Gamer, fixing the fates of fictional characters

"Eh?" Liam blinked, staring blankly at ROB. "Me? Becoming a god?" 

His brain momentarily short-circuited, leaving him utterly stunned by the declaration. 

"Yes," ROB replied, leaning forward with a twinkle in his eyes. "You've accumulated so much karmic value throughout your lifetime that you've earned the honor of ascending to godhood - instantly, no strings attached! You can create your own world, control everything in it, shape it however you like..." His voice grew more animated with each word, his enthusiasm barely contained. Still, there was a faint trace of uncertainty - or was it teasing? - in his gaze. 

Liam, however, didn't share the excitement. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly and furrowed his brows. Then, with a deep breath, he looked ROB squarely in the eyes. "I'm sorry, but... no. Becoming a god isn't the path I want to take." 

ROB froze mid-gesture, his hand hanging in the air like a puppet whose strings had been cut. His enthusiasm crumbled into genuine confusion. "Huh? You're... you're turning down godhood?" 

"That's right," Liam said, his tone firm, his resolve unshaken. "While I could probably do a lot of good with those powers, it wouldn't help me fulfill my dream - not truly. It feels like the easy way, not the right one." 

The silence that followed was palpable. The air grew thick with tension as ROB stared at Liam, his expression unreadable. 

Then, without warning, ROB burst into laughter. It was a booming, hearty sound that echoed through the strange, otherworldly office. He slapped his desk, tears of mirth forming at the corners of his eyes. "Wonderful!" he exclaimed between bouts of laughter. "You truly are different!" He took a deep breath to steady himself, then leaned back in his chair with a smug grin. "I told those other idiots you wouldn't be swayed by something as petty as godhood! Hahahaha!" 

Liam gawked at him, utterly dumbfounded. "Wait a second… are you telling me you bet on this?" 

"Of course I did!" ROB declared, puffing out his chest like a child boasting about a game they'd just won. "I knew you'd stick to your convictions, and I couldn't wait to rub it in their faces. Oh, it feels so good to be right!" 

Liam opened his mouth to retort but stopped himself, unsure how to even respond. Instead, he pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered under his breath, "I can't believe someone with this much power acts like this…" 

ROB waved him off dismissively, his grin widening. "Alright, alright. Enough about that. If godhood isn't your path, what do you want? Surely you have something in mind if you're turning down such an offer." 

Liam hesitated for a moment, his mind racing. Then he nodded, his resolve clear. "Actually… I do. If possible, I'd like to travel to worlds of fiction - with some kind of system to help me navigate them." 

ROB raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Fictional worlds? You mean the ones humans create for entertainment?" 

"Exactly," Liam said, his voice gaining strength. "I want to visit those worlds to help even more children. So many of them face worse fates than the kids I helped back on Earth. I want to give them the chance to grow up safely, to live their lives however they want. The system part is mainly because... let's face it - those worlds can be dangerous. I'd need something to level the playing field." 

ROB leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as he regarded Liam with a thoughtful expression. "I'll admit… that's not the path I expected you to choose. It's so… ordinary." 

Liam smiled faintly, his eyes steady. "Maybe it is. But it's what I want. This is the best way for me to do what I've always dreamed of - helping those who need it the most." 

For a moment, ROB was silent, studying Liam with an intensity that made the mortal slightly uncomfortable. Then, with a sigh, he nodded, his gaze softening. "Alright," he said finally. "I'll grant your wish. I'll reincarnate you into whatever world you choose with a system tailored to your needs. And as a bonus - since you helped me win that bet, even if unknowingly - I'll let you completely customize your birth circumstances." 

Liam's eyes widened. "Seriously? That's… incredible. Thanks!" 

ROB grinned. "Don't mention it. Take your time to think about the details. Let me know when you're ready." 

Liam closed his eyes, his mind whirring with possibilities. 'If I want to help as many people as possible, I need to start early - before things spiral out of control. The Warring States period would be perfect, just before Konoha's founding. I could influence the larger picture and keep some of those old coots in check.' 

The more he thought about it, the more his plans began to take shape. 'If I'm going to make a real impact, I'll need strong roots. The Uzumaki clan would be ideal - powerful, resilient, and respected. But just being a pure Uzumaki might not be enough. Adding Hozuki lineage would give me a unique edge. Their liquid transformation techniques would complement the Uzumaki's natural abilities, and I'd be able to adapt to a wider variety of challenges.' 

Satisfied with his plan, Liam opened his eyes and looked at ROB. "Alright, I've made my decision. I'd like to be born during the Warring States period, about eleven years before Konoha's founding. I'll be part of the Uzumaki clan, born to a Hozuki mother and an elder brother of Mito Uzumaki." 

ROB tilted his head, his interest clearly piqued. "An intriguing combination. Are you sure this is everything? You could ask for more, you know." 

Liam hesitated, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "Well, if you're offering… there's one more thing. I'd like a specific kind of eyes. I don't remember the exact name, but I think they're called the 'Red Eyes' or something like that?" 

ROB chuckled knowingly. "Ah, I know the ones you mean. Consider it done." 

"Thanks," Liam said, a genuine grin spreading across his face. "Oh, and about my name - I haven't given it much thought. Surprise me." 

ROB leaned forward, smirking. "Fair enough. I'll come up with something fitting." 

With everything settled, ROB clapped his hands, the sound reverberating through the room like a bell tolling. "Alright, kid. It's time to get this show on the road." 

Liam smiled, a mixture of excitement and nervousness bubbling in his chest. "Thanks for everything, ROB. I mean it." 

"Don't mention it," ROB replied, his tone warm and genuine. "Go out there and make the most of this second chance. You've got something special, kid. Don't let it go to waste. Oh, right nearly forgot, your Soul will fully fuse with your body on your first official birthday, so the system and your full awareness will only start then." 

As ROB began the reincarnation process, a gentle glow enveloped Liam. His body started to dissolve into shimmering particles of light, each one carrying a piece of his essence. He felt an indescribable mix of weightlessness and anticipation as his consciousness began to fade. 

Just before the light consumed him completely, ROB's voice echoed one last time, filled with a mischievous warmth. 

"Good luck, kid. Or should I say… Kaitou Uzumaki?"