Naruto: Reborn in His Younger Self

"Where… is this?"

"I… didn't I die in the battle against Kawaki?"

Naruto Uzumaki, the Seventh Hokage, opened his eyes groggily. His vision blurred as he took in his surroundings, feeling completely disoriented.

He found himself in an endless expanse of white, a vast and boundless space with no visible edges.

Naruto instinctively called out, "Is anyone there? Can anyone hear me?"

Silence.

No voice responded, no echo returned.

Naruto sighed deeply.

"Maybe… this is the afterlife."

His thoughts drifted back to his past.

Since birth, his life had been filled with hardship.

His parents—Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki—died the night he was born, leaving him an orphan.

As a child, he was ostracized by the village, forced to endure loneliness and hunger, sometimes surviving on just a single meal a day.

Yet, despite it all, he never gave up on his dream.

At twelve, he met Iruka-sensei, the first person to truly acknowledge him. After earning his forehead protector, he officially became a Genin of Konohagakure.

Under Kakashi Hatake's guidance, he graduated from the Academy and embarked on his journey as a ninja.

During his first real mission in the Land of Waves, he encountered Zabuza Momochi. It was there—when a kunai cut his hand—that he truly understood pain and blood as the foundation of a ninja's path.

He later defeated Neji Hyuga in the Chūnin Exams, proving his strength and marking the true debut of the so-called "Demon Fox Boy."

Then came his battle against Gaara, who had fully transformed into the One-Tail's Jinchūriki. Defeating Gaara and protecting Konoha solidified his growing reputation.

Shortly after, he became Jiraiya's disciple, gaining not just a mentor but a guiding figure in his life.

Years later, he helped rescue Gaara from the Akatsuki, strengthening the alliance between Konoha and the Sand Village. By then, he had already gained the recognition of many in the village.

At sixteen, he defeated the Akatsuki's leader, Pain, using Sage Mode and, in doing so, became the hero of Konoha. He was no longer just the demon fox's vessel—he had become a true warrior.

Under Killer Bee's guidance, he mastered the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, preparing for the greatest battle ahead.

During the Fourth Great Ninja War, he formed a bond with Kurama, becoming a Perfect Jinchūriki. He fought alongside his allies and even received the power of the Sage of Six Paths.

Alongside Sasuke, he sealed Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, restoring peace to the ninja world.

After the war, under Kakashi's reign as the Sixth Hokage, Naruto recovered from his injuries and eventually became a Jōnin. It was during this time that he realized his love for Hinata Hyuga.

They fell in love, married, and built a happy family together.

At thirty, after Kakashi retired, Naruto achieved his lifelong dream—he became the Seventh Hokage of Konohagakure.

His friends had all married, had children, and found happiness.

The world was finally at peace.

Everything was perfect.

Until it wasn't.

Naruto sighed, clenching his fists. He had seen it coming.

The Ōtsutsuki Clan had returned.

Kinshiki, Momoshiki, Urashiki, Isshiki… each stronger than the last.

It was then that Naruto realized that compared to them, Kaguya had been nothing more than a mere prelude.

During his battle against Isshiki Ōtsutsuki, he lost something invaluable—Kurama, his lifelong partner and comrade.

And his best friend, Sasuke Uchiha, lost his Rinnegan, struck down by none other than Naruto's own son, Boruto.

Though Boruto had been possessed at the time, the pain of watching Sasuke lose his greatest power was something Naruto could never forget.

The battle escalated beyond anything they had ever imagined. As his own strength waned, Naruto sought out any means of resistance.

Mount Myōboku.

There, the Great Toad Sage had spoken his final prophecy:

"Boruto will be the one to change the ninja world."

Determined to protect the future, Naruto devoted himself to training Boruto.

And Boruto did not disappoint.

With the power of the Jōgan, the legacy of the Ōtsutsuki, and Sasuke's guidance, Boruto inherited Sasuke's katana, cloak, and forehead protector.

He surpassed all previous Hokage, becoming the strongest shinobi in the world.

Or so they had thought.

Until Kawaki arrived.

At first, Kawaki was just another troubled child, bearing the same Kāma mark as Boruto. The two became close, forming a deep bond.

Believing in him, Boruto brought Kawaki to Konoha, offering him a new path.

But it all fell apart.

Kawaki was manipulated by the Kara Organization and turned against Boruto.

His goal? To destroy the ninja world and resurrect the God Tree, reintroducing the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

Thus, the Fifth Great Ninja War began.

Naruto's fists clenched. He could still feel it—the devastation of that war.

One by one, his friends, comrades, and loved ones fell.

As Hokage, without Kurama, he was no longer the strongest. He was forced to watch as everyone fought for his sake.

And then… they died.

Hinata.

Himawari.

Sasuke.

Gaara.

Iruka-sensei.

Kakashi-sensei.

Shikamaru.

The list went on and on.

By the war's end, only he and Boruto remained.

In his final moments, Naruto sacrificed himself, shielding Boruto from Kawaki's ultimate attack.

Now, standing in this white void, Naruto felt an overwhelming sense of failure.

"Why… why did it end like this?"

He looked up at the emptiness around him.

"What happened to Boruto? Did he save the ninja world?"

"No, he failed."

A deep voice echoed through the void.

Naruto's eyes widened. He turned toward the source, watching as a figure emerged from the endless white.

A familiar figure.

Naruto's heart skipped a beat.

"Grandpa Sage of Six Paths?!"

Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki gave a calm, knowing smile.

"We meet again, Naruto Uzumaki… the Child of Prophecy."

Naruto hurriedly stepped forward, his voice urgent.

"What do you mean? Kawaki and Boruto failed? Wasn't Kawaki aligned with the Ōtsutsuki?"

Hagoromo sighed.

"After your death, Boruto and Kawaki fought. However, Kawaki eventually awakened—he understood the truth behind the Infinite Tsukuyomi and chose to fight alongside Boruto. Together, they battled the Ōtsutsuki."

"But in the end, both of them failed. They were merely vessels."

Naruto's blood ran cold.

His body trembled. His mind screamed in denial.

"No… this can't be real… this wasn't how it was supposed to happen!"

Desperation surged in his voice as he shouted, "The Great Toad Sage's prophecy! He said Boruto would change the world! Why did it end like this? Why is the ninja world still doomed?!"

As his words echoed into the void, Naruto felt his last shred of hope collapse.

He staggered back, fell to his knees, and buried his face in his hands.

Tears streamed down his cheeks.

"Why… why did it all end like this?"

The once strong, unwavering Seventh Hokage had never felt so utterly broken.

Hagoromo gazed at Naruto in silence. Then, after a moment, he spoke again:

"The prophecy… was never wrong."

Naruto lifted his tear-streaked face.

His blue eyes, filled with anguish, met Hagoromo's calm gaze.

And in that moment—fate began to change.