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Chapter 1: A Lazy Rebirth
Amane's POV
"Today is my 17th birthday, and just like every other birthday, I'm spending it alone. But you know what? That's fine. It's just the way things are. I'm an orphan, after all. My mom died giving birth to me, and my dad—well, he died trying to be some kind of hero, saving a group of kids from kidnappers. I guess it's noble, but it left me with nothing but a life full of memories and enough money to get by.
Friends? Never had any. Not because I'm awkward—though maybe I am—but because everyone at school acts like they're the protagonist of their own anime, walking around with their heads in the clouds. I don't have time for that. It's not like I'm judging them. They probably see me the same way. But honestly, who cares? So here I am, spending my birthday alone, wandering around like a lost soul. Nothing new."
I trudged home, kicking at the sidewalk as I passed a familiar alleyway. That's when I saw it. A group of thugs, holding knives, trying to rob a couple of girls. The scene hit me like a punch to the gut. I wasn't one to play hero, but something inside me urged me to step in.
But before I could even think, a bottle flew from a nearby window, hitting one of the thugs in the head. It wasn't enough to knock him out, but it sure did get their attention.
They turned to face me.
I froze.
They looked at me.
I looked at them.
Then, without thinking, I ran.
"Get him!" one of them shouted.
My legs carried me as fast as they could. I wasn't exactly a runner, but adrenaline had me going. I felt like I could outrun them.
Until I slipped.
There was some spilled liquid on the ground, and I hit it wrong. My foot skidded, and I went crashing backward into one of the thugs chasing me. His knife found its mark, digging into my side.
"Ahhh!" I screamed in pain, the world spinning. Blood poured from my wound, and my vision blurred.
The girls ran away, but it was too late for me. I tried to reach for my phone, but it wasn't in my pocket. I could only stare at the sky, feeling my life slip away.
"Is this it?" I muttered. "What a dumb way to die..."
The world went black.
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When I woke up, I didn't feel the pain I expected. Instead, I was lying in a room that looked nothing like a hospital room. The wooden ceiling was strange. Was I dead? Was I in some afterlife? No, this was... a different world?
I tried sitting up, and to my surprise, I felt no pain at all. I checked myself over. No wounds. No scars.
But then, it hit me. Something in my head... memories. Not my memories. Memories of another life, of villages, ninja, chakra, and... the Nine-Tails.
"No way..." I whispered. "Am I in the Naruto world?!"
The more I thought about it, the clearer it became. My name here was Gyu. I was six years old, but my memories were those of a much older man. My parents—both elite shinobi—died during the Third Great Ninja War. They left behind a significant inheritance, including 13 million ryo and some powerful ninja scrolls.
"Well, at least I'm rich," I muttered. "I guess I can't complain about that."
Just as I was starting to adjust to my new life, a strange voice echoed in my head.
[Ding!]
[Host has awakened. Initiating Demon Slayer System...]
I blinked. "Wait, what? A system?"
[Ding!]
[Welcome, Host. The Demon Slayer System is now active. The system will guide you in mastering Breathing Techniques, providing training and support along the way. The system has also unlocked a lottery function. You may claim your first reward.]
Before I could process everything, the system chimed again.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host! You have received the following rewards:
1. All Chakra Elements
2. Sage Body
3. Demon Slayer Breathing Techniques]
I couldn't believe it. All chakra elements? That meant I had access to every form of chakra manipulation. The Sage Body was a gift beyond measure, and the third reward—Breathing Techniques from Demon Slayer? This was insane.
I opened the Breathing Techniques interface, which detailed how I could create my own techniques using elements.
[Ding!]
[The Demon Slayer System grants access to the Breathing Techniques module. The host may create up to 13 techniques per element. Each technique must be based on a sword and chakra. The techniques are only usable by the host or their descendants.]
I rubbed my head, overwhelmed. "Okay, this is a lot to take in. I need to think this through."
The system continued, but now, I had more control. It didn't rush me. I could take my time crafting my first technique.
I stared at the options in front of me. It took me a long time, hours, maybe, to decide. But I finally had an idea.
"I want something defensive. Something beautiful and powerful."
I thought about my favorite techniques from Demon Slayer. Water was a beautiful element. It could be calm, serene, but it could also be fierce and defensive.
"I want to create a technique that generates a large amount of water on the ground, almost like a beautiful mirror. It'll form a reflective surface that looks serene, but when I need it to, it'll defend me, creating barriers of water around me like mirrors to protect me from attacks. It'll be like my own personal shield."
I paused, reflecting on my idea. The technique would be beautiful, a perfect balance between aesthetics and power.
I finally decided to name it Dead Calm. The name reflected the technique's serene nature, but also its deadly potential in combat.
"Okay, let's do it," I said, confidence filling me.
I activated the system.
[Ding!]
[Creating Technique: Dead Calm.]
[Description: A defensive water-based technique that creates a mirror-like surface of water on the ground using chakra. The water automatically forms barriers in response to incoming attacks, defending the user. The technique is both elegant and powerful, resembling a calm lake at night.]
[Estimated Creation Time: 10 Days.]
[Do you wish to proceed? Y/N]
"Yes," I said without hesitation.
---
With the system now working on Dead Calm, I decided to explore Konoha.
Stepping outside, the first thing I noticed was how vibrant everything was. The streets were alive with people, from merchants shouting about their goods to ninja dashing across rooftops.
I wandered down the market street, marveling at the various stalls. Fresh fruits, shiny kunai, colorful fabrics—it was all so lively. A blacksmith's forge caught my eye, the heat radiating from it making the air shimmer. I wondered if I could commission a custom blade once I had the funds to spare.
As I walked further, the iconic Hokage Monument loomed above the village. The carved faces of the past Hokage looked down, almost as if they were watching over everyone.
The smell of freshly made ramen wafted through the air, leading me straight to Ichiraku Ramen.
"I've got to try this," I said, stepping inside.
The owner greeted me with a warm smile. "Welcome! What'll it be, kid?"
"One bowl of miso ramen, please," I replied, my mouth already watering.
When the steaming bowl arrived, I didn't hesitate. The first bite was pure bliss.
"This is amazing," I mumbled between bites.
After finishing, I paid and stepped back outside, feeling satisfied.
Walking through the residential areas, I saw children playing ninja games, adults chatting about missions, and retired shinobi tending to small gardens. It was peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos I knew was coming in the future.
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