shadow hokage dark moon

Chapter 1: Past and Present Lives

My name is Rei Tsukiko, an ordinary young man—so ordinary that there's nothing remarkable about me. After graduating from university, I became just another nine-to-five office worker, like most of my peers.

My life was simple and routine, consisting of the same daily commute—from home to work and back again.

Though monotonous, I found solace in the stability and tranquility of this routine. I enjoyed the simplicity, free from excessive pressure and worries, where I could manage my time at will.

However, fate had no intention of letting me continue living peacefully.

A sudden war shattered my once-calm life, altering the course of many destinies—including my own.

In these turbulent times, everyone had to make a choice.

I was no exception. I was drafted as a volunteer, assigned to logistics duties.

This meant leaving the familiar city behind, venturing into unknown territories, and embarking on a journey filled with uncertainties.

Sometimes, I wished life could remain this ordinary forever—without epic battles, without thrilling adventures, just the repetitive, mundane routine of daily existence.

Such a life may be dull, but it brings a unique sense of security.

But reality is always cruel.

The shadows of war loomed over our world, filling people with unease and fear.

Every day, countless lives were lost in the flames of war, and innocent people suffered endless pain.

How I wished for all of it to end, to welcome true peace.

Yet war seemed endless—each conflict only breeding more destruction and casualties.

And I, too, had grown exhausted. Physically and mentally drained, I began to think that perhaps death was the only escape.

---

It was an ordinary day. The sun hung high in the sky, casting its warm glow over the land.

But for me, this day was destined to be anything but ordinary.

As a logistics transporter for a highly classified research facility, my life had always been predictable and routine.

Each day, I drove a truck, delivering necessary supplies to the research center.

However, today, as I drove along my usual route, I noticed something unusual—a blinding white light flickered in the distance, as though an explosion had just occurred.

The light was so intense that I had to squint to avoid being blinded.

At the same time, an overwhelming curiosity surged within me.

What had caused such a phenomenon?

Just as I tried to figure it out, a deafening explosion rang out, shaking the entire world like a thunderclap on a clear day.

The sound was terrifying.

A powerful shockwave followed, sweeping over everything in its path.

I felt an immense force, as if a speeding vehicle had slammed into me, sending me flying into the air.

Then, everything went dark.

---

When I opened my eyes again, my vision was blurry. It took a while before things became clear.

Above me, the harsh glow of surgical lights nearly pierced my eyes.

My body felt like it was engulfed in raging flames, unbearable heat searing through every cell, filling me with excruciating pain.

I tried moving my fingers but found myself completely immobilized, as though an invisible force had bound me in place.

Examining my body, I saw that my skin was covered in blisters and festering wounds—severe burns, no doubt.

I struggled to calm myself, but the fear within me only grew stronger.

Tubes protruded from my body, connected to various fluids, while medical instruments surrounded me, emitting faint beeping sounds.

The machines seemed to be whispering that they were working hard to save my life.

"You're awake."

A man in what appeared to be a doctor's coat stood beside me, his gaze calm yet serious.

"You're lucky," he said. "You didn't die in the initial nuclear blast. Most people outside the base were killed instantly."

His voice was heavy with regret.

I lay there in silence, surrounded by machines, my face as pale as a sheet.

A wave of despair and sorrow surged within me, as if my entire world had crumbled in an instant.

"But you're also unlucky," the doctor continued, his eyes filled with pity.

"Due to radiation exposure, your genetic structure is collapsing. With current medical technology, there's no cure."

I listened quietly, my heart filled with bitterness and frustration.

I had thought I had escaped death—only to find myself in an even more terrifying predicament.

My body was deteriorating, and modern medicine was powerless to stop it.

Memories of my past life resurfaced, those once-cherished moments now seeming distant and surreal.

I once had dreams and hopes, but now they had all turned to dust.

I didn't know how to face this reality.

I didn't know what the future held.

At that moment, an overwhelming sense of loneliness and helplessness consumed me.

I knew my time was running out.

Yet, I still had so much left undone.

But what could I do?

Accept this cruel fate without resistance?

No!

I refused to give up so easily.

Even if death was imminent, I would fight for even the smallest sliver of hope.

Even if the odds were one in ten thousand, I would do everything to survive.

I wanted to leave something behind—something worth remembering—no matter the cost.

"Have you heard of digital consciousness technology?"

Digital consciousness technology?

The ability to upload human consciousness into a computer?

That was still a concept of science fiction, wasn't it?

Had it already been developed?

"I've heard of it. You mean the technology that transfers human consciousness into a digital system?"

"That's right. I'm a researcher in digital consciousness technology. Your condition is beyond medical treatment. Your DNA is breaking down, and within days, you will die painfully from genetic collapse."

His voice was calm yet grave.

"The only way to save you is to transfer your consciousness into the digital world. Are you willing to participate in the Digital Consciousness Project?"

Did I even have another choice?

The only path to survival lay ahead of me.

Wasn't that the truth?

"I'm willing to participate in the consciousness transfer experiment."

"A wise decision," the researcher said with a slight smile.

A subtle excitement flickered in his eyes.

He understood the gravity of this choice for a human subject.

But at the same time, he knew this was a groundbreaking moment—an opportunity to push the boundaries of science.

And perhaps, through this experiment, humanity could glimpse a new future.