Waking up in an unfamiliar infirmary, Ken's confusion deepened as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. With a sense of disorientation clouding his thoughts, he couldn't help but wonder about his current location and the events that had led him here. Slowly rising from his position, Ken's gaze swept over the unfamiliar surroundings.
Ken asked himself the most generic question in this setting: "Where am I, and how did I get here?"
His initial confusion led to introspection, but a sudden surge of pain was triggered by memories of a boy named Ryu. Ken's heart raced as he tried to piece together the fragments of his memory, desperately trying to recall what had happened with Ryu.
"What's happening to me?" He whispered, his voice hoarse and unfamiliar. At that moment, he was struck by pain and vivid memories that left detailed impressions on his mind. He saw a village hidden among leaves, felt the warmth of a mother's embrace, and heard the laughter of children playing. But none of it was his. Or was it?
The pain was intense, like a thousand needles piercing his skull. Ken gasped, his hands clutching his head as he tried to make sense of the flood of information. Images, sounds, and emotions that weren't his own cascaded through his mind, painting a vivid picture of a life he hadn't lived but is in his memories.
Gradually, As his initial bewilderment faded, he delved into deep reflection, piecing together the fragmented memories at the edges of his consciousness. As Ken struggled to make sense of his new existence, memories and emotions swirled erratically inside him, causing his head to throb with fierce intensity.
"Ryu," he whispered, testing the name on his tongue. It felt foreign yet familiar. "Is this... me now?"
The throbbing ache gradually subsided, allowing Ken to focus his gaze on the figure sleeping nearby. Yuki Sarutobi, the head of the orphanage, slept soundly next to his bed. He then pieced together the earlier events and made a guess that he was reincarnated as a boy named Ryu, was unconscious, and was being treated by this person.
He remembered the person from the memories he had just inherited. It was the orphanage head, Yuki Sarutobi. He then asked himself, "Is she related to the third Hokage?"
Engaging his scientific mind, Ken meticulously analysed the unfolding events, seeking logical explanations. "Sarutobi... that's the Third Hokage's clan name. She could be a relative. And if so, what's she doing running an orphanage? Maybe she lost a bet with the old man and got stuck with babysitting duty."
Pain shot through his weakened body as he attempted to sit up, his movements slow and cautious. "Great," he thought sarcastically, "I've been reincarnated into a body that feels like it's been through a meat grinder."
The sudden movement woke up the orphanage head, Yuki. "Don't try to move," she said, her voice laced with concern.
She then added, "I tried to heal you, but you are still very weak. You still need some proper bed rest. So do not try to move too much."
As always, Ken began to assess Ryu's physical state, identifying not only the minor wounds from his abusers but also the serious illnesses that had afflicted his fragile body. Other than the many minor physical injuries he sustained from his bullies, he recognised the presence of multiple illnesses.
His mind raced, cataloguing symptoms and potential diagnoses. The body he now inhabited was weak—far weaker than he had anticipated. "This complicates things," he thought grimly. "I'll need to find a way to strengthen this body if I hope to survive in this world, let alone become a Shinobi."
Yuki looked at Ryu, her eyes filled with concern, and she then became sad and said, "I am sorry that I couldn't do much for your illness."
Her gentle voice carried a genuine concern for his well-being. Despite her tireless efforts, the insufficiency of resources in the orphanage vividly highlighted the daunting challenges they encountered, painting a bleak picture of their circumstances.
She paused for a moment and continued, "I have reprimanded those boys for all the trouble they have caused you. Rest assured, they will never dare create more problems for you, not even in their wildest dreams."
A wave of dizziness washed over Ryu, or rather, Ken. The memories of Ryu's past were still swirling in his mind, a chaotic mix of pain and confusion. "They picked on the new kid," he rasped, his throat dry. "Couldn't just leave him alone."
Yuki's lips twitched in a faint smile. "A noble sentiment, but remember, this is a world of Shinobi."
She softened her voice and continued, "Here, strength is valued. You should not have taken such a beating for it."
A weak smile flickered across Ryu's face, replaced by a grimace of pain. "Don't worry about me, Mother Yuki," he rasped. "Thank you for healing me."
Ken, trapped within Ryu's weakened body, felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. Yuki's warmth was a stark contrast to the sterile environment of his past life.
Ken, or better, the all-new Ryu, realised the sadness in her voice. From the memories he inherited from Ryu's past, he deduced he was in the period after the Kyubi attack on Leaf Village.
The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on Ken as he reflected on the aftermath of the Kyubi attack, a tragedy that had left a trail of devastation in its wake, reshaping the lives of countless individuals. Through Ryu's memories, Ken gained a deeper understanding of the village's collective trauma and the enduring impact of loss and displacement.
The Kyubi attack took away the families of many people. He quickly understood that the sudden influx of so many orphans had put the budget of the orphanage in a tight spot.
"Talk about a budget crunch," he thought wryly. "Guess the Hokage's crystal ball didn't see this coming."
He had seen the story during his childhood, but he never understood the extent of the damage the Kyubi attack had on the Leaf village. Not very much is explored in the show or manga other than its effect on the main cast.
Through Ryu's memories, Ken learned of the heartbreaking loss of Ryu's mother during the devastating Kyubi attack. He thought about all the parents who lost their children that day and all the husbands or wives that were lost that day and thought, "Now I understand why Naruto was hated by the villagers."
Reflecting on his past beliefs, Ken realised the complexity of the villagers' emotions towards Naruto, understanding their need to assign blame in the face of tragedy. He was a stupid kid who did not deserve all that hate. But now he understood from the perspective of the villagers that they needed to blame someone to forget their pain. Even so, there were some intelligent people, like that ramen guy, who could see how complicated the situation was.
With a gentle tone, Yuki interrupted Ryu's contemplation, offering reassurance and practical advice. "Rest adequately, and if you require anything, Hiroto is here to assist. Your meals will be delivered until you fully recover, so focus on your healing without worry."
Yuki left Ryu in the care of Hiroto and left for work. From his memories of Ryu, he figured she worked at the Leaf Central Hospital. At this moment, an idea formed in his mind.
Ken had a strong desire to discover the hidden knowledge of this new world and unravel the mysteries that surrounded him, but he was adamant that he needed more than a basic introduction to chakra and ninja lore in order to fully comprehend the intricate mechanisms of this alien world. He thought that he would request books from Yuki the next time he met her. He planned to begin by reading any available books in the orphanage to familiarise himself with this new world.
Ken lay there with plans and possibilities racing through his head. He grappled with the need to balance his thirst for knowledge with the facade of a regular child, despite being intellectually advanced. His mature intellect, scientific training, and understanding of this world's future gave him an incredible amount of potential. Could he use the unique scientific knowledge and cutting-edge technology of his former world to reach great technological heights in his new world?
"I need to be methodical about this," he thought. "Start with the basics of chakra theory, then move on to history, politics, and techniques. But before all that, I need to work on strengthening this body. If I train with my body this weak, I could die. So training will have to wait after I cure this body. "
With a determined mindset, he set out to first focus on healing and strengthening his physical body before delving into the complexities of chakra theory and advanced techniques.
The story of Ryu, the reincarnated scientist in a world of ninjas, had just begun.