Throne of the Ghost Emperor (Danny Phantom X Naruto)

Danny wrapped up the school day spending time with Sam and Tucker, reveling in their camaraderie and mutual progress. Later, as evening descended, he enjoyed some alone time with Sam, her encouraging words a soothing balm after a demanding day. Yet, even this momentary peace was interrupted by the arrival of his first assignment at his new "part-time job."

Naruto had tasked him with dealing with a group of thugs selling low-quality cocaine near the graveyard. Danny wasn't entirely sure why he was given such a dangerous mission for his first task, but Naruto had insisted. There was no room for debate. "It's a test," Naruto had said cryptically. Danny, full of youthful confidence, didn't dwell on the potential danger. He envisioned an easy victory—a stylish takedown followed by a triumphant walk away.

When Danny arrived at the scene, he spotted five men lounging under a tree, smoking and laughing loudly. They looked like the stereotypical lowlifes from a crime show, their movements exaggerated by animated gestures. Not wanting to waste time, Danny charged forward without a second thought. His footsteps alerted the group, and as they turned, he landed a solid kick on one man's back. The thug stumbled forward, shouting in surprise, but Danny's moment of triumph was short-lived.

Before he could process his next move, another thug swung wildly, the ring on his fist cutting into Danny's temple. Pain blossomed across his head, and blood trickled down his face. Staggering back, Danny clenched his teeth. The sting was sharp, but it was the realization of his mistake that hit harder. "Fighting a group is damn hard," he thought, his earlier bravado vanishing in the face of cold reality.

As the men regrouped, Danny hesitated. The idea of running away flitted through his mind, but there was no voice of guidance this time. Naruto was silent. The realization that he was truly alone filled him with dread, yet he forced himself to stay. "I can do it. I can do it," he repeated, steadying his breath.

Danny regained his composure and delivered a knee strike to an approaching thug. He turned to fend off another attacker with a swift kick but miscalculated the angle. One of the men tackled him to the ground, and before he could react, fists and kicks rained down on him. Danny curled into a ball, protecting his vital areas as best as he could, but the relentless blows overwhelmed him.

"You have failed again." Naruto's voice echoed in Danny's mind, laced with a sharp edge that carried more weight than the physical pain he felt. Suddenly, Danny's body moved on its own as Naruto took control. With precise movements, Naruto dismantled the group, his punches landing with devastating accuracy. Each thug crumpled to the ground, groaning in pain. The brief fight ended before they could comprehend what had happened.

Naruto stood over the fallen men, his tone calm yet biting. "This wasn't a difficult task, but you failed to think. What was the point of watching my life if you don't apply what you learned? Did you forget this is reality? You don't have a perfect body to bulldoze through grown men."

Danny remained silent, trembling as Naruto continued. "Never assume you can take on a group without the strength to incapacitate with one hit. You could have waited for them to separate. You could have used a weapon—stones, dirt, or even a stick. Did I ever tell you to rely solely on your body? No."

Naruto's voice hardened further. "What if these were normal people? What if you attacked innocents? You didn't even ask for details. What if I were evil and sent you to commit murder? Would you blindly follow?"

Danny's throat tightened as he tried to respond, but the weight of Naruto's words crushed him. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, just stop. Please stop, it hurts. It hurts," he cried out, his voice breaking into gasps. His body shook as tears streamed down his face, a mixture of pain, fear, and regret.

Naruto sighed, his tone softening slightly. "Rest. Reflect on this failure. You lack creativity, and that's alarming. We need to address this weakness. Go through another memory and learn. Make it a part of you."

With that, Naruto guided Danny's battered body home. He dusted off the dirt from Danny's clothes and adjusted his posture. His mind wandered to the countless students and children he had trained before. His methods were far harsher in the past, but he always believed that growth required adversity. Danny's pain today was a stepping stone for his tomorrow.

Naruto's methods, honed through years of grueling battles and leadership, were harsh but effective. Breaking bodies during sparring to force them to heal stronger, subjecting trainees to extreme temperatures to build resilience—these were routine practices for him. The current situation with Danny was tame in comparison.

Naruto was driven by necessity. He had limited time in this world, his existence tied to his chakra reserves. As a clone, every moment he took control meant depleting his energy, inching closer to his eventual disappearance. It wasn't a matter of cruelty but of urgency. Danny needed to grow quickly, and Naruto's methods were the most efficient path.

"Life never gives me a chance to rest," Naruto muttered to himself, a faint wistfulness in his voice. His thoughts drifted to his family, his heart heavy with longing. They weren't here, and the loneliness was a constant companion. Yet, he couldn't afford to falter. Danny's growth was his responsibility, and he approached it with the same determination he had shown in his own life.

Danny's struggles didn't worry Naruto. He'd seen it all before. The rewards always came at a price, and pain was a small price to pay for strength and independence. Naruto was using his experiences to guide Danny, helping him empathize with others and understand that adversity was a teacher. The physical and mental challenges would mold Danny, building a foundation of resilience and fortitude.

Naruto's plans extended beyond Danny. He knew he would eventually have to involve the Fentons, Danny's parents, in his training. But first, he needed to focus on Jazz, Danny's older sister. Her intelligence and pragmatic nature made her an invaluable ally, and Naruto intended to bring her into the fold when the time was right.

As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Naruto arrived at his modest residence and changed into fresh clothes he had ordered earlier. After ensuring he looked presentable, he hopped onto the bike Danny had acquired. The ride to Jazz's university was quick, his timing calculated to catch her before she boarded her usual bus.

He pulled up near the university gates, scanning the crowd of students bustling about. The early morning light cast long shadows, and the air buzzed with the energy of a new day. Naruto's sharp eyes finally landed on Jazz, standing at the bus stop with her usual composed demeanor.

With a slight smirk, he dismounted the bike and approached her, ready to take the next step in his carefully laid plan.

At the bus stop, Naruto spotted Jazz among her friends. A pair of unruly men loitered nearby, bothering the group. The frown on Jazz's face betrayed her annoyance, but Naruto didn't rush in like a knight in shining armor. She didn't need one.

Jazz was no damsel in distress. A black belt in Judo, she had proven her mettle time and again. Before Naruto could even consider stepping in, Jazz acted. With swift, calculated movements, she grabbed one of the men's hands and dislocated his thumb. The second followed soon after, both now crying out in pain.

Naruto smirked. It wasn't the first time he'd seen Jazz use this technique. Danny's memories revealed that she had done the same to bullies bothering her little brother years ago.

Satisfied that Jazz could still handle herself, Naruto drove his bike closer and called out, just as she was about to board the bus.

"Jazz, I'm here!"

Jazz turned, startled, to see her little brother on an expensive motorcycle, dressed stylishly for once. Her eyebrows rose in surprise.

"When did he get such good taste?" she thought, walking toward him. Her tone was tinged with worry as she asked, "What are you doing here? And where did you get this bike?"

Naruto swung a leg over the bike and stood to greet her. "I'm here to pick you up for our date," he said with a grin. "And don't worry about the bike. It's from my employer. He's impressed with my performance and let me borrow it. Oh, and I got a part-time job."

Before Jazz could respond, Naruto stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. She stiffened for a moment, then relaxed, a smile forming as memories of a younger Danny who idolized her surfaced.

"What kind of job?" she asked, still skeptical.

"Nothing major. Started as a cashier, but now I'm the boss's assistant," Naruto said, pulling back slightly to plant a quick kiss on her cheek. "By the way, you looked amazing putting those guys in their place."

Jazz raised an eyebrow. "You were watching? Why didn't you step in?"

"You're not a princess in need of rescuing. You're a warrior princess. And they needed the lesson more than you needed help."

His words caught her off guard, and she smiled despite herself. "When did you become so smooth?"

"Trade secret," Naruto teased. "But feel free to observe and learn—no charge, if you can keep up." His challenging tone lit a spark of competitiveness in Jazz.

"You're on. So, where are we going?" she asked, hands on her hips.

"That's a surprise," Naruto replied, grinning as he scooped her up in one fluid motion and placed her on the bike. Jazz yelped in shock, instinctively reacting to disable him, but his speed and precision left her move ineffective.

"When did you get this strong?" she demanded, her mind racing. She hadn't been close to Danny in years, and this transformation didn't make sense. Could it be ghost possession? No, Mom and Dad would've caught on.

"Never try that again," she warned, her voice firm.

Naruto laughed, brushing off her anger. "You looked adorable, sis. And I'll definitely do it again. A princess deserves to be carried by her prince." He took his seat in front of her and started the engine, letting Jazz wrap her arms around his waist.

"You've really leaned into the role, haven't you?" she muttered, half-annoyed. "Were you just hiding your skills to shock everyone later?"

"Something like that. I wanted to try being normal, but I think this suits me better," Naruto replied easily.

"You've been reading too many trashy novels," Jazz shot back, pinching his side. Naruto yelped, doing his best to act like it hurt more than it did.

"If I like trash, I'll enjoy it with pride," he said, revving the engine. "Now hold tight—we're off!"

With that, they sped into the city, the wind carrying their banter as they raced toward their destination.

As the bike roared to life and Naruto sped through the city streets, Jazz clung tightly to him, a mix of excitement and unease bubbling within her. The Danny she had known—her younger, timid brother—was different. The confidence, the strength, and the way he spoke with such charm and purpose were all new to her. It was both intriguing and slightly alarming.

"Where exactly are we going, Prince Charming?" Jazz asked, her voice laced with playful sarcasm as she tried to mask her curiosity.

"To a place fit for a warrior princess," Naruto replied with a grin, weaving through the traffic with ease. His movements were calculated and smooth, a stark contrast to the Danny she remembered who had always been nervous about things like driving or taking risks.

"Is this a theme now? Warrior princess and all?" Jazz teased, though her mind was racing with thoughts. He's definitely not possessed, so what's with the sudden change?

"Maybe," Naruto quipped. "But it's not just a theme—it's the truth. You're strong, capable, and smarter than most people out there. I just think it's time you enjoy yourself a little, you know? Let someone else handle things for once."

Jazz was quiet for a moment, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. "Since when did you start saying things like that?"

"Since I realized how much I've been taking you for granted," Naruto said, his tone softening. "You've always been there for me, Jazz. I want to return the favor now."

Jazz didn't reply immediately, caught off guard by the earnestness in his words. She tightened her grip around his waist, a subtle gesture of appreciation.

"So, are you going to tell me where we're headed, or do I have to guess?" she finally asked, breaking the silence.

"It's a surprise," Naruto said, smirking. "But let's just say it involves good food, some relaxation, and maybe a little adventure."

Jazz rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "Fine. Just don't expect me to go easy on you if this turns out to be lame."

Naruto chuckled. "Noted, warrior princess. Just sit back and enjoy the ride."

As they sped through the city, Jazz couldn't help but wonder what had brought about this dramatic shift in her brother. But for now, she decided to let herself enjoy the moment. For the first time in a long time, she felt like Danny truly had things under control.