Overdrafting the Future, Starting in Naruto

Chapter 12: Kushina and Jiraiya

(Author's Note: Please Vote, collect, and read!)

Whether it was the Water Formation Wall, the Water Shockwave, or the Water Dragon Bullet, all three of these Water Release ninjutsu could take advantage of the terrain. That is, in a place with water, they could be cast with significant chakra savings.

But the Water Severing Wave was different; it could not leverage the environment. The thought of condensing water into a highly destructive blade was enough to know it would be extremely chakra-intensive.

Kinoshita Genichi was very self-aware. With his current meager chakra reserves, using that jutsu would likely leave him completely drained.

"I can say that I'm no longer lacking in ninjutsu for now. Instead, chakra has become the key factor limiting my growth."

Genichi put away the scroll and walked home, his brow tightly furrowed. Seeking to raise his maximum chakra capacity was far more difficult than seeking out ninjutsu resources.

He pondered all the way home. By the time he arrived, Genichi had settled on three potential paths.

First, becoming a Jinchuriki of a Tailed Beast. Whether it was the Three-Tails or the Nine-Tails, there were certain opportunities. But the prerequisite was that he had to be able to withstand the backlash of becoming a Jinchuriki. Not just anyone could handle it, especially not Genichi himself. The Nine-Tails was out of the question for now. If he wanted to go after the Three-Tails, he would first have to master fūinjutsu himself.

Second, Orochimaru. Body modification, cell transplantation, such as Hashirama cells. This was extremely dangerous. But with the ability to overdraft the future, he had, in a way, many chances for trial and error.

Third, Tsunade. Specifically, the Yin Seal. But at present, Genichi couldn't be sure if males could even practice it. Secondly, Genichi felt that obtaining the Yin Seal from Tsunade would be incredibly difficult.

"I need to work harder. I still have to work so much harder!"

Genichi thought to himself, "I need to contact Minato-niisan more often."

"I'll probably have to find a way to get fūinjutsu from him."

Minato's fūinjutsu knowledge came almost entirely from Uzumaki Kushina, because they were a couple. Genichi knew that his current friendship was far from enough to warrant learning fūinjutsu from them.

It still came down to mutual benefit!

Should he develop the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken?

Genichi's head ached. With his chakra levels, that jutsu... He secretly shook his head. "The Rasenshuriken is impossible. I'll take a step back. A Wind Release Rasengan, or a Water Release Rasengan."

"I don't know Wind Release right now, so I can start with a Water Release Rasengan."

"Moreover, the concept of the Rasenshuriken can also be offered as a trade."

The applications of the Rasengan were far too broad; you could stuff anything into it. Wind Release, Lightning Release, Fire Release, Water Release... Genichi felt none of them would be a problem. This would be his preparation for learning fūinjutsu.

And as for Orochimaru.

"How should I approach that?"

Genichi mused, feeling he couldn't be too passive. Even with his ability to use the future for trial and error, he couldn't completely entrust his life and hopes to Orochimaru.

"I need to have research capabilities of my own."

Thinking of this gave Genichi an even bigger headache. It required so much knowledge.

"One step at a time. First, I'll master the basic knowledge of medicine and the human body. I can start with Shizune on that front."

Genichi refined his future plans. "In the future, I need to form a collaborative relationship with Orochimaru. I can obtain some knowledge from him by exchanging intelligence."

As he thought, the plan gradually took shape in his mind.

The days passed, and soon the winter vacation arrived. Konoha Year 41 came to a close.

But Genichi remained busy. Besides helping out at his family's dango shop, he spent most of his time studying. He learned medical and anatomical knowledge, some from Shizune and some from books.

And his iaijutsu drawing cut—that was a daily, mandatory practice. As were the Water Release Rasengan and his two newly acquired water ninjutsu.

Of course, Genichi didn't hesitate to bother Minato, bringing his notebooks filled with analysis of the two water jutsu to ask for guidance. Unfortunately, Jiraiya was still away from the village. Amidst his busy schedule, his spars and competitions with Might Guy and Kakashi became a welcome spice in his otherwise monotonous training.

Winter passed, and spring arrived.

One day, Genichi took his training notes and went to Minato's house. Of course, he also brought along some of his family's five-colored dango.

However, after he knocked, the person who opened the door left him stunned.

Uzumaki Kushina!

This was the first time Genichi had seen her.

"You must be Genichi, right? Come on in!" Kushina was very enthusiastic, and she carried herself as if she were the lady of the house.

"Uh... yes!"

Genichi followed her inside and then saw Minato.

"Genichi, this is Kushina," Minato introduced with a smile.

Genichi immediately bowed. "Kushina-senpai!"

Kushina waved her hand. "No need to be so formal. You can just call me Kushina-neesan."

Genichi immediately corrected himself, calling out, "Kushina-neesan."

The three sat down in the living room, talking while eating dango.

After looking through the notes Genichi had brought, Minato remarked with emotion, "Genichi, your understanding of these water ninjutsu has already surpassed mine."

Genichi smiled. "That's only because you aren't focusing your efforts on Water Release, Minato-niisan."

It was true. Right now, Minato's mind was entirely on fūinjutsu. The water jutsu he had already mastered were sufficient for his needs, so there was no reason to waste more time on them. Most importantly, water was not his innate nature transformation; it was something he had trained later, and it was not one of his strengths.

"Minato-niisan, you mentioned before about adding nature transformation to the Rasengan. Have you had any success?" Genichi asked.

Minato shook his head. "Not yet. I've been researching fūinjutsu recently."

Fūinjutsu! Genichi's eyes lit up. Just as he was about to speak, there was a knock on the door.

Kushina got up to open it, and a voice drifted in. "Kushina, are you already living here now?"

Her face flushing slightly, Kushina quickly changed the subject. "Jiraiya-sensei, you're finally back! Minato has been waiting for you for a long time."

Jiraiya strolled leisurely into the living room and asked with a grin, "Minato, did you run into a problem developing your jutsu?"

Only after asking did he notice the small child next to them. "Eh? And who is this guy?"

Genichi had already stood up. "Lord Jiraiya, I am Kinoshita Genichi."

Minato added, "Genichi is a genius student from the Ninja Academy."

Jiraiya listened and said with a wide smile, "A genius student? How does he compare to you back in the day, Minato?"

Minato said, "Genichi is much more incredible than I was. At the age of five, he created an A-rank no-hand-seal ninjutsu on his own. It's the same jutsu I told you I wanted to develop, Sensei."

Jiraiya froze, his mind feeling a bit jumbled. Developing an A-rank no-hand-seal jutsu at five years old... that is indeed genius. But the last part... what does he mean?

Minato raised his hand and performed the Rasengan. "It's this jutsu. Genichi named it the Rasengan."

Jiraiya's eyes widened. He looked at the Rasengan, then back at Genichi, and muttered to himself, "He's not even that handsome."

Soon, with Minato and Kushina explaining things piece by piece, Jiraiya understood the whole story.

But as for taking a disciple... Jiraiya had no such intention. "Water Release, you say?"

"That's not exactly my specialty!"

In reality, besides Lightning Release, he had mastered all the other nature transformations. But to say he wasn't proficient in Water Release could be considered the truth. After all, compared to his Fire Release, his water jutsu certainly couldn't be called his specialty.

Genichi felt a pang of disappointment but was not entirely unprepared for this outcome.

However, Jiraiya suddenly smiled again. "Although I can't take you as my disciple, if you want to learn, I can teach you other ninjutsu." He had seen the Rasengan and felt the jutsu was quite suitable for him as well.

Hearing this, an idea sparked in Genichi's mind. He quickly said, "Um, Lord Jiraiya, can I learn fūinjutsu from you?"

Fūinjutsu?

Jiraiya, Minato, and Kushina were all somewhat taken aback.

(End of Chapter)