Chunin Exam, Undercurrents Surge

After mastering the Rasengan, Jiraiya shifted his focus over the following days to teaching Naruto the Summoning Jutsu.

In the training ground, Jiraiya mysteriously slammed his palm against the earth. In an instant, smoke billowed up, and amid a strange fluctuation, a massive toad slowly revealed itself from within the haze.

This toad was entirely crimson, covered in unique markings, its eyes bright and spirited. In its mouth, it held an ancient and mysterious scroll, slightly yellowed, exuding an air of antiquity.

The toad nimbly extended its tongue, and the scroll landed steadily in Naruto's hands.

Naruto took the scroll, its mottled surface bearing the marks of time, densely inscribed with the names of past summoners. Among them, the name Minato Namikaze stood out prominently, catching the eye.

Jiraiya's gaze was filled with nostalgia. Then, he gestured for Naruto to leave his own name as well, as a witness to the summoning contract.

"This is the scroll of the Summoning Contract," Jiraiya explained. "Only those whose names are recorded here are qualified to establish a connection with the toads of Mount Myōboku and gain their aid."

Naruto stared at Minato Namikaze's name, a moment of daze washing over him, deepening his own suspicions.

However, he said nothing more, merely nodded, and solemnly signed his own 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, bit his finger—a necessary ritual to connect with the Summoning Realm. Blood welled up, and he slammed his finger onto the ground. With a low rumble, smoke erupted, filling the entire training ground.

Under Jiraiya's watchful gaze, a blurry figure gradually took shape in the smoke, faintly revealing a small frog appearing within the haze.

Seeing this figure, Jiraiya broke into a rare smile. He had been thoroughly shocked by Naruto these past few days, and seeing that Naruto seemed to have no particular talent for the Summoning Jutsu, only able to summon a tiny frog, Jiraiya actually felt a bit relieved. He thought Naruto was still just a child after all, finally acting a little like one.

But just then, as the smoke slowly cleared, Jiraiya felt the figure growing increasingly familiar. His smile suddenly froze, replaced by utter shock.

When the smoke fully dissipated, what appeared before him was none other than one of Mount Myōboku's high-ranking elders, the trusted right-hand of the Great Toad Sage—Sage Fukasaku. He radiated powerful Sage Chakra, his eyes brimming with wisdom and authority.

Jiraiya's mouth hung wide open, his jaw nearly hitting the ground. He couldn't believe his eyes. Sage Fukasaku had been summoned by this greenhorn Naruto?

Sage Fukasaku glanced calmly at Jiraiya and asked with a hint of confusion, "Yo, Jiraiya, is there something you summoned me for?" It never occurred to him that the summoner wasn't Jiraiya, but the blond kid in sunglasses standing right there, who seemed so unremarkable.

Jiraiya stood stunned for a long moment before finally snapping out of it. He pointed at Naruto, his face a mask of disbelief. "No, it wasn't me who summoned you. It was him—Naruto!"

Sage Fukasaku looked Naruto over carefully from head to toe, his wise eyes seeming to see through everything. He spoke slowly, his voice carrying a subtle warmth. "This is... his child?" His words held a hint of inquiry, but more than that, confirmation.

Jiraiya nodded firmly in response.

Then, a gratified smile spread across Sage Fukasaku's face.

With a light leap, he landed steadily on Naruto's shoulder. He reached out a hand and gently patted Naruto's head, the gesture full of affection and encouragement.

"Good child. Truly a good child." Sage Fukasaku's voice was gentle and deep, his eyes gleaming with approval and satisfaction.

Feeling Sage Fukasaku's goodwill, a warm current surged through Naruto's heart. He looked up at Sage Fukasaku, a bright smile spreading across his face.

A month passed like a fleeting white horse, gone in the blink of an eye. Before they knew it, the final match of the Chunin Selection Exam had quietly arrived.

On this day, the Hokage, the Kazekage, and the various noble lords and ladies gathered together to witness this grand feast of young ninjas.

The spectator stands buzzed with noise, the atmosphere electric.

Naruto, Sasuke, and their group stepped into the arena with high spirits.

On the platform, the Kazekage was staring intently at Naruto. Behind his normal eyes, his snake-like pupils held both fascination and a complex, indescribable emotion.

He noticed that in just one month, Naruto seemed to have undergone some subtle change. That familiar yet mysterious aura coiled around him, leaving him both surprised and curious.