HIER OF ASHURA

At four years old, Naruto Uzumaki sat alone on the swing in the Konoha orphanage's playground, watching other children laugh and play. The sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. His small frame shivered slightly as he gripped the worn wood of the swing, not because of the cold, but because of the strange warmth that had been building inside him all day. It was unlike anything he'd ever felt—gentle, yet powerful, like a whisper of energy coursing through his tiny body.

Then, it happened.

A pulse of chakra erupted from him in all directions, invisible to the human eye but potent enough to disturb the leaves in the surrounding trees. Birds scattered from their perches, and the air grew heavy for a fleeting moment. Naruto blinked, confused by the sudden calm that followed.

Deep within his soul, the system, which had been dormant, triggered an event it called Chrono-Scan, designed to update its information archives about the current timeline. It cataloged people, places, and potential threats, ensuring it was ready for its eventual activation. Naruto, however, remained blissfully unaware of the monumental ripple this small event had caused.

Four years later, Naruto wandered in the forest at the edge of Konoha. At eight years old, the village's cold treatment hadn't softened, but he'd learned to escape its harshness by losing himself in training. His goal that day was simple: improve his shuriken throwing.

With a determined grunt, he hurled a shuriken at a tree trunk. It wobbled mid-air and barely stuck to the bark. "Come on!" Naruto groaned, kicking at a nearby rock. "I'll never be a ninja like this."

As he bent to pick up another shuriken, a voice, smooth and calm, echoed in his mind:

"Observation: Your technique is suboptimal. Adjustments are required."

Naruto froze, the shuriken falling from his hands. He spun around, his heart pounding. "Who's there? Show yourself!"

"No need to panic. I am within you, Naruto Uzumaki."

Naruto blinked. "Huh? What do you mean, 'within me'? Are you some kind of jutsu?"

"Not a jutsu. I am a system designed to guide and assist you in achieving your full potential. You are my host because you are the reincarnation of Ashura Ōtsutsuki."

Naruto tilted his head. "Ashura... what now? What are you talking about?"

"Ashura Ōtsutsuki, the younger son of the Sage of Six Paths, Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki. His will and chakra are reborn in you, granting you unparalleled potential. I exist to help you fulfill this destiny."

Naruto blinked in confusion but quickly shook his head. "System? That's boring. You need a better name. I'm calling you Uzuhiko! 'Uzu' for Uzumaki and 'hiko' because it sounds cool!"

The voice hesitated before responding. "Designation accepted. I am now Uzuhiko."

Naruto grinned, proud of himself. "Alright, Uzuhiko, if you're really here to help, prove it. Tell me how to fix my shuriken throws!"

Uzuhiko Status Panel

Name: Naruto Uzumaki

Alias: Uzuhiko's Chosen

Age: 8

Reincarnation: Ashura Ōtsutsuki

Jinchūriki Status: Nine-Tails (Kurama)

Chakra Reserves: Elite Jōnin (2000 Units)

Physical Attributes:

Strength: Low-Medium

Agility: Medium

Endurance: Medium

Special Attributes:

Latent Potential: Extremely High

Chakra Affinity: Wind (Primary)

Current Objectives:

Improve basic ninja skills.

Focus on chakra control.

Naruto stared at the glowing blue screen in front of him, his mind reeling as he read the status panel. His eyes widened at the line that read "Jinchūriki Status: Nine-Tails (Kurama)".

"Wait… WHAT?!" Naruto yelled, nearly tripping over his own feet. "I have the Nine-Tails inside me?! You mean the thing that attacked the village?!"

"Affirmative. The Nine-Tails, Kurama, was sealed inside you the night of your birth by your parents to save the village from its destruction."

Naruto froze. "My parents? But… I don't have parents."

"Incorrect. Your parents were Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, and Kushina Uzumaki, the previous Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails. Their actions saved you and the village."

Naruto's hands clenched into fists, his heart pounding. "Then why… why do they hate me? Why do they call me a monster?"

"The villagers equate you with the Nine-Tails due to ignorance and fear. They do not understand that you are not the beast, but its jailor."

Naruto's head hung low as he processed the information. "So that's why…" His voice was barely a whisper.

Uzuhiko's calm tone cut through his thoughts. "Your existence is not defined by their hatred. You have the potential to rise above it and become stronger than any who doubt you. I am here to help you achieve that."

Naruto wiped his eyes with his sleeve and stood tall. "Alright, Uzuhiko. If I'm really this Ashura guy and I've got this Nine-Tails thing in me, then I'll prove to everyone I'm not a monster. Let's get stronger together!"

"Acknowledged. Shall we begin your training?"

Naruto nodded, determination burning in his eyes. With Uzuhiko by his side, he was ready to face his destiny, one step at a time.

Naruto's initial shock had faded, replaced by the fiery determination he was known for. He stared at the glowing status panel before him, his mind spinning with questions. "So, Uzuhiko," he began, scratching the back of his head, "what else can you do? You've gotta be more than just a fancy screen, right?"

"Correct. I possess multiple features to aid your growth. However, before we proceed, one thing must be made clear."

Naruto tilted his head. "What's that?"

"Do not reveal my existence to anyone. My purpose is to guide you discreetly. Should others discover me, it could lead to complications that hinder your progress."

Naruto frowned. "You mean like those weird old people in the Hokage's office?"

"Precisely. It is crucial that no one knows of Uzuhiko. Do you understand?"

Naruto thought for a moment before nodding. "Alright, I'll keep you a secret. Besides, it's not like I have anyone to tell anyway."

Uzuhiko's voice softened slightly. "Acknowledged. Now, shall we explore my features?"

Naruto's face lit up. "Yeah! Show me what you've got!"

Uzuhiko's Features Menu

The status panel changed, morphing into a list of options:

Training Mode

Skill Progression

Chakra Control Exercises

Inventory

Mission Tracker

Analysis Mode

Naruto's eyes widened as he read through the list. "Whoa! This is like having my own ninja academy!"

"Correct. Let me explain each feature."

Training Mode

"Training Mode provides guided instructions to improve your physical abilities, ninjutsu, and taijutsu."

Naruto punched the air. "Yes! Finally, I'll throw shuriken like a pro!"

Skill Progression

"This tracks your progress in various skills, such as stealth, weapon mastery, and elemental jutsu. It offers challenges to unlock new abilities."

Naruto grinned. "So, it's like leveling up in one of those games the rich kids play? Awesome!"

Chakra Control Exercises

"This offers methods to refine your control over chakra, increasing efficiency and unlocking advanced techniques."

Naruto blinked. "Uh… chakra control? Isn't that just, like, making clones?"

"Your clones waste excessive chakra. Improved control will allow you to create more clones with less strain and master advanced jutsu in the future."

Inventory

"Inventory stores items you acquire. Currently, it holds basic supplies and a few gifts left by your parents."

Naruto's heart skipped a beat. "Gifts from my parents? What are they?"

"Those will be available to you when the time is right."

Naruto pouted. "Fine, keep your secrets…"

Mission Tracker

"Mission Tracker assigns personal goals to enhance your skills or test your abilities. Completing missions earns rewards."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Rewards? Like what?"

"Training scrolls, skill upgrades, or chakra boosts. For now, let's focus on your basics."

Analysis Mode

"Analysis Mode provides detailed information on individuals, techniques, or objects you encounter."

Naruto smirked. "So, I can figure out how strong someone is just by looking at them?"

"Within limits, yes."

Naruto clapped his hands. "This is so cool! Where do we start?"

"Your chakra control requires immediate attention. Shall we begin a basic exercise?"

Naruto nodded. "Alright, Uzuhiko, let's do this!"

Basic Chakra Control Exercise

Uzuhiko instructed Naruto to gather leaves and place one on his forehead.

"Focus on holding the leaf with your chakra. Maintain balance and flow."

Naruto crossed his legs, closed his eyes, and concentrated. It took a few tries—mostly ending in the leaf falling to the ground—but Uzuhiko's calm guidance kept him motivated.

After half an hour, the leaf stuck firmly.

Naruto jumped to his feet, punching the air. "Yes! I did it!"

"Good progress. This will improve your energy efficiency over time. Continue practicing daily."

Naruto beamed. "Thanks, Uzuhiko."

"Acknowledged. Remember, secrecy is paramount. Continue training, and you will surpass all expectations."

Naruto nodded, determination glowing in his eyes. Uzuhiko wasn't just a tool—it was a partner. With it, he felt stronger and more confident than ever before. For the first time, Naruto felt like he truly had someone by his side.