As the waitress left, he was momentarily lost in thought, his mind swirling with confusion and disbelief. Being a first-year university student with no clear direction in life, waking up buried underground with a flood of unfamiliar memories was beyond anything he could have imagined.
Suddenly, as he dug upwards desperately seeking air, his fist broke through the soil, sending it flying into the sky and creating an opening through which he could emerge with a simple jump.
It took a bewildering twenty minutes for his memories to settle, and the realization slowly dawned upon him: he was now inhabiting the world of Naruto.
After painstakingly refilling the hole with soil and retrieving a wooden sword from a nearby grave, he cautiously began his escape, taking care to remain unseen in the deserted surroundings.
Every passing moment was fraught with the fear of discovery, but luck seemed to be on his side as he found refuge in the forest, where he eavesdropped on passing civilians and learned of the ongoing Third Shinobi World War, a revelation that tempered his anxieties by reducing the likelihood of encountering dangerous shinobi.
Despite the relative safety of the forest, he remained cautious, resorting to hunting down bandits to procure the necessities of survival—food, money, and clothing—knowing he had none to call his own.
Now, feeling relatively secure in his anonymity and having put enough distance between himself and any potential pursuers, he turned his thoughts to the future, contemplating his next steps in this unfamiliar world he found himself thrust into.
Just like in his old world, he found himself adrift without a clear goal, but one thing remained certain: he needed to train relentlessly and become stronger to improve his odds of survival. Like any person, he harbored a deep-seated fear of death.
In this new world, he knew he would encounter ruthless individuals who would stop at nothing to achieve their goals, presenting constant threats to his safety.
Expanding his jutsu arsenal was imperative, yet a daunting task given his current limited repertoire, mostly comprising supplementary techniques.
He weighed his options: seeking instruction in a hidden village (excluding Konoha) or embarking on the risky path of a mercenary shinobi, earning jutsu as rewards for his services.
The former seemed unfeasible, as at twenty years old, unless he presented something valuable enough to earn acceptance, he might face a swift death under suspicion of being a spy he never was.
So only the latter seems preferable, though only in comparison, as both options have unforgiving environments.
While he could attempt to mimic opponents' jutsu through his unique abilities, he acknowledged the inefficiency compared to formal instruction or studying from scrolls.
As the food approaches, he conceded to his hunger with a resigned sigh, momentarily setting aside his thoughts as a smile formed on his lips upon seeing the approaching waitress.
"Here's your meal," she said with a warm smile, carefully setting the plate on the table before him.
"Thank you very much," he replied courteously, acknowledging her service.
As he delved into his dish, the enticing aroma of grilled skewers mingled with the fresh scent of raw fish, tempting his senses. Yielding to the irresistible temptation, he indulged in two of them, relishing the contrasting flavors: the savory char of the warm yakitori complemented the delicate sweetness of the slightly chilled sashimi perfectly where the tender meat juxtaposed with the silky smoothness of the sashimi.
"Could I have one more serving, please?" he requested, gesturing to the waitress nearby, his plate now wiped clean.
"Of course, right away," she replied promptly, ready to fulfill his request.