Overdrafting the Future, Starting in Naruto

Chapter 29: The Choice, and Kakashi's Sense of Crisis

After clarifying the initial direction for his swordsmanship, Kinoshita Genichi began to think again about what ninjutsu to choose from the Scroll of Seals.

The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique? Unnecessary. With his meager chakra, the regular Shadow Clone Technique was enough.

The Flying Thunder God Technique? He was more than a little tempted. But that jutsu also required a massive amount of chakra to support it.

The Reaper Death Seal? A suicide sealing jutsu. No, definitely not.

Or should he choose an A-rank ninjutsu like the Water Severing Wave? Genichi felt that would be a waste of this opportunity.

Or perhaps a sensory ninjutsu? With sensory abilities, close-quarters combat, mid-to-long-range ninjutsu, and genjutsu... an all-rounder? For a moment, Genichi couldn't make a decision.

"Perhaps I can consider it from two perspectives."

"First, the ninjutsu I need right now."

"Second, the future..."

Genichi began to sort through his thoughts again.

The first day after the mission passed quickly in a haze of training and thinking.

The next day, Genichi followed Sakumo to the Hokage Tower and met with the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. This wasn't the first time they had met. Hiruzen placed great importance on ideological education and often came to the Academy to lecture on the Will of Fire.

After meeting with Hiruzen, Genichi was led by an Anbu member to an empty room next door. On a table in the room, a scroll was already laid out.

"This is the catalog for the Scroll of Seals. First, choose a ninjutsu from here. Afterward, Lord Hokage will personally copy the corresponding ninjutsu from the Scroll of Seals and give it to you," the Anbu ninja said.

Genichi was slightly disappointed. So it wasn't the real Scroll of Seals, just a catalog. But thinking about it, that was perfectly normal.

After the Anbu ninja left, Genichi opened the scroll. The first jutsu listed was the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, with a brief introduction.

Genichi scanned the list, his eyes flying over the text. He saw many familiar ninjutsu, and also many he had never heard of. Konoha was truly wealthy.

"If only I could copy all of them..." Genichi couldn't help but feel greedy. To be honest, he also loved to practice and research ninjutsu. Genichi felt that from now on, he could share a common goal with Orochimaru: to strive for a long life in order to learn more jutsu.

There were a great many ninjutsu in the Scroll of Seals, not just S-rank and A-rank, but jutsu of other ranks as well. However, Genichi's focus was mainly on the S-rank and A-rank techniques. After all, this was a rare opportunity.

Of course, the rank didn't represent the power of the jutsu, but rather the difficulty of learning it. The higher the rank, the higher the difficulty. For example, even Hiruzen, "The Professor" of ninjutsu, had failed to learn some S-rank techniques. After Tobirama, only Minato had completely mastered some of them.

Therefore, if he chose a high-difficulty ninjutsu, any one of them, it was possible Genichi wouldn't be able to learn it at all. There was a risk involved. He could end up wasting this chance.

But if he considered it only from the perspective of his current and future needs... For the future, he would choose the Flying Thunder God Technique.

And for now...

Genichi's eyes fell on another S-rank ninjutsu.

The Yin Seal!

Yes, this sealing technique was also in the Scroll of Seals. According to the introduction, this jutsu came from Mito Uzumaki of the Uzumaki clan. And, importantly, it was not specified that only women could practice it.

After pondering for three seconds, Genichi made his decision.

"Senpai, I've chosen!"

The Anbu ninja who had left earlier reappeared upon hearing his voice.

Genichi pointed. "I'll take this one."

The Anbu ninja was slightly taken aback, then nodded. "Understood. Please wait a moment."

With that, he left, taking the catalog with him.

In the Hokage's office next door, Hiruzen was somewhat surprised to see that Genichi had chosen the Yin Seal. It was truly unexpected. But he immediately understood Genichi's intention.

Chakra!

Indeed, for a child his age, a lack of chakra was a major drawback. Especially for someone like Genichi, who was so proficient in Water Release.

Having no intention of interfering, Hiruzen personally went to get the scroll for the Yin Seal. Yes, saying it would be copied was just a formality. Some things didn't need to be copied at all.

A moment later, Genichi left the Hokage Tower with the scroll of the Yin Seal. Sakumo had already left.

After taking the scroll home, Genichi didn't immediately open it to study. Instead, he headed straight for his training ground. He had to seize the time to learn as many swordsmanship techniques as he could from Sakumo, because there were only a few days left until he could overdraft the future again. As for the Yin Seal, there was no rush. He would study it at night when he got back.

The key was the next ten years. The future was built upon the present. Every time Genichi overdrafted the future, it was based on his current foundation.

The days of monotonous training passed in a flash. Before he knew it, it was March 18, Konoha Year 43.

On this day, Genichi, as usual, went to train with Sakumo in the morning. Kakashi had also been there for the past few days, providing another sparring partner, and his progress had been even greater.

But it had to be said, with Kakashi as a comparison, Genichi also got to see what a true genius of swordsmanship looked like.

Kakashi was one. He was not. But with his cheats, he counted.

At the end of the morning's training, lying on the ground to rest, Genichi asked, "Kakashi, are you practicing Lightning Release nature transformation yet?"

Kakashi was lying next to him. Hearing his words, he said, "Mm, I've got the basics down."

"What do you think about me developing a Lightning Release ninjutsu of my own?"

Genichi's eyebrows raised slightly, then he smiled. "Of course you can."

"Whether you succeed in developing the jutsu or not, you should gain a lot from the process." Although the Rasengan wasn't suitable for him, the process of practicing it had given him a lot of insight and improvement in chakra control and shape transformation.

"Besides, I believe you can do it, Kakashi," Genichi said, full of confidence.

A smile appeared on Kakashi's face. "Thanks!"

He actually didn't have much confidence himself. It was just that Genichi had created the Rasengan on his own, so he also wanted to try developing a lightning jutsu of his own. He hadn't expected Genichi to have so much faith in him.

Since that's the case...

"Then I'll give it a try!" Kakashi decided secretly.

His stamina having mostly recovered, Genichi flipped to his feet and smiled. "Kakashi, don't slack off! Maybe it won't be long before you can't beat me anymore!"

Kakashi also got up and said faintly, "I'll be waiting."

Genichi waved his hand. "I'm off!"

With that, he used the Body Flicker Technique and left.

Kakashi watched him leave and couldn't help but frown slightly. "This guy is improving so fast. It looks like I have to work even harder."

Over the past two days, Genichi's performance had indeed given him a slight sense of crisis. And Genichi trained like a madman, just like that guy Guy.

"This afternoon... I'll practice swordsmanship again this afternoon."

"I'll work on Lightning Release nature transformation at night."

With these thoughts, Kakashi started walking home, but he soon used the Body Flicker Technique. Walking slowly seemed like a bit of a waste of time.

I should get home quickly, eat, rest a bit, and then continue training! I can't let that guy Genichi catch up...

(End of Chapter)