Good morning. My name is Mykel Piña, well it was, until an F-150 decided that red lights were merely suggestions. Let me rewind a bit and introduce myself properly. I had just started my first university class after being pressured into higher education by my Caribbean Dominican parents, who insisted it was the key to success. Well… look where that led me.
Anyway, I went out to grab food with a few friends I'd met during move-in, but that truck had other plans. I should have looked both ways twice, but I assumed red meant stop, and I was distracted reading the latest One Piece chapter.
As my body soared through the air and my life flashed before my eyes, I felt—strangely—no pain. It was probably the adrenaline, but it gave me enough time to consider how my death would devastate my family and friends. I was saddened by the thought of their grief, yet personally, I felt detached—more irritated that I hadn't eaten before dying and that I'd been taken out by Truck-kun's American cousin.
I hit the pavement headfirst with a sickening crunch, landing at an unnatural angle near the curb. Then everything went dark.
There was nothing—only the sensation of drifting through an endless ocean. After a while, I began to feel movement. It grew cramped, and I realized I wasn't alone, even though I couldn't see.
Damn. I'm a baby.
I wasn't sure whether reincarnation was real, but honestly, it wasn't the worst outcome. I settled in as best I could. There isn't much room inside a womb—especially when you're sharing it with someone else who's developing alongside you.
I was daydreaming about what kind of life awaited me when I was suddenly engulfed in a blinding white light—and it definitely didn't feel like birth. Not that I'd remember what that was like.
The dreamscape shifted: first brilliant white, then absolute void. I found myself standing on what looked like a vast, shadowy ocean in my original body. I glanced at my reflection in the water below.
Honey-brown eyes. Deep brown skin. Dreadlocks brushing my chin. A newly grown mustache and goatee that complemented my strong jawline. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to grow my locs any longer.
As I examined myself—five-foot-ten and slightly underweight I suddenly froze. Another reflection appeared beside mine, and I recognized it instantly.
I lifted my gaze and saw an elderly man with spiked white hair, a short goatee, and two horn-like protrusions jutting from his forehead. His eyes bore the purple-ringed Rinnegan, and a red Rinne-Sharingan gleamed on his brow.
I was staring at the Sage of Six Paths—Hagoromo.
I stood there, speechless, face-to-face with someone I'd only ever seen in fiction. Seeing him in person especially with the whole three-eyed alien aesthetic—was surreal. After a few seconds of my stunned silence, he finally spoke.
"Welcome, wandering soul. You appear confused, so allow me to clarify. I am Hagoromo. The soul of my son, Ashura, is reincarnating within the boy growing beside you. While observing the cycle, I sensed something unusual—another presence entering the same body at the moment of conception, creating a life that was not meant to exist. That presence is you. I do not know your intentions, but as a father, I ask that you do not bring harm to my son."
I was shell-shocked. First, I'd landed in one of the most influential anime worlds of all time, and now Hagoromo himself was telling me I was reincarnating as Naruto's twin. He said Ashura, but I'd read and watched Naruto enough times to know exactly what that implied.
Once I gathered myself, I realized he suspected I had some grand scheme. I ran a hand through my hair, pushing it back with a weary sigh as memories of my death resurfaced.
"I didn't mean to appear beside your son. I died and just… ended up there. I didn't even realize someone else was with me until recently. By the way, I'm Mykel. Is my presence going to cause him any harm? And you don't need to worry—I wouldn't hurt your son. If anything, I'd try to protect him."
My words seemed to ease his tension. The rigid, calculating expression on his weathered face softened, though his eyes still studied me carefully. When he responded, I understood why.
"That is unusual for a typical reincarnation. There is an aura around you that clouds my perception of your chakra; I cannot discern your true intentions. However, I will accept your promise, as there is little else I can do. Your presence will not harm him. In fact, you may benefit. Your more mature soul appears to be absorbing residual sage chakra from his. How much that aids you depends entirely on your growth. Farewell. I sought only to ensure my child's safety. Thank you."
Before I could reply, he vanished. I remained standing in that lucid dream, on an endless ocean reflecting a clear blue sky, processing everything he had said. I sifted through every detail I could remember about Naruto, bracing myself for the life ahead—fully aware it wouldn't be easy.