Chapter 893 : Training Plan!

“Besides, life is too precious. You shouldn't be in such a hurry to die.”

Takeshi, Shoma and Hikari contemplated Hoka's words while Hoka's eyes moved towards Fujin, who descended back to the ground along with the unconscious Sayaka and Yuji.

Takeshi and others followed Hoka's gaze. Fujin smiled and said, “Relax, you guys performed quite well. You should be proud to push Hoka to this extent. The only error you made was thinking you could defeat Hoka.”

Takeshi frowned and asked. “Isn't that the task you gave us? How can we fight believing we couldn't defeat Hoka?”

Fujin chuckled, “And that's the paradox. What do you do when you face an opponent you can't hope to defeat outside the village? Do you battle that opponent to death? Do you plan your escape? Or do you explore other ways?”

Takeshi, Shoma and Hikari pondered over Fujin's words as Fujin continued, “Outside the village, there is always a chance of running into someone far stronger than you. We had our fair share of such encounters as well. In one such mission, I lost nearly all of my teammates.

That was the reason I assigned you this task. Hoka is an extremely strong ninja. Other villages barely have 2 to 4 ninjas who are considerably stronger than him. So, you have a year's experience of facing someone at that level, an experience so valuable that no other ninja of your age possesses. That was one of my intentions behind giving you this task.”

Fujin's students listened carefully as they understood the reason behind such an unreasonable task. Fujin muttered, “Anyway, it's time to discuss the next part of your training.”

Fujin placed his palms on Yuji and Sayaka's body and began healing them. In half a minute, both gained consciousness. Yuji held his stomach and muttered, “Ouch, that hurts!”
At the same time, Sayaka rubbed the back of her neck and asked, “Did we lose?”

Fujin chuckled, “What do you think?”

Sayaka and Yuji sighed, ‘We have to keep enduring Guy-sensei’s torture…’

They looked back at Fujin as he said, “Go with Takeshi and others to analyze and discuss this battle and figure out where you messed up. I'll tell you the next step of your training when you’re done.”

Fujin’s words confused his students while raising their curiosity. The five moved away to discuss their battle. Fujin extended his palm, began healing Hoka and said, “That was a rough one.”

Hoka let out a long, exhausted breath and muttered, “Tell me about it. These little devils are something. The rate at which they grew is phenomenal!”

Fujin nodded, “Guy's training tends to have that effect. They were already quite talented at Ninjutsu. Now their Taijutsu is top-notch too. So are their physiques and speeds.”

Hoka agreed, “True. According to our ranks, they won't have any issues in becoming Special Jounins. Sayaka, Takeshi and Yuji could also make a strong case for Jounin rank. However, there is also a fatal flaw. You've noticed it, haven't you?"

Fujin nodded as he withdrew his palm and said, "Of course. They've spent too much time training and have very little actual experience. It's time to let them experience the world and the dangers within it."

Hoka nodded, agreeing with Fujin's decision. A smirk appeared on Fujin's face as he said, "Of course, what better way to experience the perils of the world than experiencing rank D missions?"

Hoka grinned, "None that I can think of."

Fujin said, "That said, I do have some plans for their future training path. I'll guide them for a few more days. Then you can take over for a month before handing them to the Anbu."

Hoka said, "Alright. I'll leave for now. I still have some work at home."

Fujin nodded as Hoka disappeared from the training ground. Fujin disappeared as well, before appearing next to where his students were discussing. They stopped on seeing him and turned their attention to him.

Fujin asked, "So, did you analyze?"
Sayaka nodded, "Yes, Sensei. We..."
Fujin cut her off, "It's fine. I don't doubt your analytical skills. Especially after that little show. Your plan against Hoka was impeccable. Despite the result, you deserve a pat on your backs for coming up with it."

Smiles appeared on their faces and pride appeared in their eyes as they heard Fujin praise them. Though Fujin never mistreated them, praises like these were rare.

Fujin continued, "You have achieved what I hoped you would achieve in the past year. Daily training under Guy and regular spars with Hoka have improved your strength and skills considerably. However, your absence of actual mission experience is starting to show.

So, going forward, you'll start doing missions. This phase of your training is over."

Relief washed over Fujin's students as they heard his words. Hikari and Shoma dropped to the ground, tears appearing in the corner of their eyes as they muttered together, "Our torture is over..."

The rest cheered gleefully. They longed to hear those words so much that they felt better than even the praise they received earlier.

Fujin chuckled, "Don't relax too much. One of the main reasons why I'm so strong is because I continued Guy's training plan and still do it. If you want to continue growing strong, I'd recommend continuing a similar training regime. If you're free, you should join him once in a while."

Fujin's students reluctantly nodded their heads. Fujin smiled at their expressions before continuing, "Since you wanted to do missions, you'll start doing missions under Hoka. After a month, you'll be inducted into the Anbu like everyone else."

In the last year, the remaining orphans living in Fujin's compound had already been inducted into the Anbu. Only his 5 students were left due to Fujin's plan. Needless to say, his words excited the kids once again. It had been a long time since they wanted to do actual ninja work instead of just training.

Fujin let them enjoy their excitement for some time before continuing, "However, I have some ideas to help you increase your strength to the next level. So, your training will continue for a few more days."

If it had been anything else, delaying their ninja journey further would have doused their excitement. However, their reactions were the exact opposite. Whenever Fujin said something similar, their strength increased by a large degree. Having seen how strong Hoka was, they also desired to take their strengths to the next level.

Fujin said, "Takeshi, I'll teach you the Wind Vacuum Technique. If you learn it, your offense will become deadlier than Sayaka's. You could also reinvent your combat style due to how precise, fast and penetrative this jutsu is. However, it is an extremely difficult technique to master. Right now, there are only 3 ninjas who can use this technique. So, don't be too disheartened if you fail to learn it. Don't forget your most powerful weapon is your Scorch Release."

Takeshi nodded, "Alright, Sensei."

Fujin turned his gaze to Yuji and said, "Even though I'm not good at Lightning Release, I have various ideas regarding it. You might be the best person to turn those ideas into reality. If you do, your future journey will be quite smooth. That said, some of my ideas come from powerful enemies I have faced during my journey. So, there's a chance you might be hunted by an extremely strong ninja."

Yuji thought for a bit before replying, "Don't worry Sensei! I'll bring your ideas to life. As for being hunted, we don't know who the prey will be."

Yuji sniggered as he spoke. Fujin chuckled, "You wouldn't say that if you know who that enemy is. To give you an idea, Hoka wouldn't stand a chance against him. Even I will have a tough time against him. Anyway, we can worry about that later. Sayaka..."

Fujin turned his gaze to his remaining students and said, "Unfortunately, my affinity to water is non-existent. I could guide you three in Wind Release, but none of you are talented at it."

Hikari nervously said, "Sensei, we'll learn it no matter how difficult it is."

However, Fujin shook his head and said, "No. If I force you to learn it, it'll have a negative impact on your growth. You should focus on what you are talented and passionate about instead of what anyone else excels in. Only then you'll have a chance of becoming truly strong."

Fujin paused before continuing, "Shoma, Hikari, the two of you are very talented at Ice Release. You should focus on it and continue honing it further. Sayaka, you lack in Ice Release compared to them. However, your affinity to water is very high. Along with developing your Ice Release, you should also focus on mastering Water Release and making it an equally strong tool in your arsenal."

The three pondered over Fujin's words before agreeing to him. Fujin said, "Though I can't help you much with this, I know someone who can train you to improve your Water Release. He doesn't know Ice Release, but has some experience fighting ninjas with Ice Release. So, he should be able to guide you better than me."