The Elder Lotus

Chapter 1: The price of survival

Two children and their grandfather sat cross-legged in front of the TV, the tension in the room thick enough to slice through. The screen faded to black as the movie ended, leaving a lingering silence.

“That was the best movie ever!” one of the kids exclaimed, springing to their feet.

The other, still sitting, added with an exaggerated air of sophistication, “Pure cinematic genius, at its finest. And it was based on a true story! What do you think, Grandpa?”

Their grandfather's expression shifted. “I… I think that movie sucked!” he barked.

“WHAT?!” both children shouted in unison, their jaws practically hitting the floor.

“You heard me,” he huffed. “I’ve lived through way more exciting stuff than that fart of a movie could ever dream of.”

The kids exchanged shocked glances. “Grandpa,” one of them started, “what could you possibly tell us that’s more interesting than that movie?”

The second child nodded eagerly. “Yeah, tell us!”

The old man grinned, a glint in his eye. “How about I tell you about my shinobi days—and the time before that?”

“But, Grandpa,” the first child said, skeptical, “you always said you hated talking about your time in the Hidden Leaf Village.”

“Hate is a strong word,” the old man replied, leaning back in his chair. “I wasn’t allowed to talk about it, back then. Too many secrets, too much dangerous information that could get out. But now, well…” He chuckled, gesturing to his weathered face. “Now that I’m a handsome, wise old man, if anyone hears you blabbing, they’ll just think you’re talking about a senile old fool’s tale.”

“Really? You’ll tell us everything?” the second child whispered, eyes wide with wonder.

“Every. Single. Detail,” the grandfather promised, leaning in with a smirk. “Even the parts I never told your mother.”

Both kids were on the edge of their seats. “Wow…”

Their grandfather stood up suddenly, striking a dramatic pose. “Prepare yourselves, because I’m about to tell you the epic tale of… JACKIE LEE!” He finished with a flourish, taking on a stance that mimicked a "Nice Guy" pose, complete with imaginary sparkles.

The brother leaned toward his sister, whispering, “Is this a genjutsu? I swear I see a sunset and ocean waves behind Grandpa.”

The sister rolled her eyes. “I wish. I tried the release seal three times already, and nothing happened.”

Their grandfather snapped back to attention, rubbing his hands together. “Now, to tell this story right, I’ve got to start before my shinobi days. In fact, this story begins in another world, one not so different from ours, but with one major difference—chakra, or the lack of it.”

“Wait… what?” one of the kids interrupted, confused. “How can there be a world with no chakra? How were you even there, Grandpa?”

“Quiet!” the old man barked, wagging a finger. “Patience! You kids today have no patience.” He settled back into his chair, his tone turning mysterious. “Now, where was I? Ah yes, the beginning…”

Another World: The Ordinary Life

In a cramped college dorm room, a young man sat hunched under blankets, the pale glow of a TV casting shadows across his face. The air was cold, and the room silent, save for his voice muttering complaints.

“Boo!” he shouted at the screen. “How does Neji Hyuga die from a stupid tree branch? He has almost 360-degree vision, and he couldn’t dodge a piece of wood?!”

With an annoyed sigh, he turned off the TV. “None of this plot makes sense. Itachi could’ve found another way instead of slaughtering his entire clan. And Rock Lee? Total wasted potential! Gai-sensei had to carry him through everything.”

He stood up, revealing a round figure with messy black hair, his size reminiscent of Choji from the anime. “Rock Lee could’ve been the Batman to Gai’s Robin, instead of just being a mirror image,” he muttered. “I could’ve written this way better.”

He stretched, groaning. “Drop me anywhere in that world, and I’d dominate. I’d be the best Uchiha or Uzumaki there ever was.”

As if in response to his words, a brilliant blue light erupted around him. His eyes widened in shock as he was sucked into the vortex like a black hole.

In the void, everything was pitch black. Suddenly, a voice echoed from all directions, chilling yet amused. It sounded uncannily like a character from Doom Patrol. “Anywhere, you say?” the voice sneered. “Well, I’ve been getting bored watching the same old things happen in both reality and fiction. How about I take you up on that challenge?”

The voice paused before laughing ominously. “I’ll change things up a bit, just so you can’t use all your nerdy knowledge to breeze through. Consider this a… personalized challenge.” The unseen figure snapped its fingers. “Done.”

The young man, still unable to speak or see, felt the atmosphere shift. The voice continued, now with a mocking edge. “I won’t drop you into any prominent clan. That would be too easy for you. Not Uchiha—no, you’d die too soon. Not Uzumaki—you’d have too much chakra. Nara? No, you’re not that smart. Akimichi? No, you’d enjoy it too much.”

The voice hummed thoughtfully. “Wait… wait… I’ve got it! You’re going to love this one.” The darkness swirled, and before the young man could process what was happening, he was hurtling through space and time.

Konoha: The Night of the Nine-Tails Attack

The college student found himself stumbling forward, now in a body that didn’t feel like his own. His head spun as he tried to make sense of his surroundings, but before he could, a woman’s voice called out, “Jack, MOVE!”

Confused, he looked up, only to see a section of a building crashing down toward him. He froze in terror, but an older shinobi dove in, shoving him out of the way just in time. The man, however, was crushed under the debris.

The woman who had called to him—a figure who somehow felt familiar—screamed and dropped to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably beside the man’s body.

The young man, still disoriented, looked between them. Something stirred deep inside him, a distant recognition. “D-Dad?” he whispered, barely audible.

Somewhere, far away in another world, the voice that had sent him there chuckled. “Now this is interesting…”