... only to open my eyes and find a quaint wooden ceiling above me.
I blinked slowly as I took in my surroundings.
I was laying on my back in a small bed connected to several others in a bunk system.
The room was packed tightly with beds, with the only available space being in between them.
My tiny body was... less tiny than the other orphans, with my feet damn near falling off the cramped bed and into the empty air below me.
I was about 3 foot 9 inches, with caramel brown skin, longer brown hair, and golden-red rimmed eyes.
I slipped free from my covers and jumped from the bed, placing my feet on the floor with a soft thud.
My bunk mate, ever the vigilante NPC, stirred as I moved.
I froze, stopping in my tracks as he shuffled.
Fuck, stealth is going to be one of the first things I practice, right along with Chakra Control. This shit is atrocious.
Anyway, I snuck out of the room as stealthily as any five year old could. This involved a lot of bumping and tripping because of my new limbs and the limited functionality of the aforementioned small body.
Regardless, I made it to the common room of the orphanage with little to no difficulty.
Within the common room, I knew there was both a recreational space and a study room, which held a book shelf that had book about the basic principles of Chakra.
I made my way over and slipped out a book called "Chakra: For Dummies" and sat down with it, using the moon light to read.
Chakra, to put it simply, is the energy that a shinobi requires to perform extraordinary feats of Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu. Chakra is comprised of two parts. First is the Physical Energy which is drawn up from every individual cell within the body, and second is the Spiritual Energy, which is built up through training and experience.
When these two energies are combined within the body's internal organs, pure Chakra begins to flow freely through both the tenketsu and the Chakra Pathways. Once this process has begun, a prospective shinobi can begin forming hand seals to focus and utilize their Chakra energy.
Slowly, as I continued reading, I began to practice forming each hand seal based on illustrations in the book.
In history, before Chakra was fully and scientifically understood, early practitioners of Jutsu found that while their Physical Energy was easily increased through exercise and adversity, Spiritual Energy was an enigma. Unfortunately for most people, they didn't understand the method to cultivating Spiritual Energy. Nowadays, we know that it can be increased through mentally stimulating activities like learning, tests, and structured mental training. During the height of the Warring States Period, however, there was no time for those methods. The Uchiha and Senju Clans found that children could unlock and utilize their Chakra Energy earlier than others.
This process, known colloquially as Battle Meditation, was first established through meditation and a physical exercise routine. This time period was when the foundation for both the Uchiha Interceptor Fist and the Senju Taijutsu styles were taught.
The rhythmic motion of the katas, paired with the mental acuity of the meditation, allowed a young shinobi to strengthen both the physical and spiritual sides of Chakra. The method is especially useful for those with below average reserves, as it allows them to increase their Chakra quantity by leaps and bounds.
Notable practitioners of Battle Meditation include Hashirama Senju, Madara Uchiha, Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Jiraiya of the Sannin.
Holy shit, is this alternate universe knowledge?! The show never talked about any of this, but it was always from the perspective of the MONSTER that is Naruto.
I mean he had both Uzumaki AND Tailed Beast chakra. He definitely didn't need a special method to increase his reserves.
Me though? I'm a lowly orphan. I don't even know what my reserves look like!
This Battle Meditation technique could be the key that people with average Chakra Reserves used to equalize and fight with monsters like the Uchiha.
I closed the book promptly and began to clear my mind in preparation for meditation.
I sat in the Lotus position, closing my eyes and breathing slowly in through my nose and out through my mouth.
I focused on my physical sensations, the breeze on my skin, the moonlight pricking my eyes through their lids, and the faint rumble of hunger in my stomach.
I frowned slightly as my mind wandered away from my body, feeling the meditative state take hold.
That was... easier than I expected.
It wasn't like anything I'd experienced before, I decided. Movies and TV were full of shit with the floaty spiritual aspect. It was more like I was in the proverbial control room of my entire being.
There were several monitors all around me, for things like what my physical body was up to, what I was thinking of, my memories, and more complex functions of things dealing with my soul.
I found that, with some gentle prodding, I could make my body complete simple tasks.
I moved my hands slowly as I focused, forming each hand seal in order without actually being in control of my body.
It felt like the difference between moving your fingers instinctively, like you have since you were a baby, and manually transmitting the electrical signals from my brain to my hand.
As a result, the movements controlled from my 'Meditation Center' (which is what I'll call it from now on) were much slower and clunky in comparison to my natural abilities.
Theoretically, if I could train in my Meditation Center long enough to establish the same level of motor function as my natural state, as well as using Chakra within it... the possibilities for training are endless. Especially when considering that my fine motor control within my body could only grow from my child state.
I took a quick breath, calming down before I went too deep.
For now, let's see if I can even use Chakra.
Using the controls in my Meditation Center, I pulled up a kind of model of my body.
I dove beneath the skin and muscular tissue of my body, searching along my circulatory system for my Chakra Pathways.
As I searched, I realized my mistake.
'When these two energies are combined within the body's internal organs, pure Chakra begins to flow freely through both the tenketsu and the Chakra Pathways.'
Instead of searching and finding my Chakra, like so many other Fanfictions from my past life said, I had to MAKE my Chakra by combining my Physical Energy with my Spiritual Energy.
In both my Meditation Center and my real body, I ceased all movement.
I focused my attention on every cell within my physical body, while in my Meditation Center I focused on the actual shape and sharpness of my mind.
Snow white energy began to emanate from my physical body, which was a distinct contrast from the raven black energy spilling freely from my 'body' within my mind.
As both sides of my entire being tapped into these energies, my soul began to guide the powers through my body.
In essence, I was forming my Chakra Pathways manually, rather than relying on my natural physiology.
Technically there was still a blueprint there, one that I couldn't really defy because centuries of evolution told my body this was the best way to perform.
While I followed said blueprint, I analyzed each step of the refinement and mixing processes.
I couldn't tell you just how long I sat there, watching Chakra pool in all 361 of my tenketsu, studying the structure of each individual pathway, and feeling my own personal bits of Chakra being formed within my body.
Once I could sense my body was finished, I left my Meditation Center and actually placed my consciousness fully into my body.
It was almost like a rubber band snapping sharply into place. Sight, taste, touch, hearing, and SMELL, by the Kami the SMELLS of everything really hit me.
The rotting wood from the floorboards below my feet, the scent of water from the rains my memory told me happened yesterday, and the amalgamation of a bunch of tiny kids who needed a damn bath.
Time passed differently in my mental world, that was for sure, because it was still just as dark in the room as when I had 'left' for my mind.
I took inventory of both my physical and mental energies and decided... maybe I should hit the hay. Training can wait until tomorrow and this little body deserves to rest.
I shambled back on over to my bed and sighed, clenching my fist as I thought to myself.
Tomorrow... tomorrow we train!
—-
You know, in all forms of media, plenty of things are just... glossed over.
Things like bathroom breaks, eating and drinking, doing fucking laundry.
Stories become really boring when you include every aspect of the human experience.
That includes things like training too. No one ever sees the 100 pushups, 100 sit-ups, and the 10 kilometer run, but they always see and marvel at the glorious results of blood, sweat, and innumerable tears.
Meanwhile, the person who performed every ounce of that soul shattering background labor has to smile, grunt, and yoke themselves once more as the next big bad or great adversary or whatever bullshit a writer can cook up comes and wrecks shop.
I said all that to say... training sucks.
Training sucks HARD.
I mean I was disciplined in my previous life. It's how I graduated from college, played three instruments, and held down a full time job where I supervised others who were at least 5 years my senior.
Discipline isn't the issue.
BOREDOM is.
I was definitely motivated, if you're thinking that I wasn't.
I knew better than anyone else in this world the dangers that lurked in the shadows, on the moon, and even in this very village.
Motivation doesn't create determination, it simply gives you force.
In simple terms, motivation is the jet booster that sends the rocket into the stratosphere.
Without the other pieces of the spacecraft, the rocket would plummet to the ground and explode in a shower of flame.
But in tandem with consistency and periodic goals, motivation could send that rocket to the moon.
Goddamnit, that's what I need!
Something concrete, something tangible to show me just how far I've come... and just how much further I have to go.
Which is why, when the scroll first appeared, my hand raced to it like a bolt from the blue.
The instant before I touched it though, I hesitated.
This thing... this form of communication... it could really only be one of a few things.
First, I'm absolutely certain that the orphanage is run by an ex-ninja. She's rusty and definitely out of her prime, but the matron is still pretty damn good. This could be her gifting me with some of her knowledge and helping out a child in need of direction.
Second, it could be the Hokage. It's not really insane to think that he could possibly have eyes and ears on the youngest generation, just in case a prodigy emerges. At this very moment, I'm almost certain Minato Namikaze isn't known as the biggest genius of this era, with that coming about a year from now (from what I can guess).
Finally, I have to consider the biggest option. From my knowledge, the Second Shinobi War has already started, but that flames of war haven't ignited in Konoha yet. However, one old war hawk would know about everything going on in and outside of Konoha... and he'd have an excellent reason to introduce a certain orphan to his organization that doesn't give a single fuck about orphans.
Now, one of these options was almost perfect, the second one was less than ideal, but that third option.
That third option could mean death for me and every bit of individualism I've ever possessed, including my goal to become the Great Sage.
Fortunately for me, I knew what the old bastard's goals were... hell, I know what they ARE! Technically, all he wants is what's best for the village. Sure, he's a complete and total evil asshole about it, but there's that saying about roads to hell and all that.
In theory... if I could steer him into thinking that being my silent benefactor from the shadows, I could gain both incredible training from someone who I can almost guarantee used Battle Meditation in his heyday AND a mentor who could give me ninja skills like stealth and Advanced Chakra Control exercises beyond what I had already gained.
For now, the only progress I'd made since arriving in this world 9 months ago was basic Taijutsu forms, the Leaf Concentration exercise, and physical conditioning. For all my bluster about making stealth a priority, it was remarkably easy to get around and through my other orphan friends, but the Matron was shrewd as hell.
She saw straight through all of my stealth attempts and had even given me some pointers as to paying attention to wind speed and direction, shadows, and light sources along with just the muting of my steps. None of that helped me get past her, but it also definitely helped with everyone else.
I'd convinced the other kids to participate in both hide and seek and physical activities such as running, jumping, and lifting motions that greatly aided in the development of our muscles, cores, and stamina. The Matron had even snuck me extra food so that I could gain muscle even faster than normal, padding my diet with extra carbs and protein for energy and fat burning potential. Due to her help, I'd become a little lean machine, with muscular arms and thick legs to match. I was the largest of the other kids and it showed.
But back to the mysterious scroll. I'd weighed the pros of cons of everything, and because even if it was the Shinobi of Darkness was giving me a free ticket to Root, I had the ability to hold my own against him with my foreknowledge.
Oh! Speaking of foreknowledge, I realized that I could actually use my Meditation Center to access my memories from beyond my encounter with Wukong.
Access to the deepest memories within my mind, those that weren't corrupted by time of course, was both a blessing and a curse. A curse because I could remember my old life, but a blessing due to the beautiful knowledge and timeline of canon events that flowed within my mind.
In my Meditation Center, I created a small file of relevant information that I could potentially use, such as confirmed Root missions, Taijutsu Styles (THE GENTLE FIST WILL BE MINE!), and useful ideas I'd had from my previous life.
All these things combined with my mental assurance that I wouldn't let Shimura get his filthy mitts on me allowed me to open the scroll.
The contents within just confirmed my greatest fears, but awakened my greatest plan.
To the young man with big dreams and an even bigger reputation around his orphanage...
Young man, there are people in this world with ambitions. The ambition to become strong, the ambition to leave a legacy, the ambition to uphold their personal ideals.
You are one of these people, as am I. I could tell from the very first time I saw you reading a book in the library that you were something special. The fact that you've activated Battle Meditation at will constantly only cements this fact even further.
I'll cut to the chase. I'd like to take you under my wing. War is brewing and war is a danger that I don't want you and those of your generation to have to face before they are ready.
Will you join me?
My smirk grew as I read the message that seemed carefully curated to attract powerful but limited children.
This letter assumed a lot about my intelligence, but since I now had confirmation that someone had been watching me since my reincarnation, that made sense.
That meant I didn't have dick around and act like a kid with the old man AND I could leverage my intelligence to cut a deal with him.
"Yes, I'll join you... under a few specific conditions."
The scroll's surface shimmered, the words on its face blurring and shifting into a new message.
Your terms?
"I'd like to stay out of your little tree root club of elites. I wanna go to the Academy, make friends, and become a face for the Hidden Leaf, not an undercover asset. In return, I can provide you with information regarding the classified education that I'll be receiving. I assume since you train your own ninja, you're in a position where you can speak with administrators on war time lessons."
How do you know about Root?
"Let's just say..." I tapped my chin as I feigned ignorance, then released my hold on a mischievous grin. "I've got my ways."
Let's say I agree to your terms. What do you gain from training both at the Academy and with me? I can guarantee that I can make you a monster greater than even the Hokage.
"It's really quite simple. As I've already mentioned, my ultimate goal is to become one of the prominent figures in the Hidden Leaf Village. But that's just the beginning. I am determined to break every existing record at the Academy, leaving a trail of shattered achievements in my wake. Yes, I crave strength, just as you assumed, but my ambitions reach far beyond that. I don't merely aspire to surpass the Hokage; I strive to become the greatest. I long for my name to transcend even the heavens themselves."
The scroll went blank after that for a while, but I had a feeling the conversation wasn't done.
After what felt like hours, but was probably only about a minute, the final message appeared.
I look forward to working with a man of your caliber. Your training starts tomorrow, in the clearing of the Zeroth Training Ground.
I nodded curtly, rolling the scroll tightly and tossing it into the roaring fireplace without a glance.
My face may have seemed blank, but my eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Just what will I get into tomorrow?
—
Welp, this is the first chapter in the books! Don't worry ladies and gents, I'll have one cooked up for you all in the next month.
If you've been here, let me know your favorite part of the chapter and what you're looking forward to in the future!
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