(Brain Storage Area.)
"Let me tell you a myth—"
"Once upon a time, there was a family…"
Standing at a crossroads waiting for the traffic light, He Yan planned to scroll through short videos to ease the exhaustion from yet another day of overtime.
The moment he opened the app, a short drama slammed him with a soul-crushing opening.
A zero-frame ambush—no defense possible.
Working overtime until after eleven was already bad enough…
Yet even trying to relax, he still managed to run into this unlucky garbage.
It really ruined the mood.
Suddenly, a sharp, piercing screech tore through the air.
At the intersection, a massive cargo truck—dragging along a spine-chilling sound of brakes—charged straight toward He Yan.
He looked up, blinded by a flash of harsh light. The next instant, his consciousness slipped away. In a daze, he vaguely heard several unfamiliar men muttering beside his ear…
"Comrade, I thought it was a speed bump!"
"No… you'll have to talk to my insurance about this…"
"You wouldn't understand… we're all struggling to stay alive!"
Hearing those painfully familiar words, a chill crept up He Yan's spine. It felt as though he were sinking into endless darkness, despair flooding his heart.
There was no need to guess anymore…
He had truly "hit the jackpot" while waiting at the traffic light.
Help me!!
I'm not fucking dead yet!!
He screamed hysterically in his mind, but no response ever came.
Forget it…
There was nothing worth clinging to in this world anyway—a world where he lived like a beast of burden every single day.
Wait—
My phone hasn't been wiped yet!!!
Just as he was about to give up, the thought of the study materials stored on his phone sparked one final, desperate cry.
He didn't know how much time passed.
When He Yan finally opened his eyes and saw light again…
He realized his nearsightedness seemed to have worsened.
Everything around him was blurry.
But the stark white ceiling, the bright lights, and the sharp smell of disinfectant filled his senses.
This place… was a hospital?
Relief washed over him—only to be quickly replaced by an indescribable sense of unease.
He could sense several people in front of him…
Though he couldn't make out their faces clearly, the white clothes made it obvious they were medical staff.
What felt strange was—
Yan realized he was being… held?
Wait…
Why am I so small?!
He opened his mouth, intending to curse out of habit, but to his horror, the sound that came out was nothing but a baby's cry.
"Congratulations, Clan Head Fugaku."
"Lady Mikoto has given birth to two boys."
A nurse holding a child lowered her head respectfully toward Uchiha Fugaku.
"Mikoto, you've worked hard."
Fugaku's face remained stern, betraying no emotion, though his eldest son could clearly tell his father was in a good mood.
"Father, Mother gave birth to twin little brothers."
Uchiha Itachi was clearly happy as well. Watching the two crying infants in the nurses' arms, he showed a rare smile.
"My children…"
"Let me see my children…"
Uchiha Mikoto stretched out her arms toward the nurse. Her voice was weak, but her spirit was unmistakably strong.
As for He Yan—being moved around by the nurse while unable to see clearly and unable to understand a single word only made him more anxious.
What…
What are these people even talking about?!
What's going on right now?
Reincarnation? Rebirth? Transmigration?!
"Father, you haven't named the two little brothers yet, have you?"
"Then they'll be called Uchiha Sasuke and Uchiha Ryan."
Spring passed into autumn. Cold followed heat.
Six years slipped by in the blink of an eye.
Konoha—Uchiha Clan Compound.
Uchiha Ryan wore a serious expression, closely resembling his father's usual demeanor, as he stood in front of Itachi.
"Itachi," he said solemnly.
"Tell me the truth."
"If one day… only Sasuke or I could survive—"
"Who would you choose?"
Sitting in the courtyard, Itachi heard his younger brother's familiar question. He pretended to think deeply for a moment before answering with equal seriousness.
"That will never happen."
Facing this precocious younger brother, Itachi felt a headache coming on.
Ever since Ryan became self-aware, he would often run over to ask strange questions.
Sometimes it was about who Itachi would save if Ryan and Sasuke fell into a river at the same time.
Questions like that.
At first, Itachi answered carefully and earnestly…
But as time went on, he learned how to respond with a serious expression while brushing Ryan off.
As a member of the Uchiha clan, drowning in a river was…
Simply absurd.
And every time Ryan heard his answer, he would nod, say he understood, then turn around and head back inside.
And every time that happened…
Itachi would be scolded by their father for "bullying his younger brother."
"I understand."
This time, after receiving Itachi's usual evasive answer, Ryan didn't immediately run inside to complain.
Instead, he lowered his head, his eyes dim, his expression filled with disappointment.
At such a young age, that look pierced straight into the softest part of Itachi's heart.
Itachi suddenly wanted to grab his little brother and rub that adorable face.
But the very next second, Ryan snapped his head up, stretched his neck toward the house as if it could extend for miles, and shouted loudly—
"Father! Itachi said you're not a good clan head!!"
The moment the words left his mouth, their father's stern voice rang out from inside.
"Itachi. Come here."
Uchiha Itachi: "..."
Itachi smiled helplessly. He raised his hand, intending to flick Ryan's forehead, but Ryan nimbly dodged it.
"I have something to do. This afternoon, I'll practice shuriken techniques with you and Sasuke."
"Don't forget."
Brushing dust off his clothes, Itachi stood up and fished around in his pocket before pulling out a few bills and handing them to Ryan.
"Don't tell Sasuke."
Ryan hesitated for a full 0.01 seconds before accepting the offering. "Alright. My lips are sealed."
Itachi chuckled softly and walked toward the living room.
Six-year-old Ryan stood there, staring at his brother's back for a long time.
Ever since gaining awareness, he had realized that getting hit by that truck had sent him into the world of Naruto.
He could accept his new name.
He was even prepared to face a brand-new life.
But…
If he was coming here anyway…
Why did it have to be the Uchiha clan?!
And why did he have to be Sasuke's twin brother?!
Time had blurred many details in his memory. He only vaguely remembered that not long after Sasuke entered the Academy, the entire Uchiha clan would be wiped out.
And one of the culprits would be his own older brother…
The reason he kept asking Itachi those "choose one" questions was essentially early fortune-telling.
The night of the massacre should be about a year away…
Survival had become the most urgent problem in front of Ryan.
He took a deep breath, slowly exhaling the stale air from his chest. Raising his hand, he patted his cheeks—half encouragement, half self-comfort.
"It'll be fine… it'll be fine…"
"All Uchiha are geniuses… maybe if I work hard for a year, I can even awaken the Mangekyō…"
But the more he spoke, the harder it became to hold it together. He tilted his head back and collapsed onto the ground, radiating pure despair.
"A year? Awaken my ass!!!"
[Congratulations, Host. You have successfully bound the Immortal Emperor System. This system will escort your growth and help you ascend to the peak of this peril-filled cultivation world!]
The cheat finally awakened!!
Wait—
No, hold on?!
What did that thing just say?!
Cultivation world…?
...
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