Naruto.
The blue-white glow of the Multiversal Chat System bathed Kenji's room in soft light, long past midnight. His decision weighed heavily, a potent blend of anticipation and resolve. This was the tangible first step beyond his world, a chance to experience realities he'd only dreamed of.
Was it a predictable choice? yes. Did he care? No. Stick to what you know and can manage and you won't die young.
He knew the Naruto world's lore intimately, aware its early power levels were moderate in it's own way before spiraling into apocalyptic tiers, and this knowledge underscored his caution as he finally prepared for his first side quest.
Kenji adjusted his posture, leaning closer to the glowing interface, his eyes narrowing with a mix of anticipation. There were thousands upon thousands of subquests at his fingertips, each represented by a shimmering, glowing entry arranged in seemingly endless lists that stretched deep into the system's vast data.
The sheer volume of options was staggering—missions originating from every conceivable universe known to fiction and beyond, some globally recognized and iconic, others barely familiar, and countless more he had genuinely never even heard of in his previous life.
He kept forgetting what multiverse truly meant. Honestly after reading countless fanfic, one becomes used to the idea of the multiverse being anime, DC, or Marvel most of the time. Not remembering that those are just a fraction.
This system showed worlds from things like anime to things like Steven Universe, Warhammer, worm, hell he even saw Doom.
He shivered a little, he really hoped he never had to be forced to take a mission to some of these world, he scrolled down, Typemoon. Nope.
Each mission, came with its own distinct set of rewards depending on its difficulty, ranging from increments of system gold and system points to skill books, and invaluable gear like potent artifacts, unique weapons, and even consumable items with unknown properties.
"Let's see what this madness looks like… and try not to get myself killed on day one," he muttered under his breath, a hint of nervous excitement in his tone.
The screen shimmered as broad categories sprang to life, unfolding before him like a cosmic library. Familiar labels appeared: Marvel. DC. One Piece. Dragon Ball. Worm. Warhammer 40k. Bleach. Even obscure anime, forgotten comics, and fantastical fantasy worlds were prominently featured, each with its own subsection of quests.
Every single subquest entry was accompanied by comprehensive, albeit sometimes cryptic, details—explicit threat levels, suggested power rankings for optimal completion, potential outcomes both beneficial and detrimental, and specific experience rewards. It was a dizzying, overwhelming array of choices, yet simultaneously exhilarating in its boundless possibilities.
Some entries, Kenji quickly realized with a jolt of sobering reality, were outright suicidal for someone at his current stage of development, more like death wishes than viable missions.
[Steal the Batplane from Batman. (Threat Level: ???)]
"Nope," Kenji said instantly, a flat, unequivocal refusal escaping his lips as his gaze swept across the screen, scrolling faster. "Absolutely not. That's just asking for trouble, a direct confrontation with a tactical genius I am in no way prepared for."
He's the god damn Batman. Student of those 12 dimensional beings that disguise themselves as monks in Tibet.
[Defeat Madara Uchiha in single combat. (Threat Level: ???]
He raised an eyebrow, a flicker of pure incredulity in his eyes. "How is that even an option for a side quest? The system really has no limits to its audacity, throwing impossible challenges like candy. That's peak-level, god-tier stuff."
He also promptly dismissed other ridiculously difficult tasks that appeared, such as battling Laguna from Final Fantasy VII or attempting to obtain a Tailed Beast from its jinchuriki, knowing full well they were far beyond his current capabilities and would result in immediate obliteration.
Other quests, conversely, were absurd in the extreme, seemingly designed for pure entertainment or to test a user's patience rather than posing a genuine physical challenge.
[Eat more ramen than Naruto Uzumaki.] He didn't really like ramen like that.
[Out-rap Killer Bee in a freestyle battle.] He could If he practiced a bit he was sure he could.
[Convince Orochimaru to join a cooking show.] ????- - .
Kenji chuckled, a genuine, hearty laugh escaping him as he imagined the scenario. "This system is seriously unhinged. Who in the multiverse comes up with these ideas? Are these even real quests or just elaborate jokes?"
Still, as he explored further, his observant eye caught sight of a small, almost unnoticed filter icon positioned subtly in the upper corner of the interface. Curious, he tapped it.
A new overlay instantly blossomed across the screen, revealing a comprehensive suite of search and filter options. Kenji's eyes widened. He could now precisely sort missions by world, difficulty, type, rewards, timeline, and dozens of other granular parameters.
A triumphant grin spread across his face.
"Now we're talking," Kenji murmured, a palpable sense of relief washing over him. This was exactly what he needed to navigate the overwhelming choices and find a suitable starting point.
He selected Naruto from the World Filter first, immediately narrowing the colossal list to a manageable size. Then, he methodically reduced the difficulty to 'Low' and 'Moderate' to perfectly match his current power level and calculated risk tolerance.
His primary goal for this first foray was something manageable—a low-stakes scenario that would allow him to observe, and gather valuable data on.
He aimed for a mission where he could test his skills and abilities in a live environment without the constant threat of being vaporized by a planetary Jutsu or engaging in an unwinnable fight against a legendary figure.
Dozens of new options appeared now, each far more reasonable and grounded in the everyday occurrences of the ninja world, a stark contrast to the earlier ludicrous suggestions.
[Help Ichiraku Ramen develop a new secret menu item.]
[Spar with Konohamaru and NOT break his confidence.]
[Get a Nara to find something not 'troublesome.'] why was this on here, he would have thought it would be in a higher category.
And then, amidst these mundane tasks, a familiar title appeared, drawing his attention instantly.
[Sub Quest: Help Team 7 Capture Tora the Cat]
Kenji stared at it, a broad, knowing smile spreading across his face. The mission was iconic, to anyone who knew Naruto.
Every single fan of Naruto, regardless of their level of obsession, knew this particular, infuriatingly elusive feline.
It was famously one of the very first "real" missions assigned to Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno as newly graduated Genin under the tutelage of the legendary copy-ninja, Kakashi Hatake, right before the infamous wave mission.
"That's perfect," he whispered, his decision solidified with a satisfying sense of purpose.
He pressed ACCEPT.
The system began humming softly, a deep, resonant thrum like an engine powering up for an interdimensional jump, building in intensity. A holographic overlay filled his entire vision, flickering with complex data streams as it confirmed his choice and initiated the transfer protocol.
[System Alert: Sub Quest Entry Protocol Initiated]
[Mission Details Confirmed: Naruto World – Konoha Village]
[Assigning Temporary Avatar and Cover Identity…]
[You appear as the civilian son of a visiting merchant who died while in Konoha, you had taken his work and the money left to you to open up a shop to feed people.]
[Quest Objective: Assist in the successful capture of Tora the Cat. Whether directly or indirectly as long as you have a hand in it the mission will succeed.]
Kenji felt the familiar, startling tingle of system magic. A warmth bloomed in his core, spreading rapidly. The room glowed with shifting, ethereal light as reality warped around him, compressing and reshaping his very being, preparing him for the journey.
[Teleportation in Progress…]
His vision turned to an absolute, featureless white, a blank canvas upon which a new reality would soon be painted.
When his vision gradually returned, filtering back into focus with a soft, chromatic burst, Kenji was standing just inside the sprawling outer walls of a sunlit village.
The colossal, iconic red gates of Konohagakure loomed majestically behind him, tall and imposing against the clear, cerulean sky. A gentle wind rustled the vibrant green leaves of towering trees nearby, and the distinct, rhythmic clang of distant training—likely from one of the many ninja training grounds—echoed faintly from somewhere deeper within the village's bustling heart.
He blinked against the sudden brightness, squinting up at the familiar, traditional architecture of the Hidden Leaf. The distinctive slanted roofs and wooden facades of the buildings no longer existed merely in his mind's eye they solidified before him, tangible and real, plucked from the pages of his memory.
It was… surreal. Truly, incredibly surreal. The village, once a mere image on a screen, a collection of pixels and lines, was now a vibrant, three-dimensional reality, alive with sights, sounds, and an undeniable energy.
Kenji looked down at himself. His attire had completely changed—gone were his usual, comfortable clothes, replaced by a beautiful black and white kimono with a stylish flower pattern.
His system HUD, ever-present but now unobtrusive, blinked quietly in his peripheral vision, displaying mission parameters and a subtle chakra meter that read his current energy levels within this new world's framework.
Kenji took a long, deep breath, letting it all wash over him, immersing himself in the sensation of this new world. He could feel something in the air, alive and flowing like an invisible current, faintly pressing against his senses like ambient static, a palpable energy that permeated everything and everyone. Chakra.
'So thats what it felt like' he couldn't sense it properly or even have it but It was different from magic. while magic was definety lighter than chakra, this felt more.....how would he say it....weighted?...that was has in words as he could put it.
He glanced around, taking in the bustling street, his mind already calculating and potentially observing. With a quiet resolve, he took his first deliberate step into the village, ready to begin.
Time to see what the world of Naruto truly felt like.
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