Chapter 8: Hatching Power, Hidden Fire, and One Half-Giant Too Curious
[Privet Drive Shack – Harry's Arc]
BOOM.
The shack door exploded off its hinges.
In stomped a mountain of a man, tangled beard, beetle-black eyes, and a coat that could fit four Dursleys.
"'Scuse me. D'you happen to be Harry Potter?"
Vernon stepped in front of Harry like a bad firewall. "Now see here—!"
The man — Hagrid, by his own introduction — gently yeeted Vernon into a wall with a finger. Again.
Harry, still holding Dratini protectively, blinked."…I think you've got the right person."
Hagrid's face lit up. "Brilliant! Yer just like yer dad. But wait—who's this lil' beauty?"
Dratini, sensing a giant animal lover, immediately hissed and wrapped tighter around Harry's shoulder like a suspicious scarf.
Hagrid's eyes sparkled.
"OH HE'S A BEAUTY. What is he, a sea serpent? Celestial wyrm? Is he dangerous? Can I hug him?"
Harry opened his mouth to say "he's just hungry," but Hagrid lunged with a "COME TO PAPA!"
FWOOOOSH.
A concentrated blast of smoke and spark shot out of Dratini's mouth, singeing the ends of Hagrid's beard.
Everyone froze.
Hagrid blinked."…Right. So cuddles are off the table."
Harry whispered, "Sorry. He's… protective."
Hagrid wiped his face. "Don't be. He's fantastic. Where'd you get 'im?"
Harry hesitated. "A… friend. From a shop."
Hagrid stared. His eyes narrowed.
"A shop… that gave you that? Blimey, I think I know who."
Once the Dursleys were collectively unconscious or hiding, Hagrid handed Harry the official letter.
"You're a wizard, Harry."
Harry blinked. "I'm a what?"
"You're a wizard."
"…Like spells? Magic?"
"Yes."
"Do I… get to take him with me?" Harry asked, looking at Dratini.
Hagrid chuckled. "With power like that? He's takin' you with him."
[Konoha – Naruto's Arc]
Naruto kicked open the academy door."ALRIGHT! TIME FOR ME TO BECOME A GENIN!"
Iruka winced. "Naruto. This is just the written part."
Naruto froze. "Wait—there's a written part?!"
Vulpix facepawed in the hallway.
[Hours Later – Rooftop Panic]
"I'M GONNA FAIL," Naruto groaned into the sky.
Kurama yawned. "You already did."
"Thanks, very helpful!"
Vulpix stared into the void. Tail twitching.
Then she stood up… and walked off.
[Next Day – Chakra Exam]
Naruto's clone technique failed again. His chakra was too wild. Too unfocused.
He saw the disappointment in Iruka's face — again.
He walked home slowly that night, kicking stones, until he opened his door…
And saw a scroll.
It shimmered with silver foxfire, labeled:
"To Naruto — Try this. You'll thank us later."
[That Night – Secret Practice]
The scroll contained a unique fox-style clone technique — more stable for chaotic chakra.
Vulpix demonstrated. Kurama lectured. Naruto bled from the nose twice but nailed it.
By dawn… he had three perfect clones.
[Exam Retake – Day Later]
Iruka: "Naruto, due to… unusual paperwork, we're allowing a retake. You ready?"
Naruto grinned.
POOF. POOF. POOF.
Three solid, grinning Narutos stood proudly.
Iruka's eyes widened. "Naruto… you pass."
Naruto blinked. "I—what?! I DID IT?! I'M A GENIN?!"
He leapt into the air.
Kurama smirked.Vulpix barked.Jake's system dinged.
[System Notification: Naruto Uzumaki – Status Updated: Genin]
[The Shop – Jake's Interlude]
Jake was lying on the floor, laughing so hard he was using an Arceus plushie as a pillow.
"HAGRID GOT FLAMED! BY A DRAGON NOODLE!"
Arceus rubbed his temples. "He still tried to pet him again."
"Three times!" Alphamon yelled from a hammock made of Digimon code.
Jake pulled up Naruto's footage.
"Look at this brat," he said proudly. "He rigged a fox-style ninja hack exam retake using a scroll I snuck into his fridge."
Alphamon clapped. "That's our future Hokage!"
Arceus nodded. "And Harry? He's not scared anymore. Not really."
Jake leaned back, grinning at the screens.
"They're ready. And this was just the beginning."