Reborn As Naruto's Refrigerator

It's been almost 2 months, and I haven't found my way back yet. The chakra I sensed led nowhere and I feel like I've been walking around in circles. I even tried numerous times to switch to my original body, but each attempt fell short. I could only assume it was a distance issue, I must've needed to be within a certain radius to do it.

In the past week, I came to the conclusion that I had to swallow my pride and concede to that damn cat. He left me a couple of times to find food for himself, but he kept returning to store them in my freezer. It's funny, it's almost as if we both needed each other equally. Too bad my stubbornness cost us seven whole weeks, but hey, his attitude wasn't any better either!

We got to know each other a bit more, he comes from a highly touted family of ninja cats. Of course, he didn't specify what his status was in the family—I suspect he has much more respected siblings. I still refuse to call him 'The Great Nekojiro,' but I will admit… he's not that bad of a guy. Thankfully, he can't hear my thoughts, or else he'd be bragging about it all day and night.

"So why is it that I can't talk to humans like you guys?"

"Nya! Not sure. My old man told me that all things are connected by chakra, maybe that has something to do with it."

"What do you mean? Do I not have chakra?"

"You do, but you said you used to live in another world, right? Maybe only those with souls originating from this universe are fully connected."

"Hmm… but that voice I told you about. It said that I had some grand purpose being here, and that I need to hold things together until a certain point."

"Nyahaha! Nyahahahaha!!!"

"What? What's so funny?"

"It's like you were reincarnated specifically as a refrigerator because that's what this world supposedly needed."

"Huh?"

"A refrigerator stores foods, prolongs their shelf life and keeps them from going bad. Maybe that's what you're here for. To keep things in check until the right ingredients are needed for the ultimate meal! Nyahaha!"

Well, that was one way of looking at it. Though, he did have a point… Maybe that is my purpose to hold things together until the Child of Prophecy needs them. But then, who is this child… I mean, it has to be Naruto, right? But if that's the case, I haven't done much for him other than keep his food fresh. Not to mention, with his numerous sensei treating him to ramen every now and then, I don't even think I can take full credit for Naruto's nutritional wellbeing.

Alas, I figured it was out of my control and we kept plugging onward in our journey until we came upon a familiar area.

"Ooh, I know this place!" Nekojiro said.

"Right…"

"Yea, yea, we're on the right path! I know this place! Nya!"

"Of course you know this place! This is where we met!"

"Oh yeah! Such a beautiful view of the mountains."

"No, you idiot! This means we're back where we started!"

"Hey, hey, hey. Let's not use words like that."

"We should've been back weeks ago!"

"And whose fault is that, huh? Not me! Hmph!"

We argued on for a while, flailing insults back and forth. Though it felt more like several hours, it was only a few minutes that were abruptly halted by the sensation of none other than Naruto's chakra signature, but why him? Why here of all places?

We followed his chakra into the mountains and were greeted by a toad who claimed to guard the entrance to Mount Myoboku. We were prohibited from entering or asking questions about Naruto's reasoning for his visit. We pleaded with the toad guard, but each attempt was denied, so we decided to leave.

"Well… Sorry we couldn't get to your friend, nya."

"It's fine, I have one more trick up my sleeve."

"Meow?! One more?!"

"I can project my consciousness beyond the gate. This is what I used to do before I learned to move. I'll be able to see what's happening."

The skies darkened around us as the day had come to a close. Normally, we'd take this moment to rest, but I refused to wait any longer. I sent out my consciousness, sensing the chakra in the area and observing the world of Mount Myoboku on the other side of the entrance. There I could see Naruto, sitting in a lotus pose, accompanied by some toads. It was then that I overheard that Jiraiya-sensei had passed. I surmised this must've been the next step in Naruto's training. However, to take on this new journey alone without his teacher… I can't imagine how he's feeling. He seems so calm, so focused, but it has to be eating him up inside.

"So, what's happening?!"

"It seems like Naruto is harnessing chakra."

"Ah, the path of the Sage. Nature energy is what he's likely tapping into."

"Sage…?"

So those squirrels weren't completely lying, humans can become sages.

"I see… so he's training to become a Toad Sage." I said under my breath.

The night sky was devoid of stars, the environment was haunting. It was nearly pitch black, if not for the moon. It felt as though we were being watched… and we were.

"Nya! It's that creepy guy you were yapping about!"

"Creepy guy?"

Closing in on the entrance was a dark figure, peering back in our direction with its golden eyes. Not much could be seen beyond that, but it was as if it slipped by the guards with ease. Either that or they were too stunned to intervene.

"Dammit, I have to get in there now!"

"Nya! Wait! Hear meow-t! We don't know our way around there! I've heard of people turning to stone because they can handle the environment and chakra in Mount Myoboku!"

"We don't have time to worry about that. If I-.... If I…don't… If I don't… get… If…"

I couldn't finish my sentence. I felt like I couldn't breathe. My speech fractured and all of my energy felt as though it was depleted. I hadn't felt this weak and terrified since my past life. It was like stage fright, that petrifying moment when time itself freezes, the silence becomes unbearably loud, and it seems like the world is ending.

"Hey! Where are you… Where are you going?! Nya"

"Wh-what… What's happening-...to…."

"It's like you're fading away, meow!"

"H-have… to… sav-... save… Na-... rut-..."

My body was phasing in and out of existence. Thankfully, it wasn't painful, but it was incredibly scary. It was like falling or drowning in a dream. I tried to not panic, I just hoped Naruto would be okay. Suddenly, my body poofed out of existence and I found myself in an empty void where everything around me was a light shade of blue. My body was humanoid again, as far as I could see. My perspective was like those first person video games, where you can only see your feet and hands when panning around the screen.

 "You don't have long…" a voice said, it sounded like that one I heard in Naruto's house, "...It seems you have died, but your soul's compatibility with our realm is nonexistent."

I could barely see, but there seemed to be a faint image of an older gentleman in some ancient garb, holding a staff.

"What happened to me exactly?"

"A shinobi launched an attack on the village in which your original body resided."

"Of course… that explains why I didn't just resume life in Naruto's home."

"Any moment now, your memories should merge with your original form, as the clone jutsu naturally operates. It is then that you will know of your attacker."

"Hmm… yea… it was a giant animal summon. It looks like Pain of the Akatsuki has invaded the Leaf Village. Lady Tsunade is monitoring the situation, but it's not looking so good."

"I have limited knowledge of this era. She seems to hail from the Senju bloodline, a clan rooted in bravery and resolve."

"Yep, that sounds like her! She even passed on her knowledge to one of Naruto's teammates as well."

"Ah, yes. Sakura Haruno, the clever kunoichi and childhood friend of Ino of the Yamanaka clan."

"Alright, quit the wise guy act! You clearly know a lot about this era, and what am I doing here anyway?! I thought you said I didn't have long. Is this not the afterlife?!"

The man became increasingly more visible as he moved closer to me. He had an unconventional look, pale white skin, small horns like rabbit ears, and his eyes were known as the Rinnegan. It's apparently what that Pain fellow had as well, it must be an unbelievably powerful ability. The man introduced himself to me as Hagoromo Otsutsuki, the Sage of Six Paths. A bit of a pretentious title, but I'll let it slide because he does look like a pretty sage-y kind of guy.

"As I said, your connection to this universe is not ideal. Your soul clearly originates elsewhere. That said, whatever brought you here also granted you with immense power. Do not be mistaken, however, it is not enough power to assume domain over our world, but it can be used to meddle with the strings of reality and keep things in order. As you noticed before your untimely demise, that dark figure was infiltrating Mount Myoboku. It goes by the name, Zetsu. It is an extension of my mother, her pseudo-third child, born to carry on her will in the decimation of this planet. I'll spare you the details and get to the point, Zetsu's current body consists of two parts, White and Black. His original form is the Black Zetsu with yellow eyes. White Zetsu, however, is a being formed from the victims of my mother's doing. There are thousands of White Zetsu, mindless drones that I can only assume the Akatsuki plan to utilize at some point. Zetsu, right now, has deployed about 150 of them in and around Mount Myoboku. This is where you come in… My connection to the living world is limited, I may have knowledge, but I can't return on my own volition. Your odd chakra seems to be able to, and that is why I'd like to perform a technique that will bring you back into that world temporarily."

A technique that will revive me? Is that possible? I know Orochimaru was able to perform the Edo Tensei, but I was a refrigerator… I don't have DNA to sample in this world. I was a bit hesitant to try, there was an odd sense of peace in death. Hagoromo assured me that his ability did not negate my death, but rather projected me back into the living world as a sort of ghost. He said this was an ability he hoped to use for himself one day, if the time came where his help was absolutely needed, but he decided to offer it to me instead. He believed in chaos and order and interfering too much could create aberrations unknown to humankind.

"I will no longer have enough chakra to perform this again, so spend your time wisely."

"Got it! Go in, protect Naruto, and… then what?"

"He is learning to manipulate the innate presence of chakra in nature. My estimation is that his training is nearing completion, and those toads will reverse-summon him to the Leaf Village to help out."

"Is he aware of what's going on back there?"

"From what I could sense, a toad found its way in to relay the message. Even so, these toads are wise, they will not rush this process. It will be a test of resilience for Naruto as well, if he hears the news."

"Let's hope so. Well, there's no time to waste, so let's just do this!"

"Very well…"

Hagoromo closed his eyes and formed a hand sign to commence the transference.

It's a bit embarrassing to say in hindsight, but I've really been thinking about what that ninja cat said about me being a refrigerator and my purpose here… and I think it's actually given me an idea.

Hang in there, Naruto! I won't let you down.