"Where's my harem? I want to ask, huh?!"
"Dude, you finally transmigrated into the Naruto world, and you're not going to chase the local girls? Are you seriously gonna go after a fake copy like me?"
"If I had that kind of mood, why would I bother? I'd just go chase some cosplayers instead."
"Hmm, cosplayers… maybe not so bad?"
ahem!
Shaking off his chaotic thoughts, Naruto opened his mouth but suddenly didn't know what to say.
"Later, we'll talk in detail." Sakura interrupted Naruto's spell, signaling Sasuke to start his self-introduction.
Kakashi scratched his eyebrow, his gaze toward the two growing stranger by the second.
He originally thought he'd hear Naruto's passionate ambitions or a lovesick girl's tender feelings.
But now, it seemed he was facing not fresh graduates but a bunch of jaded, apathetic jonin-level slackers.
"How is this different from the real Hokage's story?"
"Did I miss something?"
The four completed their introductions in this strange atmosphere, and Sasuke's talk of revenge became bland and tasteless amid the silence.
Kakashi was thoroughly frustrated.
Not only did Naruto and Sakura react indifferently the whole time, but when Kakashi said there would be a high-stakes survival training tomorrow with a very high elimination rate and even warned not to eat breakfast because you'd throw up, Naruto scratched his nose, then read aloud like waking from a dream:
"Wow, such a scary mission. Totally can't guess what will happen tomorrow!"
Sakura adjusted her hair and agreed, "This is a test of love, so nerve-wracking!" while deliberately glancing at Sasuke.
Among the four, only Sasuke remained tense the entire time, his fists clenched so tightly his fingers turned white.
Kakashi scratched his brow again, feeling things were not so simple…
Soon, Team 7 disbanded.
Naruto and Sakura found a quiet place. The latter paused, then calmly said:
"Sasuke is probably a local native. I observed the main characters; so far, there are no signs of body-snatching."
"What we can confirm now is that we took the male and female lead roles."
Naruto was slightly stunned: "You think about things pretty thoroughly."
"Yeah. We need to figure out the rules of transmigration. If this is a group transmigration, then the Naruto plot will be completely overturned. We might even die an unnatural death."
"No way," Naruto grew tense. "I'm a jinchuriki, even without the Six Paths power-up early on, I still have the Nine-Tails protecting me. Keeping you safe should be no problem."
Sakura shook her head: "It's not that simple. It's like Elden Ring multiplayer mode — you can mess around alone, but multiplayer is full of invincible 'silver coins' (traps), hard to defend against. Especially since we're the main characters."
Naruto frowned deeply.
Not because Sakura was wrong, but because of her example…
Elden Ring? Has Naruto ever seen a hardcore female player for that game?
In his past life, he only saw videos of flawless boss fights online.
"Ahem, just be honest," Naruto looked at Sakura, suspicious. "Are you maybe biologically male but psychologically female?"
Sakura said she came from Sichuan-Chongqing region.
You know, Sichuan-Chongqing not only produces lovely girls, but also something called 'Type 0' gender beings…
"What? You doubt my gender?" Sakura raised an eyebrow. "Can't biological females play Elden Ring?"
"Of course not, by the way, do you play the 'Black Horse' edition?"
"Yeah, I bought the collector's edition… but isn't this the wrong time to talk about this?"
"Ahem, right," Naruto forced his thoughts back on track but couldn't help picturing a bearded man.
Well, can't say for sure.
But still, someone who buys the collector's edition is probably a decent person?
Naruto: "So what's your plan now?"
Sakura: "I'll quickly train my strength and learn some useful jutsu. You need to negotiate with the Nine-Tails and collect your chakra rent."
"Basically speeding things up."
"Right. We have to race against time."
"But also try to follow the plot? That way we can keep key information."
"Mm."
Sakura nodded and added, "That's enough for now. We shouldn't stay together too long. You're a jinchuriki, the Third Hokage might have someone watching you."
"So cautious," Naruto clicked his tongue. "By the way, if later I form close 'comforting' relationships with other female ninja, you don't mind, right?"
Sakura expressionless: "Is that all you guys think about when transmigrating?"
"Come on, don't be so rigid. I can also help you 'date' Sasuke, Sai, and Kakashi."
Sakura gave Naruto a sharp look: "Player!"
Naruto shrugged helplessly: "Big sis, don't tell me you have some virgin complex?"
Sakura coldly replied: "I don't see the point. Instead of thinking about nonsense, better think about how to survive here."
She turned to leave.
"Hey, wait!"
"What?"
"What about tomorrow's exercise? Can I borrow some Nine-Tails chakra to mess with Kakashi?"
"Is that necessary?" Sakura turned. "You go early tomorrow to trigger traps, then we run through the drills, impress Kakashi, and just wrap it up."
"Smart!" Naruto grinned, thumbs up. "But I really want to mess with Kakashi. I've never fought anyone before in my past life."
Sakura thought a moment: "If you want to fight, fine. We'll have to go through the drill anyway."
"Got it."
Evening.
Naruto finished his instant noodles, sat cross-legged on the bed, completely focused.
In a daze, he felt his body slowly sinking, the surrounding space growing humid, with dripping water sounds and cold wind blowing.
Opening his eyes, Naruto looked around curiously and walked forward.
Soon he reached a tall gate, vaguely sensing heavy breathing with a faint fishy smell.
Naruto looked ahead calmly: "Stop pretending to sleep, let's talk."
"Roar—"
A strong roar came, with blood-red eyes slowly approaching Naruto.
"Kid, why disturb my slumber?"
The Nine-Tails' heavy voice echoed in the cramped space, causing turbulence around.
Naruto: "I'll come find you tomorrow. Let me borrow some chakra then."
The Nine-Tails narrowed his huge eyes: "Why should I listen to you?"
"Because only I can help you break the seal," Naruto smiled slyly. "It's a deal — you give me chakra, I give you freedom."
"Kid, do you think your lies are clever?"
"First, I'm not 'kid,' I'm Uzumaki Naruto. You better remember that."
"Second, believe it or not, I have nothing to lose."
Saying that, Naruto left without looking back, quickly returning to reality.
Maybe because of transmigration, Naruto felt his control over his soul was far stronger than the original.
The Nine-Tails pondered Naruto's words silently.