Naruto : Dragon Jinchuriki

A week had passed since the fierce battle and chaos that had shaken the Land of Demons. The air was now calm, the skies clear, but the atmosphere among the group was bittersweet. They gathered outside the shrine in the early morning, the sun casting a warm golden hue over the land.

Riku stood with Shiro perched on his shoulder, the magpie unusually quiet, as if sensing the gravity of the moment. Beside him, Kristian leaned on his axe, Gristle resting at his side. Chiyo and Shion stood together near Miroku, who wore a serene yet sorrowful expression. Jiraiya stood off to the side, arms folded and his toad summoning scroll slung over his back.

"Well, I guess this is it," Jiraiya said, breaking the silence. He gave a hearty laugh to lighten the mood, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Back to Konoha for me. The world doesn't stop spinning, and the village needs its gallant Jiraiya."

Chiyo gave him a small smile, her hands clasped in front of her. "Thank you, Jiraiya-sama. For everything. Without you, we…" Her voice trailed off, and Shion placed a hand on her sister's arm, squeezing it gently.

"Don't mention it," Jiraiya said, waving it off. He looked at Kristian, who was staring at the ground. "And you, kid. Stay out of trouble. No more charging into battle like you're invincible, alright?"

Kristian smirked, looking up. "No promises."

Riku rolled his eyes. "Of course you won't."

Jiraiya turned to Riku next, his expression softening. "And you, Riku. You've got potential, kid. More than most. But don't let it go to your head." He reached out and ruffled Riku's hair, earning an annoyed swat. "You've got a lot to learn, and the road ahead won't be easy. Remember that."

Riku nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I'll remember. Thanks, Jiraiya."

With that, Jiraiya took a step back, his usual jovial demeanor returning. "Alright, enough with the sappy stuff. I've got to hit the road before I get roped into more drama." He turned to Miroku and bowed slightly. "Priestess, it's been an honor."

Miroku inclined her head. "Safe travels, Jiraiya-sama. May your path be blessed."

As Jiraiya began walking down the road, he gave a lazy wave over his shoulder. "Don't miss me too much!"

The group watched him go until he disappeared over the hill.

Kristian broke the silence. "Well, I guess this is where we part ways too." He glanced at Riku, his expression unreadable. "You've got your mission, and I've got mine."

Riku nodded. "Yeah. Takigakure's the next stop for me."

"You're sure about this?" Kristian asked, his voice quieter than usual.

Riku's eyes hardened with determination. "I have to be. There's too much at stake."

Kristian grunted, shifting his axe. "Figures. You never could sit still for long."

Riku smirked. "Neither could you."

The two shared a brief moment of silence, the weight of their shared experiences settling between them.

Chiyo stepped forward, her expression hesitant. "Kristian… you're staying?"

Kristian turned to her, nodding. "Yeah. Someone's got to keep an eye on you. And… I've got nowhere else to go."

Miroku placed a hand on Chiyo's shoulder, smiling warmly. "He's welcome here. The shrine has always been a sanctuary for those in need."

Chiyo glanced at Kristian, a small smile forming on her lips. "Thank you."

Kristian shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. "Don't mention it."

Riku grinned. "Well, looks like you're settling down, Kristian. Never thought I'd see the day."

"Shut up," Kristian muttered, though a faint smile tugged at his lips.

Shiro chirped from Riku's shoulder, drawing everyone's attention. The little magpie flapped its wings, as if sensing the emotion in the air.

"Guess it's time for me to head out," Riku said, stepping back. He looked at each of them in turn, his gaze lingering on Kristian. "Take care of yourself, alright?"

"You too," Kristian replied, his voice steady. "Don't get yourself killed."

Riku smirked. "You know me. I'm too stubborn for that."

With one last nod, Riku turned and began walking down the road, Shiro flying ahead of him. The group watched as his figure grew smaller in the distance, his black and white hair catching the light of the setting sun.

Kristian sighed, turning back to Chiyo and the others. "Well, looks like it's just us now."

Chiyo smiled softly. "That's not so bad."

Gristle snorted in agreement, nudging Kristian's side with his massive head.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting the land in hues of orange and gold, the group began to make their way back to the shrine. Though their paths were now separate, the bonds they had formed in the Land of Demons would remain, shaping the journeys that lay ahead.

…

…

Jiraiya strolled into Konoha's bustling streets, feeling a mix of relief and exhaustion. The events at the Land of Demons still lingered in his mind, but he was glad to be back. He figured he'd check in with Hiruzen first, as was customary after a long mission, and then maybe reward himself with some sake and hot food.

He reached the Hokage's office as the last of the day's sunlight painted the horizon in hues of orange and pink. Jiraiya pushed open the door without knocking, as usual, and leaned casually against the frame.

"Yo, sensei. Miss me?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat behind his desk with his trademark pipe in hand, though his expression was anything but welcoming. He glanced up, his eyes sharp and lined with suspicion.

"You're late," Hiruzen grumbled.

"Aw, c'mon. You know me—I work at my own pace," Jiraiya teased, dropping into the chair opposite Hiruzen. "You should be happy to see me alive and well. My report's even juicier than usual this time."

Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. "Go on, then. What happened in the Land of Demons?"

Jiraiya launched into his tale, detailing the battles, the summoning of the Genryū, and the powerful individuals he had fought alongside. He spoke of Riku's incredible transformation with the scales and wings and how the boy had turned the tide of battle single-handedly.

"…and this kid, Riku—well, I've never seen anyone like him and I don't even know his real name. He told me it was Ruki Shirokuro but everyone called him Riku" Jiraiya said, leaning back with a grin. "He's just eleven, and he's already capable of feats that'd make even Orochimaru jealous. I swear, if he keeps this up, he'll make me look like an amateur."

Hiruzen's pipe paused midway to his mouth, his expression darkening. "Riku?"

"Yeah," Jiraiya said. "Apparently, he's the last survivor of this Kuroshiro clan or whatever. Lives with this massive dragon sealed inside him, and—"

"Stop," Hiruzen interrupted, setting his pipe down. His voice was cold, his eyes hard. "Ruki? Could you be talking about Riku Kuroshiro? That … is not a name we take lightly in this village."

Jiraiya blinked, taken aback. "What are you talking about? He's just a kid."

Hiruzen stood, pulling open a drawer in his desk and retrieving the bingo book. He slapped it down on the desk and flipped to a bookmarked page, spinning it toward Jiraiya. "Read."

---

Name: Riku Kuroshiro, The White Wraith

Affiliation: Unknown

Status: Criminal, Extremely Dangerous

Bounty: 60,000,000 ryō

Issued By: The Hokage of Konoha

Details:

- Responsible for large-scale destruction and theft four years ago.

- Proficient in fire release , lightning release , and Swordsmanship.

- Potential Kekkei Genkai involving Yin-Yang-Fire release

- Responsible for stealing classified documents and sealing scrolls from Konoha, the contents of which remain unrecovered.

- Responsible for the Slaughter of Katabami.

- Considered a rogue shinobi and a threat to national security. Kill on sight if capture proves impossible.

---

Jiraiya's grin faded as he read. He looked up at Hiruzen, his expression a mix of confusion and disbelief. "You're kidding. This is the same kid I just fought alongside? He doesn't seem like this at all."

"That's because you don't know him," Hiruzen said, his voice cold and bitter. "Four years ago, that boy caused havoc in this very village. He used that strange power to level the entire torture and interrogation chamber and stole dozens of highly classified items from our archives. When we finally caught up to him, he vanished—along with everything he'd taken."

Jiraiya whistled low. "Huh. So the kid's got a rebellious streak. Sounds like half the shinobi in Konoha at that age."

"This is not a joke, Jiraiya!" Hiruzen snapped, slamming his hand on the desk. "He's a criminal. A dangerous one. And now you're telling me he's grown stronger? That makes him even more of a threat."

Jiraiya leaned back, scratching the back of his head. "Look, sensei, I'm not saying what he did was right, but… he's a kid. Kids make mistakes. Hell, you were lecturing me about responsibility when I was eleven too."

Hiruzen's gaze was unyielding. "This is not about immaturity. He cannot be allowed to roam free. You should have captured him when you had the chance."

"Yeah, sure," Jiraiya muttered sarcastically. "Right after he turned into an armoured flying soldier and took down a Genryū. I'll just toss him over my shoulder next time."

"This isn't a joke!" Hiruzen snapped, his anger palpable. "He's dangerous, Jiraiya. The council and I have already agreed—if he's sighted again, he's to be captured or eliminated."

Jiraiya shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Man, this is wild. I just spent months fighting alongside this kid, and now you're telling me he's public enemy number one? You guys need to chill. He's not some rampaging beast. He's a kid trying to figure out his place in the world."

"And his place is not among us," Hiruzen said coldly.

Jiraiya stood, slipping the bingo book into his pack. "Well, sensei, you know how much I love following orders. Guess I'll just have to keep an eye on him myself."

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "You're treading dangerous ground, Jiraiya. Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment."

Jiraiya waved him off as he walked out. "Relax. I've got a soft spot for troublemakers, remember? I turned out fine."

As he stepped into the cool night air, Jiraiya couldn't help but chuckle to himself. "Sixty million ryō, huh? Riku, you're full of surprises. Guess I'll be seeing you again soon."

…

…

Riku wandered into a bustling marketplace on the outskirts of a small village, his steps deliberate but unhurried. The morning sun was already high, casting long shadows over the stalls laden with colorful fabrics, polished weapons, and various trinkets. He adjusted the hood of his cloak, ensuring his face remained obscured. The events of the past weeks had left him with more questions than answers, and he wasn't keen on attracting unnecessary attention.

His destination was Takigakure, the Village Hidden in the Waterfalls. The next step in his journey demanded both subtlety and preparation. If he was to traverse through potentially hostile territory, he needed a disguise—something that wouldn't tie him back to Kokuenryū or his past in Konoha.

As he strolled through the market, Riku's keen eyes scanned the stalls until he found a vendor with neatly folded clothes and vibrant masks on display. The merchant, an older woman with sharp eyes and a warm smile, called out to him.

"Looking for something specific, young man? Or just browsing?"

"Something lightweight but durable," Riku replied, his voice calm. "And a mask."

The woman chuckled. "Ah, another traveler hoping to vanish in plain sight. I've got just the thing." She reached under the stall and pulled out a neatly folded set of dark clothing. "This is made from reinforced silk—it's breathable and won't tear easily, even in a scuffle."

Riku ran his fingers over the fabric, nodding approvingly. It was a simple design: a black high-collared shirt with long sleeves and fitted pants. Perfect for stealth and mobility.

"And the mask?" he asked.

The woman gestured to a rack of masks, each unique in design. Some were vibrant and elaborate, while others were plain and practical. Riku's eyes landed on a particular one: a sleek, dark mask with a silver streak running diagonally across it. The design was minimalist, yet it exuded an air of mystery and authority.

"This one," he said, picking it up.

"Excellent choice," the woman said, smiling. "It's made of reinforced ceramic. Lightweight but tough enough to withstand a blade. That'll be fifteen ryō for the lot."

Riku handed over the money without hesitation and took his purchases. He found a quiet corner behind the market to change into his new outfit. The fabric fit snugly, molding to his frame without restricting his movements. He pulled the mask over his face and looked at his reflection in a nearby puddle.

The transformation was striking. Gone was the boy in worn-out clothes from the Land of Demons. In his place stood someone else entirely—a shadow in human form.

Riku adjusted the mask and muttered to himself, "This'll do."

As he walked back toward the road leading to Takigakure, Riku noticed a group of children playing nearby. One of them, a young girl with bright eyes, stopped and stared at him.

"Are you a ninja?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

Riku paused for a moment, then crouched to her level. "Something like that," he replied softly.

The girl smiled. "You look really cool!"

Riku gave her a small nod then ruffled her hair before standing and continuing on his way. The road ahead was long and uncertain, but he felt ready for whatever lay ahead.