A Silent Night
Night slowly descended upon Konoha, cloaking the village in tranquility and peace.
A gentle breeze slipped through the gaps in the window, carrying the fresh scent of grass and soil, remnants of a long day of training.
Satoru lay sprawled across his rickety bed, staring at the ceiling, deep in thought.
This morning, he was just a lowly trainee instructor.
And now?
He had been officially promoted to a full-fledged teacher, received a high-tech kunai, and, most shocking of all—
He had learned that beings from other universes were invading this world.
He let out a dry chuckle.
"Seriously... transmigration never lets you have peace, huh?"
He clasped his hands behind his head, closing his eyes as he exhaled deeply.
"System, why do other transmigrators always get buffed to god-tier levels overnight?"
"They become school tyrants on day one, academic geniuses on day two, and rulers of the world by day three."
"And then I look at myself..."
He sighed again, pouting in frustration.
"You're being way too stingy with me, don't you think?"
---
**The System's Response**
The system went silent for a moment, then—
*Ting!*
A calm yet resolute voice echoed in Satoru's mind.
[This system embodies the will of this world. Seeing the grave threat posed by invaders from other universes, it has summoned individuals with righteous souls from different dimensions to aid in the battle.]
[This system believes that true strength comes from a resilient soul.]
[Therefore, you must start from the bottom and experience each step of the journey yourself.]
[Rest assured, Satoru. I see within you... the heart of a warrior.]
Satoru remained silent.
He lifted his hand, gazing at his palm under the dim light.
Since arriving in this world, he had slowly begun to accept his new reality. He had started yearning for strength. He had started wanting to protect the things that mattered.
Those children…
Obito, Kakashi, Gai, Anko…
"I don't know what the future holds, but at the very least... I won't let them lose their smiles."
He clenched his fist slightly, a determined glint flickering in his eyes.
"You don't usually talk this much, System."
A small smirk formed on his lips.
"But I admit, you've got a point."
"At the end of the day, it all comes down to strength."
"As long as I keep moving forward, I'll protect what I hold dear."
---
**Can Fate Be Changed?**
And then…
A thought suddenly struck him, prompting him to speak.
"Hey, System."
"Since you claim to be the will of this world, what do you think about changing the fate of those tragic kids like Obito?"
"And... why am I even here?"
The system fell silent for a brief moment, as if contemplating something profound.
After a pause, its voice returned, slightly lower than before.
[Satoru, all things are bound by cause and effect.]
[If you try to intervene, expect great resistance.]
[But can fate be altered?]
[That depends on you.]
---
**The Will of the World**
Satoru narrowed his eyes but didn't interrupt.
The system continued, its tone becoming even deeper.
[To clarify, I am the will of this world itself.]
[I have witnessed too many farewells, too many deaths.]
[Life and death, in the end, are merely transitions.]
[However...]
[When external forces from other worlds interfere, I must act.]
[If the inhabitants of this world destroy themselves, I will not intervene.]
[But if outside entities attempt to disrupt the balance, I must summon forces to counteract them.]
[And you... are one of those forces.]
Satoru took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing further.
"So I was only summoned to deal with these foreign invaders?"
Something felt off.
And then—
The system's next words made his breath hitch.
[Your soul… is not as ordinary as you think.]
[Everything you have received... is rightfully yours.]
[But you are not yet able to comprehend it.]
[This matter… is too vague and vast for you to grasp at your current level.]
Satoru: "This System… is basically a Daoist hermit."
He fell silent.
His soul… had a backstory?
He blinked at the ceiling, feeling as if he had just heard some cosmic riddle beyond his understanding.
After a while, he let out a deep sigh, smirking wryly.
"I thought you were just a typical cheat system."
"Didn't expect you to be an old monk rambling about the nature of existence."
The system: "… …"
Satoru lazily turned to his side, stretching slightly.
Whatever.
Whatever happens, happens.
---
**The First Steps of Cultivation**
Without overthinking it further, he crossed his legs and closed his eyes.
Instead of sleeping as usual, he focused on sensing the flow of chakra within his body, regulating his breathing slowly.
And in just a short moment—
He felt his heartbeat become steadier, his breathing smoother, as if his entire body was gradually harmonizing.
This…
Wasn't something he had deliberately intended.
Rather—
It was a habit of Musashi.
The great swordsman never slept lying down. He always meditated through the night, training his mind and refining his inner energy.
Satoru narrowed his eyes slightly before a faint smile curved his lips.
"Alright then… let's see where this takes me."
He sank deeper into his meditative state, preparing to take his first real step toward strength.