New world

Takeshi's eyes fluttered open, his consciousness slowly returning from the void. The first thing he noticed was the cold, damp air surrounding him. As his vision cleared, he realized he was in a dark, cavernous space. Shadows flickered along the jagged walls, and the distant sound of dripping water echoed through the chamber.

"Where am I?" he thought, his mind still foggy from the strange experiences he had just endured. He tried to move, but something felt off. His perspective was unusually high, and he felt an unfamiliar weight and bulk to his body.

Confused, Takeshi looked down and gasped in shock. Instead of his familiar human form, he saw massive, scaly limbs ending in sharp claws. His body was covered in dark, glistening scales, and when he craned his neck, he saw a long, sinuous tail stretching out behind him.

"What the hell? Am I... a dragon?" he muttered, his voice a deep, resonant rumble that echoed through the cave. Panic surged through him as he tried to comprehend his new form. He flexed his claws experimentally, feeling the power in each movement.

"This can't be real," he thought, his mind racing. "I must be dreaming. There's no way this is happening."

Desperately, Takeshi tried to piece together his memories. The truck, the darkness, the strange announcements—they all seemed like fragments of another life. But here he was, in a dark cave, inhabiting the body of a dragon.

"Okay, calm down," he told himself, taking a deep breath. "Think, Takeshi. There has to be some explanation for this."

He tried to move forward, his new limbs feeling awkward and ungainly. With a few tentative steps, he managed to navigate the uneven ground, the sound of his claws scraping against the stone. As he moved, he caught glimpses of his reflection in pools of water scattered around the cave. The sight of his massive, dragon-like form was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

"I need to figure out what's going on," he thought, determination replacing his initial panic. "There has to be a way out of this cave, and maybe some answers beyond."

As Takeshi continued to explore the cave, he moved cautiously, trying to adjust to his new form. Each step was deliberate, his claws scraping against the stone floor, echoing in the vast, dark space. The flickering shadows played tricks on his mind, but he pressed on, determined to find a way out.

Suddenly, his head bumped into something hard yet unseen. "What the hell is this?" he thought, pulling back in surprise. He squinted, trying to make sense of the translucent barrier that shimmered faintly before him. Slowly, he reached out a clawed hand and touched the layer, feeling a slight resistance.

{ It is the [Infinite Prison] deployed by the masked hero } 

a mechanical voice rang inside his head, startling him.

"Is that so," Takeshi muttered, instinctively responding to the unexpected information.

"Huh? Wait, wait, who the heck might you be?" he asked aloud, his voice echoing in the confined space.

{ I am your Unique Skill: Investigator} 

the mechanical voice responded, calm and unfeeling.Takeshi blinked, trying to process the sudden influx of information.

 "Unique Skill? Investigator?" he repeated, confusion evident in his tone.

{ Correct. I provide analysis and information based on observed phenomena } the voice explained.

As Takeshi continued to examine the translucent wall, he couldn't help but wonder about the strange mechanical voice that had spoken to him.

"With 'skill,' you mean special power?" Takeshi asked, waiting for the voice's reply.

{Yes} the voice replied.

"Wait, wait. I think I've heard this name before," Takeshi thought, the pieces of the puzzle starting to come together. "Yes, it was in 'Tensura.' How could I forget about it?"

Excitement surged through him as he looked down at his dragon body. "Hey, can you tell me my name?" he asked, an odd smile spreading across his dragon face.

{ You are the Storm Dragon Veldora} the mechanical voice said.

"Bingo!" Takeshi shouted, jumping up in joy. He didn't just reincarnate into one of his favorite manga; he was also one of its strongest characters. The realization filled him with an exuberant thrill. 

After celebrating for a moment, his mind returned to the translucent layer blocking his way. "Well, though I'm very strong now, I'm not in a very good position right now, am I?" Takeshi thought.

"Say, Investigator, how much time has passed since I have been sealed by the hero?" asked Takeshi.

{290 years, 1 month, and 7 days} the mechanical voice replied.