Chapter 3 Path to S-Rank…?

After sending the trio outside, I leaned against the wooden wall, exhaling slowly. My mind was already shifting, mapping out the path I needed to take. I couldn't afford to be weak. Not in this world. Power—real power—is the only way to survive. And if I want to reach Kage-level before the real chaos starts, before Orochimaru attacks Konoha, I need a plan. Step one: Get out of this orphanage. As long as I'm here, I will be under watch. Whether it was by caretakers, nosy ninjas, or Danzo's vultures sniffing around for talent, someone will always have their eyes on me. Once I join the Academy, I'll have freedom. Room to breathe, to grow. Step two: Find a way to reach Kage-level. The easiest path? Overpowered jutsus Flying Thunder God—Minato's signature technique. If I could master it, I'd be untouchable. Speed beyond comprehension, the ability to appear anywhere in an instant—this was a technique that made even the strongest shinobi fear the Fourth Hokage. But getting my hands on it? That was the problem. Hiruzen wouldn't just hand it to me. I'd either have to prove myself as Konoha's ultimate weapon or… steal it. Edo Tensei- A jutsu that brought the dead back to life. A personal army of S-rank shinobi at my command. If I had this, even the Akatsuki would hesitate before messing with me. But unless I became a Hokage candidate—or had Orochimaru's level of insanity—there was no way Hiruzen would let me near it. And stealing something that dangerous? If I got caught, I'd be executed on the spot. Spirit Transformation Technique—Dan's ghostly possession jutsu. A technique that lets the user leave their body and attack as a literal spirit. No physical form, no real weaknesses—only pure destruction. I liked it the moment I saw it in the anime. It had potential. But getting my hands on it was another story. Lightning Chakra Mode- The Raikage's signature technique. Speed, durability, and raw power—all enhanced to insane levels. If I had it, I'd be Kage-level in no time. The problem? I'd need to either break into Kumo's archives or develop my version through trial and error. And if that were possible, Konoha would've done it already. Sage Mode: Harnessing nature's energy to surpass human limits. With it, even a skilled Jōnin could rival a Kage. But Sage Mode wasn't something you learned. It was something you survived. I need a summoning contract with an animal clan that knew how to use it, like the toads or snakes. Eight Inner Gates— Pure, raw physical power. No tricks, no chakra-based techniques—just unlocking the body's natural limits. But the cost? Pain. Training that bordered on self-torment. And the final gate meant death. Guy made it look legendary, but even he had to sacrifice his own body to use it. Could I handle that? I also have to be on the best terms with Guy if I want him to teach me. One way also can be if I create my S-Rank jutsu. But to use an S-Rank jutsu, I will also need to have a high amount of chakra, which means I also have to find a way to increase my chakra. Here I can also use Fuinjutsu to store my chakra like Tsunade. And then… There was the Jinchūriki path. The only realistic opportunity? Gaara. The moment Naruto knocks him out after the Chunin Exams—that will be my one chance to steal Shukaku. But if I became a Jinchūriki, the Akatsuki would be on my tail. They wouldn't just kill me—they'd hunt me down like an animal. But I think I will find a way to escape or fight them till that time. No. If I want to walk that path, I need Fuinjutsu. Fuinjutsu—The Key to Everything The more I thought about it, the clearer it became. Fuinjutsu wasn't just a support skill—it was the foundation of nearly everything powerful in this world. Flying Thunder God? A sealing formula Jinchūriki control? Seals Chakra storage? Seals Creating new techniques? Seals To seal Kaguya? Seals And the best part? It relied on mental energy. I was a 20-year-old in a kid's body. My past life, my reincarnation—hell, even the sheer fact that I died and came back—it all pointed to my soul being stronger than it should be. That meant higher spiritual power. And higher spiritual power meant an easier time learning Fuinjutsu. He was right for this part, as his soul got strengthened due to either his luck or his fate (refer to chapter 2). So his soul power and spiritual power were very much stronger than anyone else's. If I could master it, I wouldn't need to rely on others. I could carve my path. My fists clenched. "I'm not dying again," I muttered. The memory of that helplessness—of my body failing me, of my own life slipping away without a fight—it made my stomach churn. "Never again." I exhaled, letting the tension drain from my body. One step at a time. Power wouldn't come overnight. I'd build it. Slowly, steadily, until no one could take my life from me again. A chuckle slipped past my lips. 'Yeah. Not dying again is pretty damn good motivation.' 'And I have to start training my body and chakra to do any of these.' Just as I was about to dive deeper into my thoughts, a loud *BANG* echoed from outside. My body reacted before my brain did. Heart pounding, I pushed open the door, stepping into the dimly lit hallway. My hands clenched at my sides, muscles tensed. Something was happening.