Chapter 1: The Second Chance

The void was endless.

A deep, inescapable abyss, where the light was nothing more than a forgotten memory. In this vast darkness, a small, fragile wisp floated aimlessly, drifting without purpose.

It had no form. No voice. No destination.

Just… existence.

A divine presence watched from afar, his golden radiance piercing through the void like a lone star in an eternal night. He studied the wandering soul with quiet amusement.

"A lost one," he mused. "Drifting in a place where most things vanish… how interesting."

With a wave of his hand, the deity peered into the soul's past.

Leo Solace.

A boy who had known love once, only to have it stolen away.

His parents—his entire world—were taken from him in an instant, leaving him to fend for himself in a world that had no place for the weak. Alone, he stumbled through life, grasping at whatever he could to survive.

There were no warm embraces, no guiding hands. Only empty nights and a cold, indifferent world.

He worked hard, studied harder, and clawed his way into a decent college. He secured a stable job. He did everything right.

But in the end, he had nothing.

No love. No companionship. No reason to wake up in the morning.

His only escape was in stories—worlds where friendships were real, love was genuine, and battles were fought for something greater than survival.

He held onto those stories like a lifeline. He defended them in fan wars. He laughed, he cried, he felt through them. They were the only proof that something beautiful could exist.

But fate was cruel.

Just like his parents, he too was taken by a truck.

As he lay there, his vision fading, the only thought that crossed his mind wasn't about his lonely life. It wasn't about regrets or love.

It was—

"I won't even get to see the end of One Piece, huh?"

"Ahem."

A voice—deep, warm, and filled with power—shattered the silence of the void.

The soul shuddered.

How? How could sound exist in a place where nothing moved? Had everything he learned in physics been a lie?

Slowly, he turned toward the source.

And saw—

A towering figure bathed in gold. It was impossible to see his face, his presence too overwhelming, his radiance too blinding.

Leo tried to speak—only to remember.

He had no mouth.

The being chuckled. "Ah, I forgot. You don't have a body, do you?"

With a flick of his wrist, lightly wrapped around the soul, moulding it, shaping it—until flesh, bones, and warmth returned.

When the glow faded, Leo found himself whole once more. Blonde hair, an average build… He instinctively checked himself—everything was intact.

With a relieved breath, he bowed. "Thank you, sir."

The deity watched him for a moment, his golden aura flickering.

"Leo Solace," he said, his voice softer now. "You walked a lonely path. A hard path. You endured more than most… but you never truly lived."

Leo's fingers curled into fists.

"I am giving you a chance," the being continued. "A second life. No chains. No burdens. Just you… and the opportunity to experience everything you were denied. What do you say?"

For a long moment, Leo didn't move.

A second life? A fresh start?

He felt something—a spark. A longing. A hunger.

But something inside him whispered: Nothing is free.

His jaw tightened. "And what do you want in return?"

The deity chuckled. "You're cautious. Good." He smiled. "I simply want to watch. You are not my puppet, just my source of entertainment. No strings attached."

Leo studied him carefully.

In all the stories he had read, beings like this always had some ulterior motive. Some grand design. Some hidden trap.

But this one…

This one just looked bored.

Slowly, hope—fragile, hesitant—bloomed in his chest.

"I accept."

The deity's golden light pulsed, as if pleased. "Good. Then I grant you three wishes. Choose wisely."

Leo's mind raced.

This was his one chance. His one shot. If he had to start over, he wouldn't waste it.

"Can I… travel between worlds? Like… anime worlds?"

The deity tilted his head, considering. Then, he nodded. "You may. But your ability to travel will depend on your strength. Your journey is yours to control."

Leo's heart pounded.

Then—

"For my wishes:

1. Grant me a system—limitless in potential, but a companion rather than a burden.

2. Give the system the ability to transport me between worlds, chosen by a roulette.

3. Let me decide who I will be in each world—whether as myself or another character, with control over when my memories resurface."

The deity listened, silent. Then—

"Your wishes are granted."

Leo exhaled.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity… he felt alive.

He bowed deeply. "Thank you. I won't waste this."

The deity merely smiled. "No need to thank me." His voice softened. "Just live. No more regrets. No more what-ifs. Go, and create the life you always deserved."

Light surrounded Leo once more.

Ding!

[System initializing… 1% … 99% … 100%]

[Welcome, Host.]

[Configure the system.]

Leo didn't hesitate. "System, create a quest function, a shop with every ability and item from all anime worlds, an inventory, and a roulette for selecting the world. Currency will be System Points, with a 100:1 exchange rate. A monthly discount sale, 50% off on select items. That should do for now."

[Configuration complete.]

A roulette wheel appeared before him, filled with ten anime worlds.

• Dragon Ball

• Naruto

• One Piece

• Bleach

• One Punch Man

• Demon Slayer

• Jujutsu Kaisen

• My Hero Academia

• Black Clover

• Fairy Tail

He spun the wheel. The arrow clicked rapidly, slowing… slowing… until it landed on—

Naruto.

Leo grinned. "Not a bad start."

Then, he hesitated. Looking back at the deity, he swallowed.

"...Sir, you probably know my biggest regret. Do you have an answer for it?"

The deity sighed. "Brat, even I'm waiting for the ending. Do you think being a god means I get everything? Some things must be experienced the right way. Even I respect Oda-sensei for creating the greatest story ever told."

Leo blinked—then burst out laughing.

"So you're a One Piece fan too?"

The deity smirked but said nothing.

Leo turned to his system. "System, reincarnate me as Naruto. From birth."

The light consumed him once again, pulling him toward his new life.

The deity watched him go, his golden light flickering. Then, with a knowing smile, he whispered:

"Live well, Leo. And make this life truly yours."

With that, the world fell silent once more.