Chapter 1: I am the 4th Hokage?
The old voice echoed in Ryu's ears, its aged tone adding to his already overwhelmed mind.
"What's happening to me? I feel... Yesterday, I had a few drinks with my roommates, and this hangover is really getting to me!"
"And who keeps whispering in my ear? Can't they see that I was trying to sleep?"
After a while...
Ryu's mind started to clear up, but the voice in his ears grew louder and more distinct, greatly disturbing him.
However, he couldn't open his eyes at the moment, so he could only passively listen to the ramblings from the outside world while impatiently complaining in his heart: "What leaves? What fire? Once the fire burns, the trees vanish, so how can new sprouts grow? There's no logic in these words!"
"Huh? Wait!"
"Why does this sound so familiar? I feel like I've heard it somewhere before. Let me think..."
"Oh, right! Isn't this a famous saying from Naruto? The Will of Fire that the Third Hokage always talks about! Is one of my roommates watching Naruto in the dorm? How much time has passed? Am I catching up now?"
Thinking he had found the answer, Ryu was about to speak up and condemn a certain roommate for not using headphones when suddenly...
A strong light abruptly appeared in his dark vision.
Unable to shield his eyes, he could only face it head-on.
When Ryu's eyes finally adjusted to the brightness, the light passed through unimpeded, engulfing everything around him.
He was completely taken aback, and his heart churned with a storm of confusion: "What... what is happening here?"
What a surprise!
He was no longer in the cramped dorm room; instead, he found himself on a rooftop.
Looking around, he saw familiar structures in the area, reminding him of Konoha Village from the Naruto anime.
"I think this is Konoha Village on Hokage Mountain's peak!"
Ryu felt a mix of emotions as he realized he might have been transmigrated.
But his confusion didn't last long. As he turned to his right, he saw an elderly man dressed as the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, delivering a passionate speech.
Ryu's brain exploded with realization.
He wasn't just an observer anymore; he was somehow part of this world.
A surge of information flooded Ryu's mind, and he understood that Konoha Village was celebrating a festival, with him and the Third Hokage at the center of attention.
But who was he in this world?
Ryu panicked.
He didn't know what to do or how to act.
Desperately, he tried to gather information about the body he now inhabited, hoping to avoid any suspicion.
But reality didn't cooperate.
The Third Hokage concluded his speech on the Will of Fire and looked at Ryu with meaningful eyes.
Ryu felt like crying.
He had no idea how to respond or what his role was supposed to be.
But instincts took over.
Ryu put on a composed expression, pretending to admire and respect the Third Hokage, while desperately searching for answers within himself.
The crowd fell silent, fixated on the two figures on the rooftop.
Minutes passed, and Ryu maintained his adoring gaze at the Third Hokage, his acting skills surpassing even the most seasoned actors.
Finally, the Third Hokage broke the silence and entrusted the future of Konoha to Ryu.
Though Ryu didn't fully understand the meaning behind the words, he modestly expressed his appreciation and commitment to Konoha's development.
The Third Hokage was genuinely pleased.
"We will rely on your abilities in the future," he said.
As the celebration continued, the Third Hokage handed Ryu the Hokage hat, symbolizing the
passing of the torch to the next generation.
Ryu's mind was in turmoil.
Why was he chosen for this role when he didn't match the appearance of the previous Hokage?
But he couldn't dwell on his confusion. With the village eagerly watching, Ryu accepted the Hokage hat and placed it on his head.
The Third Hokage declared Ryu as the Fourth Hokage of Konoha, and the village erupted in cheers.
"Fourth Hokage! Fourth Hokage! Fourth Hokage!"