Fate. It was a funny thing sometimes. For some fate was a positive, a force that appeared to favor them as it set them up for everything good in life. For others it was the most negative force imaginable that seemed to feast on the despair of it's victims.

For Toji, Fate was the second option.

Orphaned at the age of 14, now 19, Toji had worked his ass off just to survive. Forced to work since he was in middle school to keep the lights on, Dropping out of Highschool to put food on the table. Even through all of that, he didn't complain. He WOULDN'T complain. He refused to give this world the pleasure of him admitting defeat. Especially since he knew someone out there probably had it even rougher, had it tougher. As such if they could handle it without complaining, then so could he.

That was his moto, that was what kept him going. If others could handle it, then why the hell couldn't he? Sure, It may be hard, hell it might even seem impossible at times. That didn't mean he was going to fail though. Not now, not ever. He'd keep on enduring, keep on pushing for a brighter future. He'd keep on surviving.

At least he thought he would. Now, at the ripe old age of 19 and knock-no, BANGING on deaths door all the fight he had left drained out of him like the blood that soaked the ground around him. It was at this moment he broke. He had complained for the first time in 5 years. He had complained life wasn't fair, that his parents should still be here, that his death was bullshit, that he DESERVED to live after all the hardships he endured. He complained until in his soul, in his heart, he knew there was nothing more to complain about.

It shouldn't have brought him comfort. Hell it should've made him feel pathetic, but getting off the complaints that bogged him down truly did take a weight off him. Even if his complaints amounted to nothing, at least he would leave this world with a lighter soul. With that final thought his chest shakily rose before sinking for the final time.

When he saw light from what was once darkness, he knew something was wrong. When he felt a warmth envelop his body he instinctively tensed.

"Hello?" He called out, looking around the bright realm that seemed to extend forever. He hadn't expected to hear a voice whisper in his ear from behind him.

He certainly didn't scream like a little girl and he CERTAINLY DID NOT jump a few feet in the air. He had turned to the source of the voice, seeing a person clad in a deep red Kimono, with long flowing black hair that contrasted smooth pale skin.

Their face was a perfect cross between Feminine and masculine, just as their voice. "Yushiro Toji, I have been waiting for your arrival" they said with a small smile before waving their hand. In an instance a small oriental style floor table appeared, with two cushion seats on opposite sides. "Please, sit. I have much to discuss" they said as Toji hesitantly sat.

"I don't think I have to tell you that you're dead, as such I will be quick to the point. Your death was a work of fate, one I find tragic. Usually I wouldn't interfere in events like this, but I decided to give you a rare offer." They said as Toji grew more apprehensive.

"Offer? Look, I appreciate it, but there's no way i can accept an offer determining what my afterlife will be when i don't even know who is the one offering." He said as the deity before him paused. "Oh, forgive me you're right. I didn't introduce myself. You may call me Kotoamatsukami." They said as Toji's eyes bulged.

He bowed his head instantly. "I-i meant no disrespect-" he was cut off with a wave. "Worry not, I understand. This offer though is of utmost importance though. Please listen." Kotoamatsukami implored causing Toji to snap to attention.

"I Offer you another chance at life, though it will not be in the world you came from. I offer you to live in the world of Naruto, with only one catch. You must stop the awakening of Kaguya at ALL costs." Kotoamatsukami states, leaning forward to emphasize their words. "Even if you need to seal the jinchuriki, Kaguya can NOT be allowed to awaken."

Toji, a little taken aback at the request, nodded. "Got it, Kaguya must be stopped at all costs." He said as the deity before him gave him a small smile. "Good, then you will be placed into the world of Naruto as a 5 year old orphan. Your parents died 2 years prior in the 9 tailed fox attack. You are in the orphanage that also cares for Naruto. Use that how you will. Good luck, Toji."

And with that, Toji felt as if his very body was yanked back, the light surrounding him dimming into nothing but a gaping maw of darkness.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That was when he opened his eyes, gasping for air. His hand shot to his chest clutching it as he fought to get his heart under control. He had then noticed that his hand felt small, weak. Nothing like the hands he had developed by doing yard work. He also noticed that his body in general felt smaller, more frail. It was then he realized the short cropped black hair he had was replaced by a messy, inky mop. He blew a few strands away from his eyes.

"I guess that wasn't a dream then..." Toji mumbled to himself, standing up from the small lower bunk bed he had. He looked around the room, noting a total of 3 other bunks with 6 people. Another was snoring above him. "So 8 kids to a room, a tiny room too..." He mumbled again as he stretched and went over everything he knew.

He was 5 years old with Naruto only being 2. As such the Uchiha Massacre hasn't happened yet so good for him. There's no real feasible way he's stopping the massacre though, so as shitty as it was he'd probably just have to give Sasuke an early support system.

There's also a chance Naruto's status hasn't been leaked yet, but that was a small chance. It was never revealed WHEN Naruto's status was leaked to the adults, but it probably was around this time Toji surmised.

Toji racked his brain for any other important details. Kakashi should still be in Anbu, Asuma-!

At that Toji perked up. The twelve guardian Ninjas! Their big battle is this year! Asuma will make a name for himself in this battle. A good detail to know, but ultimately of no use sadly. Toji sighed.

On that note though Itachi would be graduating from the academy extremely soon. Potentially this year even. "Hmph, that means i'll probably miss him. Would've been nice to gain the trust him. Could potentially use it later on." He mused, slowly thinking itachi may be worth enough effort to seek him out anyway. But alas there was nothing of note he could capitalize on at the moment. Well beside being Naruto's first friend, but he already planned on that.

He could also begin to train, though that would be extremely slow seeing as he has no idea HOW to train to be a ninja. 'Well I DO go into the academy in a year or so. I'll just have to do what I can until then.'

~~~~~~

Life sucked. Plain and simple. But toji was used to that, used to the constant struggle. He was used to the ache in his bones that came from working his ass off to survive.

He had taken to physical labor soon after he "awoke". Cleaning shops and running errands was the most common he did. Most people in the village were actually pretty nice, as such finding work wasn't too hard. The money he got would go to a savings account he opened along with keeping enough with him to buy whatever both he and Naruto would need.

Oh, that was also a thing. Naruto. Toji practically became Naruto's older brother. Naruto would always listen to Toji, refusing to leave his side when he was there. When he was gone the others would often see Naruto sit by himself waiting for his older brother.

At first Toji had thought of his connection to Naruto as purely a useful relation for the future. It took exactly one day to realize he was attached to the damn blonde toddler. He was just to damn Adorable. Always asking Toji to carry him, clinging to Toji like a lifeline.

As such, he gets supplies for them both, such as better clothes and books. (Yes, he has Naruto read. He may be two and half, but the kid must learn!).

But now Toji had just got done with cleaning up the shop floor for a convenience store when the bell rung signaling a customer. With practiced ease (From both this and his previous life), he looked towards the customer and gave a polite smile. "Hello Sir, unfortunately the store is closed."

After those words escaped his mouth he actually looked at the person he was addressing. His eyes widened slightly. In front of him was one of the few people he expected to meet so early.

"Seriously? Dang it I needed those school supplies..." the white haired man muttered, rubbing his jaw.

Lanky and clad in the classic Chunin attire, Mizuki stood in front him. 'Mizuku Huh. That's a shocker. Didn't expect to run into him until i started the academy.' Toji thought before giving Mizuki a bashful smile. "Yeah sorry, we just closed a few minutes ago. Are you a teacher, Ninja~san?"

At that Mizuki nodded. "Correct. Are you interested in joining the academy?" Mizuki asked as Toji nodded. "Yeah! I want to become a strong ninja! But i've had to work hard to support my little brother. I don't want to leave him with nothing..." Toji said with a pout as Mizuki hummed.

'Hook, line, and sinker ya bastard! Feel bad for me! No way you can hate this adorable face!' Toji inwardly thought with a smirk as Mizuki sighed. "Well then, how about this. Tomorrow me and you can go see Hokage~sama. If we tell him your problem, he's sure to solve it." Mizuki said with a small smile, though Toji swore he saw something sinister in his eyes.

Inwardly Toji was instantly weary, already getting an idea of Mizuki's plan. 'He wants me to grow attached to him for sure. I'll use this to my advantage.' He thought as outwardly Toji smiled. "Really? Thank you Ninja~san!" Toji said with a small bow

The rest of the evening was uneventful. Toji quickly finished cleaning before exiting the store, stopping by Ichiraku. Grabbing a quick bowl for Naruto, he made his way through the village, waving to the few who still remained out.