Age 761.
Jack's consciousness drifted in a sea of gray. The adrenaline that had fueled his frantic slaughter of the giant tiger was gone, leaving behind a hollow, agonizing void. He could feel his life force flickering like a candle in a gale, his body pushed far beyond the limits of human endurance.
Why? He wondered as his mind began to unravel. How did I move like that? How did a punch from a starving man shatter the skull of a monster?
Perhaps it was the world itself. This wasn't the Earth he knew. The air was too rich, the gravity felt slightly too heavy, and the "wildlife" belonged in a nightmare. As his heartbeat slowed, his life began to play back like a corrupted film strip. He remembered the long, grueling months of work just to buy a decent laptop. He remembered falling asleep while binge-watching Dragon Ball, the flashy colors of a Super Saiyan transformation being the last thing he saw before waking up in this hellhole.
He was an orphan. No family to miss him, no wealth to leave behin, only a life defined by the cold indifference of society. If this is the end, he thought with a bitter, internal laugh, at least I died standing. I'm probably the only transmigrator in history to kill an apex predator and then starve to death on top of it.
Just as his mind prepared to plunge into the final darkness, a cold, mechanical chime echoed through his soul.
[Ding...]
[Detected: Host has slain a First-Level Dimensional Creature.]
[Condition Met. "Infinite Upgrade System" is loading...]
[1%... 30%... 65%... 99.9%...]
[Initialization Complete. The Infinite Upgrade System is at your service.]
Jack didn't hear it. He was too deep in the abyss. But the universe wasn't done with him yet. A second, softer chime rang out, overlapping the first.
[Ding!..]
[The Dimensional Chat Group invites you to join. Do you agree?]
[Detection: Target is in a comatose state and a high-risk environment.]
[Activating Chat Group Protocol 3: Automatic Enrollment & Emergency Rescue Mission Deployment.]
In the Dimensional Chat Group...
World of Ninja Asura: "@Lord of Time and Space, I have acquired the Hashirama cells and the experimental seals you requested. The trade is submitted. Don't forget my points."
In a hidden underground sanctum within the Naruto World, a man sat upon a throne of cold stone. He looked no older than twenty-five, his long, spiky black hair cascading down his back like a shadow. His eyes were the most terrifying feature, purple ripples of the Rinnegan, glowing with a divine, terrifying light.
This was Uchiha Madara, restored to his absolute prime.
Joining the chat group had changed everything. He had used the group's "Free Enhancement" to purge the impurities of his old age and perfect the fusion of Hashirama's cells. He was no longer a dying old man with a face on his chest; he was a Six Paths entity who had already sealed Black Zetsu into a moon and reclaimed his eyes from Nagato with the casual ease of a god. For Madara, the chat group was a source of endless amusement and, more importantly, power.
- The Rock-loving Performer: "Lord Madara is as efficient as ever! I just finished my opera practice, and I see we have quite the haul. Welcome to the new members, by the way! I'm Yun Jin, it's a pleasure to meet you all."
- Universe Family Planning Director: "I welcome the newcomers. But I have a 'balance' to maintain in Sector 4. I will be going offline. Do not disturb me unless it is a Tier 3 emergency."
- The Rock-loving Performer: "Uncle Thanos is always so busy... even though his idea of 'balance' sounds a bit scary."
Suddenly, a string of notifications flooded the interface.
[Ding! New member "Saiyan from Earth" has joined the group.]
[Ding! New member "Death God Elementary School Student" has joined the group.]
[Ding! New member "Arataki Gang Leader" has joined the group.]
[Ding! New member "I Slay Gods in a Mental Hospital" has joined the group.]
[Ding! New member "Future Helmsman of the IPC" has joined the group.]
Arataki Gang Leader: "HAHAHA! YES! I KNEW IT! I AM THE PROTAGONIST! SHINOBU, LOOK! I'VE JOINED A SECRET SOCIETY OF CROSS-DIMENSIONAL LEGENDS! THE ARATAKI GANG IS GOING MULTIVERSAL!"
World's Greatest Swordsman (Directionally Challenged): "Another loud one. Great. I thought this was some kind of Devil Fruit hallucination when I joined. You'll get used to it, Horn-guy."
Awakening Lord of Time and Space (Admin): "Zoro, you're only saying that because you got lost and ended up in a chat room instead of your kitchen. And welcome, everyone. Try to read the beginner's guide before asking questions."
World of Ninja Asura: "Saiyan from Earth? A 'Saiyan'... that name carries a strange weight. I wonder if this newcomer has the strength to back up such a title."
Before the chat could devolve into its usual banter, a flashing crimson banner appeared across everyone's vision.
[WARNING! WARNING!]
[Group Member "Saiyan from Earth" is in critical condition. Life-signs failing.]
[Environment: High-Risk (Universe 7 - Earth). Threat Level: High.]
[Emergency Rescue Mission Issued!]
[Mission Details: Protect the member "Saiyan from Earth" and ensure his survival for 24 hours.]
[Mission Rank: Tier 2.]
[Recommended: 3 Members (Minimum Tier 1, Level 5).]
[Rewards: 1,000 Points + Mysterious Small Gift Package.]
World of Ninja Asura: "A high-risk world? And the newcomer is dying already? Pathetic. However... 1,000 points is exactly what I need for the next level of enhancement."
Arataki Gang Leader: "A RESCUE MISSION?! The Arataki 'The One and Only' Itto is on the case! Stand aside, citizens! I'm going in!"
World's Greatest Swordsman (Directionally Challenged): "I'm in. I need a change of scenery. This ship is starting to feel small."
Awakening Lord of Time and Space (Admin): "Be careful. If this is the world I think it is, a 'low danger' area can become a death zone in seconds. Madara, Zoro, you two are the muscle, but I'm taking the third slot to ensure we actually land on target. The portal is opening now."
Back in the wilderness, Jack lay atop the cooling corpse of the tiger. He was unaware that in the space above him, the very fabric of reality was beginning to tear open, prepared to spit out a ninja god, a boisterous oni, and a swordsman who was probably going to walk out of the portal in the wrong direction.