《Naruto - God of Shinobi》 The End of Mediocrity Year 2024, Somewhere on Earth¡ª The storm raged outside, a violent cacophony of wind and rain that shook the very foundation of the world. Trees groaned in the fury of the tempest, their branches twisting like tortured limbs. Somewhere in the heart of that storm, A boy sat, motionless, the only sound in the room the soft hum of a laptop screen flickering before him. The faint light from the screen cast long shadows across his face, making him look like a figure carved from the very darkness itself. The room was cramped, suffocating. It wasn''t the kind of space that breathed or lived; it was a tomb. If two people stood side by side, arms outstretched, they''d barely touch the walls. His gaze drifted back to the laptop, the voice of the professor in the video a dull drone that slipped into the background of his thoughts. The programming lecture continued, but his attention had long since wandered. He sank deeper into the bed, the fabric creaking beneath him, the silence wrapping around him like a heavy, suffocating blanket. He let out a long, exasperated sigh¡ªmore a release than a breath. "Isn''t my life just... too ordinary?" The thought was uninvited, but it clung to him, gnawing at his insides. Every day felt like the same, unbroken cycle: wake up, go to college, listen to lectures, come home, waste time on the bus, only to repeat it all over again. The thought was unbearable. Novels. Anime. Sleep. That was all he had. And even that¡ªhis one remaining escape¡ªfelt hollow. The stories that once stirred his soul now seemed like faded echoes, distant and unreachable. He couldn''t find anything new. There were no worlds left to explore, no characters to root for. His mind wandered back to the last novel he''d read. It had been one of those reincarnation stories, the ones he had devoured so many times. A boy, weak and alone, was reborn into a world brimming with power, magic, and potential. He had been nothing in his first life¡ªjust a recluse, a ghost in the world. But then he had gained unimaginable strength, and his life, his destiny, had changed. "That character... he was nothing before," he thought, his fingers curling into fists. "Just a nobody. But those powers... they changed everything. They gave him a chance." He looked down at his own hands, the ordinary, unremarkable hands. "I''ve got friends, family, a life that supports me. But it''s not enough." He thought of his parents'' concerned faces, the nagging voices telling him to stop wasting time on fiction. "They don''t get it. They don''t understand why I need this," he thought bitterly. "Why I need to escape." The frustration tightened in his chest. His jaw clenched. "At least my life is better than his was before. At least I''m not alone," he tried to reassure himself, but the words tasted empty. "What''s the point of all this? Why even think about things that will never happen? It''s not like I''m going to die and wake up in some other world."This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. He stared at the ceiling, his breath slow but heavy, as if the weight of his thoughts were too much for his chest to bear. "Content... but not happy," he whispered to no one in particular. The thought sat there, a jagged, uncomfortable truth. What was the point of a life that was only half-lived? What was the point of waiting for something¡ªanything¡ªthat would make it all worth it? The storm outside howled louder, its fury mirroring the turmoil inside him, but he didn''t move. The world outside raged, but here, in this small room, nothing changed. Nothing ever changed. Few minutes later - He tidied up his bed and went to sleep after scrolling through reels for half an hour. 3:00 AM The room was still, the silence broken only by the faint hum of the fan. But then, without warning, his eyes snapped open. His breath hitched, his chest heaving as a sudden wave of panic surged through him. What the¡ª? His mind raced, his body frozen for a moment before instinct took over. With trembling hands, he threw off the blanket, his heart pounding as he reached down to check. The damp fabric met his fingers, and a frustrated groan escaped his lips. "Another wet dream," he muttered bitterly, his voice laced with annoyance. "Just great." Dragging himself out of bed, the wooden floor beneath his feet creaked softly, a sound that echoed in the stillness of the night. His movements were sluggish, his body weighed down by exhaustion and irritation. He shuffled toward the closet, pulling out a fresh set of clothes before trudging to the bathroom. The faint splash of water filled the air as he cleaned up, the cool droplets jolting him slightly from his haze. But when he returned to his bed, the solace of sleep eluded him. He tossed and turned, the minutes dragging on like hours, the rain outside a relentless rhythm against the window. His gaze drifted toward the glass, the storm beyond mirroring the turmoil in his mind. His chest rose and fell unevenly, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. I''ve got college tomorrow, and here I am, wide awake, he thought, his lips pressing into a thin line. Another wasted night. With a defeated sigh, he reached for his phone, the blue light glaring in the darkness. He knew it was a terrible idea, but his resolve had long since crumbled. Navigating to his usual guilty pleasure¡ªJapanese "mature" anime videos¡ª''the ones he had sworn he''d stop watching'' .He let himself fall into the numbing distraction, the tension in his chest momentarily dulled. --- Ten Minutes Later¡ª The room was silent again, save for the soft shuffle of his footsteps as he made his way back to the bathroom. His reflection in the mirror stared back at him, but he avoided its gaze, his eyes hollow with exhaustion and something deeper¡ªshame, perhaps. The cold water splashed against his skin, chasing away the last remnants of heat. His movements were mechanical, almost robotic, as if he were going through the motions without thought. He dried off and trudged back toward the bed, his shoulders slumping under the weight of his restless thoughts. But just as his body met the mattress, a sharp, searing pain tore through his chest. His eyes widened in shock, his hand instinctively flying to his heart. The agony was unlike anything he had felt before¡ªtight, suffocating, and relentless. "What¡­ is happening?!" he gasped, his voice barely a whisper as the pain intensified. His breathing grew shallow, erratic, each inhale feeling like he was trying to breathe through water. His mind spiraled into chaos, panic clawing at his senses. I was fine¡­ I go to the gym every day! I''m healthy! This can''t be happening. Is it¡­ is it a heart attack?! Sweat beaded on his forehead, cold and clammy. His legs gave out beneath him, and his knees hit the floor with a resounding thud. His hands clawed at his chest as if trying to tear the pain away, but it was futile. His thoughts blurred, the world around him spinning into darkness. "No¡­ not like this¡­" was his final thought as the void claimed him. His body collapsed to the floor, a soft *thump* marking the end of his struggle. --- Somewhere in the Vast Expanse of the Cosmos¡ª Catalyst Somewhere in the Vast Expanse of the Cosmos¡ª The void stretched infinitely, an endless canvas of black speckled with distant stars that shimmered like fragments of forgotten dreams. At the heart of this emptiness, a radiant white light pulsed, its glow shifting and twisting as if it defied the very concept of form. Slowly, the light began to take shape¡ªa towering, ethereal figure whose presence exuded an overwhelming sense of divinity. Its edges flickered, undefined, yet its sheer aura was enough to command reverence. If a mortal were to see it, they would fall to their knees, awestruck and terrified in equal measure. The figure turned its attention to a tiny flickering orb floating nearby. The orb trembled, its faint glow dwarfed by the being''s immense radiance. Compared to the towering entity, it was insignificant¡ªa mere speck of dust before a mountain. "A soul¡­" the being mused, its voice resonating through the void, not as sound but as a presence that filled every corner of the space. "How curious. How did it come here?" The figure extended a hand, its fingers¡ªif they could be called that¡ªreaching toward the orb. With a subtle motion, it began unraveling the secrets of the fragile light. Memories, emotions, and thoughts unfolded before it, like pages of a book being read in an instant. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. "A human soul from a primitive world," it mused, its tone contemplative, yet there was something deeper¡ªa flicker of intrigue, perhaps even¡­ amusement. "But this¡­ this is peculiar." The light surrounding the figure dimmed momentarily as it paused, the air growing heavier. "This soul¡­ knows of the Otsutsuki baron family. The weakest¡­ yet the most ancient of bloodlines. How could a world so backward hold such knowledge? Even as fiction, such truths should remain beyond their grasp." The being''s form flickered as its thoughts deepened. "It seems my seclusion has lasted too long. The threads of fate are stirring, and events beyond my sight are in motion." Its gaze returned to the orb, which now shone brighter, its light growing purer in the sacred space it floated in. The divine energy surrounding it refined the soul, shaping it into something more than it once was. "You were not brought here by accident, little one," the being said, its voice tinged with something almost like amusement. "Perhaps it is his will. Or perhaps¡­ it is yours." The orb quivered, its light flickering as though it understood the weight of the being''s words. "You desired power," the figure continued, its tone shifting¡ªcolder, more calculating now. "A life beyond the mediocrity of your existence. Very well. I shall grant you this chance. But be warned, mortal: the path ahead is one of suffering and strife. The world I send you to holds the keys to your salvation and your destruction. You know of its future, yet even that will not prepare you for the trials that await." With a deliberate motion, the being raised its hand, its movements as graceful as they were terrifying. The void seemed to shudder, galaxies trembling as a powerful swoosh echoed across the vast expanse. The soul was flung into the infinite black, hurtling across dimensions, through stars and galaxies, its light trailing like a comet against the abyss. "Prove yourself, little one," the being murmured, its voice lingering in the empty space long after the soul had vanished. "If you rise above the greatest of that world, if you shatter the chains of mortality, then¡­ we shall meet again. Until then, this gift shall serve you well." And with those final words, the light began to fade, the figure dissolving into the void as though it had never existed. Only the faintest echo remained, a whisper that would never reach mortal ears. "Do not disappoint me." Reincarnated or Transmigrated ? In a modest room, the quiet was only broken by the soft sounds of four children breathing in their sleep. The space wasn''t large, but it wasn''t cramped either¡ªjust enough for four small beds, two of which were bunked against the walls. The faded paintings of animals and trees on the walls told anyone who entered that this was a space meant for children. For a while, everything was still. Then, one pair of eyes fluttered open. The boy shifted under his blanket, his body unusually heavy. He blinked a few times, his brows furrowing in confusion. ''Why do I feel so¡­ tired?'' The thought came sluggishly, as if his brain were wading through fog. He tried to reach for another thought¡ªhis name¡ªbut it slipped from his grasp. The boy frowned, his discomfort deepening. "Why can''t I remember my name?" He pushed harder, trying to pull the answer from somewhere, anywhere. Then it hit him. His eyes widened as something stirred deep within his mind¡ªsomething foreign, something overwhelming. Panic clawed at him as pain erupted in his head, sharp and relentless. He clutched at his temples, his small hands trembling. A *scream* tore from his throat, raw and involuntary, before his body gave out and he slumped back into unconsciousness. The scream shattered the stillness. The other children bolted awake, their startled cries filling the room. In the chaos, they spotted the boy lying limp on his bed, his face pale, his small chest rising and falling in shallow breaths. Panic set in as one of them dashed out of the room, yelling for the caretaker. --- At the Hokage''s office, the air was thick with smoke and paperwork. Hiruzen Sarutobi ''The third hokage'' sat at his desk, surrounded by an oppressive mountain of documents. The faint scent of tobacco lingered as he took a slow drag from his pipe. He was dressed in the traditional robes of his office, the white and red fabric pristine but weighty. His weary gaze wasn''t on the papers, though. It was fixed on the window, where the monument of the Fourth Hokage stood etched into the mountainside.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. "You were a great Hokage," he muttered, his voice barely audible over the crackle of his pipe. "You gave everything for the village." His words were tinged with something unspoken¡ªregret, perhaps. Or guilt. ''They remember you as the Yellow Flash, the savior of Konoha. But me? Decades of service, countless sacrifices, and I''m still just the old man who took over after you. He exhaled, smoke curling around his face. Maybe they''re right. Maybe I was never enough.'' His hands trembled slightly as he placed the pipe on the desk. The truth clawed at him, though he rarely admitted it even to himself. He could have saved Minato. He could have intervened, made a different choice. But he hadn''t. "I let my pride , my hunger for power or either jealousy get in the way," he whispered. "And now the village suffers for it." It had been a year since the Ky¨±bi''s attack¡ªa year since Minato had sacrificed himself to save Konoha. The village hadn''t yet recovered. The losses from the assault had piled onto the scars of the Third Great Ninja War, leaving Konoha weaker than ever. The orphanages were overcrowded, the ranks of the ninja thinned. And the burden of rebuilding fell squarely on Hiruzen''s shoulders. With a weary sigh, he turned back to the papers. There was no time for reflection¡ªnot now. --- At the orphanage, the boy stirred. The medical ward was quiet, save for the faint hum of activity beyond its doors. The boy blinked slowly, his head pounding, his thoughts sluggish. "Kazeo?" a gentle voice called. He turned his head slightly, recognizing the face beside him. Sato Kaori. She was the caretaker here, a kind civilian woman who always wore a tired but warm smile. "How are you feeling?" she asked, her voice full of concern. "I''m¡­ fine," he murmured. "Just a little headache." Kaori''s shoulders relaxed. "That''s good to hear. You''ve been out for a while. The doctor said you''re fine, but you should take it easy today. Let me know if you need anything." With that, she left, her footsteps fading down the hall. The boy closed his eyes, but the peace didn''t last. Memories¡ªfragments, flashes¡ªcame rushing in, each one sharper than the last. My name is¡­ Tanaka Kazeo. But that''s not the name I remember. A cold realization settled over him as he pieced it together. This wasn''t his world. This was fucking Naruto world . The thought hit him like a hammer, leaving him breathless. This wasn''t some fictional story anymore. This was reality¡ªa world of danger, death, and chaos. A world where even children weren''t spared the horrors of war. "Why am I here?" The question lingered, unanswered. Fear twisted in his gut as the implications sank in. If he wanted to survive, he needed to get stronger. Much stronger. But then another memory surfaced, one that felt closer, sharper. His old life. His family. His friends. Tears welled in his eyes as the loss struck him all over again. ''They''ll never know what happened to me. They''ll think I''m gone forever.'' For hours, he lay there, wrestling with his thoughts. The grief of leaving his old life behind warred with the excitement of a second chance. Slowly, the tears dried, replaced by a fragile determination. "I''m here now. There''s no going back. If I want to survive, if I want to make this life worth living, I have to do whatever it takes." With that, his body finally succumbed to exhaustion, and he drifted into a restless sleep. [Author here! ''What do you think happened to him , Did he get transmigrated in Kazeo''s body or did he reincarnated as Kazeo and just got his memories back ??'' Do let me what you think?] Hello...? System...?? Kazeo''s eyelids fluttered open, his vision blurry as he adjusted to the dim light of the orphanage room. A sharp inhale filled his lungs, the scent of old wood and damp fabric grounding him in reality. His small hands gripped the rough blanket beneath him, the weight of an unfamiliar body pressing down on his mind. ''So, it''s real¡­ I actually reincarnated.'' A strange mix of emotions swirled in his chest¡ªexcitement, dread, disbelief. He had expected something after death, but this? Being reborn in the world of Naruto of all places? His lips curled into a wry smile as he ran a hand through his messy black hair. Tanaka Kazeo. That was his new name. A four-year-old orphan in Konoha, left behind in the aftermath of the Ky¨±bi''s rampage. His new parents¡ªpeople he had never even met¡ªhad died a year ago, leaving him to be raised by the village-funded orphanage. A bitter chuckle left his throat. "I actually died from beating my meat to death¡­" (If you know ????) he muttered. "Goddamn it." Saying it out loud only made it worse. How many people could say they had literally jerked the life out of themselves? His past life had dismissed all that ancient talk about life force being tied to sexual energy. Turns out, it wasn''t just a myth. Every indulgence, every careless release¡ªit had drained him, not just physically but spiritually. The doctors might''ve called it a heart attack, but that was just the surface-level truth. The real cause? His own recklessness before his life energy and spiritual energy can generate, he jerked off. Shaking off those useless thoughts, Kazeo sat up, feeling the sluggishness in his limbs. His body wasn''t weak, but it didn''t feel his yet. His movements were awkward, like wearing a suit tailored for someone else. ''Guess my soul hasn''t fully settled in yet. Should be fine in a few days.'' With a deep breath, he focused inward, scanning himself. He wasn''t overly skinny, nor was he chubby¡ªdecent enough to start physical training. But there was something off. A strange, buzzing sensation thrummed beneath his skin, like an untapped energy waiting to be acknowledged. And then¡ªa spark.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. A wave of warmth surged through his veins, spreading like wildfire, filling every corner of his being with a strange yet familiar presence. He felt as his whole body orgasamed a little and his breath hitched. ''This is¡­ chakra.'' The sluggishness faded almost instantly, his body feeling lighter, sharper, stronger. It was intoxicating¡ªlike taking a deep breath after being suffocated for years. ''So this is what it feels like to have chakra¡­'' His fingers flexed, itching to test this newfound energy. But there was something else, something crucial he had to check first. If he had reincarnated¡­ then where was his cheat? Excitement sparked in his chest. He had read enough isekai novels to know the drill. He clenched his fists, whispering under his breath. "System¡­ Open." Nothing. "Status." Silence. "Status screen." Still Nothing. His jaw tightened. Maybe he had to say it out loud? He tried again¡ªthis time with different gestures, even striking a few ridiculous poses. "¡­Goddammit." The hope drained from his eyes as realization set in. ''Those damn novels LIED.'' No system. No golden fingers. No instant power-ups. He had been thrown into this world with nothing but his own will and knowledge. His fingers dug into his palm, frustration simmering beneath his skin. He didn''t need a system. Fine. If he had to crawl his way up from the bottom, then so be it. Nearly eleven years. That was how much time he had before Orochimaru''s attack on Konoha. If he wasn''t at least Jounin-level by then, he might as well start digging his own grave. His stomach growled loudly, snapping him out of his spiraling thoughts. "¡­Right. Food first." Pushing himself up, he walked out of the room, only to be immediately met by three familiar figures. Yamazaki Shizuka, Miyamoto Haruto, Kazuma. His roommates. Or rather, his only friends in this orphanage. They had been together for a year now, bound by their shared fate as war orphans. Only Shizuka was before us as her parents died in 3rd Great Ninja war. Others shared his fate. "Kazeo!" Shizuka''s voice was filled with worry as she rushed up to him. "What happened? Why did you scream this morning?" "Yeah, are you okay now?" Haruto added. Before Kazeo could respond, his stomach betrayed him. Grumble. Silence. Then, laughter. The three of them burst into giggles, Shizuka even clutching her sides. Kazeo''s face twitched, heat creeping up his neck. "¡­I''m starving," he admitted with a sigh. "Let''s eat first, then I''ll explain." Still snickering, the trio followed him toward the cafeteria¡ªonly for them to run into Kaori. The orphanage caretaker fixed him with a sharp look, arms crossed. "Kazeo, what are you doing out of bed? The doctor told you to rest." Kazeo scratched his cheek, offering a sheepish smile. "I know, but I''m hungry." His stomach grumbled again, much to everyone''s amusement. Kaori let out a sigh but shook her head fondly. "I sent food earlier, but you were asleep. I didn''t want to wake you." She gestured toward his room. "Go back. I''ll bring you something in a minute." Kazeo groaned internally but nodded. "And you three," Kaori turned to his friends. "Make sure he stays in his room. No running around." "Yes, ma''am," they chorused. And just like that, his chance to explore was crushed. Back in his room, he ate quickly before sending his friends off, claiming he needed more rest. The moment they left, his mind kicked into overdrive. ''Roaming just after my chakra was unlocked ¡­ that was reckless.'' What if someone had sensed it? What if a Root ninja had been nearby? Danzo''s name alone sent a chill through his spine. The man had already recruited eight orphans from here two months ago.Now there are only 80 children''s left here .If he showed even a hint of talent too soon, he''d be next. His fingers curled into fists. ''No I won''t be some mindless tool for Konoha. I need to be careful. I need to be smart.'' For now, he would play the part of an ordinary orphan. No sudden displays of power, no drawing attention to himself. But in the shadows, he would grow. Because in this world, strength was the only thing that matter. He then started thinking about his future plans . [Hello,Author here ! ''What do you think his plans for future will be ? Will he thought of becoming hokage or Want to secure a safe life away from fighting ?'' Do let me know.??] Path to S-Rank ? After sending the trio outside, I leaned against the wooden wall, exhaling slowly. My mind was already shifting, mapping out the path I need to take. I couldn''t afford to be weak. Not in this world. Power¡ªreal power¡ªis the only way to survive. And if I want to reach Kage-level before the real chaos started, before Orochimaru attacks Konoha, I need a plan. Step one: Get out of this orphanage. As long as I''m here, I will be under watch. whether it was by caretakers, nosy ninjas, or Danzo''s vultures sniffing around for talent.¡ªsomeone always will have their eyes on me. Once I join the Academy, I''d have freedom. Room to breathe, to grow. Step two: Find a way to reach Kage-level. The easiest path? Overpowered jutsus Flying Thunder God- Minato''s signature technique. If I could master it, I''d be untouchable. Speed beyond comprehension, the ability to appear anywhere in an instant¡ªthis was a technique that made even the strongest shinobi fear the Fourth Hokage. But getting my hands on it? That was the problem. Hiruzen wouldn''t just hand it to me. I''d either have to prove myself as Konoha''s ultimate weapon or¡­ steal it. Edo Tensei- A jutsu that literally brought the dead back to life. A personal army of S-rank shinobi at my command. If I had this, even the Akatsuki would hesitate before messing with me. But unless I became a Hokage candidate¡ªor had Orochimaru''s level of insanity¡ªthere was no way Hiruzen would let me near it. And stealing something that dangerous? If I got caught, I''d be executed on the spot. Spirit Transformation Technique- Dan''s ghostly possession jutsu. A technique that let the user leave their body and attack as a literal spirit. No physical form, no real weaknesses¡ªonly pure destruction. I liked it the moment I saw it in the anime. It had potential. But getting my hands on it was another story. Lightning Chakra Mode- The Raikage''s signature technique. Speed, durability, and raw power¡ªall enhanced to insane levels. If I have it, I''d be Kage-level in no time. The problem? I''d need to either break into Kumo''s archives or develop my own version through trial and error. And if that was really possible, Konoha would''ve done it already.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Sage Mode- Harnessing nature''s energy to surpass human limits. With it, even a skilled J¨­nin could rival a Kage. But Sage Mode wasn''t something you learned. It was something you survived. I need a summoning contract with an animal clan that knew how to use it¡ªlike the toads or snakes. Eight Inner Gates- Pure, raw physical power. No tricks, no chakra-based techniques¡ªjust unlocking the body''s natural limits. But the cost? Pain. Training that bordered on self-torture. And the final gate meant death. Guy made it look legendary, but even he had to sacrifice his own body to use it. Could I handle that?..I also have to be in best terms with Guy if I want him to teach me. One way also can be if I create my own S-Rank jutsu. But for using a S-Rank jutsu I will also need have high amount of chakra that means I also have to find a way to increase my chakra. Here I can also Fuinjutsu to store my chakra like Tsunade. And then¡­ there was the Jinch¨±riki path. The only realistic opportunity? Gaara. The moment Naruto will knock him out after the Chunin Exams¡ªthat will be my one chance to steal Shukaku. But if I became a Jinch¨±riki, the Akatsuki would be on my tail. They wouldn''t just kill me¡ªthey''d hunt me down like an animal. But I think I will definitely find a way to escape or fight them till that time. No. If I want to walk that path, I need Fuinjutsu. Fuinjutsu¡ªThe Key to Everything The more I thought about it, the clearer it became. Fuinjutsu wasn''t just a support skill¡ªit was the foundation of nearly everything powerful in this world. Flying Thunder God? A sealing formula Jinch¨±riki control? Seals Chakra storage? Seals Creating new techniques? Seals To seal Kaguya? Seals And the best part? It relied on mental energy. I was a 20-year-old in a kid''s body. My past life, my reincarnation¡ªhell, even the sheer fact that I died and came back¡ªit all pointed to my soul being stronger than it should be. That meant higher spiritual power. And higher spiritual power meant an easier time learning Fuinjutsu. He was right for this part as his soul really got strengthen due to either his luck or his fate (refer chapter 2). So his soul power and spiritual power were very strong than anyone . If I could master it, I wouldn''t need to rely on others. I could carve my own path. My fists clenched. "I''m not dying again," I muttered. The memory of that helplessness¡ªof my body failing me, of my own life slipping away without a fight¡ªit made my stomach churn. "Never again." I exhaled, letting the tension drain from my body. One step at a time. Power wouldn''t come overnight. I''d build it. Slowly, steadily, until no one could take my life from me again. A chuckle slipped past my lips. ''Yeah. Not dying again is pretty damn good motivation.'' ''And I have to start training my body and chakra to do any of these.'' Just as I was about to dive deeper into my thoughts, a loud *BANG*echoed from outside. My body reacted before my brain did. Heart pounding, I pushed open the door, stepping into the dimly lit hallway. My hands clenched at my sides, muscles tensed. Something was happening. [Author here ! , ''What do you think? Did someone attacked the orphanage or A battle is happening nearby? Does he have to run from here to save life ? '' Do let me know your thoughts ??] Mark by the Unknown ? Kazeo Tanaka woke up in the darkness of his orphanage room, the musty scent of old wooden floors and damp blankets filling his nose. He stared at the ceiling, his mind heavy with a truth that still felt unreal. This wasn''t his world. It was a world where monsters wore headbands and power was the only law. But it was his world now. A month had passed since he found himself in this fragile body, trapped in a place that should''ve existed only in fiction. The Hidden Leaf Village. The world of Naruto. And he was no prodigy. No descendant of some legendary clan. Just an ordinary orphan, four years old in body, but far older in mind. (Kazeo''s POV) Something is definitely wrong with my body. I get tired too easily. My limbs feel sluggish, like I''m wading through water with weights strapped to my ankles. No matter how much I rest, fatigue clings to me like a second skin. Even now, just sitting up feels like a battle against invisible chains. And then there''s my memory. It''s¡­ sharper than before. Too sharp. I can recall entire TV shows, word for word. Scenes I had barely paid attention to in my past life now replay in my mind with crystal clarity. It''s unnatural. Almost frightening. But amidst all these strange changes, There was something I was very happy about . I''ve found something that might just be my golden finger. A power. Or at least¡­ something resembling one. It''s subtle¡ªtoo subtle to call it an outright "cheat ability"¡ªbut it exists. I can move behind people without them noticing. . I know it''s cool but it''s not overpowered as you think . It''s not like I can sneak behind a Kage level or S-rank shinobi and kill them with poison. I think it has a limitation for sneaking behind Not just any people, though¡­ only those who are a little stronger and weaker than me. If I had to guess, I''d say it works on those one rank above me. How do I know this? Because a month ago, something happened. --- One Month Ago- This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. I was thinking about jutsus and ways to acquire them . Just as I was about to dive deeper into my thoughts, a loud *BANG* echoed from outside.I barely had time to process the noise before the whispers and excited gasps of the other children reached my ears. "Ninjas!" I pushed himself off my small bed and followed the murmuring crowd to the entrance hall. The dim lantern light flickered against the walls, casting long shadows as three figures whose vests bore the insignia of the Hidden Leaf, their headbands glinting under the lantern light stood before them. Kazeo''s pulse quickened. Real shinobi. Not actors, not illustrations on a page¡ªreal, living, breathing ninja. My three roommates were among the gathered kids, their faces alight with awe. I approached cautiously, my eyes scanning the scene. Our caretaker, Miss Kaori, stood to the side, a warm smile on her lips as she watched the children. "Um¡­ Good evening, Miss Kaori," I murmured. She turned to me, concern flickering in her eyes. "Oh, Kazeo! Are you feeling better now? Do you need me to call the doctor again?" I shook my head. "No, Miss Kaori, I feel much better now. But¡­ who are they?" Kaori glanced at the ninjas before turning back to me. "They used to live here, just like you all. They''re like your seniors, and they''ve come to show you some jutsus. Would you like to see?" I blinked, my mind processing the information. "Oh¡­ How did they become ninjas, Miss?" She chuckled. "They trained hard and joined the academy. If you want to be like them, you''ll have to strengthen your body and get admitted too." I nodded, absorbing her words. But inwardly, I sighed. ''Damn it. She keeps adding extra sentences to every question I ask. She must really want us to become shinobi.'' ''It''s also damn hard to act like kid and ask questions I already know'' Still, I turned my attention back to the scene. The ninjas were preparing to demonstrate their jutsus, and I wasn''t about to miss this.. Jutsus. Kazeo swallowed, his hands clenching involuntarily. This was it. His first real glimpse into the power system of this world. The demonstration was simple¡ªbasic fire release, a few clones, a simple genjutsu. But to Kazeo, it was like witnessing gods bend reality with their fingertips. The warmth of the flames, the flicker of movement as the clones formed, the subtle shift in the air when the genjutsu activated¡­ It was all real. He barely noticed himself moving closer. His focus locked onto the nearest ninja, his sharp eyes catching a small slip of paper stuck to the back of the man''s vest. Almost instinctively, he reached out¡ª And the moment his fingers brushed the paper, the ninja tensed. The man whirled around, eyes narrowing. "What the¡ª" Kazeo froze. The shinobi stared at him, then at the paper in his hands. His brows furrowed, his expression unreadable. "¡­When did you get behind me?" His voice wasn''t angry. Just¡­ surprised. Kazeo blinked, struggling for an answer. "I¡ª I just walked up to you. There was something on your back." The man took the paper slowly, his gaze still locked onto Kazeo. After a beat of silence, he turned and strode over to his teammate, his voice low as they exchanged words. Kazeo swallowed hard. ''Why did I sneaked behind him and why he didn''t sense me '' Did I just¡ª No. It had to be a fluke. But a part of me whispered otherwise. --- (First Ninja''s POV) "That kid¡­" I muttered, approaching my chunin comrade. "The one with the black hair. His chakra isn''t even unlocked, but I swear he snuck up behind me without me noticing." The other ninja''s eyes sharpened. "Oh? You lost track of a child?" "Shut up. I was just careless." "Uh-huh. Let me test something." He walked over, trying the same thing. But this time, the boy was caught before he could get behind him. I sighed in relief. ''So it was my carelessness. Still¡­ I need to sharpen my senses. If a kid can slip behind me, any half-decent genin could kill me in my sleep.''. ''I also have to increase my rank from genin by doing more missions and increase my pay grade, Sigh ... Life is very hard . I was happy when I was little just like them. '' The unease in my gut didn''t fade. I knew what I felt. And I knew someone who would want to hear about this. --- (Kazeo''s POV) Lying in his bed that night, Kazeo stared at the ceiling, his heartbeat slow and steady. He had something. Not a bloodline, not a god-given cheat. But something. And in this world, something was more than enough. What I didn''t know was that outside, those three ninjas were reporting to a figure cloaked in darkness. --- "So? Did you find anyone worth recruiting?" One of the ninjas hesitated. "¡­ I think ...There was one boy" And just like that, his fate was set in motion without his knowledge. [ Author here ! Who do you think was the figure in the darkness ? Will he recruit Kazeo? Will Kazeo''s secret be out ? Do let me know your thoughts. and Thank you for power stones.]