NOVEL WEB 4. Awakening [4]
[Alright! Let's get you prepped for a new life!]
The scenery suddenly changed and before he realized it, Ray was standing in a hospital hallway outside of closed doors with a lit up sign that displayed "Operating theater" over it. Looking around, he came to discover there was no one else around except a small boy sleeping on a bench.
"Hey, where is this? What are we doing he-?!"
Searching for answers, Ray reached out towards the child attempting to wake the him up. But when he did, his hand passed through the child as if he were a ghost.
[Hold you horses, were still not done yet]
"I was wondering when you were gonna talk again. You said new life, but what are we doing here, and who is this kid?"
[Right, intro. 'Ray', allow me happily introduce 'Rei'!]
"Wait...what? Why does this kid have the same name as...huh...w-wait a sec!"
[Hm?]
"I entering a new world. You said you're "prepping me for a new life". There's a kid standing in front of me with the same...or a similar name to mine. Oh...does this mean I'm gonna have to-"
[Aaaaah, isn't it refreshing to have a Protagonist in an "Isekai" world with brains? That's right, you're starting over in a new, younger body]
"Oh that's just great. And here I was hoping for decent start"
[What's the problem now?]
"For starters, you're having me take over the body of a CHILD! I'm not like some typical Isekai character who just glosses over the fact that they have just taken over someone else's body!"
[Huh...I thought you'd be the type that wouldn't read things like manga?]
"I only remember things I take an interest in. But that doesn't mean I haven't read them. You can't judge something you've never tried yourself"
[Wise words]
"Back to the matter at hand, I think anyone would prefer to stay as they are instead of turning into a...how old is this kid?"
[He's 3 years old]
"3 years old...taking over a child! Dumbass!"
[Ya know, I was expecting more gratitude for this and less wit. You ungrateful, soon-to-be little, shit]
"Gratitude for making me go through puberty again?"
[Like you said, you need power so survive in this world ruled by Ninja right?]
"Yeah...so what?"
[Well spoiler alert, most people can't become strong Shinobi when they start training in their 50's]
"I'm in my early 30's thank you very much"
[Meh...close enough]
"Asshole"
[Aaaaand, you get to enter the story about 14 years before "Part 1" even starts. That gives you plenty of leeway to prepare for the final climatic arc in "Part 2". Which alone vastly increases your chances of survival.]
"I guess that's true, but taking over a kid is-"
[Fictional kid. Bonus, you're getting a body with, almost, the same name as you to help avoid confusion. And you already know a little Japanese right? Assimilation shouldn't be too difficult for someone as smart as you]
"Hmmm. Maybe..."
[Right! So feel free to apologize whenever you like]
"Okay. I'm sorry for the mean, yet accurate things I said"
[Hah...Baby steps I guess]
"..."
[Anyway, we're pretty much out of time so we need get moving now]
"Sigh! Besides the moral implications of taking over a child's body...is there anything else I should know about him to avoid suspicion when I assume his life?"
[Avoid suspicion? Come on Ray, he's a three year old 'extra'. It's not like he's some super spy]
"Minor details then?"
[Ugh...His name is "Rei Sano". His mother hails from unknown, unremarkable lands far to the West...and she died during her pregnancy]
"Okay, his father?"
[His father is a Jonin named "Keido Sano" who, fun fact, is about to die on the table behind those closed doors within the next minute. Which just so happens to signal the start of this "Project" you're undergoing. So now, our little Q & A session if officially over]
"Wait, what?"
[Sorry, but time has run out. Don't worry, I'll be in touch. I'm your "Guide" after all]
"Wha...but I'm still not?!"
[Ok! Ready? LET'S GO!]
"I WASN'T READY YEETTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!"
Before he could say anything else, Ray's corporeal form suddenly disassembled and entered "Rei's" body.
[You know what to do]
[...............'PROJECT ILLUMINATION' IS INITIATED................]