Have you ever heard of the Butterfly Effect, where the simple flapping of a butterfly's wings can trigger a series of events that lead to a major consequence? My death was like that — like the flapping of wings, but on a terrifying scale.
I was never someone who worried much about things, not even death. For me, when the time came, I would leave this life without regrets. But I never expected it to be so soon — way too soon.
One minute I was sitting in my room, playing an online fighting game while shoving snacks into my mouth, and the next, everything was white.
I blinked a few times to make sure I wasn't hallucinating from being awake nearly 38 hours, but the environment around me remained completely white.
It was impossible to distinguish any shapes in this place; looking up felt the same as looking down, and the same was true for looking sideways. It felt like I was falling into infinity, one of the worst sensations I've ever experienced. But I managed to stay calm and steady myself enough to look for an explanation.
Looking around me more calmly now, I noticed a female silhouette sitting in front of something that looked like a table. It was almost imperceptible, and if I hadn't been trying so hard to spot something, the figure might have gone unnoticed.
When I stared at the silhouette, trying to identify what it was, I felt as if it were staring back.
"Ah, I see you found me. Come closer, you're next in line for the afterlife," she said, shuffling through some papers on the table.
I looked around for someone she might be talking to, but apparently, she meant me.
'I must be hallucinating. There's no other plausible explanation for this,' I thought.
"Actually, there is. You died this morning, Connor Olson. Your body couldn't handle your poor diet, lack of exercise, and deliberate addiction to..." She straightened the papers on the table, confirmed a few things, and continued. "And your addiction to wasabi ramen and mayonnaise."
"In my defense, wasabi and mayonnaise are a wonderful combination," I said, feeling strangely compelled to explain myself.
The silence that lingered in the air for the next few seconds was the most awkward I'd ever experienced — either in life or... after it? I'm still confused as to what I should call it.
But that was a subject I could leave for later. I needed to understand exactly what was going to happen to me now.
"So now you're going to decide whether I go to heaven or hell? I didn't commit any crimes in life, so I think it would be unfair to go to hell..." I asked.
"Actually, Connor, you're a lucky guy. I was looking for someone with attributes similar to yours. Your knowledge of alternative worlds is very interesting, parts of your personality are attractive, which could result in 'different' situations, so to speak, and I decided you deserved a chance to prove your worth. So you have the option to reincarnate. Would you like to accept?" the silhouette asked, waiting for my answer.
"Reincarnate, huh? That reminds me of those novels I used to read. It doesn't seem like a bad idea. After all, it's either that or going to heaven or hell," I thought.
"And where would I go if I chose to reincarnate?" I asked, trying to get closer to her and the table.
"The available options included some intergalactic universes, superheroes, and medieval worlds. But all of them required prerequisites that you unfortunately didn't meet — or failed to meet — so there's only one option left."
She discarded several sheets of paper that disappeared as they left the table, as if they were part of the scenery.
"What is it...?" I asked, eager to know where I could go.
"The Shinobi World. You must know it as the Naruto universe. When you choose to reincarnate, you'll be granted four wishes so you're not at the mercy of luck," she said, and if I had been able to identify the expressions on her face, I could swear she was smiling as she gave me this "option."
"Naruto? Interesting. I could be a ninja — it's a world with powers, and it doesn't seem too difficult to survive. All right, tell me more about these wishes."
"You can choose a few things related to the world — where you're born, your powers and abilities, and other advantages that don't affect the universe's power balance. I'm eager to know what you'll do with your wishes," she said, getting up from the table and waiting for me to speak.
"Okay, cool. It can't be that hard to make four wishes, right?" I said, thinking.
'I need something interesting, fun, and really powerful… Okay, I don't want to be a jinchuuriki or have eye powers. Even though they're strong, they never appealed to me. I much prefer using jutsu. Maybe jiton, that Kazekage ability? Nah. I don't want to be from Sunagakure, and that would be hard to explain in Konoha… what if…'
Thinking through my possibilities, one stood out.
"First, I want Hashirama's Mokuton abilities. And to avoid attracting too much attention from villains like Orochimaru and Danzo, I want to be part of the Senju clan."
It was interesting to use a skill that wasn't widely used in the Naruto universe, one that only had a single known user. Maybe that would give me significant advantages over other ninjas, and I'd have strength similar to the most powerful ones in the universe.
"Hmm, interesting reasoning, Connor. You still have two wishes — think carefully." She said, eager to hear what I'd say next.
"I also want to be from Itachi's generation — among the ninjas who grew up with him," I continued, while deciding on my last wish.
"Who knows? Maybe I could befriend Itachi—he might help me out if I get into trouble, right?" I thought.
"That's easy," she said, apparently writing down my answers.
"Okay, for my final wish, I want one of those game or novel systems to help me grow stronger," I said, finishing up.
Was it a simple wish? Maybe. But a system that could show character stats and useful information would definitely help me survive longer.
"Heh, I like you, kid. I hope we meet again in that universe. I'd love a real conversation and to see how much you've grown. Oh, and by the way — your name won't be Connor anymore, okay? See you soon, sweety." She said, not even giving me time to respond.
"W-Wait, what—" was all I could say before everything went completely dark.
Suddenly, my vision narrowed, and thousands of images flashed before my eyes as I was thrown through what looked like the universe. Voices echoed, trying to tell me something — but I couldn't understand.
Then I opened my eyes.
"Riku... Senju Riku? Can you please answer the call? It seems this boy is off in his own little world," muttered the ninja academy teacher.
...
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