Blood Flames {Rewritten}

After mastering the Great Flame Jutsu, I felt a hunger for more. I had been thinking about the way I could boil my blood during combat. What if I pushed it further? What if I could light my blood on fire?

The thought intrigued me, so I decided to experiment. I started with the basics: trying to set a single droplet of my own blood alight. It was a simple idea in theory, but far more complicated in practice. Lighting chakra-infused objects on fire was one thing, but this was different. My blood wasn't just chakra—it was like trying to light a drop of thick water.

The first few weeks were frustrating. No matter how much chakra I channeled into the droplet, it refused to ignite. I would sit in training fields and secluded areas, focusing entirely on that one drop of blood hovering in the air before me. Nothing. Just a faint shimmer of heat, and then the blood would boil, but never combust.

Day after day, I kept at it. It was obsessive, almost. I would wake up, train with the Hokage's clone for a few hours, and then return to my experiments. I knew it wasn't a waste of time. Something about it felt right. There was something deep within my very nature that made me believe this was possible.

Then, one day, it happened. I was deep in concentration, focusing harder than I ever had. I allowed the blood to hover in the air between my fingers, and I poured my chakra into it, layering fire release energy over my control of the blood. Slowly, I increased the heat. My chakra became more precise, more deliberate, and I felt something change. A shift.

Suddenly, the droplet of blood flickered. A small flame ignited at its center—a vivid, red glow, almost pink at its core. It was hot, hotter than anything I'd summoned before. These flames weren't the scorching, unbearable heat of a wildfire, but something more intense than the ordinary flames of a fire technique. They burned with a steady, focused energy, as if they were part of me, connected to my blood.

The heat radiating from them was sharp, tangible, but not overpowering. It felt like holding a fire that you knew could burn you, but was somehow controlled. The flames seemed to feed off the chakra in my blood, making them burn brighter and more fiercely. But they weren't wild or chaotic. They felt almost... alive.

The flame flickered and hissed before slowly burning out, leaving behind a warmth that lingered in the air. I stared at the spot, the sensation of those flames still fresh in my mind.

Over the next couple weeks, I continued refining my new ability, spending hours perfecting the crimson flames I had summoned from my blood. Each time I called on them, I could feel my connection to the flames deepening. I wasn't just manipulating fire anymore; I was shaping it with my own essence, channeling my chakra through my blood to create something entirely different.

An idea began to form in my mind as I trained. I wondered if I could combine these flames with an already powerful technique—amplify it with the blood flames. I decided to test it with the most devastating fire release techniques I had learned: Great Flame Jutsu.

The thought sent a surge of adrenaline through me. I formed the necessary hand signs for the jutsu, preparing to unleash the fire as I had done countless times before. But this time, I added something new. I bit down on my lip, hard enough to break the skin, and tasted blood. Focusing my chakra, I guided the blood out, forming a steady stream.

The flames were ready, but as I exhaled, I pushed the blood into the mix. I felt the moment the blood caught fire, merging with the jutsu's flames. They were no longer the usual fiery orange—they shifted, taking on that vivid, burning red hue, charged with the same purpose and control I had honed during my training. The Great Flame Jutsu was no longer just fire—it was something more. The flames roared out in front of me, brighter, sharper, and infinitely more dangerous.

As I watched the flames burn, I thought about what to call my new technique. Eventually I settled on, Fire Release: Great Blood Flame. Nothing Fancy, but it describes it perfectly. Knowing that the Jutsu works, I can use my blood flames in place of all Fire Release Jutsu now.

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Chihara stood over the lifeless body of the shinobi spy, his blade slick with blood. The enemy had been trying to sneak into Konoha, likely to gather intelligence, but their efforts had been cut short—literally. Without hesitation, Chihara sliced off the shinobi's head with a swift motion, the severed neck spilling onto the grass below. He wiped his blade clean before sealing the head away in a scroll. A bounty would be claimed later, but for now, his mission was done.

With another successful mission behind him, Chihara made his way back to the Hokage's office. He moved with the quiet efficiency of someone accustomed to secrecy, his ANBU mask stuck snugly to his face. Upon arrival, he knocked, and upon The Third's call to enter, Chihara stepped into the room.

"I've taken care of the spy," Chihara reported simply, placing the scroll on the Hokage's desk as evidence of his success.

Hiruzen, his usual calm demeanor intact, nodded with approval as he glanced at the scroll. "Good work, as always, Crow," he said, leaning back slightly in his chair. "This one was from the Hidden Stone. They've been getting bolder, sending in spies like this. You handled it well."

Chihara inclined his head slightly, acknowledging the praise but not dwelling on it. "Anything else, Lord Hokage?" He was ready to take his leave when he noticed Hiruzen hesitating.

"There is one more thing," the Hokage said, folding his hands together. "The Chunin Exams are happening in two weeks."

Chihara raised an eyebrow. The exams were well-known as a test for genin to advance to the next rank, but it had been a long time since he had even thought of such formalities. His life had been consumed with ANBU missions, assassination work, and covert operations. The idea of participating in the exam almost seemed... beneath him.

Before he could ask why Hiruzen was telling him this, the Hokage continued.

"I want you to participate," Hiruzen said, his tone leaving little room for argument. "Though you're a member of ANBU, you are still technically a genin. I want you to officially rise through the ranks. This will give you the chance to step away from ANBU in the future, should you choose to, and still hold the qualifications to officially become a jonin."

Chihara's eyes narrowed slightly. Step away from ANBU? The thought hadn't crossed his mind yet. But Hiruzen wasn't finished.

"You've been doing remarkable work, Crow. But there are more paths for you in this village than just ANBU operations. I want you to be able to take a leadership role if you ever choose to, perhaps even more than that." The Hokage's gaze was sharp as he looked at Chihara, his meaning clear. "Someday, this village will need a new Hokage. It's possible that mantle could fall to you."

Chihara was silent for a moment, processing the weight of Hiruzen's words. Hokage? He had never even thought about that, all his thoughts about the future consisted of burning down the Hidden Cloud, not leading a village.

"I see," Chihara said finally, his tone measured. "If that's your wish, I'll participate in the Chunin Exams."

Hiruzen smiled, though there was a hint of relief in it. "Good. I believe it will be an opportunity for you to grow, as well as to test yourself in ways different from the ANBU missions."

Chihara gave a nod of understanding, but his mind was already calculating. The Chunin Exams were not just about skill—they were about strategy, teamwork, and mental fortitude.

But for now, it didn't matter. He had two weeks to prepare.

"I'll be ready," Chihara said, turning to leave.

As Chihara reached the door of the Hokage's office, a thought struck him. He paused, turning back to face Hiruzen.

"Lord Hokage," he began, his voice calm but curious, "the Chunin Exams are based on teamwork. Most genin compete as part of a three-man cell. How am I supposed to participate? I've never been part of a team."

Hiruzen looked at him thoughtfully, leaning back in his chair. "That's a valid concern," he said, stroking his chin. "Teamwork is indeed a critical part of the exams, and I wouldn't expect you to enter alone. However, I've already made arrangements for you."

Chihara raised an eyebrow. "A team?"

The Hokage nodded. "Yes, I'll be assigning you to a temporary team for the duration of the exams. Two other genin from the village who are capable."

Chihara felt a flicker of doubt. He had always worked alone, his skills honed for solo missions and silent assassinations. The idea of cooperating with others in a high-stakes environment was foreign to him.

"I see," Chihara said, though his voice lacked enthusiasm. "Will they know about my... other role?"

Hiruzen shook his head. "No. As far as they'll know, you are simply a fellow genin apart of the genin corps taking part in the exams. Your identity as an ANBU must remain hidden, as always. This will be a chance for you to operate under a different dynamic."

Chihara nodded slowly, though part of him bristled at the thought of being bound by the weaknesses of others. But he trusted the Hokage's judgment, and if this was part of the path laid out for him, he would see it through.

"I understand," Chihara said, finally accepting the decision. "I'll do what needs to be done."

Hiruzen smiled softly. "Good. You'll meet your team soon enough. Prepare yourself, Crow. This may be a different kind of mission than what you're used to, but I have no doubt that you will excel."

With that, Chihara gave a final nod of respect, then turned and left the office, his mind already shifting to the challenge ahead.

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A/N

I decided to rewrite this chapter because I didn't really like the Idea of the Kojin flames. So I ended up just replacing them with something simpler that doesn't take away from his main ability's.