The sharp, metallic scent of blood tasted heavy on Kenji's tongue.
He was sprawled out against the wet, brick wall of a Queens alleyway. His ribs ached, and his left eye was swollen half-shut.
Memory hit him like a freight train—the blinding glare of truck headlights from his past life, the screech of burning rubber, and the weightless void of death.
Now, he was alive. Transmigrated.
He had inherited the body of a sixteen-year-old international student in New York City. An orphan whose parents had died in a factory accident two months ago, leaving behind a massive three-million-dollar insurance payout.
In American high schools, being the quiet, rich international kid with no family made you the ultimate target.
"Hand over the wallet, fresh off the boat," a heavy voice snarled.
A broad-shouldered teenager in a varsity jacket sneered down at him, flanked by two larger cronies. Flash Thompson.
Flash reached down, roughly grabbing Kenji by his hoodie collar and hauling him to his feet.
Kenji didn't panic. His sharp, analytical mind immediately surveyed the street beyond the alley.
A discarded newspaper on the pavement read 2003. Across the block, a massive yellow billboard proudly advertised Stark Industries.
Earth-616, Kenji deduced instantly. S.H.I.E.L.D., mutants, gods, and upcoming alien invasions.
In a world monitored by super-spies, government agencies, and hidden threats, throwing around superpowers right out in the open was an invitation to get dissected in a lab.
If you want to survive in this universe, you hide your hand until you hold all the cards.
A sleek, translucent interface flickered before his eyes.
[Hokage System Activated]
[Host: Kenji Tanaka] [Current World: Earth-616]
[Chakra: 100/100] [Level: 1 (Civilian)]
[Starter Pack Unlocked: 'Basic Chakra Control', 'Three Academy Jutsus', 'Body Replacement Technique']
Kenji felt a warm, electric pulse awaken in his abdomen—Chakra, clean and precise.
He could end Flash in less than half a second. A single chakra-infused strike to the throat, or a 'Transformation Technique' to spook them into heart failure.
No. Not here. Not yet.
"I... I don't have my credit cards on me," Kenji stuttered, letting his voice tremble slightly. He dropped his chin, playing the timid, helpless student flawlessly. "Just the cash in my pocket. Take it."
Flash pulled out a battered leather wallet, scoffed at the two hundred-dollar bills inside, and tossed the empty leather casing into the trash.
"This is pocket change, orphan," Flash spat, poking Kenji hard in the chest. "Your parents' insurance payout cleared today. Three million bucks. You're transferring fifty grand to my account by tomorrow, or you won't survive the semester."
Kenji winced, pulling back like a beaten dog. "Okay... okay! Just don't hit me again."
"Pathetic," Flash laughed, turning his back on Kenji. "Let's go, guys."
The three bullies walked out of the alleyway, throwing arrogant laughter over their shoulders.
The moment their footsteps faded onto the main street, Kenji's fearful posture dissolved. He stood up straight, casually wiping a trail of blood from his lip with the back of his hand.
His dark eyes were devoid of fear. They were cold, calculating, and sharp.
[System Alert: Hidden Action Executed]
[Target: Flash Thompson tagged with 'Chakra Tracking Marker'] [Reward: 50 EXP, 200 System Points]
A faint smile played on Kenji's lips.
He hadn't fought back openly, but he had woven a subtle strand of chakra onto the hem of Flash's jacket during the collar grab.
Now, he could track the bully anywhere in the city.
He didn't need to fight in broad daylight under street cameras. A Ninja strikes from the shadows, when no one is watching, and leaves no evidence behind.
Kenji picked up his school bag, brushing the dirt off his clothes.
He had three million dollars in liquid capital, an Ivy League-level IQ, and the entire arsenal of the Shinobi world bound to his soul.
New York City in 2003 was still calm. Tony Stark was still building weapons, Captain America was buried under ice, and S.H.I.E.L.D. was blissfully unaware of his existence.
"Let them think I'm weak," Kenji whispered into the cool evening air, stepping out of the alley. "It makes the hunt much easier."