A sharp peck on Naruto's cheek jolted him awake. With a startled yelp, he flailed his arms, scaring off the crow perched beside him. It squawked indignantly before taking to the sky, disappearing into the morning haze. Naruto groaned as he sat up, every muscle in his body stiff and aching from sleeping on the damp grass. However, as he shifted his weight, he realized something strange—his swollen ankle no longer throbbed. The pain that had plagued him the night before had mysteriously vanished.
But that wasn't his immediate concern. His bladder screamed for relief, making his predicament abundantly clear.
Scrambling to his feet, Naruto ran toward the nearest bush, barely making it in time before he let loose. A long, relieved sigh escaped him as the immense pressure finally subsided. Once he finished his business, Naruto stumbled out of the bushes, yawning.
"Man," he muttered, shaking off the last remnants of sleep, "what a weird dream I had..."
He rubbed his face with another yawn, but when his fingers brushed against his forehead, he froze. His heart stuttered in his chest.
His hands shot up, patting frantically at his skin. "What?! It wasn't a dream?"
With wide eyes, Naruto turned toward the clearing where he had been the night before. The severed arm still lay in the same spot, though now flies swarmed over the dark purple flesh, feasting on the remnants of its former owner.
"Yuck," he gagged.
Shaking off his disgust, Naruto rushed toward the river, desperate to see his reflection. What he didn't anticipate was how fast he moved. The moment he reached the water's edge, his momentum betrayed him. His feet tangled, and with a panicked yelp, he tumbled forward, plunging headfirst into the freezing depths with a loud splash.
A flock of geese erupted into the air in alarm, honking their displeasure at the unexpected disturbance.
Naruto broke the surface with a gasp, coughing and sputtering as he clawed at the grassy bank, shivering from the icy grip of the water.
"Well, that was a splendid way of waking yourself, Mr. Uzumaki-Namikaze."
Naruto stiffened. The voice was calm, polite—eerily so. But what made his blood run cold was that it wasn't coming from anywhere around him. It was inside his head.
Scrambling out of the river, Naruto whipped his head around, scanning the clearing. He was alone. The only sound was the distant rustling of leaves and the soft chirping of birds.
"Who's there?!" he shouted, fists clenched.
"There's no need to yell, Mr. Uzumaki-Namikaze."
Naruto flinched. His breathing quickened as he spun in place, still finding nothing. His gaze dropped to the river, and that's when he saw it.
There, in the reflection of the rippling water, embedded in the center of his forehead, was a yellow gemstone. The tip of the stone barely broke the surface of his skin, shimmering under the morning sun.
His hands shot up, trembling as his fingers traced over the smooth, unyielding surface. There was no wound. No pain. Just the unsettling presence of something that shouldn't be there.
"H-How is this possible?" he muttered.
The same calm voice responded, "It seems, Mr. Uzumaki-Namikaze, that you have successfully merged with the Infinity Gauntlet."
Naruto sucked in a sharp breath, mind racing. He clenched his fists, trying to steady himself. "Who are you?"
"My apologies for not introducing myself earlier. I am Vision. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Naruto swallowed hard, glancing around once more. "But where are you? I don't see you anywhere."
"I reside within the stone embedded in your forehead. The Mind Stone. It is one of six Infinity Stones."
His stomach churned. "And... what exactly are these stones?"
Vision's voice remained as composed as ever. "Mr. Uzumaki-Namikaze, what you now possess are six of the most powerful artifacts in existence. Each of these stones governs a fundamental aspect of reality—space, time, power, the mind, the soul, and reality itself. Think of them as distinct jutsu, each capable of bending the universe to its will. Individually, they are formidable. Together... they become nearly unstoppable."
Naruto's mouth went dry. He struggled to wrap his mind around what he was hearing. If these stones were so powerful, why was he still alive? Wouldn't they have torn him apart the moment they merged with him? No human should be able to withstand such immense power.
As if reading his thoughts, Vision continued, "Very astute, Mr.—"
"Don't call me 'Mister'!" Naruto snapped, making the nearby birds scatter into the sky. "My name's Naruto."
A brief pause. Then, "Very well, Naruto."
Despite the polite tone, something about Vision's refined mannerisms made Naruto grumble. He crossed his arms. "And why am I still alive?"
"I have analyzed the situation thoroughly. The most logical conclusion is that the Infinity Stones' power weakened significantly when they were pulled from their original universe. The laws of this world operate on different principles, restricting their full capabilities."
Naruto's stomach dropped. "So... they'll lose their power over time?"
He clenched his fists. He had just gotten this incredible gift—this once-in-a-lifetime chance to change his fate. And now it might just slip away?
"Fortunately, no," Vision reassured him. Naruto perked up instantly. "The stones have stabilized since merging with your body. I can sense an active connection to each one, as if they still retain a tether to their original reality."
Naruto's eyes widened. "So that means... I can use them?"
"That is correct."
A slow grin spread across his face. His heart pounded with excitement as he pumped his fist into the air. "That's awesome, dattebayo! I'm gonna be the strongest ninja ever—just watch!"
But before he could celebrate further, Vision's tone turned somber. "A word of caution, Naruto. These stones are not mere tools or weapons. They are the very fabric of existence itself. Even the strongest beings have fallen to their temptation. You are their wielder now, but you must decide what kind of man you will be. Will you use them to protect... or will they consume you?"
Naruto's enthusiasm dimmed slightly at the weight of the warning. He took a deep breath and nodded, his expression turning serious.
"Don't worry, Vision. I just... I want to prove to everyone that I'm not as useless as they think I am. I want to protect my village... and one day, I'm gonna be hokage."
For the first time, Vision's voice carried something that almost sounded like approval.
"A noble ambition. Then let us begin."
✨🟣🔵🟢🟡🔴🟠✨
Naruto basked under the golden summer sun, reveling in the warmth that spread across his skin. A contented sigh escaped his lips as he stretched out on the soft grass, arms folded behind his head. He couldn't help but grin. For the first time in his life, he felt truly special. He had been given an opportunity that no one else in the shinobi world had, and he wasn't about to squander it.
He imagined himself standing tall, the Hokage's hat perched proudly on his head, villagers cheering his name. He would be a better hokage than his father—stronger, wiser, and beloved by all. But just as he was lost in his daydream, a loud, gurgling protest from his stomach pulled him back to reality.
Naruto's eyes popped open, and panic set in. He bolted upright, scanning the clearing before his gaze landed on his clothes drying under the sun.
Namori's going to kill me! His blood ran cold. I didn't go home last night! I missed dinner and breakfast! She must be worried sick!
Without wasting another second, Naruto hastily yanked on his semi-damp clothes, shoved his feet into his shoes, and bolted through the forest at speeds he never thought possible. He weaved effortlessly between trees, his surroundings blurring past him.
How the hell am I this fast?
"Simple, Naruto," Vision's voice chimed in smoothly. "Your body has undergone significant enhancement to accommodate the power of the Infinity Stones. You're stronger, faster, and more perceptive than you were yesterday."
Naruto let out a breathless chuckle as he leaped over a fallen log without breaking stride. "That... actually makes sense," he muttered, bursting out of the tree line and into the bustling streets of Konoha.
The village was alive with its usual midday commotion. Vendors called out their wares, children darted through the streets, and shinobi moved with purpose. Naruto maneuvered through the crowds, taking back alleys to avoid too much attention. The last thing he needed was someone questioning why he had been gone all night.
Soon, the massive gates of the Namikaze-Uzumaki compound loomed ahead. His family's estate was a grand fusion of the two clans—a testament to the unity forged between them after his mother and father married. The Namikaze, hailing from the Fire Capital, had settled in Konoha, while the remaining survivors of Uzushiogakure had been gathered by Kushina Uzumaki herself. Over the years, their numbers had flourished, swelling to over three hundred members. Two-thirds were Namikaze, and the rest bore the Uzumaki name.
"Just a warning," Vision quipped, amusement laced in his tone. "You should refrain from speaking out loud when addressing me. Your fellow clansmen may believe you to be... mentally unstable."
Naruto flushed, his steps faltering slightly. "Oh, great idea. As if they don't already see me as a disgrace." His voice dropped as his shoulders sagged. "I don't need to give them any more reasons to look down on me."
A moment of silence stretched between them before Vision spoke again, his tone more measured. "Another thing—I will place an illusion over the Infinity Stones and your golden arm. Until you are strong enough to defend yourself, it is best to keep them hidden. Many would seek to claim their power."
The Reality Stone flared to life, casting a faint crimson glow that washed over Naruto's arm. The transformation was seamless—his golden limb shifted back into the appearance of normal flesh, and the Mind Stone on his forehead vanished from sight.
Naruto flexed his fingers, marveling at the illusion. "Thanks, Vision. For everything."
"No need to thank me. We are in this together."
Just as Naruto reached the compound gates, a piercing voice shattered the midday calm.
"Naruto! Where have you been, young man?!"
The sheer force of the yell nearly knocked Naruto off his feet. He skidded to a stop, kicking up dirt and dust before he came face-to-face with an irate Namori.
The elderly woman's long crimson hair billowed behind her, mirroring her fiery temper. Her sharp brown eyes locked onto him like a hawk zeroing in on prey. Deep wrinkles lined her face, but they did nothing to soften the sheer force of her fury. Worse still, in her right hand, she brandished a cast-iron frying pan like a weapon of mass destruction.
Naruto gulped. I'm dead.
The two Namikaze guards stationed at the gate barely concealed their smirks, undoubtedly relishing the show about to unfold. To them, Naruto was a disgrace—a black mark on the esteemed Namikaze-Uzumaki clan. Seeing him get scolded was a form of entertainment.
Before Naruto could even consider making a break for it, golden chains shot from Namori's back, wrapping around him like iron shackles.
"W-Wait, Namori-obaasan! I can explain—"
"Oh, I know you can explain, brat. And you're going to explain while helping me peel potatoes for dinner!"
As she dragged him toward the compound, Naruto could only send one last desperate plea through their mental link.
Vision... help...
"I'm afraid you are on your own for this one, Naruto. Best of luck."
Traitor.
*** End of Chapter 1 ***