Well this is unexpected

You know that feeling when you wake up and you feel as if you're falling for the briefest of moments? Panic sets in as you flail about, then you finally take in your surroundings. The panic slowly fades away as you feel kinda silly for what just happened. 

Thats how I felt when I did what I once thought impossible.

I opened my eyes.

Now that may seem to be a simple thing for the majority of people, it was quite the impressive feat given I was dead, or at least should have been.

One moment I'm dying, closing my eyes for what I thought to be the last time, next I'm waking up in a hospital bed.

Yes, waking up in a hospital bed should typically be a good thing if you thought you were dead. I didn't think I died. I know I died. I lay there on the ground with injuries that were severe enough to kill me but not so much that I wouldn't have to suffer long. I felt the very sensation of my being dying over what felt like an eternity, but was probably no longer than a few hours.

I had died that much I was certain of.

What wasn't so clear was where I was now along with my new existence as a child.

Getting a look at myself I looked like I didn't have much longer in the world.

Lovely, I get to experience dying in a completely different way… lucky me.

Still very unsure of my situation I feel the panic from earlier slowly building up again.

Closing my eyes I do my best to regain my composure.

Ok… panicking will do nothing but cause myself unnecessary grief, there's a window, I'm going to go look out of it and not panic… ok?

The only source of light was coming from said window. The lights were off, along with all the equipment in the room. While that was odd I didn't ponder on it much longer as I reached my destination, the window.

Outside was… Jesus where am I?

Outside was someplace I did not… wait… no I do know this place, this is the leaf, my home, I was born here.

Memory's not my own flashed through my head, they were blurry, fragmented.

I didn't understand. 

And yet as I recalled them they had a familiarity to them.

No. Stop it.

This train of thought will not help me right now, I can ponder this conundrum later, right now I have some memory of this place that will assist me in understanding my current predicament.

The memories are nearly incomprehensible, impossible to derive any kind of helpful information. It's mostly just emotions and a man whose features I can't make out.

All I know for certain is he's my father.

As I stand there the state of my new body catches up to me as my legs begin to give out, slumping to the ground. I turn so my back is against the wall.

I sit there in silence. Once again I close my eyes and do nothing.

I do nothing for hours, no one comes to check up on me, no nurse, no doctor, no one, just me… alone with my thoughts.

Sitting there I finally allowed myself to stew in all the emotions I was suppressing.

I died.

Now I'm… Akinori?

I've always tried to be a rational person, panicking in my predicament is pointless. Unfortunately I have to admit, this is a lot to take in, so I won't hold it against myself, if I cry just this once.

…

I'm not sure when but I feel asleep. Opening my eyes I was still where I was on the ground. 

Wow not a single person has coem to check on me? Was I in a coma or something?

The room was dark. Seems it's night now. With some difficulty I pull myself to my feet before making my way to the closed door.

Staying in this room will solve nothing.

Standing in front of the door, light form the hallway creeps into the room through the bottom of the door.

Grabbing the door I slowly slide it open. I squint my eyes. The light from the hallway is a little… much.

Leaning out the door I look around the hallway seeing no staff, stepping out of the room I walk slowly down the hall. Seeing things from my new height both feels wrong and normal, like I've always been this height. 

I need to find someone.

As I reach the end of the hallway I turn down another hallway. Turning to make my way down another hall my right legs decide it's done as I put my weight on it. Falling i grab the wall to try and catch myself, with little success.

Ok. I'll… just rest here a bit. I'm sure someone will come along… eventually.

I fortunately don't have to wait long as several staff along with a Shinobi on one of those-

Wait?

A Shinobi, heroes of Konoha. Seems these memories are starting to… integrate? Is that the right word? 

Anyways, as I was saying some staff finally show up and pass right by me as they work to save the Shinobi. One of them did momentarily look at me so all I have to do is wait. 

Eventually someone came to get me and carried me back to my room as walking wasn't happening.

I was also given some water… that I think had something in it as I immediately passed out after drinking it? Or maybe I'm more tired than I realized.

It was daytime the next time I regained consciousness, early morning to be exact. Getting out of bed I move a chair to the window and sit down, my window looks out onto the street below where various shops and one restaurant made up the buildings.

Not sure what they serve in the restaurant but I would love some of whatever it is right now.

I don't remain hungry for long as I'm brought food, it's nothing special, but it still did the job so I wasn't complaining.

I remain awake for a few more hours before succumbing to sleep once again.

This pattern continued for weeks, I wake up for a bit, then slept thrice the time I was awake. I don't really mind, it's not like I have much to do. Plus my dreams were interesting. I dreamt of a man, this man was my father… well Akinori's father. But I suppose I will have to refer to him as my father should he ever come up in conversation.

Fortunately though, he's dead.

Of my new memories, the one where I was informed of my… Akinori's father's passing was clear as day.

I don't have any memories of my mother though, I assume she suffered from whatever condition I seem to have probably didn't survive childbirth. If she did have my condition then perhaps there is hope for me survive to adulthood.

Things are looking up though, my condition has improved, I still sleep a lot though.

Unfortunately this is not something new, in the past it seems Akinori's condition improved only for it to deteriorate again resulting in him ending up back into the hospital

I really hope my condition continues to improve and I stay healthy as there are some things I've seen that I'd like to know more about.

Like this chakra stuff, I've seen the staff use it on multiple occasions. The best way I could describe it would be magic, except unlike magic, chakra exists, actually I wouldn't write off magic, that would be kinda close minded for someone who hasn't awoke in a completely different world after death, so as i'm now concerned, everything is now possible.

The people of this world seem to have an understanding of Chakra and its uses, now all I have to do is put myself in a situation to learn to use it for myself.

I asked the staff lots of questions, most of what I got back wasn't really helpful. Seems they can use Chakra but never sought any deeper understanding. Hopefully this means the barrier of entry is not troublesome and I can learn it.

Well that's not entirely the truth, I did receive some information in regards to a deeper understanding. Although I'm not sure how much of it I'm willing to believe. Now that may sound contradictory given I just said I was open to anything now, it's just… they didn't offer any kind of explanation, just gave me what they've been told and expected me to run with it. I'm sure there's actual truth to what they are saying, but I want to know the why and how.

What I was told went something along the lines of Chakra is made up of a mixture of physical and spiritual energy. While physical energy is pretty easy to wrap my head around spiritual energy… not so much. While the idea of having spiritual energy is the norm for the locals the same cannot be said about me.

To put it simply … I haven't the foggiest clue what spiritual energy was supposed to be.

My thoughts are interrupted by the arrival of a member of the staff who takes quite a few samples from me before leaving me alone with the food they also brought, ooh they brought pudding.

…

Looking at myself in the mirror the state of my body had improved rapidly much to both my own and the staff's surprise.

My recovery was a result of an abundance of Yang energy, which is another name for physical energy. My recovery was fast, too fast, some new members of the staff started to examine me. The original staff avoided the topic when I brought them up, which was concerning.

…

Opening my eyes my entire body feels heavy. I don't recognize my surroundings, I'm not in my room. Sitting up I try to recall the last thing I remember. 

As my surroundings become clearer I notice I have one of those oxygen masks on with tubes connected to a device. Pulling the mask off I get light headed as my sense of balance disappears and I fall off the table thingy I was on.

The commotion must have gotten someone's attention as the last thing I see is someone above me before everything went black.

The next time my eyes open I'm back in my room like nothing ever happened. 

My mind is much clearer now.

I don't feel comfortable here anymore.

…

Something strange has happened. I can… feel people? It's hard to explain, I seem to be able to sense something within everyone, even within myself.

Is… this chakra?

Closing my eyes I try to focus on the strange energy within myself before open my eyes as felt someone at my door, it was a member of the staff, the normal ones.

I debate with myself about telling him, in the end my need for answers prevails and I tell him of this new development.

"You can sense the chakra within me?" He asks.

"Yeah… I can even sense what I'm guessing is ambient chakra from various individuals in the air," I explained.

"Can you sense this?" He says before his chakra starts pulsing at consistent intervals.

"You're pulsing your chakra," I say.

"You're a natural sensor," he explains.

"Natural sensor?" I say hoping for more information.

"Someone who has no prior training can sense chakra. Though I've never heard of someone developing a chakra sensitivity overnight, usually it's a gradual process that the individual doesn't even realize is happening."

"So what does this mean for me?" I ask.

"You could become a sensor-nin," he says.

"Really? Even with my condition?" I ask.

"Akinori." He said before hesitating for a moment, "I believe your condition will not return again, everyday you're better than the day before, a lot better. 

The rate of your recovery is unheard of, I've never seen someone who naturally recovers as quickly as you do. It's hard to believe that not that long ago you were frail and on the verge of death."

Thats… informative.

"So you're saying I should pursue a career as a Shinobi?"

"Sensor-nin are important to the village, natural sensors even more so," he says before leaving me alone with that last tidbit of info.

Becoming a Shinobi is my best chance to gain access to information on Chakra.

But is it really a good idea?

Perhaps there is another way?

…

Where are you?

Currently I was trying to trace back some chakra left over in the air back to its source, with little success. I've been trying to find the source of this chakra for quite some time. At this point, I'm starting to believe they are no longer in the vicinity.

Suddenly a surge of chakra appeared within my room throwing off my concentration while simultaneously causing me to flinch.

In front of me was a Shinobi.

"Sorry about that," said the Shinobi as he grabbed a chair before turning it around and taking a seat.

"State your business," I say, squinting my eyes at him.

This gives rise to a pause within the Shinobi as he seems perplexed by me.

"I have an offer?" He spoke, saying it more like a question than the statement it should have been.

"Cool." I responded.

Examining me the perplexed look fades away as he resumes what he came here for.

"Sozo Akinori."

"That's me."

"Would you like to become a Shinobi?" He asked.

Closing my eyes, I begin to consider his offer before immediately stopping myself.

Why am I even considering refusing his offer? This is exactly what I want, my gateway into the world of chakra. 

I'm doing this.

Opening my eyes I dawn my serious face which looks nearly identical to my normal face, the only difference would be a slight adjustment of the eye brows.

"Sure why not."

After giving my answer he began to inform me on the intricacies of his, or rather the villages offer, I would be given an apartment, a monthly stipend, and would attend the Academy.

All I had to do was sign a piece of paper to make it official.

Signing my fate away, the Shinobi said he would take care of the rest of my enrollment, promising to return when I was discharged from the hospital.

Which hopefully would be sooner rather than later.

I do not like this place.

…

On the day of my discharge from the hospital, the Shinobi from before, who never introduced himself now that I think about it, was waiting for me with an envelope in hand. Offering me the envelope I took it, tied to the envelope was a key with a little piece of paper on it with an address on it.

"I have no clue where this is," I say looking up to him.

Thankfully he offered to walk me to my apartment. On the way he also showed me where the Academy was, which wasn't too far from my place.

Bidding me farewell he left, leaving me alone with my new apartment. The apartment wasn't much, pretty much single room with a small kitchen, and a closet. The only other room was the bathroom, which was equally simple and small.

It was plenty of space, especially for someone of my size.

Flopping onto my bed I drift off to sleep.

I awoke the next day around late afternoon as is tradition.

As I got up I spotted something that wasn't there yesterday, a folder on the kitchen counter.

Well there goes my sense of security… again.

Filing away my concerns for later, I flip through the folder. Seems to be a bunch of information on the Academy. One of the papers inside was addressed to me, it was my schedule, on it was the days and times I was to be at the Academy. 

Looking up from the folder I don't see a calendar, I'll need to buy one.

There was some more stuff in the folder, like an orientation thing and the date of when the Academy started. Unfortunately I did not know what today was so I haven't a clue when these were taking place. 

The orientation I could miss, my first day though was a different matter. 

Grabbing my money I venture out in search of a calendar.

…

Come on… do something.

Holding my hands out I surge Chakra into them hoping for something to happen.

Nothing happens.

I've figured out how to concentrate my Chakra in one area after a bunch of messing around, unfortunately nothing has come of this discovery.

After getting my calendar and finding out what day it was, I found out I had a week before the Academy started.

I did not want to wait a week.

I wanted chakra now.

Giving up on doing shit willy-nilly until something happens I once again venture out, this time in search of the knowledge of chakra.

As fate would have it I found my source… or rather ran right into it… him.

Looking up from my possession on the ground I looked up to see a Shinobi with hair of grayish silver, but what I found most intriguing about him was my inability to sense him.

"Sorry about that," he said, setting down his bags before offering me his hand.

Taking his hand he pulled me to my feet before dusting me off.

"Good as new," he said before picking up his bags, "have a nice day." He spoke with a smile.

I just stand there watching as he begins to walk away.

Why can't I sense him?

I begin to follow him, keeping my distance as I debate how to go about asking him.

As I turned a corner he took moments before I realized I'd somehow lost him.

He was just here?

"Hey," said a voice very close to my right ear.

I flinch away not expecting someone to suddenly be right behind me, let alone speak directly into my ear. 

He chuckles as he looks down at me, "why are you following me?" 

Closing my eyes I take a moment to compose myself before speaking. 

"I was wondering if you wouldn't mind imparting the knowledge of chakra to me?" I ask looking up at him hopefully.

The Shinobi examines me before speaking, "can you feel your chakra?" 

"Yes."

"How old are you?"

"Five."

"Impressive."

"Why thank you, now about my request?"

"Sure… but you have to do something for me first."

"Name it and it shall be done Shinobi-san," I say with conviction in my voice.

This gets a smile out of him 

"Tell me your name."

"Oh… Sozo Akinori, at your service," I say with a little bow.

"Nice to meet you Sozo Akinori, I'm Hatake Sakumo."

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hello if this is your first time reading my story I am currently rewriting and likely will be for some time. I'm still releasing new chapters so don't worry, this stories not dead.