It was actually a pretty decent day, except for the fact that I got dropped into the Naruto world.
Lately, I've been feeling really stressed out. The thing is, in Naruto, if you don't have a bloodline or some kind of special talent or cheat code, it's basically impossible to survive.
Just thinking about future ninja wars, Pain's attack, Obito, and Black Zetsu gives me chills.
All I want is to just live a peaceful life in this crazy blood-soaked world.
It's been ten years since the Nine-Tails attack, and the village is still dealing with the aftermath.
Everyone is super cautious about wars and tailed beasts. The death of the Fourth Hokage, Minato, hit the village hard, and people started taking out their anger on Naruto.
As I think about how Naruto is treated, I can't help but smile; at least I'm not being ignored, and I feel safe.
So, my name's Hiro. I'm ten years old and an orphan, living alone in my late parents' small apartment.
I often think about how my parents were killed by ninjas during a journey. It makes me sad, but at least they left me a place to live.
I was transmigrated into this world right from my mom's womb, and I've got barely any chakra or talent.
Honestly, I'd be lucky just to make it to Genin level since my skills in the three basic jutsu are pretty mediocre.
Deep down, I know I'd just be cannon fodder on the battlefield.
Today, I wandered around the streets and bought a cheap bento since my monthly allowance is pretty low; my parents were just merchants, after all.
As I strolled aimlessly, I noticed ninjas walking by, and honestly, seeing their headbands didn't make me feel jealous at all.
They just look like they're branded like cattle.
I don't want to be a ninja. I only need enough strength to protect myself.
I've already decided I want to be a writer after I finish school because there's no way I'm becoming a ninja.
When I got to the academy, the kids were all chatting and laughing.
I felt no jealousy because I'm used to being alone.
Then I spotted Hinata looking my way, but before I could think too much about it, Naruto showed up, as he always does, drawing everyone's attention and ignoring me.
I couldn't help but smile bitterly, thinking about when Naruto and I used to be best friends.
But of course, it's just like the story—Hinata is still crushing on Naruto.
Next, I saw Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji.
I kind of averted my gaze because Ino would always chew me out, and then I saw Sakura glaring at me before she turned her attention to Sasuke.
Even Ino ended up by Sasuke's side, and I just shook my head, ignoring them.
I didn't see the frustrated looks on Ino and Sakura's faces when they went to show off near Sasuke.
Noticing I was ignoring them, they both pouted and walked away.
Soon, class started, and Iruka-sensei began the lesson on ninja history.
When I saw the titles like 'Great Deeds of the Third Hokage' and 'The Strongest Hokage, the Third Hokage,'
I was at a loss for words at how shameless he was, so I just tuned it out.
Before I knew it, class was over, and I thought, "Finally, let's get out of this boring place!" and went outside.
I spotted Hinata walking toward her guard, who was giving me a fierce glare, but she didn't even acknowledge me and just walked past.
I shook my head and made my way home.
I picked up some veggies and other groceries, made a simple dinner, and enjoyed a peaceful meal while looking at the moon.
At least this was a calm moment before I went to sleep, unaware of the changes that lie ahead.
While I slept, I dreamed of my previous life—where I had a simple family and lived an average life.
I was just a regular undergrad with social skills and other talents that weren't exactly top-notch.
I remembered meeting a kind and beautiful colleague; she was such a nice person.
Hiro still had a vivid memory of the day he first met her on the train. They hit it off and eventually became close friends, then good lovers.
Life seemed perfect; he envisioned marrying her and taking care of his parents in their old age.
He dreamt of a happy life filled with kids and growing old together—it seemed like a fairytale.
But then everything changed when he found out about her affair with her boss. Hiro was crushed; it felt like he'd been thrown into chaos.
His once perfect life felt like a cruel joke, and his hopes were reduced to nothing.
He wasn't ready to accept the situation, so he confronted her, seeking answers.
"Why would you do this?
We were perfect together, and we promised to stay loyal. Is this what that promise meant to you?"
She exhaled deeply and replied, "I'm really sorry, but you need to understand my situation.
I'm doing this for our future; we need money and a job, right?"
Hiro's anger boiled over, and he slapped her hard before storming off.
As he walked, rain started pouring down, matching his mood.
He noticed the heavy drops hitting his forehead just as she called out to him, crying, "Hiro, wait! Please, I'm begging you to listen!" Her sobs echoed in the nighttime air.
Feeling like all his emotions were a joke, he bitterly smiled at the irony of it all. Then, out of nowhere, he saw a speeding car coming straight at him.
Before he could even react, it hit him, and he was sent flying through the air. As he lay there, life slipping away, memories of her started to fade, and her face blurred in his mind.
He thought to himself, "Is this how my story ends?"
Hiro didn't want to go out like this; he still had elderly parents to care for.
Blood was pooling around him, and he felt his strength fading.
Struggling, he lifted his hand and managed to whisper, "Help me, please." But instead of help, passersby just gathered around to take pictures on their smartphones.
He still held onto a glimmer of hope that someone would rescue him, but no one seemed to notice.
His vision grew hazy, and he finally lost consciousness—he was gone.
It felt like he was sinking in an ocean, thinking, "Is my life really ending this way?" He refused to accept that this was it.
Then he saw a bright light racing towards him, enveloping him completely, and just like that, he was reborn into a new life.
[Author's Note:]
Thank you for reading! This is a new novel with a different style and darker direction.
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