The cold morning light filtered through the narrow window of the small room, but it wasn't enough to warm the chill settling deep inside Reiji's chest. Five years old, sitting on a tatami mat, surrounded by unfamiliar faces and a world that wasn't his own.
This isn't home.
The ache of loss hit him harder than the first day he woke up in this body. His old life is gone. His family is gone. Now, he was a boy in the Hidden Leaf Village, destined to become a shinobi like those from the stories.
The morning sun poured through the tall windows of the Hidden Leaf Academy's main hall. The air buzzed with the excited chatter of dozens of children, their faces eager and bright as they gazed up at the instructors standing by. Reiji sat near the back, hands folded tightly in his lap, his gaze fixed on the polished wooden floor. The room was filled with life, laughter, friendly jabs, and the scrape of sandals, but to him, it felt distant, like watching a play through a thick glass.
He didn't belong here. Not really.
His caretakers had left him at the academy gates that morning, smiling and waving as though this was the first step in a great adventure. But Reiji's heart was heavy with a weight no one here could see.
My old world is gone.
The sounds of the other children—laughing, shouting, showing off—felt like echoes from another life he once lived, a life now only a memory buried deep beneath his skin.
When the doors at the front opened, a hush fell over the room.
An elderly man, tall and dignified, stepped forward. His brown hair, framed by silver streaks, a face marked by heavy bags, was clearly visible. His eyes swept across the students, lingering with a gentle strength.
"Welcome, new leaves of Konoha," he began, his voice steady and warm. "Today, you stand at the threshold of a journey that will shape you beyond what you can imagine. Being a ninja is more than learning to fight or mastering jutsu. It is about heart, about protecting those you love, and about carrying the Will of Fire that burns within the people of this village."
Reiji's eyes flicked up, drawn despite himself.
"This Will of Fire," the Hokage continued, "is a flame passed from generation to generation — a promise that no matter the darkness, Konoha's light will not be extinguished. You will face challenges. You will endure loss. But remember, you are never alone. This village, your family, stands with you."
A ripple of applause swept through the room. Some of the children, eyes bright with hope, clapped with enthusiasm.
Reiji sat still, the warmth of the speech settling uneasily in his chest.
As the speech ended, the other children rushed to their instructors, excited to begin training. Reiji stayed seated a moment longer, breathing deeply, trying to quiet the storm inside.
Then, quietly, he stood and walked toward the entrance, ready to take his first steps into this new world.