Chapter 888 : The Strongest Faction!

“The Fourth Mizukage died on the battlefield.”

Fujin's eyes widened as he exclaimed, “He died on the battlefield? Since when did the rebels have someone strong enough to kill him?”

As he spoke, Fujin thought, ‘Tsk… I don't remember how the Fourth Mizukage died in the original story… but I'm pretty sure he didn't die while fighting.’

Hiruzen replied, “That's the part that confuses us too. We know he was facing Terumi Mei and other elites from the rebel faction, but there aren't any details about his battle, like there were when Mangetsu was killed. Something about his death is fishy. You should look into it if you go around that region. However, don't create a ruckus. We want to form an alliance with Kirigakure once the dust settles.”

Fujin thought for a bit and said, “Alright. If I swing by that region, I'll take a look at this.”

While the Fourth Mizukage's death raised several questions, Fujin wasn't too interested in this matter. He already knew that Yagura was controlled by Obito for a long time and Mei would succeed him shortly, stabilizing the war-torn village. While he was curious of how exactly Yagura died, Fujin's immediate priority was absorbing Matatabi's chakra and learning the Earth Release jutsus he stole from Iwagakure.

Fujin said, “It was good catching up with you. I'll check on how those kids are doing.”

Hiruzen nodded as Fujin disappeared from the training ground. He sighed internally, ‘He's definitely upset over not getting the Edo Tensei jutsu. I hope he doesn't vent out by creating another mess…’

A few years ago, Hiruzen would have felt a headache. Luckily, he was no longer the Hokage. It was his student's turn to endure the headaches.

---

“You're late!”
“You didn't show up for our last three meetings!”
“Guy-sensei made us train with double intensity on those days due to your absence!”
Fujin's students complained as they looked at Hoka with eyes full of disappointment, displaying the betrayal they faced!

Hoka sighed, “I just arrived late last night from my mission. Perhaps I should ask Fujin to arrange some missions for you. Only then you would know how valuable this time is for you.”

Yuji snorted, “You never trained under Guy-sensei. There's no way missions are worse than training under him!”

Hoka's eyes twitched as he recalled all the boring rank D missions he was forced to do as a Genin, before being forced to hunt bandits until he became sick. The ‘bandit exterminator’ tag still followed him at times, especially when he entered the mission center.

“Missions, huh? I didn't know you wanted to do missions so badly.” Everyone immediately turned their heads and saw Fujin standing not too far away.

“Sensei!”
“When did you return?”
The eyes of Fujin's students lit up on seeing him again after a few months. Fujin replied, “A few minutes ago. That said, I didn't know you were interested in doing missions. Hmm…”

Fujin pretended to think for a few seconds before muttering, “Under normal circumstances, you would have been inducted into the Anbu and trained in their ways after you defeat Hoka. Are you certain you want to do missions?”

Fujin's students nodded in unison and gave him the ‘puppy eyes’. Fujin pretended to think for another half a minute, before responding, “Alright, I'll talk to Lady Tsunade and get you a month's vacation to have some fun with missions. Hoka will be your squad leader.”

Fujin's students immediately cheered while Hoka grumbled, “Hey, how about asking whether I'm fine with it or not. Some of us still have to earn a living.”

Fujin looked at him as if he had said something absurd and asked, “Are you not fine with it? And, do you need any other form of payment?”

Realizing what he had been offered, Hoka coughed and replied, “On second thought, I accept it.”

As someone who was forced to do boring and tiresome missions, Hoka had long wished to subject the next generation to the same torture. And, Fujin had just offered him an opportunity to do so on a silver platter. He had no reason to decline it. On the contrary, he was more than pleased to accept it. Countless ninjas from his generation would be willing to pay for such an opportunity.

Of course, that was no reason for Hoka to go easy on the kids. He said, “Enthusiasm is good, but don't forget you still have to defeat me. You're yet to perform as well as you did the first time you challenged me.”

Hoka glanced at Fujin and thought, ‘What fearsome secrets these kids held! I almost lost that fight just due to the element of surprise. Just with their normal skills, they'll easily perform splendidly in the Chunin Exam. However, for each one of them to possess a Kekkei Genkai and be so proficient as using it was unthinkable. Fortunately, it's been a bit easier since then. Hmm?’

Hoka realized that Fujin's students were staring at him and asked, “What's the matter?”

Sayaka said in a plain tone, “You left us to endure Guy-sensei's torture for nearly a month.”
Takeshi added, “If you think we'll lose and go back to endure his torture, then…”
Yuji completed his words, “Then you must have fallen on your head, cracked your skull and gone completely batshit crazy!”
Hikari nodded, “Yea... Huh, what? Damn it Yuji! Stick to the script!”
Shoma chuckled at his teammates' antics.

Before they could create any more drama, Fujin said, “Well, since I'm here, I can't miss this battle. I'll act as the judge. Take your positions, I'll be right back.”

As soon as the last word escaped his lips, Fujin disappeared. Shoma asked in surprise, “Where did Sensei go?”
Sayaka replied, “It doesn't matter, he'll be back soon. Don't forget our plan, especially you, Yuji!”
Yuji nonchalantly replied, “I know. Don't worry, I'll be the one to knock him out.”

Hoka chuckled, “I'll look forward to it. Let's go.”

They entered the training ground and took positions. They turned their heads on feeling a gust of wind. Everyone was left speechless as they saw Fujin sitting on ‘air’ a few meters off the ground with a mini-whirlwind revolving around him. What irked them the most was the large bag off popcorn he held in his hands.

Fujjn's students wondered, ‘A judge? Or a spectator who wants to enjoy drama?’
At the same time, Hoka cursed, ‘Asshole, he is also making a spectacle of me.’

With zero regard for their emotions, Fujin announced, “Let the battle begin!”

Immediately, the figures of Fujin's students disappeared. Moments later, Hoka's figure disappeared as well, leaving an afterimage behind. That afterimage was tore into by several shurikens which clashed against each other with such ferocity that sparks flew. The six continued moving at high speeds, with Fujin's students going for the kill while Hoka dodged all their attempts.

A glint appeared in Fujin's eye. Though his students challenged Hoka nearly every week, this was the first time he was watching their battle. Fujin thought, ‘Marvellous... Hehehe, Guy must be very pleased. Sayaka, Yuji and Takeshi are displaying speed greater than Lee's speed when he removed his weights against Gaara. Hikari is almost at the same level as Lee back then, while Shoma lacks slightly. Can't blame him though, he's the youngest by a good margin.

Regardless, leaving them under Guy's care and making them fight Hoka weekly has yielded even better results than I imagined. At this rate…’

A smirk appeared on Fujin's face as he realized, ‘I might just push one of them into rank S before the Fourth Great Ninja War begins. Hehe, though I don't care much about it, I'll have the strongest faction in Konoha soon.’

The high-speed hunt continued for a couple of minutes. Hoka faced several close calls, but there wasn't a scratch on him. As quick as Fujin's students were, Hoka was faster. More importantly, his Kekkei Genkai was perfect for these type of combat. In a physical confrontation, their elemental Kekkei Genkai couldn't match the Byakugan.

The hunt finally ended when Hoka counterattacked. Instead of simply dodging, Hoka dodged and fired a Vacuum Palm at the vitals of his vicious attackers. However, that wasn't sufficient to make them withdraw. On the contrary, they escalated the situation. They quickly got out of the way of the vacuum shells and surrounded Hoka from all sides, each of them being around a dozen meters from Hoka and rapidly weaving hand seals.

‘Ice Release: Needle Rain jutsu’
‘Storm Release: Lightning Snakes jutsu’
‘Water Release: Water Dragon jutsu’
‘Wind Release: Air Bullet jutsu’
‘Ice Release: Ice Chain jutsu’