-3rd Person -

The memory is still fresh in Mizuki's mind, lingering like an ember in the back of her thoughts. She had been sitting in her hospital bed when Yamato walked in, his face calm but with a sense of purpose behind his eyes. Naruto had been slouched beside her, and they both straightened up when Yamato entered the room. Even though Mizuki had been quiet for most of her stay, there was something about the way Yamato spoke that made her pay closer attention.

-Flashback-

"We'll be starting some new training soon," Yamato had said, standing near the door with his hands folded. His voice was steady but firm, the kind of tone that made it clear this wasn't just any ordinary training session. "You're both going to find your elemental affinity and begin developing your own original jutsu."

Naruto's eyes had widened with excitement. "Elemental training? You mean, like, finding out if we can control fire or water or something?"

Yamato had nodded. "Exactly. Each shinobi has an elemental nature they are naturally aligned with. This training will help you discover yours and teach you how to use it to your advantage in combat. The process is straightforward, but it requires concentration and patience."

Mizuki had listened quietly, her mind swirling with curiosity and uncertainty. She wasn't sure what her element would be or if she'd even be good at it. Creating her own jutsu sounded like something that required a lot of skill—something she wasn't sure she possessed, especially after the recent mission. But at the same time, there was a flicker of excitement in her chest, a feeling of wanting to prove herself.

Yamato had explained the process: they would each be given a special paper that reacts to chakra. Depending on how the paper behaves, it would reveal their elemental nature. Fire, water, earth, wind, or lightning—whatever the result, that would determine the focus of their future training.

"I expect both of you to put in your best effort," Yamato had said before leaving the room. "This training is crucial for your growth as shinobi."

-End of Flashback-

The memory fades as Mizuki now finds herself standing with Naruto in a large, open training ground, the sky wide and blue above them. Yamato stands before them, his usual composed expression in place, holding out two small slips of paper in his hand. Mizuki's heartbeat quickens slightly as she takes one, feeling its thin, fragile texture between her fingers.

Naruto is buzzing with energy beside her, practically bouncing on his feet. "This is gonna be awesome! I bet my element's something super cool like wind or lightning!" His enthusiasm is contagious, and for a brief moment, Mizuki feels her nerves settle. She glances down at the paper in her hand, wondering what it will reveal about her.

Yamato clears his throat, drawing their attention back to him. "Remember, focus your chakra into the paper. Don't rush—just let your chakra flow naturally, and the paper will react on its own."

Naruto is the first to try, his brows furrowed in concentration as he channels his chakra into the paper. Mizuki watches, intrigued, as the paper in his hand wrinkles, folding and crinkling in on itself.

"Wind nature," Yamato observes, nodding slightly. "That fits with your fighting style, Naruto. You'll be able to use wind-based jutsu effectively once you've developed your control."

Naruto grins, looking proud. "Wind, huh? Awesome!"

Mizuki watches him for a moment, feeling a strange mix of excitement and nervousness. She takes a deep breath and looks down at the paper in her hand, trying to focus her chakra. Her hands tremble slightly, but she closes her eyes, trying to drown out her doubts and insecurities. Papashi had always told her to trust herself, to trust her abilities. She wasn't sure if she could, but she had to try.

Slowly, she feels her chakra begin to flow into the paper. It's a strange sensation, like channeling warmth through her fingertips. She holds her breath, waiting for the paper to react.

And then, suddenly, it happens.

The paper bursts into flames.

Startled, Mizuki gasps and drops the burning paper, but it's too late—the fire spreads to her gloves, engulfing them in a brief but intense blaze. She yelps, frantically trying to shake the flames away, her hands stinging as the fire dies out. Smoke rises from her fingers, and she stares at them in shock, her gloves charred and blackened.

"Mizuki!" Naruto exclaims, rushing over to her. "Are you okay?!"

She looks at her hands, blinking in disbelief. The heat of the flames had been so intense, so sudden. She hadn't expected that. Her element... was fire?

Yamato steps forward, his expression calm but assessing. "Fire nature," he says, his voice neutral but with a hint of approval. "That's a strong element, but it can be difficult to control. You'll need to work on mastering it, Mizuki."

Mizuki's mind is still reeling from what just happened. Fire? She stares at her charred gloves, her fingers still tingling from the heat. Fire was dangerous. It was destructive. Could she really handle something like that?

Naruto, ever the optimist, grins at her. "Fire, huh? That's so cool! You'll be able to do some awesome stuff with that! Just like Sasuke!" His enthusiasm is genuine, and it eases some of the doubt gnawing at Mizuki's heart. But the comparison to Sasuke makes her heart tighten. Could she ever be as good as him?

Mizuki forces a small smile, still staring at her gloves. "Y-Yeah, I guess..."

Yamato gives her a reassuring nod. "It's normal for fire to be a bit unpredictable at first, but with the right training, you'll learn to control it. Fire users are known for their offensive power, but they need discipline to harness it properly."

Mizuki nods slowly, trying to absorb Yamato's words, but a part of her still feels uneasy. The memory of the flames licking at her gloves, the heat searing her skin—it's hard to forget. Fire was unpredictable, wild. Could she really control something so volatile?

"Don't worry, Mizuki!" Naruto's voice breaks through her thoughts, and she looks at him. He's grinning at her, his eyes full of determination. "We'll get stronger together! You've got fire, and I've got wind. We'll make the best team ever!"

There's something about his confidence that makes her feel a little better. Naruto always seems to have that effect on her. She nods again, more firmly this time. "Onii-chan... thanks."

Yamato watches the two of them for a moment before speaking again. "Now that we've identified your elements, the real training begins. You'll need to work on developing your own jutsu using your elemental nature. This won't be easy, but it's essential for your growth as shinobi."

Naruto pumps his fist in the air, his excitement renewed. "I'm ready for it! Let's do this!"

Mizuki looks at her hands again, the charred remains of her gloves still clinging to her fingers. She flexes her hands, feeling the remnants of the heat that had once been there. Fire was dangerous, but maybe... maybe it could also be something powerful, something she could use to protect the people she cared about. Papashi had always believed in her, and Naruto was always by her side. Maybe, with their support, she could learn to control this fire inside her.

Yamato steps back, giving them both a nod of encouragement. "We'll start the next phase of training soon. For now, take some time to get used to the idea of working with your elemental chakra. You'll need focus and control if you want to master your elements."

Mizuki takes a deep breath, feeling the weight of the task ahead of her. But as she looks at Naruto, who's practically bouncing with excitement, and then at Yamato, who watches her with quiet confidence, she feels a small spark of hope. Fire was her element—powerful, wild, and unpredictable. But maybe, just maybe, she could learn to make it her own.

With determination flickering in her chest, Mizuki nods. "I-I'll do my best."

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

FIREEEEE! Originally it was wind but I thought that it was too generic if ever I stay in that element-

Hope you guys are enjoying the book so far.

Let me know your thoughts!

Bye Potatoes

Stay Fab!