The first thing Hitoshi Akihito became aware of was the warmth. It enveloped him completely, soft and reassuring, a stark contrast to the cold final moments of his previous life. As his senses slowly awakened, he felt the gentle rhythm of a heartbeat and the muffled sound of voices. For a moment, he didn't understand. Then it hit him.
I've been reborn.
The memory of his encounter with the angel was still fresh in his mind. The promise of a second chance, the decision to enter the world of Naruto, and the boon of the Nano Machine—it all felt like a strange dream. But this was real. He was no longer Robert Stein, the disillusioned man who had died in a drunk-driving accident. He was Hitoshi Akihito, a newborn in an entirely different world.
His eyes fluttered open, the light overwhelming at first. As his vision adjusted, he saw a woman's face looking down at him. Her features were soft but tired, her dark brown hair framing a face lined with faint wrinkles. Tears of joy glistened in her eyes as she smiled.
"He's perfect," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Beside her, a man leaned closer, his expression a mix of pride and awe. He had a strong build, with sun-weathered skin and a rough beard. His clothes were plain but well-made, typical of a hardworking merchant.
"Our son," the man said softly, reaching out a hand to gently stroke Hitoshi's cheek. "Welcome to the world, little one."
Hitoshi spent the first few weeks of his new life adjusting to the simplicity of being a baby. His body was weak and uncoordinated, and the Nano Machine within him remained dormant, waiting for the right moment to activate. Still, his mind was sharp. He absorbed every detail about his new surroundings, determined to understand this world he'd chosen.
His father, Akihiro, was a traveling merchant with a reputation for honesty and resourcefulness. He traded goods between distant villages, including Iwagakure and Sunagakure. His connections with shinobi villages were rare for a civilian, but Akihiro's charm and reliability had earned him trust even among hardened ninja.
Hitoshi's mother, Mayumi, was a stark contrast to his father. Once a skilled medical ninja, she had retired from her duties years ago, choosing a quieter life away from the battlefield. Though she rarely spoke of her past, Hitoshi could see the faint scars on her hands, a testament to years of hard work and sacrifice.
"Why did you stop being a ninja?" Akihiro had asked her once, a question that lingered in Hitoshi's memory.
Mayumi's answer was simple: "Because I wanted a life. A real life, with family and peace. That was more important to me than any mission.
Hitoshi's days passed peacefully, filled with the simple joys and challenges of infancy. Yet, he could feel the Nano Machine stirring faintly within him. It was subtle at first—a slight increase in strength, sharper senses, faster reactions. By the time he was a year old, he could crawl with astonishing speed and precision, though he was careful not to draw too much attention.
It wasn't just his physical abilities that were developing. His mind, enhanced by the Nano Machine, absorbed knowledge at an incredible rate. He began piecing together the intricacies of this world from the conversations he overheard.
"This drought is going to make trading with Sunagakure harder," Akihiro muttered one evening, poring over a map at the dining table.
Mayumi placed a hand on his shoulder. "You always find a way, Akihiro. Besides, you have allies in the Sand Village. They trust you."
Akihiro smiled at her, the lines on his face softening. "I just hope this little one grows up to be as smart as his mother."
Mayumi laughed, a sound that made Hitoshi's small heart swell with warmth. "Or as stubborn as his father. Either way, he'll be fine."
As Hitoshi grew, he began to understand the challenges his parents faced. The life of a merchant was not an easy one, especially when dealing with shinobi villages. The risks were high, and trust was hard-earned. Yet, Akihiro's determination and Mayumi's wisdom made them a formidable team.
Hitoshi admired his father's charisma and resourcefulness, but it was his mother's quiet strength that left the deepest impression on him. She carried herself with the grace of a former ninja, her movements deliberate and precise. Though she rarely spoke of her past, Hitoshi could sense the wealth of knowledge and experience she possessed.
One day, as Mayumi tended to her small garden, Hitoshi watched her carefully. "Mother," he said, his young voice steady despite his age, "why did you choose to marry Father?"
Mayumi paused, a smile playing at her lips. "Because he showed me that life could be about more than duty. He gave me hope for a future I never thought I could have."
Her words resonated deeply with Hitoshi. In his previous life, hope had been something he had lost. But here, in this new world, surrounded by the love of his parents, he felt it stirring within him once more.
By the time Hitoshi turned three, he had fully accepted his new identity. He was no longer just Robert Stein, the man who had died filled with regrets. He was Hitoshi Akihito, a boy with a future as vast and uncertain as the world around him.
As he lay in bed one night, staring at the wooden beams of the ceiling, he felt the Nano Machine pulse faintly within him. It was a reminder of the potential he carried, a promise of the extraordinary life that awaited him.
"I won't waste this chance," he whispered to himself, his small fists clenched.
End of the Chapter.