Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Inner monologues
Yami Nara. That was the name bestowed upon him, once the old man, in this strange new world.
Now, let's jot down a timeline for the nerds. Naruto was an anime where Japanese (Racist Japanese) people forming clans fought each other. Then, there was this bright-as-sunshine ninja in an orange jumpsuit, born in the Leaf Village (Konoha), who went on to save the world. There was also a jealous emo type, a friend of Naruto's, who abandoned the village simply because Naruto could make a bigger hole in a water tank. Thankfully, he snapped out of it by the end of the series, though losing his left arm was arguably the lesser of two evils – the first being his marriage to the most toxic pink-haired kunoichi in the anime universe.
Now, about our main character. Does he possess complete knowledge of the Naruto universe and its timeline? The answer? A resounding "maybe." During his college days, Yami developed a habit of reading manga thanks to his otaku roommate. While he wouldn't consider himself an otaku himself, he'd dabbled in anime, including Naruto.
In short, he was a certified normie.
It means,
"I'll have to piece together most of this myself," muttered the dark-haired, two-and-a-half-year-old boy, rubbing his chin like a wizened old man.
He cared little for the bewildered stares his behavior elicited. He had started talking like an adult by the time he turned one, and his simpleton parents (yes, he had both – no orphan trope here) just accepted it as one of his many talents. Being part of the Nara clan, possessing incredible intelligence was practically a given according to the people.
Gazing upon a distant mountain with only three prominent faces carved into its side, Yami concluded that Minato hadn't yet become Hokage, and the blonde protagonist in the orange jumpsuit hadn't been born. This meant he could breathe a little easier, at least until the main character's arrival in the village ushered in an era of chaos.
Due to his tender age, his intel gathering within the village remained limited. He did learn, thanks to his father who worked as an instructor at the academy, that Kakashi Hatake had already achieved Chunin rank at the ridiculously young age of six.
This meant the Third World War – ahem, the Third Great Ninja War – hadn't begun yet. He still had some time before children his age would be ruthlessly recruited for the war effort.
"So, I'm younger than Kakashi. That puts me around Itachi's age, maybe a year older," Yami muttered, sticking a straw between his lips. He flopped down on the wooden platform behind his house, gazing at the sky. "I would definitely destroy his ass."
Yami knew there was an entire fan base dedicated to Itachi, but he didn't share their admiration. To him, Itachi's decision to massacre his own clan, including young children, and leave his brother alone was both stupid and hypocritical.
"Well, time for this old man to catch some sleep," Yami mumbled before closing his eyes. Reincarnating at twenty or so would've been thrilling, a chance to truly begin anew. Now, at two and a half, his sixty years of memories were fresh and overwhelming.
He could simply exist, letting the world unfold as it would. He'd probably be a side character in the grand scheme of things. Playing it safe was the smartest move in this ruthless world.
At least, that's what Yami had always believed.
He snapped his eyes open, his gaze returning to the mountainside monument. For a fleeting moment, he imagined his own face carved amongst the other Hokages.
"Ugh! What's going on here?" he cried, rubbing his head. Just when he decided on a peaceful life, something inside him yearned to move, to achieve greatness, to finally step into the spotlight.
"This is so frustrating. My old man soul craves rest, but my young body craves action."
As an old man inside, playing with other kids was out of option. Ahem, it wasn't like he just slapped a Yamanaka kid yesterday or anything like that. He just think playing like a kid was a waste of his young energy.
Fortunately, as a Nara, his family was well-off. This meant a spacious backyard perfect for practicing jutsu early on.
Landing on the dirt with a determined stance, Yami began weaving hand signs.
Horse, Serpent, Ram, Monke, Boar, Horse, Tiger.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Yami roared, bringing his fingers together and blowing out a mighty breath. However, all he managed was to splatter some saliva on his own fingers.
"Fantastic," he groaned, hanging his head. "Looks like I'm becoming that powerless loser in one of those awful fanfictions. My author must be having a real laugh at my expense."
Despite daily practice, even mastering hand signs, he couldn't manage a single decent jutsu. He'd even gotten in trouble for messing with his father's belongings, swiping a scroll of basic hand signs, but so far, nothing.
Either he lacked talent altogether, or he simply didn't possess the necessary elemental affinity. Fireball Jutsu and a simple Earth Wall Jutsu were his only attempts so far, and both were complete failures.
"Darn it, if I'm not a fire type, then what's the point?" Yami lamented, recalling his fondness for fire-type pocket monsters in his old days. He particularly admired that flying lizard which could spew flames from its mouth. Yami had hoped to emulate that fiery display, but as always, nothing happened.
"Don't tell me I'm a water type, or worse, a grass type..." Yami muttered, rubbing his chin. He then recalled the first Hokage. "Though, grass types are ridiculously OP in this world."
Hashirama wasn't called the God of Shinobi for nothing. His Wood Style was overpowered as heck. Even people with powerful eye techniques were rendered helpless against him. Even after his death, his cells were like black-market gold.
"Yami-chan! Yami-chan! Lunch is ready!"
That's when Yami heard a feminine voice calling his name. It was his mother, a stunning yet typical Japanese woman. Only Yami and his father knew the terrifying monster that lurked beneath that beautiful surface.
"Keep it down, woman! I'm trying to figure out my elemental nature! And stop adding 'chan' to my name. It's cringy," Yami retorted. But in that very moment, he felt a powerful presence behind him. Shivering, Yami slowly turned around, only to face a monstrous figure with hair like dark flames.
"CaN yOu SaY ThAt AgAiN?!" the monstrous figure roared.
"EEP!" Yami shrieked, clapping his hands together. "I apologize, beautiful mother! This lowly peasant would never dare speak to you disrespectfully again!"
Yami opened his eyes to see the same beautiful woman as before. The terrifying monster from just a moment ago had vanished.
"Fufu, what are you on about? You're no peasant, you're my precious, adorable son~" Aoi Nara chuckled before scooping Yami into her arms and smothering him with kisses.
"Ugh, seriously, with all these kisses, I'll probably trigger puberty before I even learn a single jutsu," Yami grumbled in his usual adult-like manner.
However, that couldn't erase his mother's affection for him. No matter how much Yami acted like Stewie Griffin, his mother loved him unconditionally, just like Lois.
"Hehe, well then you'll be able to find a lovely wife sooner than later," Aoi chuckled, planting another kiss on his cheek.
Yami wanted to retort about how Nara Clan wives were all fearsome women, and how he definitely wouldn't be getting married after his disastrous first experience. But trapped in his mother's loving embrace, words failed him.
"Let's go eat! I made your favorite – broccoli and spinach."
"How many times do I have to tell you, woman, that I despise those cattle feeds? Ahem, oh Mommy, I love it!"
"That's my good boy~"
"Ugh..."
At least his parents in this life were a far cry from the demons of his past life. Even if he couldn't express his love for them, he would do everything in his power to take care of them.
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Can I get Da Stones?
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