Sunlight filtered through the windows of the Third Hokage's office, illuminating piles of paperwork that would make any normal human being weep.
Satoru Gojo sat, or rather, leaned back, in one of the visitor chairs, one leg crossed over his knee and an air of complete nonchalance.
Across from him, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Professor, watched the newcomer with a mixture of caution and almost paternal curiosity.
""So... you have no chakra," Sarutobi repeated, his pipe smoking. "And you say you fell here from a 'portal'."
Gojo clicked his tongue. "Exactly. A portal. You know, those glowing holes that take you somewhere else. Don't they have those around here?" Wow, this world is more boring than I thought."
Just at that instant, a voice echoed in Gojo's head, as clear as if someone were whispering in his ear, but invisible to the Hokage. A translucent, glowing text panel appeared in his vision, just for him.
[Congratulations, User 001! You have activated the Dimensional Shop System!]
[Your 'Karma' has been calculated: +54,321 (Exceptional Technique Mastery, Protection of Humanity, Annihilation of Transcendental Threats)]
[Initial Karma Reward: 1,000 Dimension Points (DP)]
[Access Unlocked: Dimensional Shop Level 1. Explore your options!]
Gojo blinked, and then a genuine, almost childlike smile spread across his face.
"Hahahahaha! I knew it! I'm always the best! So this is a game now? I like it. Although 'Karma' sounds like something my students should have, not me."
Sarutobi, who had seen and heard absolutely nothing, frowned. "A game? What are you talking about, young Gojo?"
"Nothing, nothing, old man," Gojo replied, waving a dismissive hand. "I'm just having an epiphany. It seems I'm the protagonist of a much bigger adventure than I expected. 'Dimension Points'? Sounds like something I can use to get some good candy."
As Gojo mentally analyzed the shop's interface, a floating catalog of items ranging from the mundane to the completely absurd, Sarutobi sighed. This man's presence was unnerving. He felt no chakra in him, but a strange, overwhelming pressure emanated from him, one his most experienced shinobi senses could barely discern.
"Young Gojo," Sarutobi continued, trying to regain control of the conversation. "We need to know who you are and why you're here. Konoha cannot allow a person with your... quirk to roam freely unsupervised."
Gojo finally turned his attention away from the dimensional store, though the interface was still visible in the back of his mind.
"Uhm, I told you. I'm Gojo Satoru. And if you're worried about my 'quirk,' believe me, I'm strong enough that I don't have to worry about your rules." He raised a hand and snapped his fingers, and the air around him seemed to ripple slightly. "I could erase this place from existence before you even blinked."
Sarutobi narrowed his eyes, his old ninja senses screaming at him that Gojo's arrogance wasn't just bragging. The truth was, for the first time in a long time, he felt genuinely... powerless. Gojo Satoru's very existence defied all known laws of the shinobi world.
"I understand," Sarutobi said, his voice firm despite his unease. "Then, I propose this. You will stay in Konoha, under our observation. In return, we will provide you with lodging and give you information about this world. In return, we expect your cooperation."
Gojo thought about it for a moment, eyeing the Premium Instant Ramen in his shop for 30 Dimension Points. It wasn't a bad deal. This world was... different. And boring. Perhaps this shop and these new "ninjas" would make it more interesting.
""Okay, old Hokage," Gojo said with a carefree smile. "But I want the best ramen in the village, and don't make me fill out forms. I'm terrible with paperwork. And by the way," he added, standing up and stretching lazily, "I'm not one to follow rules. Just so you know. This is going to be fun. For me, that is."
Sarutobi could only exhale a puff of smoke. He had accepted the presence of a completely unknown factor, a wild card with unimaginable power. The shinobi world was about to get a lot more... interesting.