Overdrafting the Future, Starting in Naruto

Chapter 49: Hōzuki Castle, Village Hidden in the Grass

After returning home from the Konoha Hospital, Genichi first took a bath, then went back to his bedroom and lay down.

[Overdraft: Ten Years into the Future]

As the icon lit up and the overdraft panel exploded into a ball of purple light, Genichi's consciousness instantly went blank, and the cells throughout his body began to tremble.

A moment later, Genichi's eyes opened, slightly stunned.

Three years!

This time, it was only three years, the shortest one yet.

Sitting up, Genichi felt a little helpless. The reason his future self had died in Konoha Year 47 was because of the Third Great Ninja War. It seemed being too outstanding wasn't always a good thing; it made you more likely to be sent on dangerous missions.

Furthermore, the Ice Release cell transplant had also failed. It was useless. The rejection was too severe, and it was impossible to obtain the Ice Release genes. But this also made him completely give up on the idea. If the tissue typing didn't match, then he shouldn't even try. It was a waste of time.

"Fortunately, it wasn't a complete loss," Genichi sighed.

In those three years, his genjutsu, swordsmanship, and other skills had made considerable progress. He had also made great gains in his knowledge of organ and bone marrow transplantation. After all, it wasn't in his character to just wait for death after a problem arose. His future self had naturally done his best to research a solution. Although he hadn't been able to solve the problem in the end, he had still learned a great deal.

But the biggest gain was not this.

It was the Art of Pyo.

Previously, the Art of Pyo increased his speed in all aspects. But in this overdrafted future, in order to solve his own physical problems, the future Genichi had not only tried to find solutions through traditional medical techniques but had also experimented with the power of the Kuji-kiri. And he had some success.

The Art of Pyo itself could not only increase speed, but it also held the great power of extending life and rejuvenation. It was just that Genichi had never developed this aspect before. This time, however, he had made a breakthrough.

Healing wounds, curing diseases, neutralizing poisons—its effects were even better than the Mystical Palm Technique (Shōsen Jutsu). Unfortunately, the development was not deep enough.

"This counts as a wasted opportunity!"

"In the future, I need to plan more carefully. It's best for my future self to lie low. Only by living longer can I reap sufficient rewards."

Genichi began to ponder. Since this overdraft didn't yield the expected results, his plans would have to change. He definitely couldn't go on a training pilgrimage this year.

"Next year. I'll go out after next year's overdraft..." Genichi made his decision.

Although overdrafting the future didn't grant him future memories, the retained combat experience still allowed him to glimpse some information about the future. Even though the future was not set in stone, it was still somewhat useful.

"It's also a good thing that the negative physical states from the future aren't retained. Otherwise, the rejection from the Ice Release transplant would still exist." Genichi was secretly thankful.

Two days later, after resting for half a month, Team Sakumo set out on another mission.

In the evening, at the border of the Land of Fire, Sakumo stopped the team to rest and briefed them on the mission. "This time, our mission objective is to cooperate with the ninja of the Land of Grass to escort a high-profile criminal to Hōzuki Castle."

Hōzuki Castle? Namiichi and En were both puzzled.

Genichi's eyebrows raised slightly.

Sakumo said, "Genichi, you know about it. Tell them about Hōzuki Castle."

Genichi nodded. "Hōzuki Castle is a prison specially built by the Village Hidden in the Grass, commissioned by all nations, to imprison criminal ninja. It's located on an island in the middle of the sea."

"The warden of Hōzuki Castle is generally a Jonin from the Grass Village, and they must have mastered the Fire Release: Heavenly Prison (Katon: Tenrō) technique."

This information didn't just come from his past life's memories; the textbooks at the Ninja Academy had also introduced it, though only briefly.

Sakumo nodded. "Genichi is correct."

En asked curiously, "A prison commissioned by all nations to be built by the Grass Village... is it because of their neutral status?"

Sakumo nodded. "Because the Land of Grass is located in a basin, it's relatively closed off. And it has long maintained a neutral position. The Grass Village has good relations with all countries and major hidden villages, which is why Hōzuki Castle exists."

Namiichi said coldly, "Since he's a high-profile criminal, he should just be executed."

Genichi smiled. "That may be so, but since Hōzuki Castle was built, it shows that this is a kind of political compromise."

"For some high-profile criminals, some people want them dead, but others don't. So, they compromise by imprisoning them in Hōzuki Castle."

En said thoughtfully, "So that's why we're needed for protection."

"This time's criminal... is someone trying to rescue him, or to kill him?" This was a key question.

Sakumo said, "The prisoner is from the Cloud Village in the Land of Lightning. Our mission is to prevent him from being rescued."

A Cloud Ninja...

Hearing this, Genichi couldn't help but say, "Don't tell me a Cloud ninja was caught stealing another village's secret techniques?"

Sakumo couldn't help but smile. Genichi had clearly guessed correctly.

En asked curiously, "Genichi, how did you know?"

Genichi said, "I've heard that the Village Hidden in the Cloud is very fond of stealing other villages' secret techniques, and even their kekkei genkai."

"It's a time-honored tradition for the Cloud Village."

"However, since it's the Cloud Village, we need to be extra careful. Those guys have a very strong fighting spirit."

Sakumo nodded. "Genichi is right. The people of the Cloud Village cannot be underestimated."

Namiichi and En both nodded.

Then En asked with a smile, "Genichi, how do you know more than we do?"

Genichi said, "Read more books. And... ask more questions."

"As for the high-profile criminals of Hōzuki Castle, I remember that Kakuzu, the ninja from the Waterfall Village who once tried to assassinate Lord First Hokage, was also imprisoned there."

Assassinated Lord First Hokage!

En and Namiichi both gasped in shock and looked at Sakumo.

Sakumo nodded. "That did indeed happen."

"Kakuzu was also imprisoned in Hōzuki Castle, but he broke out. He is now an S-rank rogue ninja."

"He is an extremely formidable character. If you encounter him in the future, you must be extremely careful."

The three of them nodded again. Namiichi then said, "If we encounter him, we will definitely cut him down."

Kill Kakuzu? That wouldn't be easy. That guy had five lives. Without knowing that information, he was extremely dangerous. And even with that information, Kakuzu himself was very strong. He was proficient in all five nature transformations, a true Kage-level ninja.

The night passed without incident.

The next day, Genichi's squad entered the Land of Grass and arrived at the Village Hidden in the Grass at noon.

The one who received them was a young ninja from the Grass Village named Mui. Genichi had an impression of this person. In the future, he would become the warden of Hōzuki Castle and open the Box of Ultimate Bliss to revive his son.

Looking at Mui leading the way, Genichi couldn't help but think of Karin's mother, that poor woman who was literally "bitten to death" by the Grass ninja. She should be very young right now, about the same age as Minato.

To leave such a person in the Grass Village is a monstrous waste!

An idea began to form in Genichi's mind.

(End of Chapter)