Summoning Beast

The next day, in Konoha's back mountains, there was a small valley formed by a waterfall and stream. It was a famous summer retreat in Konoha, and Naruto had often come here to swim and bathe before.

After Jiraiya had Naruto sign his name on the contract scroll, Naruto was able to summon the beasts of Mount Myoboku to fight alongside him.

However, what Naruto cared about more at Mount Myoboku was actually Senjutsu. He still had far too much to learn.

"As for the Summoning Jutsu, you've already learned your own unique Flying Thunder God Technique, so I won't say too much. Naruto, let me ask you something. Do you know that there are two different kinds of chakra inside your body?" Jiraiya asked.

Naruto nodded. "I know. Pervy Sage, why are you asking that?"

Jiraiya nodded lightly. "Then let me ask you this: can you control that power yourself and use it as you please?"

"Pervy Sage, I understand what you mean!" Naruto looked extremely serious as he looked at Jiraiya. "But I don't want to use it. Kurama is my friend. Friends aren't supposed to be one side constantly using the other's power. I want to become strong on my own, strong enough to fight side by side with Kurama..."

Strong enough to play chakra tug-of-war with Kurama, to bump fists together... Naruto thought.

Jiraiya smiled happily. Jinchuriki possessed powerful, awe-inspiring strength, but they were also rejected by those around them and treated as freaks. It was far too difficult for anyone to sincerely accept a Jinchuriki. That emptiness in their hearts could easily cause them to lose control and go berserk.

It seemed Naruto did not need him to worry at all. Jiraiya smiled. "All right, then let's give it a try and see what exactly you can summon!"

"Summoning Jutsu!"

Now that Naruto had learned the Flying Thunder God Technique, even though he had not fully mastered it, the technique's secrets allowed him to perform a summoning without biting his finger open.

Poof

The smoke Naruto summoned made Jiraiya look forward to it even more. What exactly would Minato's son summon?

As the smoke dispersed, a large blue-green toad appeared, carrying two massive swords on his back. Jiraiya raised his head in surprise. "Wow, it's Gamahiro! I never expected you to summon Gamahiro on your first try, Naruto!"

Naruto secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Luckily, he had not embarrassed himself by summoning some tiny tadpole. His training had not been in vain. With just his own chakra, he could summon Gamahiro.

"Jiraiya, did you call for me?" Gamahiro's voice was rather cold and aloof.

"No, this is my new disciple. His name is Naruto, and he's the one who summoned you. Haha... Impressive, right? This is his first summoning!" Jiraiya boasted, while Naruto proudly puffed out his chest.

"Oh." Gamahiro lowered his head to look at Naruto, somewhat surprised as well.

"Your name is Naruto, right? Call me if you need anything. My sword is always ready for battle," Gamahiro said coolly.

"Yes, thank you, Gamahiro!" Naruto waved excitedly.

Gamahiro turned into a puff of smoke and returned to Mount Myoboku!

Jiraiya looked at Naruto excitedly. He had not expected to take in such a promising disciple. Naruto truly was gifted. He had even mastered a jutsu like the Rasengan. It was just that the way he used the Flying Thunder God Technique was far too unusual.

At the thought of the Flying Thunder God Technique, Jiraiya suddenly remembered something. He looked at Naruto and asked quietly, "Hey, Naruto, the old man said that Orochimaru and I were both hit by your Flying Thunder God, right?"

"What are you trying to do, Pervy Sage? Your smile is so creepy..." Naruto quietly moved farther away, making it clear that he did not want to know Jiraiya right now.

Jiraiya chuckled. "You know about the flower among us Three Sannin, right?"

Hah... She's over fifty, and she's still a flower??? Naruto felt strange, but he said aloud, "I know. Her name is Tsunade, right? What are you trying to do, Pervy Sage?"

Jiraiya whispered, "How about using your Flying Thunder God on Tsunade, then putting a Flying Thunder God Mark in my palm? Hehe..."

"No... I refuse!" Naruto gave Jiraiya a fierce look of contempt.

Jiraiya sighed softly, feeling it was such a pity. If he could truly have an opportunity like that, he would endure it even if Tsunade beat him half to death.

Naruto said earnestly to Jiraiya, "Pervy Sage, you see her as a flower, but flowers often don't belong to those who admire them. They belong to cow dung!"

Jiraiya froze. He lowered his head to look at Naruto, opened his mouth, yet could not say a single word. Naruto had left him completely speechless.

Time slowly passed. Naruto occasionally sparred with Jiraiya, and under Jiraiya's guidance, he identified many of Naruto's shortcomings, teaching him what to do and how to do it better.

After this month of training, even if Naruto fought Zabuza Momochi one-on-one, he would no longer be defeated in just a few moves.

The third stage of the Chunin Ninja Exams was held at Konoha's grandest structure, Kikyo Castle.

The examination arena was in the center of Kikyo Castle. Walls over ten meters high surrounded the venue, complete with an arena and spectator stands, making it feel like a competition.

At the highest seats, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Sunagakure's Fourth Kazekage sat together, watching below.

In the main arena, Naruto and Sasuke had already arrived. Dosu Kinuta of Otogakure had been eliminated by Gaara after attempting to assassinate him, so due to Dosu Kinuta's absence, Gaara and Sasuke would compete directly.

The eight examinees—Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru Nara, Shino Aburame, Neji Hyuga, Kankuro, Temari, and Gaara—stood in the center. The referee had also been replaced by a Jonin named Genma Shiranui, who had a Senbon in his mouth.

As the crowd cheered, Naruto felt his heart burn with excitement. This feeling, this feeling of being the center of attention—it was like being the protagonist. Standing here and hearing these cheers, this was his stage.

"Sasuke, Naruto, good luck!" Sakura shouted.

"Shikamaru, don't you dare lose to Naruto!" Ino shouted unwilling to be outdone.

The first match was Naruto versus Shikamaru Nara. The other contestants left one after another, leaving the entire arena to Naruto, Shikamaru, and the referee Genma Shiranui.

Naruto looked at Shikamaru and said lightly, "I didn't expect my opponent to be you, Shikamaru!"

"Sigh, what a drag!" Shikamaru looked unmotivated, but his lazy gaze became somewhat serious as he looked at Naruto. "I didn't expect to face you either, Naruto. Still, even if it's troublesome, I don't want to lose to you!"

"Begin!"

The moment Genma Shiranui spoke, the first match of the third stage of the Chunin Ninja Exams began: Naruto versus Shikamaru.