After mastering the Rasengan, Jiraiya devoted the next few days to teaching Naruto the Summoning Jutsu.
At the training ground, Jiraiya mysteriously slammed a palm against the earth. In an instant, smoke billowed up, accompanied by a strange ripple, and a huge toad slowly emerged from within.
The toad was bright red all over, covered in distinctive markings. Its eyes gleamed, and it held an ancient, mysterious scroll in its mouth. The scroll had yellowed slightly and seemed to carry the weight of ages.
The toad deftly stretched out its tongue, and the scroll landed securely in Naruto's hands.
Naruto took the scroll and saw that its mottled surface bore the marks of time. It was covered with the names of summoners from generations past, and among them, Minato Namikaze's name stood out prominently.
Jiraiya's eyes filled with nostalgia. Then he motioned for Naruto to add his own name as a testament to the Summoning Contract.
"This is the Summoning Contract scroll," Jiraiya explained. "Only those whose names are recorded here are eligible to connect with the toads of Mount Myōboku and receive their help."
Naruto stared at Minato Namikaze's name, momentarily dazed. It only strengthened his suspicions.
However, he said nothing. He simply nodded and solemnly signed his name on the scroll.
Standing in the empty training ground, Naruto silently recited the Summoning Incantation Jiraiya had taught him.
He took a deep breath and bit his finger. It was a necessary ritual to establish a connection with the Summoning Realm. Blood welled up, and he slammed his finger against the ground. A deep rumble followed, and smoke surged up, quickly filling the entire training ground.
Under Jiraiya's gaze, a blurry figure gradually appeared in the smoke. A small frog could just barely be made out within it.
At the sight of this figure, Jiraiya broke into a rare smile. Naruto had really been giving him a hard time over the past few days. Seeing that Naruto didn't seem to have any talent for the Summoning Jutsu and could only summon a small frog actually made Jiraiya happy. It made him feel that Naruto was still just a child after all, finally acting a little like one.
But just then, as the smoke slowly cleared, Jiraiya began to find the figure increasingly familiar. His smile froze, replaced by an expression of utter shock.
When the smoke had completely cleared, the one standing before them was none other than Sage Fukasaku, one of Mount Myōboku's senior figures and a trusted elder-level aide to the Great Toad Sage. Powerful Senjutsu Chakra radiated from him, and his eyes held both wisdom and authority.
Jiraiya's mouth gaped open, his jaw nearly hitting the ground. He couldn't believe his eyes. Sage Fukasaku had actually been summoned by Naruto, a greenhorn who was just starting out?
Sage Fukasaku glanced at Jiraiya in confusion and asked, "Hey, Jiraiya, what did you summon me here for?" It never occurred to him that Jiraiya hadn't summoned him. The summoner was the inconspicuous little fellow before him, with blond hair and sunglasses.
Jiraiya stood frozen for a long moment before finally coming to his senses. He pointed at Naruto and said in disbelief, "N-no, I didn't summon you. He did—it was Naruto!"
Sage Fukasaku looked Naruto up and down carefully. His wise eyes seemed to see through everything. He spoke slowly, his voice carrying a hint of warmth that was difficult to discern. "This is... his child?" His words sounded like a question, but carried more certainty than doubt.
Jiraiya nodded in confirmation.
Then a relieved smile appeared on Sage Fukasaku's face.
With a light leap, he landed squarely on Naruto's shoulder. He extended a hand and gently patted Naruto's head, his gesture full of affection and encouragement.
"Good boy. He really is a good boy." Sage Fukasaku's voice was warm and deep, his eyes shining with approval and satisfaction.
Feeling Sage Fukasaku's kindness, Naruto felt a warmth well up inside him. He looked up at Sage Fukasaku and smiled brightly.
A month passed in the blink of an eye, and before anyone knew it, the final match of the Chunin Selection Exam had arrived.
On this day, the Hokage, the Kazekage, and the noble daimyō gathered together to witness this spectacle of young ninja.
The stands buzzed with people, the atmosphere lively.
Naruto, Sasuke, and the others entered the arena, full of energy.
The Kazekage on the platform was staring intently at Naruto. In his snake-like pupils, beneath his normal eyes, there was both fascination and a few complicated emotions he could hardly put into words.
He noticed that in just one month, Naruto seemed to have undergone another subtle change. That familiar yet mysterious aura clung to him, leaving the Kazekage both surprised and curious.
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