4 Chapter 4 - Magic is really Magical after all

After briefly mourning for his dead enemies, Noctus cleaned up the surrounding era destroyed by the explosion.

"Reparo."

The debris and floating dust seemed to flow in reverse time as it all returned to reform a fully smooth road, albeit missing the previous pile of mist ninjas.

Noctus nodded satisfied with his work and then turned to head in the direction of the pier pointed out by Uzumaki Hachi earlier.

As he walked, Noctus suddenly remembered something and reached into his trench coat pocket.

"Ah, it's still here. I daresay I had myself worried there for a moment."

Noctus wiped away a sweat drop from his forehead as he felt around his pocket and found the target of his search: a locket.

"Blimey, I went through so much trouble for this trinket, blessed be that it came through with me."

Noctus held up a heavy gold locket with an 'S' symbol imprinted upon it, feeling its contours with his fingers.

"I searched a long time for this thing, who would have thought it rested inside of Borgin and Burkes." 

"Open."

Noctus spoke a single word, but if someone else were here, all they would hear was the subtle sound similar to a snake's hiss.

*click*

The locket clicked open to reveal its contents inside: What seemed to be a small piece of leather and a gold ring.

"Quite a useful trinket, Salazar Slytherin's locket. Ah, Father's ring, good. Still here. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to collect the other two Deathly Hallows, but this should at least be able to save me from an untimely death." Noctus said as he slipped the gold ring laden with a black stone onto his finger.

"I avoided equipping these relics during my time at Hogwarts, lest I attract the attention of the ministry of magic, but now they are no longer a concern."

Noctus then turned his attention to the rather dull piece of leather. Holding his wand, he lightly waved it before tapping it on the leather.

Then, as if it were magic, the single piece of leather unfolded rapidly until it formed a medium-sized leather bag.

Noctus placed the bag on the ground and opened it, briefly checking over its contents. Satisfied after finding its contents unchanged, Noctus smiled and took out a small vial.

"Ah, I knew I had a few left. Wit-strengthening Potion. This ought to calm my nerves for now."

Noctus chugged the vial down and returned the vial to his bag, after which he transfigured the bag back into a small piece of leather once more with a tap of his wand and restored it into his locket. 

Strapping the locket around his neck, Noctus then continued his trek toward the pier.

…

After a short walk, Noctus found the family of three Uzumaki clansmen standing by the pier with a worried look on their faces looking at the disheveled state of the pier and the tattered scraps of what used to be boats floating on the water.

Noticing Noctus' arrival, Uzumaki Hachi waved and then ran over toward him.

"Gaunt-sama, you're here! Is everything settled?" Hachi asked worriedly.

"Yes, you won't have to worry about the mist ninja finding out what happened here tonight." Noctus nodded affirmedly. 

"I see, thank you." 

Uzumaki Hachi breathed a sigh of relief once more and cast a grateful gaze toward Noctus.

"Gaunt-sama, you mentioned before that you had something you wanted to discuss with us, please feel free to make any request. I'm eternally grateful to you for saving my family. Although I'm not an official ninja, I've learned our family sealing arts."

"Hmm."

Noctus nodded slightly and accepted Hachi's word of gratitude and then signaled with his eyes toward Hachi's family.

"Rather than a request, I have a proposition for you and your family. Maybe you will want them to hear this."

"Ah, okay. One second!"

Uzumaki Hachi waved over his wife and daughter and they came over shortly after.

"Gaunt-sama, thank you."

Uzumaki Haru bowed respectfully toward her savior while holding her daughter's hand.

"G-gaunt-sama, thank you!"

Hana followed suit, mimicking her mother's actions, but as she bowed, she couldn't help but peak at her savior's appearance and demeanor.

'He's so handsome!'

(Just like the readers of this novel)

Noctus chuckled at Hana's secretive actions and waved slightly, indicating for them to pay no mind.

"Before I make my proposition, Hachi…san. I don't know if you would mind me inquiring about your future plans."

Uzumaki Hachi thought for a moment before answering reluctantly. 

"Well, first I was planning to escape this country with my family, but all of the boats have been destroyed. After that…I don't know. I considered going to Konoha, but…"

Uzumaki Hachi clenched his fist toward the end of his sentence, unclear as to what to feel about his clan's allies to the west.

Noctus noticed Hachi's gloom and did not inquire further.

"If that's the case, then why don't you listen to my proposition? You see, I've come from…far away. This is my first time in the five nations, and I could use some help establishing a business presence on the mainland. I don't know if you would be interested in helping me. In exchange, I will provide employment and protection for you and your family."

Uzumaki Hachi and Haru seemed to be surprised but not surprised at the same time upon hearing Noctus' words.

"Far away? Do you mean the eastern continent? Ah, I see, no wonder your name sounded a little strange. Ah, sorry, I mean no offense, Gaunt-sama." Hachi said slightly embarrassedly, scratching his head. 

"Hmhm, think nothing of it, friend, I don't mind." Noctus chuckled.

Uzumaki Hachi nodded and then seemed to think of something.

"Gaunt-sama, I heard that people on the eastern continent don't know how to use ninjutsu, then…are you?" Hachi asked hesitantly.

"Yes, I don't know how to use ninjutsu. What I use is magic." Noctus explained while pulling out his wand.

"Like this. Reparo."

With a flick of his wand, the pieces of tattered planks of wood floating on the water came to life and rushed together again to reform a boat floating by the pier.

"Wow! Amazing!"

Uzumaki Hana couldn't help but exclaim and clap her hands in elation upon seeing the magical scene.

"Th-this…!"

Uzumaki Hachi and Haru couldn't come up with the words to explain what they just saw. Although they had seen Noctus performing magical actions before, they didn't think it was actual magic, but rather some kind of strange ninjutsu. 

After a few moments of marveling and gawking, Hachi finally came to his senses and had a firmer glint of reverence in his eyes.

"Amazing, Gaunt-sama! I didn't know the world across the ocean was so magical!"

"Yes, indeed, incredible!"

Noctus almost couldn't help but blush when hearing Hachi and Haru believe his blatant lies but it did not show on his face.

"Anyway, that's the state of affairs. How? Would you like to join me?"

Uzumaki Hachi glanced at his wife and then at his happily-clapping daughter before nodding.

"Yes, Gaunt-sama. It would be our honor to work for you! However…"

Uzumaki Hachi was excited and then seemed to think of something before pausing his words.

"Is there something wrong? We could further discuss the terms if you'd like." Noctus asked curiously.

"Ah, no, it's just. Gaunt-sama, you might not know since you just arrived, but…" Hachi clenched his fist once more before continuing.

"The Land of Whirlpools has been basically destroyed and our people persecuted. If we were found with your presence, I fear it would break you trouble." Hachi finished through gritted teeth.

Noctus scanned the bright red hair of the three Uzumaki clansmen before nodding in understanding.

"Hmhm, is that so? If that's all then you needn't be worried. One moment."

Under the curious gaze of the family of three, Noctus held his locket in his hand once more.

"Open."

The family of three saw Noctus open his mouth and spoke a word, but they could not understand the word that came out at all, aside from the sound of a snake's hiss.

Retrieving his magician's bag once more from the locket, he amazed the Uzumaki family once more with the wave of his wand, restoring the piece of leather into a leather bag.

But before the three of them could utter any more words of astonishment, Noctus opened his bag and felt around for three glass vials.

"I made a whole batch for the sake of disguise on a whim, but I never thought it would become so handy. Here, drink."

Notus handed the vials to the three Uzumaki family members and they took them curiously. Unsure of the contents of the strange vial, Hachi and Haru couldn't help but be hesitant for a moment, but his daughter Uzumaki Hana opened the vial and drank it without hesitation.

"Ah-"

Under the astonished gaze of Uzumaki Hachi and Haru, Hana's hair slowly changed color starting from her roots to the ends, turning from bright red to platinum blond.

"Oh, good color. You won the lottery, young miss. Here, see for yourself." Noctus nodded in approval and handed Uzumaki Hana a mirror.

"Huh?"

Uzumaki Hana was a little confused and then saw the hint of blond in the corner of her eye. Then, in amazement, as she focused on her figure reflected in the mirror, she saw herself, or more accurately, she saw her bright platinum blond hair.

"Wow!!!"

Hana couldn't help but jump and cheer while playing with her new hair color.

"Amazing…" Hachi and Haru uttered at the same time.

Then, no longer hesitating, the couple also drank their vials.

"Wow, mom, dad, your hair!"

Uzumaki Hachi and Haru then looked at each other in astonishment once more, marveling at the magical scene. Hachi's hair turned a maroonish brown, while Haru's turned into a golden blond.

Noctus nodded approvingly once more.

"Good, a matching set."

The family of three Uzumaki members passed around the mirror Noctus handed them, examining their new changes before coming back to their senses after a while.

Hachi couldn't help but further strengthen his reverence for Noctus' magical means.

"Magic is really magical after all."