"Where the hell am I? And why am I in a desert? Wait... am I dead?"_
An uncontrollable shiver ran through his body. His senses slowly adjusted, and a terrifying realization hit him like a tidal wave. He had traveled through time. No—he had transmigrated. Into the body of Minato Namikaze.
And not just any Minato Namikaze.
A dead one.
_"No way. I'm still inside the Reaper's stomach?"_
Memories flooded his mind, merging seamlessly. The experiences, emotions, and abilities of Konoha's Yellow Flash became his own.
Sage Mode.
Rasengan.
Flying Thunder God.
It was all there, perfectly intact. His lips curled into a grin. If he had inherited Minato's strength, then maybe—
_"System!"_ he called out in his mind, instinctively hoping for the golden finger every transmigrator dreamed of.
[Ding! The Sign-In System has been activated!]
A mechanical voice echoed in his mind, confirming his suspicions. The next moment, it continued,
[The host can sign in at various locations to receive rewards. Signing in on people allows the host to obtain their abilities, chakra attributes, ninjutsu, bloodline limits, or even chakra doubling!]
[But that's not all.]
The cold robotic tone suddenly shifted. A new voice—soft, melodious, and undeniably smug—filled the void.
A girl appeared before him, her long blue hair cascading down her back in twin ponytails. A knowing smirk tugged at the corners of her lips as she took in his stunned expression.
_"Great. My system has a personality."_
She twirled around theatrically.
[If you sign in at certain locations, the system may trigger a critical hit reward!]
Minato raised an eyebrow. _Critical hit?_ He crossed his arms and asked, "What kind of rewards are we talking about?"
The system girl grinned.
[Things from other worlds! Mysterious flames, powerful martial arts, divine techniques, even Ultra Instinct!]
Minato blinked. He hadn't expected that answer. "Wait. That sounds... way too overpowered. How is your function so broken?"
She puffed out her chest proudly. [Our system has different levels! Right now, I'm a third-level system. There's a trainee system, a primary system, then it goes all the way up—first, second, third, and beyond!]
Minato's eyes narrowed. "So… the systems that get their hosts killed are all at the lower levels?"
She waved dismissively. [Trainee or primary level, yeah.]
_"So basically, I'm in the hands of a slightly competent system. Could be worse."_
A thought struck him, and he smirked. "System, what about a newbie gift package?"
The system girl rolled her eyes.
[Ding! Congratulations! The host has received a novice gift package! Would you like to open it?]
Minato didn't hesitate. "Open it."
[Ding! Congratulations! The host has obtained captain-level spiritual pressure!]
An overwhelming force surged through his body. This energy—this wasn't chakra. It was something entirely different. Denser. Wilder. Stronger.
Then, a flash of light. A long, elegant katana materialized before him.
[Ding! Congratulations! The host has obtained the oldest and most powerful fire-type Zanpakutō—Ryūjin Jakka!]
Minato stared. His brain stalled.
_"Hold up. Did I just become a Shinigami in the Naruto world?"_
[Ding! Congratulations! The host has obtained mastery over Zanjutsu, Hakuda, and Shunpo!]
Minato's grin widened. "Now we're talking."
A flood of knowledge poured into his mind. Sword techniques. High-speed movement. The deadly efficiency of Hakuda. It all became second nature in an instant.
Yet, something was missing.
Minato frowned. "Wait a minute. In the world of Shinigami, there's still one more combat style—"
The system girl suddenly turned away, pretending to be busy.
_"Oh, now you're ignoring me?"_
Minato let out a sigh and looked around. The world around him was a void, a spiritual plane where only souls existed. He needed to get out.
"Alright, system. How do I return to the ninja world?"
The system girl yawned. **"If you have any inquiries, please leave a message. This system is currently unavailable."**
Minato twitched. "You were acting all high and mighty just a second ago, and now you're pulling this?"
Annoyed, he crossed his arms. _Fine. If the system was going to be useless, he'd figure it out himself._
---
On the rooftop of the Chūnin Exam stadium, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression darkened. His heart pounded in his chest as he watched Orochimaru complete his jutsu.
Three coffins slowly rose from the ground.
_"Not good."_
He recognized the danger immediately. If Orochimaru summoned three Hokage-level powerhouses, Konoha was doomed. Without hesitation, he weaved hand seals.
**Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!**
A storm of spinning steel flew toward the third coffin, piercing through its wooden frame. It shuddered, halted, and refused to rise any further.
Hiruzen exhaled. That should have stopped it.
But then—
The air around them distorted. The suppressed coffin trembled, then suddenly **forced its way upward** as if breaking free from an unseen restraint.
_"Impossible!"_
A loud **BANG** echoed across the battlefield as the coffin lid **exploded outward**, slamming into the barrier.
Then, a lazy, annoyed voice drifted from within.
_"Is this really your best idea for bringing me back?"_
Time seemed to freeze. Every shinobi present turned toward the sound, their faces pale with shock.
Hiruzen's eyes widened. He recognized that voice.
_"No… it can't be…"_
The dust settled. A figure slowly emerged.
Golden hair. A Hokage robe draped over his shoulders. Young, strong, and very much alive.
The Fourth Hokage—Minato Namikaze—had returned.
Orochimaru's snake-like eyes narrowed. Confusion flickered across his face. "This… isn't right."
He had intended to summon the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa. Yet the man standing before him wasn't Rasa at all.
_"What the hell is going on?"_
Elsewhere, Kakashi, who had been battling the Sand shinobi, suddenly froze. His Sharingan spun wildly as he felt the familiar chakra signature.
His throat tightened.
_"That chakra… it can't be…"_
Around the battlefield, shinobi murmured in disbelief.
_"Minato Namikaze!"_
_"The Fourth Hokage!"_
_"Lord Fourth…?"_
Minato rolled his shoulders, flexing his fingers as if testing his body. He sighed.
_"Man, being resurrected feels terrible."_
With an exasperated expression, he muttered under his breath.
_"Well, at least it's better than being stuck in that damn Reaper's stomach."_
And just like that, the battle shifted.
The Yellow Flash of Konoha was back.
---