"Damn… where is this?"
A sharp pain throbbed in his head as fragments of memory began to surface.
Could it be… transmigration?
At that moment, in the distance—
A furious roar echoed across the heavens and earth, filled with deep hatred and an ominous aura.
Nine विशाल crimson tails unfurled in midair, instantly whipping up a violent shockwave.
The surrounding houses were torn apart like paper, wooden planks, dust, and rubble scattering wildly in all directions.
The villagers, who should have been immersed in peace and quiet,
now let out screams of terror and despair at the sight before them.
"…The Nine-Tails."
Only then did Kamikawa finally realize—he had transmigrated into the world of Naruto.
Konohagakure.
And damn it, he'd started right at the Night of the Nine-Tails.
His mother had died protecting him. His father, a Special Jonin of Konoha,
had gone to reinforce the Third Hokage—most likely a mission with no return.
And this body… wasn't even six years old yet.
Its name was Shimizu Kamikawa.
Short black hair, dark pupils, sharply defined and handsome features, a nearly perfect face.
Looks-wise… just average—
yeah right. Even among the famously good-looking Uchiha clan, he'd rank near the top.
What a joke. This is completely rigged.
There was no time for Kamikawa to dwell on it. He immediately fled in the opposite direction of the Nine-Tails, running for his life.
Along the way, the scene was one of utter devastation.
There were corpses of villagers, shinobi, and even a few wearing ANBU uniforms.
He didn't stop caring.
Right now, survival came first.
Until, as he passed an alleyway, the sound of a young girl crying made him stop in his tracks.
"Okaa-san… Otou-san…"
Following the sound, he saw a girl about his age, dressed in gray,
with the Uchiha clan's fan emblem printed on her back. She collapsed against the wall of the alley, sobbing uncontrollably.
Chunks of stone were falling all around—any one of them could crush her at any moment.
Save her… or not?
The choice flashed through Shimizu Kamikawa's mind.
But in the very next instant, he rushed forward without hesitation.
Gritting his teeth, he grabbed her hand and said only one thing:
"Stay close to me."
Without looking back, he pulled her along toward the direction where the crowd had been fleeing.
Moments after they left, a massive chunk of rubble crashed down, and the alley instantly collapsed.
Only after reaching a relatively safe area near the shelter did Kamikawa finally let out a breath of relief.
Then, from behind him, came the girl's tearful voice:
"Um… thank you…"
Kamikawa released her hand and turned around, finally getting a clear look at her.
She had a slender figure, long, beautiful black hair, and a small tear mole beneath the corner of her right eye. Her features were delicate.
Her eyes, still misty with tears, were bright and expressive—as if they could speak—full of spirit.
All in all, she was both cute and beautiful.
"My name is Izumi… Uchiha Izumi. Can you tell me your name?"
Uchiha Izumi wiped her tears gently and asked.
Kamikawa paused for a moment before answering with the name of the body's original owner.
"Kamikawa. Shimizu Kamikawa."
At the same time, he thought to himself: Since I've taken over your body, I'll live on using your identity. Don't worry… I'll make sure your mother is properly buried.
As if that lingering obsession had been resolved, a flood of memories from the original owner surged into his mind, causing a slight stab of pain in his forehead.
"What's wrong, Kamikawa-kun?"
Thinking he was injured, Izumi asked with concern.
"It's nothing. Let's go."
Kamikawa shook his head, and the two continued toward the interior of the shelter.
Before they had gone far, he heard a heated argument ahead.
Members of the Uchiha clan from the Konoha Military Police Force were clashing with several shinobi dressed in ANBU uniforms.
"Go back! Lord Danzō has ordered that the Uchiha are not to approach the Nine-Tails!"
"Damn it…!"
Kamikawa passed by them with Izumi.
ANBU? No… more accurately, Root operatives.
A cold sneer formed in his heart. As expected of one of Konoha's so-called "F4," second only to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Useless at everything else, but number one when it comes to internal strife.
At a time like this, they were still busy fighting among themselves.
The greatest village in the ninja world—ruined by their own hands, draining away all its talent.
Not long after entering the shelter, another boy of about the same age rushed in.
He was holding a baby in his arms.
No way… could that be the Uchiha clan's ultimate traitor and "filial son," Uchiha Itachi—and the so-called "second pillar" who thinks he's invincible whenever the sky clears?
Kamikawa thought to himself.
The next moment, Izumi's voice confirmed his guess.
"Itachi…"
She waved toward him.
Uchiha Itachi glanced over, then walked toward them in a few quick steps, still holding Sasuke. His expression remained calm as he asked:
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Kamikawa-kun saved me."
Izumi replied, then lowered her head, her face turning sorrowful.
"But my parents…"
"My condolences."
Itachi offered a brief word of comfort. Then, out of gratitude for saving a member of his clan, he turned to Kamikawa.
"Thank you… for saving one of my people."
Kamikawa had no interest in getting close to someone who could one day slaughter even his own parents.
He simply nodded, found a seat farther away, and said nothing more.
"What's wrong with Kamikawa-kun?"
Watching him leave, Izumi asked in confusion.
Itachi, perceptive even at a young age, noticed Kamikawa's clear resistance toward him. Assuming it stemmed from caution toward the Uchiha clan's identity, he didn't point it out.
"Perhaps… he also lost his family just now."
And inwardly, he added:
There's a lot of blood on him, yet no visible injuries. His family must have protected him.
With that thought, Itachi lifted his gaze toward the blood-red moon, once again sinking into contemplation.
What is the meaning of life?
Meanwhile, seated at a distance, Kamikawa saw Itachi brooding again and couldn't help rolling his eyes.
Just as he was about to mock what new existential crisis this "filial son" had fallen into—
A system notification suddenly rang out in his mind:
"Ding. Goddess System binding…"
"Binding successful. As long as the host captures the heart of a goddess he favors, he will receive rewards. Given the host's dire situation, a beginner benefit will now be issued to help the host overcome this crisis and become the strongest 'dragon protagonist.'"
"1. Intercept Uchiha Izumi. Reward: Zanpakutō 'Kyōka Suigetsu' from the world of Bleach."
"2. Do nothing and allow Uchiha Izumi to die during the Uchiha Clan Massacre as in the original story. Reward: One designated theft card from the world of Naruto."