Naruto: The Rise of an Unknown Chunin

The streets of Konoha were quiet and filled with tension. Inside the Mission Hall, the atmosphere was even heavier, with ninjas waiting in line to report to the officers. When Rensu reached the counter, the attendant barely lifted his eyes.

— Special squad, two jōnin and fifteen chūnin. Departure in three days.

Without further explanation, Rensu received the scroll and stepped away, knowing that the details of the mission would only be revealed on the day of the briefing.

He didn't feel ready. The food on his plate barely had any taste, suffocated by the feeling that the chances of becoming just another name on the casualty list were high.

It was in moments of desperation that the human mind became most creative. Rensu, forced to think outside the box, suddenly had a wild idea. Driven by the urgent need to enhance his skills, he decided to combine two concepts that, although distinct, shared an intriguing similarity.

Transformation Jutsu (Yang) + Nature Transformation (Fire).

People often associate fire with chaos and destruction, but Rensu saw something different. To him, fire was not just a devastating force. Inspired by physics, he knew that heat caused the molecules of a body to stir, rearranging its internal structure and triggering transformations. Fire, then, was not just a weapon; it was a force of change, capable of accelerating processes and bringing renewal.

Since ancient times, humanity had used fire to shape iron; today was the day he would shape a new destiny.

To apply the fire nature transformation more effectively, Rensu would need to adapt the traditional hand seals of the jutsu. He couldn't simply apply the basic transformation technique as he had always done at the academy. A modification was required, one that would test his understanding of the theory behind chakra.

Similar to Indra and Tobirama Senju, the young man with an ordinary appearance would venture into the art of creating a new jutsu.

With his hands firmly pressing against an ordinary stone, Rensu focused intensely. The heat emanating did not aim to destroy, but to reorganize. Slowly, he felt the molecules of the stone stirring beneath his palm, its patterns changing, its structure reconfiguring. The rough surface of the rock began to soften, taking on a yellowish hue.

He was transmuting the stone into brass.

"Holy shit. The chakra expense on this is something else." Rensu collapsed backward from exhaustion but inspected the brass stone in his hands with a meticulous gaze. "I did it. Suck it, losers!"

Seiton (星火遁, Star Release): Transmutation.

Rensu was hungry. When he got home, he found the pantry completely empty. He sighed as he checked his wallet and realized he had little money. He couldn't afford to spend on expensive food, as he needed to save up to buy the essential tools for the mission he had been assigned: kunai, explosive tags, and basic medicine.

That night, he settled for a quick meal at a street food stall. The dish was simple, udon soup, but it was enough to temporarily satisfy his hunger.

Late at night, Rensu scoured the streets for scrap materials. He didn't limit himself to metal, also picking up pieces of wood, crushed cans, and plastic discarded by restaurants. With his bags full, he returned to his apartment, where he dumped the contents onto the floor: a chaotic mix of broken and dirty materials. The dim light from the lamp illuminated the scene as he sorted through the items, preparing to start the transmutation. With the power of Seiton, he was ready to turn that trash into something valuable.

When the sun rose, he was drenched in sweat, his body on the verge of collapse from the excessive effort. However, on his bed was the result of his work: a heavy iron briefcase, filled with almost five million ryō. Even the briefcase, faintly gleaming in the morning light, had been created from transmuted metal.

The changes made by Transmutation were permanent. Unlike the basic transformation jutsu from the academy, where the matter changed temporarily, Rensu's palms molded substances as if they were playdough.

The money replicas in the briefcase were so perfect that even the manufacturers of Ryō bills in the Land of Iron wouldn't be able to tell the difference. In reality, there was no difference at all.

Rensu knew the truth: Seiton wasn't meant for battles. The technique was too slow and consumed an absurd amount of chakra. In a real fight, no one would stand still waiting for him to mold the matter at his own pace.

Seiton was still an incomplete jutsu, and entirely ineffective in combat.

—But it's still good.

Rensu smiled, feeling a wave of euphoria take over him as he reflected on the unlimited possibilities now opening up before him.

For comparison, the rewards for S-rank missions average around one million ryō.

But Rensu was aware that such missions were rare and precious. They were mostly tied to the wars ravaging the world, with ninjas being sent to other countries to assist in conflicts. They could also involve the transportation of documents and artifacts of immeasurable value, the escorting of figures of extreme importance, or even the resolution of high-profile murders. Such missions were reserved for the village's elite ninjas, and although a chunin like him would never be considered for such tasks, he had something few possessed: almost five times the amount paid for an S-rank mission.

Being a ninja without a clan and still only a chunin, Rensu knew that spending such a large sum of money abruptly would raise suspicions. He needed to create a convincing alibi.

After taking a brief nap, he headed to a discreet shop with weathered signs and an interior cluttered with various materials.

The vendor, a stocky man with gray hair and a sharp gaze, was arranging boxes on the counter when Rensu entered.

— Welcome. What are you looking for?

— I'm working on a project. I need lower-grade chakra metals... and maybe a small sample of higher-grade chakra metal — Rensu said, keeping his tone casual.

The man raised an eyebrow.

— Chakra metals, huh? That's not cheap.

— I know, but it's a necessary investment — Rensu replied, placing a discreet bag of ryō on the counter.

The vendor opened the bag and carefully assessed the contents.

— The lower-grade metals will cost you fifty thousand.

— Fifty? Wasn't it forty until recently?

The vendor gave a cynical smile.

— Demand has gone up. I can't keep the same price as before.

Rensu sighed, pretending to hesitate, and added a few more bills.

— Alright, but what about the higher-grade one?

— I have a small sample, but it'll cost eight hundred thousand.

Rensu raised an eyebrow, hiding his smile. He could create as much money as he wanted, so he didn't need to haggle over the price. Still, negotiating was a separate kind of fun.

— Eight hundred thousand for a tiny sample? You're robbing me!

— If you think it's expensive, you can look elsewhere — the vendor retorted, crossing his arms. — But I'll warn you: no one will offer you better.

After a few minutes of negotiation, Rensu managed to lower the price to six hundred thousand.

With the necessary items in hand, he began the next step of his plan.

...

Hiruzen was sitting behind his desk, the brush gliding over the scroll with calm movements.

The tranquility was shattered by a loud crash.

— Don't you have any shame, Jiraiya?! — Tsunade shouted, storming into the room.

Jiraiya, who was already there, backed up to the wall, wearing a nervous smile.

— Tsunade, calm down! It was just a quick glance, nothing serious.

— A quick glance? You were in the women's bathroom, you bastard! — Tsunade charged forward, not giving him a chance to respond.

— Hey, hey! I just wanted one last inspiring sight before going to war. What if I don't come back... — Jiraiya tried to justify himself, but Tsunade's hand was already gripping him by the collar.

— Last sight? I'll make sure you never see anything again!

Without hesitation, she threw him against the wall. The impact was loud enough to make Orochimaru, who had been calmly sitting in a corner, look up from his thoughts.

— Idiot — he commented, with a sarcastic smile.

Hiruzen cleared his throat, interrupting the commotion before it escalated any further.

— That's enough. Sit down. Now. — His voice carried authority, making even Tsunade cross her arms and sit with a displeased expression.

Jiraiya, massaging his shoulder, flopped into the chair next to him, still muttering something about "the lack of artistic appreciation in the village." Orochimaru, on the other hand, remained leaning against the wall, watching everything with his cold, calculating eyes.

— We are about to enter a critical phase — Hiruzen began, his serious eyes scanning the three of them. — Our borders are being tested, and we need to act now to protect them and ensure the safety of the Land of Fire.

He pointed to the detailed map on the table, with marks indicating areas of strategic interest.

— Our priority will be to set up forward posts along the borders. This will not only ensure defense but also pave the way for future territorial expansion, if necessary.

Jiraiya raised his hand.

— And the resources, sensei?

Hiruzen let out a slight laugh, trying to ease the tension before responding.

— We are already taking care of that — he said, his voice softer. — The Daimyo has agreed to release an initial loan to cover the expenses. Half a billion ryō is being negotiated. That should be enough to get started, but we need to be careful.

Jiraiya's eyes widened in surprise, and he asked:

— That much money?

Hiruzen sighed and explained calmly:

— That amount is just the beginning. What we will need throughout the war will be much more than that. Half a billion may seem like a lot, but in terms of supplies, logistics, and long-term strategies, it's practically nothing.

He paused and turned his gaze to Jiraiya and Orochimaru.

— Jiraiya and Orochimaru, you will be responsible for leading two units at different strategic points. Tsunade...

Hiruzen looked at her with seriousness.

— Your medical skills are indispensable. I want you to stay in Konoha, assisting at the hospital and training new medical ninjas. If a need arises on the battlefield, you will be redirected as a strategic resource. Your abilities will be essential in facing Sunagakure and their masters in poisons.

Jiraiya and Orochimaru exchanged glances, both aware of the importance of Tsunade's work. The war would bring casualties, and she would be crucial in ensuring they didn't lose more ninjas than necessary.

Hiruzen then stood up and looked at the three of them, his expression growing more serious.

— I know that Tsunade's absence on the battlefield will be a gap, but I've already found someone who can fill that role.

The door to the room opened softly, and a man with white hair entered, his imposing presence filling the room. Jiraiya and Orochimaru exchanged surprised glances. It wasn't every day that someone could leave both of them speechless, but the man entering now seemed to radiate power.

— This is Sakumo — Hiruzen said, his tone proud. — He will be the head of operations on the battlefield. I trust his abilities, and I'm sure he will be a cornerstone of our strategy.

Sakumo, the man who would come to be known as the White Fang of Konoha, looked at Jiraiya and Orochimaru with a steady gaze, yet without any hint of arrogance. His calm eyes held a depth that reflected not only his experience but also the immense power he possessed.

Although Jiraiya and Orochimaru were Jonins by their own merit, both just over twenty years old, in the presence of Sakumo, they seemed almost immature. He was on another level, a league apart when it came to power. Perhaps only a step below the Kage level.

The Hokage smiled warmly as he greeted him:

— Sakumo, congratulations. I heard your wife is pregnant.

Sakumo returned the smile, a genuine gleam of happiness on his face.

— Yes, she's three months pregnant. We are very happy.

Hiruzen hesitated for a moment before continuing, his expression becoming more serious.

— I want to apologize. I know this should be a time of peace for you and your family, but we will need your help. It's likely that you'll have to be away from the village for extended periods.

Sakumo shook his head, adopting a resolute expression.

— There's no need to apologize, Hokage-sama. Quite the opposite. Knowing that my wife is expecting a son or daughter only strengthens my resolve. I will fight with everything I have to build a safer Konoha.

Truly selfless and inspiring.

Little did they know, outside the Hokage's residence, a Chunin ninja with an ordinary appearance struggled to hold back tears as he begged the guards to let him in.

— The Hokage is busy — said one of the guards, emotionless. — You'll only be seen in case of an emergency.

Rensu cursed his luck, feeling frustration take over him. His plan, which depended on a meeting with the Hokage, was clearly not going as he had hoped.

Maybe things wouldn't turn out the way he had imagined. Now, all that was left was to face the dangers that awaited him outside.