Since being reborn into this world, it was a completely new experience. At first, amidst my confusion, I only recognized the language. I thought it was my old world, but in a bygone era, perhaps a feudal Japan altered by some event I couldn't recall. However, I soon realized that this wasn't my world. It was a famous series from my previous life, an anime franchise I had consumed as a hobby: Naruto.
In my previous life, I was a soldier in the West, far from Japan. My world was one of steel and the harsh reality of modern warfare. Chakra, jutsu, shinobi... all of that was just fiction. But now it was my reality. And the screen that appeared before my eyes emphasized this truth even more: it displayed only four missions to complete, each with a shinobi rank – Genin, Chunin, Jounin, and finally, Kage.
Over time, I understood that reaching the skill level for each rank would bring some kind of reward, which was evident from the progress bar I'd made toward my first goal: Genin, which was at 20%. Putting that aside...
My grandfather, Sakamoto Jin, from whom I inherited my name, took me in. After the death of my biological parents, he was a man of few words and no smiles, his face scarred and missing a leg. He had fought in all three Shinobi Wars and survived. His presence here, his teachings, were an anchor in this new reality. Who in their right mind would refuse the free training of a seasoned former shinobi? At first, it was the basics every child should know.
Then he started with physical conditioning, along with writing, math, and other related subjects—it helped me a lot to fully master the language. But when I turned five, a few months ago, he taught me how to draw my chakra: that common energy in this world that allowed humans to breathe fire and perform feats impossible for ordinary people.
The theoretical lessons took a backseat to dedicate more time to physical training, as well as learning to draw and control chakra. I must say: having chakra is a unique sensation. I felt it coursing through my body and increasing my physical abilities to levels illogical for a five-year-old.
Anyway...
I was currently finishing a short physical conditioning routine—nothing strenuous, since I was a child and still growing. I was in the backyard, while my grandfather watched me from inside, sitting and drinking tea.
His graying hair didn't make him look old and weak, but rather gave him a strange air of authority, which certainly suited him.
After finishing my exercises, I wiped my sweat and went over to him. "Grandpa, I've finished my exercises." Now that I thought about it, our conversations were always short and to the point. My past life certainly influenced me quite a bit, and with this man—my grandfather now—I understood each other without complications; there was no need for childishness or anything like that. That's why it felt natural to call him that now.
His gaze rested on me, then on a scroll he had on the small table in front of him. "Jin, your chakra is sufficient for you to begin training your control," he paused, took a sip of tea before continuing, "Now you'll start with the basics of chakra control. Take a leaf and, using your chakra, try to stick it to your forehead for at least a few minutes."
With his eyes, he indicated that I should bring him a leaf from a tree in the yard, which I did. The moment I gave it to him, he simply placed it on his forehead, and it stayed stuck without any sign of falling off. I wasn't surprised, but I was also somewhat excited: since awakening my chakra, so to speak, I'd only been drawing it out and circulating it throughout my body, but now I could finally begin to master what was truly important.
My grandfather began explaining the principles of this training: if I applied too much chakra, the leaf would fly away; if I applied too little, it would simply fall.
And so I began practicing my chakra control in the shade of a tree in the middle of the backyard.
Well, this is my first fanfic. I'm very excited to write it since it's been in my head for months, and I couldn't find a suitable beginning. I sincerely hope you like it, and if you leave at least one comment telling me what you thought, it would help me enormously to keep writing with more enthusiasm. 😁