Kael lay on his small bed, staring at the ceiling with narrowed eyes. The calm of the night contrasted sharply with the storm of thoughts in his mind. He knew that the events ahead would not be easy, and if he wanted to survive and stand out, he needed strength… real strength, not that of an ordinary child.
His thoughts turned to his training. Until now, he had focused on feeling and moving his chakra, but that was no longer enough. His body had to follow; it needed to become agile and resilient. Aware that his primary element was Lightning, he thought his style should focus on speed and reflexes, something similar to what he had seen in Kakashi in his previous life. Being a hybrid ninja, fast and versatile, would allow him to adapt to any situation.
Determined, Kael began organizing his training schedule. First, meditation to work on his chakra. Although he had improved since unlocking it, he still struggled to manipulate it comfortably and effortlessly. He needed to get used to feeling every thread of energy flowing through his body without it escaping or dispersing.
Next came physical training. Kael knew he had to increase his strength and endurance without overexerting himself, so he consulted the system:
"What is the recommended effort limit for a child my age with my current spiritual strength?"
"Moderate to intense effort is recommended, without compromising physical development or recovery. A routine of 2–3 hours distributed among varied exercises is considered safe."
With that in mind, Kael designed his routine:
Warm-up: stretching, jumps, and short sprints around the yard.
Basic strength: push-ups, sit-ups, and lifting small logs or stones.
Agility and reflexes: improvised obstacle courses, jumps over uneven surfaces, and quick movements to dodge thrown objects.
Endurance: running circuits around the yard, gradually increasing duration and speed each day.
Finally, he would practice his aim. Kael knew that weapon handling and object throwing were areas where he could excel quickly thanks to his memories and past experience. Every stone thrown, every strike aimed at a target, was an opportunity to refine coordination, reflexes, and precision.
Kael took a deep breath. This time, there would be no excuses: everything depended on him, on his discipline and consistent effort.
With that clear in his mind, he finally closed his eyes, letting the night envelop him while he reviewed schedules, objectives, and the vision of his future. His real training was just beginning.
The next morning, Kael woke up early, with sunlight streaming through his bedroom window. Although the house was his, reality hit hard: none of the essentials for living were there. The kitchen was empty, the bathroom lacked basic utensils, and there was no clean clothing or hygiene items. Everything depended on him.
Determined, Kael dressed in the few clothes he still had from the orphanage and stepped outside, mentally listing everything he needed: soap, towels, cooking utensils, basic ingredients, clean clothes, and anything else that would allow him to establish a daily routine independently.
The streets of the village felt both curious and familiar. He watched vendors, ninjas moving about, and citizens going about their daily lives.
Kael approached market stalls and began gathering what he needed. Some items were a bit heavy, but children here were stronger than those in his past life.
After several hours between the market and more distant stalls, Kael returned home carrying bags and baskets filled with essentials. Inside, he carefully placed everything in its place: the bathroom was stocked with soap, towels, and utensils; the kitchen ready for cooking; and the clean clothes folded and organized in his small wardrobe.
With a slight smile, Kael allowed himself a short rest in the backyard. The sun was still high, and the fresh air encouraged him to move. After a few minutes, he decided it was time to explore the village. After all, during his time in the orphanage, he had rarely gone out and was curious to better understand the place where he now lived.
Without overthinking, he stepped out of the house, leaving behind the bags and utensils he had just organized. His stomach, empty since morning, reminded him he hadn't had breakfast, but the excitement of walking through the village and discovering new corners kept him distracted.
As he walked the streets, he observed the villagers going about their daily tasks.
Then, something caught his attention: a small wooden establishment with a sign reading Ichiraku Ramen. He had heard about this place in memories from his previous life, and his curiosity spiked. "They always talked about this place… I wonder what the ramen is really like?" he thought, approaching with excitement.
Kael didn't hesitate. Despite his limited budget, the idea of trying such a famous dish pushed him to enter. The aroma of broth and hot noodles immediately enveloped him. Without waiting, he greeted the staff and took a seat in a corner.
Moments later, someone emerged from the back door: a man in his forties with brown hair and a friendly smile, accompanied by a girl around ten or eleven years old. Clearly, they were Teuchi and Ayame.
"Hello, how are you, boy? What would you like?" Teuchi asked, smiling warmly.
Kael hesitated for a moment before replying,
"A miso ramen, please."
Teuchi nodded with the same smile and began preparing it, while Ayame helped beside him. Kael waited patiently, excited to taste it.
"What's your name, boy?" Teuchi asked curiously as he worked.
"Kael… Kael Takeda. And you, sir?"
"I'm Teuchi, and this is Ayame, my daughter," he said, pointing to the girl, who shyly but kindly waved from behind him.
"And where are your parents?" Teuchi asked softly, concerned.
"They died during the Kyūbi attack," Kael replied calmly, showing no sign of sorrow.
"I'm very sorry," said Teuchi, with sadness and a hint of regret for asking.
"Don't worry, it doesn't affect me," Kael answered, smiling slightly as he saw his ramen ready.
After giving thanks, he began eating, enjoying every bite with happiness and awe at the delicious flavor.
Once he finished and paid, Kael continued his walk through the village. He visited places that caught his interest, observed the daily lives of the villagers, and marveled at every new detail he discovered.
The day passed normally. As the evening fell, he returned home, tired but satisfied. He prepared for sleep, aware that the next day he would begin his first serious training session—a new stage in his life.
Kael woke up early, sunlight streaming through his window. He stretched and yawned before heading to the bathroom. A quick shower helped him clear his mind and start the day energized. Then he dressed in comfortable clothing suitable for training and went to the kitchen to prepare his breakfast.
Though simple, Kael knew he needed energy for his first serious training day. He prepared a bowl of rice, some dried fish, and tea, and sat down to eat while thinking about the schedule he had designed: first meditation to improve chakra control, then physical training, and finally practicing aim with small objects.
After breakfast, Kael headed to the backyard. He closed his eyes and began to meditate. He felt chakra flowing through his body, though unevenly and still hard to control. He took a deep breath, concentrating on each movement of energy, feeling it flow through his arms and legs. It wasn't perfect, and the energy sometimes dispersed, but consistent practice allowed him to notice small improvements even on that first day.
Next came physical training. Kael began with stretches and short sprints around the yard, followed by push-ups and basic strength exercises. He jumped over logs and makeshift barrels, moving as quickly as possible without losing balance. Fatigue set in, but his body responded better than expected, thanks to the fusion of his soul with the body he now inhabited.
Finally, he practiced his aim. He picked up small stones from the ground and threw them at improvised targets, observing their trajectory and adjusting his posture and force with each attempt. Each successful hit filled him with satisfaction, and every miss taught him to refine his movements for greater precision.
By the end of the day, Kael was exhausted but satisfied. He returned home, showered again to relax, and prepared a simple dinner before going to bed. As he lay down, he reviewed everything he had done, feeling that this first day marked the beginning of something much larger.
Months passed…
Day after day, Kael followed the same routine: meditation to improve chakra control, physical training to gain strength, speed, and endurance, and aim practice. Over time, movements that had once been difficult became natural. His chakra no longer dispersed easily, his body grew stronger, and his reflexes improved noticeably.
Small progress accumulated, and with it grew his confidence. Every day he learned something new about himself and about how to adapt to this world. Several months passed until, looking back, Kael could see just how much he had advanced since that first day when he could barely control the energy within his body or throw a stone without hurting himself.
That constant training not only strengthened his body and mind but also taught him discipline and patience—skills he knew would be essential to face the challenges the future would bring in the village and beyond.
After living alone for another year, the orphanage caretakers had stopped visiting, convinced of his ability to take care of himself.
The system, for its part, had been rather stingy. It hadn't given him many useful rewards; most were things he already knew or knowledge of little relevance, like basic weaving techniques. However, upon turning four, he received a special reward: Master Chef, becoming a true expert in cooking.
Kael had gone to the center of Konoha a few times, hoping to encounter some main characters of the world he now inhabited. He had seen some of them, yes, but he always kept his distance, preferring to observe without drawing attention.
That afternoon, as he was returning home with the sun beginning to set, he walked calmly, unhurried, enjoying the breeze and the last rays of light. Suddenly, he heard shouting coming from a small nearby park.
As he approached and looked more closely, he saw four children, his age or maybe a year older, fighting with someone. But what really caught his attention wasn't the fight itself—it was the person they were bothering.