He walked calmly through the streets of Konoha.
Each step confirmed it wasn't a dream — he was alive.
The air felt purer, denser, as if he were breathing energy instead of oxygen. Looking around, he took in the architecture — different, yet strangely familiar.
"In this life... will I truly be free?"
The question echoed in his mind, heavy with uncertainty.
Free from the voices that dictated what he should do.
Free from the clocks, the orders, the masks.
For a brief moment, he remembered the noise of his past life — the traffic, the gray hallways, the people moving like cogs in a machine. He remembered the exhaustion, the feeling of living only out of habit. And then... silence.
He blinked. The sun of Konoha wrapped around him, warm, almost welcoming.
"This time... I'll live my own way."
The thought burned in him with a determination he never knew he had.
With that, he soon arrived at the orphanage — in this world, he was once again an orphan. His parents had died when he was very young.
"Hello, Ren," said a tired, elderly voice.
"Hello, Miss Hana," he replied calmly.
The woman gave him a faint smile.
"Where have you been? We were worried about you," she said — her tone carried both concern and indifference.
"I was just walking around the village... I lost track of time," Ren answered in a quiet, even tone.
"Be careful next time. Go wash your hands and come eat," Miss Hana said before turning away and walking inside.
Ren followed silently. Inside, the table was already set, and the children waited impatiently for permission to start. He washed his hands without hurry and returned to his seat. As soon as he started eating, a boy approached him.
"Ren, where were you today? Out wandering again?" asked Kaito, smiling mischievously.
"Hello, Kaito. As always," Ren replied dryly.
Kaito laughed awkwardly and went off to play with the others.
Ren watched him for a few seconds.
"Relationships only bind you. Bonds... always turn into chains."
He averted his gaze and focused on his meal in silence.
"Tomorrow's the entrance test for the Ninja Academy... the beginning of my path."
Determination flickered in his deep, black eyes — though his face remained calm, unreadable.
The orphanage's dining hall was simple: worn wooden tables, clay bowls, and the constant smell of miso soup. The laughter of other children filled the air, but for Ren, it was just background noise.
He was six years old, though his gaze belonged to someone much older. In the few months since his arrival in this world, he had learned to hide his true maturity behind an indifferent expression.
To others, he was just another orphan.
But he knew he hadn't been reborn to repeat a borrowed life.
He finished his meal quietly and went to the room shared by six children. Sleep soon claimed him, and as his eyes closed, a single thought lingered:
"Tomorrow begins."
In the blink of an eye, night passed.
Ren woke up precisely at five in the morning.
"I have to be at the Academy by seven… two hours left." he thought calmly, no trace of emotion on his face.
He got up and began stretching — slow, deliberate movements, each breath controlled.
"In my old world, training at this age could cause permanent damage to the body…" he reflected. "But this world is different. Chakra flows through everything — nourishing body and mind. Even if I haven't awakened mine yet, its presence alone should protect my growth."
The morning air was cold, yet Ren found it comforting. The start of his new path was drawing closer.
Time passed quickly as he trained.
When it was finally time to leave, he joined the other orphans heading to the Academy.
The streets were filled with laughter, footsteps, and childish chatter — excitement buzzing in the air. But Ren walked in silence, eyes fixed ahead.
He thought about many things — his past life, fate, freedom — but only one thought remained clear:
"No matter what happens… I'll always walk my path, even if it kills me."
His steps grew lighter, firmer, as if each one marked an unshakable vow.
When he reached the Academy, he looked up. The large wooden building stood proudly, the symbol of the Leaf engraved above its gate. Dozens of children his age were gathered, nervous or excited.
Ren observed them quietly. In his eyes, there was no emotion — only calm, unwavering resolve.
"So... this is where my new life begins."