Hey everyone,
I just wanted to start off by apologizing for my absence. It's been a little over two years since my last post, and I know some of you may have been waiting for updates or new content. Life's been pretty hectic recently—between graduating high school and starting college, things have been all over the place. But now that I'm getting settled into a new routine, I'm excited to get back into writing. I've missed creating stories and interacting with all of you, so I really appreciate your patience and understanding. I'm looking forward to picking up where I left off and diving back into the world of Naruto with some fresh ideas! Stay tuned for more content coming soon.
—
Jaxon Reid Carter had always loved animals. Growing up in Florida, he was constantly surrounded by the beauty of nature, from the swamps to the beaches. As a part-time job to help pay for college, he had landed a position at the ACU, a facility dedicated to caring for Florida's native wildlife and rehabilitating injured animals, including some of the most dangerous reptiles—alligators.
Jaxon's job was thrilling and gave him a sense of purpose. He helped feed, clean, and observe the alligators, monitoring their health and behavior. He took pride in his role as part of the team that looked after the most massive and dangerous gators in the state. Despite the risks, Jaxon was cautious and respected the creatures he worked with. One gator, in particular, stood out: a 15-foot monster that had been injured in a territorial fight. The alligator, nicknamed "Titus," was recovering, but it was still incredibly powerful and unpredictable, especially when injured.
On what seemed like a regular sunny afternoon, Jaxon had finished his morning shift feeding the gators and was doing some maintenance checks near the enclosures. That's when he saw Sophie Martinez, a fellow student from one of his classes at college. She was beautiful, with long dark hair and bright brown eyes, and she had a natural curiosity that matched Jaxon's love for animals. They had run into each other a few times on campus, but today felt different. Feeling confident, Jaxon decided to ask her out.
As Sophie stood by the enclosure watching the gators lazily bask in the sun, Jaxon nervously walked over. They exchanged some small talk, mostly about college and how they both found themselves working here, but Jaxon couldn't shake his nerves. His heart raced, but Sophie smiled warmly, making it easier.
"So, uh, I was wondering," Jaxon started, trying to sound casual but feeling the adrenaline. "Do you want to maybe grab dinner sometime? Maybe this weekend?"
Sophie blushed a bit and smiled. "Yeah, that sounds fun. I'd love that."
Jaxon's heart soared. Things were looking up for him. He couldn't believe how well that had gone.
But then, just as he turned around to check on the hinges above one of the gator enclosures, something terrible happened. One of the old metal hinges holding the observation platform suddenly snapped. Jaxon, standing too close to the edge, lost his balance as the platform gave way beneath him. Before anyone could react, he plunged straight into the water below.
The murky water around him sloshed as Jaxon hit the surface. Panic surged through him. He knew exactly where he was. In the same moment, Titus, the massive injured alligator, who had been resting near the back of the enclosure, suddenly stirred. Despite his injury, Titus could still move with frightening speed when provoked.
Jaxon barely had time to react before the giant gator locked eyes on him. The next few seconds were a blur of water and thrashing limbs as Titus lunged. The gator's jaws, lined with razor-sharp teeth, clamped down hard on Jaxon's leg, pulling him under. Jaxon tried to struggle, to fight back, but he was no match for the sheer power of the beast. The water turned red as Titus did what gators do best—he dragged Jaxon deeper, spinning and thrashing in a vicious death roll.
Above, Sophie screamed, horrified by the sight. Workers scrambled to intervene, but it was too late. Within moments, Jaxon was gone, his body dragged under the water by Titus, the king of the enclosure.
Later that evening, the facility closed down for an investigation. The faulty hinge was found to be the culprit—a simple oversight, but one that had cost Jaxon his life. Sophie was left shaken by the experience. What was supposed to be a normal day and a simple "yes" to dinner had ended in tragedy.
Jaxon Reid Carter, a promising young man with a passion for animals and a future ahead of him, had his life cut short in the most horrific way imaginable. His co-workers and friends would remember him for his dedication and love for the creatures he worked with. But the scar left behind by that day would remain in the minds of all who witnessed it, especially Sophie, who would always wonder what could have been had fate not taken such a cruel turn.
—
Jaxon woke up to an odd, disorienting sensation. He felt weightless, floating in darkness. His eyes darted around, but there was nothing—just an endless, black void.
"Am I dead?" he thought. The last thing he remembered was that damn gator... the water, the pain. But this… this wasn't what he expected.
Suddenly, a soft, sheepish voice echoed in the void. "Uh, yeah... so, about that."
Jaxon blinked, confused. "Did… did I just think that, or did someone actually hear me?"
The voice responded again, more awkwardly this time. "No, no, I can hear your thoughts. You don't need to talk out loud. Sorry about the whole... you know, death thing."
In front of him, a faint glow appeared. As the light expanded, a figure came into view. It looked like… an angel? Maybe? Its form was somewhat androgynous, like it couldn't decide if it wanted to be male or female. It wore an oversized robe, clutching a large book that seemed to weigh it down, and its wings flapped awkwardly.
"I'm your guardian angel," it said, looking extremely apologetic. "And, um, we kind of… made a little mistake."
Jaxon raised an eyebrow. "A mistake? Pretty sure getting chomped by a gator isn't a mistake. More like... a life-altering event. Well, life-ending, actually."
The angel winced, flipping through its oversized book. "Right, about that… you see, you weren't supposed to die like that. In fact, you were supposed to live until you were, uh… let's see here…" The angel traced a finger down a page. "Eighty-two! You were supposed to die peacefully in your sleep at eighty-two."
Jaxon blinked. "Eighty-two? Well, that's not too bad, I guess. So… what now? Am I just stuck here, floating in this depressing void?"
"Oh, right! The void," the angel said, snapping its fingers. Instantly, the dark nothingness was replaced by a lush forest, the sound of leaves rustling and birds chirping filling the air. However, the air was humid, and a swampy smell lingered.
Jaxon smirked, rolling his eyes. "Of course. A swamp. How ironic."
The angel let out a nervous chuckle. "I figured you'd appreciate the irony. Anyway, since you weren't supposed to die yet, we're giving you a chance at reincarnation. You know, a do-over."
Jaxon crossed his arms, thinking it over. "Reincarnation? That sounds interesting… So, what, I come back as some random animal or a plant or something?"
The angel quickly waved its hands. "No, no! You get to choose where you want to go! Any world, any universe… We try to make up for our oopsies with a bit of freedom."
Jaxon's mind raced. "Wait, so I can pick any world? Like... any fictional world?"
The angel nodded. "Yep! Fictional, real, alternate dimensions… whatever floats your boat."
Jaxon scratched his head, intrigued. "Huh. Well, I guess I wouldn't mind being in a place where I can have powers. Maybe somewhere from anime?" His thoughts jumped to different shows—High School DxD, How to Train Your Dragon, Dragon Ball Z. But one name echoed louder in his mind than the others.
Naruto.
Before he could even say it out loud, the angel nodded as if reading his thoughts. "Naruto, huh? Good choice! Lots of adventure, ninja action, cool powers… Plus, you can eat as much ramen as you want."
Jaxon couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah, because that's exactly why I'm picking it."
The angel clapped its hands excitedly. "Alright then! Let's get this process started!" With a snap of its fingers, the peaceful swampy forest faded away, and before Jaxon could react, a massive wheel appeared in front of him. The wheel was divided into several sections, each labeled with different bloodlines.
"Wait, what's this?" Jaxon asked, eyeing the wheel.
"This," the angel said proudly, "is your chance to roll for your new bloodline! You didn't think we'd just drop you into the Naruto world without some cool abilities, did you?"
Jaxon narrowed his eyes. "So, this is like… a lottery?"
"Exactly!" the angel chirped. "But don't worry, no matter what, you'll get something awesome. Here we go!"
The wheel started spinning, the names of famous Naruto clans flashing by—Uzumaki, Uchiha, Senju, Hyūga. But then Jaxon noticed something strange. One section simply said, No Bloodline.
"Wait, what's that?" Jaxon pointed. "No Bloodline? Is that even an option?"
The angel winced. "Yeah… so, that's in there, but let's hope you don't land on it, huh? It's rare, but it happens."
Jaxon gulped as the wheel slowed down, but just as it was about to stop on No Bloodline, it ticked one spot further and landed on Smoke.
The angel's eyes widened. "Oooooh, Smoke! That's new!"
Jaxon raised an eyebrow. "Smoke? What does that even mean?"
"Think of it like… uh, the ability to control smoke! You'll be able to turn into smoke, teleport with it, become invisible within it, and all sorts of cool things. Oh, and you'll also get enhanced strength, speed, agility, and durability. You'll be a force to be reckoned with."
Jaxon's eyes lit up. "That sounds awesome! Wait, is this from Mortal Kombat?"
The angel grinned sheepishly. "Maybe. Who's to say? But in the Naruto world, it'll be even better."
Suddenly, a second wheel appeared beside the first, this one labeled Chakra Nature Affinity. The wheel began spinning rapidly, showing fire, wind, lightning, water, earth, and… Smoke?
Before Jaxon could ask, the wheel stopped on fire, wind, lightning, water, earth .
"Looks like you're going all-in," the angel said with a chuckle. "Nice synergy! This'll be fun."
Jaxon could barely contain his excitement. "So… how much chakra do I get? Am I gonna be able to use these abilities often?"
A final screen appeared, showing a number: 1,632 chakra points.
"Whoa, that's like… Uzumaki-level chakra," Jaxon muttered, impressed.
The angel gave a nod. "Yep, you're going to have plenty of chakra to pull off some insane smoke-based techniques, but you'll need to be smart about it. Teleporting with smoke is gonna eat up a lot of chakra."
Jaxon grinned. "I can work with that."
"Alright then, Jaxon Reid Carter—or whatever name you decide on in your new life—it's time! Good luck, and have fun in the Naruto world!"
Before Jaxon could even process what was happening, everything flashed white. In less than a second—no, in less than a fraction of a second—he was gone from the void, heading into his new life. And as he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a world that was all too familiar.
His new adventure was just beginning.
—
Here's how Tomas Vrbada's story continues as he navigates life in the orphanage, the academy, and his initial thoughts on meeting Naruto:
—
Tomas Vrbada woke up with a start, his body drenched in sweat. The thin mattress of the orphanage did little to make his sleep comfortable, but that wasn't what disturbed him. No, it was something far deeper. He was no longer Jaxon Reid Carter, the college student from Florida. Now, he was Tomas Vrbada, an orphan in the world of Naruto.
His new reality felt surreal, and it took everything he had to suppress his rising frustration. Smoke, he mused, both fascinated and annoyed by the power. On one hand, it was an ability that granted him versatility—he could become intangible, teleport, and even disappear into a cloud of smoke. But on the other hand, he had no idea how to properly use it. No teacher, no guide. Just himself, his memories of the Naruto series, and this strange new world.
Tomas sat up in the tiny room, his hands instinctively moving toward his eyes. His Dojutsu, a gift he didn't expect, allowed him to see in thermal vision. He could detect the faint heat signatures of people outside the building. The orphanage was quiet at this hour, with most of the kids still asleep. But Tomas? Sleep didn't come easy for him anymore. Not with everything on his mind.
His memories of Naruto and Naruto Shippuden replayed endlessly in his head. He knew what was to come. The wars, the Akatsuki, the tragedies. But he couldn't let anyone know. That knowledge would be his secret—his ace up his sleeve, only to be used when the situation demanded it. He would change things, yes, but on his terms and only when necessary.
He exhaled slowly, calming the raging thoughts in his mind. The orphanage was just a temporary stop. He'd been here for only a short time, but already, the cramped quarters and the constant noise from the other children grated on his nerves. Tomas needed space, needed control over his life. He made up his mind: he was going to get a job, save up, and get his own place. The sooner, the better.
The next morning, Tomas joined the rest of the children for breakfast in the orphanage's small dining hall. The air was thick with chatter, but none of the kids paid him much attention. He kept to himself mostly, observing, listening. After breakfast, they all headed off to the Ninja Academy. Today was his first official day, and Tomas was ready.
Rumors had been circulating among the kids about a boy they called the "demon brat." Apparently, he was starting at the academy today, too. Tomas knew exactly who that was: Naruto Uzumaki. Tomas remembered the filler episodes where Naruto struggled in class, constantly being ridiculed by the villagers. He knew what Naruto would eventually become, and part of him was curious to meet the boy who would one day be the hero of the Hidden Leaf.
As they arrived at the academy, Tomas took his seat near the back of the room. He wasn't looking to draw attention to himself—not yet, anyway. He observed the other students filing in, some excited, others nervous. And then, there he was—Naruto, with his messy blonde hair and a huge grin on his face, despite the whispers and glares from the other kids.
Tomas watched as Naruto walked in, already attracting attention for all the wrong reasons. A few kids pointed, some snickered, but Naruto didn't seem to care. He plopped down into an empty seat near the front, full of energy.
Tomas could feel a tug of sympathy for Naruto. He knew how tough the road ahead would be for the boy. But for now, they were just kids. No point in changing the story yet. Still, Tomas decided to make a mental note to keep an eye on Naruto. Maybe even befriend him.
Better to befriend the future Hokage now rather than later, Tomas thought with a smirk.
As the academy lessons began, Tomas quickly realized that most of it would be basic knowledge—chakra theory, ninja tools, and basic jutsu training. He knew much of this already, thanks to his memories of the series, but the challenge was applying it to this world. He needed to learn control, especially with his Smoke abilities.
During breaks, Tomas watched the other students closely, learning their personalities. Some were eager to prove themselves, others were shy. But most of them avoided Naruto, who kept trying to join in with little success. Tomas felt a pang of guilt but pushed it aside. He wasn't here to play the hero—not yet.
Back at the orphanage, things were just as cramped and noisy as always. Tomas spent most of his time training alone in secret, working on his smoke manipulation. He managed to create small clouds of smoke and experimented with teleportation, though it drained his chakra quickly. His dojutsu, though, came in handy—thermal vision allowed him to anticipate movements and spot people even in darkness.
But living in the orphanage wasn't sustainable. He needed his own space. So Tomas, now a young academy student, decided to get a part-time job after classes. He found work at a local weapons shop, helping with inventory and deliveries. The job didn't pay much, but it was enough to start saving for his own apartment.
His coworkers were surprised by his independence, but Tomas made sure to keep things professional. He didn't talk much about himself, keeping his past—and his reincarnated memories—a well-guarded secret. After a few weeks, he had saved enough to rent a small, modest apartment near the outskirts of the village. It wasn't much, but it was his.
As he settled into his new life, Tomas couldn't help but think about his future. He was living in the Naruto world now, a place of danger and opportunity. And with his knowledge of the future, his unique abilities, and his keen mind, he would make sure to carve out his own destiny.
And as for Naruto? Maybe Tomas would be the friend the boy needed—someone who understood his struggle. But for now, he kept his distance, watching and waiting for the right moment to make his move.
