I've lost count of how many times I've finished Naruto.
Every time feels like the first—especially that final scene... Naruto's smile, Sasuke's gaze, that music playing… It always tightens my chest.
Slowly, I took off my headphones. The screen went dark.
All I could think was, "Man… I wish I lived in a world like that."
As I got up from my chair and walked toward my bed, my eyes were half-shut. It was already quite late. But I wasn't too worried—no work tomorrow.
I lay down, pulled the blanket over myself. My eyelids grew heavier.
And then… something happened.
A pain emerged in my chest.
At first, it was mild.
"This is ridiculous. It'll pass," I thought.
But then, the pain intensified.
It felt like something was squeezing my heart from the inside.
I couldn't breathe.
I tried to sit up in panic, but my body wouldn't move.
My hands were shaking. My vision blurred. My ears started to ring.
"Is this… a heart attack?"
Fear, confusion, helplessness… all swirled together.
My vision went dark.
…and then…
I flinched at the sound of a scream.
But it wasn't my voice.
It was strange…
It felt like I was crying, but I couldn't control it.
I couldn't move my mouth. I couldn't move at all.
My body felt tiny. I was wrapped in soft cloth.
I could breathe, but I was crying. Like a baby.
No…
I was a baby. Literally.
I barely managed to open my eyes.
The ceiling above me was made of old Japanese-style wooden beams.
The walls creaked.
I could hear explosions in the distance. Women screaming, soldiers shouting…
"Is this… Konoha?"
No.
This wasn't just some dream.
Because I saw it—far in the distance, filling the sky—a giant, orange silhouette.
The Nine Tails.
Kyūbi.
And in front of it, a man with blond hair…
Minato Namikaze.
That's when it hit me.
"I'm… inside the Naruto universe."
I accepted that I had become a baby.
But the weight of this reality was too much to bear.
Even with my blurry, small eyes, I tried to understand what was happening around me.
The terrified faces, the trembling hands…
The shock of the attack hadn't worn off yet.
I was in the arms of a woman.
Her eyes were filled with tears… yet she looked at me warmly.
As if, while everything else was crumbling, she was holding onto me with all her strength.
She was my mother.
And I only got to know her… for a few minutes.
The Kyūbi wasn't just destroying buildings—it was ending lives.
Someone carrying my mother stumbled.
Everything happened so fast.
A scream.
A jolt.
A drop of blood.
My mother's voice… went silent.
Her hands loosened.
And once again… darkness swallowed me.
Three Years Later
"Zekiram, could you take this box outside too?"
My father's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
I gently picked up the dusty box.
It was filled with dried seaweed—one of the many goods we sold to Konoha's weary but resilient people.
My father ran a small shop.
It wasn't big, but it was neat.
Shelves always organized, prices always fair.
He was your typical civilian.
Not strong. Not brave.
But he knew how to survive.
And he raised me all by himself.
As for me…
Though I was just three years old, my mind worked like a 23-year-old man.
It was exhausting.
I felt trapped in this tiny body.
I could speak, but every word was cautious, measured.
I didn't want to sound too "smart."
I didn't want attention.
Because this world… is dangerous.
"Naruto is probably crying alone in some orphanage right now.
Itachi is seven.
Obito is already believed to be dead…
And here I am—
The forgotten child of a powerless civilian.
But not for long.
I won't just watch this world from afar this time.
I was born into it.
This time, I'll be part of the game."
My father smiled and handed me a small onigiri.
"Well done, son. I'll make miso soup for dinner."
I thanked him.
But my eyes briefly wandered to a group of ninjas passing by outside.
One in green…
That hair…
Might Guy.
I smiled.
"The time is approaching."
I was three years old…
But my soul was far older.
A stranger, trapped in this body, hiding my true identity.
That night… began like any other.
But it wasn't.
💀 [System Activating...]
I had just closed my eyes, about to fall asleep,
When suddenly, a voice echoed in my mind.
[Loading Vampire System...]
Welcome, Zekiram. Your true power will now awaken.
First Quest: Drink human blood.
Failure will result in loss of body control.
My eyes shot open.
My heart pounded violently.
My body began to tremble.
My gums tingled. My mouth felt dry.
Something was missing.
Blood.
My throat burned.
Every breath felt like fire.
I quietly got out of bed, my eyes glowing in the dark.
I slowly opened the door.
I stepped outside. The night was eerily silent.
There had to be someone—anyone.
But the streets were empty.
It was late. No one was outside.
No one…
I muttered to myself:
"Just a little… just a little… or I won't be able to hold on…"
I turned back.
The door was slightly ajar.
My father was asleep. Deep in slumber.
His tired body let out a soft, peaceful snore.
And there I stood, my mouth dry, eyes red, knees trembling.
I approached.
I leaned in.
Toward his neck…
No.
"Just one drop… just one drop…"
My teeth drew closer. I bit down.
A drop came.
And then…
I couldn't stop.
🩸 Uncontrollable Hunger
My father's eyes opened—but it was too late.
He didn't even have time to scream.
The blood… warm… thick… addictive.
I couldn't stop.
I drank.
And drank.
And drank…
Until the very last drop.
My father collapsed.
His eyes still open.
Empty.
Lifeless.
And I…
Collapsed to my knees, hands drenched in blood.
"I… I killed him…"
I screamed.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!"
The door burst open.
Two Jounin entered.
One shouted, "What's going on here?!"
Their eyes landed on my father's corpse.
A pool of blood… a lifeless man… a crying child by his side.
They stared at me.
Suspicious—but confused.
"What happened here, kid?" one of them asked.
Through sobs, I spoke:
"S-someone… someone came in… he… he killed him… then ran… he's hiding… in the dark…"
One knelt beside me, peering into my eyes.
"Do you remember his name? Did you recognize him?"
I shook my head. "No… never seen him…"
Silence.
One examined the body. The other kept watching me.
"This kid couldn't have done this… Look at him. He's in shock."
Still, the other remained wary. But he said nothing.
"We'll file this as a civilian case."
As they left, one glanced back.
"Keep an eye on this kid. After such silence… he might stir up quite the noise."
And just like that…
I was alone.
Zekiram—an orphan.
And now…
For the first time, a child with blood on his hands.
Morning Came
But the house remained dark.
The sun had risen. Birds were chirping…
But nothing lived inside this house anymore.
My father's body had been taken away. But the scent of blood still lingered everywhere.
My eyes drifted toward two broken pots on the shelf.
They had fallen with my father last night.
Someone knocked on the door.
I slowly stood up. My legs still trembling.
When I opened the door… I saw a familiar face.
The Third Hokage — Hiruzen Sarutobi
"Hello there, child," he said softly.
"I'm Hiruzen, the Hokage of this village."
Behind his glasses, his tired yet watchful eyes examined me.
He crouched down, speaking not as a leader—but like a grandfather.
"I'm very sorry about your father. I knew him well. Quiet, honest man. Always kept his shop tidy."
"And clearly… he took good care of you too. My condolences."
I bowed my head slightly.
I couldn't answer.
My throat still burned from the warmth I'd drunk the night before.
My stomach felt heavy. My soul… empty.
Hiruzen's tone grew serious.
"Now, we need to decide your future."
"You have two choices."
He raised a finger.
"First, we can place you in the village orphanage. You'll live with other children."
"Second… we rent out your father's shop. You'll live alone here, supported by the rent. It's not common… but considering your intelligence, I'm willing to make an exception."
I looked into his eyes.
My face was expressionless—but inside, my mind had already made its choice.
"I'll take the second option," I said.
"I want to stay in my father's house."
There was a pause.
Then, he smiled. Sadly.
"You're brave… or maybe just used to loss."
"Very well. The shop will be rented out. You'll receive the money each month. We'll also provide food and clothing support."
"We'll be watching you, Zekiram. I promise—we'll find your father's killer."
Lies.
I knew.
I was the killer.
That night, I lay in bed. Alone.
But this loneliness was different.
The house was silent.
Every corner echoed with my father's voice—but now, it was gone.
I pulled the blanket over myself.
Stared at the ceiling.
And whispered:
"You're here, aren't you?"
🩸 [System Online]
[Vampire System Online…]
Welcome back, Zekiram. First quest completed successfully.
Your next mission will arrive soon. But first… several abilities have been unlocked.
• Scent Detection: You can sense human blood from 50 meters away.
• Night Vision: You can see clearly in the dark.
• Instinctive Reflexes: Enhanced danger sense and defensive reactions.
• Blood Manipulation: Allows manipulation of your own blood (requires chakra and blood).
Suddenly, a chill swept through me. My eyes began to burn.
Red… growing darker.
My fangs… had lengthened.
But now, I could control them.
"Who are you?" I asked.
"Why are you speaking to me?"
The system remained silent for a moment.
Then, a cold reply came:
"You were chosen. Because you are dark enough… to survive the darkness of this world."
I closed my eyes.
I didn't sleep.
Even my dreams were now stained with blood