Kakashi quickly followed Hiruzen's clone and appeared behind him. Hiruzen's clone looked at him and said, "There is something you should know…"
Kakashi's expression became serious as he learnt that Orochimaru had entered the forest to target his students. He relaxed slightly on learning that Fujin would be keeping an eye on them.
In the end, Hiruzen said, "If you want, you can move to the tower in the Forest of Death as well. You can seal Sasuke's curse seal once the second round is done."
Kakashi nodded. Danzo and the Clan Leaders were still absorbing the information they learnt. Even the two Elders had been informed and were in shock. They could hardly digest the fact that Fujin defeated Orochimaru when the messengers informed them of something equally outrageous.
"What did you say???" Danzo got up and exclaimed in disbelief. Despite having decades of experience and excellent control over his emotions, Danzo couldn't keep his cool.
The clone replied, "It's true. Every ninja who was present in the Forest of Death saw it. Orochimaru first attacked him with a massive fire jutsu. I believe it was the Majestic Destroyer Flame jutsu. However, Fujin responded with a Scorch Dragon seconds later. After he attacked Orochimaru with it and exploded it, trees within 500 meters were set ablaze!"
Danzo's expression became very serious as he wondered, 'How could he have Scorch Release? Does he have the same bloodline as Pakura? But that's impossible. As far as I could check, no one in his ancestry was even a ninja. Did he learn how to fuse Fire and Wind chakra by himself?'
A frown appeared on his face as he analyzed, 'I can accept that he is very talented in Wind Release. However, is he equally talented in Fire Release? Why isn't his Fire Release as strong as his Wind Release then? Or did he just get lucky and somehow manage to merge the two natures accurately? Or was he somehow able to replicate it from that Orphan?'
As someone who chased after power, Danzo had long attempted everything he could to increase his strength. That included attempts to fuse different elements to create Kekkei Genkai.
Unfortunately, he never succeeded despite trying for decades. He only managed to get Kekkei Genkai by implanting Sharingan and transplanting Hashirama's cells. As such, Danzo was unwilling to believe it. However, the emotion that Danzo was feeling the most wasn't disbelief. Instead, it was regret!
He sighed and thought, 'I missed out. I should have pushed harder back then. Even though Hiruzen was adamant, I could have forced him to change his mind. If only I had recruited him back then… Today, I would have someone who could fight Orochimaru as my loyal soldier! My situation in Konoha would have been completely different as well…'
Unfortunately, there was nothing Danzo could do about it as there was no way to go back in the past and change his actions. Of course, even if he could go in the past, there was no way Fujin would have joined Root.
"Fujin used Scorch Release…"
"Under normal circumstances, that would be big news. However, everyone will only discuss the fact that he defeated Orochimaru! I find it hard to believe."
Homura and Koharu were together when they received the news. Both were shocked. Koharu agreed with Homura's words and said, "Yeah, it's so difficult to believe that I can't help but think that there are some hidden details. Do you think Hiruzen is behind this?"
Homura thought for a bit and shook his head. He replied, "No, this isn't his style. What the Anbu said must be true. Of course, there are some additional details. For instance, Orochimaru wouldn't want to fight Hiruzen without any backup which might be the main reason behind his retreat. And, Orochimaru's Fire jutsu seemed to be linked with Fujin's Scorch Dragon somehow."
Koharu nodded and said, "Regardless, even with these details, this is a great achievement. All of us underestimated that kid. Perhaps only Hiruzen saw his true potential and strength. No wonder he supports him so much."
Since Fujin didn't have any background, his seat in the council should have been very unstable and full of headaches. In fact, a couple of moves had been made to cause him trouble. One of which was made by Koharu herself after Fujin openly threatened her twice in a row on the day he blew up the Root's headquarters.
However, Hiruzen had quashed those moves before Fujin even knew about them. In fact, Fujin didn't know about those moves even now. Due to his fierce backing, no one tried troubling Fujin again. After all, they didn't want Hiruzen to do the same to them.
As a result, Fujin's time in the council was very peaceful. He only had to deal with Katsuhiro and Danzo one time as Hiruzen didn't catch onto that scheme until Fujin had dealt with it.
Koharu continued, "Back then, I was confused and didn't understand why Hiruzen supported him so much. I can see it now."
Homura nodded and muttered, "Yeah. It's little wonder he dared to threaten the leaders of Kusagakure while sitting in their village."
Homura still recalled the nightmare of Fujin threatening all top officials of Kusagakure very clearly. It was the closest he came to death since his retirement.
Just like the Elders, the Clan Leaders were surprised as well.
Shikaku wondered, 'When did he learn Scorch Release? Or was it something else?'
Inoichi thought, 'This isn't good. If he has mastered a Kekkei Genkai, then he can start his own clan in the future.'
Hiashi thought the same, 'Normally, the existing clans would have acted together and applied pressure to prevent the formation of a new clan. However, how exactly do we pressure someone who can defeat Orochimaru at just 16 years of age?'
Tsume thought, 'There is no stopping him. His reputation will become as high as the Sannins. Considering his age, it might exceed them in the future. Depending on when Lord Hokage retires, he might even have a shot at the Fifth Hokage's position.'
Even though Fujin hadn't truly mastered the Scorch Release, everyone assumed that he had done so since he hadn't given the same clarification that he had given to Renjiro and Hoka. Hence, the observers just believed what they saw.
Of course, Fujin wouldn't bother clearing up their misunderstanding. If they wanted to believe it, they were free to do so. If anything, he'd welcome the free reputation boost. Besides, even though he hadn't truly mastered Scorch Release, he was very close and believed that it was just a matter of time.
In the Forest of Death, since the fire had been doused, most of the ninjas returned to the tower. Only the ones who were tasked to patrol the forest dispersed in the training ground.
As they entered the tower, Fujin could see admiration and respect in their eyes. He thought, 'Even though I'm almost out of chakra, it looks like this battle had the intended effect. With this battle and the Guidance Hall, not many would take the initiative to mess with me even without Hiruzen's backing.'
Hiruzen immediately gave new orders to the Anbu ninjas he had brought along. His Anbu Guards stayed with him while the remaining squads started taking turns to patrol the Training Ground in case Orochimaru decided to sneak in again.
Hiruzen turned to Fujin and said, "I'll return to the village for now. We still don't know what Orochimaru's real goal was. It'd be troublesome if he wanted to attract me here and have someone make a move on the village.
Renjiro, stay here with Fujin until he recovers his chakra. Kakashi will probably come to the tower soon as well. With you three here, I doubt Orochimaru would make a move even after he recovers his chakra."
Fujin nodded and said, "Sure."
Renjiro nodded as well. Hiruzen left along with his Anbu Guards, leaving just Fujin, Renjiro, Hoka and Anko in the room.
Hoka chuckled and said, "You are really something Fujin. You should have seen the reactions of the senior ninjas. All are shocked by this battle."
He glanced at Anko and teasingly said, "Anko was in disbelief the longest."
Anko immediately became annoyed at Hoka and said, "That's only natural you punk! Do you even know how terrifying Orochimaru is?"
Hoka immediately replied, "Perhaps, but doesn't that mean that Fujin is even more terrifying?"
Anko immediately became quiet. What Hoka said made sense. Before she could think of a response, Fujin said, "Don't underestimate him, Hoka. Even though I injured him a few times, he recovered to perfect health every time. I'm not sure whether it is even possible to kill someone like him. On the other hand, I don't have any such ability. The next time he fights me, I might be at a disadvantage as he now knows about my skills."
Renjiro smiled and said, "It's good to see that you're as pragmatic as ever, Fujin. What you said is true. Someone like Orochimaru should never be underestimated. Even the old man is very wary of him."
Renjiro thought, 'I was worried that he'd become overconfident after defeating Orochimaru. It's good to see that he's still the same kid as back then.'
Memories of Fujin staying far away from Mieko and Hoka during their spars appeared in Renjiro's mind. Renjiro had to work hard to get Fujin to break that fighting style. However, he was happy to see that Fujin's cautious nature never changed.
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. An examiner entered and reported, "I have something to inform you. The first Genin squad has reached the tower!"
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