He died before he understood why.
Blood filled his mouth. Warm. Metallic. His chest—something was wrong. Something was burning.
A whisper brushed his ear. Soft. Desperate.
"Run."
Then the dream shattered.
---
Ren Uzumaki woke up screaming.
His heart slammed against his ribs. His hands shook. His face was wet—sweat? Tears? He didn't know.
Just a dream.
Just a dream.
But the blood had felt real.
He pressed his palm to his chest. Nothing. No wound. No blood. Just skin and bone.
And warmth. Faint. Deep. Like something sleeping beneath his skin.
A flicker at the edge of his vision.
0.3% → Next Stage: Unknown.
Condition: Break 1 Seal.
He blinked. It was gone.
0.3%. He didn't know what it meant. But he felt it—growing.
Waiting.
---
He didn't sleep again.
Dawn came grey and cold. Ren sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the cracked mirror. A boy stared back. Dark hair. Pale skin. Tired eyes.
You're nobody. Just another orphan. Just another genin.
A knock on the door.
"Ren! You awake?"
Kaito's voice.
Ren opened the door. Kaito Inuzuka stood there, a lazy grin on his face.
"You look like crap."
"Good morning to you too."
Kaito laughed. "Come on. Daichi-sensei's waiting."
---
They met at the village gate.
Daichi Morino—their sensei. Scar across his eye. Quiet confidence.
Sora Mizuki—bright, cheerful. She reminded Ren of sunlight.
"Mission parameters," Daichi said. "Reconnaissance. Eastern border. Low-rank. Nothing dangerous."
Nothing dangerous. That's what they always say.
---
They left Konoha behind.
The forest was dense. The path narrow. Daichi led. Kaito on the left. Sora on the right. Ren at the rear—as always.
The rear guard. The one who runs.
The trees grew thicker. The light dimmed. No birds. No animals.
Too quiet.
Ren scanned the shadows. Nothing moved.
But he felt it.
A shift in the air. A pressure behind his eyes.
0.3%.
The number flickered again.
He stopped walking.
"Ren?" Sora turned. "What's wrong?"
He didn't answer. His eyes moved across the treeline.
Something was out there.
Watching.
Waiting.
He didn't know why. He'd always been like this. Sensing things before they happened. He never told anyone.
Then something changed.
The warmth in his chest grew hotter. Stronger. His fingers tingled. His vision sharpened.
For a moment—just a moment—he felt powerful.
Then it faded.
But the number flickered again.
0.4% → Progress.
Condition: Survive.
"Ren?" Daichi's voice. Sharp. Alert.
Ren's hand moved to his kunai.
"We're not alone."
The trees went silent.
A branch snapped ahead.
A figure stepped out from the shadows.
Masked. Hooded. Eyes glowing red.
The figure raised a hand—pointed directly at Ren.
"That's the one… kill him before it awakens."
---
END OF CHAPTER 1
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Author's Note :
This is my first story, so I'd really like to hear your thoughts.
If you enjoyed this chapter, don't forget:
Drop your Power Stones , add it to your Library , and share your feedback in the comments.
Tell me what you liked, what you didn't, and what you think is really inside Ren.
And if you feel it deserves it… don't forget to keep going with the story.
See you in the next chapter.