Chapter 23 - The Power He Left Behind

The forest didn't feel the same anymore. Not after that meeting. Not after him. Riven stood alone in a clearing, his breath steady, his eyes closed. The air around him was quiet—but not empty. "…Focus…" A voice echoed in his mind. Familiar. Calm. Strong. Riven's fingers tightened slightly. "…I'm trying…" He muttered. Three weeks. That's how long it had been. Three weeks since Naruto Uzumaki appeared—and didn't leave him alone. Not physically. But mentally. Training. Over. And over. Again. "…Not like that!" Naruto's voice snapped in his head. "…You're forcing it!" Riven exhaled sharply. "…Then how—" "…Feel it." A pause. "…Don't control it like strength… guide it like flow." Riven's brows furrowed. Sweat ran down his face. His hand lifted slowly. Energy gathered—but unstable. Flickering. Breaking. "…Damn it—" Poof. Gone. Riven clenched his fist. Frustration rising. "…This isn't working." Silence. Then— Naruto's voice returned. Softer this time. "…You're thinking too much." Riven froze slightly. "…What?" "…You're treating chakra like a weapon." A pause. "…It's not." Riven's breathing slowed. "…Then what is it…?" Naruto chuckled lightly. "…It's you." Silence. Riven's eyes slowly opened. The wind brushed past him. The leaves moved gently. His heartbeat echoed in his ears. "…Me…" His hand lifted again. This time—no force. No pressure. Just… movement. A faint blue light appeared. Small. Unstable. But real. Riven's eyes widened slightly. "…This is—" "…Yeah." Naruto's voice carried a faint pride. "…Now keep it." The energy spun slowly. Not violently. Not chaotically. Just… flowing. Riven focused. Not forcing. Not controlling. Just… guiding. The sphere stabilized. Small. Light. But complete. A weak Rasengan. Riven stared at it. "…I did it…" Naruto laughed. "…Told you." A faint smile appeared on Riven's face. "…Yeah…" But the moment didn't last. Because the ground shook. Hard. Riven's head snapped up. "…What was that—" A roar echoed through the forest. Deep. Heavy. Dangerous. Naruto's voice turned serious instantly. "…Looks like your test is here." Riven clenched his fist, the small Rasengan flickering slightly. "…Test…?" The trees ahead broke apart. Something massive emerged. A beast—larger than anything Riven had faced since entering this world. Thick armored skin. Multiple horns. Eyes glowing with violent energy. Its presence alone made the air heavy. Riven's breathing slowed—but his body tensed. "…This thing…" He could feel it instantly. Stronger than him. Way stronger. Naruto's voice came low. "…Don't rush." Riven stepped forward slowly. "…I won't." The beast charged. Fast. Too fast for its size. Riven dodged—but barely. The ground cracked beneath the impact. "…Damn—!" He moved again, narrowly avoiding a swipe that could've crushed him. His mind raced. Too strong. Too fast. The Rasengan in his hand flickered. Unstable under pressure. "…Focus!" Naruto shouted. Riven steadied his breathing. But the gap was clear. He wasn't ready. Not yet. The beast roared again, charging directly at him. Riven raised his hand— Rasengan forming— But before he could move— The world… shifted. The air changed. Naruto appeared beside him. Not fully solid. But there. Real enough. Riven's eyes widened. "…You—?!" Naruto stepped forward. Calm. Unshaken. "…You've done enough." Riven's voice tightened. "…I'm not done—" Naruto smiled slightly. "…Yeah. I know." The beast lunged. Naruto moved. Fast. Effortless. A single motion—perfectly timed. He deflected the attack like it was nothing. Riven stared. Even now— Even here— Naruto was… overwhelming. But then— Something felt wrong. His form flickered. Slightly. Riven noticed instantly. "…Wait…" Naruto's expression didn't change. But his voice softened. "…Looks like my time's up." Riven's chest tightened. "…What…?" Naruto turned slightly toward him. "…This world doesn't let us stay for long." A pause. "…Not yet." Riven stepped forward. "…No—" Naruto raised his hand. Stopping him. "…Hey." Riven froze. Naruto smiled. That same warm, unbreakable smile. "…You've got this." Riven clenched his fists. "…I'm not ready." Naruto shook his head. "…You are." A pause. Then— Naruto placed his hand on Riven's chest. "…Just need a little push." Riven's eyes widened. "…What are you—" A surge of energy exploded through him. Warm. Powerful. Alive. Chakra. Pure. Strong. Overwhelming. Riven gasped. "…This is—" Naruto's voice faded slightly. "…Use it." His form flickered more. Breaking. Disappearing. "…And don't forget…" Riven reached out slightly. "…Naruto—!" But Naruto was already fading. "…Ramen's on me next time." A final grin. And then— He was gone. Silence. The energy remained. Riven stood there. Breathing heavy. His body shaking slightly—not from fear. But from power. The beast roared again, charging toward him. But this time— Riven didn't move back. His eyes lifted slowly. Calm. Focused. Different. "…Yeah…" His hand raised. The Rasengan formed instantly. Not small. Not unstable. This time—complete. Perfect. The energy spun violently—yet controlled. The air distorted around it. "…I've got this." The beast lunged. Riven stepped forward. No hesitation. No fear. Just movement. "…RASENGAN." Impact. Silence. Then— An explosion of force. The ground shattered beneath them. The air cracked. The beast's roar cut off instantly. When the dust settled— Riven stood there. Breathing heavy. His arm extended forward. And the monster— Was gone. Destroyed completely. No struggle. No second chance. Just… gone. Riven's hand trembled slightly as the Rasengan faded. His breathing slowed gradually. "…I…" He looked down at his hand. "…I did it…" But he knew. He didn't do it alone. His eyes lifted slightly toward the sky. "…Thanks…" A quiet pause. "…Naruto." The wind moved gently through the trees. No answer came. But somehow— It didn't feel empty. Because even though he was gone— He had left something behind. Not just power. But belief. And now— Riven stood alone again. But not the same as before. Because this time— He carried something greater than strength. He carried a legacy. 🔥