So here goes Chapter 2.
Ch. 2: When am I?
Finding out where he was, to the literal Man-child, was an ambivalent feeling. On one hand, he was in a chakra wielding world capable of containing hidden monsters capable of mass destruction, being able to bring someone back from the dead, and hidden dangers all around him.
On the other hand, he was born a long time before the Fourth Shinobi World War took place. He was also in Konoha which was the victorious side, be it in this Third War or the Fourth. And since he had time to prepare, he could go for a lot of power grab options in the world, while being able to safely dissociate himself from the Elemental Nations, should he be unable to be sufficiently strong by the time Akatsuki strikes or Pein invaded Konoha.
The man was distinctly aware, that he was on a knife edge, where on one side his future foreknowledge would keep him safe, and on the other side this could be a very different world, an alternate universe where his foreknowledge was utterly useless at best, and dangerously debilitating at worst.
MC POV
As I ponder on the possible realities, I realise this could be a world, where Madara is a Hero, Senju are secretly Zetsu supporters using Madara as a puppet, or a world where Sandaime Hokage is evil and Danzo is trying to keep Konoha safe. On milder note, this could be a world, where Obito never became Tobi, Minato never died, and Naruto never became a Jinchuriki.
This could also be the world, where the Uchiha are not slaughtered by Itachi, Sasuke is not hell-bent on power and revenge, and Orochimaru never betrays Konoha.
Therefore, my foreknowledge is useful, only for what would be immediately upon us, and any attempt to subvert cannon or derail the story I know, Will lead to a significant rift in the story later on, where my foreknowledge could be the only things that saves my life.
So, as of now, I should maintain a non-interference non-communicating policy, where my interaction with anyone should be minor in consequence, insignificant in effect and remote in emotional spectrum, as possible.
And even if there are many Uchiha and a few last remnants or so of Senju and Uzumaki available, all actions for power and ambitions should be measured and careful to avoid unnecessary attention of the monsters who hide in the shadows.
For now, I can focus on following the others, keeping up my practise and training, which needs to be amped up, and first find out my name in this world. And we can go from there!
POV END
As the man looked around he saw the various civilian shops that lined either side of the streets, and the distinctive lack of Shinobi catering shops or facilities.
He also realised that he could read the characters on the shop fronts, and also had a better vision than his last. He could see the distinct strokes on the wooden board of the Civilian Dress Shop on the right, which was about 15 yards away, and he could make out the edges of the cartons peeking from behind the alley which were about 40 yards away.
He could see quite a few details around him, and he realised this must either be because of this new body, some unknown goldfinger he acquired during his transition from his last life into this new one, unknown kekkai genkai, or simply an effect due to chakra flowing through his body enhancing his overall self.
Without knowing for certain, which is which, he was willing to chalk it up to a general advantage chakra offered to people in this world.
By now, the group if orphans had walked quite a distance, and the abrupt change in scenery was all too distinct and recognised.
Where the somewhat relaxed civilians crowded the marketplace, this new part of town was saturated with a high strung tension, which was palpable in the air.
The shinobi laughed and appeared relaxed, but even to his nascent eyes, they were all itching for a war. Given the general sense of atmosphere, it was quite apparent, that either the Second or the Third Shinobi World War was currently being waged, and since there was no ready shortage of food in the civilian parts or the orphanage, the War must have just begun, or Konoha was not that heavily invested in it.
These little bits of clues were useful in deducing the timeline, as the man knew Konoha was an early participant of the Third Shinobi World War, and if the World War was already on its peaks, there would be greater unrest in the civilian populace as the trade would have come to a stand still, with emergency inductions of civilians into Academy to bolster the Vanguard forces which would be facing war on multiple fronts.
This meant, if all cannon was held true, he must be in at least the start of Third Shinobi War, or that of the Second. And it was equal parts worrying and exciting to not know which.
Drawn from his musings, he began to observe the surroundings, in case a cannon character appeared and clued the man about the timeline. He looked at the people around him, and saw there was no distinct Shinobi around him whom he recognised. The Shinobi were similarly observing the band of children as they followed uncertainly behind the matron like a row of ducklings flapping behind their mother.
There was no audible muttering or discussion, as people parted away, like it was a daily occurrence, which it very well may be.
As the man looked around in unbridled curiosity and wonder, he realised the group of children slowed down. There was a board on the entrance where they all stood, and the man saw the characters, which he now read as, "Konoha Shinobi Academy".
He realised the matron had turned around to address the children, as she took out a few documents from the brown folder which she had carried with her.
"Children, you will go inside and wait for the doctor to call your name. When they call you, hand them this document. Remember children, you will be polite to them, and thank them when they are done, and do not disobey them. I will know. If I hear a single complaint about you, your playtime hour will be cancelled for the whole week. So behave!"
When she saw the children subdued by last warning, more than her other words, she gave a nod, and began calling out the names of children, and handed them the documents in her hand.
The man panicked, when he remembered he couldn't know his name, as he had no friends who called him out, or stuck to him like children tend to do. He watched as the matron looked at the person and called them out, and each name was simply a first name, without a last name.
When the matron called out, "Arashi-kun", he saw her look at him, and since he stood behind others, he was certain he was not wrong. He went forward, and glanced sideways to see if anyone else responded to that name.
When no-one else moved besides him, he went confidently to the matron, and took the document from her.
As he walked back, he read from the few pages he held in his hand. Despite the impossible, he could read all the documents and the contracts and proof of residences from the Konoha Orphanage, despite knowing, that children should be incapable of knowing what domicile and Clanless should mean.
He saw the general information like his supposed birthdate, his physical descriptions, which were quite normal and regular for a world where pinkette, greenette, blonde and white-haired people live.
He saw his blood group A, his age, five years old, the report mentioning him being left in the Shinobi hospital with a card mentioning his name, birthdate and blood group.
He saw the various documents, which simply amounted to his unclaimed existence, and he felt his thoughts getting depressed, realising for better or for worse, his parents had abandoned him immediately after his unwelcomed arrival in this cruel world, be it for any reason whatsoever, and now there was nobody he could call family.
He wiped a lone tear, which managed to escape his left eye, and saw the matron look at him in sympathy and pity.
She herded the children through the doors, and gently placed her hand on the man's head with affection.
The man, who now could very well be a vulnerable child, looked up at her smile and caring visage, and nodded resolutely, and walked through the doors towards his future with his spine erect, his mind unbent and his spirit unbroken.