Childhood Arc: Awakening

After hearing my grand dream, Obito looked at me with a face full of disdain for some reason.

Hey, hey, hey! You guy who got skewered into ash dared to look down on my great dream? Looks like I'd still have to ask Kaguya to hit him with an All-Killing Ash Bones later on.

Rin, on the other hand, was still looking at me with shining eyes. It seemed she thought the same way I did. As long as everyone around her was safe and sound, she would be content and happy.

After getting acquainted with Rin and Obito, I felt delighted.

Suddenly realizing there was more fun to be had, I put both hands behind my head and vanished in a flash, leaving the two of them staring dumbly at where I had been with worshipful expressions.

At that moment, a white-haired kid was walking through an alley with both hands in his pockets. Who knew why he wasn't taking the main street?

As a result, I successfully appeared behind him and startled him into throwing a punch.

Smack—

After all, Hill had trained me, and I had the boost of a Mythical Zoan. That punch looked like it was moving in slow motion to me, and I caught it easily.

"Yo, you were on the roof just now, weren't you? Why didn't you help them?"

"I was just passing by while training. Why would I need to help them?"

With a disdainful look, he even tried to pull his hand free. Young Kakashi really wasn't tactful at all.

"Besides, that idiot was the one who started it. The other side was only acting in self-defense, wasn't he?"

He wasn't wrong about that.

"You have a point."

I promptly released his hand. I had only come to make myself familiar to Kakashi, which would make it easier to connect with many people later—especially Minato Namikaze.

Kakashi seemed somewhat displeased as he looked at me. It wasn't just because I had suddenly stopped him. More likely, he rarely suffered setbacks at the hands of someone his age.

Before leaving, Kakashi glanced back at me with a hint of irritation in his eyes.

"What's your name?"

"My name is Qingyue. We should meet at the Ninja Academy next year, right? I look forward to your guidance then!"

"Kakashi Hatake. I'll remember you, Qingyue."

As Kakashi vanished in a flash, that spectacular performance of making myself familiar with him finally came to an end!

[The former Team Seven really did each have distinct personalities. The later Team Seven's personalities looked like they came from the same mold.]

[Qingyue, you're right. Fate is always so strange. Oh, and when you turn five, I'll give you a lavish birthday gift, dedicated to my beloved Qingyue.]

A chill ran down my spine. My beloved Qingyue... This guy really was after my body, wasn't he?

Whatever. Gifts were still nice. Maybe it would be some kind of amazing windfall.

[By the way, now that I have this appearance, will I have matching abilities? Like chantless magic... instant ninjutsu without hand seals... Though that seems pretty useless in the later stages. Or the explosive amount of chakra granted by the Laplace Factor?]

[None of those. You only obtained this body. However, your body can be infused with Battle Aura.]

Tch, no cheat abilities brought by the body... What a shame. Things like the Precognition Eye were incredibly powerful...

Wait!

[Teacher Hill, does this world have Battle Aura?]

[Yes. More accurately, it is merely an efficient method of using chakra. Of course, these natives have yet to develop it.]

[So that means I can master this technique first, right? Mythical Zoan plus Battle Aura coating—becoming physically invincible is just around the corner!]

Aside from granting me immense physical enhancement and powerful regeneration, the Mythical Zoan could also give me corresponding abilities, including but not limited to breathing fire.

Battle Aura was even simpler and more brutal. It could become armor or turn into blades, and it could also enhance speed and strength.

Unlike Rudeus in the original work, I was taking the warrior route.

[Are all the unbelievable training exercises I'm doing now related to Battle Aura?]

[Yes. After all, the Third Shinobi World War is coming soon. I can't bear to see Qingyue injured or meet with any accident.]

That was what a cheat system was supposed to be like—so reliable!

Once I developed my Mythical Zoan and coated myself in Battle Aura, I would be no different from a war god in this Shinobi World of high offense and low defense.

Filled with beautiful expectations for the future, I skipped all the way home. Unfortunately, my parents still had not returned, so I had to handle dinner myself.

Since I had come to Naruto and been born in Konoha, then... if I didn't try Ichiraku Ramen, could I still call myself human?

I grabbed the dinner money Dad had left behind and immediately ran out to Ichiraku Ramen.

At this time, Uncle Teuchi was still fairly young. Just like in the show, he had squinting eyes and a kind smile.

The truth was that if he opened his eyes and revealed a Rinnegan with twelve tomoe, the world would be wiped clean...

Of course, that was impossible. Still, young Uncle Teuchi was not much different from the version I had seen in the anime, except he had a few fewer wrinkles.

"Oh, what would this handsome little guy like to eat?"

The moment I lifted the curtain, a rich aroma of bone broth wafted over.

In this Naruto world, where war had never stopped and most people could barely keep themselves fed, it was already impressive to make a broth that had flavor and was nearly as rich as soup in my previous life.

Only Konoha could manage it. The other shinobi villages probably had no one studying food, right?

After sitting down, I interlaced my fingers, rested my elbows on the table, propped up my chin, and lowered my head with an extremely serious expression.

"Pork bone ramen with extra noodles. Cilantro and scallions, less spice, extra minced garlic, lots of narutomaki, plus an extra serving of chashu. Make the broth as rich as possible. Keep both portions of noodles on the firm side, and add a plate of raw garlic."

"Oh? I couldn't tell you knew how to eat. But my portions aren't small. I'm afraid you won't be able to finish it all by yourself." Uncle Teuchi cooperatively put on a serious face as well.

"In this entire Shinobi World, there's nothing Qingyue can't eat."

"You've got quite an appetite. Fine, I'll make you a bowl!"

I had barely finished ordering when I heard footsteps behind me.

The curtain was pulled open, and a head with short brown hair and two purple markings on her cheeks poked inside. It was Rin.

"Boss, please make me a bowl of ramen to eat here... Huh, Qingyue?"

"Rin, what a coincidence. You came here for dinner too?"

"Yeah. My parents aren't home today. I wanted to cook, but there weren't enough ingredients, and there's nowhere to buy groceries at this hour."

This was the power of fate. It seemed the world's great hand had chosen to entrust Rin to me. Brother Obito, if you wanted to awaken your Sharingan, then hate me!

"Perfect. Boss, put her meal on my tab too, and add an extra serving of chashu for her."

"No, no, it's fine. I have money and can pay for myself. I'd feel too embarrassed letting you treat me."

This world was unlike modern times. Men and women kept a greater sense of distance and boundaries between them, and neither side would readily accept the other's offer to pay.

"It's fine, it's fine. It would be troublesome for the boss to take money from two people and give change separately. Paying together is easier. At worst, you can treat me next time."

Rin ultimately agreed. After all, I had put it that way. If she had rejected me, I was confident I could turn around, burst into tears, and run home.

Heh heh, one of my good brothers had used that trick to win over his wife back then. Though it did depend a bit on looks.

"Rin, you'll be entering the Ninja Academy next year too, right?"

"Mm. I want to become a medical ninja. So many people get hurt on the battlefield, so I want to help them."

What a gentle and kind dream. If I gave her an end to the war as a gift, would she be happy?

"Ahem. What I said this afternoon was what I truly wanted. The ordinary life I imagine is one in a peaceful era, where children can run and play all over the streets, adults can gather for drinks and meals after work, and everyone can be happy. On that foundation, if my own life is a little more comfortable, that would be the life I want."

"It sounds ordinary, but it's actually quite difficult."

Yeah. Let alone in this war-filled Naruto world, even in the reality of my previous life, that was something ordinary people had to strive their entire lives to achieve.

To live each ordinary day well, with life being just a little more comfortable.

When we blew out candles as children, we wished for the toys we wanted, for our whole family to be healthy, and for the kind of person we wanted to become.

When we blew out candles in our youth, we wished to be with someone, to get into a good school, and to fulfill our dreams.

After entering society, when we blew out candles, we only wished for tomorrow to be a little gentler to us, or for an unexpected fortune to fall into our laps.

Once we became elders ourselves, we wished for our children to be healthy and happy.

When we grew old, we wished for all our descendants to remain safe and sound.

"So, for the life I want, I first have to put an end to this annoying war. Rin, can you help me? I'm afraid I can't do it alone."

"Of course!"

Perhaps, to Uncle Teuchi, this was merely two children making wishes together. Perhaps, to passersby, this was merely Konoha's so-called Will of Fire being passed on.

However, since I had come to this world, if I wanted a happy life, the first thing I had to do was make sure none of the people I loved died.

Before long, two steaming bowls of ramen arrived. I took a light sniff. Mm, for this era, the broth was already exceptionally delicious.

"Here, handsome little guy. These are on the house."

Uncle Teuchi handed over two bottles of soda, and they were even chilled.

I really had no idea how far this world's technology tree had advanced.

"Thanks, Uncle. Once I become a famous great ninja and make money, I'll definitely invest in you opening the biggest ramen shop in the entire Shinobi World!"

"Hahahaha, sure, kid! From now on, whenever you come here, you won't have to pay extra for more noodles. Eat as much as you want! Keep it up, I believe in you!"

Perfect. I had gained Uncle Teuchi's approval.

With the "Ōtsutsuki Ichiraku" buff, my life would definitely be smooth sailing from now on.

I took a bite of ramen. Mm, compared to the spices and high technology of my previous life, the flavor truly still fell a little short.

Still, it felt like I could eat it for a lifetime.

Beside me, Rin's eyes lit up after she took a bite as well. It seemed she really liked the taste.

In order to properly savor the ramen, we did not talk while eating. Only after we had finished did we say goodbye and head home separately.

[Teacher Hill, do you think I can end the war?]

Talking big had felt incredibly satisfying, but once I was truly on the battlefield, who could say for sure? In my previous life, I had lived in peacetime and had never even considered killing someone.

Even with a cheat system, there was no guarantee my path would be smooth. The Shinobi World was too unpredictable.

At that thought, my hands and legs began trembling uncontrollably, weak and powerless. How pathetic. Nothing had even started, yet I was already afraid and retreating...

[Don't worry, Qingyue. In truth, you'll be stronger and tougher than you imagine. I'll always help you too, so there's no need to worry.]

They were only a few comforting words, but I truly felt much better. Hill's voice was like that of an intelligent older sister—gentle and emotional, making me want to rely on her and feel at ease.

When I returned home, I suddenly felt something surge from all over my body. A few wisps of white mist drifted from my body.

[Teacher Hill, what is this?]

[Perhaps the Devil Fruit is beginning to awaken. As a Mythical Zoan, it has its own consciousness and will provide you with help when you need strength. Moreover, this fruit was born alongside you. It is like your right and left hands, something you were born with.]

So that was it. This really was a powerful dose of reassurance!

I hurriedly ran out of the house and arrived at an empty training ground. Shinobi usually trained here, but it was already late, so no one would be around.

White mist was still continuously drifting from my body. I closed my eyes and carefully sensed that power. Finally, I opened my eyes and successfully guided it out.

"Awoo—"

My cries gradually turned into wolf howls, and my entire body began to transform. First, my skin turned snow-white, then fur and a tail resembling white flames grew out.

I hurried to the riverbank and looked at my reflection in the water to see what I had become.

The muscles in my legs began to tear and crackle, while my upper body also started changing. Fangs grew in my mouth, and my golden hair turned snow-white, lengthening all the way to my waist.

My eyes became wolf eyes the color of a gray wolf. My ears stood upright, indistinguishable from a wolf's. Fangs grew from my mouth, and my face took on the color of snow.

My hands turned into wolf claws, and only after the muscles in my back finished tearing did everything finally stabilize.

"Phew—"

I exhaled a breath of white mist and stood by the river, examining my appearance.

My entire body looked as though it were burning with white flames. My form resembled the werewolves of myth, with full, sharply defined muscles, especially across my now broad back.

Other than my eyes and lips, my face had not changed much. Overall, I was still extremely handsome, and I could feel power surging through my entire body.

[Congratulations, Qingyue, on unlocking the Mythical Zoan ability: Fenrir, Werewolf Form. It commands the three elements of wind and snow, lightning, and flames.]