"A smaller body, worn-out walls, and old furniture…"
As he opened his eyes, it felt like waking from a nightmare. Veigar lay on his back, staring in disbelief at his now childlike body. His gaze swept across the room, his voice barely above a murmur as he listed everything he could see.
It was a traditional Japanese-style house—old-fashioned, to say the least.
Veigar was certain that even in 21st-century Japan, homes like this had long since disappeared.
"Where… am I?"
He tried to sit up, but the moment he moved, a deafening explosion rang through his mind. A wave of searing pain knocked him unconscious before he could even process what was happening.
...
As the morning sun cast its golden light, Veigar slowly opened his eyes. His lips were parched, his throat dry, and his small, pale face showed a mix of emotions too complex to put into words.
Veigar had been an ordinary person in his previous life—one who lived in an age of technology and information. His daily routine revolved around gaming and watching anime.
Yet now, he had somehow transmigrated into another world. Not just any world, but the world of Naruto.
He had never believed in the supernatural, but the undeniable reality before him proved otherwise.
Raising a frail, trembling hand, Veigar noticed that his arm was painfully thin—just skin and bones, covered by a sickly yellowish complexion. His clothes were faded, their fabric rough and threadbare.
Even a refugee would be in better condition than this.
A cold sweat formed on his forehead as fragmented memories surfaced. The previous owner of this body had also been named Veigar—full name Veigar Koshima.
A six-year-old boy born in the Land of Fire, residing in Konohagakure.
His father had died in the Second Great Ninja War before Veigar had even gotten the chance to meet him. His mother, the only family he had left, had succumbed to illness three months ago.
Now, he was an orphan.
Forcing himself into a sitting position, every muscle in his body screamed in protest. Pain coursed through his arms, chest, and even his fingers—it was as if his entire body had been shattered and hastily pieced back together.
Despite the excruciating effort, Veigar finally managed to stand. Step by step, he dragged himself toward the kitchen.
Opening the refrigerator, he was greeted by a bleak sight—empty shelves, save for a few leftover instant noodles and some wilted wild vegetables.
The instant noodles had been half-eaten from the night before, and the vegetables looked like they had been picked days ago, already drooping lifelessly.
With no other choice, he set a pot of water to boil and threw in the noodles and vegetables. It wasn't much, but at least it filled his stomach.
After finishing his meager meal, Veigar pushed open the front door and stepped outside. The warm morning sunlight bathed him in a comforting glow.
The streets of Konoha were clean and peaceful, with no pedestrians in sight at this hour.
"Veigar, are you feeling better?"
A voice called out.
Turning his head, Veigar saw his neighbor—Auntie Suzuran—stepping out of her home. She looked at him with concern.
From his inherited memories, Veigar knew that Suzuran had been taking care of him these past few months.
"I'm feeling much better now," he replied politely.
Suzuran smiled. "That's good to hear. I was just heading to the market to buy groceries."
She waved as she left. "I'd better hurry before the fresh produce is gone."
Veigar stood at the doorway for a moment longer, but his body soon began to tremble from weakness. His blood felt thin, his limbs feeble. He was on the verge of collapsing.
Realizing he couldn't afford to push himself too hard, he stepped back inside.
Yet as he took in his surroundings—the bare walls, the empty cupboards—a deep sense of helplessness settled in.
This house had two floors. The first floor consisted of a living room, a kitchen, and a storage room. The second floor had two bedrooms—one for himself, and the other…
The other had belonged to his mother.
His gaze landed on the closed door across the hall. A flood of memories resurfaced—his mother's gentle voice, her frail smile as she whispered her last words.
"The Ninja Academy, huh?"
"I guess… I'll be going, then."
Lying back down on his bed, Veigar's mind drifted between thoughts of survival and flashes of his past life. His consciousness faded into the void once again.
...
By the time he awoke, the sun had already climbed high into the sky. His stomach rumbled loudly, urging him to move.
"First things first—I need food. I can't afford to waste time."
He took a deep breath.
Given his current physical condition, he wouldn't be able to do much. But he knew of a small river in the southern forest near Konoha.
Fishing.
Catching turtles.
It wasn't glamorous, but it was something he could manage.
Just as he was contemplating his next move, a voice called from outside.
"Veigar, are you home?"
Recognizing the voice, Veigar quickly responded, "Yes, Auntie Suzuran! One moment!"
Opening the door, he was met with the sight of Suzuran holding a food container.
"You haven't eaten yet, have you?" she asked, shoving the container into his hands. "Here, I made you some lunch."
Veigar froze in place, stunned.
"Come on, take it," Suzuran urged. "I have things to do, so I'll come back later to pick up the container."
Before he could even thank her properly, she had already turned and disappeared into her house.
Holding the warm food in his hands, Veigar felt a surge of gratitude.
Sitting down, he devoured half of the meal, carefully storing the rest in the fridge. He had no room for waste.
Gazing out the window at the setting sun, Veigar allowed himself a rare smile.
He had a plan to survive.
...
Time passed.
A month later, Veigar had fully adapted to his new life.
During this time, he had learned to fish, ensuring a stable food supply. His previously malnourished body had finally started to regain some strength.
That evening, he returned home carrying a few fish, a fishing rod slung over his shoulder.
After a simple dinner, he was preparing to sleep when—
A sudden presence made his heart leap in shock.
Someone had appeared outside his window.
Veigar's breath hitched as he turned to see a figure dressed in tight-fitting black clothing. A monkey-faced mask concealed their identity.
Before Veigar could speak, the masked figure spoke first.
"Veigar Koshima. By order of the Third Hokage, you are to report to the Ninja Academy in three days for the entrance exam."
"…That is all."
"Understood?"
Veigar, still recovering from his initial fright, quickly realized—this person was an ANBU ninja.
He swallowed hard and replied cautiously, "Understood."
The moment those words left his mouth, the masked ninja vanished—disappearing into the night as if he had never been there at all.
Veigar exhaled deeply, his heart still pounding.
"Ninja Academy, huh?"
His eyes darkened as he clenched his fist.
"Very well. Let's see where this path leads."
-----------------------
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