The Red Thread of Fate

"Wind Style: Rasengan!"

Genichi slammed the chakra sphere in his hand against a large tree, producing a thunderous roar.

Just kidding, it was only a regular Rasengan.

Finally, he had succeeded. Genichi looked back on the past month and a half, recalling the process of replicating the Rasengan step by step.

The first stage was gathering chakra in the palm of his hand.

The second stage was the stable, continuous release of chakra. He placed a water-filled balloon in his hand, then released chakra to make the water inside move erratically until the balloon burst.

The third stage was the rubber ball exercise: maintaining the released chakra and solidifying it until he could tear the ball apart.

The final stage was condensing and releasing chakra. He combined everything from before, gathering high-density chakra in his hand, releasing it continuously, maintaining it, and finally solidifying it into a miniature typhoon. It was incredibly powerful, capable of piercing through solid rock.

"This power, and you didn't even use hand seals? Is this an original jutsu?" Minato watched the shattered tree trunk, stunned.

Genichi, how are you secretly getting stronger again? Minato, who was constantly chasing after him in taijutsu, felt he was approaching the level of a Chunin, but before he could be happy for long, he realized his best friend had already gone much further.

"That's right, I call it—Rasengan." Genichi admitted without hesitation that it was his own original jutsu.

"That name is so plain. Why don't we call it—Gale Flash Sky-Piercing Super Whirlwind Dance Howl?" When it came to naming things, a strange, inexplicable passion ignited in Minato's heart.

Genichi rolled his eyes at Minato, having long known about his genius-level talent in this area. He turned to the three little ones who hadn't yet recovered from their shock and boasted:

"How about it? Not bad, right?"

Hyuga Hana nodded in astonishment; the jutsu looked like a small-scale version of the main family's secret technique, "Rotation."

"So strong, you can actually create your own jutsu already?" Mikoto looked on in shock.

"Genichi, you're amazing." Kushina, standing nearby, couldn't help but sigh, then muttered in a low voice: "Besides, 'Rasengan' or whatever, doesn't it sound a bit like 'Uzumaki'?"

That's right, it had been over half a month since Kushina transferred schools. Genichi had invited her to participate in the after-school training program he organized, and now the group was getting along well, their bond growing stronger by the day.

"Alright, that's it for today." Seeing the sky growing dark, Genichi picked up his ninja sword and bid everyone farewell.

As he walked, Genichi toyed with the peerless blade (a standard-issue weapon) he had bought at the ninja tool shop for 300,000 ryo. It was incredibly tough, exceptionally sharp, and filled with the power of money.

It was the best weapon he could buy at the moment, only slightly inferior to famous blades made of chakra-conducting metal or the legendary Kusanagi Sword. Genichi pressed his thumb and index finger together, making an "OK" gesture.

Calculating the time, it was about right. Tonight, this blade would surely taste blood.

A few days ago, Kumogakure.

The Third Raikage—A summoned three Chunin who excelled in infiltration and intelligence gathering, then said:

"Ever since the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails arrived in the village, they have been causing constant trouble, breaking their seals several times. Not only can they not be converted into the village's strength, but they have also been dragging down our development."

"Konoha's Nine-Tails is even stronger, yet they don't have this problem. The key lies in the Uzumaki clan, who are skilled in sealing techniques."

"According to intelligence, over a month ago, Konoha secretly brought back a little girl from the Land of Whirlpools—Uzumaki Kushina."

"She must hold a special secret. From today on, you are all Jonin of the village. Go, bring her back to the village, and I will personally celebrate your success."

As soon as he finished speaking, the three Cloud ninja knelt on one knee in excitement, shouting: "We offer our hearts to the Raikage!"

Dodai, who was still young but highly valued by the Third Raikage, distributed the files and asked only after they had left: "Is kidnapping someone from inside Konoha with only three Chunin enough?"

"If they are discovered, even three Jonin wouldn't make it back alive," the Raikage explained. "But it's not impossible to succeed. While you're at it, test Konoha's attitude. You go to the border; if they succeed, bring the girl back."

Tonight was the night Kushina would be kidnapped. Since he couldn't pinpoint the source of the intelligence, he couldn't prevent it in advance.

Genichi combed through the information one last time. The Cloud ninja's goal was Kushina's special constitution, which might be related to sealing Tailed Beasts. They wanted a living Kushina, so they wouldn't harm her during the abduction.

He took out the scroll he had prepared in advance, planning to use the excuse of exchanging sealing knowledge for "Rasengan" training to find Kushina. If he couldn't find her, he would track her by the red hair scattered along the way, then kill the enemies and save her. Minato could do it at this age, and it would be even easier for him now.

If there were any slip-ups, he would go straight to Uzumaki Mito. Her "Mind's Eye of the Kagura," which could likely cover dozens of kilometers, was a sufficient safety net.

As for the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's potential ability to perceive good and evil, it didn't matter; it wasn't mind reading.

Genichi thought about his persona as a studious and ambitious genius. His desire to exchange sealing knowledge was genuine, and his desire to protect Kushina was also genuine, so there was no problem. The operation began!

He arrived at the Senju clan grounds; it was vast and sparsely populated, feeling somewhat desolate.

"Kushina, Kushina, are you there? I've come to find you." Genichi stood at the gate and shouted loudly.

There was no response. Genichi vaulted over the wall and entered. The scene inside was chaotic. Following the environmental reconnaissance techniques he learned at school, Genichi observed the surroundings. Three intruders? The direction they left in was—this way.

Soon, Genichi followed the red hair strands scattered along the ground, tracking them out of the village and discovering the targets in the woods. One ninja was leading Kushina by a rope, while the other two lagged a few paces behind, guarding the perimeter.

Genichi lowered his footsteps, following behind the enemies' flank. Suddenly, dark clouds obscured the moon, and the light in the environment dimmed. The last ninja lagged a step behind.

Seizing the opportunity, Genichi used a Body Flicker, flashing from the grass on the right into the grass on the left. In mid-air, he casually swiped his blade across the enemy's throat. The pristine blade emerged from the darkness, stained with blood as he left. In that instant, it was like slicing through tofu; the entire process was incredibly smooth.

When the remaining two ninja turned back to see their companion clutching his throat in agony, in that moment of shock, Genichi appeared from the side and delivered the prepared Rasengan to the second enemy.

That made two. Genichi remained expressionless, watching the last ninja's movements with a cold, oppressive gaze.

Having discovered his companions dying one after another, the panicked enemy jumped back onto the branches of a large tree to seek safety while observing his surroundings.

Genichi caught Kushina as she fell.

"Genichi, is that you? It's so good that you came."

"It's alright now, because I am here."

Genichi held up the strands of red hair he had collected along the way, signaling that it was thanks to the clues she left behind that he was able to find her.

"Brat, you're all alone?" The ninja in the tree realized that Genichi was just a six or seven-year-old child, and seemed to calm down again: "I am a Jonin. If you want to live, hand over the little girl beside you."

Huh? Why is a dead man talking?

Genichi supported the limp Kushina with his left hand, while his right hand forcefully flung a shuriken from the front. As he forced the enemy to shift in mid-air, he observed the enemy's trajectory and performed a one-handed seal: Dog-Horse-Rooster, unleashing a full-powered Wind Release: Great Breakthrough that whistled through the air.

Unable to gain leverage in mid-air, the enemy was slammed by the wind jutsu into the tree behind him, snapping the trunk and extinguishing his life force instantly.

Genichi scooped up the unconscious Kushina, who wore a faint smile on her lips, into his arms and began to walk slowly back toward the village.

The red threads of fate intertwined, binding people tightly together.