Hiss!
In a pitch-black darkness, Zhang Ming opened his eyes, his heart pounding like a drum, as if it would leap from his chest. Sweat trickled down his forehead, soaking the pillowcase, and the air was filled with an unreal chill. He panted, trying to distinguish the dream's images from the real world, but those distorted figures and cursing voices seemed to still echo in his ears, making him momentarily unable to tell if he was dreaming or awake.
What a strange nightmare?
Zhang Ming felt a bit puzzled. Although he often had nightmares, this one was completely different. The immersive feeling and the deep malice made him feel even more suffocated. What was even stranger was that even after he woke up, that malice seemed to still envelop him, making it hard for him to breathe.
After a long while, his eyes gradually adjusted to the darkness and began to discern the room's outlines. The blurry furniture and decorations appeared somewhat unfamiliar in the night, but their presence reminded Zhang Ming that he was safely lying in bed.
He tried to reach for the bedside lamp but couldn't find the switch. The dim light couldn't dispel the gloom of the dream. Zhang Ming took a few more deep breaths, trying to calm himself, telling himself it was just a dream, even though it felt so real.
Through the moonlight, when he carefully saw this dark, narrow, and messy room, his breathing became even more rapid.
A strange room, strange decorations, and even the bedding on him were extremely unfamiliar.
Such a small body.
The unfamiliar surroundings made Zhang Ming feel a surge of panic. He immediately jumped out of bed, observing his surroundings and himself.
'Did I transmigrate?'
Zhang Ming's mind suddenly went blank. Unfamiliar surroundings, a smaller body. He then pinched his arm hard again, and the sharp sting immediately cleared his head.
He really transmigrated.
After realizing that he had truly transmigrated, Zhang Ming's initial panic subsided considerably. He was just slightly speechless. Couldn't this transmigration have happened earlier or later? He had been working like a dog for two months, finally about to become a regular employee, and then he transmigrated. At least let him punch that bastard supervisor first.
"Ding!"
"Host detected to be dissatisfied with this transmigration. The 'Life Choices' system will issue its first life choice to the Host. Please choose carefully."
'System?' Zhang Ming was surprised, and the resentment he felt from the sudden transmigration dissipated. After all, with a cheat, transmigration wasn't such a bad thing.
The system ignored Zhang Ming's change in mindset and proceeded to present the two options.
"Option One: Choose to return to your original world and continue to be a workhorse.
Reward: None."
"Option Two: Choose to start a brand new life and leave your mark in this world.
Reward: Chakra Mastery."
Chakra? Is this the world of Naruto?
Zhang Ming's eyes widened suddenly. He didn't make a choice immediately but got up and searched the room for something that could serve as a mirror.
Golden short hair, blue eyes, a somewhat round face, and six whisker-like marks on his childishly cute cheeks.
In the bathroom, Zhang Ming looked at himself in the mirror with some surprise, speechless for a moment.
Not only had he transmigrated into the world of Naruto, but he had directly transmigrated into the body of the Child of Destiny—Uzumaki Naruto, and he seemed to be about three or four years old.
Zhang Ming couldn't help but feel a headache, and his mood was slightly complex. This age was not a good period.
"Hoo~"
Zhang Ming let out a long breath, raising a hand to rub his still-tender brow. He couldn't help but feel a bit fortunate that he didn't have a habit of talking to himself. One should know that in the original work, when Naruto was young, he was constantly monitored by Konoha Anbu. Outside this house right now, there were probably quite a few Konoha Anbu squatting.
If he had talked to himself and said something extraordinary, he would probably be sent to the Anbu for interrogation tomorrow.
Zhang Ming silently looked at himself in the mirror. The star named destiny was illuminating his path with dazzling light. His life, which was originally predictable, seemed to be gently waved by the hand of destiny, suddenly branching into two completely different paths. This was a chance to decide destiny, a moment that could change the future's direction. How many times can a person encounter such an opportunity? Between these two lives, he unhesitatingly chose the grander one.
'I choose the second option.'
"Ding!"
"Host has made a choice. Now distributing the reward for the choice. So, please enjoy your new life to the fullest, Host."
As the system's mechanical voice faded, Zhang Ming could feel a subtle energy gradually gathering within his body. This energy, initially as small as a stream, slowly converged into a river with his breathing. Each breath was like a silent dialogue with this power, and each heartbeat seemed to set the rhythm for the energy's surge.
And once this power was extracted from his body, he could freely control it.
'I wonder how many Kaguya I have now.'
Feeling the sudden appearance of power within him, Zhang Ming felt his mood greatly improve. He suddenly remembered the Chakra measurement unit from the original work. If he remembered correctly, in the original work, after Naruto used the Nine-Tailed's Chakra, he seemed to have one hundred Kaguya, and it was replenished instantly whenever he used it.
'However, I don't know if there are any sensory Ninja among the Anbu monitoring me, and if they'll notice the sudden increase in Chakra in my body. Otherwise, I'll have to figure out how to deal with Hiruzen Sarutobi's interrogation.'
After all, that Third Hokage, who was hailed as the "Strongest Hokage," was constantly monitoring his movements as a Jinchuriki. It's truly laughable, calling himself the strongest Hokage of all time, yet even controlling a Jinchuriki requires such underhanded methods. He truly lacks magnanimity.
If he once possessed some magnanimity as a "Ninja Hero," now he is merely a worm corrupted by power, occupying a high position and continuously sucking the nutrients from Konoha.
Letting the new leaves burn continuously, ultimately illuminating their continued lingering existence.
Truly ugly.
Speaking of which, this system…
'System, are you there?'
Zhang Ming softly called out to the system in his mind. The main reason was that the system had disappeared immediately after he made his choice, even though many systems in the novels he read would chat and laugh with their hosts.
'System, are you there?'
'Are you there?'
'System?'
'System?'
Zhang Ming called out several times in his mind, but the system didn't appear. This made Zhang Ming feel speechless; it was a cold system, completely different from those in novels.
He composed himself in the bathroom, then lay back down on the bed. Whatever it was, he'd sleep on it first.
"Ding!"
"Ding!"
"Ding!"
"Ding!"
"Ding!"
…
"Hiss…"
A series of short and urgent electronic sounds directly woke Zhang Ming up from the bed again. He twitched and squirmed before sitting bolt upright on the bed.
'What the hell, system, what's wrong with you?'
'Please respect the system, Host.'
A cold, mechanical voice echoed in Zhang Ming's mind, making him feel speechless.
…
"Okay, System, I want to ask what your function is?"
Zhang Ming humbly posed his question.
"This system will only issue selection tasks to the Host when the Host faces a major life choice, and then issue corresponding rewards based on the different options."
"It will not communicate with the Host in daily life. Please do not disturb the system, Host."
"However, please rest assured, Host, no matter what choice you make, you will experience a wonderful life."
After a series of mechanical sounds, Zhang Ming felt his brain buzzing.
In other words, this system only appears at critical moments, which means there probably aren't many rewards normally.
However, the problem isn't too big. After all, it's Uzumaki Naruto, at least Six Paths level.
It's just that I still have to play along with those old guys for a while.