A Day in the Life of Mito's Butler
The morning sun bathed the Senju estate in golden light as Astra gracefully made his way through the halls, his tiny yet practised footsteps barely making a sound against the polished wooden floors. At only four years old, he carried himself with the dignity of a seasoned attendant, his delicate features calm and composed.
His pristine white butler uniform a custom-made gift from Mito herself was immaculate, from the polished silver buttons to the neatly tied black cravat. His long blood-red hair cascaded elegantly down his back, tied at the end with a crimson Uzumaki ribbon.
Inside Mito's private chambers, the elderly Uzumaki matriarch sat near the open window, sipping her morning tea. Her green amber eyes, once fierce and unyielding, now held the warmth of a grandmother who had found joy in the quiet moments of life. And at the heart of those moments was Astra.
"You always wake before I call for you" Mito mused as Astra approached with a fresh pot of tea.
"It is only natural for a butler to anticipate the needs of their master," Astra replied smoothly, pouring the tea with practised precision. "Besides, Lady Mito, I would not dare let you start your morning without the perfect cup of tea."
Mito chuckled, her aged yet elegant fingers tracing the rim of the porcelain teacup. "My, my. Such dedication. And here I thought I took you in as a grandchild, not a servant."
Astra smiled. "Perhaps I am both?"
Mito laughed softly, enjoying the warmth of his presence. This child, who had seemingly fallen from the heavens, had brought her a sense of peace she had not felt in years.
As Astra adjusted the silk cushions on Mito's chair, the sound of rapid footsteps echoed down the hall.
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Tsunade's Morning Routine (Or Lack Thereof)
The doors burst open, revealing a dishevelled Tsunade, still half-asleep, her blonde hair an absolute mess. She blinked blearily at Astra, who had already turned towards her with an amused expression.
"Good morning, Tsunade," Astra greeted, his tone laced with subtle amusement. "Would you like me to prepare your tea, or should I assume you will ignore breakfast again?"
Tsunade groaned, rubbing her temples. "Ugh, Astra, how are you so awake at this hour? It's too early for your sass."
"It is past sunrise," Astra noted. "And I recall you promising Mito-sama that you would wake up early for training today."
Tsunade scowled. "Why do you always remember the things I want to forget?"
Astra gave a slight bow, the very image of politeness. "It is a butler's duty to ensure order and discipline in the household."
Mito chuckled. "He has a point, Tsunade."
Tsunade grumbled but couldn't stay mad. She had long since accepted that Astra, despite being younger than her by nearly a decade, somehow had the maturity of an old sage.
She dropped into a chair and propped her feet up on the table, earning a disapproving look from Astra. Before he could chastise her, she smirked and ruffled his hair.
"You're lucky you're cute," she muttered.
Astra, for all his usual composure, flushed slightly. "Tsunade-sama, please refrain from treating me like a pet."
Mito raised an eyebrow. "Oh? But aren't you my pet butler?"
Astra gave her an exasperated look, but the amused twinkle in his Amethyst eyes gave away his fondness.
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Nawaki's Foolish Ambitions
Later that afternoon, Astra accompanied Mito and Tsunade to the training grounds, where Nawaki was practising his taijutsu with reckless enthusiasm.
The boy, now twelve, was full of energy and confidence, yet Astra could see the flaws in his technique immediately. Nawaki moved too aggressively, lacking proper defence, and he often overcommitted to attacks without thinking of counterplay.
"I'm going to be Hokage one day, just like Grandpa Hashirama!" Nawaki declared proudly as he sparred with one of the Senju clan instructors. "I'll protect Konoha, no matter what!"
Astra watched quietly from the side, standing beside Tsunade. His hands were neatly folded in front of him, his expression unreadable.
Tsunade sighed. "He's got the spirit, but he's too reckless."
Astra nodded. "His ambition is admirable, but he lacks caution. He fights with emotion rather than strategy."
Tsunade crossed her arms. "I've told him that a hundred times, but he never listens."
Astra tilted his head. "Perhaps it is not that he doesn't listen, but rather that he does not wish to hear the truth."
Tsunade blinked at him, surprised at the depth of his observation. "You're really something else, Astra."
At that moment, Nawaki approached, wiping sweat from his brow. He flashed Astra a wide grin. "You should train with me, Astra! You're always standing around like some noble, but I bet I could take you in a spar!"
Astra arched an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
"Yeah! I mean, you're still just a kid, and I'm a full-fledged Genin now!"
Tsunade smirked. "Oh, I'd love to see this."
Astra sighed and unbuttoned the cuffs of his butler uniform. "Very well. But I hope you do not regret underestimating me."
The Sparring Match: A Lesson in Humility
The match was short.
The moment Nawaki lunged, Astra sidestepped gracefully, his movements as fluid as water. Before Nawaki could react, Astra swept his leg under him, causing him to stumble.
Nawaki gritted his teeth and attacked again, throwing a barrage of punches. Astra weaved through them effortlessly, his body moving with perfect precision. In one swift motion, he grabbed Nawaki's wrist, twisted his arm behind his back, and pushed him to the ground.
Nawaki groaned. "W-What the hell?! How are you this fast?!"
Astra released him and took a step back, brushing nonexistent dust from his uniform. "Strength without refinement is wasted potential."
Tsunade burst out laughing. "You just got schooled by a four-year-old, Nawaki!"
Nawaki sat up, looking both embarrassed and frustrated. "You're four?! No way! With that fancy attitude, I thought you were at least ten!"
Astra gave a small, knowing smile. "Age does not dictate ability."
Mito, who had been silently observing, clapped her hands. "Well done, Astra. Nawaki, my dear, perhaps this will teach you not to judge others so quickly."
Nawaki pouted but nodded. "Yeah, yeah… I'll get stronger, just you watch!"
Astra bowed. "I look forward to it."
The Bonds of Family
That night, as the household prepared for rest, Astra found himself seated beside Tsunade in Mito's garden.
She glanced down at him. "You're amazing, you know that?"
Astra tilted his head. "In what way?"
"You take care of Grandma, keep the house running, and still manage to outmatch Nawaki in a fight." She smiled. "You're not just our butler, Astra. You're family."
Astra blinked, warmth filling his chest. He looked at Tsunade, then up at the night sky.
"Family…" he echoed softly.
Tsunade pulled him into a loose embrace. "Yeah. And I'll always have your back."
Astra closed his eyes, allowing himself, just for a moment, to be the child he truly was.
"Thank you, Tsunade."
And in that quiet night, beneath the stars, their bond as siblings was sealed.