Overdrafting the Future, Starting in Naruto

Chapter 28: Apprenticeship!

In the end, Kinoshita Genichi still couldn't get the Yin Seal from Tsunade. The timing was wrong. No amount of thick skin would have helped.

However, after his conversation with Tsunade, Genichi didn't feel so rushed anymore. Because what she had said wasn't wrong. The more anxious he was, the more likely he was to make mistakes. With the overdraft panel in hand, if he carefully developed his skills for a few years, the situation would be completely different.

The next day, after breakfast, Genichi headed out to Sakumo's house. He couldn't be too anxious in his heart, but the grind had to continue. His training could not stop for even a single day.

Swordsmanship was one of his key future paths. His talent for it was a little worse than his talent for Water Release, but it was far stronger than his talent for Yang Release. As for fūinjutsu, it was such a comprehensive field that he couldn't quite gauge his own talent for it. But since he had smoothly mastered the Evil Sealing Method and the Fire Sealing Method, and was now making good progress on the Four Symbols Seal, it probably wasn't bad.

However, talent, good or bad, was only used to determine his focus. As long as it was something he could learn, Genichi felt he should learn it if he had the time. In a treacherous place like the world of Naruto, you could never have too many skills.

When he arrived at Sakumo's house, Genichi found that Kakashi was not home.

Sakumo didn't immediately begin instructing him. Instead, he sat down in the tea room inside the house. Genichi quickly began to prepare and pour the tea, making himself at home.

Sakumo watched with a smile, not stopping him. After Genichi had finished, he finally said, "You performed exceptionally well on this last mission. Lord Third gave an order yesterday. You may choose one ninjutsu from the village's Scroll of Seals. With the exception of forbidden techniques that are impossible to practice, you can choose any one you like."

Genichi hadn't expected such a huge surprise right after arriving. It was completely beyond his expectations.

A ninjutsu from the Scroll of Seals, and he could choose freely.

Genichi's heart couldn't help but beat wildly a few times. The Flying Thunder God Technique, the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, the Reaper Death Seal...

Konoha's foundation was truly deep, and the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, was largely to thank for it. The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was known as "The Professor" of ninjutsu, but the Second Hokage was the "Master of Forbidden Jutsu." For any forbidden jutsu from Konoha whose creator was unknown, you could just assume Tobirama developed it. And if he didn't develop it, he perfected it.

The Flying Thunder God and Edo Tensei, although Minato and Orochimaru used them more flashily than Tobirama, Tobirama was the copyright holder. Minato and Orochimaru could only be said to have popularized them. There was also the Shadow Clone and Multiple Shadow Clone techniques. The Bringer-of-Darkness Technique that Genichi had mastered was also said to have been developed by Tobirama. Genichi felt this was very much in character for him; after all, one look at the jutsu and you knew it was meant to counter the Uchiha.

There was also the Spirit Transformation Technique. Genichi felt that Tobirama must have developed that as well. During the Fourth Great Ninja War, even when he was pinned to the ground by Madara, he was still able to use a secret technique like soul-pinning to delay Sasuke's death after he was stabbed. Otherwise, Sasuke wouldn't have lasted until Kabuto came to his rescue.

In short, there were many, many good things in the Scroll of Seals. So many that it was dazzling.

Countless thoughts flashed through Genichi's mind, but he asked aloud, "Sensei, am I the only one who can choose a ninjutsu?"

Sakumo said, "Namiichi can as well, but he can only choose a B-rank ninjutsu." For the Uchiha clan, a B-rank jutsu was more or less optional.

Genichi nodded, his mind already racing, thinking about what jutsu he should choose.

Sakumo also said, "Genichi, you can first think carefully about what type of ninjutsu you need before you make your choice."

"It doesn't necessarily have to be a high-level forbidden technique. What suits you best is what's best."

Genichi nodded. "Yes, Sensei!"

After finishing with this matter, Sakumo spoke again. "Genichi, your talent in swordsmanship is not bad. Are you willing to become my disciple?"

Genichi was overjoyed to hear this. He quickly stood up and bowed deeply. "Sensei!"

Although he had been calling him sensei, this was different from before. Before, he was just his Jonin leader. His guidance in swordsmanship was just a sign of appreciation. But becoming his formal disciple now held a completely different meaning.

For Genichi, this was an even greater joy than being able to choose a jutsu from the Scroll of Seals. He could only pick one jutsu from the scroll. But becoming Sakumo's disciple meant inheriting his entire systematic skillset. As for how much he could learn, that would depend entirely on his own talent and hard work.

After the simple apprenticeship ceremony was over, Genichi's training began. But now that their relationship was different, Sakumo's demands on him became much stricter.

At the end of the morning's training, looking at the panting Genichi, Sakumo said with a solemn expression, "Genichi, if you want to make a name for yourself in the shinobi world with a sword, you must understand how to integrate chakra nature transformation into it."

"Your Water Release is excellent, but it is not suitable."

"Or rather, we haven't yet found a suitable way to integrate it. This is a point on which even I cannot guide you."

Sakumo had mastered all five nature transformations: Lightning, Fire, Earth, Wind, and Water. But when it came to Water Release, he could no longer guide Genichi. For his own swordsmanship, Sakumo used Lightning and Wind Release, which was the origin of his title, "Konoha's White Fang."

"Although you don't need to consider what nature transformation to use right now, you will one day have to take this step. Otherwise, it will be difficult to stand on your own with just swordsmanship," Sakumo said.

Right now, it wasn't just Genichi; even his son, Kakashi, had not yet reached the point of dealing with nature transformation. They hadn't even mastered the basics of swordsmanship, so there was no rush. But they had to have a direction. Kakashi, for example, was already training in Lightning Release on his own, with Earth Release as his secondary.

Listening to Sakumo's words, Genichi nodded repeatedly. The power of swordsmanship with and without chakra was completely different. The White Fang tantō was indestructible in Sakumo's hands, but it had been broken in Kakashi's. This was the difference.

It had to be said, Sakumo's death was a huge blow to Kakashi, so much so that he completely abandoned the path of swordsmanship later on. And even so, the foundation he had laid in his youth still allowed him to wield the Executioner's (Kubikiribōchō) Blade no worse than any of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Of course, his Chidori and Lightning Blade were not bad either.

But if Sakumo hadn't died, if Kakashi had been able to receive his father's guidance continuously, what kind of achievements would he have reached in the future? Genichi was very much looking forward to it.

And he was even more looking forward to his own future self!

However, the future was built upon the present. If he were to combine his swordsmanship with a nature transformation, which one should he choose? Genichi thought to himself. But he soon felt that perhaps it didn't require too much deep thought.

Lightning and Wind Release were the most suitable. And he had already mastered the basics of Wind Release nature transformation.

"If talent isn't enough, I'll make up for it with time!" Genichi gritted his teeth.

He wasn't born with a wind or lightning affinity, but that didn't mean he couldn't train those nature transformations. It would just be more difficult. But with the overdraft panel in hand, what was there to fear?

And besides his own training, there were other ways to master them quickly. Like becoming a jinchuriki. But that was something to consider later.

"Wind Release is sharp and fierce, a perfect match for swordsmanship."

"As for Lightning Release, I'll worry about that later..."

Genichi made his decision.

(End of Chapter)