The human psyche, commonly known as the heart, is not made of glass, but dried clay. The more time it shatters or gets damaged, the uglier it becomes.
Till nothing but dust remains.
~
Chapter One : Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day
What is betrayal?
What do you know about it? How much does it hurt? Or how it's done?
…Have you ever betrayed anyone…?
Is it just the breaking of trust or something more…?
These were the outline of thoughts running through the head of one Naruto Uzumaki as he continued falling.
Naruto's body plummeted towards the ground, his orange jumpsuit flailing in the wind like a torn flag. The earth below rushed up to meet him with alarming speed, its surface a blur of greens and browns. The air roared past his face, threatening to rip his skin from his bones, and his stomach lurched into his throat as the ground hurtled closer.
Time seemed to slow as Naruto's thoughts raced, his mind grappling with the inevitability of his situation.
'Is this it? My life ends here? After everything I've endured? Just to die by the hands of a pervert?'
What led him to this predicament? His training with jiraiya would be a simple answer.
Who is also known as his godfather. A Fucking God Forsaken One.
Hah! It was laughable! They thought he was stupid. Preposterous! You just don't live with wolves in human skin who would like nothing more than to tear you apart, and be stupid!
He knew better, they didn't!
But it doesn't change anything. Instead, it makes it all the more painful. Remembering everything…
I don't want him to ever find out, Kakashi. And if he knew about it then it would bring calamity upon the leaf! You know how emotions tie to a jinchuriki! If he ever becomes negative below a certain point, the nine tails will have free reign over him! I want you to ensure that it doesn't happen.
These were the words echoing through his empty chamber of his mind. It was troubling, but what was more troubling was what said next;
I understand Lord Hokage. But…what would Minato sensei say? What his son is going through when he was meant to be seen as a hero! I can't question your decision, Lord Hiruzen, but I think we better tell him about his lineage and burden ourselves…
Minato Namikaze was Naruto's father…?
After hearing those words, betrayal and pain were the only things left within him.
But…how did he come to hear these words? Simple; seals.
In the ninja academy, they teach everything. And Naruto took a real shine to sealing arts – even though he never was the studious one – and began expanding his knowledge upon the art.
His hero -and father!- being a master only served as fuel to his drive to master the art.
So he did. At the age of twelve – which is his current age! – he was proficient enough to create tracking and monetary seals capable of being undetected by the best of sensors!
It was the most foolish mistake of his life! Planning a full scale prank on the old man, for hiding things about the nine tails from him.
Catch him reading his favorite smut, and peeping on girls using the blasted crystal ball of his! Then blackmail to gain free ramen and a lot of ninjutsu. Haha!
Foolish? Call him foolish, or naive, or stupid, or even a pure hearted boy, but this was just who Naruto was.
innocent at his core.
Simple right?
Never! Because the universe decided to fuck him sideways!
That led to him discovering even bigger betrayals from the figure he looked up to.
The figure who he modeled his dreams and ambition after! The figure who taught him what family is, the person who molded a child into who Naruto Uzumaki is.
Was all of that fake…lies too?
And his…his…father! Who sealed the calamity in his own child? He was an even bigger traitor than that lying old bastard!
'Like hell he was my father!' he spat mentally. Thoughts laced with venom of untold pain.
Minato Namikaze was a genius, and it won't take a genius to figure out that a jinchuriki – a term he learned that same day and came to absolutely loathe – will always be a doormat to the village.
Remain loyal and be the scapegoat of your own people. Be blamed for everything bad in the world. Treated like a scum of the earth and be loathed like you are the devil reincarnated!
Choose to leave your village? Out of the question! You'll be hunted down to the end of the earth, to the end of the time.
It was painful, you know? Knowing that your own father and your hero gave you all the pain in your life… who cursed you for life and you had no choice in the matter!
His teacher too. Kakashi bailed out on him. Left him to a rabid dog who was no different to the loathsome Villagers who despised him for his burden.
But that was not all of it either, no, a certain white haired pervert had to intervene in his trice damned life!
But Naruto was happy. He was content in letting things play out just as they are. He was also aware that this white haired pervert was his godfather, a person tasked to take care of the child should anything happen to their parents.
He was okay. Better to have something now than crying over not having it in the past, no?
Oh, how he regretted that decision. The pervert left him to his own devices… mostly. Mostly being a keyword. As he dragged his small form to different hotsprings and female abundant areas to peek on them in the name of his research.
Nah, nah, nah, that was not all either. After signing the toad contract, and failing to summon the bigger toads, he was thrown from the cliff.
And,
It broke him.
Finally…!
He couldn't bear it.
Just who would? Being betrayed by your own father, grandfather figure, your teacher, and your godfather would do that to anyone, let alone an adolescent child.
Pull the chakra from the nine tails, he said. How? He never did…
Sigh.
All that lead him to now, falling and just about to reach the end of the canyon along with his life.
A mirthless chuckle escaped him, along with all the tears he'd been bottling up until now. A completely broken grin stretched across his teary face.
"It really is it, huh?" It was the last sentence he spoke before everything went black…
This was the end.
End of the child of prophecy and defier of Destiny.
But it was Also the beginning of a new tale. A tale where the protagonist is given power to choose what becomes of him, literally.
"Wake up child." A heavy and extremely low pitched voice boomed.
Naruto's eyes slowly fluttered open and he took in the view of a vast expanse of pure and utter emptiness.
"Whe-where am I?" he choked out.
It was strange as he lacked any form here. He couldn't see, hear, feel, smell or taste. But that strange voice was clear to him.
"You are in the realm of Yam, the Control and reincarnation." It answered calmly.
"Am…am I really d-dead?" He asked frightfully.
"Yes, you are a child. Naruto Uzumaki was the name of your vessel, and it was destroyed by falling from a great height." it replied.
Naruto said nothing, digesting what was told to him. Then he grimaced.
Oddly enough, he was not panicking and freaking out but was calm despite the news of his own death.
"Why am I so calm?"
The strange voice chuckled. A deep, raspy sound reverberating everywhere. "It would be because emotions and fear do not exist on this plane of existence. This plane is of absolute clarity, unbridled by any interference."
Naruto blinked several times. "…Who are you? Are you the shinigami?"
"...You could call me that. I am known as yamaraj, Enma, shinigami, Death, Hades, Grim Reaper and many more. But at my core, I am just a concept; the concept of end. The judge of karma and the controller of the cycle of samsara. End comes to all things, no matter if they are gods, demons, immortal or not. Immortality and eternity are just an illusion. Even the universe has its end. The only truth which exists is end, and destruction. nothing else. Shiva, it is called."
"…Huh…" Naruto muttered, wide eyed. "Well, I would just call you shinigami, then. So, Lord shinigami what would happen to me, ya know, am i going to hell or heaven?"
The shinigami chuckled heartily. "It's up to you child. You see, in existence, only karma exists and it's the currency of existence."
Not understanding, Naruto asked. "…What… is karma?"
"Karma means causality. Every action had a reaction. And in this context, karma means the deeds of your life. Universe and existence are very complicated and beyond your comprehension. Even the karma of your past life or lives can affect the events of today. And it's a universal law, just like the end, it applies to all universes in the multiverse. Every universe and existence is woven together."
"What does that mean?"
The voice again began speaking, but In a softer voice. "You can choose. There are two options you have. The first, as you pointed out, is heaven, hell, or pure lands, or what are the temporary realms. It will be a resting place for tired souls. Or souls with a high amount of attachment to their previous life. The second path is of reincarnation. It depends on the overall karma of an individual on how and where they'd reincarnate."
"What should I do, Lord shinigami?"
This time the shinigami sighed. "It's not my place child, it's yours. Every soul must decide for themselves. You can even decide for yourself how you plan to pay for your karma or what I call 'plan your destiny'."
Naruto snorted rather loudly. "I don't believe in the destiny of such crap! Even if it exists, Is that even possible?"
"Yes, it is. As for destiny? It doesn't exist. Every event in one's life is the consequence of their past actions. Every soul decides how they want to pay for their deeds. As in this plane, you are free from ego and pain, or judgment. Just like you decide what to do in the physical plane, you also must decide what your next life will be like and what it entails – partially at least – according to your karma."
"So how is my karma? And would I remember all of this in my next life too?" Naruto asked curiously, and hopefully. How many people can say that they have met death itself and lived?
Exclusive bragging rights! Even if people called him insane, it doesn't matter!
Bragging rights!
Naruto could feel the shinigami shake its head. "You cannot remember this, child. No one does, only your true soul, the Atman remembers this meeting. Just like your karma. You are the deposit of all the good and bad you – the Atman – have done."
"…Any suggestions?" he lamented.
The shinigami smiled. He could feel it. "You died young, so you lack any strong attachment to your previous world. Same for life, you lack any major amount of karma – negative or positive – due to your young age. Reincarnation would be the most viable option seeing you have an immense amount of good karma."
Naruto grinned. At least there was something positive today… … … oh, Yeah. Time is irrelevant here. hehe. "So I have… then I chose reincarnation!" He exclaimed joyfully.
"Decide the circumstances of your birth."
Naruto began tapping his chin with one finger and humming in thought. "Very Normal one. I want to have a very caring parent. They should be moderate in terms of financial capacity. Not poor for obvious reasons, and not rich either – as they have a lot of headache to deal with! –" he paused. "If that world where I am reincarnating is stable and less violent then the previous one, it would be nice, ya know."
"Anything else?"
Naruto reconsidered with a frown. Then his eyes – metaphysical as they may be – sparkled with a brilliant idea. "I want a system! Like in those video games? But… I don't want it to be a cheat system. Nah-ah! I want it to be based on my achievements and my own efforts! Like a guide system! Yeah!"
The shinigami stared at him, from where he didn't know and then began laughing. Hard. "Really? Bwahahaha…. No one has ever asked for such a ridiculous thing! You are an interesting soul, indeed." The shinigami got his laughter under control. "Granted. Now the process of reincarnation will begin. Do good deeds in life and try reaching enlightenment to not suffer in the endless cycle of reincarnation."
Naruto, grinned, saluted the shinigami enthusiastically. "Will do, chief! I'll meet you at my next death!"
The shinigami began laughing again. "You really are an interesting one. I've added a few things for you, you will regain your memories after reaching a certain age and certain circumstances set by this 'system' you requested. Remember, I am a concept, a primordial so I have no control over the mortals and the deities who guide them. Gods and deities are no different and you will meet yours very soon. This 'system' of yours is also given by a deity, albeit a neutral one."
Naruto closed his eyes as he felt his ego begin separating from his true soul – the Atman. The last thing he would remember would be a message.
Ding!
You are now a gamer!
Nirvana navigation system activated!
Profile
Name : Unnamed (Naruto Uzumaki Previously)
Level : Unborn (0% till next level)
Title : None
Race : Human
Alignment : Undecided
Status : In the Process Of Reincarnation, The Gamer (Locked)
Attributes
Health : Currently Unapplicable
Aura : Locked
Strength : Nil
Vitality : Nil
Dexterity : Nil
Intelligence : Nil
Wisdom : Nil
Charisma : Nil
Luck : Not decided (Can go either way)
Attribute Points : 0
Ding!
You have a new quest!
Blessings of Airavat
Objective : Meet Airavat, the Dragon God of Justice and Equality.
Description : Meet Airavat, and gain his allegiance for your life, along with the system. As this system is created and given by him to you.
Reward : The System (Unlocked), 5 levels to your profile, [Saviour Of The World] Title, Airavat's Blessing (10% increase in wisdom and intelligence per level)
Extra Reward 1 : Skill: Justice Maker. Active. which Deal 5% extra damage to the unlawful
Extra Reward 2 : Skill: Protection Of Airavat. Passive. 10% chances that the enemy's critical hit won't land.
Extra Reward 3 : Effect: Wisdom Of Sage. Become extremely intelligent in the matters of psychology and human behavior.
A/N : Do You Like it? Tell me by reviewing, won't take more than a minute, ya know.
It won't be like the other gamer fictions. The system will play a part in all of it but it won't be major or very evident. Mostly for monitoring and acquisitions of things unavailable in-universe, and nothing more.