Hiruzen noticed Shikaku's expressions. Though he was amused, his mind was still occupied by Fujin's resignation. He thought, 'Without Fujin creating trouble, Shikaku will beco lazy again. I need to think of sothing to keep him busy now.'
Shikaku muttered, "Say it. What upheaval did that boy cause this ti?"
Sorrow could be heard in Shikaku's tone. It was as if soone was about to steal his most precious belongings and he could do nothing but see it happening with his eyes.
Hiruzen looked at his Anbu Guards, who imdiately left the room and locked all the doors and windows. Hiruzen activated the seals and said, "He encountered the Akatsuki organization as well as the Mizukage faction during the mission."
Shikaku was puzzled. He asked, "What was that rcenary organization doing there? Aren't they active in the West?"
Hiruzen replied, "Fujin couldn't figure that out. Our only guess right now is that they received a mission in the Land of Hot Water and encountered them fighting. Regardless, Biwa Juzo wanted to collect his bounty and was killed by Fujin."
Shikaku was shocked. He asked, "He killed Juzo?"
Hiruzen nodded. Shikaku imdiately beca serious as he analyzed the implications. He said, "Killing Juzo will imply that Fujin is a rank S ninja. And he is rely 15 years old."
Shikaku was stunned. Knowing all the shit Fujin pulled over the last year, Shikaku expected Fujin to reach that stage. But he didn't expect him to reach it so quickly.
Hiruzen nodded and said, "His victory wasn't a fluke. He also found out more information."
Hiruzen inford Shikaku about Fujin's analysis of Kisa and ntioned Zetsu's abilities. He even told him about the actions of the Mizukage faction.
Shikaku analyzed everything thoroughly and said, "The Mizukage faction is getting desperate. If the Fourth Mizukage falls, then their faction will collapse in no ti. Kisa's power is a surprise. But we didn't hear much about him after the end of the last war. For his strength to rise significantly over the last decade, though difficult, isn't impossible.
That plant-like creature sounds like it will be good at spying and infiltration. We may need to upgrade our barriers considering that it was able to hide within Fujin's chakra field. The more important question is, would the rcenary organization retaliate?"
Hiruzen shook his head and answered, "Unlikely. It's not a hidden village. So they don't have the sa sense of comradery. And this isn't the first ti one of them has been killed. So it is very unlikely."
Shikaku didn't have much information about Akatsuki's movents and actions. He was worried about such high-level ninjas ambushing Konoha ninjas on the field. But since Hiruzen wasn't worried, Shikaku stopped thinking about it. However, he was puzzled.
He asked, "Everything sounds well. Why did you call ?"
Shikaku thought, 'I was expecting a lot of work, but so far, he has only given good news. The Mizukage faction will retreat from the Land of Hot Water. One deadly rogue ninja is dead and no one will avenge him. And, Konoha has a new and young rank S ninja. This would make the village's position very stable. Did he call here to just give good news?'
Hiruzen sighed and said, "Fujin resigned from the Anbu. He will be taking a long break to train and rest."
Shikaku's eyes widened. He exclaid in shock, "He resigned?"
Almost imdiately, his shock changed into delight. He thought, 'Fujin retired from Anbu and will take a long break? Unbelievable! He indeed called to give good news!'
Fujin had been a huge headache for Shikaku. In fact, Suna was still sending ninjas to the Fire Capital occasionally. In addition, the situation with Iwagakure was continuously getting tense ever since Fujin and Roshi clashed.
Though nothing happened on the ground, the tensions always existed. So Shikaku was always very busy. He had to move around Konoha ninjas several tis and had to recalibrate Konoha's strategy very frequently.
Considering Fujin's age, Shikaku had ntally prepared himself to be continuously tortured for at least a decade. This sudden news was like an unexpected blessing for him. With Fujin no longer taking missions actively, Shikaku felt like a large amount of pressure was lifted from his shoulders!
Hiruzen said, "You could at least act to not be so pleased."
Shikaku coughed and said, "I am just happy that our village has a new rank S ninja. It will make planning much simpler in the future. Kakashi and Guy should be close to or at the sa level as Fujin as well. In a few more years, Konoha will regain the influence lost due to Minato's death and Orochimaru's betrayal."
Hiruzen nodded. What Shikaku said was completely true. He had increased the number of Konoha ninjas as well as the number of Jounins aggressively in the last few years. Once Konoha gained 3 new rank S ninjas, it would bring them closer to the strength they had during the previous war. However, he clearly knew that it wasn't the reason for Shikaku's happiness.
Hiruzen said, "I called you here because I need your opinion on a matter."
Shikaku beca serious and asked, "What is it?"
Hiruzen said, "With Fujin no longer a part of Anbu, I can't use my previous thod to increase his reputation."
Shikaku recalled the conversation he had with Hiruzen a year ago. He nodded. Hiruzen continued, "So I have decided to do that using two thods. The first one is promoting him to Elite Jounin officially. That shouldn't be an issue. However, I'm not sure what the impact would be of the second thod. I want your opinion on it."
Shikaku listened carefully. Despite his intelligence, Hiruzen's next words surprised him. Hiruzen said, "I am planning to create a new seat in the Council. A council mber who will represent the Civilian ninjas. And I want to give that to Fujin."
Shikaku hadn't expected Hiruzen to think of such a thing. He imdiately began analyzing if it was feasible. After so ti, he said, "Until now, civilian ninjas don't have a seat on the council. Though Jiraiya and Orochimaru participated at tis, it was due to their status as the Sannins.
Fujin doesn't have the sa reputation and influence as they did. But if you create a new seat, that won't be an issue. Creating a new seat should be fine as well as there are already a few non-ninja civilians on the council to handle the civilian matters.
The only issue is Fujin himself. He is still too young. And, we clan leaders represent our clans. But, can Fujin really represent all the civilian ninjas? Currently, the number of civilian ninjas far exceeds that of any clan.
Since he doesn't have any fa here apart from his bounty and his title, it will raise a lot of questions and perhaps so dissatisfaction from the civilian ninjas. Do you need to give him that post so impatiently? There is no harm in waiting for a few more years."
Hiruzen replied, "I have been sending him on almost all negotiations. If I don't give him a seat on the council, then other countries will think that I am sending the Spectral Swordsman to intimidate them during negotiations. But if he is an official council mber, then it sends an entirely different ssage. At the sa ti, it gives him the authority to close deals.
As for his reputation and dissatisfaction from others, it isn't an issue. With ti, as his strength gets slowly exposed, his reputation will grow by itself and the voices of dissatisfaction will disappear as well."
Shikaku nodded and said, "That's true. Alright, go ahead. I'll ask Inoichi and Choza to support your proposal. The civilians will support you easily as well. So there shouldn't be any trouble in passing the proposal to create a new seat even if so Clan Leaders or Elders oppose that.
Though Fujin's appointnt might face so opposition, it can be easily resolved by informing the Clan Leaders about Juzo's death. None of the Clan Leaders would oppose him in that case."
Hiruzen nodded. He discussed a bit more with Shikaku before letting him go. As Shikaku appeared back in his office, a smile appeared on his face. He thought, 'That troublemaker finally quit. This was a good surprise. I can finally sleep no…'
Suddenly Shikaku's eyes widened as he realized sothing. He thought, 'Wait a minute! Why did Hiruzen allow Fujin to retire? Does that an anyone can retire? Why does he keep blocking my retirent plans then? I need to know how Fujin convinced Hiruzen to let him go!'
Fujin was unaware of Hiruzen's plans. He was more concerned about Hiruzen's friend instead. He worked on the seal all night until an alarm rang. Fujin shut the alarm and thought, 'I lost track of ti. It is 4:45 in the morning. Naruto should arrive soon.'
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