Warring States Era

'URGH... What the hell happened?'

When he regained consciousness, darkness surrounded Tatsuo. There was nothing but void all around him.

"What... Where the he-"

Before he could finish his sentence, an ethereal blue flame lit up in the distance.

Startled, he took a step back. It felt like it was calling him.

Tatsuo seemed to have lost control over all his actions as he walked towards the flame, step by step.

After reaching it, he felt like it was sucking away his energy at a tremendous rate, which woke him up from his trance.

"Stop! I'm going to-"

Suddenly, he blacked out once again.

——————————————————————————————

...

For the third time since his death, Tatsuo woke up in a different place. In front of him was an unfamiliar ceiling.

"That blue flame... Was it just a dream? Whatever... No use thinking too hard about it."

Raising his head, the first thing he noticed was the look of the room he was in. Everything about it, from the walls to the Tatami screamed Japanese.

This was as traditional as you could get, almost as if he went back in time.

"Back in time..."

Suddenly, Tatsuo remembered the clothes of the man he killed. Under the strange armor, the man wore something similar to a kimono.

Not to mention that he held a Katana on his hip.

"No... It wouldn't make any sense. That man used magic, which confirmed my theory. I have definitely reincarnated into a different world."

Thinking this far, Tatsuo started to get a headache. If this was a new world, he would have to start from zero.

Suddenly, the door slid open and Tatsuo saw the girl he had saved. Inspecting her, he noticed that she was quite the beauty.

Her hair was dark, but had a certain glow to it. She wore a set of traditional Japanese clothing.

"Oh! You're awake!"

After gasping in surprise, the girl dropped the bandages she was holding and ran away, leaving Tatsuo confused.

Seeing the bandages on the floor, he felt his back flare up. 

"Shit. That 'ninja' guy really did a number on me."

Now that he became aware of it, the pain only got worse. 

As he tried to suppress it, the girl suddenly reappeared at the door. This time, a burly-looking man accompanied her. His features were just like hers.

"Dad! He's awake!"

Seeing Tatsuo, the man took a deep breath and immediately performed the deepest Dogeza he could muster.

"My sincere apologies! Thank you, hero, for saving my daughter! I am indebted to you for the rest of my life!"

"Dad!"

Seeing her father this way, the girl panicked and tried to help him up. He refused to budge.

Tatsuo just stared at the man, without knowing how to respond. He just helped the girl because it would weigh on his conscience if he didn't. It wasn't like he was some kind of hero.

"Please get up... Were you the one that sheltered me while I was unconscious? If so, thank you very much."

Hearing Tatsuo, the man raised his head and sat on his knees, signaling for his daughter to do the same.

"What I did was nothing compared to you saving my daughter. If there is anything you need, as long as it is in my power, I shall deliver!"

The man's words sparked an idea inside Tatsuo's head. It was convenient that this stranger was indebted to him.

...

"My name is Atsushi, and my daughter is called Aiko. Forgive me for asking, but, may we know your name?"

"You can call me Tatsuo."

"I see, Tatsuo-san. A good name."

Although he was put off by the sudden use of honorifics, Tatsuo didn't really mind at all, so he played along.

"Atsushi-san, you said you would do anything for me. If that's the case, I have a few things to ask of you... If you don't mind."

Hearing this, Atsushi felt like a burden was lifted off his shoulders. Thankfully, he could repay this boy, even if it was just a little. Smiling, he asked Aiko to get tea.

"As long as it's in my power, ask away."

Receiving the go-ahead, Tatsuo started thinking about what he needed at the moment.

"First, I would like to live here for a while. At least until I get my own place... Is that okay?"

"No problem! You can stay here for as long as you want."

Atsushi's answer caused Tatsuo to sigh in relief. At least he wouldn't have to sleep in a cave for the foreseeable future. He was worried that this request would not be accepted.

Judging by the room he was in, he could tell that these people were pretty well off. Although they didn't look rich.

'They must have a library of some sort...'

Tatsuo thought for a while before naming his second request.

"Next. If you have any, can I make use of your educational resources? By that I mean history documents and other similar materials."

This question made Atsushi stare at the young man in confusion, after which he quickly regained his composure.

"That's not a problem... May I ask why though?"

"I have my reasons. Also, could you tell me where we are?"

Atsushi couldn't help but make a 'you don't even know that?' Face after hearing Tatsuo's question.

"I guess I can..."

After this, both of them took part in a conversation that lasted for almost an hour. While speaking, they sometimes drank tea that Aiko brought back.

Thanks to this, Tatsuo learned quite a few things. Enough to make him consider if this was all a dream.

The world was divided into many small countries. All of them had a Daimyō ruling it. Because of the constant war, territories expanded and contracted rapidly, leading to many countries vanishing over time.

So far, everything was just like the Sengoku Period in japan.

Now the interesting bit:

Apparently, he was in a world where some sort of energy called chakra permeates the air. This 'chakra' can do things that would seem like nonsense to someone from his world.

The ones who use this energy are called ninja, and they mainly use it for combat.

Ninja are split into family clans, each clan having a specialty. They mainly work as mercenaries, hired by countries that want the upper hand in war.

Using ninja against normal soldiers will pretty much always guarantee victory.

Tatsuo was in a middle-sized country, in the north-eastern part of the massive continent. Atsushi was apparently a Samurai, the highest rank after Daimyō, the Shogun and the Emperor. Although he doubted that the latter two existed in this world.

He had his own village and also commanded a small army. It seemed like the country they were in was relatively peaceful.

Although they waged war, it wasn't constant like in other places. Tatsuo sighed in relief hearing that.

Although he loved fighting and craved a challenge, it wasn't the same when his life was in danger. He wasn't stupid and knew he'd have to get stronger to survive in this world.

'My main objective right now is to recover from my injuries whilst I learn more about this world. Once I'm fully healed, I'll start training again."

He was confident that he could take on most soldiers with his current abilities. Atsushi was a Samurai, but he still felt like he had a chance. The problem was the ninja. 

'Should I become a ninja? It sure is appealing to perform such techniques, like that man did.'

Tatsuo thought of the wind blast that made a crater on the ground. He craved that sort of strength.

'That's it. I'll become a ninja.'

Making up his mind, he asked one last question to the now leaving Atsushi.

"Atsushi-san, is there any way to become a ninja if you aren't born into a clan?"

Hearing the young man's question, Atsushi pondered briefly before answering.

"There is, but it's hard. Some clans hold exams to join their ranks, where they test elemental affinity, strength, intelligence and potential. Getting in is hard, and few make it."

"Even if they become part of the clan, these ninja are treated as outcasts, and are only taught the very basics... Never really learning the clan's secret techniques. They-"

Tatsuo could only sigh as he connected the dots by himself.

"They become cannon fodder in war..."

…

"Sadly, yes. But there are... Exceptions."

This made Satsuo jerk his head back up. Having caught his attention, Atsushi continued.

"There have been cases where the individual's talent was so great, that he or she was married into the clan, becoming an official member, and learning their secret techniques."

These words reignited the flame inside Satsuo's stomach.

Seeing him get all excited, Atsushi sighed and threw a bucket of cold water over the young man's head.

"Alas, this almost doesn't happen anymore... If it does, they usually place a life-seal on your body. To prevent you from running away with secret techniques. Some unlucky clans were taken out because of this."

Hearing this, Tatsuo thanked Atsushi for his time and let the man go. There was a lot to think about now.

"Call me if you need anything. A maid will come by now and then to tend to your needs. Get well soon."

After saying this, Atsushi and Aiko left, shutting the door behind them.

...

'Ahh... I guess it would never be that easy... What did I expect.'