When only a few pieces remained to complete the puzzle, Uzumaki Naruto sat by the riverbank, gazing into the distance with eyes both deep and hollow. It was early morning—a crisp breeze tousled his golden hair, the grass rustled, the river murmured, and birds sang melodies only they could understand.
For weeks, even months, sudden flashes of memories and sensations had assaulted him relentlessly. He would wake up and instinctively try to leap to his feet using a tail he'd never possessed—yet phantom sensations insisted otherwise. The first time he saw a Shogi set, the word "Gungi" sprang to mind. What was that? Where had it come from? No matter how hard he racked his brain, the answer eluded him.
It left him uneasy and bewildered. He didn't know what to make of these inexplicable revelations, but Naruto never spoke of them to anyone. From birth, he'd been a quiet, introspective child—more inclined to ponder than to speak or ask questions.
Naruto's brow furrowed slightly as a name surfaced in his mind.
"Komugi… Komugi… Who is that?" the blond whispered.
Just uttering it made his chest tighten, his breath grow shallow.
Even as a child, he could piece together puzzles that baffled adults. His thoughts and deductions sometimes surpassed even the Hokage's. He lacked the childishness typical of his peers, and among his generation, he found no equals.
Chakra—the source of a shinobi's power, mastered only through years of grueling training. Yet Naruto needed no mentor. To him, it came as naturally as a baby learning to crawl, then walk.
Two years had passed since he first discovered that strange energy within himself. That same day, he learned to walk on walls, ceilings, even water. He realized chakra could enhance his body instantly, unlocking supernatural abilities he eagerly explored.
For some reason, he'd almost called it "Nen"—but something told him chakra and Nen were fundamentally different.
It didn't take him long to grasp that every shinobi wielded chakra to some degree, some even possessing unique techniques. Uzumaki needed only a glance to replicate—and refine—them for his young age. The Body Flicker Technique, Shadow Clones, Illusionary Clones, Transformation, Replacement… The list went on. He mastered them all the day he discovered them.
Now six years old, he'd soon enroll in the Shinobi Academy. Occasionally, the Third Hokage—leader of the Village Hidden in the Leaves, Konoha—visited him. The old man gave him money, spoke of the Will of Fire. Naruto wasn't fooled by his kindness, but he played along. He read voraciously, learning of the Four Hokage, one of whom was his father, the Bijuu, and the most fearsome of them all—sealed within him.
Usually, he needed only a few puzzle pieces to see the full picture. But not this time. Now, something felt… missing.
"King… ants… Meruem… Nen…" The boy muttered under his breath. "King… King of Ants? Chimera… The Chimera Ant King, Meruem? Gungi… the board game… Komugi… Komugi?"
His blue eyes widened, his face alight with realization. A barely audible gasp escaped his lips. A full minute passed before the being who'd once borne the title of King—of a different species, under a different name—restored his usual composure.
He closed his eyes, rising slowly to his feet.
"So… that's how it is," he whispered pensively. "Komugi… That dream was so beautiful. Why did I wake from it without you?"
Turning from the river, he headed home, finally opening his eyes. If one looked closely, they'd see profound sorrow in their depths. He couldn't believe he'd ever meet that blind girl with a pure heart again—the one who loved playing Gungi so dearly. Yet he whispered prayers for her soul, wishing his dearest friend happiness in whatever world she might be.
He hoped—if he could reincarnate, perhaps Komugi had too. Somewhere far from monsters like the Chimera Ants. Somewhere selfishness wouldn't bring her pain, as it had with Meruem. He had been the source of all her suffering… yet in his final moments as King, they'd grown close, hadn't they? He'd even seen her smile.
There is no absolute evil. No absolute good. Only something in between.
He'd give anything to see Komugi one more time.
With sorrow, contemplation, and fragile hope, the reborn King moved forward. This new life stretched far beyond the forty days he'd lived before. He was no longer the Chimera Ant King.
But his ego and will remained unbroken.