c4: Cultivation
Chiba was training alone on the grassy plains, continuously refining and evolving different attack forms granted by the Mera Mera no Mi his Logia-type Devil Fruit ability. He methodically practiced his flame-based techniques, integrating them with chakra control and taijutsu basics he'd recently begun adapting from the Hatake style.
He wasn't rushing. Instead, Chiba focused on systematically enhancing his control. He cycled through his repertoire: Flame Gang, Flame Burst, Fire Fist, Muscle Flame, Ring of Fire, and Flame Column each technique executed more cleanly than the last.
Across the clearing, flames whipped, curled, and detonated in sequence, churning violently across the landscape, transforming the field into a furnace of light and heat.
If anyone had witnessed this sight, they would have been stunned. Not only by the sheer intensity and power of the attacks but by the fact that the one unleashing them was a four-year-old child.
"Fire Fist!" Chiba shouted, stepping forward with a sharp twist of his body and thrusting his fist into the air.
A massive, fiery punch burst from his arm and rocketed toward a nearby cliff wall.
Boom!
The cliffside shuddered as the giant fire fist struck it head-on, blowing a deep crater into the rock. Chunks of stone and earth flew through the air, tumbling down with thunderous crashes.
The technique was successful but it drained him heavily. Chiba staggered slightly, panting, sweat streaming from his brow. He collapsed to the scorched ground, which had turned black from residual heat, his chest heaving.
Though Chiba had remarkable control over the fruit's powers, his chakra reserves were still small. He was, after all, just a child physically. Even with his adult soul, he couldn't ignore the natural limits of his young body.
"Half a day of training, and I've finally solidified a few techniques," he muttered with a weary grin. "At my current level, I can probably hold my own against a decent Chūnin."
That thought lit a fire of excitement in him.
He had come a long way since awakening in this world. This power combined with his knowledge from his previous life made his dreams feel within reach. The ambition within him wasn't modest. He didn't just want strength. He wanted to reach the summit to become the strongest in the shinobi world.
...
"Help! Please let me go!"
The cry pierced the quiet forest air as the sun began to dip toward the horizon. Chiba had been resting for over an hour, and his stamina had returned. Just as he prepared to head home, the desperate voice echoed from nearby woods.
The voice belonged to a girl. Young, based on the pitch maybe six or seven years old. Weak, trembling, and terrified.
"Someone's in trouble," Chiba whispered, alert now. "Did someone kidnap a child from the village?"
If that was true, there was no way he could ignore it. Despite his ambitions, Chiba still had a heart. He wouldn't stand by while someone suffered especially not a child.
He immediately sprang into action, dashing toward the source of the voice.
Within two minutes, he was inside the dense forest.
The trees grew tall and packed together, vines and thick grasses blanketing the ground. It would've been difficult for a normal child or even many adults to navigate swiftly through the underbrush.
But Chiba's training had paid off. He had enhanced his physical abilities along with his chakra control, and now he could move through the woods with remarkable speed and balance.
Within another minute, he closed in on the sounds. Voices gruff and mocking carried through the trees.
"Don't scream, girl. We're far from Konoha now. Nobody's coming to save you," sneered a rough voice.
"Heh, what a lucky catch. Such a pretty little girl. She'll fetch a fine price."
"She's a bit young though. If she were olderwell, maybe the brothers could have had some fun first," muttered another man with a sick laugh.
"Shut up, idiot. Focus. We've still got to make it to the handoff."
Chiba's eyes narrowed in disgust as he listened. Human traffickers. Four of them, based on the voices. They were arrogant, laughing like they owned the world.
The girl was still crying, but her voice was hoarse, nearly gone from prolonged screaming. Her sobs were now soft, exhausted.
Chiba's fists clenched. "Scum."
He rocketed forward like a shot, weaving through the trees with incredible acceleration.
Soon, he was less than fifteen meters away. The four men had slowed, cautiously glancing around. This was still Konoha territory. They knew getting caught could mean death.
Then they heard him.
"Hey, you four stop right there!"
The traffickers froze and turned. When they saw who had shouted, they collectively relaxed.
A small child Chiba stood on a branch above, staring down at them. He was alone. No headband. No visible weapons.
"A brat?" one man said, exhaling in relief.
"Is this for real? Looks like someone delivered us another one."
"Two-for-one deal," said a burly man with a scar across his nose, sneering.
The one holding the girl smirked. "Come here, kid. You can keep her company in the cage."
Chiba remained calm, a wry smile on his lips. They were mocking him. Underestimating him. That would be their final mistake.
"If you think you can take me, go ahead. Try it," Chiba said coolly, the wind stirring embers around his fingers.
The tallest man with a long knife laughed. "You've got a big mouth for someone so small."
"You don't have time to regret underestimating me," Chiba said, his tone now cold. "Come at me. Or die where you stand."
The man to his left twirled a kunai, its metal glinting. "He's just pretending to be tough."
They began to circle him. But Chiba's expression didn't change. He didn't panic, didn't flinch.
Because he already knew none of them were leaving this forest alive.
---