In the sixty-third year of the Hidden Leaf Village—Konoha—a strong wind swept across the village, rustling the trees and sending scattered leaves drifting onto the heads of passersby.
A wandering soul from another world silently descended, entering and fusing with the body of a spiky yellow-haired boy.
The village streets were lined with mismatched houses, from modest one-story homes to towering three-story dwellings, all packed tightly together. Between them ran narrow, winding alleyways that felt like an unsolvable maze to outsiders.
In one such old alley, a row of tiny shops stood—grocery stalls that had operated for over thirty years. On the stone pavement outside, Naruto Uzumaki lay motionless, his thin frame sprawled on the ground.
His body ached, the discomfort making it hard to move. The harsh chatter of villagers around him felt like insects crawling into his ears—disgusting and nauseating.
"Is that little fox demon finally dead?"
"Good riddance. Consider it revenge for the Fourth Hokage's death."
"Shh! Quiet! The Third Hokage ordered us not to harm him."
"I can't even talk about it now? What kind of logic is that?"
"Pity the grocery store owner—he might get punished for the fox's death."
"Hey brat, stop pretending. I only gave you a little shove."
A little shove? That's all?
Naruto gritted his teeth and forced his trembling body to stand, glaring at the man who pushed him.
The man was Ichiro Yamamoto, the owner of the small grocery store.
Seeing Naruto get up, Ichiro exhaled in relief. At least he wouldn't be punished by the Third Hokage.
"Hmph. If you're not dead, then move along! You're bad luck for business."
"Bad luck?"
Naruto's cold gaze fixed on him. Something in his expression made the air feel heavier. Ichiro shivered, sensing a chill that hadn't been there before.
[Ding! Life Selector successfully activated!]
[Passive scenario triggered!]
Ichiro Yamamoto, the grocery store owner, has pushed you. What will you do?
[Option 1 – Stay friendly]: Make him kneel and apologize, then forgive him.
Reward: Removal of negative physical conditions.
[Option 2 – Be rational]: Beat him up, make him kneel and lick your shoes, then move on.
Reward: Clone Jutsu (Three Body Technique).
[Option 3 – Be reckless]: The man has a daughter—let her pay the price.
Reward: Upgraded Seduction Technique.
[Option 4 – Be ruthless]: Kill him.
Reward: Rasengan.
Naruto blinked, startled by the floating text in front of him.
A… life selection system?
He quickly pieced it together—this must be his "golden finger," the cheat power of every isekai traveler. But the choices? They were a little unhinged.
The upgraded Seduction Technique… sounds interesting, but not really usable by him. Skip.
As for killing someone? That's out of the question. He was in the middle of Konoha, constantly under the surveillance of the village elders. Risking everything for a Rasengan wasn't worth it.
That left Option 1 and Option 2. The Three Body Technique was tempting, more useful than just removing his physical debuffs.
But… could he win in his current state? His body felt weak, uncoordinated.
"Hey brat! I told you to leave! Didn't you hear me?" Ichiro barked, unnerved by Naruto's silence and the intense look in his eyes.
Naruto smiled faintly. He had been on the fence about following the Life Selector's choices—but now, Ichiro had sealed his fate.
He had to at least try. Even before coming to this world, Naruto had never been the type to tolerate bullies.
"I'll give you ten seconds to kneel down and apologize."
"What did you say, brat?" Ichiro snapped, but when he met Naruto's piercing gaze, his words caught in his throat.
"Ten."
Naruto clenched his fists, beginning his countdown.
"Nine."
He took a step forward.
"Eight."
The crowd began to murmur, unsurprised.
"Told you, that fox demon doesn't belong here."
"Why is the Third still protecting that monster?"
"Stay away from him—you'll get caught in the crossfire."
"Poor Yamamoto, facing that freak alone."
Naruto could hear them. One whisper might go unnoticed, but a dozen voices were deafening.
"So noisy…" he muttered, but kept his focus on Ichiro.
"Three."
"Wait, wasn't it ten?" Ichiro asked, eyes wide with panic.
"Oh, I just got impatient," Naruto said coldly.
"One!"
Naruto's stance shifted as his aura sharpened. He raised his right fist and threw a punch straight at Ichiro's face.
"I'M SORRY! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!"
Ichiro collapsed to his knees, trembling. Some might laugh at a grown man being scared into submission by a boy—but they hadn't stood in front of Naruto. They didn't feel the paralyzing fear that gripped him, the sheer presence Naruto radiated in that moment.
Is this the power of the Nine-Tails?
"Remember this: if you don't want trouble, don't go looking for it. I'm letting you off this time."
Naruto looked around at the stunned bystanders.
"That goes for the rest of you, too. Don't mess with me."
With that, he turned and walked away, heading back to the lonely apartment he called home.
[Ding! Congratulations, host. Option 1 completed. Reward incoming.]
This is a special reward. Please be prepared.
Special reward? How "special" could it be?
Curious, Naruto lay down on his bed and waited.
[Commencing removal of negative physical conditions...]
Hunger eliminated.
Malnutrition eliminated.
Chakra disorder elimination in progress…
25%... 50%... 75%... 100%.
Naruto felt his body unlock, like chains being snapped off a prisoner. Energy surged through him. He stretched with relief.
But the voice wasn't done yet.
"Huh? It's not over?"
[Eliminating unattractive appearance...]
1%...
Suddenly, a wave of exhaustion hit him. Sleepiness overwhelmed him, and he drifted off into a deep slumber.
Outside the window, a masked ninja with a dog-like mask crouched on a tree branch.
"Something's happening with the Jinchūriki. I'll report this to HQ."
He vanished in a blur.