Naruto : Dragon Jinchuriki

Riku soared through the skies, below him, the Land of Waterfalls stretched out like a verdant quilt—lush forests, winding rivers, and jagged cliffs illuminated by the fading light of the setting sun. His cloak, sleek and black with silver accents, rippled behind him, and the mask concealing his face added an air of mystery to his already imposing presence.

Inside his mind, Kokuenryū's voice rumbled with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. *So, you're flying across the continent to visit Fū? Strange behavior for someone who claims to be on a path to greatness.*

"Fū's not just any friend," Riku replied, his voice calm yet firm. "She's one of the few people who gets it—what it's like to be bonded with something greater than yourself."

*Ah, the Nanabi's jinchūriki,* Kokuenryū mused. *An odd bond, but I suppose I can respect it. Though I'm still not convinced this is anything more than a distraction.*

Riku smirked beneath his mask. "Not everything's about training or fighting, Kokuenryū. Sometimes, you just need to reconnect with people who matter."

The dragon huffed. *Sentimentality… a human flaw. But I'll indulge you this time. This Fū had better be worth the journey.*

"She is," Riku said simply. "Besides, it's been too long. I owe her a visit."

As the duo fell into a comfortable silence, Riku's thoughts drifted back to his first meeting with Fū. Despite her role as a jinchūriki and the stigma that came with it, Fū had remained optimistic and fiercely independent—a trait Riku deeply admired.

"She's probably going to give me an earful for not visiting sooner," he muttered to himself.

*And you deserve it,* Kokuenryū remarked, his tone teasing. *Though, I'm curious—how does she react to your endless arrogance? Does she find it charming?*

Riku chuckled. "She calls me an idiot, mostly."

The dragon's deep laughter echoed in Riku's mind as the misty outline of Takigakure's great waterfall came into view. The roaring cascade hid the entrance to the hidden village, shrouding it in mystery and security.

"Finally," Riku said, angling his descent toward the waterfall. His wings shimmered with energy as he slowed, landing gracefully on a rocky ledge near the entrance.

As he stepped forward, Kokuenryū's voice rumbled one last time. *Remember, Riku—if she asks about me, tell her I'm the better half of this partnership.*

"Sure thing, old man," Riku said with a grin as he stepped through the waterfall, the roar of rushing water a prelude to the reunion that awaited him.

The forest outside Takigakure was alive with the sounds of birdsong and rustling leaves, but Fū's squad moved with focused silence. At the lead was Airi, their squad leader, her katana resting at her side. Behind her was Yōrō, his muscular frame tense with readiness, while Kegon brought up the rear, his hands casually forming water-release seals as they patrolled. Fū, as always, was in the center, twirling her dual swords with a mischievous grin.

"Stay alert," Airi said, her sharp eyes scanning the treetops.

Before anyone could respond, a figure dropped from the canopy, landing silently in their path. He wore a dark cloak, Odachi gleaming on his back. His presence was unsettling, his face obscured by a mask.

"Enemy?" Yōrō asked, already pulling out shuriken.

"Who else would drop out of the sky like that?" Fū said, stepping forward and gripping her blades.

The figure didn't speak. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, as if amused, then darted forward with blinding speed.

Yōrō moved first, his shuriken flying in precise arcs. The stranger swerved to the side, dodging effortlessly, and closed the distance between them. Yōrō shifted into a defensive stance, raising his fists as the figure dropped his swords and slid into a boxing stance.

"What kind of ninja—" Yōrō's words were cut off as the figure's fist shot forward, striking his guard with such force that he stumbled backward.

Riku advanced, his movements sharp and calculated. Yōrō retaliated with a sweeping kick, but Riku ducked under it and countered with a jab to his ribs. Yōrō grunted, trying to grapple him, but Riku slipped out of his hold, landing a devastating uppercut that sent Yōrō sprawling.

"You've got strength," Riku said, his voice calm. "But strength alone won't cut it."

Yōrō growled, launching himself at Riku with a series of rapid punches. Riku dodged every one, his footwork impeccable, before delivering a crushing hook to Yōrō's jaw. The muscular ninja collapsed, dazed.

Kegon immediately stepped forward, releasing a barrage of water bullets from his hands. Riku's form blurred as he vanished into the shadows cast by the trees.

Kegon's eyes darted around, sweat forming on his brow. "Where—"

A shadow flickered beneath him. He spun, too late to stop a pair of hands from dragging him into the ground.

"Shadow Submersion Technique!"

Kegon struggled as the shadows wrapped around him, pulling him into the earth. His water bullets splashed harmlessly against the ground as Riku emerged from the shadows, standing over him. With a flick of his wrist, Riku knocked Kegon out with a precise strike to the back of his neck.

"That's two down," Riku said, turning to face Airi and Fū. "Ready to show me what you've got?"

"Who the hell are you?" Fū demanded, her twin swords raised.

Riku drew his own blades, holding them in a reverse grip. "Let's find out if you've improved."

"You know him?" Airi asked, her eyes narrowing.

"No idea," Fū replied, charging forward.

Riku met her head-on, their swords clashing in a flurry of sparks. Fū's strikes were fast and aggressive, but Riku parried each one with ease. Airi flanked him, her katana slicing through the air. Riku twisted, blocking both of their attacks simultaneously and forcing them back.

"Good teamwork," he said, smirking beneath his mask.

"Shut up!" Fū shouted, spinning into a low sweep that aimed to knock him off balance.

Riku leaped over her, countering with a precise strike that forced Airi to block. The force of the blow sent her skidding backward.

Airi's grip tightened on her katana. "He's toying with us."

"Then we stop holding back," Fū said, lunging again.

The battle intensified, the sound of clashing steel echoing through the forest. Riku moved like a phantom, his blade weaving through their attacks with a grace that seemed almost inhuman.

"You've improved," he said to Fū, deflecting her overhead strike. "But you're still predictable."

"Predict this!" Fū snarled, flipping into a whirlwind of strikes.

Riku stepped back, his sword a blur as he blocked each attack. With a sudden burst of speed, he disarmed Airi, her katana flying from her grasp and embedding itself in a tree. Before Fū could react, his blade was at her throat.

"I win."

Fū's eyes narrowed as realization dawned on her. "Riku?"

Riku tilted his head, lowering his sword. "Took you long enough to recognize me."

Fū's dual swords trembled slightly as she held her stance, her emerald eyes widening in shock. "Riku...?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Airi, still catching her breath, frowned. "You know him?"

Ignoring her squad leader, Fū sheathed her blades and rushed forward. Her initial shock melted into a mixture of relief and anger as she grabbed the collar of Riku's cloak. "You absolute jerk!" she exclaimed, tears threatening to spill.

Riku blinked, caught off guard. "Uh… what?"

"Three years! You vanished without a word, and now you just show up out of nowhere to attack us?" Fū's voice cracked, a mixture of scolding and deep emotion.

Riku awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, unsure how to respond. "I was... testing your strength?"

"Testing our strength?" Fū said, her grip tightening. "You scared me half to death! Do you have any idea how much I've missed you?"

Airi raised an eyebrow, stepping closer. "Wait, hold on. Missed him? Fū, who exactly is this guy?"

Fū ignored the question, her hands dropping from Riku's cloak as she took a step back. Her cheeks flushed a deep red, and she glanced away, suddenly self-conscious.

Riku softened, lowering his voice. "I've missed you too, Fū."

The tension seemed to melt from her shoulders, though her pout remained. "You're lucky I'm too happy to see you to stay mad."

Yōrō groaned as he sat up, holding his jaw. "Who... the hell... is this guy?"

Kegon, still shaking off the effects of the shadow submersion technique, glared. "Yeah, care to explain why someone like that knows you, Fū?"

Fū turned, her confidence returning. "This is Riku," she said, her voice steady but laced with pride. "He's the one who taught me everything I know about dual swords."

"Not everything," Riku interjected with a teasing smile.

She shot him a look, but her blush only deepened.

Airi's grip tightened on her katana. "So, you just attack us for fun? What's wrong with you?"

Riku shrugged. "Where's the fun in just saying hello?"

"Fun? I nearly lost my sword arm!" Airi snapped, exasperated.

Yōrō muttered, "I think my jaw's broken..."

Kegon just sighed, sitting cross-legged on the ground. "This is going to be a long debrief."

Riku extended a hand toward Fū. "Come on, let's catch up."

Fū hesitated for a moment, her heart pounding, before placing her hand in his. "You're not leaving this time, right?"

Riku smiled beneath his mask. "Not unless you kick me out."

Airi crossed her arms, glaring. "We still have a mission, Fū."

Fū glanced back at her squad, her usual grin returning. "Yeah, yeah. But I think our mission just got a little more interesting."

As the group regrouped, the air felt lighter despite the bruises and confusion. For Fū, the unexpected reunion brought a flicker of hope—and for Riku, a reminder of bonds he thought he'd left behind.

…

…

The group pushed forward through the dense jungle, the thick canopy casting flickering shadows on the forest floor. The mission was simple on paper: dismantle a rogue shinobi outpost threatening Takigakure's borders. But with Riku joining them unexpectedly, tension simmered beneath the surface.

Fū kept glancing back at Riku, her lips twitching upward each time she saw him striding confidently with his odachi resting against his back. She couldn't help but feel safer with him there.

"You're staring," Riku said casually, not even looking at her.

"N-no, I'm not!" Fū said quickly, turning away, her cheeks pink.

Airi, their squad leader, shot them a disapproving glance. "Focus. We're close to the outpost. I need everyone sharp."

"Right," Yōrō muttered, cracking his knuckles. The muscular shinobi specialized in taijutsu and shuriken jutsu, and his eager grin showed he was ready for a fight.

Kegon, the quieter member of the group, adjusted his kunai pouch. "Do we even have a plan for him?" He nodded toward Riku, his tone wary.

Riku smirked. "I'll do what I do best—improvise."

Airi sighed. "Just stay out of our way."

Fū rolled her eyes. "Relax, Airi. Riku's here to help."

"Help or not, we're a team," Airi said firmly. "Stick to the plan. No lone wolf antics."

Riku held up his hands in mock surrender. "Got it, boss."

The rogue shinobi outpost was a crude collection of tents and barricades set against the base of a cliff. A waterfall roared nearby, masking most sounds. Airi signaled for the group to crouch behind a line of bushes overlooking the clearing.

"There are ten of them," Airi whispered. "Most are weak, but the leader is a B-rank shinobi. Yōrō and Kegon, flank from the sides. Fū and I will move in directly. Riku—"

"I'll take care of the strong ones," Riku said, cutting her off.

Airi glared at him but didn't argue. "Fine. Just don't mess this up."

The squad moved into position, and Riku waited in the shadows, his hand resting on the hilt of his odachi.

Yōrō made the first move, throwing a barrage of shuriken at a group of guards. Two went down before they could react. The rest scrambled, drawing their weapons, but Fū and Airi were already upon them.

Fū's blade flashed as she parried an attack and struck back, her movements fluid and precise. Airi fought beside her, her katana slicing through the air in perfect arcs.

Riku watched from his perch in the trees, nodding to himself. 'Not bad.'

Kegon was cornered by two shinobi armed with spears. As they lunged at him, Riku dropped down from the branches, landing between them.

"Shadow Submersion - Bind."

Dark tendrils erupted from their shadows, wrapping around the two enemies and pulling them down into their shadow. Kegon stared in awe as Riku sheathed his blade.

"You're welcome," Riku said with a smirk before disappearing into the fray.

Yōrō found himself face-to-face with a burly rogue shinobi, both of them favoring hand-to-hand combat. The enemy landed a solid punch on Yōrō's ribs, sending him stumbling back.

Before the rogue could press the advantage, Riku stepped in, cracking his knuckles. "Mind if I cut in?"

"Be my guest," Yōrō wheezed, retreating.

Riku didn't draw his sword. Instead, he raised his fists and shifted into a boxer's stance. The rogue sneered.

"Really? You're going to fight me barehanded?"

Riku didn't respond. He closed the distance in a blink, landing a devastating uppercut to the rogue's jaw. The man staggered back, but Riku didn't let up, his fists a blur as he landed blow after blow.

The rogue collapsed, unconscious, and Riku dusted off his hands. "Too easy."

Yōrō whistled. "Remind me not to spar with you."

Kegon was holding his own against a shinobi armed with kunai, but the fight was dragging out. Riku appeared behind Kegon, his voice calm.

"Duck."

Kegon dropped instinctively as Riku stepped forward, his shadow stretching toward the enemy.

"Shadow Submersion - Bind."

The tendrils surged upwards, pulling the rogue into the ground up to his shoulders. The man struggled, but Riku tapped the hilt of his odachi against the back of his head, knocking him out.

"You've got to finish faster," Riku said to Kegon, his tone teasing.

Kegon glared at him. "Not all of us are prodigies."

The rogue leader emerged from the largest tent, his chakra flaring as he took in the scene. His men were down, and the Takigakure squad stood ready to take him on.

Riku stepped forward, unsheathing his odachi. "Leave him to me."

Fū grabbed his arm. "Riku—"

He turned to her, his eyes soft. "I've got this."

The leader smirked. "You think you can take me alone, kid?"

Riku didn't respond. He dashed forward, his blade glinting in the sunlight. The leader raised a kunai to block, but Riku's strength was overwhelming. Sparks flew as their weapons clashed, and Riku's relentless assault forced the leader back step by step.

With a final strike, Riku disarmed him, his odachi resting against the man's throat.

"Yield," Riku said coldly.

The leader growled but nodded, his pride shattered.

With the outpost secured, the squad regrouped near the waterfall. The captured rogues were bound and left for Takigakure's retrieval team.

Fū beamed at Riku. "See? I knew you'd be amazing."

Riku shrugged. "Just doing my part."

Airi sighed. "I still don't like him, but... you were useful."

"High praise," Riku said dryly.

Yōrō and Kegon exchanged glances, both silently agreeing that Riku was as terrifying as he was impressive.

As the sun set, the group began their trek back to the village, Fū walking beside Riku with a wide smile on her face.

"You're staying for a while, right?" she asked, her tone hopeful.

Riku glanced at her, his lips curving into a small smile. "Yeah. For a bit."