The world smelled of smoke and sweat the day I was born.
I remember it—not as a dream, but as a full immersion. Like being dipped in fire, pulled through pain, and then... silence.
They didn't scream my name.
All of Konoha screamed his.
Naruto Uzumaki.
The sun. The jinchūriki. The legacy of the Fourth.
And beside him?
A silent child with eyes too blue, too calm. Skin like pale rose quartz, hair like snow rimmed in crimson.
Me.
Ryuji Uzumaki.
The doctors whispered. They didn't understand why my body glowed faintly in the dark. Why I didn't cry. Why I looked—not human, almost like porcelain kissed by the moonlight.
I knew why.
Because I wasn't from here.
I had died once.
A heart attack in another life, while reading the final chapters of JJK and Solo Leveling back-to-back in a Tokyo apartment that reeked of cup ramen and loneliness.
Then... I woke up inside this baby body.
Twin to Naruto.
Leaf shinobi by blood. Transmigrator by fate.
And today...
SYSTEM ONLINE.
[Welcome, Ryuji Uzumaki.]
[You have unlocked: ZONE IMMERSION.]
[Daily Quest: Observe and Learn.]
[Reward: 1 Skill Copy Point, 100 EXP, +1 to Stat of Choice.]
Oh, we're doing this?
Good.
I've got plans.
Years Later – Ninja Academy Graduation Day
"Team 7?" Iruka's voice rang over the room.
My legs were propped on the desk, fingers spinning a pen with lazy precision. My eyes? Fixed on Sakura's ankles for no reason other than to piss Sasuke off.
The emo prince was glaring, of course.
Predictable.
"And finally... Team 7 will be Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and..." Iruka hesitated.
Wait for it.
Wait—
"...Sakura Haruno."
Naruto groaned.
Sakura squealed.
Sasuke grunted.
"And Ryuji Uzumaki," Iruka added, as if realizing I was even there.
Silence.
I yawned. Loudly. "Guess I'll carry you three, huh?" I smirked, stretching.
Sakura glared. Naruto scowled. Sasuke... just clenched his jaw harder.
[Passive Skill Acquired: Provoking Aura Lv.1]
[Effect: Increases hostility and attention received by rivals. +10% chance of unexpected conflict. +100% style.]
Oh yeah.
This is going to be fun..