Death Strom — Chapter 5: The Other Me
The morning sun spilled over a quiet suburban street.
Birds fluttered between telephone wires, the smell of toast and tea drifting from open windows.
In a small house near the river, Usuki — another Usuki — sat with his family at breakfast.
His mother laughed softly, brushing her short hair aside as she poured him tea.
"Eat properly before school. You've been looking tired lately."
The boy smiled, scratching his head. "I just stayed up late, that's all."
His younger sister leaned over the table. "You always say that, dummy!"
They all laughed. The moment felt warm, simple… perfect.
Yet something flickered at the edge of this peace — a faint echo, like a half-remembered dream whispering behind the walls.
As the family talked, the camera panned toward the window — sunlight glinting across the glass.
And for a split second, the reflection blinked differently than the boy himself.
---
Meanwhile, back in the Ninja World, a heavy mist coiled around the mountains.
Kanshiki and the other Usuki (the real one from the first timeline) walked through a narrow path lined with glowing stones.
The air was thick with the scent of ash and lightning.
Kanshiki's tone was quiet but sharp. "You asked why another version of you exists?"
Usuki nodded slowly. "Yeah. You said something about timelines duplicating… but I don't get it."
Kanshiki stopped, facing the valley below. "When a person disappears unnaturally from their time — not by death, not by choice — the world replaces them. It creates a mirror copy, to keep balance."
"So… the other me is living my life right now?"
"Yes." Kanshiki's eyes narrowed. "But balance has a price. The longer both of you exist, the weaker the boundary becomes. Eventually… the worlds start to bleed into each other."
Usuki's pulse quickened. "Bleed? What happens if they meet?"
Kanshiki looked at him, voice low and steady. "The multiverse collapses. Both souls cancel each other — and reality resets."
A chill crawled up Usuki's spine.
He whispered, "Then I can never go back home."
Kanshiki didn't answer. Instead, he began walking again.
"Come. If you truly want to protect your family — even the other version of yourself — you must learn to survive in this world first."
They entered an ancient courtyard surrounded by stone towers. Sparks danced in the air, symbols carved deep into the walls glowed red and blue.
"This," Kanshiki said, "is the Origin Shrine. Every ninja passes through here to bind with their chosen element."
Usuki stared at the flames rising from the center of the shrine. They moved like living spirits, whispering his name.
Ishuko… Usuki…
The fire swirled higher, its color deepening from orange to dark crimson.
Usuki took a hesitant step forward. "This… it's calling me."
Kanshiki nodded. "Then answer."
Usuki extended his hand toward the flame — and the world exploded in light.
The scene fractured — flickering rapidly between two timelines:
2006 Usuki staring into a mirror, his reflection twisting with static.
Ninja World Usuki screaming as fire symbols branded across his chest.
Then — silence.
When the light faded, Usuki was on his knees, panting, eyes glowing faintly red.
Kanshiki stepped closer, a hint of awe in his voice. "So it's true…"
Usuki looked up, confused. "What is?"
Kanshiki smiled faintly.
"You didn't just choose fire… the fire chose you."
---
🔥 End of Chapter 5: The Other Me
---