1 "The Beginning After The End."

Shinjuku Gyoen, one of the largest and the most beautiful parks in Tokyo was crowded with many people as usual.

The lively atmosphere created by the chatter of children and the laughter of the adults was further amplified by the Sakura trees that were blooming like bright stars.

But, at one of the corners of the park, there was a man; he was lonely, sitting on a bench in front of the lake with a book in his hand while a huge Sakura tree shadowed him.

He looked to be around in his thirties or older, it was hard to discern because of his dull puffy eyes and wrinkled circles which wasn't the result of age catching up to him.

His brown hair was glistening under the sunlight, which escaped from the huge Sakura tree that shadowed him.

Suddenly, a couple of sakura petals fell from the tree. The man turned his head slightly above and glanced at them with a solemn gaze.

"It is said that the cherry blossom marks the beginning of a new life, hope, and dream. I wonder if there will be a new hope or a dream for me somewhere."

He stared at the tree seemingly wondering about the beauty of nature. With each breath, he inhaled the scent of the cherry blossoms while his dull eyes quivered slightly.

He kept staring at the tree for a couple of more minutes before turning his eyes in front of him.

Four kids were playing there. They kept doing some strange gestures with their hands and uttered some eccentric names, presumably of a technique.

"Naruto!? It sure brings back memories. I should start watching the new episodes of the 'Boruto' if I get some time." He sighed.

He checked his watch and folded the book that he decided to read, up until now. He got up from the chair and when he took his first step to begin his long and arduous walk, he suddenly felt immense pain coming from the left side of his chest. All of a sudden, he lost all his strength and fell to the ground.

THUD!

The abrupt fall seem to do nothing to his sturdy body but the sharp pain he kept feeling from his chest didn't show any signs of stopping.

It felt to him like a claw of suffocation was crawling up his throat and it was getting difficult for him to breathe with each second passing. His vision began to get blurry and he found his lips unmoving.

'Haah! I guess this is it for me. What a pitiful life I've led! pitiful indeed. I hope if I get a next life, I will–

ʼHaah! As if that'll ever happen.'He lamented his situation more than ever.

He could feel the sour dirt in his mouth maybe for the last time ever. His sight which was blurred before got engulfed in darkness. His consciousness started to fade away and a teardrop was visible at the corner of his eye.

Tanzaku Gai, Local hospital.

In the hospital's maternity section, a woman was trying her best to not faint because of the immense labor pain she was dealing with. The midwives surrounding her were trying to assist her in the process.

Soon, the pain that the woman felt was reduced, and the entire room was filled with the wailing of a newborn.

"Congratulations! Lady Kazuya. It's a boy, and he's completely healthy; well, he's kind of curious though." One of the nurses giggled holding the baby and commented on the infant's gaze that was unmoving from its centre of focus, the nurse.

Suddenly, A man who looked to be in his 30s opened the door of the room with a large 'thud' sound; he came running to the woman lying on the hospital bed, his strong face covered with sweat and the constant anxiety made him look extremely worn down.

"Kazuya, are you alright!? Are you feeling pain anywhere?" the man seemed worried for the woman as he crouched down beside her and inquired.

"Of course, I am feeling pain, you idiot! And why did you open the door that loudly? You'll scare my baby!" Kazuya who was getting healed by one of the nurses used one of her free hands to push aside her husband.

The nurse who was holding the baby went to Kazuya and slowly handed the baby to her.

"Wow! Look at him Kyo, he's so precious! He has such curious eyes. Look at his beautiful, black hair and these soft little hands! I'm pretty sure he'll grow up to be a handsome child!"

Kazuya gently held the baby and looked at him with affection. Her eyes were filled with teardrops and her hand kept caressing the soft hair of the infant.

"Yes, honey, I'm sure he will. He'll be strong too."

"Then shall we name him on what we decided if the baby were to be a boy?"

"Yes! He shall be named Karna, Karna Yagami."

Kyo, Karna's father, declared as he and his wife looked at Karna with all the love one can muster up. While all this was happening, the child in question was trying to gawk at them but his eyes won't open.

'What the fuck are they talking about? No! That's not important right now. Did I get reborn? But where am I? It seems to be old 'Japan' from how the people are talking. I can't see anything except for shadows; so, I don't know where I am.

'From the previous conversation, it seems that the woman who is holding me is my mother. Then the guy who named me must be my father. They sure sound all lovey-dovey, but why the fuck did I have to have new parents?'

Karna, the infant, tried his best to see through his eyes but shadows were the only things he could perceive.

Mount Myoboku, 1:20 am

In a large hall, a giant frog was sitting on what one would assume to be a throne. Suddenly, its large orange body moved, and its eyes shot open without any warning.

Its feral, yet old mouth quivered as it began to mutter, "The prophecy has been changed, and soon a new tale will be born. The tale of the strongest ever."

Its excitement and the sudden epiphany was as short-lasting as a flies life. The frog, done with his inaudible muttering went back to sleep.

Unknown place, Unknown time.

"Itsksz..... haskzk.....cHa...nged." An indiscernible voice rang out in an unknown void.