The Temple of Fire stood majestically on a hill about five kilometers outside the capital of the Land of Fire. With its long history and sprawling structure, it had become a popular pilgrimage site, always shrouded in incense and filled with devoted visitors.
"Your Highness, we'll continue on foot from here," said Jinai, the head steward, as she gently reminded Carl upon their arrival at the foot of the hill.
Carl stepped down from the carriage, and before him stretched a long stone staircase that wound its way to the summit. Unlike the quiet, empty temples he remembered from anime as a child, these stairs bustled with civilians—men, women, and children from all corners of the Land of Fire. The place was lively and full of spiritual energy.
He vaguely recalled that, in the original timeline, the Temple of Fire had been temporarily closed after a tomb robbery incident. That must have been why it looked deserted in the anime.
"Let's move."
Without wasting time, Carl gestured forward, taking the lead up the steps with Jinai, the servants, and the guards trailing behind.
Thanks to his peak physical condition—restored fully from his past life—and his new body's enhancements in this world, Carl felt no strain at all climbing the stairs. The cellular density and vitality in this world were simply stronger. His body had noticeably improved the moment he entered.
By the time they reached the top, standing before the Temple's grand entrance, Carl remained composed and steady, while Jinai and the others were already catching their breath.
"I didn't expect Your Highness to be in such good shape," Jinai remarked between breaths, clearly surprised. In her mind, Carl was the type who rarely left the estate, let alone exercised. His stamina defied all expectations.
Carl simply gave a slight nod and turned to look at the massive gate in front of them.
"So this is the Sealed Iron Wall…"
The towering gate of the Temple of Fire rose more than five meters high, forged entirely from pig iron and coated in radiant gold paint. Flanking it were two enormous stone statues—ancient guardians with solemn faces and fierce auras.
He could feel the quiet spiritual pressure in the air, like the temple itself was watching him.
According to his vague memory, Carl recalled that the gate and the stone statues weren't mere decorations—they were part of a powerful defensive barrier created through a combination of sealing techniques and spiritual enchantment ninjutsu unique to the monks of the Temple of Fire. The entire temple was protected by this sacred barrier.
The monks, known for their spiritual chakra and sage-like discipline, could activate and pass through this defense with their unique monk chakra, which carried a specific spiritual signature. It was said to be unbreakable under normal circumstances.
However, Carl also remembered that the barrier had been breached at least twice in the Naruto timeline. Once, when Sora, a monk harboring residual Nine-Tails chakra, lost control—his tailed beast power overwhelmed the seal from within. And once again, when the Akatsuki's immortal duo—Hidan and Kakuzu— attacked the Temple of Fire and forced their way in, killing Chiriku, one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja.
"Your Highness, are you planning to meet with the abbot of the Temple of Fire?" asked Jinai, breaking Carl's thoughts as she noticed him pausing at the gate.
In her mind, the temple—no matter how revered—should naturally send out the abbot to greet the prince of the Land of Fire in person.
Carl shook his head with a calm smile.
"No need. Let's take a look around first."
He wasn't here to throw his weight around. His purpose was clear: learn ninjutsu, refine chakra, and grow stronger. Coming in with a high-and-mighty attitude wouldn't win him any favor. Even if he were accepted as a student, Chiriku—would never pass on true secrets to someone who treated them like servants.
Despite the Fire Daimyō's high status, even the royal family held limited power over the ninja and institutions. Especially places like the Temple of Fire, which held to its own sacred traditions. Even the Daimyō couldn't force their hand—much less a powerless prince like himself.
As they wandered through the outer courtyard, burning incense and making offerings, Carl took in the ambiance. The scent of sandalwood lingered in the air, and chants echoed softly through the corridors.
He noticed that the main halls of the Temple enshrined two central figures: Kannon (Guanyin) and Fudō Myōō—the Buddhist deity known for fierce protection.
Carl narrowed his eyes with interest.
"That fits," he murmured to himself, recalling the Temple of Fire's famed technique:
'Thousand-Armed Murder' and 'Raging Vajra', powerful chakra-based illusions and physical techniques that invoked images of wrathful deities.
The monks here might appear peaceful, but their power—especially in defense of their home—was anything but gentle.
After touring the Temple of Fire, Carl didn't waste any more time. He walked straight to a monk in the front hall who seemed to be of higher rank, and spoke politely:
"I am Ikkyū Isamu of the Fire Kingdom. If it's possible, I'd like to request an audience with the abbot, Chiriku."
"Your Highness…?"
The attending monk blinked in surprise. Hearing the surname Ikkyū, which was closely tied to the royal family of the Land of Fire, he quickly made the connection—this must be the secluded prince that was rarely seen in public.
"Yes, that's right," Carl replied with a nod.
The monk immediately folded his hands in a respectful Buddhist gesture and said:
"Please follow me to the guest quarters in the inner courtyard. I'll send word to the abbot. His Eminence will surely be honored to meet the royal scion."
Unlike the bustling outer courtyard filled with pilgrims and tourists, the inner grounds of the Temple were quiet, serene. Here, only monks and disciples were allowed. A few young monks could be seen practicing taijutsu in silence on the stone training square.
As Carl followed the monk, his eyes landed on a young boy about eleven years old, with long, messy hair—clearly not a full monk, given the lack of a shaved head. The boy was standing off to the side, fists clenched, training with remarkable intensity.
"Is that boy a monk here too? Why hasn't his head been shaved?" Carl asked with casual interest.
The monk followed his gaze and his expression shifted ever so slightly.
"Ah, that is Sora, a lay disciple. He was taken in by Chiriku-sama some years ago. He's not required to fully ordain."
"How old is he?" Carl asked, although he already had a guess.
"Eleven," the monk responded after a moment's thought.
Carl nodded but said nothing more. He had recognized the boy instantly. Sora—the pseudo-jinchūriki who carried a fragment of the Nine-Tails' chakra, implanted into him by Kazuma, his father, a former Guardian Shinobi-turned-rogue.
From this, Carl could roughly determine the timeline he'd landed in: Naruto was likely around eleven years old now, not yet a genin. The Naruto anime's main plot had yet to unfold.
That meant the Akatsuki had not yet begun their systematic extraction of tailed beasts, and the Temple of Fire had not yet been attacked by Hidan and Kakuzu. He still had time.
"Jinai, you and the others wait outside," Carl instructed calmly.
Under the guidance of the attending monk, Carl entered the guest chamber. The room was simple but well-kept. He sat and sipped a warm cup of the Temple's herbal tea as he waited.
Roughly five minutes later, a tall, bald monk with a calm demeanor stepped through the door. He wore the ornate robes of the Temple's leadership and carried himself with quiet strength.
"I am Chiriku, abbot of the Temple of Fire. It's an honor to receive you, Your Highness."
Carl quickly stood up and offered a respectful bow in return.
"No need for formalities, Master Chiriku. I came here not as a prince, but as a humble student seeking the path."
Chiriku's eyes showed a flicker of interest, and he replied gently:
"That is a noble sentiment. May I ask what path Your Highness seeks here in the Temple of Fire?"
Carl set down his teacup, gaze firm.
"I want to learn ninjutsu, discipline, and the true strength of spirit. Not for the sake of power—but to prepare myself for what's to come."
After settling onto the tatami mat in the quiet guest chamber, Chiriku—calm and composed as always—allowed a hint of confusion to show on his otherwise serene face.
Though he had served as one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja under the daimyo of the Land of Fire, he had spent most of his years in the shadows, performing protective duties discreetly. He had heard of the young prince who rarely left the royal compound, but this was the first time he was seeing him face-to-face—let alone hosting him in the inner sanctum of the Temple of Fire.
And now, the prince wanted something unexpected.
"Abbot Chiriku, I've come today with a sincere request," Carl Hudson said, his tone steady and resolute. "I wish to study under you. I want to train at the Temple of Fire—to learn your discipline, your ninjutsu, your philosophy. I want to become your disciple."
Chiriku's normally calm expression shifted to one of surprise. His brow lifted, and he leaned forward slightly.
"Your Highness... surely this is not a jest?"
He had faced rogue ninja, assassins, and even the threat of Akatsuki in his lifetime, but this caught him more off guard than most things. The heir to the Fire Daimyo, a member of the ruling house, asking to become a student at a secluded temple was almost unthinkable.
"I assure you, I'm entirely serious," Carl said without hesitation. "I understand what this path entails. I don't come here as royalty. I come here as someone who wishes to grow stronger. Not just in body—but in spirit."
Chiriku studied him for a moment in silence.
The Temple of Fire was no mere shrine—it had preserved centuries of warrior-monk tradition. Their secret techniques, such as the Fire Style: 'Thousand-Armed Murder' and 'Raging Vajra', , weren't taught lightly. Even the boy Sora, who carried part of the Nine-Tails' chakra, was accepted more out of compassion and duty than eagerness.
And yet… there was a calm intensity in Carl's eyes that made Chiriku pause.
"Strength, without balance, becomes destruction," Chiriku said after a long moment. "And this temple does not train warriors for ambition's sake."
Carl nodded. "I understand. That's why I came here—to learn that balance. To find a stronger version of myself."
Chiriku stood, hands clasped behind his back as he paced slowly.
"You would need to forsake comforts and embrace the temple's way. Long hours of meditation, rigorous physical training, and a vow to uphold peace. Could Your Highness walk that path as a humble disciple?"
Carl didn't flinch. "If that is the cost of growth—yes."
Chiriku finally turned, a faint smile forming.
"Then, perhaps… the will of fire burns within you more than I expected."