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Chapter 1 - Chapter 1: Born in Flames, Bound by Duty

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Naruto: Devil's Foot

Chapter 1: Born in Flames, Bound by Duty

Word Count: ~1,800

The Land of Fire was a warzone. The First Great Ninja War tore through its forests, leaving craters and ash. Konoha's wooden walls stood battered, Hashirama's dream fading under Tobirama's iron rule.

Beyond the village, the countryside bled. Iwagakure's Stone ninja, fueled by the Land of Earth's greedy daimyo, crushed villages with Earth Release. Kirigakure's assassins struck from mist, Sunagakure's wind guerillas hit and ran, and rogue clans stirred chaos.

The war wasn't about honor. It was greed. A failed peace summit—where the daimyo demanded Konoha's land—lit the fuse. Now, the Land of Fire burned.

Shida Uchiha crouched on a cliff, overlooking a ravaged valley. His black hair, dusted with ash, whipped in the wind. Orange-red eyes glowed like embers. At sixteen, he was Konoha's deadliest weapon.

His Devil's Fire wasn't Uchiha chakra. It was a star-hot inferno, alive, born from his reincarnation. A programmer in another life, Shida had coded apps, not killed. A car crash changed that, flinging him into this hell.

His birth was a curse. His flames, wild then, had burned his mother, the doctor, and half the hospital ward. Konoha whispered "monster." Shida called it survival. Tobirama's playing warlord, the Uchiha are leashed, and I'm the cleanup crew. Why's everyone so stupid?

His fire melted weapons, charred Earth Release, boiled Water Release. It wove light, outburned Amaterasu, and—someday—could heal, create. Control was his fight, but training made him deadly. No Sharingan, no Uchiha pride, just a kid with a sun in his veins.

The valley below roared. Iwagakure's Earth Walls blocked Konoha's supply route. Uchiha fireballs clashed with Stone boulders. Senju water jutsu hissed, Hyuga scouts darted, and smoke choked the air. Blood and mud slicked the ground.

Tobirama's strategy was sharp: Hyuga scouted, Senju held, Uchiha burned, Uzumaki sealed. Shida was the hammer, meant to smash what wouldn't break.

"Shida!" Tobirama's voice cut through, cold as steel. The Hokage stood on a fallen tree, white armor stained, chakra steady. "Their ridge is killing our supplies. End it."

Shida smirked, standing. "No 'please,' Hokage-sama? I'm the guy who can torch your enemies."

Tobirama's eyes narrowed. "Your fire's a tool. Use it, or Konoha pays."

Tool? Shida's sparks flared. Tobirama's policies—Uchiha on a short leash, power centralized—screamed distrust. Not of Shida's loyalty, but his chaos. He doesn't get it. I'm not Madara. Konoha's all I've got.

A Stone ninja charged, Earth Release shaping a spear. Shida's foot slammed down. White flames erupted—Devil's Foot, his propulsion trick. He blurred forward, fist glowing with woven light.

The spear vaporized. The ninja's armor melted, his scream cut short. Shida landed, flames flickering. Control's holding. Didn't burn the cliff. Score one for me.

"Hothead!" A voice rang out, sharp and playful. Asuka Uzumaki, 19, stepped from the smoke. Crimson hair tied high, chain whip crackling with seals. Mito's cousin from Uzushio, requested by Tobirama to bolster Konoha.

Her green eyes glinted. "Burning the ridge alone, or saving some for me?"

Shida's heart skipped. Asuka. Trouble in red. Her seals tamed his fire, her grin cut his sarcasm. "Red, I'd give you the whole ridge, but I'm generous today."

She snorted, whip twirling. "Generous? You're hogging the glory."

Iwagakure's Earth Wall surged, boulders raining. A rogue ninja's Wind Release roared, a diversion to split Konoha's line. Shida grinned. Nice try.

"Shida, Asuka, now!" Tobirama barked, Water Dragon Jutsu coiling.

Shida sprinted, flames propelling him. Asuka matched him, whip lashing rogues. He hit the ridge, facing stone and snarling enemies.

He snapped his fingers. White fire roared, brighter than Amaterasu. Light wove through, blinding foes. The Earth Wall charred to dust, Water Release traps steamed away. Stone ninja screamed, retreating as the ridge collapsed.

Shida reined it in, sweat dripping. Control held. Didn't torch our guys. Asuka's seals bound stragglers, her grin fierce.

"Showoff," she teased.

"Gotta keep up, Red," Shida shot back, panting.

Tobirama appeared, Flying Thunder God kunai dripping blood. His eyes scanned the ash. "Effective, Shida. But reckless. Your fire endangers us."

Shida's smirk vanished. Reckless? While you cage my clan? "If your plans weren't so rigid, I wouldn't need to wing it, Hokage-sama."

Asuka elbowed him. "Cool it, hothead. He's just jealous you stole his spotlight."

Tobirama's gaze hardened, silent distrust clear. He turned, rallying Konoha's push. The ridge was theirs, Iwagakure retreating.

Shida watched, fire simmering. He'll never trust me. His policies say it—Uchiha are weapons, not partners. But I'll protect this village. For me. For Asuka.

Asuka nudged him, softer. "You good? You went dark there."

Shida grinned, hiding his doubts. "Dark? Nah, just plotting to swipe your rations, Red."

Her laugh pierced the war's gloom. But Shida's fire stirred, sensing a shadow in the trees—a figure in black, eyes gleaming. Madara? Zetsu?

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End of chapter 1

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