"You can choose a power, a special ability, or a bloodline limit, as they are called in the world you're going to," he explains.
He pauses for a second, almost solemn. "Basically, you can choose anything… but don't forget: every ability has its advantages, its drawbacks, its parameters… and its way of functioning. Some details are physical, others biological, or even social."
He raises his hand to illustrate his point. "For example: if you choose a kekkei genkai, say the Byakugan… you will inevitably have white eyes, a blind spot in your field of vision, you will automatically be a Hyūga — so born in Konoha, and you will at least partially inherit their physical appearance."
"Ah, okay…" I nod, a bit impressed. So that's why he talks about power/form. It's literal.
But he hasn't finished.
"Or," he continues, piquing my curiosity, "you can choose the power of a character from another fiction."
He lets me digest the info, then adds: "In that case, you will be free from the geographical, clan, or genetic obligations tied to the Naruto universe. No assigned family, no mandatory village of origin. You will only have the power."
But of course, there's a but.
"In exchange… you will automatically inherit the character's appearance."
He crosses his arms.
"Unless you possess — or later acquire — a metamorphosis power. In any case, you will also carry some of their basic parameters."
Then he takes a long breath, as if he just finished a super dense instruction manual in a single sentence.
"Mhmm mm mmm," I say, lost in thought.
So, if I choose Superman, I'll have incredible strength and speed, laser vision, the ability to fly, X-ray vision… but I'll be allergic to a green rock, and I'll look like the Clark Kent from the cartoon.
Nope. Not Superman.
"Anyway, he's not available."
Okay, at least that settles it.
And if I take a kekkei genkai, like the Sharingan? I'd have the tomoe eyes, maybe even the Mangekyō Sharingan, which would be super useful.
The only problem is, the Uchiha clan suffered massive genocide, and they tend to be hunted by pedophile snakes — seriously, not exactly a winning life plan.
So, Sharingan is out too.
That's a lot of choices to manage.
But I think I'll go with something from the second option, and I know exactly what.
A stylish, useful, powerful ability. And a really beautiful, cute, practical body.
"I want Rimuru Tempest."
I finally say, with a mix of impatience and apprehension in my voice, ecstatic to be my favorite manga character in my favorite manga.
"Very well." He resumes his calm gesture, typing in the void as if commanding the universe.
"But what form will I have?" I ask, a bit puzzled.
"Don't worry, your form will be as you imagine: that young man with long blue hair." He almost smiles.
Then his tone changes, more serious. "However… I must warn you, your form will be exactly that. You will have nothing down there. You will be sexless."
I blink for a moment.
"Ah… that's fine with me." I answer calmly.
I wasn't necessarily expecting that, but it doesn't bother me. I've never been particularly attached to my sex — not that the other one appeals more, I'm a boy, that's certain. But what's between my legs doesn't fundamentally matter to me. If I have to change to gain this kind of ability, so be it.
You rarely evolve without giving up a part of yourself, without sacrificing something.
And if I have to sacrifice the ability to pee standing up in exchange for a "kekkei genkai" that amazing, believe me, I'm ready to cut it off myself.
"Not necessary, we wi—"
"Metaphorical," I interrupt.
And then, as a slime, I'm a natural shapeshifter. I can change form whenever I want; it doesn't bother me.
I could be anything I want the second I feel like it.
Not to mention the body is rather canon.
"All right, it's settled. As for your powers, I give you Predator."
He pauses, then adds: "And this Predator will be more complicated than the one you knew in your anime. Less powerful, more technical and… painful."
I frown. "More complicated? How?"
"Well, you won't be able to use this power for storage anymore. Only the ingestion ability remains active."
He pauses, then details: "Ingestion means you can absorb forms, bloodline limits, knowledge, techniques, etc. A portion of the person's chakra will be added to yours."
He looks me straight in the eyes. "But it will be painful. Very, very painful."
I frown, slightly worried. "How painful?"
He hesitates for a moment.
"It depends. If you swallow a thirteen-year-old kid..."
Clearly God is Catholic.
Mother church ain't beating the allegations
"Ahhh"
I then scream as i feel like all of the flames of hell were put on my body, before the sensation evaporate. As fast as it appeared.
"I can read your mind... dumbass."
"Stop screwing me."
God says with a grim smile, before snapping his fingers, the pain leaving at the exact time when his two fingers made the sound.
"Soooooo, as i said..." He then continue, as if he didn't just baked me for a little joke.
"If you swallow a thirteen-year-old kid, non-shinobi, with little experience and minimal chakra or jutsu, it won't be as painful as swallowing a jinchūriki and their tailed beast."
He continues, making sure I understand the nuance: "And consuming normal animals is easier than humans."
He shrugs casually. "The rest, you'll discover yourself."
"So, basically, I lose most of the abilities of the form I chose."
I summarize sharply, slightly irritated. It was sold as an ultimate power… now it's starting to look like a 14-day trial version.
God stays silent for a moment. Then he gives me a look.
Not anger. Rather… the kind of look a bored teacher gives a student who just said a huge stupid thing.
And then his voice snaps. Casual. Cold. "If you prefer, I can change my mind, cancel everything… and kindly send you to join Lucifer."
I immediately shake my head, a bead of imaginary sweat on my nonexistent forehead.
"No need to elaborate."
"I thought so." God gives a small smile, apparently amused.
Then he resumes, calmer. "Of all the universes I've seen… this ability is one of the most powerful. Or 'OP,' as you humans so elegantly say."
He crosses his arms. "It's too powerful for me to give you without limits."
He leans slightly, looking serious. "Even in this nerfed version, Predator remains one of the most powerful, most broken abilities this world has ever known."
He counts on his fingers: "It will just… be more painful. Learned abilities will be weaker and slower. Powers and chakra taken from the individual will be less complete. And it will be harder to master."
Then he looks at me again.
"But you remain a shapeshifter with a bloodline limit few can match. You want 'OP'? You have it, at your fingertips. It just has to be earned… through sweat."
…
"Fair enough."
I accept once his explanation is finished, resigned… but not bitter. After all, I don't really have a choice. And I find his arguments convincing.
If I had the full powers of Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken, I'd barely be six years old and already have half the world at my feet. Sliding effortlessly through waves of enemies, dancing with Madara Uchiha between Rasenshurikens hurled by Naruto and Sasuke, who would be nothing more than mosquitoes to me.
Clearly: it would be cheat in HD.
It's true that would not be fair, Limule, or Rimuru, as they call it in the original version, is way too powerful.
So yes. This nerf is justified.
I nod calmly, without hesitation: "I see. It's handicapped, but fair. I'll choose it anyway."
God lets out a small sigh, maybe relieved this chapter is closed.
"All right, it's done."
His tone is strangely joyful, almost enthusiastic.
"Now, before your reincarnation, there's still the choice of your birthplace… and its time period."