"In his absence, only the two of you can handle such an important responsibility," Shikaku said to the elders.
Needless to say, if the number of children who applied for the Academy's Entrance Exam skyrocketed, the workload would skyrocket too. They would need to recruit more teachers, expand the infrastructure, and implent the new sches that Fujin had proposed earlier.
None of the clan leaders were free to take such an undertaking. The only council mbers who had ti to handle this were Fujin and the Elders. However, Shikaku knew very well that Fujin wouldn't volunteer for this. So, he could only dump it on the Elders.
Of course, the Elders also understood what Shikaku was thinking. Unfortunately, he had phrased the question in such a manner that refusing would look very bad. Koharu replied, "Of course. We will take care of it. However, it'll be a lot of work for our old bones. We'll need the clans' support."
Just like the elders, the clan leaders could only nod as well. As the representative of the civilian ninjas, this job should have fallen on Fujin's shoulders. Not to ntion, he was the one who recomnded the changes to the academy, increasing his responsibility further.
However, he was still very young and everyone on the council knew that Fujin prioritized his training over council duties. As such, they couldn't count on him in this matter. Of course, it wasn't completely a bad thing for most of the council mbers and many were actually relieved.
Ever since the Chunin Exams started, Fujin's reputation and prestige in Konoha had skyrocketed. Kakashi, who was extrely popular and looked at as the leader of the next generation, had been left far behind by Fujin in this short ti. Fujin's popularity had even surpassed that of the Sannins and was only under Hiruzen's.
If he started taking more responsibility in the council and increased his influence further, he could very easily start eating into their spheres of influence and perhaps their benefits too. If it had been a few months ago, they wouldn't feel so threatened. However, with the fearso prowess Fujin revealed, they now understood that they wouldn't have an easy ti protecting their benefits if Fujin decided to make a move.
As such, they didn't want to see his prestige grow further by undertaking a task of such importance. This was the reason why Homura and Koharu agreed without much resistance despite seeing what Shikaku was trying to do. They intended to use this matter to improve their image further and rebuild their prestige, ensuring their positions wouldn't be threatened under Tsunade.
The group finally dispersed but not before praising Hoka, Konomi and Illumi for leading their divisions successfully and asking them to write and hand the reports to Shikaku.
——
"And then, we went all over the place looking for Granny Tsunade! You wouldn't believe how much trouble Pervy Sage caused, always stopping at random inns and spending all our money on who knows what! But when we finally found her, she was super stubbo… Huh?"
As the parade ended, the village finally returned to work in high spirits. Naruto rushed straight to Ichiraku and enthusiastically shared his recent achievents with Aya and Teuchi while enjoying his ran when suddenly, soone appeared behind him. Before he could turn around, he heard, "You sure are in high spirits, Naruto…"
Naruto quickly looked behind him and exclaid, "Fujin! You looked cool earlier today!"
Without any change in his expression, Fujin nodded and sat next to Naruto while thinking, 'Looks like Hoka did a good job as always. Hmm, maybe I could pawn off so of the council work on him too. Sothing to consider for the future.
That said, I'm more curious how his mission went. Even though Orochimaru might still have so capable subordinates, no one should be able to match Kabuto. Without him pushing Naruto, Naruto shouldn't have mastered the Rasengan and Tsunade shouldn't have recovered from her phobia. Or, did things go down the sa path as Naruto's battle against Gaara, sohow forcing the events to stay the sa?'
Aya said, "It's good to see you again, Fujin. Congrats on the successful campaign."
Teuchi smiled and asked, "The usual?"
Fujin nodded and said, "Yes. Thank you, I missed this place too. What about you Naruto? When did you return to the village?"
As Teuchi prepared and served ran, Naruto enthusiastically shared most of the details with Fujin. Even though Fujin's expression stayed the sa, he was quite surprised.
Fujin analyzed, 'Tsunade took on Orochimaru by herself and won? That's strange… Surely Orochimaru hasn't degraded to a state where he can't even exploit her weakness. So, what happened?'
Fujin analyzed for a while before concluding, 'No, he shouldn't be that weak. It ans, either soone, most likely Jiraiya, helped Tsunade, or she has already recovered from her hemophobia. If it's the latter, when did this happen? Was it also a butterfly effect due to so of my actions despite never having co in contact with her, or was it unrelated to ?' ɌÃ𝐍ồ₿Ё𝐬
Fujin wanted to know the answer to deepen his understanding of the world and his impact on it. Unfortunately, it was extrely difficult to figure out. After all, Fujin wasn't supposed to know that Tsunade had hemophobia, let alone that it was cured. So, he couldn't ask openly nor could he resort to tactics like reading her mory.
Fujin turned his gaze back to Naruto and thought, 'Anyway, he didn't manage to master the Rasengan. It's quite a surprise. I expected him to still master it sohow. Should I help him out, or should I see how things would develop if he can't master Rasengan?'
Fujin thought for a few seconds before deciding, 'Ah, screw it. He has almost learnt the jutsu anyway. The rest is just a matter of clicking in his head. It'll happen sooner or later. Might as well help him now.'
Fujin interrupted Naruto as he said, "The Rasengan, huh?"
Naruto nodded, "Yeah, the Rasennnnn… WHAT THE HELL???"
As Naruto was speaking, a Rasengan ford in Fujin's left palm. Fujin didn't even bother to stop eating while creating the jutsu. Teuchi and Aya watched in awe. Naruto jumped from his stool and complained, "Why do you know my Rasengan? And, how can you perform it so easily?"
Fujin raised an eyebrow and asked, "Your Rasengan? That's Lord Fourth's technique. Even the pervy sage copied it from him. Anyway, the technique isn't too difficult to learn as long as you are good at chakra manipulation and control."
Naruto muttered, "Chakra manipulation and control…?"
Fujin nodded, "Yes. Unfortunately, neither is your strength. So, you'll have a difficult ti mastering this jutsu if you take the traditional route."
Naruto cursed, "Damn it! It doesn't matter. I'll still master it! Hmm? Wait a minute! Do you know an unconventional way?"
Fujin smirked and answered, "Maybe…"
Naruto imdiately pestered, "Stop the suspense and tell , Fujin!"
Fujin replied, "Sure. If you pay for my ran for the next month."
Naruto's jaw dropped. He never expected Fujin to put forth such a condition. He imdiately argued, "As if I can! You eat 8 bowls every ti you show up! Wait, you're already on your 9th!"
Fujin nodded and said without a hint of sha, "Yeah. And, I'm thinking of coming here thrice daily since you'll be paying."
Naruto was left speechless. Poor boy didn't know what to say for a mont. Pretending to cry, he showed his wallet and said, "Co on! Look at Gama-chan! He's so empty because I lost the bet with Granny Tsunade…"
He stopped and looked at Aya. She finally couldn't control herself anymore and giggled. She said, "He's just teasing you, Naruto."
Naruto's eyes widened and he exclaid, "Really?"
Fujin sighed and said, "Think sotis, Naruto. You're one of the poorest people in the village. The only people poorer than you are the ones in debt and cannot pay it back. Why would I ask you to pay for my food?"
Fujin shook his head in disappointnt. For a mont, Naruto didn't know how to feel. On one hand, he was glad that Fujin was only joking and he wouldn't have to pay a huge price. On the other hand, being reminded of his financial state dulled the joy he felt. Not to ntion, he was pranked by Fujin once again. He slumped onto his stool and complained internally, 'He hasn't changed one bit! Still ssing with my head so easily.'
Fujin chuckled and said, "Well, don't feel too bad. You'll get a good salary when you beco the Hokage. Anyway, the trick is rather simple and it suits soone with a ginormous amount of chakra as you."
Naruto's negative emotions vanished in the blink of an eye as he asked, "What is it?"
Fujin answered, "Just use a Shadow Clone to assist in maintaining the shape of the Rasengan. You'll learn it in no ti."
Naruto's eyes widened as he visualized the idea and thought, 'That's right! With a clone's help, I won't have to concentrate that much.'
He imdiately exclaid joyfully, "Thank you, Fujin!"
Fujin chuckled and said, "Just train later. Anyway, why were you so down earlier?"
Naruto asked in confusion, "What do you an?"
He was t by Fujin's steady gaze. After looking back for a few seconds, he averted his eyes and said, "I don't know what you an. It could be because I hadn't mastered the Rasengan or due to losing the bet."
Fujin took his eyes off Naruto and continued eating. Naruto sighed internally when he heard Fujin's voice again, "You suck at lying, kiddo. Spit it out..."
Fujin paused montarily but continued seeing that Naruto wasn't answering, "Or, you'll experience sothing that'll completely make you forget whatever was bothering you."
Naruto shivered as he noticed Fujin's smile. He didn't doubt Fujin's words one bit!
————————————
A/N : If you can, then please support on P@treon.
Link - pat /DevilHex
(No space)
Alternatively you can support on UPI (google pay) - patilsarvesh8@oksbi
Can read up to 50 chapters ahead on P@treon.
Thank You Antonio, Dip, TT, Crimson, Book Worm, Mr Falcon, Roman, Lizzerik, E million, Muzika, Bronson and Luis for supporting on P@treon.
Reviews
All reviews (0)