Chapter nine: The Summoning of the White Tiger Clan
With only a month left before the Chunin Exams, Naruto found himself restless. His training with Riku had paid off tremendously, especially in controlling his wind chakra. He was faster, more precise, and even Kakashi and his teammates had noticed his growth. But Naruto wasn't satisfied. He wanted more techniques, something that would set him apart and help him protect his friends.
On one such evening, Naruto decided to head to the Konoha library. He wasn't exactly the reading type, but desperate times called for desperate measures.
"Alright, let's see," Naruto muttered, scanning the shelves with furrowed brows. "There's gotta be something cool in here. Wind techniques… advanced ninjutsu…"
As he trailed his fingers along the dusty scrolls, his eyes landed on a thicker scroll titled Introduction to Summoning Jutsu. Naruto's curiosity piqued.
"Summoning jutsu, huh?" He opened the scroll and began reading. The more he read, the more intrigued he became. "So, with this, I could summon powerful creatures to fight alongside me?" Naruto's eyes gleamed. "That sounds awesome!"
He scanned the instructions and found a basic hand sign pattern that looked manageable. Excited, he bit his thumb, smeared some blood onto the scroll as he'd read, and formed the signs: Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey, Ram.
"Here goes nothing!" Naruto slammed his hand down, calling out, "Summoning Jutsu!"
In an instant, smoke exploded around him, thick and swirling, clouding his vision. But something felt wrong. Instead of a creature appearing in the library, Naruto felt himself being pulled downward, as if the ground itself had opened beneath him.
"Whoa! What's happening?!" he shouted, feeling his body getting yanked through the smoke, hurtling somewhere unknown.
When the smoke cleared, Naruto found himself lying on a cold, smooth stone floor. He shook his head and looked around, realizing he was definitely not in the library anymore. Tall, stone walls surrounded him, adorned with carvings of ferocious-looking tigers, and a strange fog hung thick in the air. The smell of moss and wild nature filled his senses.
"What…where am I?" Naruto muttered, getting to his feet.
A low growl rumbled from behind him, and he spun around to see a massive white tiger, its icy blue eyes focused intensely on him. The tiger's fur was as white as snow, its black stripes like shadows against a winter landscape. Other tigers appeared, emerging silently from the mist, each one as large and imposing as the first. They circled him, their gazes piercing.
"Uh… hi there?" Naruto said, raising a hesitant hand. His heart pounded, but he kept a brave face. "I, uh, think I messed up a summoning jutsu. If you guys could just tell me the way back, I'll get out of here."
The first tiger let out a soft but threatening growl, stepping forward. "You are the first human to enter our realm in decades. How did you summon yourself here, boy?"
"I… honestly have no idea," Naruto admitted, rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish grin. "I was trying out a summoning jutsu, and next thing I know, I'm here with you guys."
The tiger's gaze didn't waver. "You bear the scent of chakra. Perhaps you are not just any human."
Naruto frowned, puffing out his chest a little. "Of course I'm not just any human! I'm Naruto Uzumaki, future Hokage of the Leaf Village!"
The tigers exchanged glances, their piercing eyes still unblinking. Finally, the lead tiger spoke. "We are the White Tiger Clan, one of the oldest and most revered summon clans in the world. Only those with pure intentions and indomitable will can call upon our power. For you to be here, perhaps fate itself has guided you."
Naruto's face brightened with excitement. "So, wait… does that mean I can have you guys as my summons? That would be amazing!"
The tiger's eyes narrowed. "If you truly wish to form a bond with us, you must prove yourself. Our clan does not accept weaklings, nor do we form contracts with just anyone. You will have to face a series of trials to test your strength, spirit, and resolve."
"Trials, huh?" Naruto grinned, determination flashing in his eyes. "I'm not scared! Bring it on!"
The tiger gave a low chuckle, its sharp teeth gleaming in the misty light. "Very well, Naruto Uzumaki. The first trial is simple—a test of your courage. Follow us."
The tigers turned, padding silently across the stone floor and disappearing into the fog. Naruto hesitated, but he took a deep breath and steeled himself, following them into the unknown.
They led him to an open arena, surrounded by ancient statues of tigers in fierce poses. In the center was a massive, open field with jagged rocks, dense foliage, and thick vines hanging from towering trees. A breeze swept through, carrying an earthy scent that made Naruto feel like he was truly in another world.
The lead tiger looked at him with a glint of challenge in its eyes. "Your task is to reach the other side of this arena. But beware—the ground, trees, and even the air itself are filled with traps designed to test your instincts and courage. If you make it across, the next trial will await you."
Naruto looked at the daunting terrain, his grin unfaltering. "Alright! I can handle this no problem!"
As soon as he took his first step, a vine shot out from the ground, aiming to ensnare his foot. He quickly jumped back, barely dodging it. The tigers watched from the sidelines, their eyes never leaving him, as Naruto moved carefully forward, dodging and weaving through each trap.
He leaped over spiked pits, ducked beneath swinging branches, and used his wind chakra to sense hidden snares. His training with Riku had taught him to be more mindful of his surroundings, and he could feel every subtle shift in the air.
Halfway through, a powerful gust of wind slammed against him, forcing him back a few steps. But Naruto clenched his fists, focusing his own chakra to stabilize himself. "I'm not giving up that easily!" he shouted, pushing forward with renewed energy.
After what felt like hours, Naruto finally reached the other side, sweaty and out of breath, but triumphant.
The lead tiger nodded approvingly. "You've completed the first trial, Naruto Uzumaki. But the journey is far from over. Are you ready for the next?"
Naruto took a deep breath, nodding eagerly. "Bring it on!"
The tiger's eyes gleamed, and it led him into another part of the forest, this time to a secluded pond with crystal-clear water that glistened under a strange, silver light. "This is the Trial of Endurance. You will enter the water and remain submerged, meditating for as long as you can. This will test your inner strength and chakra control. Only those with unwavering focus can pass."
Naruto glanced at the pond, feeling a chill run down his spine. He remembered stories about prolonged meditation and how it could be exhausting, both physically and mentally. But he nodded, stepping into the water and lowering himself until he was completely submerged.
As he closed his eyes, he focused on his breathing, letting his chakra flow through him. Minutes turned into what felt like hours, and the urge to resurface grew stronger with each passing second. But Naruto clenched his fists, reminding himself of his goal. He thought of the villagers, his friends, and his dream of becoming Hokage.
Finally, when he felt he could go no longer, the lead tiger tapped him on the shoulder, signaling him to resurface. Naruto emerged, gasping for air but filled with pride.
The tiger nodded approvingly. "You have the strength of heart and spirit, Naruto. There is one final trial—the Trial of Wisdom. We will guide you to our clan's ancient temple. There, you must solve a riddle passed down through generations. Only those with clarity of mind and purpose can decipher it."
Naruto followed them to an ancient temple, its walls covered in faded inscriptions and symbols. At the center of the temple was a stone tablet with a single line carved into it.
The tiger read the riddle aloud: "What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?"
Naruto blinked, staring at the tablet as he thought deeply. It sounded like a question meant to test his understanding of life itself.
After a moment, he remembered hearing something similar in passing. With a deep breath, he replied, "It's… a person. When we're babies, we crawl on all fours. As adults, we walk on two legs, and when we're old, we use a cane."
The tigers were silent for a moment before the lead tiger gave a pleased nod. "Well done, Naruto Uzumaki. You have passed the three trials. From this day forward, the White Tiger Clan shall recognize you as a worthy summoner."
With that, they led him to a ceremonial altar where Naruto pressed his thumb to the summoning scroll and made his pact with the White Tiger Clan.
As he was enveloped in a swirl of chakra, he felt a new bond form, deep and powerful, connecting him to the proud and ancient clan. When he finally returned to Konoha, he knew he had gained not only new allies but also a strength that would aid him in the Chunin Exams and beyond.