At noon the next day, sunlight filtered between Konoha's tall buildings and spilled onto the streets, bathing them in a warm glow.
For some people, however, this peace did not mean they could relax.
Inside the Hokage's office, a subtle sense of pressure hung in the air.
Tobirama Senju sat upright behind his desk, his long fingers tapping lightly against its surface as he stared intently at Uchiha Shinichi standing before him.
This inherently evil Uchiha brat...!!!
His gaze was hostile, but as Hokage, he maintained his composure without letting any emotion show.
The moment Shinichi entered the room, he felt the oppressive atmosphere. He slowly glanced at Tobirama's expression, the corner of his mouth twitching as an ominous feeling rose inside him: Am I in trouble?
Why does Lord Hokage look like he wants to kill me? He was perfectly normal yesterday. Why does he look ready to send me to the afterlife today?
Wait, could it be... that girl Tsunade said something?!
Several possibilities flashed through Shinichi's mind, but outwardly, he remained perfectly at ease, as though he had not noticed Tobirama Senju's gaze, sharp enough to peel a man's skin off.
He shrugged and said casually, "Lord Hokage, surely you didn't summon me just to stare at me like that?"
Tobirama Senju gave Shinichi a long look. For a moment, he nearly lost control and delivered a Senju iron-fisted punch, but he ultimately forced down his anger and spoke in a low voice—
"Choose a Forbidden Jutsu from this scroll."
He casually pushed a thick scroll into the center of the desk, his tone steady and calm. "With your intelligence, I'm sure you understand the dangers of practicing forbidden techniques. I won't belabor the point."
Shinichi's gaze settled on the scroll, a flicker of interest passing through his eyes.
Forbidden Jutsu from the Scroll of Seals... This was one of Konoha's most closely guarded secrets. The techniques inside were priceless!
Whether it was the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, Impure World Reincarnation, the Eight Gates Released Formation, or the Flying Thunder God Technique, every one ranked among the finest techniques in the Shinobi World.
Shinichi lightly rubbed his chin, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Then he unceremoniously picked up the scroll and began reading.
Tobirama Senju watched him quietly, studying his reactions to see what this Uchiha boy would choose.
Would he covet power and choose the most dangerous Forbidden Jutsu?
Or would he make a calm assessment and pick the ninjutsu best suited to him?
A faint sense of anticipation stirred in Tobirama Senju. What ambitions would Shinichi's choice reveal?
Yet as Shinichi browsed the scroll, he muttered thoughtfully, "Man, forbidden techniques sound like such a hassle... Is there one that doesn't take too much effort but still packs the biggest punch?"
Tobirama Senju: "..."
Damn brat!!!
For the first time, he realized that an Uchiha brat had nearly given him high blood pressure right here in the Hokage's office.
Meanwhile, as Shinichi studied the scroll, a familiar voice suddenly sounded in his mind—
[Ding! The host has been detected struggling to choose a Forbidden Jutsu. The system is now issuing a choice mission!]
Shinichi's hands paused briefly, his heart jolting as he inwardly resisted the urge to rub his forehead.
The system? It's butting in now?!
He glanced at Tobirama Senju and saw that the man had noticed nothing unusual. Lowering his head, he continued pretending to study the scroll while the system's three options appeared in his mind—
[1. Choose Impure World Reincarnation.] Effect: summon the Uchiha of past generations all together. Reward: one pair of Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
What the hell?! Straight into the biggest family reunion in history?
A terrifying image instantly appeared in Shinichi's mind—
Madara Uchiha, Uchiha Izuna, Uchiha Tajima... an entire clan's dead stood in a vast crowd before Hokage Rock, looking down over Konoha, eerie light gleaming in their eyes and meaningful smiles on their lips.
Uchiha Shinichi: Haha, Konoha's about to change hands. Tobirama Senju, there are Uchiha everywhere outside. You can't escape!
This option is seriously exciting. A Three-Tomoe Sharingan is tempting, but the risk is too high. If Tobirama Senju found out I chose this technique, he'd probably bury me on the spot!
[2. Choose the Eight Gates Released Formation.] Effect: a real man should burn with passion like Might Guy and live his youth to the fullest. Reward: advanced sage body.
Shinichi: "..."
The Eight Gates Released Formation... It's certainly powerful, but if I open the Eighth Gate, I won't have Might Guy's buffs. I'll burn straight down to ashes!
An advanced sage body is a tempting reward, but I'm not the hot-blooded type. Just thinking about it makes me tired... PASS!
[3. Choose the Spirit Transformation Technique.] Effect: receive one special gift pack.
Shinichi raised an eyebrow. The Spirit Transformation Technique?
It was a unique soul-based ninjutsu that allowed the user's soul to temporarily leave their body and move in spirit form. It could even briefly possess others or conduct long-range reconnaissance, making it an extremely unusual tactical tool.
But most importantly, this technique was far more discreet than the other two!
The "special gift pack" reward also piqued Shinichi's curiosity. The system's gift packs never disappointed; perhaps it would contain something unexpectedly good.
Shinichi's eyes flickered. He had made his decision.
[Ding! The host has chosen the Spirit Transformation Technique. Mission complete. Reward: one "special gift pack"!]
A slight smile lifted Shinichi's lips. Then he looked up and pointed at a technique in the scroll with feigned nonchalance. "Lord Hokage, I'll choose this one—the Spirit Transformation Technique."
Tobirama Senju's gaze shifted slightly, surprise flashing in his eyes.
He had expected Shinichi to choose some highly offensive ninjutsu and had even prepared to intervene. But the Spirit Transformation Technique?
This wasn't a dangerous technique.
Tobirama Senju considered it briefly, then nodded. "The Spirit Transformation Technique is indeed a rather unusual ninjutsu. Though it isn't as powerful as Flying Thunder God or Impure World Reincarnation, it can be an excellent tactical tool if used properly."
He pushed the scroll toward Shinichi, his tone as calm as ever. "Since you've chosen it, train diligently. Remember, a ninjutsu's strength lies not in the technique itself, but in the person using it."
Shinichi smiled and accepted the scroll, inwardly breathing a sigh of relief.
Looks like I made the right choice this time.
Just then, however, the system's notification sounded again—
[Ding! Special gift pack opened. Congratulations to the host on receiving—"Ryujin Jakka"!]
Shinichi's pupils contracted sharply. His step faltered, and his heart seemed to skip a beat.
Wait. Ryujin Jakka?!
[Ding! The host has obtained "Ryujin Jakka" and can freely control flames. Abilities unlocked at the current stage:] [1. Blade release: in its normal state, it can be used as a high-heat katana. Swings can unleash high-temperature flaming slashes.] [2. Shikai: once soul power reaches a sufficient level, even greater heat can be released. The flames can reach several thousand degrees, burning everything to ash.] [3. Bankai (locked): ...]
Too excited to wait, Shinichi hurriedly said goodbye to Tobirama Senju, then raced toward the banks of the Naka River.
His heart pounded, his blood seemingly boiling at the secret about to be unveiled. Even his steps were lighter and quicker than usual.
The strongest fire-type Zanpakuto, Ryujin Jakka!
Merely thinking of its power made his fingertips tremble, an uncontrollable shiver of excitement running through his body.
Those flames were the closest thing to the sun—a divine weapon capable of burning everything to ash!
Wind whistled past his ears, and morning light fell across his silver hair. An unprecedented brilliance burned in Shinichi's eyes.
By the time he reached the banks of the Naka River, searing anticipation had filled his heart. His blood seemed ablaze, every inch of his skin tingling!
He could no longer hold back!
The instant his feet came to a stop, he sharply raised his hand. His gaze was blade-sharp, his lips lifting in a smile filled with undisguised excitement and fervor!
"Reduce all creation to ashes—"
His low cry was quiet, yet seemed to carry boundless authority and a scorching tide of heat!
"Ryujin Jakka!!"
In an instant—
Boom!!
Terrifying flames erupted from his palm!
Fire swept across heaven and earth like the rising sun, flames capable of consuming everything spreading in an instant!
The ground trembled faintly, the air warped, and the surrounding temperature soared at a visibly astonishing rate!
The once-clear river water instantly evaporated under the heat. Thick white mist rose from its surface, and amid the rolling steam, the entire Naka River seemed engulfed in flames, transformed into a hazy vision of fire!
A fiery red blade slowly materialized!
It was a katana that seemed forged from flame, its long, imposing blade crimson throughout. Traces of dancing fire shimmered along its edge, as though even the air were burning, sizzling as it warped.
The instant Shinichi gripped the hilt, terrifying heat surged through his palm, as though it would ignite his soul along with it!
He took a deep breath, beads of sweat forming at his temples, but he could not suppress the fierce, arrogant smile spreading across his lips.
"So this is... Ryujin Jakka!"
With the power of this flaming blade, he felt as though he had become the king of fire, standing at the pinnacle of the Shinobi World and looking down upon everything!
A breeze drifted along the Naka River, only to become a scorching gust the instant it approached Shinichi, swallowed by crimson flames and vanishing without a trace!
At that moment, Uchiha Shinichi had truly arrived, wielding the sun's flames and the power to burn everything to ash!
However—
Extremes invited reversal, and joy gave way to disaster!
Scorching flames burned freely in Shinichi's hand. Their violent heat warped the air, and the entire riverbank seemed engulfed in fire, transformed into a blazing inferno!
But a second later, Shinichi noticed something wrong—
"...Huh?"
He looked down and instantly froze.
His clothes...
Where were his clothes?!
His previously intact shinobi outfit had been completely incinerated the instant the flames erupted, leaving not even a speck of ash!
Shinichi stood stark naked on the banks of the Naka River, becoming a true "child of fire"!
"..."
For a moment, deathly silence settled over the scene.
The steaming white mist over the river slowly dispersed, revealing a naked silver-haired boy holding a flaming blade. His excited expression gradually stiffened until he was utterly petrified.
"...???"
Shinichi silently stared at his bare body, momentarily unsure whether to feel shocked, frustrated, or impressed by Ryujin Jakka's power.
Isn't this fire a little too overbearing?!
It couldn't leave him even a scrap of fabric?!
What happened to "burning everything to ash"?!
Why did it burn his clothes but not him?!
What kind of selective incineration was this?!
Shinichi's mind was a tangled mess when a familiar girl's voice suddenly called from the distance—
"Shinichi—what are you doing here?!"
It was Tsunade!
Shinichi abruptly looked up and saw Tsunade and Orochimaru walking toward him. Tsunade had already vaguely made out his silhouette through the steam, confusion on her face.
I'm doomed!
Shinichi's body instinctively tensed. Cold sweat slid down his temple, only to evaporate immediately.
He quickly looked around, hoping to find something to cover his "magnificent physique"!
But everywhere he looked, the leaves on the surrounding trees had already been scorched black and withered by the heat. Even the river was a white expanse of rolling steam. There was nothing he could use to cover himself!
"...Damn it." Shinichi took a deep breath and hurriedly held Ryujin Jakka in front of himself, attempting to salvage his last shred of dignity!
"Am I, the great Uchiha Shinichi, really about to stage a 'naked fire festival' on the banks of the Naka River?!"
By then, Tsunade and Orochimaru had drawn closer.
Tsunade's confusion gradually turned to shock, then complete stupefaction—
"..."
She stopped where she stood, eyes wide as she stared through the steam at Shinichi standing naked on the riverbank, holding a crimson flaming blade with an imposing air.
The corner of Tsunade's mouth twitched, a complicated mixture of disbelief filling her eyes. "...Shinichi, don't tell me... you were training so hard that you burned off all your clothes?!"
Beside her, Orochimaru blinked his golden, slit-pupiled eyes and studied Shinichi expressionlessly before slowly speaking. "Big Brother Shinichi, are you practicing some special ninjutsu?"
Shinichi: "..."
How was he supposed to explain this?! There was no explaining this!!!
He wanted to cry but had no tears. The most humiliating moment in the Shinobi World had happened to him today!
He, the great Uchiha Shinichi... had been turned into a nudist by a ninjutsu he had developed himself?!
Shinichi took a deep breath and struggled to remain calm, forcing himself to say, "Ahem... this... I was actually testing the limits of a new technique. I didn't expect... the flames to go a little overboard..."
Tsunade's mouth twitched uncontrollably. "A little overboard?! You call this 'a little'?!"
She pressed a hand firmly to her forehead, giving Shinichi a conflicted look, as though deciding whether to pity him or laugh mercilessly at him.
Orochimaru blinked and tilted his head. "Big Brother Shinichi, how much longer are you planning to stand there like that?"
Shinichi: "..."
The most embarrassing day in the Shinobi World had been born.
In the end, Shinichi forcibly suppressed all his emotions and spoke in a low voice, keeping his expression unchanged. "...Orochimaru, Tsunade, could you find me something to wear?"
Tsunade finally lost control. She clapped a hand over her mouth, her shoulders shaking violently as she burst into hearty laughter. "Hahahahaha—Shinichi! You really... hahaha! This is so stupid!"
Orochimaru nodded slightly and said evenly, "Big Brother Shinichi, this time... you really were too careless."
Shinichi: "..."
He felt as though he never wanted to release Ryujin Jakka again for the rest of his life.
At the very least, next time I'm definitely wearing heat-resistant clothes!!!
Before you continue