Rebirth in Toriko

Unknown Country:

Abandoned Dark Alley:

A small figure stared up at the star-filled night sky with excitement, hope, and a desperate hunger.

A future full of adventure and his formerly impossible dreams was so close he could taste it.

Everything started from this one moment.

He engraved this sight into his mind so he would never forget it.

*Slam*

{Bang}

In his adrenaline rush of excitement, the figure slammed his hand against the alley's wall only to register the pain and remember where he was.

He looked at the wall he hit.

'That's a dirty wall.'

Blank eyes moved down to stare at a small and lightly scared hand covered in filth.

The eyebrows above those blank eyes began to twitch upon noticing one specific detail.

'There was dry semen on this wall…..'

The memorable moment of his new life was forever branded in his memory as he desperately scrubbed his hand on the dirt ground.

"FUCK!" (???)

Flashback: 30 Minutes Ago:

A small child limped into a dark alley, placed his back against the wall, and slid down onto the ground.

The figure was deathly skinny and could barely move.

He had white hair and golden eyes.

The boy was dying from starvation.

All he managed to do was tilt his head up to look at the night sky with empty eyes and have one last thought.

'I just want this pain to end.'

His eyes slowly closed, and as if answering his prayers, the pain slowly receded. However, as his consciousness faded, so to did his life.

The young boy's soul passed on after much suffering to re-enter the boundless cycle of life.

A few seconds passed before the body left behind began to glow in a white light so bright that, if anyone had been in the vicinity, they would have been rushed over to see what happened or ran away in fear of getting involved.

*Gasp!*

With a large gasp of air, the boy's eyes opened once more, but there was a different light behind those eyes.

MC POV:

'Ugh….my head! What the hell just happened?'

I felt like I just lost a fight with John Wick and lived.

I took a look around with bleary eyes that were slowly clearing up.

'I'm in a….dark alley?'

I tried to stand up only to lose my balance and fall back on my ass.

'The hell?! What's wrong with me?'

I looked down at my body and froze.

Short and skinny arms, short and thin legs, a small torso….and I'm covered in rags…

'WTF!? Where am I!? No! Calm down. Calm down. Focus. Analyze.'

I immediately slammed down on the confusion and fear bubbling up and forced myself to think rationally.

It was a unique ability of mine that got me through 25 years of my life.

Adaptability. It was my blessing and my curse.

I stopped trying to move and dug through my memories.

'The last thing I remember was….? Oh! That's right! A truck almost hit some weird fat lady who ran up to it screaming 'For the cat shouta's' with her arms open wide and I saved that other young woman from that high speed flying truck tire that flew off after it crashed! After that, …nothing.'

The cold realization hit me and yet…I strangely felt myself calming down.

I smiled wryly

'Ha, it's not like I had much to live for, I just hope that young woman survived.'

"ARG!!"

Just then, a sudden pain hit me, and it felt like my brain was being hit with a hammer.

I fell on my side and curled into the fetal pose.

'What is this??…what are these memories?!?'

Memories flooded into my mind.

Pain. Suffering. Solitude. Hunger. Emptiness. Extreme Hunger. Despair. Ravenous HUNGER!

The first few years were blurry, but the more recent ones were hell.

I tried to focus on the main points and push everything else down to get my bearings.

After a few minutes, the pain seemed to recede a bit.

'*Huff* *Huff* That was awful…according to these memories, I am living in a city that is being used as a warzone between two countries. This city is full of homeless people with barely any supplies.

What I assume were my parents died in an explosion years ago, and I have been living on the streets as a thief scavenging for food since.

The last few years were a hell of watching others starve, watching others die in the decade long war, and doing everything possible for a homeless child to survive.

The most prominent memories are the ones filled with hunger pain. Extreme hunger. A hunger that overwhelms all logical thoughts.

And I thought my life was bad, this one is hell!!'

I adjusted my sitting position with my back against the wall and just realized something else.

There was a bright pink envelope stuck to my chest.

'How did I miss that?'

I pulled it off and examined it for second with caution before shrugging and opening it.

'Not like I have much to worry about at the moment.'

-

[Dear &%*#,

I hope you have arrived and settled into your new body safely.

As you should have realized by now, you died.

I have a specific system in place that guides souls with enough positive karma and strong desires to me to be sorted.

We used to use an incredibly inefficient system of meeting face to face, but I'm getting off track.

Your death was for a noble cause, and you saved that young woman from that tire, she went on to live a full life and cherished your sacrifice for her. However, I have good and bad news for you.

The good news is that the woman you saved dedicated her life to helping others, and she drastically changed the future of your planet for the better!

The bad news is….karma doesn't work the way you're probably thinking.

That young woman's positive karma solely belonged to her, so you don't get some mind-boggling amount of karma to buy world breaking anime powers with.

Honestly, it gives me a headache to see those otakus and other such groups deliberately searching for trucks to hit them and whisk them away to new worlds where they can have harems and easy powers.

I did that for like one guy! One time! And then everyone wants it too….

And they all get caught in my system like fruit flies in the summer!

*Cough*, I am getting off track again.

Anyway, you did earn enough positive karma to qualify but…just barely.

After many annoying souls kept bugging me, I created a 'beginners wish package' for those with enough positive karma and deep desires for an Isekai experience.

The package scans the soul for the most compatible anime or such other world and sends them to replace a soul that has just passed on from a young body by random. It then adapts to benefit the soul based on the world they enter.

Since you just barely qualified, I will be giving you one of the earlier models I made, it has a few bugs in it.

You have entered the world of your dreams, the Toriko world!

Unfortunately, you have replaced a young eight-year-old orphan boy who died from starvation in a war-torn nameless city.

Due to this, I will compensate you with a single unique opportunity, whether you grasp it or not is up to you, I won't hold your hand. It will be shown as a mission.

Now, the beginner's package has a few other benefits to help you get started.

Due to the world you are in, you are granted a very basic style system.

The first thing it has is a downgraded 'Observe' function.

Because it's the Toriko world, it will allow you to possess a level as well as see the levels of other humans and beasts. You will be able to see a stamina bar, a basic danger rating, and a note based on things you already have information on.

You will be able to monitor your stamina as well as some necessary information such as known skills, and a few small things.

No stats, points, items, inventory, skill levels, AI, or any of that nonsense.

You do not have gourmet cells, you needed a much higher karma limit to be granted that.

Without gourmet cells, you will quickly reach the human limit, but I will let you figure out the specifics for yourself.

The good news is, the body you entered has an extremely high level of instincts and reflexes, it's mostly dormant at this time.

As a final gift, I added two functions to your system because I slightly admired your will power in your previous life.

The first is a note section where you can mentally write down information only accessible to you. You can customize it as you please with keyword searching and such. It is not almighty though; you have to search for everything manually as well as actually write down the note for it to be saved. It will not scan your memories and update automatically.

This will also benefit your 'observe' function since the more you know, the more it can show you.

The second is a simple clock and compass that isn't affected by magnetic disruptions. I felt it would be useful in that world.

Enjoy your new life &%*#.

I wish you the best.

God.]

Immediately after reading it, the letter burst into flames, and a virtual loading bar appeared in front of my eyes.

[Loading….30%.....70%....100%.]

{Ding!}

When it finished, I heard a slight ding sound before my vision seemed to blur.

When it cleared up, I could see new things at the edge of my sight.

A text box appeared in front of me.

[Welcome to your new life!

This is the beginner's wish package system.

This is a recorded message and not a system AI, we had enough of you otaku's breaking universes or trying to make a body for the AI to inhabit to have sex with it.

To your upper left, you will see a stamina bar for yourself. You can find out the specifics of how it works for yourself.

Beneath that bar, you will see a drop-down menu.

The menu contains tabs to show you basic information.

-Profile. (AN: No stats)

-Skills. (AN: No levels)

-Missions. (AN: No EXP gain or special rewards.)

-Notes.

-Settings.

Settings will allow you to toggle your clock, compass, and the observe function if you do not want them always on.

To the lower left of your sight, you will see the clock and compass.

The missions will be updated automatically when necessary.

Observe is set to always be on.

This is the end of the message, please enjoy your new life and try not to die!]

The text box vanished after I finished, and I finally had a moment to think.

'So, to take stock of this situation.

I died, and I'm in a new body.

The body is an eight-year-old orphan in a war-torn city with dormant high leveled instincts and reflexes.

Mix that with my original adaptability, and I have a great combination.

I'm in my favorite anime dream world, the Toriko world!

I don't know when or where I am.

I have a nerfed system, but that's ok, I would rather rely on myself then see the real world as a game.

With my original memories mixed with the horror of this body's memories, I have no interest in hiding in ignorance.

The world is a cruel and bloody place. I saw the civilized side of it, and this body has seen too much death and suffering from the brutal truth side of it.

I guess that's why I'm not freaking out right now.'

With a grunt and some exertion, I stood up on shaky legs and looked up at the star-filled sky.

My golden eyes shined like gems with a long-dormant volcano of emotions beginning to stir deep inside.

Back to the present:

After creating enough friction to burn my hand, I stopped wasting energy and decided to check my system.

I thought about it, and it seemed like I could make the icons at the corner of my vision disappear if I didn't want them.

I looked at the clock showing 9:40PM, and the compass and the bottom left of my sight.

'I guess I should be thankful for what I have. This world has insane environments, and a compass that can't be affected will be incredibly useful, as well as a clock.'

I opened the menu and looked at the options before indicating the Profile tab.

[Profile:

Name: ______

Age: 8 Sex: M Weight: 47 lb. Height: 55.5"

Hair color: White Eye color: Gold

Level: 0 Condition: Weakened (Starved)

Remarks: You have 12 hours left before your body dies from starvation, you might want to stop wasting energy, or don't, it's only painful death.]

I felt my eyebrow twitch at the remark but otherwise ignored it and noticed a few things.

'I have white hair and gold eyes? Huh, that's pretty cool. It seems like my starvation is affecting my weight and stamina.

And my name? Wait….what was my name?'

I scrunched up my face trying to remember and realized something.

'So, my past life name and this life name is gone, I guess I get to choose a new one? Well, new life, new name.

My goal is to be a hunter, so I'll keep it simple. Ryoshi means 'Hunter', I can shorten it to Ryo. R-Y-O, yeah, I like that. (AN: I couldn't decide! The name choice held me up for waaay to long. It was between Ryo - hunter, Sei – survivor, Gaara, and a few others. Let me know in the reviews if you guys have a better name or if you like 'Gaara'. Its still safe to change it up.)

Let's go with that.'

After choosing a name, my profile got updated.

[Name: Ryo]

'Convenient.'

With that set, I moved on to skills.

[Skills:

Mental adaptability.

Instinct. (90% locked)

Advanced Reflexes. (90% locked)]

'I guess my personal trait for adaptability manifested as a skill. And my new body can't make use of most of its potential.'

I skipped over missions for the moment and saw that notes were empty.

Notes were similar to a sticky note pad that floated around me.

I could read the information mentally or look directly at it to read.

Settings were next, and it allowed me to toggle different view settings.

Observe, clock, compass, and a few other things were all left on.

Done with that, I looked back at missions.

I skipped over it because it had a red #1 on it like a notification.

[Missions:

Gourmet Cell Missions. (Locked) ]

'That makes sense, I need gourmet cells to unlock that. I have no idea what kind of missions I will have to do though.'

I kept reading.

[Unique Missions:

-Unique Opportunity: Survival!

Description: To compensate you for the situation you woke up in, God has given you an opportunity.

In one hour, the homeless district will be caught in the attack of one of the two warring countries currently using this city as a battleground.

You are starving, weak, and less than half a day away from dying.

Survive the assault!

Reward: Food.

Special Opportunity: Hidden.

Remark: You have 8/10 chances of dying. Having an Isekai experience is fun, right? 😊]

'Was that remark necessary!?'

I couldn't help but inwardly scream before sighing.

"*Sigh* So, I just have to survive? I don't know how to activate the hidden opportunity, but I do know that my position right now isn't ideal for survival. Let's get to a higher vantage point."

Through the settings, I found that I could set an alarm that would ring in my head on my clock and set it for 55 minutes.

With a grunt of effort, I managed to get myself back on my feet.

I shivered slightly at the feel of the cold wind on my skinny frame, but I shook it off and began trudging forward, one shaky step at a time.

My mind briefly drifted to thoughts on my previous life, no need for a long and detailed story here, I was a simple man.

I led a simple life, I grew up, I studied, I had hobbies including outdoor things such as camping and hunting as well as watching a few anime, I had a few girlfriends, I worked in a tedious job, and then I died. Nothing notable or fancy. If there was one thing to point out, it would be that no matter how old I was, I always felt trapped.

Society had rules and laws, money was power, status was power, the world was a prison for everyone not part of the small percentage who got to the top through luck, wisdom, or the ones born into it.

Everyone else lived in blissful ignorance of how caged they were. Distracted from their prison by shiny and fancy toys and moving pictures.

They forgot the value of true freedom, the feeling of holding your destiny in your own hands.

I lived among them, and I was not ignorant, but what could I do? Nothing except lower your head and do what you have to do to survive, I adapted to society, but I was never truly alive. I was never truly free.

My golden eyes stared straight into the dark of night ahead of me with the embers of a steady flame building behind them.

'Whatever comes, I won't give up my chance at freedom. Bring it on world, I won't lose this time!'

*Line Break*

(AN: I don't feel like making up country names, so, the two warring countries will be the 'Red' side, and the 'Blue' side. Halo players unite!)

Red side:

Command center:

"Sir! We are ready to move out!" (Grunt)

The commander looked up from his desk and nodded.

'Finally, I can get away from this goddamn paperwork.'

"Good, are the weapons ready?" (Commander)

"Yes sir! All fifty of them have been starved and are about to rampage." (Grunt)

The commander nodded.

"Good, return back to your post." (Commander)

The grunt ran off while the commander picked up the receiver to broadcast his voice to the entire base.

"Attention all units! Prepare to move out immediately! We will hit them fast and hard. Operation Red is a go! I repeat, it is a go!" (Commander)

He put down the receiver and got up to put his jacket on.

'This will teach those damn Blue's.'

The commander walked off without the slightest issue of the lives that will be lost tonight.

He walked out to see the sight of military vehicles and tanks ready to go with a line of cages on the side.

He smiled at the sight of them.

'It's about time we can make use of these beasts.'

*Line Break*

Blue side:

Command Center:

While the Reds were preparing for battle, a very different situation was happening on this side.

"Do you swear to uphold the Gourmet Laws and allow your government to be monitored and observed?" (???)

A muscular, tan-skinned older man with blonde hair, sunglasses, and a long blonde mustache asked the Blue commander.

The Blue commander nodded solemnly.

"We do sir, we are tired of this decade's long war. We don't even remember how it started." (Commander)

"Haha! I bet! Not many remember how the wars begin, ain't humans a funny species, hahaha!" (???)

A muscular, tan-skinned older man with a full military gear set up from shoes, pants, and tank-top with a cigar and a bandanna on his head laughed at the situation.

Even though he laughed, any experienced soldier could tell it was more of a pain-filled wry laugh filled with experience rather than him laughing at them.

The blond-haired man nodded.

"Good, as per the agreement, we will end your war tonight. Following this, you will have to join the IGO and follow our laws. No more bloodshed and violence." (???)

The blond-haired man took off his sunglasses, and a formless but heavy pressure fell on the commander and everyone else of high rank in the room.

"Am.I.Clear?" (???)

Everyone in the room gulped.

This was a legendary man in front of them.

The man who single-handedly formed a government that spread across the entire world.

A man who's personal strength was unrivaled for centuries of known history.

The Blue commander nodded and spoke with as much dignity as he could despite feeling like an ant before a dragon.

"We do sir, as long as the war ends, the Blue country will join the IGO and follow its laws, it is our honor to be able to join your organization, President Ichiryu." (Commander)

The now identified blond man nodded and reeled in the pressure he was emitting before smiling.

"Wonderful! Haha, Yosaku, let's get going!" (Ichiryu)

The other man, Yosaku, nodded, and followed silently while smiling.

Everyone cleared a path for them.

Let alone the strongest man in the world, Yosaku was a man covered in blood.

He was known as 'Yosaku The Reviver' these days, but everyone in this room knew his real name.

'Bloodstained Yosaku.'

Outside the command center:

"Haha! Did you see their faces! They looked like they were about to piss themselves! That was gold!" (Yosaku)

Yosaku was slapping Ichiryu on the back while laughing.

Ichiryu gave a small smile to his long-time friend.

"Enough Yosaku, they were just regular humans, we should be complimenting that commander for still being able to speak straight." (Ichiryu)

Yosaku nodded and calmed down while they approached the landing pad for aircraft.

Ichiryu spoke while walking straight.

"Are you ready to end another war, old friend?" (Ichiryu)

Yosaku turned his head to look at the charismatic and confident friend that saved him from his own nightmare centuries before and smiled.

"Haha! You bet you old bastard! Let's do this." (Yosaku)

Ichiryu nodded and put his hands to his mouth to let out a whistle that shattered the glass in the surrounding acre of land.

Yosaku didn't say anything but just gave him a flat look.

Ichiryu didn't flinch, but inwardly he sweatdropped.

'My bad, I will probably have to pay for that.'

In the next second, a powerful gust of wind fell on the area and blew away anything the broken glass used to be attached to.

Yosaku's stare never left the back of his head while he began planning to make a call and dump this problem on one of his employees as soon as no one else could see him.

From the air, a majestic Janus Unicorn dropped down to land on the ground before Ichiryu. It looked like a mix between a unicorn and a Greek Pegasus; however, it was massive.

Easily larger than multiple adult elephants standing side by side.

There were intelligence and wisdom behind its eyes.

Ichiryu smiled up at his beast companion before he lightly jumped and easily made it onto the saddle on its back.

Yosaku followed and landed a few feet to the side.

The space on its back could accommodate dozens of people at the same time.

Ichiryu smiled and spoke.

"Let's go Pochi!" (Ichiryu)

{NEEIIGHH!}

Pochi neighed and took off.

The sounds of crashing followed in the wake of their take off.

Ichiryu finally couldn't take it and slapped his forehead while Yosaku broke out laughing like crazy.

'*Sigh* There goes my cool exit scene.'

Ichiryu pulled out his phone while another thought went through his head.

'Maybe it's time to start winding down, maybe get an apprentice or two. My company already supervises the majority of the human world, and there are very few wars still ongoing that we can stick our noses into.'

He nodded with a little more confidence this time.

'It's time to train the next generation.'

"S..r….sir….SIR!" (Phone)

"WH!?" (Ichiryu)

*Crunch*

Ichiryu looked down at the crushed phone in his hand with a blank look.

"Hahahah! Did you get lost in thought again! Hahaha!" (Yosaku)

Yosaku fell over laughing while Ichiryu rubbed his forehead.

'That's the fifth damn phone I destroyed this week!'

He turned to the laughing Yosaku and smiled.

"Oi, Yosaku, lend me your phone for a second." (Ichiryu)

Yosaku immediately stopped laughing and looked wearily at his friend.

"Why don't I just make the call for you." (Yosaku)

He pulled out his phone and prepared to dial.

"Don't be like that, nothing will happen to it, trust me." (Ichiryu)

Ichiryu flashed a dazzling smile and gave a thumbs up while Yosaku immediately tried to run to the farthest end of the saddle only to feel his hand was lighter.

He looked down and saw his phone was missing and turned to the sound of a ring going off.

Ichiryu had a shit-eating grin with Yosaku's phone pressed to his ear.

Yosaku's forehead developed a twitch.

'That bastard! I'm still paying for that one!'

One little known fact among the strongest in the world was that human technology was not made to withstand superhuman strength.

They rode off into the night while the strongest man in the world was getting chewed out by one of his employees, and another a few steps below him was too worried about his phone to even smoke his cigar.

It was just another job for them.