The first thing I saw was a masked man. He wore a strange mask that revealed only one eye—an eye that gleamed with a terrifying light.
In his hand, he held a sharp kunai, glinting under the light. Fear crept into my chest.
I looked at my body… small?!
Dear God, what is this? Have I gone mad? Am I kidnapped? Turned into a child?!
I spun around quickly to find a spiky blond-haired man standing beside a stone platform. His face was worn with exhaustion, yet filled with strange resolve.
And on the platform… a red-haired woman stared at me, eyes brimming with tears.
The blond man started speaking to the masked figure, his voice a bizarre mix of authority and pleading—but I couldn't understand a single word.
Then, suddenly, the masked man moved like a deadly shadow and threw me into the air.
The woman screamed—a scream that tore through the silence.
Without hesitation, the blond man caught me in his arms. I felt warmth rush through my body.
He pulled a strange cloth off me.
And then—BOOM!—a massive explosion rocked the room.
I looked around… we were no longer inside.
It was as if we had been magically transported outdoors.
The man hugged me tightly against his chest—nearly strangling me—and whispered something I didn't understand.
I caught only one word: Naruto.
And in that moment, another explosion shook—
Not in the world, but in my head.
The name Naruto triggered a tidal wave of memories.
Images of a blond idiot screaming nonstop about becoming Hokage.
A village full of maniacs and deranged killers… all hating him.
I froze.
Wait… am I Naruto?!
Then an image of a giant orange cat flashed in my mind… and I lost consciousness.
---
I woke up in what looked like a hospital.
"I knew Minato had died."
He had sealed the Kyuubi inside me.
A few minutes later, the door opened, and there stood Hiruzen Sarutobi—the Third Hokage.
The strongest Hokage in history, for he had mastered all five chakra natures.
Pfft! I chuckled to myself.
I looked up at him with puppy eyes.
---
Third Hokage's POV:
I looked at the child left behind by the Fourth… the new Jinchuuriki of our village.
But something was… strange.
He didn't cry. Not a single scream. No tears. Not even a grunt.
I shivered.
It felt like he was staring at me… with murderous intent.
Had the Kyuubi's chakra already affected him?
Did the Fourth drop him on his head in a moment of despair?
What is this terrifying feeling coming from a baby?
I turned to my eldest son beside me and said,
"Assign ANBU agents to him. I want full surveillance and care.
Watch him closely… I don't want this child harmed in any way."
---
Back to me:
I heard the old monkey ordering his agents to "take care of me."
Ha! Care, huh?
Does that mean spreading rumors about me? Or maybe he'll ask his glutton friend to "help"?
Look at Naruto in the original story:
Living off expired milk and instant ramen, taught none of his parents' techniques, and made a scapegoat so everyone would hate the fox inside him.
While the monkey gets cozy with him to manipulate him later.
And then… they handed me a bottle of milk.
Without resistance, I dozed off.
---
When I opened my eyes again:
I found myself in a pitch-black room.
In front of me floated a transparent screen.
I asked hesitantly, "Is… is this the system?"
No reply.
Then text appeared:
> [Effort and Perseverance System]
A simple system completely dependent on the host.
Put in effort to achieve your goals.
System Features:
Skill development
No quests
No inventory
No gifts
No starter pack
Nothing special. Just work hard, learn, and grow by yourself.
...
...
WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!
Hey, system! At least give me a forbidden jutsu, or some power from another world, or just something.
Every other transmigrator gets insane perks!
Why don't I get anything?!
> [Dear host, this system has no special powers. You must work hard to succeed.]
I know! I know, you damn screen!
That's not the point!
At least teach me how to begin!
Where are the chakra books? Basic techniques?
> [Host, please refrain from using inappropriate language. Work hard.]
You want me to be polite while you give me this depressing excuse of a system?
Compare yourself to other systems that fulfill their host's dreams…
And you? You're nothing!
> [It seems you are dissatisfied with the system.]
[Initiating system removal…]
[Connection will terminate in minutes.]
Wait! No! Stop!
I was joking! You're great! The best! I'll change, I promise, oh great system!
> [What do you want, you little shit?]
...
Am I really hearing this from a screen?!
You told me to speak respectfully—look at you!
> [You're no longer a host. I'm free to respond accordingly.]
...
Oh great system! Please come back!
I swear I'll be the best host this world has ever seen!
> [Fine, ungrateful bastard. Canceling the termination process.]
[System retained.]
[But show some respect—you're not the only one who got isekai'd.]
Thank you…
Now, can you teach me how to use chakra?
Anything—wind, fire, basics, please, almighty system?
> [I have no information about chakra, dear host.]
...
Why the hell am I so unlucky?
I fell silent. Then closed my eyes slowly, trying to breathe deeply…
But I didn't even have mature lungs yet.
Damn it, this system wants me to invent chakra training from scratch!
Am I supposed to recreate every jutsu from the show?
Train myself by watching frogs mate?
I cleared my throat and asked carefully:
"Oh mighty system… can you at least guide me? I'm not asking for a manual, just a nudge about chakra?"
> [You can learn through observation and experimentation… Good luck.]
Then the screen vanished.
I tried to move… but I couldn't. I was still a baby.
What kind of observation can I do when I can barely lift my head?
Am I supposed to watch the nurse change my diaper and extract from it the secrets of chakra purification?
I sighed.
Well, this is my fate now.
Naruto? Forget it.
From now on, call me Chakra Man. Or maybe Baby Chakra.
But no matter.
I'll prove to the world that I can invent jutsu…
With my bare hands… and my poop-stained baby butt.
From today, I am Naruto Uzumaki, the strongest man alive.