Chapter 1:
A New Dawn in UzushioThe salty breeze of Uzushio swept through the open window, carrying the faint hum of waves crashing against the cliffs. Inside a modest wooden house, a boy with messy black hair jolted awake, his chest heaving as if he'd just sprinted a marathon. His dark brown eyes darted around the room—tatami mats, a low wooden table, and a scroll with swirling Uzumaki symbols pinned to the wall. What the hell… where am I? he thought, his mind a chaotic whirl.
Shigeru Tanaka, or at least that's who he used to be, rubbed his temples. In his past life, he'd been a 24-year-old graphic designer, staying up late to rewatch Naruto episodes for the tenth time. He'd fallen asleep mid-episode, only to wake up here—wherever "here" was. The body he now inhabited felt smaller, younger, maybe 14 years old, with a mop of black hair and a lean frame. Memories that weren't his own flooded in: a boy named Haruto Uzumaki, an orphan of the Uzumaki Clan, raised by the village elders in the Land of Whirlpools. Uzushio… I'm in Uzushio? Haruto's eyes widened as the realization hit. Four years before the Uzumaki Clan's destruction. That means…
He scrambled to his feet, nearly tripping over a pair of sandals by the door. If his Naruto timeline knowledge was correct, the Uzumaki Clan was on borrowed time. The other villages—Kiri, Kumo, maybe even Iwa—would soon band together to wipe out Uzushio, fearing the clan's sealing mastery and vitality. Haruto clenched his fists, his modern mind racing. I'm not dying with them. I'll train, get stronger, and save this village. No one else is coming to help us.
A high-pitched giggle broke his thoughts. At the doorway stood a tiny girl with fiery red hair, clutching a stuffed fox toy. She couldn't have been more than three years old, her big violet eyes sparkling with mischief. "Haru-nii! You sleep too long, dattebane!" she chirped, toddling toward him.
Haruto froze. Kushina… that's Kushina Uzumaki. The future Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was just a toddler now, not yet sent to Konoha. His heart softened for a moment—she was adorable, her little voice full of energy—but he quickly steeled himself. She's not my responsibility. I can't save everyone. I need to focus on myself first.
"Kushina, shouldn't you be with Elder Hana?" Haruto asked, forcing a smile as he crouched to her level. The girl pouted, clutching her toy tighter.
"Hana-obaa says I can play with Haru-nii today!" Kushina beamed, then tugged at his sleeve. "Come, come! Let's go to the training ground!"
Haruto sighed, running a hand through his hair. Training sounded good—he needed to test this body's limits—but babysitting a toddler wasn't part of the plan. Still, he couldn't say no to those eyes. "Fine, but you're staying on the sidelines, okay? I've got work to do."
"Yay!" Kushina clapped her hands, bouncing on her heels.
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The training grounds of Uzushio were a sight to behold, nestled between jagged cliffs and a roaring ocean. Wooden dummies lined the field, some etched with sealing symbols that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. A few older Uzumaki shinobi practiced nearby, their red hair a stark contrast to the green grass. Haruto led Kushina to a shaded spot under a tree, setting her down with a stern look. "Stay here, Kushina. Don't wander off."
She nodded eagerly, already distracted by a butterfly fluttering nearby. Haruto turned to the field, cracking his knuckles. Let's see what I've got. Haruto's memories told him he was decent with taijutsu and had a knack for sealing jutsu, but his chakra control was average at best. That wouldn't do—not if he wanted to survive what was coming.
He started with basic punches and kicks, his movements clumsy at first but growing smoother with each strike. Sweat dripped down his brow as he pushed harder, his modern mind analyzing every motion. This body's got potential. Uzumaki vitality is no joke—I'm barely winded. He glanced at the sealing scrolls on the dummies. If I can master sealing jutsu, I might be able to create barriers or traps to defend the village. But I need to get stronger first. No one's saving me but me.
A gruff voice interrupted his thoughts. "You're putting in more effort than usual, Haruto." A tall man with a scar across his cheek approached, his red hair tied back in a messy bun. It was Daichi Uzumaki, a Jonin and one of the village's top fighters. Haruto had always admired him, according to the boy's memories, but now he saw Daichi as a resource—someone to learn from.
"Daichi-sensei," Haruto greeted, wiping his forehead. "I… I've been thinking. The other villages—they're getting bolder. We need to be ready."
Daichi raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of amusement and concern. "You're 14, kid. Leave the worrying to the elders. Your job is to train and grow, not play strategist."
Haruto's jaw tightened. If only you knew what's coming. He forced a shrug, keeping his tone casual. "I just want to be useful. Can you teach me some advanced sealing techniques? I want to get better."
Daichi studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. You've got spirit today. Let's start with a basic barrier seal. Watch closely." He pulled a scroll from his pouch, unfurling it to reveal intricate symbols. As Daichi explained the hand signs, Haruto focused intently, his modern mind soaking up the knowledge like a sponge. This could be a game-changer. If I can set up barriers around the village, we might stand a chance.
From the tree, Kushina's voice piped up. "Haru-nii, you're so cool, dattebane!" She clapped her hands, her stuffed fox bouncing in her lap.
Haruto glanced over, a small smile tugging at his lips despite himself. "Thanks, Kushina. Just keep watching, okay?" She's a distraction I can't afford, he reminded himself, turning back to Daichi. But deep down, a part of him wanted to protect her—to protect all of them. He shook the thought away. Focus. Rely on yourself. That's the only way to survive.
As the sun climbed higher, Haruto poured himself into training, his determination burning brighter than the ocean's reflection. He had four years to prepare, four years to become a one-man army. Uzushio's fate might be sealed in the history he knew, but Haruto Uzumaki wasn't going down without a fight.