After the school day ended, Sasuke decided to familiarize himself with this strange world further. The unfamiliar technology, the different customs, and the new ways of life were all things he had to adapt to quickly if he was going to survive here. While others seemed to be seamlessly integrated into this world, for him, everything felt foreign, almost mechanical.
As he explored the school campus, Sasuke's sharp mind took in everything—the students' interactions, the structure of the building, and the unspoken rules that seemed to govern this world. However, his thoughts kept returning to the technology he saw his classmates constantly using, particularly the smartphones. They were small but seemed to hold immense power, and Sasuke knew that mastering these tools was essential to navigating this world.
Still holding his smartphone, he experimented with it, exploring different apps and browsing the internet. As he did, he learned about the various technologies that dominated this world: cameras, mobile communication, and something called the internet. To Sasuke, these were all strange concepts, but he quickly recognized their value. He could gather information on anything almost instantly.
But even as he read about Japan's culture and technological advancements, he couldn't shake the sense that this world wasn't as different from the ninja world as it seemed. Power, hierarchy, and manipulation—these were constants, regardless of the world.
Deciding to explore the campus more, Sasuke made his way to the shopping complex, a sprawling area filled with brightly lit stores and excited students eager to spend their newly acquired points. He entered with a calculated pace, his eyes scanning the crowds and stores around him.
The air was filled with chatter, the sound of laughter and excitement as students bought everything from clothes to electronics. Sasuke, however, was unmoved by the luxuries that seemed to fascinate his classmates. To him, this was simply more reconnaissance—an opportunity to observe how people behaved when left to their own devices.
As he walked through the shopping area, Sasuke's attention was drawn to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and Horikita Suzune, standing by a bench in the distance. Their conversation seemed private, but Sasuke, ever the observer, decided to listen in from afar, using the noise of the crowd as cover.
"Why are you following me?" Horikita asked, her voice cold but composed. She didn't bother to turn her head to look at Ayanokoji, continuing to walk forward with her usual determination.
Ayanokoji, as calm and indifferent as ever, replied in his usual monotone. "I'm not following you. We're just walking in the same direction."
Horikita sighed but didn't respond immediately. After a few moments, she said, "You should be more aware of how things look. People might misunderstand your intentions."
Ayanokoji gave a slight glance in her direction but didn't change his pace. "I'll keep that in mind."
They continued walking in silence for a moment, with Ayanokoji displaying no outward emotion and Horikita mostly ignoring him, focusing ahead. To her, Ayanokoji was just another one of her classmates, unremarkable and not worth her time unless he proved useful.
"You don't seem the type to enjoy shopping," Ayanokoji observed casually, his voice flat.
Horikita didn't slow her pace but replied curtly, "I'm not. I'm just observing the others. Everyone's so eager to spend their points without thinking of the consequences. It's reckless."
Ayanokoji nodded slightly, though his face remained unreadable. "They don't see the bigger picture. Right now, they only care about what's in front of them."
Horikita's expression darkened a little. "That's what separates those who succeed from those who fail."
She glanced at Ayanokoji, and for a moment, her eyes flickered with suspicion, but she quickly turned away, uninterested in continuing the conversation. It wasn't important enough to waste her energy on.
Sasuke observed from a distance, intrigued. He found Ayanokoji's complete lack of expression and Horikita's sharp, calculating nature somewhat interesting. They both seemed to be outsiders in their own way, though neither realized it fully yet. Still, they were nothing more than tools in the grand scheme, much like the rest of the students. Sasuke had no reason to involve himself.
Returning to the Dorm
After leaving the shopping complex, Sasuke decided it was time to return to his dorm and reflect on the day. He walked through the hallways, his steps measured and purposeful. By now, he had memorized the layout of the campus and his dormitory, so it was easy to make his way back.
When he entered his room, he was greeted by the cool air from the air conditioner. The room was sleek and modern, filled with more technology that was alien to him—there was a fridge, a washing machine, and various other appliances he had no immediate use for.
He sat on the bed, feeling the softness of the mattress beneath him. As he stared at the ceiling, he couldn't help but feel slightly disoriented by all of this. In his previous life, there had been no such luxuries. The world of shinobi was harsh and unforgiving; this world seemed almost too comfortable in comparison.
Sasuke closed his eyes, then slowly opened them as he activated his Sharingan. The familiar red hue with black tomoe returned to his vision, sharpening his perception of the room. He could see every detail with crystal clarity, from the slight ripple in the air from the air conditioner to the faint hum of the electronics around him.
But something was wrong.
Sasuke frowned as he tried to tap into his chakra more deeply. His Sharingan worked perfectly, and he could still channel chakra to strengthen his body, but… most of his chakra was sealed. He couldn't access it fully. It felt as though an invisible barrier was blocking the majority of his power.
"What… is this?" Sasuke muttered to himself. He placed a hand on his chest, trying to feel the flow of his chakra. It was there, but restricted. "I'm being limited… but why?"
He thought back to the strange man who had greeted him upon his reincarnation. The man had said nothing about his power being blocked. Was this world preventing him from accessing his full strength? Or was there something deeper at play?
Sasuke clenched his fist. "It doesn't matter. Even without my full power, I'll figure out what's going on here. I don't need to rely on the strength I had before."
Still, the feeling of being bound bothered him. He hated not having control. In the shinobi world, his power had been his path to freedom. Now, he felt like a caged animal, trapped by forces he didn't yet understand.
Sasuke opened his eyes again, his Sharingan deactivating as he stood up. He looked around the room, feeling the cool air against his skin. The modern world was still strange to him, but at least he had some semblance of control over his situation. For now, he would adapt.
"Everything here is… new," he said to himself quietly. "But the principles remain the same. Power, control, competition… I've dealt with all of it before. I'll do it again."
Sasuke's eyes darkened as he sat back down, contemplating his next steps. This world might be trying to limit him, but he was a survivor. He would find the answers he needed, no matter what.