---
The room was silent, except for the faint hum of the ceiling fan. A young man 22 years old sat in his desk, staring at his laptop screen. The faint glow of the monitor highlighted the bags under his eyes. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, uncertain, as if typing the wrong words would worsen his situation.
Rejected. Again.
The email on the screen delivered the same tired message: "Thank you for your application. Unfortunately, we have chosen another candidate."
A bitter laugh escaped his lips. It was the fifth rejection this week. The world outside his room seemed to be moving forward, people achieving their dreams, while he was stuck.
"I worked so hard for this," he muttered, running a hand through his messy black hair. "A master's degree in cyber security English ,French, Spanish and Japanese literature, hours of studying, nights of sacrificing sleep... for what?"
But it wasn't the rejection itself that bothered him the most. It was the stagnation. His life felt hollow, routine, unchanging.
---
An Escape from Reality
Closing the email, he opened his browser to his favorite escape: fanfiction. Scrolling through stories on his favorite website, he found himself lost in the adventures of fictional characters. Stories where the protagonist overcame impossible odds, became stronger, and built unshakable bonds.
Among these stories, Naruto was his favorite. He admired the characters' determination, their ability to rise from nothing and make something of themselves. Naruto, with his relentless drive to protect those he cared for. Minato, the silent storm of power and brilliance. Even characters like Tsunade and Ino had captured his imagination in ways he couldn't explain.
As the hours passed, he immersed himself in the Naruto world. His heart ached with the longing to belong to a story like that, a world where every action mattered.
"If I were there, maybe things would be different," he thought. "Maybe I could matter. Maybe I could..."
He stopped himself, shaking his head. It was just a fantasy. Reality didn't work like that.
---
Family Ties
A knock on his door broke the silence.
"Dinner's ready!" his younger sister called from the hallway.
"Coming!" he replied, forcing himself to leave the comfort of his imaginary world.
At the dinner table, his family tried their best to encourage him. His father, a practical man, offered advice: "Take it one step at a time. You're young; you'll find your way." His mother chimed in, reassuring him that something good would come along soon.
Though their words were aimed to make him feel better, they did little to lift the weight on his shoulders.
That night, as he lay in bed staring at the ceiling, the ache in his chest returned. He felt trapped, powerless, and small in a world that demanded so much.
"What's the point of trying so hard if nothing changes?"
As his eyes grew heavy with sleep, he made a quiet wish:
"If I could start over, in a world where I could make a difference, where I could be stronger... I'd do anything."
---
The Void and the System
When he opened his eyes, he was no longer in his room.
He stood in an endless expanse of white, a void stretching infinitely in all directions. Confused, he spun around, his heart pounding.
"Where am I?" he muttered.
A soft, melodic voice answered, echoing from nowhere and everywhere at once.
"Welcome, host. You have been chosen."
He froze, his breath hitching. The voice belonged to a glowing, humanoid figure that materialized before him. She appeared calm and ethereal, with an otherworldly presence.
"Who... are you?"
"I am Aya," the figure said, her voice gentle yet firm. "An artificial intelligence designed to assist you on your journey. You have been selected to traverse the multiverse, starting with the world of Naruto."
His heart skipped a beat. Was this real? Had he finally lost his mind?
"You're joking," he said, a nervous laugh escaping him.
"I assure you, this is no joke. You wished for a chance to start over, to live a life of purpose. The system has chosen you."
Aya went on to explain that he would be transported to the Naruto world, starting at the age of three. His previous life would remain intact in his memories, but he would begin anew, crafting a new identity and forging his path.
---
Crafting a New Life
Aya guided him through the process of creating his background. He described the life he wanted, and she optimized it to fit seamlessly into the Naruto universe.
He chose to be an orphan, the son of shinobi who had sacrificed themselves in the ongoing war. His fabricated ancestry tied him to powerful clans—the Senju, Uchiha, Uzumaki, and Hyuga—though their traits would be dormant at the start. Aya explained this would give him potential but not overpowered abilities.
His fabricated memories included the love of his parents, their tragic deaths, and his resolve to become stronger for the sake of the village. He opted for black hair and sharp, symmetrical features, a subtle nod to his fabricated lineage.
The system itself was robust, featuring:
Attributes: Strength, speed, intelligence, etc., which could be leveled up.
Store Points (SP): Currency earned through missions and achievements.
Talents and Skills: Acquired through effort, with potential to grow exponentially.
Finally, Aya asked if he was ready. Taking a deep breath, he nodded.
"Good luck, host. Your new life begins now."
---
Awakening in a New World
When he opened his eyes again, he was no longer an adult. He was a three-year-old boy, lying on a simple cot in an orphanage in Konoha. The faint morning light streamed through the window, and the sounds of children playing outside filled the air.
Aya's voice echoed in his mind:
"Welcome to your new world, host."
He sat up slowly, taking in his small hands and the unfamiliar surroundings. Though his fabricated memories painted a picture of tragedy and resolve, his real self marveled at the reality of it all.
This was no dream. He was in the Naruto world, starting from scratch.
And for the first time in years, he felt something stir within him—hope.
---
End of Chapter 1