Chapter 422: Hiruzen's Hidden Message

The council meeting finally ended. Hiruzen and the three elders left immediately. Fujin was about to leave as well when Choza stopped him. For the next 15 minutes, Fujin exchanged pleasantries with the clan leaders. They praised Fujin for his ideas and a few invited him to visit their clans later.

The civilian council members also wanted to greet Fujin. However, seeing him busy with the clan leaders, the five of them left as well.

Fujin politely replied to all the clan leaders and accepted their invites as it would have been rude to reject it. After getting free from them, Fujin returned to Hiruzen's office.

In Hiruzen's office, Hiruzen was analyzing Fujin's idea. He thought, 'Though his idea is very good, it will pose a threat to the clans... What to do?'

Hiruzen analyzed the issue properly. After a few minutes, he concluded, 'No, this is unavoidable. The number of ninjas from the clans has already dropped to less than half. If another Great War happens, that number will drop even further. If ninjas from civilian backgrounds can't keep up with the clan ninjas, then the village will be very compromised after the end of the next war.

It was a concern that we had for several years but we couldn't think of any good solution other than taking more efforts in the academy and inducting more civilian ninjas into the Anbu so that they can be trained more. However, making them capable enough to reach the Anbu was a challenge. Fujin's recommendation properly fills this missing link.

Not to mention, even though the civilian ninjas would become Special Jounins in large numbers, the ninjas from the clans would still have the advantage. After all, the civilian ninjas won't have access to secret techniques and Kekkei Genkai. So in their fields, the kids from ninja clans will have a huge advantage.

Yeah, it should be fine. I will just have to convince the clan leaders one by one. Most of them should see the big picture. I'm just afraid that Danzo might make some moves. Fortunately, everyone is on guard against him. Perhaps I should make the clans change their focus on creating Jounins rather than just Special Jounins.'

As Hiruzen was thinking, Fujin entered the office. Hiruzen looked at him and smiled. He said, "You did great in the meeting today. I didn't expect such a surprise from you."

Fujin smiled and replied, "They were just some ideas I had that I felt might benefit the village. I'm glad that I got to present them. I didn't think that you would value them so highly though."



Hiruzen replied, "The academy hasn't been revamped in a long time. Your suggestions were invaluable. You might not see it at your age, but in a couple of decades, you'll see the change that your ideas bring in. Anyway, I have another important matter to discuss with you."

Fujin wondered, 'So he hadn't called me to his office to just take feedback on how I felt and give me some advice?'

Fujin asked, "What is it?"

Hiruzen asked in a serious tone, "Did you notice something odd in this building?"

Hiruzen's question surprised Fujin. Fujin thought, 'What the hell? Is there something wrong with the building? Shouldn't he be checking it himself rather than asking me? Or does he want a second opinion because he suspected something but couldn't find it?'

Hiruzen noticed Fujin's expression and frowned as well. He became completely confused by Fujin's actions.

Fujin analyzed but couldn't think of anything. He shook his head and replied, "I never checked this building much. Has there been an issue recently?"



One month later, inside his basement, a smile formed on Fujin's face. He dispelled all the Shadow Clones in the room. On both of his palms, a distinct seal could be seen. With one thought, both seals disappeared. Fujin muttered, "Flying Thunder God Seal mastered and imprinted!"

At the same time, in the training field opposite Fujin's house, two words could be heard throughout the training field.

"Gale Jutsu!"

"Gale Jutsu!"

"Gale Jutsu!"

Fujin's clone opened his eyes and looked at Naruto. A smile appeared on his face as a Shadow Clone appeared next to him and popped, sending a message to Fujin.

Naruto continued stretching his right arm.

"Gale jutsu!"

"Gale jutsu!"

Suddenly, a small amount of wind was released from Naruto's right palm. The wind formed a breeze and caused some leaves in its path to move along the winds for around a meter before stopping. Naruto's eyes widened. A wide grin broke out on his face as he jumped in joy and exclaimed, "I did it! I did it!"

He immediately ran towards Fujin, who had already taken the place of his clone, and asked, "Did you see it Fujin? I did it! Wind blew from my hand! And I only took one and a half months!"

Fujin smiled and said, "Good work, Naruto."

Naruto grinned even more upon getting praised. He jumped up and shouted, "I will become the Hokage, believe it!"

Fujin chuckled and wondered, 'Maybe I should make him challenge Hiruzen like how Konohamaru does. That would be a sight to see.'

Fujin chuckled at that thought. However, he decided against it thinking, 'Leave it. The old man has been rather kind to me lately. If only I could have Naruto mess with Danzo somehow. Unfortunately, that asshole keeps hiding underground and has several Root ninjas keeping an eye all the time. Even I won't be able to enter the Root base undetected.'

Fujin let Naruto run around and celebrate for around 5 minutes until he tired himself out. Finally, Naruto collapsed on the ground and exclaimed once again, "I did it!"

Fujin chuckled at the sight and asked, "Want to go to Ichiraku? My treat."

Naruto's eyes sparkled. He jumped up once again and exclaimed, "I want to, believe it!"