"Well damn… how the hell did I even end up in this situation? I still can't believe what's happening to me…"I silently observed the noisy scene around me.
Just a few days ago, I clearly remember coming home after school and immediately deciding to try out a new Naruto game that had just been released for a virtual reality headset.
Most of my classmates considered Naruto outdated. According to them, the animation was mediocre, the plot was full of holes, and there were way too many fillers. Yeah, in some ways I even agreed with them — but they completely missed the most important part.
Naruto has the best soundtrack.
The openings are still legendary. And don't even get me started on the character themes — Orochimaru, Itachi, Sasori… just thinking about them sent chills down my spine. Kishimoto owes at least half of the series' popularity to the composers.
But I got carried away. Back to the main point.
After downloading the game and putting on the VR headset, I decided to start the campaign as my favorite character — Uzumaki Naruto. The very first thing that awaited me was the fight against the traitor Mizuki. At first, the 3D visuals were a bit irritating, and the controls felt awkward. Even on normal difficulty, everything moved way too fast — though maybe that was just me being slow.
After several restarts, something strange happened.
The visuals became ten times better. And it wasn't just the graphics — even the sensations were different. I felt emotions that weren't mine flooding my body. Anger, fear, resentment, hope, courage — all of it mixed together inside me.
During the fight, I felt an incredible surge of power. Blocking Mizuki's attack and protecting Iruka-sensei, I felt a strange sense of unity with Naruto himself. And when I used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, I beat the terrified Mizuki with overwhelming satisfaction.
That was when I realized something was wrong.
After Iruka handed me the forehead protector with the village symbol, I tried to save and exit the game. According to my instincts, it was already too late.
Nothing happened.
I just stood there, frozen in place, while Iruka-sensei watched me with concern.
"Naruto… are you alright?"
Judging by his expression, he was worried about my lack of reaction — especially since I had just passed the exam and achieved Naruto's lifelong dream of becoming a shinobi.
"I'm fine, Iruka-sensei," I replied, scratching the back of my head nervously. "I just didn't expect this. It still doesn't feel real."
"Naruto, today you proved that you deserve to be called a shinobi," Iruka said with a smile. "Come on, let's go to Ichiraku. My treat."
Twenty minutes later, we were sitting at Naruto's favorite place, and I was already silently finishing my third bowl of ramen — still refusing to believe what was happening.
What the hell happened?! Did the VR simulation break? Why couldn't I log out?!
"Everything alright, Naruto? You look worried…" Teuchi asked.
"It's fine, Teuchi-san. I was just thinking…" I answered carefully. "It's hard to believe someone would betray the village. And what's worse — I almost became a traitor myself."
"Naruto… you've grown into a fine shinobi," Iruka said after a pause. "Don't worry. I'm sure Hokage-sama will understand the situation and won't punish you for the theft."
Night came soon after.
To be honest, it passed in constant thoughts about how absurd this whole situation was. I felt like the protagonist of a mediocre fanfiction. And yet, my memories and emotions began to synchronize with those of the original owner of this body. Gradually, I felt us becoming one.
New feelings, preferences, and ambitions surfaced in my mind.
I fell asleep — and woke up the next morning as a completely different person.
Our consciousness had fully merged. Naruto's loneliness and hunger for recognition affected me deeply. I noticed myself thinking more and more like him. Since I saw no other way out of this situation, I decided to continue living as my favorite anime character.
After washing up and getting dressed, I made myself some instant noodles. While waiting, I looked at the mountain with the faces of the four Hokage. My gaze lingered on the Fourth — Minato Namikaze.
The hero who was my father.
Clenching my fist, I made a firm decision.
My face will be up there someday.
After eating, I quickly got ready, put on my forehead protector, and headed toward the center of Konoha — the Hokage's residence. That day, I had to take a photo for my ninja registration card.
Along the way, I noticed people staring. Many of them looked at me with open hostility. Others seemed genuinely surprised. Clearly, they didn't expect to see me wearing a Konoha headband.
Heh. Soon enough, they'll all acknowledge me — and worship me as the greatest Hokage, I thought… before catching myself realizing just how much I was becoming Naruto.
Inside the Hokage's residence, I went straight to his office.
The Third Hokage — Sarutobi Hiruzen, also known as the Professor, the God of Shinobi. After the fusion of memories, I didn't even know how to feel about him. From Naruto's past, I knew he had been kind and supportive. But from my own world's perspective… he could have done much more.
Greeting him in Naruto's usual manner — calling him "Old Man Third" — I had to listen to a short lecture about stealing the forbidden scroll. After that, he praised my courage and congratulated me on becoming a shinobi. Strangely enough, hearing praise from a legendary ninja felt good.
Soon, a photographer arrived — another old man — and we went up to the roof to take the picture.
I decided not to repaint my face like in canon. Still, the photo turned out great. A confident grin, my thumb pointing at myself — making it clear who would become the next Hokage.
After the photo was approved and stamped, I noticed the massive pile of paperwork on the Hokage's desk. For the first time, I seriously reconsidered becoming Hokage. All that bureaucracy looked exhausting…
"Fight me, old man!"
My thoughts were interrupted by Konohamaru bursting into the room — immediately tripping and faceplanting onto the floor.
"…Again," the Third muttered tiredly.
"Oh no! Again?!" Ebisu rushed in right after him.
I silently watched the comedy unfold, trying not to laugh.
"Damn it! Who set a trap here?!" Konohamaru complained, holding his head.
"There are no traps here!" Ebisu replied, genuinely worried.
Soon, both of them turned their attention to me. Ebisu's gaze was filled with open disgust.
Go ahead, keep staring… I'll teach you a lesson soon enough.
"I got it! This is your fault!" Konohamaru accused, pointing at me.
"You tripped on flat ground, brat," I snapped back, grabbing him by the scarf.
"Hey! Naruto! Let him go! That's the Third Hokage's grandson!" Ebisu protested.
"I don't care who you are, idiot!" I replied, smacking Konohamaru on the head.
"Ow!!"
Ebisu was shocked — but did nothing.The Third just watched silently, exhausted.
After leaving the Hokage's residence, I stretched lazily and headed home. A few seconds later, I noticed someone clumsily trying to follow me. Turning around, I spotted Konohamaru badly hiding.
He's got a long way to go with stealth… but we all start somewhere.
I changed my route toward the forest where Naruto usually trained — though being followed so obviously was irritating.
"Come out, Konohamaru. I've known you've been following me for a while now."
"Just as expected from my rival! You're good! Let's fight!" he exclaimed.
I agreed — not here, though.
The "fight" was a joke. He tripped again, missed every shuriken throw, and lost in hand-to-hand combat almost immediately.
Surprisingly, he wasn't upset. If anything, he seemed more inspired.
Talking with him, I realized how similar he was to Naruto. Always seen as someone's shadow. Always underestimated.
I told him that if he wanted to become Hokage, he'd first have to defeat me — because I would be the next Hokage.
That day, something changed for him.
A few days later, I found myself sitting in a classroom among my peers, waiting for Iruka-sensei to assign teams.
From this day on, my path truly begins.