My eyes flung wide open. The initial observation I made was directed towards the overhead surface. A network of sturdy aged wooden beams composed a grid pattern above me. It contrasted starkly with the usual sterile white plaster I had grown accustomed to. I blinked, feeling confusion slowly seep in. The aroma of pine floated through the atmosphere, intermingling with a subtle scent I could not quite identify—something evoking a sense of rustic charm. My fingers instinctively moved, encountering the coarse texture of a blanket beneath them. I opted to lie still for a moment, allowing my senses to absorb the unfamiliar environment.
How did I end up here?
Abruptly, I sat upright, my pulse quickening. This was not my usual resting place. In fact, it bore no resemblance to my typical surroundings of plain walls and the soft hum of electronic devices. Instead, I found myself in what appeared to be a setting reminiscent of a traditional Japanese-style room, complete with tatami mats and sliding shoji doors.
What on earth is happening?
I halted that thought as a memory resurfaced. The rush of fear, the blinding headlights of an approaching truck, the sharp pain, and then… darkness. I recall the sickening sound of bones breaking and flesh tearing as I met a tragic end. It felt almost surreal, akin to a tale from another world, yet lacking the allure of a benevolent deity or a mystical portal to a realm of adventure. Only the harsh reality of the asphalt road.
And yet… here I was.
Taking a deep breath, I endeavored to remain composed. Succumbing to panic would serve no purpose. Regardless of the circumstances, I needed to grasp the situation at hand. I slid off the futon, noticing the diminutive, childlike form I now inhabited. A sense of despair enveloped me as I approached a nearby mirror. Reflected back at me was the countenance of a five-year-old boy with untidy dark hair and piercing blue eyes. A stark departure from my familiar visage.
"Let us analyze this logically," I murmured to myself, running a hand through my hair. "New corporal form, new environment, and distinct recollections of a fatal encounter with a truck. This scenario could be an exceptionally realistic dream or…"
My contemplation was interrupted by a small notebook resting on a low wooden table across the room. Intrigued, I advanced towards it, half expecting it to provide some clarity. Yet, as I picked it up, a peculiar sensation washed over me—a tingling sensation in the recesses of my mind, akin to an impending revelation. Before I could peruse its contents, a translucent window materialized before my eyes, hovering in the air reminiscent of a scene from a virtual gaming interface.
Name: Ryuji Suzuki
Age: 5
Title: None
Level: 1(0.0%)
Health Points (HP): 180
Strength (STR): 12
Vitality (VIT): 15
Chakra Capacity (CHA): 12
Agility (AGI): 14
Intelligence (INT): 30
Chakra Control (CC): G
Stat Points: 0
Affinity: Lighting, fire, wind
Bloodline Ability: None
Skills:
Basic Chakra Manipulation (Passive, Level 1): The aptitude to sense and control chakra, though with some difficulty.
Benefit: Enhances chakra efficiency by 2%.
Chakra Consumption: 10 CP
Jogging (Passive, Level 3): The innate capacity to run, typical for a young child.
Benefit: Boosts movement velocity by 2%.
General Knowledge (Passive, Level 5): The fundamental comprehension of one's surroundings.
Effect: Enhances intellect slightly during learning.
Inventory:
Apparel
Play Kunai (Plastic)
Small Nourishment
I blinked, then blinked once more. The window remained unchanged. My eyes widened as I began to comprehend what lay before me. This resembled the RPG games I had immersed myself in, but the statistics were more than mere numbers - they represented my physical and mental capabilities.
"Is this a reality?" I murmured, gesturing my hand through the window. It mimicked my movements without obstructing my view, appearing almost as a hologram.
Compose yourself, Ryuji. Let's analyze this logically. I am inhabiting a new body, equipped with a functioning gamer system. The statistics are intriguing, with high intelligence and wisdom that align with an adult background, yet lacking in other areas. I find myself as a cerebral figure with limited physical strength. The window lingered, prompting action, but I chose to dismiss it with a mere thought, relieved by its swift disappearance. While the system's workings remain unclear, it seems intuitive for now.
Retreating to the futon, I attempted to organize my thoughts. The memories from my past existence remained vivid. The awareness of my current body's memories-
[Ting!]
[Host's memories unlocked]
Flashes of Kenro's transient life in Konoha rushed through my mind-
WAIT! KONOHA!
The name struck me like lightning, unlocking a reservoir of knowledge. Konoha, the village shrouded in foliage, the birthplace of heroes, and the central stage for events in this bewildering realm. Acquainted with the narrative of this world through literature, visual media, and firsthand experience, I now stood in the universe of Naruto.
The memories ceased abruptly, accompanied by a dull ache, perhaps for adaptation. However, the paramount issue was apparent. I found myself transmigrated to a realm teeming with Jutsu practitioners, where mortality is commonplace, and child soldiers are normalized. A tremulous laughter escaped me, the sheer absurdity of my circumstances overwhelming. While fictional characters often encountered such scenarios, navigating it firsthand presented an entirely different challenge.
"Status!" I whispered out
Name: Ryuji Suzuki
Age:5
Title: None
Level:1(0.0%)
Health Points (HP):180
Strength (STR):12
Vitality (VIT):15
Chakra Capacity (CHA):12
Agility (AGI):14
Intelligence (INT):34
Wisdom (WIS):31
Chakra Control (CC):G
Stat Points:0
An awareness of the two chakra statistics should have indicated the world I ventured into, yet the gravity of my transmigration obscured this observation.
"Of all the places to end up, why did it have to be here?" I lamented aloud, yearning for a more favorable circumstance.
I reclined on the futon, gazing up at the wooden ceiling. On one side, this situation appeared unreasonable. I found myself in a realm familiar only from an animated series, inhabiting a body not my own, governed by a system that exuded characteristics of an excessively dominant main character. Yet, on the other hand, I existed as a five-year-old surrounded by individuals capable of effortlessly causing my demise. Unlike a valiant protagonist, I harbored no illusions of greatness. I harbored no intentions of recklessly confronting danger or provoking conflicts merely for the sake of it.
To survive in this environment, I recognized the necessity of employing intellect. The key to longevity lied in strategic planning, leveraging my understanding, cognitive skills, and any potential benefits offered by the system. Above all, I committed to establishing boundaries that prevented exploitation. Although harsh, this world would not subdue me.
"Welcome to the realm of Naruto, Ryuji," I remarked with a wry smile, infusing my statement with a touch of sarcasm. "Exercise caution in preserving your existence."
With a summon, the gaming system reappeared, and this time, I stood prepared. I vowed to transcend beyond becoming a mere statistic in this unforgiving universe.