Throne of the Ghost Emperor (Danny Phantom X Naruto)

Danny strolled through the school corridors, his nerves frayed as the prospect of facing the bullies loomed over him. He couldn't shake the feeling of dread bubbling inside him, but Naruto's voice echoed in his mind, cutting through his thoughts with a calm yet commanding tone.

"Don't waste your time worrying about such pointless things. Your parents can't save you from this. Understand this one truth: I can end you with a single thought, and I don't even need to harm your family to do it."

Danny's throat tightened at the threat, the weight of Naruto's words pressing on him like a heavy stone.

"Focus on the goal of becoming a hero for this pitiful world. I promise you a bright future if you follow my guidance. I've walked this path before and lived a grand life."

Danny wanted to snap back, Didn't you die?, but he held his tongue. He didn't dare provoke Naruto. If he had learned one thing about the ancient masters from books and movies, it was that they didn't tolerate insubordination from the "lowly trash" they mentored.

"Okay," Danny replied hesitantly, his thoughts racing. "So…what exactly are we doing?"

"Physical training, of course," Naruto replied matter-of-factly. "Push-ups, sit-ups, squats, running—every single day. And after that, you'll spar with me in your mind. Of course, we won't ignore academics and social life. By the time we're done, you'll be at the top of the academic rankings, boasting the body of your dreams, and radiating confidence like I did."

Danny groaned internally. "There's no way I can do all that. I'll die from sheer exhaustion!"

Naruto chuckled darkly. "You'll die some other way if you don't. Don't worry—I know your limits. You're not my first student. All of my past pupils became world leaders."

Danny rolled his eyes. "World leaders? I don't think I've ever heard about you."

Naruto's voice turned smug. "Of course you haven't. I come from a different world, a place where people have superpowers and legends walk among mortals. I know you're curious, but you're not ready to see it yet. Once I'm satisfied with your transformation, then—and only then—will you earn the right to experience my world."

Danny sighed heavily, the reality of his situation crashing down on him like a tidal wave. He wasn't some high-spirited shonen hero brimming with unshakable determination. He was just…a guy. A regular, average guy with an average body and average aspirations.

He glanced around the hallway, the hum of student chatter buzzing in the background as he tried to steady his nerves. Despite how insane it all sounded, Naruto's threats lingered in his mind like a shadow.

Danny had no choice.

"Heroism or death," he muttered under his breath, his shoulders slumping. "No in-between."

He trudged toward his next class, each step feeling heavier than the last.

Dash stood smugly outside the classroom, arms crossed and flanked by his usual group of lackeys. The sight of Danny Fenton in the corridor only fueled his aggression, and his voice boomed, drawing attention from the surrounding students.

"Hey, Fen-turd! I heard you messed with Pauline. Did you eat crap or something? Who gave you the courage to spout that nonsense, huh?"

Danny froze mid-step, dread coursing through him. Dash's towering figure was an unmistakable blockade, and his goons chuckled behind him, eager to watch their leader put on a show.

There was no escape. His body was too slow and weak to outrun football players like Dash.

'Show no fear.'

Naruto's voice echoed in his mind, steady and commanding. Danny clenched his fists, wishing he could cry or plead, but that wasn't an option. He swallowed his fear and forced a weak smile.

"Hello, Dash. Surprised to see you here."

Dash's lackeys burst into laughter.

"I think he's gone loco!" one sneered.

"Must've bought the cheap stuff!" another chimed in.

"Yeah, Fenton can't afford anything better."

The group roared with laughter, their taunts bouncing off the walls.

Without warning, Dash lunged forward, grabbing Danny by the front of his shirt and slamming him into the lockers.

"Ughh," Danny groaned as his back collided with the cold metal. Pain radiated through his spine, and he winced, struggling to focus. Dash hoisted him up effortlessly, his hand gripping Danny's collar like a vice.

"Fenton, I expected something new," Dash growled, his voice dripping with condescension. "But I guess you really are pathetic. Now you're going to pay for messing with Pauline."

Danny felt Dash's fist draw back, ready to strike, but he couldn't bring himself to close his eyes.

'No fear. Fight back. He's just human, and you won't die until I allow it.'

Naruto's words rang in his ears like a battle cry. Something inside Danny stirred, a spark of defiance flaring to life.

"No," Danny muttered under his breath, his voice trembling but resolute.

Before Dash could react, Danny swung his fist and connected with Dash's face. The impact wasn't enough to knock him back, but the sheer audacity of the move stunned the onlookers.

Dash's face twisted with rage, and his retaliation came swiftly. His punch landed squarely on Danny's jaw, sending him reeling. Danny's head spun, and he barely stayed on his feet, his vision swimming from the force of the blow.

The commotion had drawn a crowd, and whispers filled the corridor.

"Is Fenton actually fighting back?"

"Did he lose his mind?"

"This is wild!"

The attention seemed to dampen Dash's aggression, and with an annoyed grunt, he released Danny.

"You're not worth it, Fenton. Stay out of my way, or next time, you won't be so lucky."

Dash stormed off, his lackeys following suit, their laughter quieter now. Danny leaned against the lockers, cradling his aching face and trying to catch his breath.

Somehow, against all odds, he had survived.

Despite the pain radiating through his body, there was a small glimmer of pride buried beneath the exhaustion. He had stood his ground, even if it ended with a black eye and bruises.

As he left the school, his newfound determination kept his spirits from sinking entirely. After all, he had a girlfriend now—and that made the pain a little more bearable.

Danny trudged down the sidewalk with Sam by his side, each step punctuated by a wince as his aching body protested against the movement. His left eye was swollen shut, and his back throbbed from the earlier beating. The adrenaline had long since faded, leaving him to grapple with the full force of his injuries.

"Does it hurt?" Sam asked, her voice tinged with concern as she wrapped an arm around his shoulder to steady him.

Danny glanced at her briefly before looking away. "Of course it does. Just look at my eye," he muttered, his tone laced with awkwardness. His mind was elsewhere, tangled in thoughts that made the situation even more uncomfortable.

'Why couldn't you have chosen someone better, like Mike Tyson or even my dad?' he complained internally, directing the thought to the voice in his head. 'They're heroes in their own right, way more qualified than me.'

The voice responded coolly, carrying an air of detached superiority. 'You'll understand when the time comes.'

Danny stifled a sigh, knowing better than to argue further. He didn't have the energy for it—not after today. This day had been a nightmare, a vivid reminder of how weak and ordinary he truly was in a world that seemed determined to push him down.

'Just make it harder for them to bully you,' the voice continued, its tone sharp and unrelenting. 'You've made yourself an easy target for years. Learn from your sister. She's living proof that excuses are worthless. Same upbringing, same challenges, and look where she is.'

Jazz. The perfect daughter of the Fenton household. Smart, confident, and talented, Jazz had always been someone Danny admired and envied in equal measure. She'd earned a scholarship to a prestigious university, excelling in engineering—an accomplishment Danny doubted he could ever come close to replicating.

'I'm the odd one out,' Danny thought bitterly, his self-deprecation tinged with sarcasm. 'At least I can finally say I fit in as the family failure.'

Beside him, Sam's concerned gaze lingered on his battered face. The awkward silence between them only made the situation more unbearable. Danny's thoughts drifted to the rooftop earlier, where he'd seen a side of Sam he hadn't noticed before. The memory made his heart skip a beat, and he quickly pushed it aside.

'She's cute,' he admitted reluctantly, his cheeks flushing at the thought. He'd always dismissed Sam as just a friend—strong, opinionated, and anything but the delicate, girly type he thought he was drawn to. But now, after seeing her softer side, his perspective was shifting.

Sam suddenly stopped, tugging lightly on Danny's arm. "Hold on," she said, her voice soft but firm. "Let me make it more comfortable."

Before Danny could protest, Sam gently cupped his face, leaning in to blow on his swollen eye. The minty scent of her breath mixed with the faint aroma of her shampoo, and Danny's heart raced. Her purple lips, so close to his skin, filled his vision. He froze, caught between embarrassment and an unfamiliar fluttering in his chest.

Sam remained focused, unaware of the effect she was having on him. "There," she said finally, pulling back with a small smile. "That should help a little."

Danny cleared his throat, averting his gaze as he muttered, "Thanks. I feel better now. Let's get home quickly."

He quickened his pace, eager to put some distance between them and escape the whirlwind of emotions threatening to overwhelm him.

The voice in his head chimed in again. 'A smart move. Not every problem needs to be faced head-on, especially when the timing isn't right. Choose your battles wisely.'

Sam followed behind, her brow furrowed with concern. Danny's demeanor had been off since their confrontation with Pauline, and while she reasoned his distance was due to the fight, a nagging feeling told her there was more to it.

'Is something wrong?' she wondered, her unease growing as she tried to piece together the puzzle.