So I decided to come out with this new story after some thinking! After publishing a few stories on this site, I believe I've slowly found my footing as a writer.
And that is why I like to write crossovers with our favorite blonde ninja. However, I only like writing crossovers that interest me. Unfortunately, that usually means there are either 1 or no crossovers to my liking in any given category. That is the problem with niche interests. So I've decided to take the responsibility on myself!
Besides, I genuinely enjoy writing these crossovers! They're fun for me to write, as well as incorporate.
If you're an avid reader of my other stories, fear not, I will continue them! I've even released new chapters for Blessings of Others & Love is Complicated recently! I don't plan on abandoning those, but I wanted to put this idea to paper. Visit my profile and bio to see updates on my stories, I've recently updated it.
Please review and tell me what you think! Is it bad? Good? Let me know!
Disclaimer: I don't own "Naruto" or "Kung Fu Panda," they belong to their respective owners.
Having Faith
Ever since Naruto was a young kit, he had not had the easiest life. He didn't remember much about his parents only for the fact that there was smoke, fire, and screams. He could remember his biological mother saying many things at a rapid pace.
She mentioned how he needed to not be a picky eater, grow strong, bathe every day, and make friends. She had said many other things, but he didn't remember given he was only around 2 at the time. He was lucky to remember his mother at all.
After her parting words, he was placed on a wooden raft and sent down the river before his village fell out of view. He saw flames erupt in the distance before his memory of the event vanished. He couldn't remember anything past that.
After some time, he arrived at an embankment down the river. He crawled for hours through the mud, dirt, and grass before being found by an unusual traveler. The only thing he was wearing was a maroon, silky scarf that had his name imprinted on it.
He had been found by a red fox named Mei Ling. To him, however, she was known as Mother. It didn't matter he was adopted because Mei Ling had treated him as a son his entire life. She was his Mother.
Ever since that day, Mei Ling had taken care of him, fed him, bathed him, and loved him as a son. He had gone from a toddler to a grown fox of twenty-one years old under her care.
However, it hadn't started on such a joyous occasion.
The red fox had tried to return Naruto at first believing he had crawled away from his parents. She had scoured the land, called out for them, and even visited local police departments in secret hoping to find a missing child report. Anything to show that Naruto was wanted.
She found nothing.
After some contemplation, Mei Ling decided to adopt the kit. They were both of similar species, so he could legitimately pass off as her son. While he didn't look like her completely, the resemblance was somewhat there. When deciding on a name, she kept the imprint on the scarf. It was the only identity the young child had.
Now Mei Ling didn't consider herself as mother material given she had a history of theft and trickery. It was one of the main reasons her personal love life hadn't worked either.
However, as a testament to her new life as a caring mother, she had cut off any underworld ties she had. The criminal life no longer had any interest to her.
It was only thanks to Naruto's bright smiles, bubbly attitude, and affection that Mei Ling turned away from that life. He had effectively reformed her without trying. The life of being a mother could do that to someone.
However, just because she no longer cared for the lifestyle didn't mean she was absolved of other crimes. Because of her wanted status across China, she often had to travel with her son constantly. They visited many cities, cultures, and people. Because of this, they were never in one place for too long.
It hurt her heart to see Naruto make friends and have to leave, but it was necessary to avoid imprisonment. She couldn't let Naruto be alone in this world, not after he had wormed his way into her heart.
She had seen his first steps. His first words. In her eyes, he was her son. Nobody could take that away from her.
Another phenomenon was Naruto's unnatural biology. When Mei Ling found her son, he only had one tail. However, over the years, multiple tails sprouted out as well. Now, at twenty-one years old, he had a total of nine tails. She didn't understand why it occurred, but she loved him nonetheless.
As her son grew up, he became fascinated with the subject of Kung Fu. He adored the combat style and techniques. For the young fox, he believed it was a way to protect those close to you. If he grew strong, he could always protect his Mother.
Despite this, Mei Ling never initially thought to teach her son Kung Fu. She wanted him to have a peaceful, non-combative life.
This line of thought went out the window when he was seven years old.
During one of their visits to China, she had left her son behind to enter a shop. She was picking up some items for their travels, such as supplies and food. It was weird for the woman, to pay for goods instead of stealing them.
When exiting the shop, Mei Ling was shocked to see a panting Naruto with many Croc bandits passed out around him. While these bandits were untrained and had no fighting style, it was still impressive to see her son take out so many at once.
They had come upon him while he was waiting outside. The Crocs saw the mother and son duo holding many different goods, likely obtained from their travels. With greed in their eyes, they had demanded Naruto's supplies while his Mother was absent.
Refusing, a fight had broken out. Bystanders had run away to alert authorities while others screamed out to leave the kid alone.
As the fight went on, Naruto's eyes glowed a scarlet red with his eyes darkening. With this sudden increase in power, he had effectively knocked out all the Croc bandits despite his lack of training.
Once Mei Ling once caught up, she took her son away to avoid further disruptions. Realizing he would need to defend himself when she wasn't around, Mei Ling taught her son the ways of Kung Fu.
However, she always saw a glimpse of another power in her son whenever he was pushed too far. Just as he had been when the Croc bandits attacked. She had seen it appear occasionally throughout his life, but it never stayed for long.
To ensure they wouldn't be interrupted while she trained her son, they had decided to build a small home in the forests of China. They weren't located too far from the Valley of Peace, as it was only about a twenty-minute walk away.
Here, they sparred, trained, and lived. Their home was the center of good memories and laughter. While it wasn't the grandest, it was more than enough for the young fox.
She focused on fast strikes, high battle intelligence, and speed to win her battles. Naruto picked this up and incorporated it into his fighting stance. While he didn't have an official stance or style, he picked up on how to fight. Things such as reaction time, power, and speed in a fight were taught to him.
His mother also expressed the importance of using your brain. Her most important lesson was that the best way to win a fight was to avoid one. Using words could lower tension if all sides saw reason. His mother exaggerated this point when they sparred together.
After all, she had done the same to avoid fights in her own life. Being a thief meant to know when to pick your battles.
This passion for fighting helped him find out about the Furious Five.
The nine-tailed fox thought the Furious Five were amazing, given they were a well-known fighting team. Their accomplishments and accolades were known throughout China, as well as their names. They had formed when Naruto was still in his teenage years, so he grew up admiring them.
Now, years later, Naruto still appreciated their fighting prowess.
This brought him to the present day. In only a few hours, one of the Furious Five would be chosen as the Dragon Warrior. The title brought chills to the blonde, imagining who would gain the honor. Nobody knew why the Dragon Warrior needed to be chosen now of all times, but Naruto was excited nonetheless.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime event. Hundreds of years had passed in anticipation of this moment.
He wanted to attend the ceremony with his Mother, but her reputation still preceded her. She had been a thief for the majority of her life so she was a criminal in the eyes of the law.
However, despite this, Mei Ling encouraged Naruto to attend. She wanted him to see the event himself given how much he admired the Furious Five. With a heavy heart, Naruto decided to attend the event without his Mother present.
Mei Ling reassured him that she would be at their home, so he could always return whenever. She was content with staying home and relaxing, as she often did. She also loved brewing tea and sipping it slowly while watching the sunset.
She had grown content in her motherhood.
With a smile and wave, he departed to the Valley of Peace. The Dragon Warrior would be selected by the end of the day, and he was going to be there. Nothing would stop him from attending the event.
"Wow…" Naruto said as he stood atop a tree, overlooking the Valley of Peace. The scenery was beautiful while the sun shined overhead. "It takes my breath away every time…"
He had been to the Valley of Peace many times before. And each time he did, it always made his eyes widen in surprise. The feel of wind, nature, and life was immensely strong. He loved the peaceful nature.
Hopping off the tree with a graceful land, Naruto slowly walked into the Valley.
The fox stood at a height of 6'2 weighing 180 pounds with nine bushy tails flowing behind him. He had three prominent whisker marks on each one of his cheeks. His eyes were a light blue which stood out among his race, as it was a rare color to have.
He wore his biological mother's scarf along his neck, the end fluttering in the wind. His name was still imprinted along the fabric, although it was worn down due to the passage of time. Nowadays, it was faint and difficult to read.
Besides his scarf, Naruto was dressed in black pants while his chest was bare to the world. He had bindings surrounding his ankles while his paws touched the floor. The hard pads of his feet helped him grip slippery surfaces and control his balance. The same bindings around his ankles were also wrapped around his wrists.
The claws on his paws were also retractable, which he often kept hidden. He only used them in times of extreme duress or battle.
His fur was colored differently depending on the part of his body. His legs, hands, ears, and tails were dark black. However, the tips of these appendages were white. His chest, face, back, and stomach were covered in dark orange fur.
Up ahead, he could see the hundreds of steps leading into the Jade Palace. Many vendors were hurrying around him, eager to push their valuables.
The event would be starting soon, and nobody wanted to miss out. It didn't matter if you were a vendor or consumer, the Furious Five caught the attention of all. They were known as the protectors and the citizens paid their respect in turn.
Fireworks popped high in the sky while kids ran around cheering in delight. People sang, others danced, and even more rushed up the steps to the Jade Palace.
Naruto could tell that this was a close-knit community, and he liked it. Everybody was cheerful and the atmosphere was peaceful.
He wondered how the entire world would be if they had these values.
"C'mon! C'mon!" screamed out a piglet, dragging their parents up the steps. "I don't want to miss the ceremony! The Furious Five will be out soon! I heard even Master Shifu will be there! My friends told me at school!"
The mother laughed behind her palm, "Calm down dear, we still have an hour before it starts." The pig smiled, her daughter's enthusiasm amusing her.
Naruto smiled while looking on. He thought of his Mother while gazing at the family.
Hearing a rumbling noise, Naruto blushed in embarrassment. His stomach was starving and decided to let himself be known. Looking around the Valley, the fox realized the majority of vendors were closed early.
That was until he found one restaurant still in operation. Walking over to the entrance, he read the name on the stone wall.
"Mr. Ping's Noodle Shop," Naruto said aloud with a hum, "It wouldn't hurt to try it out."
Walking inside, Naruto realized that he was the only customer. Nothing but empty tables and stools filled the restaurant. He could hear some rumbling at the back of the restaurant, toward the kitchen.
Stepping up to the counter, Naruto softly knocked on the wood. "Hello? Is anybody here?"
Hearing a few pots and pans crash, Naruto winced. Eventually, a goose walked out with a hat and a tired smile.
"Hello, my name is Mr. Ping," the goose began while eyeing the fox, "This is my noodle shop. What can I get you?" He had never seen a fox before with nine tails flowing behind them.
Naruto looked on in contemplation, "Could I get a bowl of noodles with extra broth?" He preferred having more of the liquid in his dish. Reminded him of a certain dish his mother used to make.
"That's fine," Mr. Ping said with a nod, "One bowl of noodles, coming right up!"
Waiting patiently, Naruto took a seat on the stool by the counter. He saw Mr. Ping retreat into his kitchen.
After a few minutes, the goose returned with a steaming bowl of noodles. He walked carefully with the bowl, hoping to not spill any of the broth. He had filled it more than usual for his customer.
"There you are!" Mr. Ping said with a smile.
Thanking the goose, Naruto grabbed a pair of chopsticks given to him by the restaurant owner. He tasted the noodles and realized they were extremely good. The carrots, radishes, and other vegetables added made the broth taste better.
Looking up, Naruto saw the goose readying some carts to take for the upcoming ceremony.
"Hey Mr. Ping, if you don't mind me asking, why are you still open? I mean, most vendors are already on their way to the Jade Palace?" Naruto asked. He could hear many of the same vendors screaming at one another, eager to be on their way.
Mr. Ping stopped his ministrations and looked over, "I was hoping to get some last-minute sales in! But…it looks like I wasn't very successful! Hehe!" The goose let out a nervous laugh, obviously embarrassed about the low business.
Naruto peeked over the counter and saw a cart of empty bowls, ingredients, and utensils. "Are you planning on taking that to the Jade Palace?"
"Hmm?" Looking over at his gaze, Mr. Ping jolted in surprise. "Oh yes! It'll be my little noodle cart! I'm hoping to get it set up on time."
"Need any help for that?" Naruto asked while eating his noodles. He slurped a few more and ate a sliced carrot.
"No, I can't ask that out of you!" Mr. Ping waved off, "You are a customer! It wouldn't be right!"
"Nonsense!" Naruto smiled, happy to help. "I don't mind helping! Besides, we still have time to catch the ceremony! It's no bother on my end!"
"Well…" Mr. Ping bit his lip in contemplation, "If you don't mind, could you please bring my cart up the steps? It's rather heavy for me."
"No problem, I got it."
Ever since he was a young child, Naruto liked helping others. His habit of making friends and providing support annoyed his mother at times due to his selfishness, but she couldn't change his character. Nor did she want to, it's what made her son special.
Gulping down the remaining broth, Naruto sighed in relief. The bowl of noodles had quenched his hunger. He finished off the vegetables as well.
Mr. Ping brought the cart over, struggling to move it a few feet. It was clear the noodle cart was rather heavy.
Getting up, Naruto grabbed the cart from the struggling goose. He bent down, lifted the cart, and strapped it to his back with his tails as straps. He made it a makeshift backpack, being careful to not shed any fur on the food. It wouldn't do good for Mr. Ping if he had hair in his bowls.
Reaching into his pocket, Naruto looked over at the goose. "Before I forget, how much was the bowl?"
"Don't worry about it," Mr. Ping replied with a smile, "Consider it paid since you're helping me! That's worth more anyway!" It truly was, as Naruto could help him setup his stand on time and bring in more income. Time delays were something he couldn't afford.
"If you're sure," Naruto grinned while retracting his hand. He wouldn't complain about free food.
With their roles decided, the duo walked up to the Jade Palace. Naruto was excited to see the ceremony begin within the hour.
In the Jade Palace – One Hour Before the Ceremony
The Jade Palace was a sight of beauty for many. The halls were decorated with past mementos and knowledge. The Moon Pool shined brightly with the Dragon Scroll attached near the ceiling. The Hall of Warriors was a thing to behold.
The dark marble and green pillars were a staple of the Jade Palace. The exterior was also designed in much of the same way.
"As you all know, Master Oogway will be choosing the Dragon Warrior soon enough," Shifu began while pacing back and forth. His arms rested behind his back and he had a stern expression on his face.
Before him stood the Furious Five. They were all deadly in their respective right.
Tigress, a 6'0 tiger that stood with grace and beauty. Her claws were sharp and her tail swayed behind her. She wore black pants with a red vest strapped to her chest. Her eyes were a light amber while her fur consisted of orange, black, and white. Three white whisker marks stood along each side of her face. She was 23 years old.
Monkey, a 5'4 golden snub-nosed monkey stood with sharp eyes. His eyes were blue while his fur consisted of a yellow and white pattern. He wore brown pants, gauntlets, and wrappings around his ankles. He too had a lone tail flowing behind him. He was 24 years old.
Viper, a 12' foot long reptile that shined with emerald green eyes. Her scales differed in color, but they consisted of black, brown, white, and lime green. She had two small lotus flowers that rested atop her head. She was 26 years old.
Crane, a 5'7 black-necked crane stood with a careful gaze. He had black, white, and gray feathers along with a yellow pointed beak. He wore a straw hat that stayed glued to his head most of the time. His long legs and wings provided great elusive abilities. He was 25 years old.
Mantis, a warrior that stood at 5 inches tall. Despite his small form, he was a powerhouse and effective fighter. His eyes were yellow while his skin consisted of green, teal, and black colors. He had small bindings wrapped around each one of his legs. He was 24 years old.
Shifu looked at them all, pride shining in his eyes. They had come a long way since they first formed many years ago.
"Given that Master Oogway will crown that next Dragon Warrior, I expect the best out of all of you. This is what we've all been waiting for. Some more than others." Shifu demanded. This ceremony would need to go off without issue.
"Yes, Master Shifu." Each one of the Furious Five responded in tandem. They stood straighter and looked ahead.
Shifu then took in a deep breath, stopping his pacing. "Master Oogway's vision of Tai Lung returning cannot be ignored. We will need the Dragon Warrior if we wish to bring peace and defeat Tai Lung."
Just hearing the criminal's name brought tension into the bodies of the Furious Five. It was clear none of them were big fans of the banished snow leopard.
"Ahh…old friend…" Spoke out a voice in the Jade Palace. "What are you doing scaring your students? The ceremony will be just fine."
Turning their heads, each one of the Furious Five as well as Master Shifu bowed their heads in respect.
Before them, stood Master Oogway. The founder of Kung Fu and creator of the Valley of Peace. No other person in all of China surpassed his reputation.
Walking into the halls, Oogway smiled. He should have expected some last-minute preparations from his friend. The man never rested or relaxed for as long as he knew him.
He stood at a height of 5'11 and wore a green cloak that displayed a yin-yang symbol across the fabric. His skin was green and white with his shell turning into a dark brown from old age. Despite the fact he was over 1000 years old, his eyes still shined an aqua blue with patience and understanding. He held a wooden staff that was made from the bark of a peach tree.
"Let's talk in private," Oogway said in a calm voice.
"Furious Five dismissed!" Shifu commanded without taking his eyes off of his Master. In mere moments, the Furious Five dismissed themselves with great speeds.
Only the two Masters were left in the hall.
"What troubles your mind?" Oogway asked with a smile. "I can see you're worried." He leaned on his wooden staff to keep him upright.
Shifu sighed. Despite his ability to hide his emotions, Oogway could still read him like a child. An open book.
"I'm worried…I'm worried about Tai Lung breaking out and coming here…I'm worried who the Dragon Warrior will be…"
"Hmm? Why?" Oogway asked with a raised brow.
"Tai Lung can destroy the Valley of Peace in search of his revenge," Shifu answered with a sigh, "…and I fear the Dragon Warrior may not be strong enough to stop him."
"No, I mean why worry?" Oogway said with a small grin.
"I…I…" Shifu blinked, not understanding the question.
Oogway smiled while walking over to the Moon Pool. "You allow your emotions to cloud your judgment instead of using it to guide your hand…" Oogway gently prodded at one of the Lotus Flowers in the pool.
"But Master Oogway, how do we know for sure if the Dragon Warrior will be the right person?" Shifu said in desperation, his emotions leaking through. The only person who he could be vulnerable with was his own Master.
Oogway's eyes twinkled in amusement. "When you see clouds in the sky, how do you know rain will fall? How do you know the Sun will rise in the morning? How do you know the leaves will fall from a tree?"
Shifu crunched his eyebrows in thought, "I'm…I'm not sure, Master…" His teacher often liked to speak in riddles and metaphors. It was often difficult to see where he was going with something unless the tortoise explained it clearly.
"Faith," Oogway emphasized while looking over at his friend. "Faith is the answer, Shifu. Have faith in the Dragon Warrior…have faith in me."
"Faith…" Shifu whispered out like the word was foreign to him, "…very well Master, I will have faith." Despite his promise, the red panda chewed on his lip like he was still contemplating the answer.
Oogway made his way out of the hall, readying for the ceremony himself. Just before he exited through the front doors, the tortoise released a wide grin.
"I believe the Dragon Warrior will help you have faith, Shifu…" Oogway smiled with closed eyes. "He will help us all have faith."
With that said, the famed Master walked out with his wooden staff.
Shifu remained inside, pondering his Master's words. He wondered if his faith was strong enough.
He wondered if his faith would fail him again…as it had with Tai Lung.
Naruto sat around with the citizens of the Valley of Peace. He could see rabbits, ducks, geese, pigs, goats, and sheep sitting around. Some people were peddling their goods while others were screaming out for the Dragon Warrior.
He could even see Mr. Ping by the entrance, selling bowls of noodles to hungry customers. He smiled, happy he could help the goose.
Fireworks popped off in the sky, showering the land with bright colors. Many vendors had set up their carts of fireworks, eager to amplify the ceremony.
The ceremony would begin momentarily.
The sky was clear and the sun shined down on the valley. Overall, it was a rather beautiful day.
He then saw the legendary Master Oogway walk down many steps. Not far behind him, was Master Shifu. The crowd quieted down at their appearances.
"The legendary Grand Master Oogway…the person to invent Kung Fu for all of China…" Naruto thought in shock and wide eyes. He could just feel the power radiating off the fighter. "…and the well-renowned Master Shifu, Oogway's prized pupil!" He remembered hearing stories about both of these fighters in their youth.
"Welcome, citizens far and wide!" Shifu shouted out with authority in his voice, "Many of you have traveled far to see this glorious event! We thank you all!"
The teacher did not need an introduction. Everybody knew the red panda, his reputation was only second to Master Oogway after all.
"YES!"
"I LOVE THE DRAGON WARRIOR!"
"WHOOP WHOOP!"
Naruto chuckled at the many excited shouts heard throughout the area. It was clear the crowd was excited for the event just as much as he was.
"Now, please welcome the Furious Five!" With outstretched arms, Shifu awaited his pupils. He needed to have faith in them, just as Oogway mentioned.
Thankfully, he didn't have to wait long for them.
Without another word being said, five blurs appeared in the center of the arena. Once the dust settled, Naruto gasped in wonder. He finally saw the Furious Five in person. From left to right, his eyes scanned over their forms in amazement.
As he scanned the fighters, his face lit up in a small blush seeing Tigress's face. She was much more beautiful up close than in her pictures.
Each one of the warriors stood with pride. They knew this moment would perhaps be the biggest in their lives. They wouldn't risk messing it up.
Many pigs stood on the sidelines, readying the equipment needed. Each one of the Furious Five would be training against different objects.
"Each one of the Furious Five will demonstrate their respective prowess!" Shifu explained to the crowd, "Up first, is Master Crane!"
Without needing another word, Crane flew up into the sky with a determined look in his eyes. He came back down to earth, only to dodge many flaming needles heading his way.
Naruto thought his ability to evade was amazing. Crane brought a certain elegance to his movements while swerving and dodging. The blonde committed it to memory, eager to see if he could add it to his fighting style.
Many citizens cheered, amazed at the display. Nobody could deny that Master Crane hadn't earned his spot in the Furious Five.
Shifu nodded, hiding a smile, "Up next, is Master Viper!"
Viper then dashed, passing many wooden clubs and slamming into the ground. These were mechanical machines that operated at high speeds. Despite this, Viper made it look like they were moving in slow motion as her speed was much higher.
"Her speed…" Naruto thought with a twinkle in his eyes, "…I want my speed to be like that!" This was a compliment from the fox, as his speed was nothing to scoff at either.
While Crane had a great ability to dodge, Viper was clearly the faster of the two. Her movements were quick, rapid, and precise. She didn't lose any momentum or gain any drag as she moved her body.
Viper continued to dodge, a smile on her face. She could feel the adrenaline rushing through her body as all eyes were on her. She couldn't help but bathe in the attention of the crowd.
"Up next, is Master Monkey!" Shifu yelled out. Oogway smiled beside his pupil, enjoying the ceremony so far.
A machine swinging multiple hammers around came forward, dragged by pigs.
Monkey then sprang into action, running forward and ducking under a war hammer. Turning around, he accidentally took a blow to the chest but he bounced back like it was nothing.
"I see…" Naruto contemplated with a grin. "Monkey may not be the quickest, but he has durability…" It was no easy feat taking a hit to the chest and moving on like nothing. You had to train your body for long periods to accomplish this. Naruto aimed to do just that when he got home.
Monkey narrowed his eyes in focus, smashing many hammers in response. He wouldn't allow himself to slip in concentration again.
"Up next, is Master Mantis!" Shifu announced with a shout.
Realizing this was his turn, Mantis had many arrows fire at his position. They were done by skilled archers that Shifu personally hired for this event.
Dodging, Mantis hopped on one arrow before hopping to the next. Once he did, he flipped another arrow in mid-air and kicked it back to one of the archers.
This made the arrow pierce the bow and shatter it, surprising the archer. He continued to do so until each archer only held scraps of their bow.
Naruto widened his eyes, amazed at Mantis's skill. "…with Mantis, it's different. He focuses on accuracy, perception, and forethought. All great traits to have in a fight, even more when you're under pressure…"
This was more of a mental aspect in a fighter, but Naruto realized it was just as important as anything physical. If a warrior did not think or make the right decisions in a fight, they could lose their lives.
He felt his respect for the Mantis rise many notches. He did not let his small size deter his fighting power.
Finally, only one member remained.
Almost as if he was holding a fatherly smile, Shifu rang out one last time. "Finally, we have Master Tigress!"
This time, two battle ox's made of metal were brought out with swinging axes. They were fast, sharp, and deadly. However, to Tigress, this was child's play.
Releasing a battle cry, Tigress rolled under the axes before jabbing twice. Before the axes could swing back around, she rolled and delivered a left hook. This was followed up with two leg strikes that destroyed the mechanisms of the ox's.
"And Tigress has everything the other four have, but she also has ferocity…no hesitation, no wasted movements…a true warrior…" Naruto wondered with a blush. He thought her form was graceful and sharp, deadly to the touch. It was clear Tigress fought just as easily as she breathed.
His eyes hummed with a hidden glow shining.
Suddenly, without warning, Master Oogway smiled. He raised one hand into the sky and breathed out, "The Dragon Warrior…they are here…" His eyes were closed as he spoke.
Feeling his chest tighten more than he had ever felt in his life, Shifu shouted. "MASTER OOGWAY WILL NOW CHOOSE THE DRAGON WARRIOR!" This was not a moment to be taken lightly.
This was hundreds of years in the making. Finally, China would have its Dragon Warrior. Their savior and protector.
Each of the Furious Five assembled in the middle, their heads bowed. They would await the decision with bated breaths. Shifu awaited at the top of the podium, biting his lip. He wondered who would be granted the honor among his students.
"It's finally gonna happen!"
"Who is it gonna be?!"
"I bet he'll pick-"
Naruto drowned out the people around him as he heard a sizzling sound enter his ears. With a confused look, he searched the area for the source of the noise.
To his surprise, he saw a group of piglets giggling by the entrance. He assumed they had been goofing off. They were trying to pass the time to kill their boredom, likely dragged to the event by their parents. They were too young to understand the importance of the ceremony.
Upon further inspection, Naruto saw they had strapped many fireworks to a bundle of wood. The piglets were hoping it would fly up with the fireworks, causing a sea of colors and wood to spread across the sky. They also just wanted to blow something up.
What they didn't realize, was that a few fireworks were pointing in the direction of the Furious Five. They had fallen over during the setup with none of the kids realizing this.
At the same time, Master Oogway walked down the steps with his eyes closed, feeling the nature around him. He swayed with a smile, his hand following. He danced with the wind, Sakura petals falling all around him.
Just as he stood in front of the Five, Oogway hummed to himself. He raised his hand, waving it around, trying to find the perfect moment.
Tigress, Mantis, Viper, Crane, Monkey, and even Shifu were holding their breaths. This was finally the moment.
Just before Oogway lifted his finger, an explosion filled their ears. It was loud and sudden, causing many to cover their ears.
Some of the fireworks shot straight into the sky with no issue. However, many of the fallen ones had shot forward large chunks of wood at high speeds. If it hit anybody, it could cause serious injury.
Almost like it was in slow motion, Naruto widened his eyes at the chaos. He could hear the screams of attendants and the wails of the piglets, likely startled by the explosion.
Before he could think, he acted. Naruto's body moved forward without thought, ready to protect the Furious Five from injury.
While he didn't think they would normally get hurt from something of this caliber, they would be caught off guard and had their backs turned. Anybody could get injured in this state.
If his thoughts had caught up with his body, Naruto would have yelled for them to get out of the way. Instead, he put himself in harm's way to protect the Kung Fu Masters.
It all happened within a second. There was no time to think, only do.
Dashing forward, the fox spread his arms wide. With a grunt, Naruto held back many pieces of large wood. His tails had stopped other pieces of debris his hands couldn't catch.
Off instinct, the Furious Five moved out of the way, ready for an attack. Even Shifu hopped off the podium, ready to defend his master. The only person who stayed still was Oogway, who smiled. His finger was outstretched, pointing at the Dragon Warrior.
Dropping the pieces of wood, Naruto looked over with a sheepish smile. He had thankfully taken no damage. "Sorry for interrupting, some kids had accidentally launched off some fireworks! I didn't want anyone getting hurt from the debris!"
Once everybody realized this was a horrible accident and not a direct attack, a sigh of relief was heard.
The Furious Five and Shifu looked at the fox with caution in their eyes. However, they could tell he was being sincere in his apology. The citizens around looked on in confusion, not recognizing the fox as a normal citizen of the Valley.
Opening his eyes, Oogway released a laugh that came straight from his belly. "What a surprise!"
His finger was pointing straight at Naruto, who widened his eyes significantly. He felt like he was intruding on a moment that wasn't his.
"Master Oogway, are you pointing at Tigress?" Shifu asked with a wide face.
It was true, as he was pointing at the spot Tigress once stood before they moved their bodies out of the way. This had caused a small gap in the center, showing Naruto who blinked in shock.
"Were you pointing at me, Master?" Tigress asked in a soft voice, pointing to herself in confirmation.
Naruto nodded, eager to get the attention off of him. He never expected his first interaction with the Furious Five to go so poorly.
"I'm pointing at the Dragon Warrior," Oogway said with joy dripping from his voice.
Moving to the side, Naruto saw Oogway's finger follow him. Moving once again, the same finger tracked his movements. Realizing the implication, Naruto's face went pale and he internally freaked out.
Oogway had just chosen him as the Dragon Warrior. The mythical fighter who had long been awaited. Hundreds upon hundreds of years had been leading up to…him being the Dragon Warrior.
"What?!" Shouted out Shifu along with his students. They were all surprised at the change of events. It had occurred so suddenly and without warning.
Walking up to the startled fox, Oogway lifted his hand high into the air. With the other, he slammed his staff onto the ground.
"The Dragon Warrior has arrived! The universe has awarded our patience!"
"YEAHHH!" Shouted the citizens in the crowd, excited at the turn of events. They didn't think a fox would be chosen, but it was an amazing moment to see nonetheless.
With another round of fireworks in the sky and confetti shot from cannons, Naruto felt his world spin. He could see a personal chariot being brought for him, being run by four pigs. It was all too much for him.
"Hey, wait-" Naruto began only to be dragged upon the chariot. Without another word, they took him up the steps of the Jade Palace. The fox could see a group of pigs scolding their children in the corner, likely the same ones who set off the fireworks in the first place.
Oogway smiled at the scene, mirth filling his eyes. However, not everybody was happy with this decision.
"Master Oogway," Shifu shouted while running up to the tortious, "Are you sure the fox is our Dragon Warrior? I mean, he was only there because of a freak accident! Some fireworks were set off by some kids! That's all it was! It couldn't be him!"
The old fighter looked at Shifu and grinned, "What makes you think that was an accident? The universe guided my hand, and I simply answered...this…this is no accident, my old friend." With his piece said, Master Oogway also began walking up the steps. He had a few things to take care of.
Shifu stood there shocked, flabbergasted at the ceremony's ending.
"We are sorry Master," each of the Furious Five said together, "We have failed you."
"No…" Shifu said quietly while shaking his head. "…no, none of you failed me. If the fox remains, then I will be the failure."
He was determined to get rid of the fox and find the true Dragon Warrior.
Being thrown off the chariot, Naruto landed with a soft thud. Shaking his head, he realized he had been thrown through the Jade Palace's front entrance.
"Wait! Don't go!" Naruto shouted as he ran to the front doors. Just before he could make it out, they slammed shut on him.
Sighing in defeat, the fox slumped to the ground.
"I can't be the Dragon Warrior! I'm just a traveler, a vagabond!" Naruto thought to himself. All he had ever known was traveling the nation with his mother. "…Master Oogway picked wrong…"
He didn't want to doubt the Kung Fu legend, but there was no other solution in his mind. How could he be the Dragon Warrior when he didn't even have a fighting style? He barely knew how to fight!
Bringing his head up, Naruto caught the shine of many weapons in the Hall of Warriors. He could see many objects and weapons on podiums. Widening his eyes, he got up and walked over to the nearest item.
"Wow…" Naruto wondered while gazing at a blade. "This is the Sword of Heroes! The design is beautiful…" The green dragon and black outlines provided a nice look for the blade. This was one of many things he learned about along his journey as a traveler.
Walking down the hall, Naruto continued his gaze. Many items such as armor sets and shields were legendary in the Kung Fu world. He could appreciate the history and power behind these artifacts.
Hearing footsteps down the hall, Naruto's ears twitched. Ever since a young kit, he always had good hearing.
Turning his head, he saw Master Shifu turn the corner with a frown on his face.
"So...fox…" Shifu said aloud in a snarky tone. "You believe you're the Dragon Warrior?"
Shaking his head, Naruto offered a sheepish smile, "No, I don't! And listen, I'm sorry for being here! I know that Master Oogway probably didn't mean to choose me-"
"That's right!" Shifu shouted, "You are not meant to be the Dragon Warrior! You are the furthest thing from the Dragon Warrior!"
The attitude froze the next few words in Naruto's throat, caught off guard.
"Geez…" Naruto frowned. "I get that I'm not the Dragon Warrior…but he doesn't have to be so rude about it." He was starting to dislike Master Shifu's attitude. He had only been here a few minutes, as he was already being treated harshly.
The image of the wise and patient Master was slowly crumbling in his mind. He knew he probably wasn't the Dragon Warrior, but Shifu was being extremely rude about it.
Shifu walked up to the fox and examined his form with a critical eye, "You have what, nine bushy tails? Is that your gimmick?"
"Gimmick?" Naruto said aloud in confusion, "I was born with these tails."
The teacher ignored his words, continuing the examine his body. He looked up and down, unimpressed. He grunted speaking once more.
"I'll be honest with you fox…" Shifu said while crossing his arms behind his back, "I don't think you are the Dragon Warrior, nor do I think you have the potential needed. Master Oogway may have picked you, but you will regret ever showing your face around the Jade Palace when I'm done…"
Naruto froze, looking over at Shifu with narrowed eyes. He was starting to get weary around the red panda, "Are you threatening me?"
"I am making a promise. That is all."
Now Naruto wanted to stay and prove Shifu wrong. If there was one thing he hated, it was being looked down upon. He had only been in the Jade Palace for ten minutes and he was being lectured. He would not take these threats lying down.
"Follow me, Dragon Warrior," Shifu spat out the last words like they were made of venom. Without turning around, he began to walk down the hall.
With a sharp gaze, Naruto followed the red panda at a calm pace. Now, he wanted to show he wasn't useless. His red scarf fluttered in the air behind him.
He would prove Shifu wrong. He would show him.
Slamming open the training doors of the Jade Palace, Shifu walked inside at a brisk pace. He hadn't spoken the entire trip, choosing instead to keep his eyes forward.
Walking inside, Naruto widened his eyes at the machinery around them. He could see the Furious Five inside, training and sparring with one another.
Crane and Tigress were exchanging blows, ducking and weaving. He could see that Crane was having a hard time keeping up with Tigress, but the female was also getting annoyed by Crane's constant dodging.
Viper was slithering over a field of fire, ensuring she wouldn't be burnt to a crisp. Her eyes never lost focus nor did they panic.
Monkey was practicing his agility, swinging from ring to ring. He controlled his breathing and allowed gravity to be his friend, timing his swings.
Mantis was running through a sea of blades and wood, smashing anything that stood in his way. Thankfully, he only broke a few training dummies instead of the entire stock.
Once again, Naruto was reminded of their fighting prowess. The Furious Five were truly a formidable squad.
"Welcome to the training hall," Shifu said in a monotone voice. "Feel free to begin wherever you want."
Seeing that the fox was still uncertain, Shifu decided to try and make his decision easier.
"You could start at the Jade Tortoise of Wisdom or even the Seven-Talon Rings…" Shifu smiled while pointing at the respective exercises, "…or you could fight against the Gauntlet of Wooden Warriors, Field of Fiery Death, or our Seven Swinging Clubs of Instant Oblivion…"
Naruto had a feeling that Shifu was purposely announcing the full names to try and scare him. The way he announced each word and syllable stressed just how dangerous these training exercises were. It wouldn't scare him.
The Furious Five took notice of the duo and stopped their training right away. With a few high jumps, the entire Five stood next to each other, right beside the duo.
Naruto could see they had varying expressions on their faces. Viper and Monkey seemed to be intrigued by his presence, Crane looked indifferent, Mantis seemed confused, and Tigress seemed angry. Out of the entire group, she was the only one with a scowl on her face.
"I…" Naruto blinked before taking a calming breath. "Alright, I'll give it a shot."
Shifu waited, a look of annoyance flashing through his eyes. It was clear he believed Naruto was unfit to hold the title of Dragon Warrior.
Springing into the air, Naruto began to roll on the spinning pins in the Training Hall. He struggled at first, constantly leaning to one side or the other. However, the hard pads on his paws slowly helped him balance.
"Not bad…" Monkey appraised in his head. He had seen others do worse on their first attempt. While it wasn't perfect, it wasn't terrible either.
With another leap into the air, Naruto landed in the bowl of wisdom. He grunted, losing his balance and smacking against the sides. Before the momentum proved too great for him, he used his tails to help stabilize.
"Using his tails for stabilization…at least it shows he can think quickly on his feet," Mantis mumbled in his head. He was all for someone using their brain in a fight, just like he had to constantly do.
Shaking his head, Naruto dashed toward the wooden warriors, eager to test himself. Unfortunately for the fox, this is the part where he struggled most. The constant swinging arms were too much for his senses.
Feeling an arm slam into his back, Naruto flew forward off instinct. However, this planted another wooden arm into his gut. Wincing, he tried to move but a lower wooden arm slammed into his leg. Overall, it was a bad experience.
Tigress looked on with a shake of her head, disappointed. She wondered if Oogway had made the right choice.
With a careful pace, Naruto walked out with scratches and cuts along his body. He finally stood upon the field of fire.
Seeing a hue of flames, Naruto dodged to the side only to realize another set of flames would arise. Using his instincts, he flipped and safely landed on the other side of the pad. Feeling a searing heat under his paws, Naruto moved once more.
Throughout this portion, he only burned the tips of his tails and fur, still getting used to the fire's speed. It was quick and unpredictable, something he had to accommodate around.
Shifu looked on with thinned lips. He wasn't happy with the situation. His Master had told him to have faith, but it was difficult when the famed warrior was a stumbling fox.
He wondered if the fox would quit within the week.
Naruto's Home – Later that Evening
Mei Ling sipped tea in her home in the forests of China. The sun was beginning to set and she enjoyed the quiet life. After a life of being a thief, it felt nice to relax.
She was enjoying another afternoon before she heard a few knocks at the front door. Without getting up or worrying, she called out.
"Come in."
Not needing another invitation, the door slid open to reveal a Eurasian Eagle-Owl. The female seemed to have an amused grin on her face.
She stood at a height of 5'11 with her wings folded to her side. Her eyes glowed a bright violet while her feathers consisted of gray and white. She wore a robe with gold trimmings and light lipstick on the tip of her beak.
Cracking open an eye, Mei Ling sipped her tea without trouble. "Fenghuang. What do I owe the pleasure? The last I heard, there were rumors that you fled to the Northern Mountains after your defeat to Oogway many years ago."
The owl smiled before gently closing the door behind her. She ignored the monologue given by the red fox. "Mei Ling, my old friend. I didn't think I'd see the day you were a Mother. What a pleasant gift I'm sure."
"So you know then…" the fox responded with a raised brow. It wasn't exactly a secret she was a Mother, but it wasn't well-known either. "Any reason for the visit?"
The owl walked over to the table Mei Ling was at before standing on the other side. "Have you heard yet? The Dragon Warrior was announced earlier today."
"I've heard rumors, yes…" Mei Ling nodded.
"They claim it was a fox named Naruto. He had nine swaying tails behind him and the ferocity to protect those, as he did with the Furious Five. Quite the coincidence the Dragon Warrior has the same name as your son."
"Really?" If Mei Ling was surprised, she didn't show it. "That is interesting."
If Fenghuang was annoyed, she didn't show it either. Instead, the woman giggled to herself before eyeing the fox with mirth in her eyes. "Why the short responses, Mei? You act as if I'm going to attack you any second."
Mei Ling then put her tea down while keeping eye contact with the owl. It was time to play all her cards on the table. "I'll be honest with you Fenghuang, I don't believe you came for a friendly visit. You used whatever connections to track me down and find information on me. You must be here for a reason."
Surprisingly, the owl nodded, admitting to the accusation. "You were always intelligent, seeing through the lies of others…" She smiled before continuing. "…I am just here to congratulate you on raising the Dragon Warrior. Of course, despite your hesitance, I am truly here to just see an old friend. That is all."
"Just to be clear, Fenghuang…" Mei Ling announced with a sharp glare, "I've long renounced any ties with known criminals and thugs. I've led a better life after raising my son. If you plan on trying to corrupt my son or hurt him in any way…"
Mei Ling looked up with murder in her eyes. "Then I'll kill you myself."
Mei Ling was very protective of her child. Despite the fact she had never killed anybody before, she would for the sake of her son. Nobody would be laying a hand on him as long as she lived. He was the only light in her world, the only thing that reformed her from a life of crime.
In response to this threat, Fenghuang's smile grew even wider. "Don't worry about that Mei. I don't want to corrupt him, after all, he is now the Dragon Warrior. The warrior of legend, destined to be a great protector..."
The fox didn't respond, instead choosing to eye the owl in caution. For as long as she knew Fenghuang, the owl was great at playing the long game. She may not want to corrupt Naruto, but she would take the chance to influence him if allowed. The owl was great at specifically picking her words in a conversation, something she learned long ago.
Throughout her life as a thief, Mei Ling had come across some despicable people in all of China. Some she associated with, others she didn't touch with a ten-foot pole. Fenghuang was someone who was once a friend, but now, she was nothing more than an acquaintance.
She had heard through the grapevine that her son was declared the Dragon Warrior. After getting over her shock, Mei Ling awaited her son to return. She was sure he would be home soon enough and explain everything. Until then, she would be patient.
"I can tell your eyes sharp, your gaze piercing…" Fenghuang smiled a beautiful grin, "I'll return when your mind is clear to speak…"
"Don't bother." Mei Ling said in a firm tone. "I'm a Mother now, I don't associate myself with the criminal underworld any longer."
"…We'll see about that." The owl smiled before departing. She slid open the front entrance to the house and flew away, her wings flapping in the sky.
Seeing the owl was gone, Mei Ling released a breath she was holding. Despite her own experience in Kung Fu, she knew it was nothing compared to Fenghuang. She believed that's why the owl didn't take her threat seriously.
She wasn't known as the strongest member of the previous Furious Five for no reason.
Even stronger than Shifu.
Later in the Night – Outside of the Jade Palace
Naruto sighed, his body sore and strained. Throughout the day, he had practiced in the Training Hall only to be met with the disappointed sights of everyone around him. He was sitting atop the highest step, looking over the Valley of Peace.
He had been offered a room in the Jade Palace, but for now, he would return home. He wouldn't quit, as he still had to prove himself to Shifu. He wouldn't leave until Shifu ate his words and admitted he was wrong about him.
Thankfully, his scarf hadn't been damaged throughout his training. He didn't know if he could depart with such a valuable item.
He would return early in the morning, ready for another day of training. Despite the aches in his muscles, he couldn't stop. Not now.
"Man…" Naruto breathed in while contemplating his life. "…I don't think I'm the Dragon Warrior…it should have been one of the Five…"
Just as he was about to get up and head home, Naruto heard a set of footsteps approaching from behind him. Feeling his ears twitch in reflex, Naruto turned his head and saw Master Oogway holding a lantern in one hand, and a wooden staff in the other.
Standing up in surprise, Naruto bowed to the most legendary Master in all of Kung Fu. "Grand Master Oogway, it's an honor."
This was his first official private meeting with the tortoise.
"Ahhh…the Dragon Warrior…" The old turtle teased with a smile on his face. "I cannot remind myself the last time someone attached the words 'Grand Master' to my name. How are you enjoying your stay at the Jade Palace?"
"My stay?" Naruto said in alarm before cracking a shaky smile, "Oh, it's good! Shifu is nice and-"
"Come, walk with me." the Master said with a smile. He turned his back and began walking toward the Peach Tree Hill nearby. "I can tell you are a mess of emotions. You do not need to lie to me."
"Emotions?" Naruto said in amazement while walking alongside the Master. "So you could tell I was lying? Was it through the power of Chi?" He wondered how the Grand Master could read him so well.
"Nope," Oogway popped the word in his mouth with a smile, "I just used my eyes."
Naruto blinked before letting out a small chuckle. He had assumed the Master had used some sort of ancient technique, only to be wrong. He was already liking the tortoise for his witty humor.
The duo soon approached a peach tree overlooking a hill. Just as they arrived, Oogway spoke out with warmth in his voice.
"This is the Sacred Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom…" Oogway said before turning to Naruto, "What do you think?"
"It's…it's…" Naruto said while walking forward, examining the beauty of the tree. The fallen leaves and nearby water made the scenery much more peaceful. "It's magnificent."
"Good," Oogway nodded before setting the lantern on a nearby rock, "Because I planted it myself."
Naruto laughed, finding it amusing that the Master asked for his opinion to fuel his ego. He just wanted confirmation that it was a good spot.
"Why do you doubt yourself?" Oogway asked while overlooking the valley below him. He enjoyed the wind brushing past his face.
Realizing he couldn't lie to the Grand Master, Naruto sighed. "I…I just don't think I'm cut out to be the Dragon Warrior. I know your decision is final and you have the best chance at finding them, but I'm not fit for this role."
"Hmm? Why is that?"
"Because I…" Naruto looked away, "…because I can't use Chi."
Oogway's eyes widened before he set into a soft smile. A rush of memories flooded his mind. "And how do you know this?" Chi was a rather advanced technique that was only taught after the mastery of Kung Fu.
"When I was still learning how to fight as a kid…" Naruto began, "My mother tried to teach me how to use Chi. She had learned it from a previous Master, but I couldn't use it. No matter how long I trained into the night or I tried channeling it, nothing ever happened."
Oogway didn't interrupt, allowing the fox to continue.
Letting out a hollow chuckle, Naruto smiled with his eyes closed. "I mean, how pathetic does that sound? Everyone is born with Chi but the 'Dragon Warrior' can't even use it…the warrior of legend can't even use the most basic energy in the world…"
Naruto clenched his teeth, "Besides, I don't know any official fighting style. None of the ones my Mother taught me could stick. Despite my enthusiasm for Kung Fu…I'm just not cut out for it…"
He wanted to learn. He wanted to truly be a student of the art, but it seemed he hit a roadblock at every turn. His entire life, he had tried to overcome his obstacles.
He wondered if Oogway changed his mind after hearing his confessions. He wouldn't be surprised if the Grand Master took back his faith in the fox. That was until he heard the teacher speak.
"What is your goal, young one?" Oogway interrupted with a soft grin.
"My goal?…" Naruto looked at the night sky. "I guess I haven't thought of a goal…"
"Mmhmm…" Oogway nodded while looking over at the fox. "Everyone should have a goal. Even I have a goal…although I have already completed it."
"Really?" Naruto said in a whisper. "If I may ask, what was your goal Master Oogway?"
The teacher smiled while holding onto his wooden staff. "That's easy, it was picking the Dragon Warrior. I have made many decisions in my life, some I regretted later on. However, the day I pointed at you, was the easiest decision of my long life."
Naruto's eyes widened while his heart raced, not sure what to say about the praise being given. He had just been complimented by the creator of Kung Fu. It was one of the highest honors anybody could have been given.
"I…I don't even know what to say…" Naruto said in shock. He had just been told he was the Dragon Warrior, by Master Oogway of all people. This was after revealing his faults as well.
"Then don't say anything," Oogway shrugged with a smile. "If you cannot adapt to a fighting style, then make your own. If you do not have a goal, then find one."
Turning around, Oogway walked along the soft grass with his wooden staff. He began to walk down the hill before giving out one final piece of advice.
"I once told my student to have faith…" Oogway began with a soft smile and closed eyes. "I advise you to have faith, but in yourself. You cannot succeed if you prepare for failure…"
With that said the old Master walked down the hill with soft thuds.
"Have faith…in myself?" Naruto wondered while looking down at his hands. It was a simple piece of advice, but something he needed to hear. It almost made him laugh at the simplicity of it.
Breathing in, Naruto let out a smile. Oogway was right. If he couldn't use any known fighting style, then he could make his own. He would find a goal and push past his failures.
Standing up with a stretch, Naruto realized the creator of Kung Fu was full of wisdom. In only a few words, he had turned his attitude around.
With a dash, he decided to call it a night and see his Mother. He had a lot to tell her after all.
His scarf fluttered in the wind while he ran. A look of renewed determination in his eyes. If Oogway had faith in him, then he would have faith in himself.
He would prove the Furious Five wrong.
He would prove Master Shifu wrong.
But most importantly:
He would prove Master Oogway right.
The first chapter is done! What do you think? Review and let me know!
Also, are there any Tai Lung fans? Because we'll be getting a glimpse of him next chapter!
I will be taking creative liberty with this as I want it to feel like a fleshed-out story. This is usually difficult to do as the canon timeline follows a series of movies. Adding elements and different events to bring more life to the story will be hard, but I am determined. There is so much to work with in sources besides the movie.
I will do my best to add my creative twist. This is fan fiction after all.
The last thing I want is to feel as if Po and Naruto just switched places. It's always a tricky thing to overcome when writing a crossover such as this, but I'm giving it my best shot.
If you think the beginning is too similar to Po's backstory, I'm sorry. However, the 2nd and 3rd movies rely on Po's backstory so I changed it up as best I could. I will be taking different routes with this later on.
So, just a few things to clarify from the start:
1) I WILL be using other non-canon elements in the Kung Fu Panda universe to help expand the story. Things are taken from other sources besides the movies. Why? Because I think it helps the world-building and it adds more depth to the story. Also, a lot of extra characters have unique backstories in the universe if you search them online. If you don't like this, it would be best to drop this story now before you become too invested. I don't want to mislead anyone.
2) I changed the ages slightly in this story. While the ages of the Furious Five and other characters are not clearly stated, there are estimates. For example, Shifu is estimated to be 60+ in the first movie, so I'm going to be adding the ages myself. I will be doing this to the best of my ability.
3) Mei Ling is an actual character in the Kung Fu Panda universe, although technically 'non-canon.'
4) This crossover has Naruto being born into the universe, instead of being brought from his own. I will be using elements from his universe in this story, however, if that is a deal-breaker for you, then I understand if you don't wish to continue with this story.
5) Other travels and cities that Naruto visited as a child will play a role later on. Keep this in mind when the story expands beyond the Valley of Peace.
6) Mr. Ping will not be a father to Naruto. I just wanted to incorporate his presence early on because I will use it later on.
7) All things in the Kung Fu Panda universe are born with Chi, so Naruto saying he can't use it will be explained later on.
That is all for now.
Please let me know what you think! Is this a surprise or something worse? I won't know until you give your feedback!
To my knowledge, there aren't many crossover fics between these two universes. Furthermore, I didn't see any with my idea so I wanted to test it out. There can be so much world-building if it is done right.
There will be suspense. Drama. Romance. Death. All of it.
Hopefully, I inspire someone out there to write their own stories! Don't be afraid to write about your interests, even if it's not popular! It's rare to find good fics about crossovers, even more when they're your specific interests.
Please review! I encourage it!
Until next time!
~ Cheers!