AN: I always wanted to do an insert story for Naruto, so here it is. Hope you guys enjoy! Any feedback is welcome.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the franchises mentioned in this story.

A Man, A Fox, and A Hero

Chapter One: The Start of the Story

I woke up in a sewer. I knew my life was going through a rough patch what with being unemployed, in my thirties, with no girlfriend, and spending most of my time reading fanfiction but… Forgot where I was going with that train of thought.

Checking my pockets, I'm dismayed to find that I don't have my phone or wallet on me. I'm stuck in a cesspit with no resources other than the clothes on my back.

"Well, I'm here now, might as well take a look around!" I call out to any potentially helpful sewer rats or killer clowns that may be within earshot.

After wandering around in apparently the cleanest sewage system for what felt like a solid ten minutes, going by my heavy breathing and sweaty everything, I stumbled upon something peculiar.

In a large open space of the sewer, there appeared to be a cage made of pipes with a small piece of paper covered in incomprehensible squiggles stuck on the center of its doors. Within said cage, was a considerably larger than average fox currently in the middle of a nap. Quietly waddling a bit closer to the cage, I notice that the fox has nine tails, each one looking like they could raise tsunamis and flatten mountains with a single swish, by my estimate. What stood out the most to me about this mythical being, who was seemingly radiating malice in its sleep, wasn't its gargantuan size or its multiple fluffy tails of destruction, but rather that it had hands with opposable thumbs.

Yep, I'm at least 65% sure that this is Kurama, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox from Naruto.

I am in Naruto Uzumaki's mindscape… or seal, never really understood what this place was when I was watching the show. Upon this realization, a note suddenly appears in my hand.

"Congratulations! You died!

Your wish of being self-inserted into Naruto Uzumaki has been granted!

All the best in your new position!

You'll never hear from me again!

Warm regards, ROB"

After I finished reading it, the note dissolved into small glowing particles before fading away. I did wish to be self-inserted into Naruto Uzumaki, as a child! As an adult, my wish was to be united with all my loved ones when I died, silly random omnipotent being!

Ah well, nothing I can do to change any of that now. Besides, it might not be so bad to be Naruto. He's got the luck of a thousand leprechauns and is literally fated to be an overpowered God in this world. Man, that fight with him and Neji in the Chunin Exams really lost some of its impact, didn't it?

With some level of excitement, I begin to try to will myself to leave this subconscious play area, only to be met with no success.

"Um, what's the problem here? I should be able to wake myself up, right?" I asked to no one in particular.

Just then a somewhat muffled voice echoed throughout Kurama's domain.

"Alright! Today's the day I start my life as a ninja! It's gonna be so awesome, believe it!" Came the excited voice of Naruto Uzumaki, a voice that was very much not my own.

I'm not Naruto. I've been self-inserted into Naruto, but I'm not Naruto. I'm still the same goober I was in my past life, only now I'm stuck inside a mental sewer with an understandably grumpy Demon Fox for company.

Finally gaining an understanding on my reincarnation, I can only look up to the heavens and proclaim,

"This isn't my isekai fantasy… DISAPPOINTED!"

"Who are you?" Came the irritated voice that brought my focus back to the present setting.

Lowering my head, I'm treated to the sight of gigantic glowing red eyes with slit pupils and a mouth showcasing the largest fangs I have ever seen.

Seems my outburst had woken up my new roommate… oops.

Chapter One: End

AN: Hey guys, thanks for reading! Just a heads up the chapters of this story are going to be fairly short bursts. I find that if I try to write something too long, the pacing gets bogged down and I lose interest writing anything further. Updates of this fic will be pretty sporadic.

Till next time, all the best!