Naruto wiped the sweat from his brow, determination etched across his face. Three days into their training excursion, and he still couldn't summon anything larger than a frog the size of his palm. The small orange toad sitting in front of him—Gamakichi, he'd introduced himself—looked up with an expression that mixed sympathy with amusement.

  "Not bad, kid, but my pops is about a thousand times bigger," Gamakichi said.

  "I'm trying!" Naruto growled, squatting down to eye level with the small amphibian. "Seriously, what am I doing wrong?"

  Nearby, Hinata watched attentively, her Byakugan activated as she studied the flow of Naruto's chakra during his attempts. Carrot perched on her shoulder, the orange rabbit occasionally offering commentary of her own.

  Jiraiya leaned against a tree, openly reading from his infamous little notebook. He glanced up momentarily. "Your chakra control is abysmal. You're pouring power into it like a waterfall, but it's splashing everywhere instead of focusing where it needs to go."

  "Then teach me how to fix it!" Naruto demanded.

  Jiraiya sighed dramatically. "You know, I could be conducting very important research right now. Beautiful women at the hot springs would be much more entertaining than watching you fail repeatedly."

  "Pervert," Naruto muttered.

  Carrot's ears perked up. "If it's beautiful women you're after, Queen Joousa mentioned she'd be happy to pose for you anytime. She's been working on her human form, you know."

  Jiraiya's face contorted into a fascinating mix of interest, horror, and conflict. "I—that's—she's a rabbit!"

  "Mostly human-shaped now," Carrot countered with obvious enjoyment. "And quite buxom, if that's your preference."

  "That's... not..." Jiraiya trailed off, genuinely at a loss for words.

  Hinata covered her mouth to stifle a giggle while Naruto burst into full-throated laughter.

  "Enough!" Jiraiya finally recovered, snapping his notebook shut. "Focus on your training, brat."

  "You're the one who brought up your 'research'," Naruto pointed out.

  Three more small toads had gathered near Gamakichi, watching the proceedings with interest.

  "It's nice to get summoned, even if it's just practice," said one, a bright green toad with yellow spots.

  "Agreed," replied another with blue stripes. "Fresh air compared to Mount Myōboku. Less oil in the atmosphere."

  "The kid's got potential," commented the third. "Just needs to figure out how to tap it."

  Naruto stood up, frustration evident in every line of his body. "I don't get it! Sakura summoned bigger rabbits right away, and she has way less chakra than me!"

  "Y-you'll get it, Naruto-kun," Hinata encouraged, her stutter barely noticeable these days except when she was particularly nervous or excited. "Your progress has been amazing already."

  Jiraiya pushed himself away from the tree and approached. "Sakura has two advantages you don't. First, her chakra control is nearly perfect—something you could stand to work on. Second, her summoning tattoo helps reduce the chakra cost substantially."

  "Then let me get a tattoo too!" Naruto exclaimed.

  "The toads don't have that technique," Jiraiya explained. "Different summon clans have different methods. For the toads, it's raw power and will."

  Naruto crossed his arms. "Then how am I supposed to summon the big ones?"

  Jiraiya studied him for a moment, his expression suddenly serious. "You need to tap into your... other chakra source."

  Hinata's eyes widened slightly. After the preliminary matches, Naruto had finally told her about the Nine-Tails sealed within him. She'd been shocked initially, but it hadn't changed how she felt about him—if anything, knowing what he carried made her admire his strength even more.

  "You mean the fox," Naruto said flatly.

  Jiraiya nodded. "You've got two chakra systems. Yours, which is impressive enough on its own, and the Kyuubi's, which is vast beyond imagination. To summon Gamabunta—the boss toad—you'll need to access some of that power."

  "How?" Naruto demanded.

  "That's the problem," Jiraiya said. "It generally responds to strong emotions—particularly negative ones like anger or fear." He glanced briefly at Hinata, then back to Naruto. "Hinata, could I have a word with you in private?"

  Hinata looked surprised but nodded. "Of course, Jiraiya-sama."

  They walked a short distance away, just out of Naruto's earshot. Naruto tried to pretend he wasn't extremely curious, focusing instead on attempting another summoning. This time he managed to bring forth a slightly larger toad, about the size of a large dog, which promptly asked if he had any snacks.

  Meanwhile, Jiraiya spoke quietly to Hinata. "I have a plan to help Naruto access the fox's chakra, but I need your cooperation."

  "What kind of plan?" Hinata asked warily.

  "I'm going to fake putting you in danger," Jiraiya explained. "Nothing that will actually harm you, but it needs to look convincing enough to trigger a strong emotional response."

  Hinata's brow furrowed. "You want to use me to scare Naruto-kun?"

  "To help him," Jiraiya corrected. "He needs to learn to access this power under controlled circumstances, not in the middle of a life-or-death battle. Better he experiences it first with me here to guide him."

  Hinata considered this, then nodded slowly. "What do you need me to do?"

  Before Jiraiya could answer, all three of them felt it—a wave of cold, powerful chakra washing over the area. Naruto's head snapped up. "What was that?"

  "Let's find out," Jiraiya said, immediately alert. "Stay close."

  They moved swiftly through the forest, following the source of the chakra pulse. After a few minutes, they emerged near the edge of a deep ravine. Several large pillars of ice jutted out from the cliff face, gleaming in the afternoon sun.

  At the ravine's edge lay a familiar figure—Haku, unconscious but breathing steadily. His sensei, Utakata, sat calmly nearby, blowing small bubbles from a pipe that floated lazily around them both.

  Utakata glanced up as they approached. "Ah, Jiraiya-sama. I apologize if we disturbed your training."

  Jiraiya frowned, stepping forward cautiously. "What exactly are you doing out here, Utakata-san? This is quite a distance from the village."

  "Training, much like yourselves," Utakata replied, gesturing to Haku's unconscious form. "He pushed himself too far with his ice release. The boy is determined to be prepared for his match."

  "You should be careful about conducting intense training in the Land of Fire without proper clearance," Jiraiya said, his tone carrying a subtle warning.

  Utakata reached into his robe and produced a scroll, which he handed to Jiraiya. "We have the Hokage's permission. Specific authorization for Haku to practice his bloodline limit in this area, away from civilian populations."

  Jiraiya examined the scroll carefully, noting the Hokage's authentic seal and signature. After a moment, he nodded and returned it. "Everything seems in order."

  "Of course," Utakata said mildly. "We're guests here, after all."

  His gaze shifted to Naruto, studying him with a mixture of curiosity and something else—recognition, perhaps? After a moment, he shook his head slightly, as if dismissing a thought.

  "He's one of my opponents in the finals," Naruto said, stepping forward. "Are you training with Haku too?"

  "Merely supervising," Utakata replied. "My student needs to push his limits if he's to stand a chance against Gaara."

  Naruto bristled at the implication. "Hey, what about me? I'm in that match too!"

  "Indeed," Utakata said with a slight smile. "My advice to you would be to stay safe until Haku deals with Gaara. Afterward, you can have a friendly match."

  "What's that supposed to mean?" Naruto demanded, anger coloring his tone.

  Utakata's expression grew more serious. "It means that people like myself, Haku, and Gaara are not to be trifled with, Uzumaki-san. You're a fine ninja, certainly, but this won't be a fun match like the one with your girlfriend."

  Hinata blushed slightly at being referred to as Naruto's girlfriend, but her expression quickly turned to concern as Naruto's face reddened with anger.

  Jiraiya noticed Naruto's rising temper and subtly signaled Hinata to remain quiet. She looked hesitant but complied, pressing her lips together.

  "That's very kind of Utakata-san and his student," Jiraiya said with exaggerated politeness, "to take pity on you, Naruto. Perhaps you should thank them for their consideration."

  "What?!" Naruto whirled to face his teacher. "Are you serious right now? I don't need anyone's pity!"

  "Don't you?" Jiraiya asked, his tone suddenly challenging. "You've been training for days and can barely summon a toad bigger than your hand. You're all talk, Naruto—big dreams of being Hokage, but you can't even protect the people you care about."

  "That's not true!" Naruto shouted, his fists clenching at his sides. "I can protect them! I will protect them, no matter what! Believe it!"

  Jiraiya studied him for a moment, then moved so quickly that Naruto barely saw it. In one fluid motion, he struck Hinata with a paralyzing jutsu and scooped her up.

  "Jiraiya-sama, what—" Hinata began, her body going rigid.

  "Prove it," Jiraiya said coldly, and tossed Hinata over the edge of the ravine.

  Naruto's eyes widened in horror. "HINATA!"

  Without hesitation, he dove after her, plummeting into the deep ravine.

  Utakata moved forward instantly, raising his pipe to his lips. "What are you—"

  "It's not needed," Jiraiya said, holding up a hand to stop him. "This is the push he needs."

  Utakata stared at him in disbelief. "And I thought Mist training was crazy."

  Down in the ravine, Naruto streamlined his body, diving headfirst to increase his speed. He could see Hinata below him, her body still paralyzed by Jiraiya's jutsu, her eyes wide with fear but trusting.

  "I'm coming, Hinata-chan!" he shouted, cursing Jiraiya with every breath. What kind of twisted training was this?

  He managed to catch up to her, wrapping his arms around her tightly. The ground was approaching fast—too fast. He twisted in mid-air, trying to position himself to take the brunt of the impact, but knew it wouldn't be enough.

  He attempted to channel chakra to his feet, hoping to stick to the ravine wall, but the rock face was too slick with moisture from the ice Haku had created. They slid off immediately, continuing their fall.

  Panic clawed at Naruto's chest. They were going to die if he couldn't do something. Hinata was going to die because he wasn't strong enough.

  "No," he growled. "I won't let that happen!"

  He closed his eyes, digging deep within himself, desperate to find the power he needed. For a moment, everything went silent.

  When Naruto opened his eyes again, he found himself in a vast, dimly lit chamber. The floor was covered in shallow water, and before him stood an enormous cage, its bars thicker than ancient trees. A paper seal held the gates closed.

  From the darkness beyond the bars, two massive, glowing red eyes opened, fixed on him with malevolent intelligence.

  "So," rumbled a voice that seemed to vibrate through Naruto's very bones, "my jailer finally comes to visit."

  Naruto stood his ground, though every instinct screamed at him to run. "You're the Nine-Tails."

  A low, menacing chuckle echoed through the chamber. "How observant of you, human."

  "I need your power," Naruto said, stepping closer to the cage. "Give it to me so I can save Hinata-chan!"

  "You are bold to make demands of me in our first meeting," the fox growled, massive teeth gleaming as he moved closer to the bars. "If not for this seal, I would devour you where you stand."

  "I don't have time for this!" Naruto shouted. "Hinata is going to die if you don't help me!"

  The Kyuubi studied him for a long moment, his ancient eyes calculating. "The female means that much to you?"

  "Yes," Naruto said without hesitation.

  "Very well," the fox said, his tone suggesting this was merely amusing to him. "Take my chakra, little human. One day, we will meet again under different circumstances."

  Red chakra began to seep through the bars, enveloping Naruto in its potent energy. It burned, but not painfully—more like fire flowing through his veins, filling him with power beyond anything he'd ever felt.

  In the real world, red chakra erupted around Naruto's body as he fell. His features sharpened, canines elongating, nails growing into claws. His eyes turned crimson with slitted pupils.

  "Hang on, Hinata-chan," he growled, his voice deeper than normal.

  With newfound strength, he bit his thumb hard enough to draw blood and flashed through the hand signs.

  "SUMMONING JUTSU!"

  An explosion of smoke filled the ravine, and suddenly they weren't falling anymore. Instead, they were perched atop an enormous toad, its massive body filling the width of the ravine.

  "WHO DARES SUMMON THE GREAT GAMABUNTA?" bellowed the giant toad.

  "I did," Naruto answered, still cradling Hinata. "Please, we need to get back up to the top."

  Gamabunta glanced over his shoulder, taking in the small figure on his head. "A child? You expect me to believe a pipsqueak like you summoned me?"

  "I did," Naruto insisted. "And my friend needs help. Please, just get us up there, and then we can talk about whether I'm worthy or whatever."

  Outside of the ravine, Utakata's eyes widened as the familiar sensation washed over him—an unmistakable chakra signature that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. The raw, primal power emanating from below resonated with something inside him, something that stirred restlessly in response.

  He glanced at Jiraiya, noting the self-satisfied smirk on the Sannin's face. Suddenly, everything made sense.

  "So that's it," Utakata murmured, his voice barely audible over the sudden gust of wind that rushed up from the ravine. "The boy is a Jinchūriki."

  Jiraiya's smirk widened slightly, but he neither confirmed nor denied the observation.

  Utakata sighed, reaching for the bubble pipe tucked into his obi. With practiced ease, he brought it to his lips and began to blow a series of large, iridescent bubbles that drifted lazily around himself and his unconscious student.

  "I wondered why Konoha had tossed the blondie in a match with Haku and Gaara," he said, his voice carefully neutral as the bubbles expanded, engulfing both himself and Haku in their protective embrace. "Now I know."

  The bubbles began to rise, lifting them gently from the ground. Utakata's gaze remained fixed on Jiraiya, studying the older man with newfound understanding.

  "Three Jinchūriki in one match," he continued. "That can't be coincidence."

  Jiraiya shrugged, his casual demeanor betrayed only by the sharp intelligence in his eyes. "The matchups were randomized."

  "Of course they were," Utakata replied, his tone making it clear he didn't believe that for a second. "Just like it's coincidence that you're training him personally."

  A tremor ran through the ground beneath them as something massive shifted in the ravine below. The distinctive smell of toad oil drifted upward on the breeze, accompanied by a resonant voice that seemed to shake the very air.

  Utakata hesitated, weighing his next words carefully. Politics had never been his strong suit—he'd spent too many years avoiding human contact altogether—but he knew an opportunity when he saw one.

  "To help smooth the alliance talks with Konoha," he finally said, adjusting his position within the bubble, "I'd be willing to share some tips with Naruto at a later date. About control."

  Jiraiya's eyebrows rose slightly, genuine surprise flickering across his face before being replaced by calculating interest.

  "That could be useful," the Sannin acknowledged with a nod. "As an experienced Jinchūriki, you'd have insights I lack, despite my expertise with seals."

  Utakata felt Saiken stir within him at the acknowledgment, a ripple of amusement from the Six-Tails at being recognized. He pushed the sensation aside, keeping his focus on the matter at hand.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  "The techniques I've developed might help him," he said. "Though they're adapted specifically for Saiken's nature. Each bijuu requires different handling."

  The bubbles carrying them had risen higher now, giving Utakata a clearer view down into the ravine. What he saw confirmed his suspicions—an enormous toad, nearly filling the width of the chasm, with two tiny figures perched atop its head.

  "Speaking of different handling," Utakata continued, his voice growing more serious, "you should know that Gaara's connection with his beast is too close. Unnaturally so."

  Jiraiya's expression hardened. "Explain."

  "When a Jinchūriki sleeps, the boundary between host and bijuu weakens," Utakata said, speaking from painful personal experience. "Most of us learn to manage short sleep cycles or develop meditation techniques to compensate."

  He glanced down at Haku's unconscious form, making sure his student was secure within the bubble before continuing.

  "Gaara doesn't sleep. At all."

  "That's not possible," Jiraiya objected. "The human body can't—"

  "It's not by choice," Utakata interrupted. "Something is wrong with his seal. It's... incomplete, perhaps, or improperly designed. The Ichibi gains influence whenever he starts to drift off, so he's forced to remain conscious at all times."

  Jiraiya cursed under his breath, his fingers twitching as though already preparing to draw the seal modifications that might address such a flaw.

  "That explains the psychological instability," the Sannin muttered. "Chronic sleep deprivation alone would cause significant mental deterioration, but combined with constant bijuu influence..."

  "I've only observed him from a distance," Utakata said. "But I can feel the imbalance in his chakra. The boundary between Gaara and Shukaku is blurred, in a way that's different from any other Jinchūriki I've encountered."

  The bubbles carrying them had begun to drift away from the ravine, following the gentle currents of the breeze. Utakata made no effort to control their direction yet, content to let this conversation play out.

  "Also," he added, the corner of his mouth quirking upward slightly, "you might want to come back later. I doubt your student will be happy with you."

  Jiraiya chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Worth it, though. The kid needed a push."

  "A push is one thing. Throwing his girlfriend off a cliff is another." Utakata shook his head. "And people called Mist's training methods barbaric."

  "It worked, didn't it?" Jiraiya defended, peering down into the ravine.

  From their elevated position, they could see Gamabunta more clearly now—the massive toad chief scanning his surroundings with obvious irritation while the tiny figures on his head appeared to be engaged in animated discussion.

  "Impressive," Jiraiya murmured, genuine pride evident in his voice. "I didn't expect the full summoning on his first try with the Kyuubi's chakra. Minato's boy indeed."

  Before Utakata could respond to that interesting slip—confirming both the bijuu's identity and the boy's parentage—Jiraiya had formed a hand seal and disappeared in a swirl of leaves.

  Utakata stared at the empty space where the Sannin had stood. "Coward," he muttered, though there was no real heat behind the word.

  With a slight gesture, he directed the bubbles to carry him and Haku back toward the village. Training was clearly done for the day, and he had much to think about.

  The revelation that Konoha's sunny-natured genin carried the most powerful of the bijuu was significant, though not entirely surprising in retrospect. The chakra reserves, the stamina, the healing—all classic Jinchūriki traits that Utakata should have recognized sooner.

  What was surprising was how normal the boy seemed. Most Jinchūriki Utakata had encountered carried their burden visibly—in their eyes, in their posture, in the way they held themselves apart from others. Gaara was the extreme example, but even the more stable ones tended to have a certain watchfulness, a wariness born from years of being treated as weapons first and people second.

  Naruto showed none of that. He laughed easily, wore his heart on his sleeve, and seemed genuinely beloved by his teammates and friends. That spoke volumes about both the boy's natural resilience and how Konoha had handled his status.

  Saiken stirred again within him, a gentle pulsing of curious chakra.

  What do you think? Utakata asked silently, knowing the Six-Tails could hear his thoughts when they were directed inward.

  The response came not in words but in impressions—interest, caution, and something like anticipation. Saiken had always been the most easygoing of the bijuu, from what little Utakata had gathered in their rare moments of communication, but even the Six-Tails recognized the significance of encountering the Kyuubi's vessel.

  Haku stirred within his bubble, drawing Utakata's attention back to the external world. The ice-user's eyes fluttered open, confusion evident in his expression as he realized they were floating several meters above the ground.

  "Sensei?" Haku asked, his voice slightly slurred from exhaustion. "What happened?"

  "You pushed yourself too far," Utakata replied. "Again."

  Haku had the grace to look slightly abashed, though the expression quickly shifted to puzzlement as he looked around. "Where are the others? The Leaf shinobi?"

  "They had their own training to complete," Utakata said, deciding that a simplified explanation was sufficient for now. "And we need to let you rest before attempting that technique again."

  Haku looked like he wanted to protest, but the fatigue evident in every line of his body made any argument hollow before it began. Instead, he asked, "Did you learn anything useful about our opponent?"

  Utakata considered the question carefully. The ethics of sharing another Jinchūriki's status were complex, especially when that Jinchūriki didn't seem aware that others like him existed. But Haku needed to be prepared for what he would face in the exam.

  "The blond boy, Naruto," he finally said. "He has access to chakra reserves similar to your own. Not a bloodline limit, but... a different kind of inheritance."

  Understanding dawned in Haku's eyes. "Like Gaara, then. And like you, Sensei."

  Utakata nodded, unsurprised by his student's quick grasp of the situation. Haku had always been perceptive.

  "That makes three in one match," Haku mused. "It seems the finals will be more interesting than anticipated."

  "Focus on Gaara first," Utakata advised. "He's the immediate threat. His control is poor, and his seal is flawed. If pushed too far..."

  He didn't need to finish the thought. Haku understood the implications.

  "And Naruto?"

  "He's still learning to access that power," Utakata said. "But when he does, be careful. The Kyuubi is the most powerful of the bijuu for a reason."

  Haku's eyes widened slightly at the confirmation of which bijuu they were discussing, but he quickly composed himself. "I understand, Sensei."

  The bubbles carried them in silence for a while, drifting through the forest back toward Konoha. Utakata used the time to reflect on the day's revelations.

  Three Jinchūriki in a single match of the Chunin Exams. It couldn't be coincidence, regardless of what Jiraiya claimed about randomization. Someone in Konoha had engineered this confrontation—perhaps to showcase their Jinchūriki's capabilities, or perhaps to test him against others of his kind.

  Either way, it made the already complex political dynamics of the exams even more fraught. The new Mizukage had been explicit in her instructions: rebuild bridges with Konoha, demonstrate Mist's strength without being provocative, and gather intelligence on the other villages' capabilities.

  Encountering another Jinchūriki complicated all three objectives. An alliance between villages often involved agreements about how their respective bijuu would be deployed in conflicts. And while Mei hadn't explicitly ordered him to hide his status, she'd emphasized the importance of presenting Mist's "new face" to the world.

  Nothing said "old Mist" quite like unleashing a bijuu in the middle of another village's Chunin Exams.

  "Sensei," Haku's voice interrupted his thoughts. "If Naruto is like you, and Gaara is like you... does that mean you'll need to intervene if things go too far in the match?"

  It was a good question—one Utakata had been pondering himself.

  "I hope it won't come to that," he said. "But yes, I'll be prepared to act if necessary. As will Jiraiya, I expect."

  Konoha was visible in the distance now, its walls rising above the surrounding forest. The sight reminded Utakata of another complication.

  "Haku, this information about Naruto stays between us for now," he said. "His status may not be common knowledge, even within Konoha."

  Haku nodded. "Of course, Sensei. But... may I ask why you're concerned about protecting Leaf's secrets?"

  Utakata smiled slightly at his student's perceptiveness. "Because alliances are built on mutual respect and trust. If Konoha sees that we can be trusted with sensitive information, they're more likely to trust us with other matters. In fact that might be the reason Jiraiya let such information slip in the first place. I doubt Konoha's resident spymaster would be so loose-liped if not on purpose."

  "And because you sympathize with him," Haku added, his tone gentle rather than accusatory. "With all of them."

  Utakata didn't deny it. Being a Jinchūriki created a bond that transcended village affiliations—a shared experience that few others could understand.

  "The bijuu are forces of nature," he said after a moment. "They existed long before our villages, and they'll exist long after. The politics of humans are temporary. The burden we share is not."

  Haku seemed to consider this. "Do you think Naruto knows? About you and Gaara?"

  "About Gaara, perhaps. The signs are difficult to miss," Utakata replied. "About me... no. I've had years to learn subtlety."

  The bubbles began their descent as they approached the village gates, where the guards were already eyeing their approach with interest. Few shinobi arrived by bubble, after all.

  "One last thing," Utakata said as they neared the ground. "When you face them in the exam, remember that a Jinchūriki's greatest vulnerability is often their control. Push them hard enough, and the bijuu's influence can overwhelm them—making them stronger but less precise."

  Haku nodded, absorbing the tactical advice. "I understand, Sensei."

  The bubbles gently deposited them on the ground just outside the gates. As they popped, leaving a faint trace of soap in the air, Utakata adjusted his kimono and prepared to deal with the inevitable questions from the gate guards.

  Behind him, Haku was silent, likely processing everything he'd learned. The exams had just become significantly more complicated for him.

  Utakata sighed inwardly. He'd come to Konoha expecting political tensions and skillful posturing. Instead, he'd found himself unexpectedly connected to events that might shape the future relationship between their villages for years to come.

  "WHO THE HELL ARE YOU? AND WHO GAVE YOU PERMISSION TO SUMMON ME, BRAT?"

  The massive toad's voice boomed through the ravine, echoing off the walls. Naruto clung to the toad's head with one arm, his other wrapped protectively around Hinata's waist. The paralysis jutsu had thankfully worn off, but she still looked shaken from the fall.

  "I'm Naruto Uzumaki, and I summoned you to save my girlfriend!" Naruto shouted back, equally loud. "So quit your complaining and get us outta this ravine!"

  Gamabunta's massive eyes narrowed. "You've got some nerve ordering me around, little tadpole. I am Gamabunta, Chief Toad of Mount Myōboku!"

  "Yeah? Well, I'm Naruto Uzumaki, future Hokage of the Hidden Leaf!" Naruto's face was red with effort and anger. "And right now, we need to get out of here!"

  Hinata placed a gentle hand on Naruto's arm, her touch immediately drawing his attention away from the argument. "Naruto-kun, perhaps we should be more polite to Gamabunta-sama. He did save us, after all."

  The anger in Naruto's expression softened instantly. "Hinata-chan! Are you okay? That bastard Pervy Sage just threw you down here!"

  She nodded, though her face was still pale. "I'm all right. The paralysis jutsu wore off as soon as we started falling." A small smile formed on her lips. "And you caught me."

  "Of course I caught you!" Naruto pulled her into a tight hug, momentarily forgetting they were still perched atop an irritated toad the size of a building. "I'll always catch you!"

  Gamabunta cleared his throat with a rumble that shook them both. "If you two lovebirds are quite finished, perhaps one of you can explain exactly what's going on here. Jiraiya put you up to this, didn't he?"

  "That perverted jerk!" Naruto's anger returned in full force. "He was supposed to be training me to use the nine-tails chakra, but then he just paralyzed Hinata and threw her down the ravine!"

  "And it worked, didn't it?" Gamabunta snorted, sending a cloud of pipe smoke billowing around them. "That's Jiraiya for you. Always with the dramatic methods."

  "That doesn't make it right! What if I hadn't been able to summon you? What if Hinata had—" Naruto couldn't even finish the thought.

  "Jiraiya wouldn't have let anything truly dangerous happen," Gamabunta said with surprising gentleness for such a massive creature. "Though I agree, using your girlfriend as bait was... uncouth." He shifted his weight, massive webbed feet finding purchase on the ravine walls. "Hang on tight. We're going up."

  Naruto and Hinata clung to the toad's head as he made a single powerful leap, ascending the ravine in one jump, the walls blurred past them, and within moments, they reached the top.

  As they crested the edge, Naruto spotted several smaller toads already waiting there. Among them, to his surprise, was Carrot, her orange fur standing out vividly against the toads' more muted colors.

  "Hinata-sama!" Carrot bounded forward as soon as Gamabunta settled on solid ground. "Are you all right? I saw Jiriaya-sama throw you!"

  "I'm fine, Carrot-chan," Hinata said, sliding carefully down Gamabunta's face with Naruto's help. "Naruto-kun saved me."

  Carrot turned to Naruto and gave him a nod of approval. "Good job, Whiskers."

  "Well, well," Gamabunta rumbled, eyeing Carrot with something between amusement and irritation. "If it isn't one of the rabbit clan. You lot are getting a bit big for your britches these days, aren't you? I heard about your little migration. Cost you a lot, from what my scouts tell me."

  Carrot's ears flattened against her head momentarily before she straightened them defiantly. "It was worth every loss. Queen Joousa knows exactly what she's doing. Our new warren will be the greatest in all the summon realms!"

  "We'll see," Gamabunta replied skeptically. "Many have tried to establish new territories. Few succeed without powerful allies."

  One of the smaller toads hopped forward. He was orange with blue markings around his eyes and mouth. "Hey Pops, Did this yellow-haired kid actually manage to summon you? Is he gonna be our new summoner?"

  "This gutsy little brat?" Gamabunta chuckled, the sound rumbling through the ground beneath them. "He has potential, Gamakichi. Managed to summon me in one go when he needed to, which is impressive. But—" he turned his massive eyes back to Naruto "—until we can share sake together, I won't let you summon me again. That's tradition, and I won't break it, even for Jiraiya's student."

  "Sake?" Hinata spoke up, her voice soft but clear. "Would non-alcoholic sake work, Gamabunta-sama? Naruto-kun is still underage."

  Gamabunta's massive jaw dropped in horror. "Non-alcoholic sake? That's not sake at all! That's just... fancy water!" He puffed on his pipe indignantly, sending clouds of smoke into the air. "Absolutely not! It's real sake or nothing!"

  "Mom says you need to cut back anyway, Pops," Gamakichi piped up, earning a glare from his father. "She found that stash you hid behind the east lily pad."

  A smaller, yellow toad nodded vigorously. "Yeah! She was really mad! She said if you come home drunk again, you're sleeping in the muddy shallows for a month!"

  "Gamatatsu!" Gamabunta growled. "Don't air our family business in front of humans!"

  "But it's true," Gamatatsu replied, blinking innocently.

  Gamabunta sighed deeply, the air rushing from his massive lungs with enough force to ruffle Naruto's hair. "The only time I get to drink properly anymore is when I'm summoned to this realm. She barely even lets me smoke my pipe in peace! A toad chief needs his pleasures, doesn't he?"

  Naruto, who had been watching this family drama unfold with growing interest, suddenly got a sly look in his eyes. He crossed his arms and tilted his head.

  "So, what you're saying is... you're scared of your wife?"

  "WHAT?" Gamabunta's voice was loud enough to send birds fleeing from nearby trees.

  "Naruto-kun..." Hinata whispered, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes.

  "I mean, if the boss toad is too scared to go against his wife's wishes," Naruto continued, his grin widening, "maybe she would be the better summon. I bet she and I could have all sorts of interesting conversations. About your drinking habits. And your smoking. And probably lots of other stuff you don't want her to know about."

  Gamakichi and Gamatatsu exchanged wide-eyed glances, then broke into fits of giggles.

  "You wouldn't dare," Gamabunta said, his massive eyes narrowing.

  "I'm just saying," Naruto shrugged innocently. "If you're too scared to work with me because of some sake tradition..."

  Gamabunta was silent for a long moment, pipe smoke curling around his head. Finally, he let out a massive sigh that flattened the grass around them.

  "Fine! Fine. The non-alcoholic... stuff... will do for you." He practically choked on the words. "But it better be the good stuff for me, you hear me? The expensive kind, made with the best rice! And lots of it!"

  He turned to his children, who were still giggling. "And not a word of this to your mother, you understand? Not one word!"

  The young toads tried to look serious, but their grins kept slipping through. "Yes, Pops."

  "We promise," Gamatatsu added, then tilted his head. "But... can we have snacks too? I'm hungry."

  Gamabunta rolled his massive eyes. "Of course you're hungry. You're always hungry."

  He turned back to Naruto and Hinata. "You heard him. My kids want snacks too. That's part of the deal."

  "What kind of snacks?" Naruto asked, bemused by this turn of events.

  "Crickets!" Gamatatsu said enthusiastically.

  "Dried dragonflies!" Gamakichi added.

  "No, no," a smaller, blue toad chimed in. "Mosquito jerky is the best!"

  "Um..." Hinata looked uncertain about where they would acquire such items.

  "Don't worry, there are human alternatives," Gamabunta assured them, seeing their expressions. "Sweet things, crunchy things. My children aren't picky. They'll eat anything."

  "We can do that," Naruto agreed with a grin. "Right, Hinata?"

  She nodded, smiling at how quickly the fearsome toad chief had gone from terrifying to making snack arrangements for his children. "Of course, Naruto-kun."

  "Yay!" The chorus of cheers from the small toads was surprisingly loud for their size. Even the previously sulking Gamakichi was hopping excitedly at the promise of treats.

  Carrot watched this exchange with an incredulous expression. "You toads and your stomachs," she muttered, but there was amusement in her voice.

  "Don't act superior," Gamabunta rumbled. "I've seen what happens when Queen Joousa gets her paws on a garden of carrots."

  Carrot's fur bristled slightly. "Those were royal carrots, carefully cultivated for—"

  "For her to devour in one sitting," Gamabunta finished with a chuckle. "Yes, I remember."

  Naruto looked between them, suddenly curious about the relationship between the summon clans. "Wait, you two know each other?"

  "All the major summon clans have... relationships," Gamabunta explained vaguely. "Some friendlier than others."

  "The toads and rabbits have been neighbors for generations," Carrot added. "Before our migration, that is."

  "And always competing for territory," Gamabunta grumbled. "Though I suppose that's less of an issue now."

  "The new warren is going to be magnificent," Carrot said proudly. "Queen Joousa has plans that will make even the great Mount Myōboku seem provincial by comparison."

  Gamabunta snorted, sending another cloud of smoke into the air. "Big talk from a little bunny."

  Before they could continue their bickering, Hinata gently interrupted. "I'm sure both of your homes are wonderful in their own ways."

  "Hmph," Gamabunta and Carrot said in unison, then glared at each other for the synchronicity.

  Naruto laughed, the tension from earlier completely forgotten. "So, when do we need to bring these snacks? And the... non-alcoholic sake?" He stumbled over the words as if they were difficult to say together.

  "I'll let you know," Gamabunta said mysteriously. "A toad always knows when treats are waiting." He glanced at the position of the sun. "I've stayed in this realm long enough for today. You've got potential, kid, even if your manners need work."

  "Look who's talking," Naruto muttered, but he was grinning.

  "We'll see you soon, Pops!" Gamakichi called as Gamabunta prepared to dispel himself.

  "Stay out of trouble," the massive toad instructed his children. "And remember: not a word to your mother!"

  With that, he disappeared in a massive cloud of smoke, leaving the smaller toads, Carrot, Naruto, and Hinata at the edge of the ravine.

  Gamakichi turned to Naruto, grinning widely. "Nice job standing up to Pops. Not many humans do that and live to tell about it."

  "Yeah!" Gamatatsu agreed. "Not even the white-haired human yells at him like that!"

  "No one messes with my friends," Naruto said firmly, glancing at Hinata with a soft expression. "Or my girlfriend."

  Hinata blushed at the public declaration, but she was smiling.

  "So," Gamakichi said, hopping closer. "About those snacks..."

  "And the good non-alcoholic sake for Pops," Gamatatsu added.

  "We'll get them," Naruto promised, ruffling the small toad's head. "After I find that pervy sage and give him a piece of my mind!"

  "Naruto-kun," Hinata said gently, placing a hand on his arm. "Perhaps we should ensure Jiraiya-sama's training methods aren't... quite so extreme in the future, but he did help you summon Gamabunta-sama."

  "Yeah, by putting you in danger!" Naruto's fists clenched. "I don't care if he's one of the legendary Sannin, nobody does that to the people I care about!"

  Carrot nodded approvingly. "I like your attitude, Whiskers."

  "Where did Jiraiya-sama go?" Hinata asked, looking around. "And Utakata-san and Haku-san?"

  "The bubble man took the pretty girl away in one of his bubbles," Gamatatsu said helpfully. "And the white-haired human disappeared right after you went down the big hole."

  "Coward," Naruto muttered. "He knew I'd be mad."

  "He's probably at the hot springs," Carrot suggested with a hint of disdain. "From what I've heard about him."

  Naruto's expression darkened. "Probably."

  "I think we've had enough training for today," Hinata said, glancing at the sun's position. "After everything that's happened, we could all use a break."

  Naruto's shoulders slumped, the adrenaline from the fall and subsequent summoning finally catching up to him. "Yeah, you're right. Besides, I need to think of some new ways to get back at Pervy Sage that don't involve him throwing you down any more ravines."

  "We could help!" Gamakichi offered eagerly. "Pops taught us some really good pranks for when people make us mad."

  "I'm sure he did," Naruto grinned, already imagining the possibilities.

  Hinata looked at the small toads, who were exploring the area with curious hops. "Would you like to come with me to the nearby village? We could look for snacks you might enjoy, and..." she hesitated, glancing at Naruto, "perhaps begin gathering what we'll need for Gamabunta-sama."

  "You mean the sake?" Gamatatsu asked innocently. "Pops drinks a lot! Like, a whole lake full!"

  Naruto's face paled as he imagined the quantity of sake needed to satisfy a toad the size of a small mountain. His hand instinctively went to his frog wallet, Gama-chan, which seemed to shrink in his grasp at the mere thought.

  "My poor wallet," he moaned. "Gama-chan's going to be completely flat."

  "Perhaps we can ask Jiraiya-sama to contribute," Hinata suggested gently. "After all, it was his training method that led to this arrangement."

  "That's right!" Naruto brightened immediately. "The Pervy Sage can pay for it! It's the least he can do after what he pulled today."

  "Yay! Village trip!" Gamatatsu hopped excitedly. "Do they have candy? I want to try human candy!"

  "And those crunchy potato things I've heard about," Gamakichi added, equally enthusiastic.

  "We'll find all sorts of things for you to try," Hinata promised with a smile.

  Carrot rolled her eyes but seemed amused by the toads' excitement. "I'll head back to the warren and let Queen Joousa know what happened. She'll want to hear about this... interesting training method."

  "Tell her I'll see her at the full moon meeting tonight," Hinata said, then turned to the small toads. "Ready for your first trip to a human village?"

  The chorus of enthusiastic croaks made both Naruto and Hinata laugh as they set off toward the village, the tiny toads hopping alongside them.