I'm out—I finally made it out! Ginji screamed inwardly. He never could have imagined just how exhausting it would be simply to open his eyes… It felt as if he had to summon all his strength before he could barely get his eyelids apart.
What greeted him was... a gigantic human head? That's right, the very first thing Ginji saw was a human head as large as his own body. Damn, he thought, I really must have ended up in hell. Only in hell would there be giants this enormous. Looks like I'm as good as dead—no, not just dead; I'll be obliterated, Ginji mocked himself inside. He figured the "giant" in front of him had come to eat him. Well, if I'm going to die, I might as well get a good look at hell. Ginji studied the "giant" holding him in their arms. The giant had thick, black, shoulder-length hair that fell loosely behind the head, giving an easygoing air. But paired with those jet-black, powerful eyes, there was unmistakable authority—clearly someone in a position of power. Ginji, despite living a tough former life, had always trusted his judgment of people. Sigh! he thought. Besides being a giant, is there really any difference from a normal person?
As Ginji searched for something about the 'giant' that was distinctively inhuman, the giant turned to the young woman lying on the bed and said, "Lord Mikoto, look at our youngest son! So full of spirit—his little eyes just keep darting everywhere. He's clearly going to be a handful."
Ginji followed the giant's gaze to the right. Beautiful, he mused admiringly. "He really is a little mischief-maker—he's given his poor mother a tough time even before he was born!" the lovely young woman agreed, then turned her attention to Ginji, who was now looking around the room in wonder.
Wait… They were speaking Japanese! Ginji glanced around the room. The beautiful woman lay on a mat—what in his former world would be called a tatami. Japan, Ginji confirmed again to himself. He looked down at his own body; he realized, with shock, that he'd become a baby. That's right—a baby! That meant the middle-aged man was his father, and the beautiful woman was his mother. It wasn't that they were too big—it was Ginji who was so small. Everything finally added up. He must have either reincarnated or crossed into another world. He'd imagined scenarios like this while reading novels, fancied being like those protagonists who wake up in a new era or universe—but never did he really expect such impossibility to fall on him. Ginji wondered: did I reincarnate into a Japanese family on Earth, or did I cross into an alternate universe just resembling Japan? As his mind circled this question, his new mother spoke again.
"Honey, let's name him Sasuke, shall we? Full name, Sasuke Uchiha. Oh yes, his brother Itachi picked Sasuke's name before he left on a mission."
The young woman took baby Sasuke from the middle-aged man and spoke casually. "Looks like Itachi really does care about his little brother."
"That's right," Fugaku replied. "Even before Sasuke was born, Itachi was always coming by to ask about his sibling." The young woman reminisced.
Sasuke, Itachi—those names… Why do they sound so familiar? Ginji repeated them over and over in his mind. Sasuke, Itachi… Could this be… Hokage?
In his previous life, Ginji had spent plenty of time reading novels and comics. Naruto was a fan favorite, and of course Ginji had read it. Before he died, he remembered the manga wasn't even finished yet. but after so many episodes, he could easily pick up names like Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, Sasuke, Itachi… just like anyone who watched enough Japanese romance dramas and could pick out key phrases. He hadn't finished the series—he'd only seen up to the start of the Fourth Great Ninja War. Still, if he wasn't hopelessly untalented, with his knowledge of the plot he should have no problem becoming a powerful ninja, he told himself. Ginji started daydreaming about wandering the world as a mighty shinobi.
No, wait—Sasuke, Sasuke… could I actually be… Ginji froze inside. Am I destined to be the number two male protagonist? That miserable Sasuke? The one who lost his entire clan at six because of his own brother, who was kidnapped by that freak Orochimaru at twelve, who finally got revenge at sixteen only to learn his brother sacrificed everything for him, then was manipulated by some masked villain named Tobi… An unbelievably tragic life—one spent almost entirely in deception, never truly in control of his own fate. I couldn't control my life in my past world, and now it's the same again, Ginji mocked himself. No—he shouted inside—before dying last time, I swore: If there's another life, I won't seek to rule the world, but I swear my own destiny will be mine alone! If I'm Sasuke now, then I'll change your fate. From now on, I am Sasuke. Sasuke Uchiha. I need to become strong, and fast—I can't end up powerless at death's door ever again.
Sasuke clenched his tiny fists in determination.
"Mikoto, you take a good rest now. I've got some business to attend to, but I'll come see you again tonight," Fugaku said as he headed for the door. Sasuke, who was busy planning for his new life, had his thoughts interrupted by the voice. He raised his tiny head and watched as Fugaku Uchiha walked away. That's my father? No wonder he leads the Uchiha clan—he carries himself with so much more presence than any of the gang bosses from my previous life. As Fugaku's back disappeared, Sasuke bowed his head and returned to his thoughts.
"Father-sama," a gentle voice called.
"Itachi, go see your mother. She's just given you a baby brother.When you're done, come to my study; I have something to discuss." Fugaku beckoned as he walked out.
"Yes, Father-sama," Itachi replied, keeping his head respectfully lowered.
Only after Fugaku had left did he look up and go inside.
Hearing this exchange, Sasuke recognized it immediately—this was the famous brother complex, Itachi Uchiha, from the Naruto story. Strangely, their conversation didn't sound like father and son, but more like boss and subordinate. From this, Sasuke guessed the relationship between Itachi and Fugaku was rather distant.
"Mother-sama," Itachi greeted Mikoto Uchiha.
"Itachi, you must call me Mother, not 'Mother-sama,' understood?" Mikoto gently corrected.
"Yes, Mother." Itachi answered quietly, still keeping his head lowered.
"Oh, you're impossible, Itachi," Mikoto smiled warmly. "Come take a look at your brother. He's even got the name you chose for him—Sasuke Uchiha."
Following Mikoto's gaze, Itachi looked down at little Sasuke. Large, shimmering eyes stared back up—so this is Itachi, Sasuke thought. Just as handsome as in the manga, still in black ninja garb, and with that perpetually expressionless face. In his mind, Sasuke thought.
"Itachi, you must protect your brother—don't let anything happen to him."
Mikoto turned to Itachi.
"Yes, Mother. I won't let Sasuke ever be harmed," Itachi answered, full of determination.