The rain poured steadily, its rhythmic patter muffled by the glass of Robert Stein's windshield. The city streets were eerily empty this late at night, lit only by the hazy glow of streetlights reflected on the wet asphalt. The wipers swished back and forth, trying to clear the raindrops, but Robert barely noticed. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, knuckles pale, though the road in front of him remained a blur.
It wasn't just the rain making it hard to see.
A half-empty bottle of bourbon sat on the passenger seat, its amber liquid sloshing gently with the car's movement. The warmth of the alcohol still lingered in his chest, dulling the sharp edge of the night but leaving his thoughts sluggish. Robert's head throbbed faintly, his emotions muddled between frustration and regret.
He hadn't meant for it to come to this.
Life, once full of possibilities, had unraveled one thread at a time. A failed marriage, a string of dead-end jobs, and a hollow, echoing loneliness that grew heavier every day. The few friends he once had had long drifted away, tired of his self-pity and his inability to move forward.
"Another night alone," he muttered, his voice hoarse. The words didn't make him feel better—they never did.
The rain grew heavier, blurring the cityscape even further. He squinted at the faint red glow of a traffic light ahead but didn't slow down. No one else was on the road, anyway. Or so he thought.
He didn't see the other car until it was too late.
The headlights appeared out of nowhere, blinding in the rain. Panic gripped Robert as he slammed on the brakes, his tires screeching against the wet pavement. The car skidded, and for a brief, horrifying moment, everything seemed to hang in the air. Time slowed, giving him just enough time to realize the inevitability of what was about to happen.
Then, impact.
The sound of crunching metal and shattering glass was deafening. Pain lanced through his body, sharp and overwhelming, before everything faded to black.
When Robert opened his eyes, the world was... different.
Gone were the rain, the car, and the city streets. Instead, he found himself standing in an endless expanse of white. It wasn't just bright—it was pure, an overwhelming emptiness that seemed to stretch forever. His body felt weightless, yet when he looked down, he was still himself. Same clothes, same hands. But something was off.
"Where am I?" he murmured, his voice sounding strange in the stillness.
"You've left your world," a voice answered.
Startled, Robert turned toward the sound. Standing a few feet away was a figure unlike anything he'd ever seen. They looked human, but their presence was otherworldly. Their features were impossibly flawless, a strange blend of beauty and authority. A soft golden glow surrounded them, casting a comforting light in the void.
"Who... who are you?" he asked, his voice trembling.
The figure smiled gently. "You may call me an angel, if it brings you comfort. My true nature is beyond your understanding, but I am here to guide you."
Robert took a shaky step back. "So... I'm dead, aren't I?"
"Yes," the angel replied simply. "Your life has come to an end, Robert Stein. But this is not the end of your journey."
He blinked, trying to process the words. "What do you mean? Isn't this where I get judged or something? Heaven or hell?"
The angel's expression softened, as if amused by the question. "Not quite. There is no judgment here, only opportunity. Your life, while short and troubled, still holds untapped potential. You are being offered a rare gift: the chance to begin again."
"A... second chance?" Robert repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes," the angel said. "You may choose to be reborn in a different world, a fresh start where you can shape your destiny. Furthermore, I will grant you one boon to aid you in your new life. A single request, within reason."
The words sounded like a dream. A new life? A chance to escape everything he'd left behind? But doubt lingered in Robert's mind. "Why me? I wasn't a good person. I made mistakes—hurt people."
"That is true," the angel said, their tone neither harsh nor forgiving. "But every soul deserves the chance to grow, to overcome their flaws. This is not a reward, Robert. It is a chance."
Robert stood in silence, his thoughts swirling. Could he really leave everything behind? The pain, the regrets, the failures? A spark of hope ignited in his chest, faint but undeniable.
"If I say yes," he began cautiously, "can I choose... anything? Any world?"
The angel nodded. "Any world you desire."
A small smile crept onto Robert's face. He knew exactly what he wanted. "The Naruto world. A world with ninjas and chakra. That's where I want to go."
The angel raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "An interesting choice. And your boon?"
Robert hesitated, considering his options. If he was going to live in such a dangerous world, he needed something that would give him an edge. Something powerful.
"The Nano Machine," he said finally. "From the manhwa. I want it integrated into my body, but without any side effects."
The angel's smile grew. "A wise decision. The Nano Machine will enhance your abilities, giving you the tools to thrive. Very well, Robert Stein. From this moment forward, you will no longer be who you were. Your new life begins now."
Before Robert could respond, the void around him began to glow. Warmth enveloped him, filling him with a sense of peace he hadn't felt in years. The angel's voice echoed one last time, soft and reassuring.
"Live well, Hitoshi Akihito."or "Senju Akihito"
As the light consumed him, Robert felt himself fading, his old life slipping away. For the first time in a long time, he wasn't afraid. He was ready.
And with that, he was gone.
End of the Chapter.