Chapter 868 : Will of Fire!

[A/N: Thanks for all the wishes guys. Still very sick, but was able to write today. Can't promise about tomorrow. Enjoy and take care.]

“A slump? What do you mean?” Tsunade frowned. At the same time, Hiruzen immediately raised his guard. Knowing how much Fujin demanded when he wasn't in a slump, he couldn't fathom what Fujin could ask for when he was in one!

Fujin answered, “I can't improve my jutsus further at the same rate. I've been trying it for the past couple of weeks, but haven't made any progress. I think I need a change in pace.”
Switching his gaze to Hiruzen, Fujin asked, “Have you started the research? Perhaps helping you could give me some ideas…”
Tsunade's eyes twitched as she wondered, ‘Don't tell me… Did he say all that just to get his hands on the Edo Tensei jutsu? Wait, he isn't even asking for permission to join the research!’

Tsunade's understanding of Fujin's nature deepened slightly as she was exposed to more of his shamelessness.

“I haven't started yet. I still need to work on my chakra control. I just managed to walk on water yesterday…” Hiruzen answered without a hint of shame. The Anbu Guards felt slightly awkward on learning their previous Hokage struggled with something so basic. However, remembering his sacrifice, not a single one found it funny.

Fujin said softly, “A shame. If that's not an option, then I think I need a change of environment…”
He looked at the two and said without any hesitation, “I'm thinking about leaving the village for a while and journeying around. Hopefully that'll give me the inspiration I need to take the next step.”

Fujin's words left the teacher-student duo speechless. It was important to remember that Fujin was barely 17 years old! His strength was already phenomenal. And, his strength was constantly improving. It was only 3 weeks ago when Tsunade increased his cellular activity and helped him learn a formidable jutsu. He also learnt about souls not too long before that. Yet, Fujin said he was in a slump!

Hiruzen couldn't help but wonder, ‘Exactly what does this boy expect? Does he want his chakra reserves to go up by 32% every week? Or does he want his Wind Domain to move to the next level every week? What does he even mean by a slump? His chakra feels sharper than ever before.’

Even though Hiruzen couldn't sense the massive increase in Fujin's chakra reserves due to absorbing Shukaku's chakra, he noticed that Fujin's chakra was far sharper than he remembered. However, he chalked it up to the increase in Fujin's cellular activity.

Tsunade had similar thoughts, but the room didn't contain just the two of them. Shizune depressingly thought, ‘He's in a slump? What does that make me? I still can't learn Lady Tsunade's Strength of a Hundred Seal… Have I been in a slump all my life?’

Just like her, the four Anbu Guards in the room were depressed as well. For a moment, all four had the thought of quitting Anbu and returning to training. Fortunately, their senses prevailed. They could only shake their heads and think, ‘He isn't ordinary. We can't compare ourselves to him!’

Seeing neither Tsunade nor Hiruzen objecting to his decision, Fujin breathed a deep sigh of relief and said, “I was worried you two would object to this decision. Fortunately, I was wrong. Apologies for misjudging you. I should have known you will support me so that I can get stronger and protect the village better.”

Once again, Hiruzen and Tsunade were stunned. Shizune and the Anbu Guards were also caught off guard by the sincerity in Fujin's voice! Needless to say, their silence didn't mean they approved Fujin's decision. They simply didn't know what to say due to the absurdity of the situation.

Tsunade finally opened her mouth to object, but no words left her lips. She still couldn't make up her mind on what to say. Helpless, she could only turn her head towards her Sensei, the man who led Konoha for nearly half a century!

Hiruzen felt her gaze and wondered, ‘What am I supposed to say? Every time I think he's improving, he takes his absurdity to a whole new level! Sigh, didn't I already retire? Why do I keep coming here the same time Fujin does? I don't want to deal with him anymore…’

Hiruzen finally sighed and said, “Fujin, you are only 17 years old. You don't need to stress so much. Your slump may just be because you are always occupied with training. Perhaps you should just take some time off in the village and not train for a while. A break would do you a world of good.”

Fujin thought, ‘Good, at least he established that I am in a slump. Had he argued about it, it would have been challenging to convince them if they stayed put on it, not that it would have stopped me. Still, it's one less headache to have.’

Fujin frowned and muttered, “I thought you already gave your blessings…”
He sighed and argued, “I have already visited almost every place in the village. There isn't much I can do that I haven't done already. I have a feeling that I'll leave this slump and advance to the next level only when I broaden my horizons…”
A thoughtful expression appeared on Fujin's face as he added, “Besides, the threats to the village won't consider my age. I don't know the reason for Orochimaru's hatred towards our village. Whatever it may be, his hatred would have only increased, be it due to you sealing his arms or me burning down his rogue village. If we fail to eliminate him and he takes over Sasuke's body, we'll face an even greater danger than we did a few months ago.
Akatsuki is an enigma as well. A ninja who could keep so many terrifying rank S ninjas in check… And, a mysterious Sharingan-wielder who can phase through attacks and has Izanagi. Whoever their leader is, he or she must be a greater threat than Orochimaru.
And, there're the remaining Great Villages too. Even though things have quieted down for the time being, there is no doubt that they are preparing for the next Great War.”

Fujin looked at Hiruzen and Tsunade with full seriousness. He said, “I don't want to be unprepared when things eventually spiral out of control. If I don't use this rare window of opportunity to take myself to the next level, I can't say whether I'll ever get another opportunity to reach there.”

Silence spread through the room as everyone contemplated Fujin's words. Shizune and two Anbu Guards involuntarily nodded, agreeing with Fujin's arguments. Yet, Hiruzen and Tsunade weren't onboard. Things weren't truly calm yet. Orochimaru had kidnapped Sasuke less than two and a half weeks ago. They didn't know when Akatsuki would strike.
Not to mention, travelling outside was far riskier than staying inside the village. While there weren't many who could threaten Fujin in a direct battle, enemies could try to take him out using unconventional means. While the chance of something like that succeeding was still infinitesimally small, it was never zero.
Hiruzen and Tsunade didn't want to take any risks. However, Fujin's words and the seriousness in his voice left them with little choice. They couldn't refute a youngster who was thinking so much for the village. Both glanced at each other and realized they had come to the same decision.

Tsunade sighed and muttered, “Alright, but take care, Fujin. Even though you're strong and have gone on countless missions, it's still risky to stay out of the village for a long term. It isn't like your Anbu days when no one knew much about you. Today, every enemy village and even an organization like Akatsuki wants to see you dead.”

Fujin smiled and said, “Don't worry. I'll be careful.”

Hiruzen added, “Take communication tags with you. If something comes up, we'll call you back using it.”

Fujin nodded. The two senior ninjas imparted some of their knowledge and experiences to Fujin before letting him leave. Once Fujin left, Hiruzen sighed, “They grow so quickly… I wanted to stop him, but how am I supposed to say no when the Will of Fire burns so intensely in him…”
Tsunade nodded, “Hmm. Even though he is shameless, he always thinks of the village. Still… His thirst for ninjutsu and forbidden techniques reminded me of Orochimaru. I didn't think he would have an adventurous spirit like Jiraiya.”
She added with a chuckle, “Who would have thought? I wonder how his journey will change him…”
Hiruzen muttered, “With some luck, his shamelessness might decrease. Though knowing him…”
Hiruzen sighed again. He wasn't particularly looking forward to a Fujin who had experienced more of the deadly and treacherous ninja world. In fact, he was already feeling a headache.