Grant Marshall, the world-changing ninja

Grant sat cross-legged on the tatami mat, his small hands gripping an inkbrush awkwardly. His new, four-year-old body felt unsteady and unfamiliar, but his mind was sharper than ever. A blank scroll lay before him, and with it, his plan to preserve what he knew of his past life.

"If I don't record it now, it'll slip away," he muttered, his young voice trembling under the weight of his thoughts.

The memories of his past life as a wavelength researcher surged through him. He wasn't just a man of science; he was someone who had devoted himself to uncovering hidden patterns in energy, connections that most overlooked. And now, he had the added knowledge of a fictional world—Naruto—where his second life seemed to have landed him. Was it destiny? A cosmic joke? He didn't care. What mattered was survival and growth.

But he wouldn't take risks.

Before putting the ink to the parchment, he paused. Japanese. Everyone here speaks and writes in Japanese. He couldn't afford anyone deciphering his notes. Slowly, with care, he began writing in English, his hand unsteady but deliberate.

Grant started with what he remembered of the Naruto timeline. Though fragmented, his memories painted a picture of the major events:

• The birth of Naruto Uzumaki, the host of the Nine-Tails.

• The Uchiha massacre, orchestrated by Itachi and influenced by Danzo.

• The Chunin Exams invasion, where Orochimaru killed the Third Hokage.

• The Akatsuki's rise and their hunt for tailed beasts.

• The eventual Fourth Great Ninja War.

• Kaguya Otsutsuki's appearance, marking the endgame.

"I need to use this knowledge without becoming a target. Knowing too much too soon would draw suspicion," he thought.

He jotted down key players: Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi, and even figures like Orochimaru and Madara. Every detail that might give him an advantage went onto the scroll, even the filler arcs he could recall. He marked them with caution: "Possible misinformation."

Next, he focused on chakra. This world's power system fascinated him, and he intended to push it beyond its known limits.

• Chakra Control: Techniques like tree climbing and water walking could be mastered early to conserve energy.

• Elemental Natures: Wind, fire, earth, water, and lightning. He theorized possible combinations like his old work in wavelengths, imagining unique techniques that could blend elements.

• Yin and Yang Chakra: "Mental energy and physical energy. Is there a way to measure or amplify these scientifically?"

He began drafting potential experiments:

1. Could chakra signatures be quantified like energy waves?

2. Was there a way to manipulate chakra frequency to create new effects?

3. How did genjutsu work at its core? Could it be enhanced with scientific principles?

He then turned his attention to what he could recreate from his old world. Some things would be impossible without resources, but ideas flooded his mind:

• Basic circuits and wiring.

• Primitive combustion engines for tools or traps.

• Optical lenses, which could aid in genjutsu training.

But most of all, he focused on his specialty: wavelengths. "Theories of resonance, amplification, and interference could be applied to chakra," he thought. He drafted ideas for sound-based techniques, chakra resonance weapons, and even genjutsu amplified through specific frequency patterns.

Finally, he wrote down strategies for survival. Grant knew the Karama Clan specialized in genjutsu and illusions, making them prime targets during wartime. "I have to stand out just enough to protect myself, but not so much that I become a target."

He wrote his plan in stages:

• Master genjutsu early and expand its capabilities using his knowledge.

• Maintain top scores in theory at the academy but limit flashy demonstrations in practical exams.

• Develop relationships within his clan to ensure loyalty and protection.

• Build alliances early but keep his ultimate knowledge secret.

By the time Grant finished, the sun had dipped below the horizon. He stretched his tiny fingers, cramped from hours of writing. Before him lay a scroll filled with knowledge—a lifeline for his future.

He stared at it for a moment before rolling it tightly and hiding it under a loose floorboard. "This is just the beginning. I'll learn everything this world has to offer and push it further. I have seven years to prepare."

Despite his determination, there was an emptiness inside him. He missed his old world, his colleagues, and even the simple routine of his past life. For now, though, survival and progress came first. Opening up to this new world emotionally could wait.

With a sigh, he lay on the futon, staring at the wooden ceiling. "One step at a time. Tomorrow, I start figuring out this clan and its secrets."