Chương 1: Reborn in the Naruto World

The Shinobi World. What makes the children here different from the ones we know? It's simple, really. Though they might look the same on the surface, they aren't even the same species. This is a world of the extraordinary, where every living thing is saturated with Chakra—a transcendent energy. Ever since the Otsutsuki Clan planted the God Tree a thousand years ago, the entire world has been eroded and assimilated by this energy. From the smallest cell to the very essence of the soul, nothing was left untouched.

To put it in perspective, a human body in this world possesses up to 130 trillion cells, whereas a human on Earth has only about 30 to 60 trillion. That's a difference of two to four times. As for the differences during childhood, Li Sen has a lot to say on the matter. After all, he has been reborn here with a new name: Dongye Zhen. Through his observations, Zhen realized that children in the Shinobi world are fairly normal until the age of two. After that, it's like they hit the express lane.

Their physical capabilities and intelligence undergo a massive explosion, as if they are in a desperate rush to grow up—a "ripening" catalyzed by an invisible force. This phenomenon is especially pronounced in the Great Shinobi Clans or families that have produced ninjas for generations. To Zhen, Chakra seemed less like spiritual energy and more like some kind of hyper-fertilizer. Perhaps this was the result of a millennium of constant warfare; in those chaotic eras, children were sent to the battlefield to kill.

Those who didn't meet the mental and physical standards were simply filtered out by death. Even though the "One Country, One Village" system has brought periods of peace between the Great Shinobi Wars, these precocious children are still common. Here, a child acting with the gravity of an adult doesn't raise any eyebrows. At most, people think you're a genius with a "broad capacity" who matured early. Take that little white-haired kid, Sakata Gintoki... wait, no, Kakashi Hatake.

He's had that dead-fish-eye look of a weary adult since he was a toddler. He graduated from the Academy at five, became a Chunin and started killing people at six, and was hailed as the definitive genius of the Leaf—a role model for every kid in the village. Then there's the legendary "filial son," Itachi Uchiha, who got his first kill on the battlefield at age four. By six, he was already pondering the philosophy of the clan, the village, and world peace. Did anyone think that was weird?

Not only did his father fail to give him proper therapy, he was actually proud of it. Even the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, praised him for having the mind of a Hokage at such a young age. Now, Dongye Zhen has become one of these "precocious" children. The difference is that his maturity comes from his past life's memories. Unlike those two legendary prodigies, Zhen is merely steady in his behavior.

He doesn't act like a hyperactive brat, but he certainly isn't going to ponder grand social issues or consult strange middle-aged men about philosophy. He has no desire to be "noticed" by the powers that be. The world of Naruto isn't just about hot-blooded battles; behind that passion lies a deep, suffocating darkness. Zhen doesn't care about world peace. In this new life, he only wants to live for himself—and to live brilliantly. As for the possibility of dying in a war someday?

That would only mean he wasn't strong enough, or that his wisdom and effort were lacking. If that's the case, then let death come; it's not like he hasn't died before. Compared to death, he is far more terrified of being like his previous self—as ordinary as an ant, and as cheap as dust. In the Land of Fire, within the Hidden Leaf Village, the sun had not yet risen, but the east was beginning to pale.

Aside from the bustling central commercial and administrative districts, the village was surrounded by dense forests, scattered buildings, and numerous training grounds. To the northwest, in a small training ground near a residential area, a small figure was drenched in sweat, performing basic physical drills. It was a young boy with short, dark brown hair and clean, handsome features. He looked to be about three or four years old. This was Li Sen—or rather, Dongye Zhen, as Li Sen was a name of the past.

Currently, Zhen was running laps. The village training grounds weren't large, and a lap didn't take much time. He maintained a brisk pace, keeping his breathing steady and rhythmic while counting the laps in his head. Once he hit his goal, he switched to frog hops, then to handstand laps. Following those, he moved on to push-ups and pull-ups. Later, he would practice throwing kunai and shuriken. Among the trees surrounding the clearing, targets were tied to various branches.

Occasional thuds echoed through the air—the sound of sharp metal biting into wood. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work. Of course, the volume of his training wasn't massive. Zhen hadn't learned how to refine or use Chakra yet. Relying purely on the physical strength of a child not yet four, he couldn't sustain an elite workload. If he tried to train like Might Duy or Rock Lee right now, he'd only end up a cripple.

The ability to refine Chakra is what separates a shinobi from a civilian. Zhen's current hard work was all preparation for that refinement. While it seemed like everyone in this world had Chakra, it wasn't something you could just summon on a whim. Unless you were a freak of nature, you needed a strong body and a focused mind forged through hard labor. Otherwise, you could sit there and strain until you died without producing a single drop of energy.

Shinobi are called "those who endure" because they can withstand hardships that ordinary people cannot. Even "idiots" like Obito or Naruto, despite their powerful bloodlines, put in immense secret effort from a young age. After completing a circuit of exercises, Zhen would rest, using the method his father taught him to mentally visualize and sense every corner of his body. It was a tedious process, but a necessary one. After five minutes of meditation, he would start the next round.

He continued until the sun crested the horizon and his stamina was spent, marking the end of his daily goal. By then, older students began arriving at the training ground. Judging by their appearance, they were likely Academy students. Since it was spring break, these local kids used the nearby small training grounds to stay sharp. Clan ninjas, however, had their own private facilities; shinobi are a profession that prizes secrecy, especially regarding hereditary Ninjutsu and Hidden Techniques.

One girl, about eight or nine years old, noticed the sweat-soaked Zhen sitting on the sidelines drinking water and curiously ran over.

"Oh? Hey there, little brother. You're here early, aren't you?"

"Yeah, big sister. I've already finished my workout for today," Zhen replied, looking up with a pure, innocent smile, deliberately emphasizing the polite "big sister" to play the part. The girl beamed at the compliment and patted Zhen's head.

"Starting so young! Tell me, do you have some grand dream you're working toward?" Here it comes. In the Shinobi world, if you see a hardworking kid, you have to ask about their "dream." It's practically a social requirement.

"Of course! I want to become strong so I can protect the village and my comrades," Zhen rattled off the standard response. It was the most "politically correct" dream in Konoha, right up there with wanting to become Hokage. Mentioning the "Will of Fire" was the fastest way to stay under the radar.

"What a reliable junior!" The girl ruffled his hair and waved.

"Seeing how hard you're working, I better get to training too!"

"Good luck, big sister!" The training of these Academy students was far more entertaining than his own. Whether it was their weapon accuracy or their sparring sessions, the speed and power were on a level Zhen couldn't yet match. It felt like watching a high-budget martial arts movie. If even Academy students were this impressive, how spectacular would it be when Jonin-level fighters went all out? It certainly wouldn't be like the anime; it would be a visceral, cinematic experience.

It really did come down to Chakra—the ultimate dividing line. Zhen watched for a while before dragging his exhausted body home, taking in the busy morning sights of the Leaf. Occasionally, he looked up at the Hokage Rock, where the faces of the three Hokage seemed to be plated in gold by the rising sun.