The Hokage's office was calm, high above the village — a place where paper, smoke, and decision ruled quietly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his wide desk, pipe in hand, reading mission reports when the knock came.
Knock knock.
He looked up. "Come in."
The door opened smoothly.
Ren Uzumaki stepped in, posture straight, expression calm.
"Lord Third," he said, bowing slightly.
Hiruzen offered a small smile. "Ren. It's been a while since you visited me without your brother knocking over a lamp."
Ren didn't smile back. "This is… something else."
"Go on."
Ren stepped forward and reached into his bag. He placed a folded scroll on the desk — a small list written in clean brushstroke.
Hiruzen read it silently.
Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu (Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu)
Katon: Endan (Fire Style: Flame Bullet)
Fūton: Reppūshō (Wind Style: Gale Palm)
He raised an eyebrow.
"These are all B to C-rank techniques," he said, voice measured. "Two different natures. Not standard for a genin."
"I know," Ren said calmly.
"Why these?"
Ren answered without hesitation.
"Because I want range and control. Fireball is power — a threat anyone can see. Flame Bullet is pressure — tighter, more dangerous in close quarters. Gale Palm is precision. Speed. Movement. Setup and disruption."
Hiruzen blinked once.
"Most shinobi struggle to master one element."
Ren nodded once. "That's why I tested mine already."
A pause.
Hiruzen leaned forward, brows slightly raised.
"You what?"
Ren met his eyes, calm but steady. "Naruto and I did the chakra paper test ourselves. Alone."
Hiruzen set his pipe down slowly. "That paper isn't handed out lightly."
"I found it," Ren said simply. "Borrowed. Returned. It did what I needed it to do."
"And?"
"Wind and Fire. Both clear. No flicker, no mistake."
The room was quiet.
Hiruzen sat back, folding his hands in front of him.
"You didn't tell your instructors?"
"Not yet."
"Why?"
"Because chakra nature should be an advantage — not something people weigh or compare before I'm ready."
The old Hokage studied him — this boy who never raised his voice, never demanded anything, and now stood calmly asking to be trusted with fire.
After a long pause, he spoke.
"You understand how dangerous these jutsu are?"
"Yes."
"Especially in a village with wooden walls."
"Which is why I won't practice them until I'm cleared… and outside the training grounds."
That made Hiruzen chuckle.
"You even ask like a strategist."
He picked up the scroll again.
"Fine. I'll approve training access to these techniques… under supervision. You'll be given controlled scrolls from the jutsu vault. But if I hear you've leveled a backyard or set a tree on fire…"
Ren bowed respectfully. "Understood."
As Ren turned to leave, Hiruzen called out once more.
"Ren."
He looked back.
"You're growing quickly. But don't forget — growth and isolation often walk together."
Ren paused, then gave a rare, quiet reply.
"I'm not alone. I have Naruto."
And with that, he walked out — steady, quiet, and already planning his next move.