Three years.
Three full years had passed since Dan Walt woke up in this world near the stream. Three years of constant training, of integrating into the village, and of thinking and planning for his future.
Dan stood on top of a massive tree, his feet firmly attached to the trunk, defying gravity. He looked down at the distant ground beneath him and smiled a thin smile.
"Finally."
He had succeeded. After months of failed attempts, repeated falls, and frustration, he had finally mastered tree climbing using chakra.
It is a simple technique in principle—he had seen it in the anime many times. It involves flowing a specific amount of chakra to the soles of the feet to stick to surfaces. But the application was much harder than he imagined, at least for him.
If he used too much chakra, he would push himself away from the tree. Too little, and he would slip and fall. He had to find the perfect balance, the exact amount, and total control.
After months of training, he succeeded.
He descended from the tree slowly, controlling his chakra flow with precision. When he reached the ground, pride filled his chest. It wasn't a great achievement compared to what others could do, but for him, it was real progress.
More importantly, this training had greatly improved his chakra control. He became able to use smaller amounts of chakra for the same effect, meaning he could keep his reserves for a longer time.
His next step would be walking on water, but he decided to postpone that for a while. He wanted to master tree climbing completely first—to make it a second nature—before moving to the next challenge.
Over time, Dan's daily routine became automatic.
He would wake up long before dawn, while the village was still drowned in sleep and darkness. He loved this time: the peace, the silence, and the absence of anyone to disturb him.
He would start with physical drills—the military calisthenics that had become an inseparable part of his life. Hundreds of push-ups, squats, jumps, and sit-ups. He pushed his body to its limits every morning until it trembled from exhaustion.
After the exercises, he would begin refining his chakra. Hours of sitting quietly, focusing on the energy inside him, trying to increase it, improve it, and control it.
After that, he would help the villagers with their daily work. Sometimes in farming—plowing the land, planting seeds, or harvesting crops. Other times, he would chop wood from the forest, carry water from the river, or help repair houses.
He didn't do this out of kindness. He did it to maintain his cover, to remain accepted in the village, and to avoid suspicion. The more he helped, the more people liked him, and the fewer questions they asked about his past or his intentions.
Sometimes he went out with the hunting team. His hunting skills had improved a lot over the past three years, especially with his improved physical strength and speed. He became capable of chasing prey for long distances, tracking their prints, and setting traps.
Every time he went out with the hunting team, he practiced the simple seal he had learned. Unlike those first awkward times, he had gradually improved. Now, he could use the seal relatively smoothly, even though it still consumed a lot of his chakra compared to the other hunters.
During breaks between training, he focused on practicing the seal—over and over again, trying to improve his speed, reduce chakra consumption, and increase effectiveness.
At night, after the village went to sleep, he returned to refining his chakra again, trying to squeeze every last drop of physical and spiritual energy before he slept.
This was his routine. Day after day, week after week, month after month.
Boring, exhausting, repetitive. But it was necessary.
Dan looked at his reflection in the water. Three years had changed him. His body was no longer average or soft. It had become stronger and more solid, with clearly defined muscles. He wasn't huge, but he was strong and agile.
But more importantly, his overall strength had improved.
If he were to rate himself, he would be at a Genin level. A low level for a ninja, of course, and since ninja styles differ, the comparison was only on a physical basis. But it was much better than nothing. Dan could now defend himself against predators and perhaps against some ordinary bandits.
But he was not satisfied yet. He knew this wasn't enough. It was never enough.
In this world, where there were people who could destroy mountains with one strike, and where legendary beasts walked the earth, a Genin level was nothing.
But he considered it a beginning.
Dan maintained his nature throughout these years: a man of few words, speaking only when necessary. He didn't get close to anyone or build real friendships. He was polite to everyone and helped them when needed, but he kept an emotional distance.
The people in the village were kind by nature and treated him as one of their own, but he felt no real connection. They were just tools for his cover, a way to stay safe in this place.
And he didn't intend to stay here for long.
Dan sat in his hut, looking at the simple calendar he had made. He had been counting the days and months carefully since he arrived.
Three years had passed. One year remained.
He had decided long ago to leave the village after five years, but recently he decided to speed things up and cut one year short. He knew what would happen in the future. Indra and Ashura, the sons of the Sage of the Six Paths, would grow up and the conflict between them would begin.
A conflict that would tear this village, and this world, to pieces.
Dan wanted nothing to do with that. He didn't want to get involved in their wars, their struggles, or their problems.
His goal was to disappear and live in isolation.
So, after one more year, he would leave. He would get as far away as possible from this place and find a secluded spot, far from civilization and far from conflict.
There, he would focus. He would continue training, improving his strength, and searching for ways to achieve immortality.
This was his plan. A simple plan, but the best one he had.
He looked at his notes and at his written goals.
Immortality. Enough power to protect himself.
These were his only two goals. He didn't want to be a hero, he didn't want to save the world, and he didn't want fame or power.
He just wanted to live. Forever.
One year. In one year, he must become as strong as possible. He must raise his level and improve his chakra control.
Because once he leaves, he will be alone. There will be no village to protect him, no kind people to help him. Just him, the wilderness, and countless dangers.
He stood up and looked through the window. The village was quiet, peaceful, full of people living their simple lives.
But Dan knew this peace was temporary. One day, all of this would be shattered.
And one day, he would be far away—safe, hiding in the shadows.