The tension in the arena was palpable. Naruto felt his heart pounding against his ribs, a blend of excitement and a twinge of nerves. He wasn't the kid who failed everything anymore. He had Ryūjin, that majestic blue dragon gifted by Kaien, and a newfound confidence flooding him from head to toe. He glanced at Sasuke and Sakura, stationed a few meters away, their own summons resting quietly. Then his gaze landed on his mother Akari, Kaien, and Tsunade, discreetly seated in the stands. Kaien gave him a small encouraging wave, his usual reassuring smile beaming.
"It's my turn—Neji!" Naruto thought, his blood boiling. "I'm going to show him that destiny can be changed!"
Just before the announcement of his bout, as Naruto warmed up, a deep and slightly lurid voice directed him.
"Hé, blond kid! You're Naruto Uzumaki, right?"
Naruto turned to see a tall man with spiky white hair wearing a forehead protector marked "Oil", an overly enthusiastic expression on his face. He held a small notebook.
"Yes, that's me! Who are you? And why are you staring at me like that?" Naruto asked skeptically.
The man laughed. "I am Jiraiya! The Great Toad Sage! One of Konoha's Legendary Sannin—and a famous author!" He brandished the notebook. "I'm researching for my next bestseller, Icha Icha Paradise! You should try it, it's very popular!"
Naruto took a step back, frowning. "Icha Icha... what? You're a pervert, aren't you?!"
Jiraiya laughed again. "A perverse sage, young man! But I'm not here for that. I'm here to observe you. The Third Hokage told me about you—your sudden evolution and your mysterious friend." He glanced toward Kaien, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
"Kaien is like my brother! And Akari is like my mom! He's the best! He gave me Ryūjin!" Naruto exclaimed proudly.
"Ryūjin, huh? A dragon... interesting," murmured Jiraiya, growing serious. "So it's not a toad summon. Listen, kid, I have a question for you. Do you know what lives inside you?"
Naruto tilted his head. "Lives inside me? I know about Kyūbi, if that's what you mean."
Jiraiya froze, stunned. "You… you know? Who told you?"
Naruto shrugged. "Kaien told me a few weeks ago during a training session with Ryūjin. My chakra turned red and I almost lost control. Kaien took me into his dimension and explained everything. He even spoke to the Nine-Tails. He said Kyūbi had been manipulated and it wasn't its fault it destroyed the village. He said he calmed it down a little."
Jiraiya's eyes widened in disbelief. "He spoke to Kyūbi? And calmed it? That's... impossible! No one has ever done that!"
"Kaien is special," said Naruto, pride resonating in his voice. "He said I had to understand Kyūbi, and let Kyūbi help me. He didn't want me to fear the power. He said hatred makes you blind and that Kyūbi is not just a monster."
Jiraiya rubbed his chin, thoughtful. "So the kid knows everything. I suppose that explains how you managed to have a primordial dragon like Ryūjin. This Kaien… he's more than he seems."
Naruto's name was called. His heart raced again, but this time it was fueled by excitement and a new clarity—he aimed to prove his worth.
"I'll talk to you after my match!" Naruto said, then dashed toward the arena.!
As he prepared to face Neji, Naruto focused. He was no longer afraid of Kyūbi. He acknowledged its presence, its power, and now... he understood why.
Kyūbi (in Naruto's mind): "Alright, kid. Ready to show what you've got?"
Naruto: "Ready, Kyūbi! Kaien said you're here to help if I understand you. I want to prove I can be a good host. And that you're not just a manipulated monster."
Kyūbi: "Hmph. A good host, you say? You've got a way to go, kid. But that Ryūjin... interesting connection with your chakra. That strange-eyed kid did good work."
Kyūbi: "I'll lend you some of my power. Use it well. Don't disappoint me."
Naruto: "I won't! We'll become Hokage together!"
Kyūbi: "Fool."
Naruto snapped back to reality, gasping but feeling a surge of strength. The whistle blew, signaling the start of the match.
Ryūjin's Power and the Bond with Naruto
"Naruto, focus! Your opponent is coming!" Ryūjin's voice echoed in his mind—clear, powerful. "Your chakra is harmonized. Let me help you."
"Ryūjin!" Naruto called, his eyes shining with newfound resolve. He stood opposite Neji Hyūga, Konoha's prodigal figure.
Neji, conceited, opened with his trademark arrogance. "Those born to be weak remain so. You stand no chance, Naruto. Your destiny is that of a failure."
Naruto laughed, brimming with confidence. "Destiny? What do you know about it?! Kaien told me that destiny doesn't exist—or that you create it! And I'll prove I can change mine! I'm not alone anymore! I have my mother, my brother, and my family!"
A chill rippled through the arena as Naruto's chakra surged. He slapped his palms together. "Summon!"
A column of smoke erupted in the ring. When it cleared, the majestic Ryūjin, shimmering in blue scales, loomed behind Naruto. The audience gasped—no one had ever seen a dragon like this summoned before.
"W‑what is that?!" Kiba exclaimed, stunned.
"A... dragon?" Sakura whispered, incredulous despite her familiarity with summons. Sasuke remained expressionless, but a flicker of pride shone in his eyes.
Kaien smiled smugly from the stands. "That's it, Naruto. Show them."
"Kaien did this?" the Third Hokage muttered, astonished. "A dragon... the boy really is… unique."
"I told you," Tsunade said, proud. "Kaien has extraordinary power."
Neji backed away, Byakugan activated. "A dragon? That's impossible! Where did that come from?!"
"It comes from my will to become Hokage!" Naruto shouted. "Ryūjin, let's go!"
The fight began. Ryūjin didn't fight directly in taijutsu but channeled its chakra into Naruto, boosting his speed and strength. Guided by Ryūjin's intuitive advice, Naruto evaded Neji's strikes and found openings.
"Naruto, use your speed!" Ryūjin urged. "Your strikes are stronger with my support!"
Naruto imprisoned a lethal blow from Neji, then countered with a kick that sent him crashing into the arena wall, unconscious.
"This can't be! I can't read his moves with Byakugan!" Neji panicked. Naruto's chakra was too erratic, too unpredictable—thanks to the fusion with Ryūjin's energy.
"See, Neji?" Naruto shouted, rising triumphantly. "Destiny can be changed! And I'm going to change mine and become Hokage!"
The battle intensified, each exchange more thrilling. Naruto used increasingly complex jutsu, guided by Ryūjin's chakra-perception insight. It wasn't raw strength anymore—it was tactical brilliance.
"He's evolving unbelievably fast," Kakashi commented. "That Kaien… he really unlocked their potential."
"He sees the true strength in people," Akari observed, eyes soft on her son. "And he wants to help them achieve it."
The climax approached. Exhausted but resolute, Naruto delved deeper into Kyūbi's chakra. A vivid red aura enveloped him—visible to many spectators but controlled, tamed by Naruto's will alongside Kaien and Ryūjin's calming influences. It was power, not rage—enough to shatter Neji's defenses.
"Ryūjin, help me finish this!" Naruto cried.
Ryūjin: "At your command, my summoner!" The dragon's voice resonated not just in the mind but across the arena, sending a shockwave that made everyone tremble.
Naruto channeled his chakra; Ryūjin's form shimmered behind him as if merging with his spirit. With one final strike, Naruto felled Neji, sending him crashing to the ground—unconscious.
The arena fell silent—then erupted in thunderous applause. Naruto Uzumaki, the perennial failure, had defeated Konoha's hyūga prodigy.
Naruto, breathless, raised his fist triumphantly. "I DID IT!"
After the match, Naruto was led to the infirmary for a quick check-up. Jiraiya awaited him.
"So, kid," Jiraiya smirked. "You showed real grit. And that dragon… something else. So you knew about Kyūbi, huh? Tbh, the Third Hokage didn't mention that."
Naruto sat, body aching but spirit clear. "Yeah. Kaien explained everything—Kyūbi was manipulated, it's not all bad. He helped me talk to it. Kyūbi even helped me at the end."
Jiraiya rubbed his chin, thoughtful. "This is a major revelation. That Kyūbi spoke to you... and Kaien could soothe it. This kid is an enigma. But it makes training simpler. I'll take you on. I'll teach you how to control Kyūbi's power safely—and not just exploit it. We'll work on advanced sealing and more."
"I'm ready!" Naruto declared, eyes shining. "I'll never back down from a challenge! This is my ninja way!"
"Good. We'll start after the exams. But one last thing," Jiraiya's tone darkened. "The Third and I are very concerned about Orochimaru's movement. He's here and planning something terrible. And there are more shadows… Stay sharp, Naruto. Final exams might not be the only thing you face."
Naruto nodded, his smile fading momentarily. He recalled Kaien's warning about the impostor Kazekage. A heavy silence followed. The ninja world was more complex and dangerous than ever—but with Ryūjin, Kaien, his mother Akari, Tsunade, and now Jiraiya, he felt ready for anything.
Let me know when you're ready for Chapter 19—I'd be honored to continue this epic journey with you!