[A/N: Apologies for my long absence and unresponsiveness here. Got hit by one of the worst instances of writer's block so far š Been glued to my laptop for the past 5 days and kept away from all distractions to focus just on the story. Only managed to get into flow today. I hope I can keep going š«
Another note: Story may seem slow right now (amplified further by my slow writing), but things should heat up soon.]
Unlike Takeshi who needed extra help, Yuji had performed as per Fujin's expectations. Fujin's clone said, "You've done well in the past week, Yuji. However, the Lightning Chakra Mode isn't a technique you can learn in a few days. Even the Fourth Raikage needed to train for years to learn it. When I leave, focus only on the basics I taught. Your goal right now isn't learning the Lightning Chakra Mode but to use Lightning to refine and strengthen your body. Got it?"
Yuji nodded, "Yes, Sensei. I'll train my body with this whenever I am alone. Besidesā¦"
Yuji laughed mischievously, "With how quickly my strength, speed and reflexes are improving, I don't need any flashy techniques."
Even though he said that, Yuji's mind was lost in how much easier pranking would be now. Fujin's clone realized it, but didn't say anything. After all, it was one of his few entertainments.
He thought, 'Still, the kids have grown. They won't prank much now. Maybe I should create a prank club in the Academy. Hmm, that's not a bad idea actually. The only question is, how do I sell it to the council?'
He said, "You can leave now. Have your dinner and sleep soon. Starting tomorrow, you'll join Hoka on critical missions."
Yuji nodded excited and left Fujin's house. Alone in the basement, Fujin's clone thought, '8 daysā¦ I wasn't planning to stay here this long. However, it's fine. My plan is ready. I just need to implement it now and get itā¦'
Fujin's clone thought longer and shook his head, 'No, I can't act too quickly. It'll raise suspicions. Even though me being suspected won't have much of an impact on me now, there's no need to burn the bridges. At least not when the benefits don't outweigh the losses.'
ā ā
The next morning, Fujin met up with hƬs students in the training ground. He looked at the three Yuki kids and asked, "Is your training done?"
Sayaka answered, "Lord Third still wants to guide us. However, he said we can do missions. He'll train us after our missions are done."
Fujin nodded, but was slightly surprised. His confusion was regarding Hiruzen's decision to allow his students to do the missions or to continue teaching them. Fujin understood that very well. Sayaka and the others were very talented. Someone like Hiruzen would love to teach them. As for missions, it didn't matter. Advanced Ninjutsu training was very chakra intensive. They could barely train a few hours before their chakra reserves dried out. So, doing rank D missions wouldn't affect their training.
What surprised Fujin was that they still called him 'Lord Third'! Fujin couldn't help but think, 'That's weirdā¦ He has been with them for 1 week and hasn't made them call Grandpa? Is he sick or something?'
Fujin asked, "Say, what all did he teach you?"
Sayaka, Hikari and Shoma excitedly informed Fujin about everything Hiruzen taught them. In the end, Hikari said, "He taught us well, butā¦ I don't know how to say thisā¦"
Fujin asked, "Hmm, what is it?"
Hikari nervously said, "It felt like he was a bit reserved while teaching us. It didn't feel like how you teach us, Sensei."
Shoma added, "I felt the same, Sensei. Did we disappoint him somehow?"
Had it been anyone else, they wouldn't have felt the same way. Unfortunately, they had experienced Fujin's unreserved guidance, causing them to instinctively feel as such.
Fujin chuckled, "Don't overthink it. That's his nature. Hmm, you know whatā¦ I'll tell you a trick you can use if you ever want to learn something from the old man."
Fujin crouched down slightly and said in a soft voice, "However, this is a secret. Use it when you have to, but never tell it to anyone else or say I said it. Also, don't overuse it. Use it only for something that is worth his help. Deal?"
Fujin's students nodded curiously. Fujin said, "If you want something from him, call him 'Grandpa' endearingly. His reserved nature melts away when you do it."
Fujin's students looked at him suspiciously, wondering if he was messing with them. However, there was no such indication on Fujin's face. Other than the absurdity, they had no reason to doubt their teacher. Sayaka suddenly recalled, 'Wait, didn't he call Lord Third Grandpa when he asked him to train us? Does this trick really work?'
"Are you excited for your first official mission?" Fujin's students looked back as they heard Hoka's voice. He had flickered right behind them. His appearance excited them even more as Yuji enthusiastically answered, "Ready as ever!"
Seeing their enthusiasm, Fujin chuckled, "Run along now. Don't slack off on your training due to missions. Also, give 100% to your missions. Only then can you complete them all."
"Yes, Sensei!" His students replied.
Hoka asked, "Are you sure you don't want to come?"
Fujin thought, 'As fun as that would be, I need to refine and absorb Matatabi's chakra. I have delayed it for far too long. Not to mention, I also have to do thatā¦'
Fujin shook his head, "I'll be leaving now. I extended my stay due to their training. Now that it is completed for the time being, I'll get back to my mission."
Hoka replied, "Your lossā¦"
The group bid farewell and left, leaving Fujin alone in the training ground. Moments later, Fujin's presence disappeared from the training ground. Not only was he no longer there, he wasn't inside Konoha either! In less than a second, he appeared on an uninhabited island in the Land of Water after teleporting a few times.
Fujin glanced at the seas surrounding the island and thought, 'The Land of Waterā¦ I still haven't remembered how Yagura died. Meiā¦ She isn't bad, but she isn't strong enough to beat a perfect Jinchuriki. She is nowhere near that level. By extension, no one else in the Land of Water is.
Did they have some special seals that could sever or restrict Yagura's connection to Isobu? That could theoretically allow them to kill Yagura. Another possibility is that their second Jinchuriki aided them somehow. However, neither of these two options are very likely. The other Jinchuriki isn't perfect and the seal should be more advanced than the Five Elements Seal to work.
I suppose there's a chance someone pulled a successful sneak attack. However, other than me, the only living ninja good enough to pull such a maneuver is Obito. It's more likely that Obito may have decided to discard his card and get rid of Yaguraā¦'
A frown appeared on Fujin's face as he thought, 'Obitoā¦ I still don't understand how he put a Perfect Jinchuriki under a Genjutsu. He even controlled Yagura for years, or perhaps even longer than a decade! Weirdly, I don't recall him ever using Genjutsu during the Fourth Great Ninja War. Not even a single instance.
Exactly what level is Obito's Genjutsu at? If not for this feat, I'd assume it to be rather ordinary for an Uchiha with Mangekyou Sharingan. However, keeping a perfect Jinchuriki under a Genjutsu for so long is something even someone like Itachi, a true genius of Genjutsu, shouldn't be able to do. Perhaps the only one who could do it is Shisui, but even he has to pay a huge price. How did Obito do it?'
Fujin could neither accurately speculate how Yagura died, nor understand how Obito did the impossible. He sighed as he walked into a cave and thought, 'Whateverā¦ I'll check how Yagura died by reading the memories of the ninjas present during his death. Unlike Iwa and Kumo, Kiri doesn't have anyone who can stop me. As for Obito, I'll need to test his strength a few more times. For now, it's time to increase my strength further.'
The cave was one of the many bases Fujin built during his journey. He walked into its meditation room and sat down. Closing his eyes, Fujin's consciousness entered his inner world.
When Fujin opened his eyes, the scenery in front of him was completely different. Fujin's inner world was no longer pitch black as it once was. Instead, it was very well illuminated. The source of the light was none other than the artificial chakra lake at the center of his inner world. It was now completely filled and overflowing!
Chakra travelled through the channels surrounding the lake and flowed into the deep valley. Yet, the chakra couldn't illuminate the valley. It almost looked like Fujin's chakra was flowing into the abyss, never to return.
āāāāāāāāāāāā
A/N : If you can, then please support me on P@treon.
Link - www.pat reon.com/DevilHex
(No space)
Alternatively you can support me on UPI (google pay) - patilsarvesh8@oksbi
Can read up to 50 chapters ahead on P@treon.
Thank You Kelevra, Kwabena, Ithaque, Chavi, Entertained Diamond, Lexi, Steven, Jacob and Pierre for supporting me on P@treon.