What's going on?
Before he could think it through, his body landed heavily on Gamabunta's huge body. Gamabunta stretched his powerful limbs, leaped up, and carried Naruto out of the canyon, flying towards the blue sky.
"Ah----------"
As Gamabunta's huge body rose and fell on the ground, Naruto on his back grabbed tightly onto the bumps on Gamabunta's skin with both hands, and there was still chakra attached to his hands.
Even so, he almost fainted. After quite a commotion, Gamabunta finally calmed down and let out a long howl.
"Where's Jiraiya? Where is he? How dare he summon me in this place!"
Hearing Gamabunta's roar, Naruto's fingers clasped his shy cheeks and he said tremblingly.
"Boss Frog, heh heh, it was me who summoned you. The Perverted Hermit isn't here right now."
"You?"
Gamabunta stuck out his long tongue, wrapping Naruto up and bringing him in front of his eyes. How could this tiny figure have such power? So he let out an exaggerated laugh.
"Come on! How could a puny brat like you have such power? Hurry up and get Jiraiya out here. I'm going to settle the score with him properly!"
.............
Jiraiya, hiding in the shadows, watched Gamabunta causing a ruckus and silently prayed in his heart, hoping that Naruto could fend for himself. Then he turned around and went off to find hot girls again.
...............
Naruto was also unhappy when he heard such comments. After all, he had worked so hard to summon Gamabunta, but his summoned beast didn't listen to him at all and kept putting him down non - stop.
He got angry and ran quickly along Gamabunta's big face to the top of his head.
"Listen to me. It was me who summoned you, and you have to listen to me!"
"What did you say? You damned brat! Get off my head right now!"
He angrily swayed his huge body. The strong air current caused by the rising and falling of his massive body made Naruto unstable, but even so, he still didn't let go of his hands.
"Listen to me. If I'm still on your head before the sun sets today, you have to obediently listen to me and recognize me as your boss. If I can't do it, then pretend this never happened and I'll help you find the Perverted Hermit!"
"What? You arrogant brat. Why should I make this bet with you? This kind of thing is of no benefit to me at all!"
Naruto narrowed his eyes and a mocking smile appeared on his lips. He deliberately provoked, saying,
"Hey? Are you, such a big guy, afraid of losing to me? Oh, so you're scared. Then immediately recognize me as your boss, and I might forgive you!"
Veins popped out on Gamabunta's forehead. When had he ever suffered such humiliation? Today he was going to teach this brat a lesson and let him know his own place.
"Fine! If you can't do it, I'll make you my side dish!"
"Eh?!"
Naruto was in a state of surprise when Gamabunta leaped high again and dashed wildly through the forest. The once-tall trees were now like tender grass, all broken after being crushed by his giant body.
Naruto used Chakra to firmly cling to Gamabunta. Even so, the powerful airflow and Gamabunta's violent movements kept him on his toes.
Just like this, the two of them frolicked from morning till evening until the last glow of the setting sun disappeared below the horizon.
Naruto happily shouted on Gamabunta's back and danced with joy.
"Ha, I won! Boss Frog, I won! You have to listen to me obediently from now on----"
After saying that, he fell heavily from Gamabunta's mountain-like body as if he had lost consciousness. Jiraiya, who was standing nearby, was so nervous that he wanted to step in, but Gamabunta gently wrapped him up with his long tongue.
Looking at this kid who was sleeping with a happy face, Gamabunta couldn't help but tease.
"You little brat are really a handful. I didn't expect you to win. Well, as per the bet you won, I'll reluctantly recognize you, you stinky brat!"
.................
Early in the morning, Naruto stretched leisurely and opened his eyes bleary - eyed from sleep. He saw a pair of round big eyes staring directly at him, and all his drowsiness was instantly scared away.
He sprang up from the bed and hugged the pillow beside him tightly.
"Who... Who is it!"
"It's me, Naruto. You were sleeping so soundly that I didn't have the heart to wake you up!"
What the heck?!
"You were so close to me. I almost got scared to death. By the way, what are you doing here, Rock Lee?"
Naruto recalled that when Rock Lee was bound by Gaara's sand, Aniki Itachi rescued him in time. He didn't seem to be seriously injured, so why was he still in the hospital a month later?
Rock Lee stood there, smiling slightly mysteriously and said,
"I'll tell you, but don't be too shocked!"
Are you going to tell me or not? Come on!
"Are you going to tell me or not?"
"I was doing Ninjutsu cultivation with Neji. I accidentally got injured and came to the hospital for a check - up. Naruto, your next opponent, Neji, is different from everyone you've fought before. He's super powerful!"
Ninjutsu cultivation! So he didn't waste this month either. Like himself, he chose to continue his cultivation.
How strong he is! Such a powerful person is still so hard - working!
Thinking of this, Naruto didn't feel the slightest bit discouraged. Instead, he became even more energetic, with golden glints in his eyes.
"Yeah! That's the way it should be! This is the kind of rival I recognize!"
"Naruto..."
Rock Lee looked at Naruto, who was eager to fight Neji right away. He was really glad to have such a friend, a friend who could forge ahead no matter how difficult the situation was.
To be honest, his emotions were rather complex. As Neji's friend and teammate, of course he hoped Neji could win. But when he saw the enthusiastic Naruto, he couldn't help silently rooting for him. Humans are such contradictory creatures!
"Oh! Both of you, give it your all! I'll be in the stands, cheering you on like mad!"
Rock Lee said, showing his signature shiny white teeth.
"Rock Lee, you make it sound like you're an outsider. You're also a rival I acknowledge! I hope to have a battle with you someday!"
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