Ascending the mountain path and passing through dense green pines, the stone steps led to the main gate of the Fire Temple.
On either side of the gate stood two tengu stone statues, each taller than a person. The tengu was the symbol of the Fire Temple's ninja monk tradition.
Shinji looked up at the imposing gate before him and couldn't help but marvel. The surface of the gate was carved with intricate ninja seals, and through the vision of his Sharingan, he could see faint chakra slowly flowing.
"Is this the Sealing Iron Wall?"
The Sealing Iron Wall was the core defensive barrier of the Fire Temple, a fusion of sealing techniques and barrier ninjutsu. Only by infusing it with the unique "Sage Clan Talent" chakra of the Fire Temple monks could one pass through freely.
In the original story, this iron wall had only been breached twice: once by the chakra shockwave when Kurama went berserk, and once when Hidan and Kakuzu forcibly broke through to hunt Chiriku.
"Shinji, what are you standing there for? Come on in!" Kurenai Yuhi waved to him.
Shinji smiled and replied, "Coming."
With that, he jogged a couple of steps to catch up.
Upon entering the temple, the head monk, Chukaku, was warmly entertaining Tsunade and Enichihiko and had already arranged accommodations for everyone.
They would be staying at the Fire Temple tonight, so safety was not a concern, and everyone was free to move about.
Shinji quickly scanned the area but noticed Asuma was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's Asuma?" Shinji asked, slightly startled, turning to ask.
Kurenai Yuhi pointed toward a corner of the temple and chuckled helplessly, "He's over there joining in the fun."
Following Kurenai's direction, Shinji saw seven or eight people gathered in a circle. In the center, Asuma was engaged in an intense spar with a handsome monk.
"That monk must be Chiriku," Shinji thought to himself.
He gently tugged at Kurenai's sleeve and smiled. "Let's go take a look too."
Kurenai thought for a moment, nodded, and followed Shinji over.
The spar between Asuma and Chiriku was thrilling. Asuma continuously unleashed Wind Release and Fire Release, his ninjutsu skilled and precise, forcing Chiriku to retreat step by step.
Chiriku clasped his hands together, softly chanting a Buddhist mantra. A faint golden Buddha light enveloped him, and the phantom of a Kannon formed behind him, unleashing countless fist and palm strikes toward Asuma.
Using the Body Flicker Technique, Asuma nimbly weaved through the barrage of attacks. Finally, seizing an opening in Chiriku's defense, he closed in and subdued Chiriku in just a few moves.
"Well fought."
Asuma wore a bright smile as he extended a hand to Chiriku, helping him up.
Chiriku bowed slightly and saluted. "Mr. Asuma, you truly live up to being the Hokage's son."
Asuma's lips curled into a proud grin. "My strength has nothing to do with that old man. It's all the result of my own hard work."
No sooner had he spoken than he spotted Shinji and Kurenai Yuhi approaching. He enthusiastically waved them over, pulling them in front of the group.
"Perfect timing. Let me introduce you—these are all Guardian Ninja candidates."
"This is Chiriku, Kitako, Minami..."
Shinji listened quietly to the introductions, somewhat surprised that Asuma had already become so familiar with this group so quickly.
Just then, a cold snort abruptly rang out.
"Chiriku, I never expected you to lose to a Konohagakure ninja. You've truly disgraced the Guardian Ninja."
A man with silver-white long hair stepped out slowly from behind, his opening words dripping with undisguised mockery.
Asuma's expression darkened as he stepped forward. "What do you mean by that?"
Chiriku also frowned. "Kazuma, your words are too disrespectful."
Kazuma?
Shinji paused for a moment, turning to look at the man.
Was this the man who would later take the alias Fudo, attack Konohagakure, and ultimately die at Asuma's hands?
Among all those who had attacked Konohagakure, he was arguably the weakest—not even worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as Orochimaru or Pain.
And this Kazuma before him had an attitude that was downright infuriating. Shinji's fists itched with the urge to teach him a lesson.
Kazuma continued speaking. "Our 'Jewel' is the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. In the future, we will be true Guardian Ninja."
In his eyes, the ninja rooted in Konohagakure, obedient to the Hokage, were nothing more than frogs trapped at the bottom of a well, confined within walls.
His pride stemmed from the Daimyo's trust, the authority of the nation, and the very identity of a Guardian Ninja.
His training at the Fire Temple was, from the start, intended to gain recognition more quickly.
Suddenly, Kazuma pointed at Shinji. "I do not accept failure. I challenge you, a ninja of Konohagakure."
"Let me show you the true strength of a Guardian Ninja."
He had already calculated in his mind: Asuma had already displayed his abilities, and challenging him again wouldn't be honorable. Of the remaining two, one was a kunoichi, not worth his effort. Only this young man seemed the most suitable target to establish his authority.
In the same squad, Asuma, as the Hokage's son, was undoubtedly the strongest. The remaining one shouldn't be too difficult to handle.
Thinking this, a confident smile curled at the corner of Kazuma's mouth, quite pleased with his ability to assess the situation so quickly.
Five minutes later.
Shinji stood in the center of the arena, looking around somewhat bewildered.
He had somehow ended up in this situation without fully understanding how, while Kazuma across from him looked eager and ready, as if victory was already assured.
How did things suddenly turn out like this?
Do I really look like an easy target?
From the sidelines, Kurenai Yuhi raised a hand to her mouth, cheering like a little trumpet. "Go, Shinji!"
Chiriku glanced at Asuma, his tone tinged with concern. "Will this be alright?"
The Fire Temple had always maintained good relations with Konohagakure, and he feared this match might strain their ties, especially since the leader of the Konoha team was Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin.
"Don't worry." Asuma gave a thumbs-up, then added with a wry smile, "Shinji might even be stronger than me now."
"Besides, he's a member of the Uchiha Clan."
Chiriku's eyes widened. "The Uchiha?"
The commotion quickly caught the attention of Tsunade, Enichihiko, and the others, all of whom watched with keen interest.
The match began.
Kazuma took the initiative, his left-hand Four-Bladed Iron Claw gleaming with a cold light as he aimed straight for Shinji's neck.
Shinji calmly leaped half a step back, his right hand reaching behind him to draw his short sword, precisely blocking the attack.
The two instantly became locked in combat.
After more than a dozen exchanges, Kazuma launched a furious, storm-like assault but failed to even graze Shinji's clothes.
Gradually sensing something amiss, he glanced at Asuma and Kurenai Yuhi on the sidelines. Both wore calm expressions, showing no signs of worry for Shinji.
Could this guy actually be strong?
"That's enough."
Shinji gripped his sword with both hands, slowly channeling Chakra into the blade before slashing down fiercely at the iron claw.
Clang—!
One of the hooks of the Four-Bladed Iron Claw shattered on the spot, followed by a second and a third.
"What?!"
Kazuma paled in shock, hastily retreating as he shouted angrily, "Despicable! Relying on a weapon for victory is dishonorable!"
Shinji, however, felt a surge of joy in his heart, completely ignoring his opponent's outcry.
This custom-made ninja sword had a Chakra conduction efficiency at least three times higher than before, with sharpness and durability far surpassing ordinary weapons.
Perfect for testing it out on Kazuma!
Gritting his teeth, Kazuma created distance and continuously cast Ninjutsu to harass, but Shinji effortlessly deflected every attack.
Shinji's eyes sharpened, and he suddenly activated the Body Flicker Technique.
A flash of blade light, and Kazuma's last hooked blade was cleanly severed.
Wrapping his left hand in condensed Chakra, Shinji struck a palm strike at each of Kazuma's limb joints in an instant, finishing with a heavy kick to the abdomen.
Kazuma tumbled across the ground like a ragged cloth, collapsing completely, unable to stand again.