenjutsu, huh? Then let me follow up. Sword Style: Water Slash!”, her blad brimmed with water broke through her wall barely grazing her chest but she quickly counted rolled to the side, and dashed with a small war cry. Their swords collided, sending a spray of water into the air. They danced around the hot desert air bringing beats of sweat to their forehead. It was exciting and thrilling for Morgan.
Menma gasped. “I think even Mom would have trouble against Morgan. She’s just so skilled. Dad—”
Minato cleared his throat, his expression was stern yet proud. “Menma, how many times have I told you—when I’m on duty…”
“I mean, Hokage-sama, this is just amazing!” Menma corrected, looking on in awe, his enthusiasm infectious. Mom had only taught him and Natsuki the basics of Tidelwave and stopped as they were hopeless with it. Still, he was better than that useless Naruto he felt he wished Naruto was like Morgan. ´´They are the same age but geeh was Naruto lazy she had stopped coming out for weeks now, Maybe she was a Hikikomori after all´´...Anyway, Naruto wasn't important shaking his thoughts away he focused on watching the sword coated in water chakra spray and clunk in the air as they danced. Minato nodded, unable to hide his admiration, patting Iruka’s shoulder the only one who continued to fret over Morgan. ´´How could I not have known about such an exceptional sword fighter under my watch? I knew Hayate mentioned her being precious but she is better than most Genins...´´, Minato ruminated. He needs to look over her file another time when hes back home.
The duel continued until the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a soft glow over the scene. Finally, with a powerful strike, Mei knocked Morgan down.
Breathless, Morgan looked up. “I still have a lot to improve.”
Mei extended a hand to help her up, smiling. “You’re better than you think. I wasn’t holding back—I’d say you could frighten even Zabuza.”
Morgan opened her mouth to dismiss the praise, but looking at her audience, she found them dumbfounded, their expressions of awe unmistakable.
“Hokage, can we keep Morgan?” the Mizukage joked.
“Heck no, Yagura. You already have seven swordmasters! I only have three, so kindly fuck off,” Minato shot back, voice firm.
Later, after a quick shower, Morgan joined the others in Suna’s hot springs. Sitting down at a table with her homework, she pulled out a book on magic, elements, and runes sent by Yunno via space magic. Holding her palm out, she conjured a faint glow of iridescent runes in the air, watching them dance.
“What are you working on?” Cat-senpai’s familiar voice startled her.
“Oh! Just practicing a… clan jutsu,” Morgan said, quickly stopping the spell.
Satisfied with her answer, Cat-senpai nodded. After some more conversation about kunoichi training, and Suna’s wonders like its museums, oasis, and the Running Sand and—a waterfall of pure sand—the girls went to bed, their hearts still buzzing with the energy of the day.