Darkness.
That was all he could see. An endless, silent void, as if the entire world had vanished.
Everything had happened far too quickly: one moment he was crossing the street, then came the metallic crash, the screech of brakes, and the brutal impact of the truck. After that… nothing. Until now.
When he opened his eyes again, he understood the impossible: he had been reborn.
At first, he thought it would be exciting—almost like a dream come true. But the illusion shattered quickly. Only a few hours after his birth, the ground began to tremble. Screams filled the air, mixed with crying and a deep roar that froze his blood.
Then he saw it: crimson eyes, slitted like a fox's, and a colossal body with nine tails lashing out across the village. The Kyūbi.
He had been born in the world of Naruto.
His supposed parents died in the chaos, and soon he was taken to an orphanage. That was when he realized the cruel truth: there was no going back. This was his new life… and he had to take it seriously.
---
One year later…
Twelve months had passed since that day. During all that time, he had done nothing but pretend to be an ordinary baby. Now, lying in his crib, he reflected quietly.
My name is Kael Takeda, he thought. And in this year, I've learned a few things about this world.
First, his parents. His mother had been a retired genin after marrying his father, a chūnin. They hadn't left much behind, but someday he would inherit what little they had.
Second, he still didn't have any kind of system… and without a system, his chances were slim.
Third, his memory of Naruto's story was fragmentary; he only recalled some important events.
He sighed. At least now he could mumble a few words; everyone would simply believe he was an unusually fast learner. That gave him some relief—he could stop pretending.
And then it happened.
Ding~
A metallic voice echoed in his mind:
"Congratulations on surviving one year in this dimension. The system has been activated."
Kael's eyes widened as he looked around, making sure no one else could hear it.
"Would you like to claim the starter rewards?"
Yes! he thought instantly, unable to hide his excitement.
Ding~
"Innate Talent Enhancement: Weapon Mastery."
Ding~
"Innate Talent Enhancement: Sealing Arts."
Ding~
"Earth Element Development."
Kael held his breath. Not bad for a beginning.
"The system will function based on your achievements. You will be rewarded for them. It will also answer certain questions and allow you to view your profile."
With his heart pounding, he decided to check his status.
Profile
Name: Takeda Kael
Age: 1 year
Chakra Nature: Lightning, Earth
Body Description: "An average talent, enhanced by the fusion of two souls. Shows decent potential in sealing and weapons."
Kael narrowed his eyes. His body's talent wasn't extraordinary, but thanks to the fusion of his soul, his spiritual strength far surpassed that of any baby. That was his true advantage.
"System, can I safely start training chakra?" he asked, uncertain. He couldn't remember if the series mentioned it, and in the fanfics he had read, forcing chakra too early often came with risks.
"With your current spiritual strength, you may begin slowly. It is estimated you will be able to manipulate chakra safely in a few months."
Kael closed his eyes, more determined than ever.
It was time to begin.
Meditation would be his first step in this new world.
---
Three months had passed since the system's activation, and still Kael hadn't managed to truly connect with his chakra. He felt it nearby, like a hidden river deep underground—unreachable, yet more palpable with each day.
He no longer pretended to be a helpless baby. He walked with clumsy but steady steps and spoke words clearly enough to amaze the caretakers at the orphanage. They all thought the same: this child had unusually fast learning and intelligence.
Sometimes he played with the other children, but the difference was obvious. His mental maturity made him lose interest quickly in their childish antics, and more often than not, he preferred to grab a book and spend hours reading quietly.
Kael smiled inwardly. That was the advantage of carrying memories from another life: while the others were just discovering the world, he was already planning how to survive in it.
Another three months went by, and everything remained the same. His days were monotonous, filled with routine. Most of the time he read, though he didn't have many books available. The caretakers usually gave him only simple children's stories, which left him unsatisfied.
So, he turned to his own memory, recalling fragments of history, knowledge from his past world—details that kept him occupied when nothing else did. Still, it wasn't enough to erase the boredom.
He hadn't explored much either. His world was still limited to the village, with only a few quick trips alongside the caretakers—sometimes for shopping, sometimes to let the children play outside.
---
One ordinary day, he decided to stay in his room instead of playing with the others. That was when, after six months of constant effort, he felt something different: a faint sensation, warm, unstable, yet powerful. He recognized it instantly.
It was chakra.
Ding~
"Congratulations on discovering chakra," announced the system's robotic voice.
Reward: Chakra Unlock. You may now begin using chakra in a limited capacity.
Finally! After all this time, I did it… he thought excitedly, though doubt soon crept in. But isn't this reward the same as what I just discovered?
"The host is mistaken," the system replied calmly. "The host merely discovered chakra. The reward is the unlocking of chakra."
Understanding the difference, Kael closed his eyes and focused on the energy. This time it was far clearer, more tangible, thanks to the unlock. He could sense the contrast: before it had been distant, now he could manipulate it… or at least try to.
"How long would it have taken me to unlock it on my own?" he wondered, though he chose not to dwell on it.
He tried moving the energy through his body, but it wasn't as easy as he imagined. He remembered what the anime had said: a chakra network existed, with points to release it. With that thought, he tried to guide it into his hand.
Warmth crept slowly down his arm, inch by inch, until suddenly it surged forward violently, burning as it rushed into his palm. His hand stung as exhaustion hit him all at once. Opening his eyes, he saw nothing strange on his skin, yet it felt like a faint burn remained.
Breathing heavily, worn out and in pain, he muttered to himself:
"Looks like my poor control caused this…"
---
He didn't give up. Day after day, he continued practicing. At first he could barely move the chakra, but gradually he learned to sense it better, guiding it little by little through his body.
Eventually, an idea struck him. He began using small rocks to practice his aim, pretending it was just a game while secretly training. To his surprise, his accuracy was remarkable—every throw struck near its target with uncanny precision.
He suspected it was a mix of his past life's experiences and the natural boost in weapon talent the system had given him. Either way, it became part of his daily routine: mornings dedicated to chakra control, afternoons to sharpening his aim.
---
Two years passed like this. By the time Kael was nearly four years old, he made an important decision: he asked the caretakers to let him move into his parents' house.
At first, the request sparked doubt. The women in charge looked at him seriously, debating whether a child so young could live alone. They argued it was risky, unusual, and far from normal. But his maturity and the way he spoke eventually made them reconsider. He didn't act like a typical child—he seemed to understand exactly what he was asking.
After several meetings and discussions with the orphanage administration, his parents' records were reviewed. The small house was still in his name and deemed livable. The decision was made: he could move, though under certain conditions.
The paperwork dragged on with signatures and approvals, but eventually it was settled. The house officially belonged to him, and he would receive a small monthly allowance—part from his parents' savings, part from a state fund for Konoha's orphans. It wasn't much, but enough to cover basic needs.
The caretakers warned him they would occasionally visit to check on him. Despite their lingering doubts, they agreed his maturity made him capable of handling life on his own.
After bidding farewell to them, Kael turned the key and stepped into what would now be his home.
The house wasn't large, but it was spacious enough to feel comfortable. The main room had space for a table, a few chairs, and shelves. The kitchen was small but functional, with a stone stove, a counter, and some worn utensils.
There were two bedrooms: one larger, with an old bed and a dusty chest—it had belonged to his parents. The smaller room seemed meant for him, with a simple crib and a tiny toy chest. The bathroom was small, just enough to meet daily needs.
The backyard, however, caught his attention the most. Though not big, it was open enough for him to move freely. A sturdy dirt ground and a worn training post hinted at its potential.
Kael walked through the house slowly, taking in every corner. It wasn't big or luxurious, but it was his—and that made it special.
That night, as he lay on his bed, the silence felt entirely different from the orphanage. No children's laughter, no caretakers' voices—only the calm of an empty home that belonged to him alone.
He closed his eyes with a faint smile.
"The future… this time, it will be different," he whispered, certain that his true story was only just beginning.