Chapter 5: Morning Magic and Family Ties
"You're late," Arche called out as Naruto descended from the sky, golden light trailing behind his wings. Her sharp eyes, however, were immediately drawn to two things—the elegant, plant-like woman in his arms and the tiny serpent-like dragon coiled lazily around his shoulder.
Naruto landed smoothly and gently placed Pinison down beside him. "I'm not late," he replied casually. "The kids aren't even awake yet… and you? You definitely fell asleep."
Arche flushed faintly but crossed her arms with a huff. "And who are they?"
Naruto gestured to the dryad with a small smile. "This is Pinison. She's our new companion. A dryad—used to guard the demon tree before I… reformed it."
Pinison stepped forward and bowed gracefully, her hair rustling like leaves. "It is a pleasure. I serve Master Naruto now."
"And this little guy," Naruto added, pointing to the tiny dragon wrapped around his arm, "is Ryu—my new partner. A wood dragon born from that same demon tree."
"A… dragon?" Arche's voice faltered slightly.
Naruto chuckled. "Yeah. Tamed him last night. He's not in his full size now—don't worry. You can rely on him if I'm not around."
He gave Ryu a fond pat on the head, and the little dragon purred, his bark-like scales glowing faintly with sage chakra. It felt comforting—having something that reminded him of his old world… of his summons.
Arche stood there, stunned. Her mind struggled to catch up.
'A dragon. He just… tamed a dragon. Reshaped a demon tree. And he's talking about it like he went out for a drink and brought back some groceries.'
She let out a slow breath, staring at Naruto like she was trying to see if he was even real.
"…Do you ever stop doing ridiculous things?" she muttered.
"Nope," Naruto said with a grin. "Now let's check on the kids—and get some breakfast. I brought back enough to feed a village."
He turned and started walking toward the cottage, Ryu now coiled like a bracelet around his arm and Pinison trailing beside him like a gentle spirit of the forest.
Arche followed slowly behind, still unsure if she was dreaming.
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"Let's get breakfast ready for the kids, and then a nice bath," Naruto said, rolling up his sleeves with a smile. "If you want to relax, feel free. I'll take care of this."
The ingredients had already been gathered by his clones earlier, so all that remained was to bring everything together. Naruto chose not to summon any clones for the cooking — this was something he wanted to do himself. There was a simple joy in the act of preparing a meal for those who would soon become his family.
As he worked, Naruto hummed a cheerful tune, his hands moving with a natural grace. The earth itself rose up at his command, forming a sturdy table, while a gentle breeze whistled around his fingers, sharp and precise like a knife. Watching him manipulate the elements to cook was nothing short of magical — the perfect harmony of earth and wind brought alive in the kitchen.
Arche stood nearby, her eyes wide and her heart a little conflicted. She had never seen anything quite like this before.
The noble arts, once so revered… and now put to use in cooking, she thought with a wry smile, trying not to feel too humbled by Naruto's effortless skill.
Yet the spectacle gave her a comforting certainty. If he had meant harm, there'd be no reason for such care, no reason to cook for them with such warmth.
He really just wants a family… she mused, watching Naruto's lighthearted enthusiasm. The way the girls looked at him, the ease he had with them—it all said he was good, even kind.
She sighed, stepping into the cottage and moving towards the twins' room. "Come on, girls. Breakfast is ready, and it's time for a bath. Get up, now."
Arche shook them gently, and the twins' sleepy eyes fluttered open. Bright smiles spread across their faces as they recognized her and the cozy little cottage around them.
It wasn't a dream, they thought, still basking in the comfort of home.
"Big Sister!" they cried, wrapping their arms around Arche in a warm hug.
"It's alright," Arche whispered, returning the embrace. "I'm here. Now come on—time to get ready."
She helped them out of bed, guiding their little hands towards the warm, bubbling bath waiting in the next room. Outside, Naruto's cheerful humming drifted in through the open window, promising a day full of new beginnings.
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Naruto stirred the simmering pot with a practiced hand, the steam curling up in gentle spirals as the scent of herbs and spices filled the cozy kitchen. The dancing flames beneath the cauldron cast flickering shadows on the walls, but Naruto seemed utterly unbothered by the task — in fact, he was quite enjoying himself.
Pinison, standing quietly nearby, watched her new master with curious eyes. The soft light caught the delicate green shimmer of her skin, making her seem like a part of the forest itself. At last, she spoke in her gentle, melodic voice.
"Master, may I ask you something?"
Naruto looked up, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Of course. What's on your mind?"
Pinison stepped closer, her gaze steady yet tender. "What is it that you truly seek? What is your heart's desire, beyond battles and power?"
Naruto leaned on the counter, his expression softening. "Honestly? I just want to chill. Live peacefully, you know? Travel the world, see its beauty, and enjoy the good things life has to offer — with family and friends by my side."
He chuckled lightly, the memory of his past flickering across his eyes. "I came from a continent torn apart by war and battles. I never really had a peaceful life. So, I guess I just want to avoid that — no more fighting if I can help it."
Pinison nodded thoughtfully, her emerald eyes sparkling like morning dew. "That suits you perfectly. You remind me of the forest — calm, steady, and quietly powerful. Like a place where all can find refuge."
Naruto grinned, stirring the pot again with a little flourish. "Yeah, I like that. Being the peaceful forest sounds way better than being the storm."
The two shared a brief moment of comfortable silence, broken only by the soft bubbling of the stew and the distant laughter of the children waking up.
Pinison smiled, her voice barely above a whisper. "I will serve you gladly, Master. Together, perhaps we can create a new kind of peace — one that blooms like spring after a long winter."
Naruto's eyes sparkled with warmth as he nodded. "That's the plan. Now, let's get this breakfast ready — those girls aren't going to wait forever."
And with that, the kitchen hummed with gentle magic, the promise of new beginnings, and the hope of a peaceful life shared among friends and family.
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The bathhouse was filled with the gentle scent of pine and fresh water, steam swirling lazily in the warm air like drifting clouds. The two girls giggled quietly as they dipped their toes into the bubbling pool Naruto had conjured with a wave of his hand—soft stone walls and smooth wooden benches framed the cozy space like a secret hideaway.
"This feels so strange," whispered the younger sister, her eyes wide and dreamy. "Do you think it's really real? Or is this one of Arche's magic tricks?"
Her older sister, still cradling a splash of warm water in her hands, frowned thoughtfully. "I don't know… it feels like a dream, but… it's different somehow."
They shared a look, a mixture of hope and disbelief sparkling between them. After all, it wasn't every day you had a big brother like Naruto—a man who seemed to be both a brother and a father rolled into one.
"He's not just some stranger," the younger one said, her voice softening. "He… he gives us the kind of love and care we always wished for."
The older sister nodded, her gaze flickering toward the door where Arche was quietly tending to their clothes. "I was wondering the same thing. Could this be real?"
At that moment, Arche stepped in, a warm smile on her face. "You're not dreaming, girls. This is very real."
The two looked up, surprise and relief blooming on their faces. "But… how can we all feel it the same way? Isn't it impossible to share the same dream?"
Arche shook her head gently. "It's not a dream. You see, you both have pure souls and strong wishes in your hearts. That's why this feels so real—because your hearts want it to be. This is your new reality, one we'll all build together."
The girls exchanged a hopeful smile, the kind that only children can carry—full of wonder and promise.
"Big sister's right," the older one whispered, "This… this is just the beginning."
Naruto's laughter drifted faintly from the kitchen, mingling with the warm water and the soft murmur of the forest outside. And in that moment, with the steam swirling and hearts quietly mending, the girls felt something they hadn't dared hope for before: family.