Overdrafting the Future, Starting in Naruto

Boom!

The Third Raikage smashed his fist into his desk, splintering it in a fit of rage.

Four days had passed since Troi's capture, and the report had just arrived from the Land of Rain. Troi had been captured. The three-man team sent to meet him was completely wiped out. The two four-man squads sent in pursuit were also completely wiped out.

How could the Third Raikage not be furious at such losses? If Sunagakure had done it, fine. Even if Iwagakure had done it, he wouldn't be this angry. But Konoha. I haven't even come to attack you yet, and you're already causing me trouble.

"Damn it!" the Third Raikage roared. "Immediately assemble a four-hundred-man unit and launch a surprise attack on the Land of Fire's border!"

"Yes, Lord Raikage!" his assistant immediately replied and left.

Once the assistant was gone, the Third Raikage's fury subsided, replaced by a grave expression. That bastard Onoki was far too patient. He had to give him a little push. Besides, Konoha was the best target. But the Third Raikage also had to admit that Konoha was the strongest. Facing Konoha alone was a disadvantage; he needed the other villages to pin them down and wear them out.

Konoha Hospital, Laboratory.

Kinoshita Genichi and Tsunade were busy at work, with Shizune and Uzumaki Ina helping out on the side. Lying on the operating table was the Magnet Release ninja, Troi. Next to him were numerous instruments, including one that could analyze chakra.

The Magnet Release ninja Troi was not dead, merely anesthetized. Tsunade was responsible for studying his cells, while Genichi used genjutsu to control and guide Troi, using the instruments to continuously analyze his Magnet Release chakra.

Over the past half-month, they had made great progress. Unfortunately, Genichi himself didn't have an affinity for Lightning or Earth Release nature transformations. Otherwise, he would have tried to learn Magnet Release himself. However, the fruits of their research would not be wasted. Genichi believed that sooner or later, he would master the Lightning Release nature transformation.

"If only I could get my hands on the Third Kazekage to study him," Genichi said, stretching. He suddenly missed Sasori of the Red Sand.

Tsunade looked up from her microscope. "The Third Kazekage should be dead by now, right?" Missing for so long without a trace, there was a 99% chance he was dead.

"Even if he's dead, we can still study his cells!" Genichi said with a grin. It was a pity the Ice Release ninja they had captured earlier had been tortured to death by the Intelligence Division. Otherwise, with a living Ice Release user, his current genjutsu abilities, these instruments, and help from Tsunade's team, he could have saved at least half the time and increased his success rate of learning Ice Release by half. Now, he could only conduct research through cells, which was much slower and made it harder to directly analyze Ice Release chakra.

"Let's call it a day," Genichi said, stretching again. He walked out of the lab and found that it was snowing outside.

Shizune and Ina followed him out and were pleasantly surprised. "It's snowing!" The two of them immediately cheered and ran out, like two larks dancing joyfully in the falling snow.

Genichi couldn't help but smile at the sight.

Before long, Tsunade also came out, crossing her arms. "I heard the Cloud-nin are demanding the village hand you over, or they'll declare war?"

Genichi nodded. "Yeah, I didn't realize I was so important. But even if they did hand me over, the Cloud-nin would still go to war. The Third Raikage is impulsive, but he's not brainless."

Tsunade nodded in agreement. Ten days ago, the Cloud-nin had sent troops south, but Konoha was prepared and wasn't caught by surprise. The two sides were now in a standoff at the border. It was during this time that Kumo made its demand for Genichi. The standoff had now lasted for six or seven days.

"After the New Year, the Cloud-nin should be withdrawing their troops from the Land of Rain," Genichi said.

Tsunade thought for a moment. "Kumo is trying to bait Iwa into making a move?"

Genichi smiled and nodded. "That should be it. Withdrawing from the Land of Rain while also deploying troops against Konoha presents a good opportunity." He believed that next year, after Kumogakure ended its war with Sunagakure, Iwagakure would take advantage of Suna's weakness and attack. Kumo's attack on Konoha might be genuine, but now was definitely not the best time, a fact Genichi believed the Third Raikage was well aware of.

Therefore, the Third Raikage wanted Iwagakure to declare war on Sunagakure, which would create a better opportunity for him. It was foreseeable that in Konoha Year 47, the situation in the ninja world would deteriorate sharply, and Konoha would no longer be able to remain a spectator. In fact, Konoha had already entered the war, even if it was just a standoff with the Cloud-nin.

Although Tsunade spent all her time at the hospital, she could feel the impending war just by looking at the stockpiles of medical supplies. After a moment of silence, she said coolly, "Don't think you can just run wild on the battlefield because you're strong. If you do, you'll die quickly."

She had experienced the Second Great Ninja War. There were too many unpredictable things on the battlefield. Orochimaru's strength couldn't be called weak, but her little brother Nawaki still died. Her lover, Dan, died right before her eyes. Was he weak? His Spirit Transformation Technique once made his enemies tremble with fear. And she, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya had once almost died at the hands of Iwa-nin. They weren't weak then either; they were all jonin.

Genichi could naturally tell Tsunade was concerned for him. He smiled. "Don't worry, I've always cherished my life. Besides, I have a basic grasp of the Flying Thunder God Technique. If things get really bad, I can still escape."

"In that case," Tsunade said noncommittally, "it's best to let Ina stay in the medical corps."

Genichi paused for a moment, then understood what she meant. Don't let Ina become a burden.

Would she be a burden? With the Adamantine Sealing Chains, medical ninjutsu, decent genjutsu, and sensory ninjutsu, she should be quite capable by next year.

Genichi chuckled. "Lady Tsunade, don't underestimate Ina!" He then sobered. "And if you become a ninja, some things are just unavoidable."

Tsunade fell silent, then waved her hand dismissively. "Do as you wish."

Genichi changed the subject. "If war breaks out, you'll be coordinating the medical corps from the rear, right, Lady Tsunade?"

Tsunade nodded. "That's the plan for now. Shizune will be with me."

Genichi nodded and took out a Flying Thunder God-marked bandage, the same kind he had given to Shizune and Ina. "This is a Flying Thunder God formula marker."

Tsunade, of course, recognized it. She waved her hand with feigned arrogance. "I'll be in the rear. I won't need this. Besides…"

Crack, crack, crack!

She cracked her knuckles and huffed. "Don't you underestimate me, you little brat. Or else, I'll smash your head in!"

Genichi's face twitched. He immediately tossed the bandage to Tsunade and used the Flying Thunder God to flee.

Tsunade subconsciously caught the bandage. She looked down at it, and in the end, didn't throw it away, silently tying it around her left forearm. As for why not her wrist? It just wasn't convenient.

On a frozen lake.

A crowd of Genichi's shadow clones sat cross-legged on the ice, hands clasped, eyes closed, trying to fuse the Water and Wind Release nature transformations to create Ice Release. Winter should be the best season for practicing it.

Back at home.

Another shadow clone was studying the Transcription Seal, trying to develop a version that could seal other types of ninjutsu and genjutsu.

On the roof.

Yet another clone sat in silent meditation under the falling snow, trying to develop a Wind Release sensory ninjutsu. Although Genichi had been spending his time in the lab recently, his training hadn't slacked in the slightest.

Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, the New Year arrived. Konoha was as lively as ever, seemingly unaffected by the war. In the Land of Rain, although the intensity of the war had decreased, the fighting between Sunagakure and Kumogakure continued. On top of that, intelligence personnel from all the major villages were present, leaving the country with no festive atmosphere at all. War ravaged everyone, ninja and civilians alike.

In the southern Land of Wind, since winter had not yet arrived, the war raged on even through the New Year. The name of Pakura of the Scorch Release became increasingly famous, striking fear and hatred into the hearts of the Kirigakure ninja.

After the New Year, Genichi was busy visiting friends and relatives: his teacher Sakumo Hatake, Minato and Kushina, Tsunade… and he also went to the cemetery to see Uchiha Namiichi, bringing him the first bouquet of the new year.

He still hadn't developed Ice Release. Training in a Kekkei Genkai was harder than he had imagined.

January 16, Konoha Year 47.

Genichi was urgently summoned.

Anbu Headquarters.

Upon his arrival, Sarutobi Shinnosuke immediately said, "Genichi, latest intel. Kumogakure's forces were ambushed by Iwagakure as they were withdrawing from the Land of Rain. At the same time, Iwagakure has invaded the Land of Wind, even more rapidly than Kumogakure did before."

Genichi immediately understood. "Iwagakure has split its forces three ways?"

Shinnosuke nodded. "Sunagakure's forces in the Land of Rain were tied down by Iwa before they could withdraw back to their own country."

It had to be said, Sunagakure's situation was truly tragic this time. First, they were ambushed by Kumogakure, and after pushing them back, they were ambushed by Iwagakure. Although the circumstances were different, one thing was the same: their home country was left vulnerable. If Iwagakure was aggressive enough, they might be able to push straight to Sunagakure itself.

"A war between Iwagakure and Kumogakure is also imminent," Genichi stated.

Shinnosuke nodded, then said, "This time, your B-Squad's mission is to head to the southern region of the Land of Fire. There have been recent signs of Kirigakure ninja activity there. It's feared that Kirigakure will proactively declare war on us."

Gekkō Ryūfū commented, "Based on the current situation, wouldn't it make more sense for Kirigakure to take this opportunity to continue attacking the Land of Wind?"

Genichi shook his head. "You're only looking at the situation, not at the interests. How many missions can the Land of Wind offer? The Land of Fire is the most prosperous land. Don't underestimate Kirigakure's appetite. Especially since they missed the last Great Ninja War, their influence on the mainland has greatly diminished. Besides diverting their internal conflicts, they are also eager to expand their influence and seize more benefits."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke nodded in deep agreement. This analysis was almost identical to that of Nara Shikaku.

So, while Konoha seemed to not be fully involved in the war yet, Shinnosuke was worried. He could clearly foresee the future shape of the war. Kirigakure, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure would all come to take a bite out of Konoha. Even Sunagakure might.

Therefore, some among Konoha's leadership had already proposed launching a preemptive war to avoid being besieged on multiple fronts. For example, attacking Sunagakure now and completely crushing them. But this proposal was rejected by Hiruzen. Attacking Suna now would only benefit Kiri and Iwa. And it would be very difficult to truly destroy Sunagakure. If they did, Suna would likely retaliate crazily against Konoha later, creating a situation where Konoha had to fight against four other villages.

After exchanging information, Genichi's team of four quickly packed their things and set off for the southern Land of Fire. At the same time, Shinnosuke led his team toward the eastern part of the Land of Fire.

Four days later.

In the southern Land of Fire, near the border of the Land of Tea, a battle had just ended. Genichi was currently using his Sharingan to hypnotize a captured Mist-nin and extract information. Akimichi Tōdō and Gekkō Ryūfū were cleaning up the battlefield. Sarutobi Mikage was injured and was being treated by one of Genichi's shadow clones.

By the time Genichi finished his interrogation, Tōdō and Ryūfū had also finished cleaning up.

"Captain, look at this!" Gekkō Ryūfū handed a small booklet to Genichi.

Genichi took it and leafed through it carefully. It contained a geographical map of the southern Land of Fire, as well as the locations of towns.

"Are the Mist-nin planning to attack from the south?" Tōdō asked.

"Anything is possible," Genichi said. Based on the intel from the prisoner and this physical evidence, Kirigakure's intention to attack from the south was very clear. But it could also be a smokescreen.

From a geographical standpoint, the best route for Kirigakure to attack was from the eastern coast of the Land of Fire, using the Land of Waves and the Land of Whirlpools as springboards. Not only was the supply line shorter, but it was also closer to Konoha, which meant they could reduce Konoha's strategic depth. Attacking from the south, however, not only required a detour for Kirigakure, making the distance greater, but the distance from the southern region to Konoha was also much farther than from the east. These were all disadvantages.

But what if? This move by Kirigakure could be considered an overt scheme, with the likely goal of forcing Konoha to spread its forces thin.

"Ryūfū, Mikage, take this information back to the village immediately." Genichi handed the booklet to Ryūfū. Coincidentally, Mikage was injured and needed to return to Konoha to recuperate. The two of them immediately accepted the order and headed back, while Genichi and Tōdō rested for two hours before continuing to hunt down Mist-nin.

Regardless of whether Kirigakure truly intended to invade from the south, Genichi was now going to kill all of their intelligence personnel. And so, in just a few short days, Genichi's fearsome reputation once again spread back to Kirigakure. As for why he was recognized even while wearing a mask, his characteristics were just too obvious. Among Konoha ninja, he was the only one who used the Bringer-of-Darkness genjutsu.

And just as Genichi was striking terror into the hearts of the Mist-nin, back in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi was caught in a dilemma. Kirigakure was scouting the terrain in both the east and the south of the Land of Fire. This was a clear sign they were about to declare war. And just as Genichi had analyzed, Konoha's forces were spread thin.

After long deliberation, Hiruzen summoned Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Shikaku Nara for a discussion. In the end, Hiruzen adopted Shikaku Nara's suggestion: focus the main defense on the eastern Land of Fire, while deploying mainly scout teams in the south. Because the strategic depth was sufficient, it meant they had more time to react.

Southern Peninsula of the Land of Fire.

Genichi killed a Mist-nin who was trapped in a genjutsu, then stood up and said to Akimichi Tōdō, "Tōdō, retreat north immediately. The Mist-nin are planning to encircle and annihilate us."

He had killed too many in the past few days. Kirigakure had actually set a bait to divert their attention and then moved to encircle them from all four sides.

(End of Chapter)

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