A deep, endless black void.
How much time has passed? The boy narrowed his eyes and shouted into the nothingness, "SOMEBODY!"
No response. Only silence.
He floated in the void, resignation settling into his chest—until a small white hole shimmered into existence before him.
Slowly, it split open. A pair of angelic white eyes flared against the dark, locking instantly onto the boy.
"Shit… did I summon Mohorga?" Panic surged in him as he tried to run, but his body wouldn't move—bound by something invisible.
The eyes closed, and in that moment the black void shattered, transforming into a blinding expanse of pure white.
The boy winced, shutting his eyes tight before slowly opening them again. "Yeah right…" he muttered under his breath, adjusting to the light.
When his vision cleared, he realized someone sat behind him on a chair, a desk in front of them. The being was writing something, its face hidden beneath a veil of radiant white light.
"Hello," a voice echoed.
The boy jolted in shock, screaming.
"Yo-you spoke!"
The being only nodded, its voice heavy with guilt. "Sorry, boy… I didn't send you back to your own body."
"What do you mean?" The boy touched himself nervously. "My body is here, isn't it?"
The being shook its head. "You are already dead…"
The boy squinted suspiciously. "What?"
"You've been dead for… a thousand years."
"Oh my lord, it's been that many?" The being's tone was resigned as it looked upon him.
"A thousand years?" The boy's brows furrowed as if this was some prank. "Hey, where's the camera?"
Suddenly, a camera materialized out of thin air, turning to reveal everything in holographic projection.
"Wow!" The boy exclaimed in awe—before remembering the being's words: You're dead.
"Wait… this technology…"
"That's right. Let me tell you the full story." The being sifted through papers, muttering. "Ah… what the heck? This is your name?"
"Ah… yes, sir. Failure is my name."
"What a truly sad, unfortunate life…" The being's voice dripped with pity. "Hit by a pan by your brother, fell unconscious, ended up in a coma, then hospital debt piled up as your parents disowned you?"
The being clicked its tongue. "Looks like the angel of life is giving children to the wrong people… this is a report worth reporting."
"Anyways," the being continued, "I was scheduled to give your body back a few hundred years ago—exactly 999 years ago."
The boy stared in disbelief, then let out a shaky sigh of relief. "Thank god…"
"You liked how I didn't let you go?"
"I just remembered my memories… I don't wanna go back," the boy admitted.
The being nodded. "Fair enough. That family cherished only the younger ones. You were older—and adopted, no less."
The being leaned forward slightly. "So… part of this is my mistake. I'll grant you one wish: go into any world and live your life well. I promise I'll give you a good family this time, asserting the angel of life's influence myself."
The boy sat down, stunned. Another life?
Images of countless worlds spun in his mind. But only one stood out.
"Umm… sir, I wanna go to Naruto."
The being froze, grabbed a thick stack of papers, and slammed a stamp down on them. "Go."
A vortex opened up, sucking the boy inside.
The pillars stretched endlessly upward, white stone piercing the skies. The boy stepped into the hall, his eyes narrowing as golden ethereal light traced words across a massive sign.
Not a soul was present. He sighed in relief.
Then—BAM! Someone bounced into him.
"AHH!"
The boy screamed, tumbling to the floor.
The being glanced at him. "What are you doing, human?"
"I… um… I—"
The being snatched the papers. "Naruto world? Quite a weird choice… but okay."
It slapped him across the cheek. A red mark flared, spreading across his body until he vanished into crimson light.
"Okay… this boy is approved too…"
The being skimmed through his unspoken wishes, raising a brow. "Have… s—no! Truly a strange child. Seems innocent, but these wishes…"
Its gaze softened at one line. My parents will love me.
The being grew silent, then frowned at another. "Huh… I will become an Uchiha? Amaterasu?"
Confusion flickered before it stamped the floating paper.
"Approve this wish. And erase his previous life memories, except the ones he'll need in that world."
Konoha. Uchiha Compound.
Warm water pressed against his forehead, soaking a towel. The boy stirred as his eyes blinked open, vision hazy before clearing.
"Don't worry, Indra. Brother is here."
The voice was gentle, affectionate. A familiar face leaned over him.
"Renji?"
Renji smiled warmly. "Huh? Got guts, huh? Calling your older brother by name?"
"Br—brother!" Indra quivered, tears stinging his eyes.
Renji chuckled, flipping the towel to the cooler side, then gently pressed it to his forehead. His hands trailed down to Indra's neck and chest, steadying him with warmth. "Don't worry, you'll be fine, Indra. Brother is with you."
Indra's eyes fluttered shut. Wait… these memories…
Failure's memories blurred, giving way to something new.
Indra Uchiha… I am Indra Uchiha. That's a good name.
A strange surge of excitement coursed through his chest. His body twitched faintly, and Renji quickly rubbed his hands.
"A caring brother…"
The warmth in Indra's chest spread, soothing him. He sighed softly.
"Feeling better?" Renji asked.
"Mm."
I'm inside the Uchiha compound… but what's the timeline? Itachi might already be on our ass by now…
Or maybe my brother is a hidden Mangekyō expert…
Renji placed another warm towel on his forehead. Indra sank deeper into the bed, comfort swallowing him whole, until sleep claimed him.