Disclaimer:
Finally, I do not own Naruto or Solo Leveling in any way unless it is an OC or a concept that is not there in the author's original work. Otherwise, many things will differ for Naruto (Naruto will notice Hinata far sooner than initially, or more Uzumaki will be alive, etc.).
Also, I'll use the English version of techniques and put down below any Japanese translation I can use or the opposite (It will depend on me.)
"Normal speech" / 'thought'
"Biju/Summons/Game System"
'Biju/Summons/Game System thought'
So, without further redo, Let us get the Show on the Road!
Chapter One: The origin and coming into Light of the Leveling-One!
During one of these days, I was living in Paris in February 2024, working in the Tourism/event(s) industry for a good-sized company, being in the business for a good chunk of time – in the post of production manager and overseeing a key destination abroad of the company.
I was en route for a meeting with our partner in a specific region we wished to expand toward, which was to happen in 1st district of Paris.
Suddenly, I saw an out-of-line situation in a back alley that made my blood boil in anger—seeing – a harassment scene of a middle-aged/young woman in her thirties by a gang of men of multiple ethnicities being more than annoying and pressing towards her. Having seen and supported the sight of my own mistreated mother by my father-in-law in the following years of my father's death, I have also been educated in a way of always well-treating women, no matter even if said woman was rude towards me.
But I also trained in martial arts at an early age, in Krav-Magha and boxing, until now—for the record, I am just 31 years old—all the while having an athletic build but not much into the stereotypical muscled man with too many muscles.
I decided to intervene to help her out of the situation. And I made a run for her and interposed myself between the victim and the aggressors by making some distance between us while making sure of using my strong carrying voice to make sure it would get the attention of others to yell: "What in the freaking heaven are you guys trying to do to such defenseless young lady by ganging up over her and being that pressing against her !? Trying to prove something or worse !?"
Doing the two things mentioned above startled them out for a bit, not having planned such things to happen before finding back most of their assurance and saying: "Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! My man, what are you saying and implying there? We were harassing her or something. Nah, it is not like this, my man! We asked her if she was all right to come with us to have an "enjoyable time" as we were in a good relationship. And please turn down your voice! We are not here to make a scene," Did said the bronzed colored man, who I assumed to be a Middle Eastern guy and, most definitively, the group's leader.
"Oh really !?" I did reply with a raised eyebrow. "Who do you think you are trying to foul around here !? Some low IQ. Bozo that can't calculate 1 + 1 = 2 !? And no way shall I ever shut down on such incivility when I see one and can make sure that it stops as soon as possible !" Did I retorque in a still loud and distinct voice, which still attracted more attention to the scene while positioning myself so that the lady was behind me and visible to the onlookers and out of reach of the thugs?
It did not deter their leader and some of the other ones (they were 6-8) - as the argument continued for 1-2 minutes before he suddenly took out a knife I didn't see on him from the outside - out of one of its pockets as three others followed-up while saying: "My man, it seems you don't understand the situation as well making far more difficult that it should be in the first place" did he said. Before continuing: "Please step aside while apologizing for the scene you made and making sure you are saying it is your fault that the situation degenerated like that. My friends and I will continue our "little chat."
In my inner self, while seeing the situation, diving into the gutter while seeing some onlookers calling the police when they saw the bladed weapons. I knew deep down that with how I am and how the situation degenerated into 1v8 with four that were armed. While I knew I could hold myself up with 4-5 people once, as it did already happen in the past, as well I did hold myself up with 2-3 guys armed. But eight people, 4 of them with weapons and an innocent person behind me. What took the cake was that we were in a narrow passage that did not let that much maneuver to deal with such an odd and dire situation since it would take some time for rescue to arrive – which gives me little hope to stall for time while protecting her and staying unscathed – or out of grievous wounds. With false steps leading to my premature death.
It is with a heavy heart and my possible last sigh that I looked into the eyes of the leader of the group and answered him with a sense of finality: "I would rather pass away with the feeling I lived up to my creed, and protected the innocent even those I do not know or just met and seems to be a good person even if it has to cost my life. Rather than trample my convictions, my oath I made so long ago. And to finally answer your proposition, you can shove it up your rear – for all I care about. All the while, you run up to your mother's skirts, who must cry to see her son stooping so low." all the while putting my guard up in a boxing style.
My answer did it for him, and with a semblance of a warcry, he and its goons charged me up from all sides.
The one on my left that charged me like a mindless goon, I swiftly backhanded him on his left jaw, unsettling him quite considerably with such a sudden attack. While the one more on my right side took the opening, I seemed to have made when dealing with the 1st one. But I rapidly sent a straight punch to his face with such force that I felt some of its teeth loosen pretty goodly.
For a little while, I was able to defend myself quite well, but it ended up as I felt it: this burning-like sensation of being wounded by a blade in my right rib. I turned slightly to see one of the armed ones I did not consider as he most likely hid himself behind one of his comrades, 'Cheeky bastard,' I thought. With enough willpower, I overcame the discomfort occasioned by the hit to try breaking his hold on the blade itself. I succeeded in my endeavor, but not before he sliced a bit of my hand.
But I could not let myself open and saw the leader and the rest of the goons surrounding me as I saw in horror my mistake of overextending myself as much as I did and cursed myself for it 'moron! You let yourself into the gutter by not paying attention 1 second to your surroundings! Dammit! And the woman is also vulnerable to be taken as hostage also.' I thought grimly, seeing my chances of success and survival dropping like a fly with all I did.
"Not so hot stuff, nay !?" Said the leader of the group. "Good with all you already did, I do not think you will leave this place that lightly unscathed if not in 1 piece," he said, confirming some of my doubts. When my eyes widened in horror, seeing him going for her and effectively taking her hostage and ordering me to: "Now on your knees with your hands in evidence on the ground ! Or else, you might not wish to know what will happen." with a quite a hint of madness and folly in his voice.
Seeing that there were no arguments to be made now, I did the only two things I could without endangering her. By obeying him and enduring what I knew will come to be. Quickly enough, their leader ordered them to beat me up, sliced and thrust quite roughly.
It seems a high-potential host has been detected…
Karma, lifestyle, and morals are more than acceptable for reincarnation…
Synchronization with said host…
Integration at 1%…
2%…
3%…
4%…
5%…
As the beating occurred for a while: 'WTF is this !? Host? Karma? Reincarnation? Am I fated to die right here? Right now? And not on my own !?' I thought. With me bleeding quite a lot, being roughed up quite severely with a black eye, and the leader sensing the cops would come soon. He came up close to me, lifting my head by my hair: "You should not have come here that much uninformed as it was your downfall, and just to look good and amping up your ego and way of life – pff. Disgusting" did he said before spitting on me and giving me one last thrust to the heart saying: "May it serves you as a lesson in your next life !"
At the same time, the beating and his monologue were on :
15%…
25%…
50%…
75%…
85%…
95%…
But then, something … something broke up deep inside, and an uncanny rage was rising! My adrenaline is pumping like no tomorrow! It is said that in freezing weather, just as you are about to pass up, your body releases one last burst of energy, making your brain believe that it is too hot and make you instinctively undress yourself to relieve your body from the heat – and because of the thermic choc, you died out. This situation I found myself in felt the same but with a different set-up – with my body telling on pure instinct to release one last time as it thought would be my last action.
And oh boy, I went for it as I was falling to the ground, as I put a foot toward to prevent further fall and clenched my fist and put tension within my legs with all my remaining strength I could feel and muster after I took one knife just close to me. I thrust my body towards the surprised and unprepared leader and moved the knife from under the jaw straight to the brain.
All the while, I felt my consciousness becoming slowly but surely foggy. Only at this time did I hear the yelling voice of what was supposed to be the police shouting to the goons to stand down on their knees and put their hands at the back of their head. 'Nice, at the very damn least, the lady will not suffer after that last attempt of mine,' I thought before my vision became very blurry for a little moment.
Meanwhile…
100% integration with host…
Beginning the reincarnation process…
After the blurry moment passed – I could feel with what little consciousness and feeling I had that I was couched onto something when I heard sobbing, "Don't leave … don't leave please ! Please, doctors do something," said the feminine voice of the women I helped.
"Sorry, Ma'am, but the wounds are quite extensive … to top it off, the last wound he received to the torso is seemingly fatal… I am very sorry for not being able to save him … the only thing possible is to make his departure as painless as possible… I am again sorry…" from what I could make up.
It made her sob even more to think it was "her fault" that a brave young man like me had to die. Seeing her like that, from what I could make up with my blurry vision, I said: "Don't … worry, my fair lady … even though the situation is doomed for me … it was my privilege to protect the innocent from such possible and likely fate that would have occurred to you if I didn't intervene" with difficulty. "In you, I saw my poor little poor old mother before her untimely departure … because of that ordure of a father I had … I have made the solemn promise on the tomb of my mother that if I saw someone in a situation like it or somewhat like it… I would not let it happen like it happened to her. That's what I saw when I saw your situation, and it made my blood boil," I said with increasing difficulty.
"You didn't have to do it … It was because of my weakness that I …." she said before I interrupted her by saying, "Do not be fright as it was by my decision that it occurred … But if one or two things (s) had to be remembered is that situation just showed that no matter how dire, how stressful a situation might be … to endure such situations et coming out of it positively… never lose hope – otherwise it's lost… as well as any negative thing(s) happening … is only … something … that you … can … improved …" I said with my dying breath. All the while, there was a heavy silence, as at this moment, someone who bore witness to injustice, mistreatment, harshness, and difficulty from his early stage – and fought against it with indomitable spirit just passed away upholding his creed to the end … the bitter end.
…
A critical moment known as the passage of fate occurred…
Positive karma :
Successfully lived to 30 y.o+ when you live a life with constant fight and hardship: +300*4.17 = (1,250 pts)
Successfully made your biological father pay for his crimes against you and your mother: +500*2*5 = (5,000 pts)
Graduated from high school at the top of your class with felicitation from the jury and a low number of resources : (+2,500 pts)
Having your first girlfriend : (+500 pts)
Having ten years of lasting relationship: 10*100 = (+1,000 pts)
First part-time job obtained = (+1,500 pts)
Graduating from the school of tourism/event with an internship during the entire duration of it and at the top of the ranking : (+1,500 pts)
Obtention of your first full-time job : (+1,000 pts)
Obtention of the rank of manager : (+750 pts)
Charity – donations for a charity that helped 10,000 people in developing countries while having a little more than enough to sustain yourself through a charity-based company that made an innovation that helped a lot of people : (+5,000 pts)
Total positive karma : (+20,000 pts)
Negative Karma :
Wasn't successful in preventing your mother's tragic outcome : (-2,500 pts)
Couldn't help enough a little puppy that had an untimely end, you decided to take care of someone else partially:
(-500 pts)
Wasn't successful in upgrading your relationship to a married couple situation : (-1,500 pts)
Couldn't stop some bullies in your early life after your mother's end : (-500 pts)
Total negative karma : (-5000 pts)
Real karma: 20,000 – 5,000 = (+15,000)
Result: largely positive against unfavorable odds.
Possibilities :
Heaven
Reincarnation in another world of your choice and 2/3 wishes depending on what whishes will be made (= Isekai)
What is your answer?
…
[…]
…
[…]
"What the actual crap is happening up there !?" I yelled up! Remarking that "no physical" sound was made from the yelling, but the yell happened as if I was alive! What is going on!?
Confusion from the host …
To explain this in comprehensive terms, you can understand the primordial being known as Eleos—Goddess of Misericord & Compassion. Chronos has been appealed by your courage, heroism, and abnegation against all odds. They decided to grant you three wishes of your choice—one of them mandatorily involves you being sent to another world of either fantasy or anime of your own choice, and the other two are totally up to you.
…
'OMG! Not only am I being granted three wishes (2 of my choice and one forced, mind you), but I get to choose where I go! And most likely what I bring with me up there !' I thought!
"Is there a list of worlds I am restricted to concerning the destination ?" I asked.
"There is indeed a list of destinations you are restricted to – but which of the two parts would you like to see first ?" asked the voice.
"Humm – please give me the anime list," I answered.
"List of possibilities showing: Naruto – Dragon Balls – Jujutsu Kaisen – One Piece – Full Metal Alchemy – My Hero Academia - The Misfit of Demon King Academy – Solo Leveling – Fire Force – Fairy Tail and Black Clover." Said the voice.
"Naruto, I choose !" I instantly retort without any second thought.
" Are you sure about this choice? You did not even look at the fantasy section, nor did you take time to think about the other ones." said the voice.
"100% sure, ma'am/sir/whatever you are! I have been a Naruto fan since day 1. While the other worlds are also amazing, mind you, Naruto is my favorite ever. So yes, I chose the Naruto world."
"Well, that the 1st wish addressed. Now, onto the 2nd one, young one. And I am genderless, so I do not concern myself with such concern like ma'am/sir or other denomination." Said the voice.
" I see; I would like to have the ability of Sun Jin-woo of Solo Leveling as my second wish, please! With the world I am going to, I need all the advantages needed to survive, and the Solo Leveling ability would give me so many advantages that I would need to do it !" I wished.
"Quite the wish you have—well, with all your karma points accumulated, you are eligible for 100% of the perks said ability has. Therefore, you need to choose your last wish now," said the voice.
'Well, well, well … quite the dilemma I got for myself—so many possibilities and one unique answer to give,' I thought. Then I thought, 'Wait a second!? Would it be possible for me to reincarnate as an O.C. or an already-existing character? If the latter is possible, which one would I choose to reincarnate as, with the first being a male character, as it would be troublesome?' I thought again.
In another world
"Atchhooum" did a lazy pineapple bum: 'Someone must be speaking of me as of right now; how troublesome.' before returning to sleep.
"Well, first, I would like to ask if I must reincarnate as an original or existing character! If the latter is possible, I would like to reincarnate as the character of Naruto Uzumaki of Konoha," I answered.
"It is possible that you can choose to reincarnate as an already existing character. But beware; the butterfly effect of such action would be far more pronounced than if you choose to reincarnate as O.C.," said the voice with a tone of authority to ensure the point is understood.
"I understand choosing between an o.c and an existing character will change things to a dramatic level, but that is only dependent on the time you put me in into the timeline of Naruto and also if you send me to the "main timeline" or a "fanfiction timeline" in which things can be wacky by itself. So, if it is the "main timeline," you send me to the crucial moment where change would not be seen as suspicious or too suspicious. I am fine with it." I said with pure conviction and determination.
"But one thing: Will I retain all my memories and/or knowledge of the life I had? And all the knowledge about the Naruto verse, too ?" I ask suddenly.
" For your two last questions, it is a yes as an answer. Since you seem too aware and okay with it, your third wish to reincarnate as Uzumaki Naruto is granted. You will depart in the next five seconds after the end of my speech. And in the name of the Gods and myself, GLHF gamer," said the voice.
…
5 …
4 …
3 …
2 …
1 …
"Well, thanks, buddy! Oh, by the way, if you and any of the gods have a problem(s) dealing with paperwork, The solution to said problem(s) is Shadow Clones and its memory feedback ability !" I said before disappearing from the void.
…
'So that was the answer to solve the problem(s) caused by this abomination, which is paperwork !?' Yelled the now revealed feminine voice, the messenger of the gods/