Starting from Naruto, the Future is Realized in Advance

"The future isn't set in stone. Does the present decide the future?"

Xuan Yi fell into deep thought.

"So, what I overdrafted was a future anchored to the present… even the version of myself from before I awakened my innate wisdom?"

"Or rather—though I've now awakened my innate wisdom and gained extensive knowledge about the Ninja World—even my thinking is no longer the same as it once was."

"But I haven't taken any concrete action yet. No matter how many ideas I have, if I don't put them into practice, they won't influence the future at all."

"Just thinking isn't enough. Thoughts alone, without action, have no effect on the present—and therefore, can't change the future either."

A sense of realization began to take root in Xuan Yi's mind.

Whether he was correct still needed verification. However…

Xuan Yi frowned.

"My body's aptitude is far too weak. At best, I'm destined to remain a Chunin for life."

"This is troublesome…"

Xuan Yi considered himself a clever person, but in the Ninja World, physical aptitude was crucial. It was a world where legends were born from dōjutsu and Ōtsutsuki bloodlines.

In such a world, lineage trumped all.

Even someone as brilliant as Orochimaru couldn't compare to the natural gifts—"cheats"—that Naruto and Sasuke possessed.

Thinking of this, Xuan Yi sighed.

"I thought I could just coast by with my intelligence. I didn't expect I'd still have to grind for power. Isn't this transmigration a waste?"

"Even this golden finger isn't that great…"

He glanced at the overdraft panel.

"Overdraft Future: Ten Years" had now turned gray. He couldn't overdraft again until one year later.

"In other words, I have one year to act—to put things into practice and lay a foundation for altering my future."

"It seems I have to make a plan."

"Hmm… let's call it the One-Year Plan."

With a firm gaze, Xuan Yi got out of bed, shifting his focus back to himself.

Previously, he had been fixated on his Ninjutsu status.

This time, in addition to overdrafting the future and acquiring the Ninjutsu he would one day master, he had also gained skill in shuriken throwing, basic Taijutsu, physical strength, and chakra—or rather, stamina, which surprised him.

In essence, the current Xuan Yi was like a version of himself with the stats and abilities of his peak ten years from now—minus the memories.

It was almost as if he had fused with his future self.

And so, feeling his new strength, Xuan Yi couldn't help but smile with joy.

Although he was still just a Genin, could a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old even be compared?

Even if his body hadn't visibly changed, his strength was incomparable to what it had once been.

"Very good!"

"From now on, I will fight for the future!"

Cracking his knuckles, Xuan Yi grabbed his piggy bank, smashed it, and counted his savings.

Just over 100 Ryo.

Not bad.

"I wonder if I can afford a short blade with this. It doesn't have to be high quality—just something to practice with. Even a wooden blade might work."

He stuffed the money into his wallet and headed downstairs.

"Dad, Mom! I'm heading out to train!" he called as he waved goodbye.

Xuan Yi's mother looked up.

"Come back for lunch! And be careful—don't get hurt!"

"Got it!"

With that, he was already out the door.

In their small shop, Xuan Yi's father turned to his wife with a smile.

"Xuan Yi is training so hard. We should also work harder."

His mother nodded, her hands moving more quickly and decisively.

Xuan Yi visited several ninja tool shops before selecting a short blade.

It cost him 50 Ryo, cheaper than expected.

Of course, the quality was mediocre. It felt light in his hands.

But unless he had a custom blade made, there weren't better options in his price range.

"I'll make do with it for now."

Next, he bought a sword bag—a sheath designed to be worn on the back—and a sword belt to hang it from his waist.

In the Ninja World, swords and blades weren't clearly distinguished. The term "sword" often included all bladed weapons.

So swordsmanship and blade techniques could be considered one and the same.

After these purchases, Xuan Yi stopped to buy balloons.

Fully equipped, he made his way to a small river where he found a tall, broad tree that would serve as his temporary training ground.

He set the balloons beneath the tree, removed the short blade from his back, and strapped it to his waist.

He had chosen two primary training directions:

Swordsmanship and Rasengan.

He remembered the training process for Rasengan and figured he could start practicing it.

Even if he didn't master it within a year, he surely would within ten.

As for Swordsmanship, his overdraft hadn't included it. Without a teacher or proper techniques, he knew progress would be slow and difficult.

But that was fine. He didn't expect much from it at this stage.

For now, he would just practice basic swings, and most importantly…

Blade Drawing!

Fast draw, accurate draw, powerful draw—all tied to speed, strength, and reaction time.

Even if he didn't master it in one year, maybe in ten years?

He was only five now. He had room to experiment, make mistakes, and refine his approach.

The overdraft panel didn't let him become invincible instantly, but it gave him options.

Gripping the hilt tightly, Xuan Yi lowered his body and focused.

Zheng!

He drew the short blade swiftly and forcefully.

"The movement is off. Not stable… again!"

He sheathed the blade and repeated.

Without the ten-year overdraft, he might've wandered aimlessly, relying only on vague ideas from his past life.

But now, at the very least, he had the skills of a competent Genin. His ability to control power and his understanding of technique were far beyond a beginner's.

And so, in terms of fundamentals, Blade Drawing was already simple for him.

Over and over again, he drew and sheathed the blade, correcting his posture and technique.

He aimed to make each draw faster and stronger.

When his arms were sore and stamina low, he paused, picked up the balloons, and went to the river to fill them with water.

"According to the timeline," Xuan Yi muttered to himself, "Minato Namikaze died in Konoha Year 50, at the age of 24. That would make him 15 years old right now."

"Jiraiya once said Minato took three years to develop the Rasengan."

"Jiraiya also learned it later—it didn't take him too long. I remember…"

He recalled an anime scene where Jiraiya proudly demonstrated the Rasengan to Minato, only for Minato to respond with calm indifference, having already mastered it.

At that time, Minato was already leading missions with Kakashi.

That scene may have been from a movie and not entirely canonical, but it gave a decent point of reference.

When Obito graduated at age 9, Minato officially took over as team leader of Kakashi, Obito, and Rin.

That would be around Konoha Year 45—four years from now.

And Kakashi was scheduled to graduate this year.

Xuan Yi also recalled that Kakashi had several different team leaders after graduation, due to his withdrawn personality following the suicide of his father, Sakumo Hatake, which occurred when Kakashi was just 7 years old.

That would be two years from now, in Konoha Year 43.

By Konoha Year 44, it was likely Minato had already begun mentoring Kakashi—and by then, he would have mastered the Rasengan.

Which meant…

"Going back three years, Minato might be starting to develop the Rasengan… right about now."

Back at the training tree, Xuan Yi had returned with four water-filled balloons.

"Coincidence or not… it remains to be seen who masters it first."

"Minato created the Rasengan based on the Tailed Beast Ball. As for me…"

Xuan Yi sat down under the tree, glancing around.

He needed a reason—a plausible excuse in case someone asked why he was training in Rasengan.

Of course, there was the issue of lacking proper Ninjutsu materials.

But beyond that, he was crafting a persona.

A genius persona.

He wanted others to see him as a naturally gifted prodigy, someone not to be underestimated.

End of Chapter 2