I didn't die in battle.
I didn't die saving a child.
I didn't even die dramatically.
No.
I died while hate-watching Boruto.
One minute, I was sitting on my couch in my fifth-floor apartment, remote in hand, grumbling about wasted potential and filler episodes. The next? A blinding white light—and the last thing I saw was a truck falling from the sky and crashing through my ceiling.
Yes. A truck.
Falling.
From.
The.
Sky.
Cue existential panic and then—black.
---
I woke up gasping.
My lungs felt smaller. My body? Lighter. Younger.
Everything was wrong. Too bright. Too loud. Too real.
And I wasn't in my apartment. Or a hospital. Or even Earth.
I was in a field surrounded by kids—none older than 12—and all wearing Konoha forehead protectors or academy uniforms.
Some were sparring. Others throwing kunai. It didn't take long to recognize the setting.
Naruto's world.
Pre-genin days.
Oh no.
I sprinted to the nearest reflective surface—a pond. The face that stared back was… not mine. A black-haired boy, lean and sharp-eyed, maybe eleven years old.
> Welcome, User
You have been selected for the [Overpowered Modern Exercise System].
This system converts modern physical exercises into stat gains and unique abilities.
WARNING: Gains are earned. Sweat, pain, and suffering are mandatory.
Current Stats:
– Strength: Below Average
– Speed: Average
– Endurance: Below Average
Would you like to begin your first workout?
"What the hell…"
That's when it hit me. I'd been Isekai'd. Not into some world—this one. The Naruto universe. And not only that…
I was the same age as Naruto.
---
The Academy was louder than I remembered from the anime. There were no convenient cuts or background music. Just chalk screeching on blackboards, kids arguing, and the overwhelming smell of sweat and rice crackers.
Naruto was there. So was Sasuke, sitting cool and alone. Shikamaru yawned in the corner. Sakura glared at Naruto for something dumb he said. Everything was just like the early episodes.
Except now… I was here too.
And I wasn't some background NPC.
The moment I took my seat, something clicked.
This was real.
This world was dangerous.
And I was not going to be the guy who dies offscreen during the bell test.
I pulled up the system again.
> Begin Daily Exercise Routine:
– 100 Push-ups
– 100 Sit-ups
– 100 Squats
– 5km Run
Completion Rewards:
+1 to All Physical Stats
Unlock: Skill Tree (Level 1)
I sighed.
It was gonna suck. But if modern workouts were the key to surviving in a world where 12-year-olds could throw exploding tags, I was going to suffer myself to godhood.
I got up before the sun the next morning. My muscles screamed. The ground was cold. My body wanted to quit by push-up #43.
I did 200.
> System Notification: Pain Threshold Passed
+1 Endurance Bonus
Unlock: Passive – Muscle Memory Lv. 1
And just like that… I began to grow.
This wasn't a game. There were no cheat codes.
But if hard work was the price of power?
Then I'd pay in blood, sweat, and sore legs.