10 Chapter 10 - Noctus' First Student

Three days later, in a forest in the Land of Fire.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the road to Firestone City, Noctus Gaunt and the Uzumaki family made camp for the evening. 

While Uzumaki Hachi began setting up a modest campfire, his daughter Hana was practicing the Uzumaki family sealing techniques nearby, under the watchful eyes of her mother, Haru.

Noctus leaned against a nearby tree and watched. Although Noctus did not know ninjutsu, he could recognize a genius when he saw it.

In the Anime, there were very few characters that could be considered geniuses. During this generation, Namikaze Minato can be considered the brightest star, after him would be Hatake Kakashi and Might Guy, plus Obito if you reluctantly count his cheating powers. The rest were probably capped at Jonin or Elite Jonin for the rest of their lives.

While Jonin is already considered a very high accomplishment, Noctus knew that as the power scaling of the ninja world got out of hand, they were not worth mentioning. 

The sight of the enthusiastic Hana upon learning the new sealing technique triggered a thought in Noctus' mind and he remembered the three vials of 'Magic Gene Adaptation Potion' he carried. 

Provided by the system, it was a potent mix designed to transform a body to absorb Natural Energy and unlock the ability to wield magic.

"Hachi, Haru," Noctus called out, his voice calm and clear against the crackling of the fire. "I've been watching Hana's progress. She's exceptionally talented, grasping complex sealing techniques with an ease that's rare even among seasoned shinobi. If I recall correctly, she has just started her ninja training, has she not?"

Uzumaki Hachi looked up from the fire, his interest piqued. "Yes, Gaunt-sama. I was quite surprised, she was much more talented than me when I first started, and she may be the most talented Uzumaki I've ever seen." Hachi gloated.

"Indeed. I wonder if you would be interested in exploring a different path for her?" Noctus tempted.

Upon hearing this, Hachi froze with bated breath.

"Gaunt-sama…are you suggesting…?" Hachi asked nervously.

"There's a way to expand her potential beyond the confines of ninjutsu," Noctus said, pulling the vials from his coat. "These potions can adapt her body to harness Natural Energy in a way that aligns with magical forces."

Haru frowned, protective instincts flaring. "Magic? Like what you use, Gaunt-sama? Transforming her body… are you sure it's safe?"

Noctus was not offended by Uzumaki Haru's maternal protective instincts and reassured, "It is not only safe but with the help of Natural Energy, her ninjutsu practice could also have unexpected gains. It's a unique opportunity."

Uzumaki Haru's face relaxed a lot upon hearing this. The past few days' interactions with Noctus have shown her that he is a trustworthy person to follow.

Hana, having overheard the conversation, paused her practice and approached, curiosity lighting up her face. "Would I be able to do things like you, Noctus-sama?"

"Yes, Hana. You would learn to see and manipulate the world in ways that most can only dream of," Noctus answered, his tone encouraging, and as he pulled out his wand to wave it, the previously unpacked tent moved by itself and assembled quickly.

Hachi excitedly knelt beside his daughter, but his expression remained serious. "It's a big decision, Hana. Something like this must be precious. This does not only represent Gaunt-sama's trust in you but also our family. Think carefully before making the decision."

Hana's gaze shifted between the vial and her parents. 

Then, with firm resolve in her eyes, she said, "I will live up to Noctus-sama's trust!"

Uzumaki Hachi and Haru smiled sweetly upon hearing this and then stood with Hana to bow toward Noctus.

"Please, Gaunt-sama, we promise to serve you until the end of our lives!"

Noctus was a little taken aback hearing the two's devout exclamation and smiled wryly.

"There's no need to be so serious. We're in this together. Remember, we're all partners."

"Haha, yes, you're right, Gaunt-sama."

Hachi and Haru chuckled and laughed upon seeing Noctus' helpless face, but it only deepened their admiration for him.

Noctus handed the vial to Hana. "Are you ready to start this journey with me, Hana?"

"Yes, Noctus-sama!" she replied with a brave nod.

As Hana drank the potion, her parents watched with a mixture of pride and anticipation. Noctus watched keenly, ready to intervene should anything go awry. The potion took effect seamlessly, and Hana felt a new kind of energy coursing through her.

"How do you feel?" Noctus asked.

"Different… good different. It's like I can feel the air moving around me, like it's part of me," Hana described, her eyes wide with wonder.

"That's you beginning to sense Natural Energy. In time, you'll learn to use it," Noctus explained, pleased with the smooth transition.

Haru hugged her daughter tightly, relieved. "We're here for you, every step of the way."

Hachi placed a hand on Noctus's shoulder, grateful. "Thank you, Gaunt-sama. For giving Hana this chance."

Noctus nodded, he was used to the family's words of appreciation by now after days of getting along.

"Alright, before it gets too dark, let's start with the basics, Hana."

Uzumaki Hana came trotting over as Hachi and Haru watched on with curiosity.

Noctus then took the opportunity to retrieve his magician's bag from his locket and reached in to pull out a book, a piece of wood, and a dried string.

"As the first step on your magical journey, what you need to become a real witch or wizard is, of course, a wand," Noctus explained, waving his own wand.

Hana nodded repeatedly, her serious expression was quite cute.

As Noctus prepped the piece of Alder wood he had stocked before. At this time, Noctus was really appreciative of his overly curious personality while at Hogwarts, he took as many classes and electives as possible to learn everything about the Wizarding World, and he had a knack for hoarding materials like a squirrel.

While Alder was an unyielding wood, Garrick Ollivander had discovered that its ideal owner was not stubborn or obstinate, but often helpful, considerate, and most likable. Noctus figured it would be perfect for a cute lovable girl like Hana.

"This is Alder wood, as unyielding as it is powerful, it's the perfect match for a wonderful girl like yourself, Hana," Noctus explained as he prepped the wood.

Uzumaki Hana laughed shyly and blushed upon hearing this, a hint of fanaticism and excitement in her eyes.

After Noctus used his magic to slowly prep the wood, he then raised a piece of a piece of dried string.

"This is Dragon Heartstring, from a Hungarian Horntail," Noctus said as he waved his wand, the surrounding dirt rose to for a small Hungarian Horntail Dragon that flapped its wings and breathed fire.

"Wow!!!"

Hana was attracted by the cute yet deadly conjured dragon, her eyes filled with stars.

"Using this Heartstring as the core and Alder Wood as its body, I, Noctus Gaunt, bless my first creation in this world. Be born!" 

With surging magic powers, the wind swirled like crazy as Hachi and Haru grasped onto a nearby tree for support. The conjured storm roared like a wild dragon, blowing out the campfire, but curiously, did not affect Noctus and Hana.

A few moments later, the wind subsided and what was left in the middle, floating in the air, was a newly created wand.

Straight maroon body, with emblems belonging to the Uzumaki family adorning its handle, Noctu's first wand created in the ninja world was born.

Noctus grasped the floating wand and felt the magic surging through it. Nodding satisfied, he then handed it to Hana.

"Here. Try it."

Uzumaki Hana woke from her daze after witnessing the incredible scene before her and slowly and nervously took the wand from Noctus' hand. 

Upon receiving it, Hana's hair blew as another whisp of wind rose again and roared like a fierce dragon before calming down again.

Noctus clapped his hand and nodded.

"Perfect, it seems the wand recognizes you. I had a few backup wands that we could have tested if this didn't work, but that would have been rather embarrassing," Noctus joked.

Uzumaki Hana laughed and then ran up to hug Noctus, under his surprised gaze.

"Thank you, Noctus-sama! I swear to become the best witch in the world!"

Noctus didn't know what to do, so he simply used his hand to stroke the girl's hair to soothe her excitement.

"I know you will. After all, you have the best wizard in this world as your teacher," Noctus said, unashamed. After all, it was a true statement.

After Hana calmed down, Noctus fixed the ruined camp with a quick Reparo before handing her the first book she needed to study.

Hana held the large book that could barely be held by her and read its title.

"The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1," Hana whispered and then opened the first page. "Property of Noctus Gaunt."

Seeing that it was previously owned by Noctus, Hana blushed in happiness and hugged the book even tighter.

"Thank you, Noctus-sama!"

Noctus smiled and patted Uzumaki Hana on the head lightly before sending her back to her parents.

Leaning back on a tree, his gaze settling on the horizon. "Tomorrow, we reach Firestone City. Hachi, did you remember to write down the location for the black market entrances in the Land of Fire that we got from Fireport?"

"Yes, Gaunt-sama. I have it all here," Hachi said, patting a notebook he pulled out from his pocket.

Noctus nodded and then sat down, his gaze fixed on the setting sun.

The family settled down for the night, filled with new dreams for the future. Noctus, however, stayed awake a little longer, planning their next moves in the intricate chess game that lay ahead. 

'Now I am no longer alone. I have to be responsible for the subordinates I bring onboard, and the student I have accepted.'

Noctus couldn't help but feel a surging emotion in his heart, an emotion called ambition.

If before, he was laying plans to simply survive and complete the system task, now he wanted to truly carve out his own domain in this world.

Noctus wasn't sure if it was the excited glee Hana had about magic or the trust in Hachi and Haru's eyes in him that gave him courage, but now that the fire of ambition had started, it could not be stopped.

Raising his hand up to the moon overhead, and twisting it as if to grasp it from the sky, Noctus thought in his heart, 'Beneath these stars, in this wartorn world, I shall forge a haven.'