Chapter 1

The training grounds were drenched in the warm glow of the setting sun as Kenji, a young child, clutched a wooden practice sword tightly. His father, Isshin, stood tall towering above the young child standing across him, his black cascaded down his back and gently swayed in the wind. His chiseled facial features commanded attention, while his broad shoulders exuded strength. A presence that demanded respect, his stature and striking appearance left an indelible impression on all who crossed his path. His stern gaze fixed upon his eager apprentice

The young figure across him strained his neck up and stood against the mountain in front of him. His features an immature copy of the man in front of him, he tightly gripped the wooden sword in his hands and took a deep breath out.

The air was filled with anticipation, crackling with the energy of their impending spar.

"Focus, Kenji," Isshin's voice resounded with authority. "Remember your training. Show me your resolve."

Kenji took a deep breath, steeling himself for the challenge ahead. With a swift motion, he lunged forward, attempting a series of quick strikes. But Isshin, the strict figure, effortlessly deflected each blow, his movements fluid and precise.

"You lack conviction," Isshin commented, a hint of disappointment lacing his words. "Again."

Determined to impress his father, Kenji renewed his efforts. He feigned to the left, then swiftly changed direction, aiming for Isshin's side. Yet, once more, his father blocked the attack effortlessly, leaving Kenji feeling frustrated and inadequate.

"Strength without discipline is futile," Isshin admonished, his voice firm. "You must learn control."

Kenji nodded, his determination fueling his desire to improve. He stepped back, readjusting his stance. With each clash of their wooden swords, Kenji's confidence gradually grew. He observed his father's every move, searching for an opportunity.

Softening his stern expression, Isshin observed his son's progress. Kenji's strikes became more calculated, his footwork more nimble. The resounding clash of their blades echoed through the training grounds, a testament to their unyielding dedication.

The spar persisted, every strike and parry strengthening the bond between father and son. Kenji's skill blossomed with every passing moment, his father's guidance a steadfast pillar of support.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Kenji launched a final attack, pouring his heart and soul into the strike. Yet, Isshin, the epitome of discipline, effortlessly parried the blow, leaving Kenji breathless and in awe.

"Excellent, Kenji," Isshin praised, a proud smile tugging at his lips.

"You possess the potential to become a formidable swordsman. But remember, discipline is paramount. With time and unwavering dedication, you shall master the art of the sword."

"Now go inside and take a bath, your mother was looking for you. Wouldn't want to keep her waiting too long now would you."

Slightly bowing his head towards his father, Kenji put his wooden sword back into the weapon rack and made his way inside towards to the bath.

'Its been 6 years since I found myself here, who would've thought that waiting for me after death was life in a universe I thought to be fictional.'

I don't remember much about my past life, well by much I mean personal details, who I was, what I lived and so on. Guess being born again came with a complete memory wipe to start clean again.

Whilst I don't remember much from my past I do remember the fact that this is the Naruto Universe, or atleast some version of it. Afterall to my knowledge, the clan I'm currently part of didn't exist. I mean I would definitely be aware of it if we did cause we are a pretty vital part of the village.

We stand along side the other big clans like the Uchiha, Hyuga and the Senju making the big trio a quartet.

Our clan is the Zaraki Clan. We're known for our unparalleled strength, wind-based jutsus, huge life force and kenjutsu. But the thing that sets us apart the most is our Kekkei Genkai - Natural Sage. Like the Jugo clan we have the ability to naturally absorb nature energy and transform our bodies into Oni like creatures.

Not everyone in our clan has the ability to absorb nature chakra though, only the main branch has the ability to do so. Whilst we don't go crazy from the passive absorption of nature energy like the Jugo, we do face the possibility of going berserk when completely transformed like they do with only the strongest in our clan being able to do so whilst keeping rationality.

Those who can't absorb nature energy are part of the side branch and whilst they can't transform like we do, they still have all the other advantages and make great use of them. Using their bodies to their advantage they managed to focus on blacksmithing and easily gained a monopoly over it giving our clan a strong foothold in the local economy.

As I walked through the hallway a servant greet me with a warm smile

"Good afternoon Young Master, I trust your spar with your father went well."

"Nothing new, you know how my old man is Yamato, always talking about discipline and the like."

"He does have the best in mind for you" Yamato softly replied

"The bath has already been prepared for you by your mother's instruction, make sure to-"

"Make sure to meet her after I'm done, the old man already told me"

I said as I walked away and wave at Yamato.

As I soak my sweat filled body in the water I close my eyes and think back on my spar with father.

'What could I have done better?' I asked myself.

Pretty much everything I could have tried against my father would have ended in failure, afterall he is the clan head and the strongest in our clan weilding a blade said to trump the blades of the 7 Swordsmen of the Mist. Even though it all would've ended in failure it doesn't mean I didn't see any flaws in our recent spar.

'I've been too direct, perhaps I need to start incorporating more feints into my kenjutsu'

Time soon passed as I washed my body thinking on what I could've done better and I put on the yukata Yamato prepared for me.

The yukata was a royal blue and had our clan symbol embroided into the back - a rising sun peeking over the horizon.

Whilst being part of the Clan heads family came with a bunch of cool stuff, there was definitely one thing I hated, the sheer size of our estate. Walking from the baths by the top left of the estate to the living room in the centre of the house took a solid 5 minutes.

After I finally reach the living room where my mother was, I gently knock on the door and await a response.

"Come in"

Gently pushing the door open I walk in and saw my parents seated in the middle of the room under the kotatsu drinking tea.

In the room a serene ambiance reigned, tatami mats adorned the floor, their woven texture inviting comfort and tranquility. Adorning the walls, a collection of cherished family photos formed a tapestry of memories, capturing generations past and preserving their essence within the traditional setting, creating an atmosphere of nostalgic warmth.

"You made me wait for quite a while, I had to call your father to keep my company or else I would've died from loneliness"

My mother, Unohana, said with her face laced with a false sense of sadness.

"Not that I mind, of course. Now come here and give your mother a hug"

Reaching into my mothers embrace I sat down and made myself comfortable in her lap.

"How was the spar with your father" she asked, her voice calm with a soothing effect

"Same old, though I did see where I could improve. I might even be able to get a clean hit on him next time."

Father looked at me with an amuses expression .

"Tell you what, if you manage to get a clean hit, I'll get Mizuryu to forge a blade just for you"

"Really! A blade from the head of the side branch himself?"

I asked not trying to hide my excitement whatsoever. A blade forged by Mizuryu-san was worth a fortune, not only that but they were of extreme quality too surpassing the works of any other blacksmith in the Village.

"Of course, don't get too excited. You do have to land a hit on me, and you have centuries to go before you can even graze my shadow"

My father said as he ruffled my hair.

The three of us engaged in conversation until my mother brought up why she called me.

"You're going to have a playdate with Sasuke tomorrow, his birthday is coming up and it seemed like his mother would like to have a party with a few allied clans before his official party"

"Do I really have to go, Itachi gives me the creeps."

"Kenji! What a rude thing to say. And yea you do have to go, afterall you aren't going there for Itachi."

Any future arguments were going to be futile since my mother made up her mind.

Getting off her lap I stood up and decided to take a stroll outside.

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