"Why Kumo? Why not Konoha?" Arthur demanded, his voice echoing in the vast, empty space. Of all the villages, why the one known for its fierce, uncompromising shinobi?
The celestial being's ethereal form flickered with amusement. "Ah, Konoha is already spoken for," it said with a laugh that boomed like a thunderstorm. "Another soul has already claimed that spot. The rules, you see, apply to all."
Arthur's mind reeled. "Another transmigrator?" he muttered, the thought unsettling him. He wouldn't be the only one. He'd have to contend with another anomaly in this world, someone who, like him, possessed foreknowledge of events.
The celestial being's laughter grew louder, shaking the very fabric of the void. "Two transmigrators in one world, a rare sight indeed! Do not reveal yourself too soon."
And with that final, cryptic warning, the black space dissolved around him.
Arthur's eyes snapped open. The first thing he noticed was the solid ground beneath him, a stark contrast to the endless floating he had just endured. He was in a large, communal room, the air thick with the scent of wood and the faint aroma of cooked food. The sounds of children playing, crying, and bickering filled his ears. He looked around, his new identity—Kurosaki Ichigo—settling in his mind.
The room was filled with children, a sea of faces. Many had dark skin, silver hair, or fiery red locks, the tell-tale signs of the people of Kumogakure. This, he realized, was an orphanage. He was an orphan in the Cloud Village. He was an orphan in the Cloud Village, a child of the Second Shinobi World War.
What timeline is this? he wondered, his mind racing. The war... that means this is a time of immense pain and loss. I need to figure out where I am on the timeline.
A woman's voice cut through the noise, calling his name. "Kurosaki Ichigo!"
He stood up and instinctively made his way toward the voice. A large, kind-faced woman with red hair and dark skin stood before him. She smiled softly. "So you're Kurosaki Ichigo. Parents unknown, found in the forest after the war. From now on, you'll be staying here. If you want to enroll in the Ninja Academy, here's the form."
She handed him a small, folded sheet of paper. "Don't worry," she added gently, her voice full of empathy. "Many children lost their parents after the war. If you feel uncomfortable, feel free to contact me. My name is Amanai."
Ichigo smiled faintly and nodded, a silent thank you for her kindness. He took the form and found a quiet corner to sit and process everything. He needed to recover his memories, both his own and those that came with the new body.
His new memories were fragmented, a collection of snippets and sensations. He was found in a desolate forest by Kumogakure shinobi who were scouring the area for survivors. He had no recollection of who his parents were. His age was estimated to be around four years old.
Four years old... he mused. That puts me around the same age as Kakashi and his generation. The Uzumaki Clan is gone, the Third Shinobi World War is still a few years away, and the major players are still in their prime.
He unfolded the form. It required only basic details: name, age, and a few other simple questions. He quickly filled it out and returned it to Amanai. "Okay, son," she said with a nod, taking the paper from him.
With his immediate task complete, Ichigo decided to explore his new home. He needed to understand his surroundings. He wandered around the orphanage and then the town, observing the architecture and the people. The village, he noticed, was not just one structure. It was a series of immense mountains connected by bridges, with the actual villages built high above the ground, making them difficult to access and attack. Each mountain seemed to hold a different district, a unique community.
They seem technologically advanced for this time, he thought, recalling his knowledge of the Naruto world. *In Boruto's era, they might even rival Konoha. *
Night fell, and Ichigo was given his dinner: a bowl of spicy noodles with sauce, some mild vegetables, and a generous portion of fish. He took a bite, his taste buds tingling. Yeah, they're spicy, he thought with a grin. And the fish is surprisingly fresh.
After dinner, he retreated to his corner and began to plan. He needed to build his new body, to unlock the immense potential that was now his. He decided on a simple but brutally effective training regimen: the legendary Saitama's routine.
"One hundred push-ups, one hundred sit-ups, one hundred squats, and a ten-kilometer run... every day," he whispered to himself. I just hope I don't lose my hair like him. He ruffled his spiky orange hair, a feature he was already fond of. He had no intention of losing this 'drip.'
At the Raikage's Office
The Third Raikage, a powerfully built man with a lightning-quick temper, sat at his desk, the weight of his office heavy upon his shoulders. He wore his traditional white uniform, his yellow hat lying on the table next to a stack of reports. He was waiting for a particular one, the results of a new initiative he had spearheaded.
A soft knock came at his door. "Enter," he rumbled.
A woman with blonde hair and fair skin entered, carrying a file. "A-sama, here are the details from the orphanage selection program."
She placed the file on his desk. The Raikage, A, gestured for her to stay. "How is the start, Minoru?" he asked.
Minoru, his assistant, answered cautiously. "A-sama, the children are still scared. They will need time to settle. But if I may... why did you launch this initiative?"
"Minoru," A said, leaning forward. "Why do you think Konoha has so many prodigies?"
"Because they have a large number of clans, and stronger ones at that," she replied confidently.
"You are half-correct," the Raikage said. "The other half is that they opened their clans to others. The Uchiha were an exception, of course, but others willingly took in those with no clan affiliation. This led to civilians developing stronger bloodlines than normal. During the Second Shinobi World War, Tsunade Senju became famous for her medical ninjutsu, but Jiraiya and Orochimaru showed their potential too, even though they were commoners by background."
Minoru's eyes widened in realization. "That means...?"
"Yes," the Raikage confirmed with a rare smile. "These orphans may have the potential to increase the strength of our village, to create a new generation of prodigies. We may have children whose strength might surprise us."
Minoru nodded, her understanding solidified. She bowed respectfully and left the office, leaving the Raikage alone with his thoughts and the stack of files. He picked up the first one, his eyes scanning for a name, a glimmer of potential among the names of the lost. He would find them, these hidden gems, and they would be the future of Kumogakure.
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This is my first Time writing naruto fanfic,Kindly give feedbacks