In a world unknown to him, the boy opened his eyes, dazed and confused. His mind raced.
"Wait, wasn't I dead? Where am I? Why is it so cold?"
But instead of words, all that came from his mouth was a newborn's cry.
"Waaah! Waaah!"
A woman's gentle voice spoke, "Congratulations, it's a healthy baby boy."
"Can I hold him?" another voice, warm and trembling with emotion, asked.
The boy found himself in the comforting arms of a woman with tears in her eyes, smiling down at him.
"Have you decided on a name for him?" the nurse asked.
"Yes," the mother whispered. "His name will be Ren Takeda."
"Ren Takeda," the father echoed, smiling proudly.
Hearing his new name and seeing the faces of these people who were now his parents, Ren felt a strange warmth in his chest. He didn't know where he was or why he was here, but something inside him told him this was a chance to live again.
As he tried to process everything, a sharp pain shot through his head, making him cry out loud. Floods of knowledge rushed into his mind—ways to control Ki, how to channel it for strength, how to feel the flow of energy within the body. Techniques from a mysterious "Ki Techniques" etched themselves into his memory.
The pain faded, and Ren stopped crying, exhausted but calm.
"Look how quiet he is now," his mother said, gently rocking him. "He's going to grow up strong and handsome."
His father chuckled, "Strong, sure. But I hope he doesn't bring too many girls home."
"If he can handle it, I'll welcome them all with open arms," his mother laughed.
Ren couldn't understand everything they said, but a sense of determination sparked inside him. He didn't know this world, but he would grow strong in it. This was his second chance, and he would live it to the fullest.
The newborn boy, now known as Ren Takeda, didn't fully understand the world he had been reborn into, but he decided there was no point worrying about it for now. Instead, he focused on what he could control: training his body and learning to handle the strange energy that flowed within him.
After a day in the hospital, Ren's parents brought him home to a quiet neighborhood. Coincidentally, another baby, Ken Asanaga, was born around the same time in the house next door.
Ren wasted no time, starting his energy training while still a baby, using the energy within him to slowly cleanse his veins and strengthen his bones. This training was the best thing he could do at such a young age, preparing his body to handle greater strength in the future.
Days turned into months, and Ren's life settled into a simple routine: eat, train, sleep, and repeat. His dedication was intense even as a baby, and by the time he turned one, he could walk and talk clearly.
The first thing he did was demand his own room, telling his parents that they made weird noises at night. Embarrassed and speechless, they agreed, not realizing how aware their son was.
At night, Ren trained quietly in his room. Although he was only one, his body was already stronger than most four-year-olds. His exercises included light sit-ups, push-ups, squats and stretches to build a solid foundation.
This routine continued for the next two years. By the time Ren turned three, his mother was pregnant again. Ren felt a quiet joy knowing he would have a sibling, something he never experienced in his past life as an orphan.
While his mother was in the hospital, Ren used the energy he had trained for years to quietly nourish both her and the baby, ensuring a safe delivery.
Soon, Ren's little sister, Hana, was born, healthy and beautiful. It made him feel thankful to have family in this new life, and he returned to his training with renewed determination.
Ren's training evolved as he grew. At three, he could do 30 sit-ups, 30 push-ups, 20 crunches, and light running. He focused on body strengthening only, planning to learn formal martial arts later when the time was right.
For now, he watched martial arts videos, realizing that he could mimic techniques he saw with surprising accuracy after a few tries, although mastering the strength and timing took practice.
Ren's unique talent in martial arts began to show. He could copy movements quickly, and with his energy training, his physical growth was impressive. He became the tallest in his age group, with Ken following closely.
Ren and Ken became close friends, often playing together between training sessions. One day, as they played, Ken asked curiously, "Ren, why do you train so much? Are you planning to fight someone?"
Ren shook his head, smiling. "No, I just want to be strong enough to protect myself and my family if something ever happens. My mom says I need to be strong if I ever want to take care of the people I care about."
Ken's eyes lit up. "Can I train with you, too?"
Ren grinned. "Of course. Let's get stronger together."
From that day forward, the two boys trained side by side. Even though Ren's advantage in energy control and talent kept him ahead.
As the days passed, Ren discovered that while he could copy martial arts moves after watching them once, mastering the strength and form required practice.
Simple moves took only a few tries, while the more complex techniques required hours of repetition. Despite this, he learned quickly, gaining confidence in his growing abilities.
Years passed, and the boys grew taller and stronger. One day, Ken invited Ren to play near a local shop owned by an elderly woman in the neighborhood. Ren agreed, recognizing it as a place where many children gathered.
Inside, Ren thought to himself, "This time, I'll make a strong impression on anyone I meet. I won't waste the chance I've been given in this life."
With his quiet determination and growing strength, Ren stepped forward, ready to continue his journey in a world full of unknown challenges and opportunities.