Though Fujin said that it wouldn't hurt much, Ranmaru felt as if several dozen needles were being inserted into his legs every second. If it was any normal boy instead of him, he would have long started crying loudly.
After a few minutes, Ranmaru grew used to the pain. More importantly, he began feeling sensations in his legs. For the first time in his life, he was able to move them slightly.
"Don't try to move your legs right now. Don't worry, you can walk and run as much as you want very soon." Fujin instructed on seeing Ranmaru trying to move his legs. Ranmaru immediately stopped.
After another 10 minutes, Fujin finally stopped. He pulled his hand back and said with a smile on his face, "You can try to move now."
Ranmaru nodded and tried to move his legs. To his surprise, he was able to move his legs. However, he was still quite slow. Fujin said, "It will feel weird at the start. However, you will soon get used to it."
Ranmaru tried to get up. A couple of villagers assisted him and helped him get off the bed. With their help, Ranmaru took the first steps of his life. When he did, his feelings immediately became very complicated. He thought, 'I always believed that Raiga was my hands and feet. However, Raiga is dead and I can walk by myself now. Does this mean that the meaning we discovered was fake?'
The villagers were unaware of his internal struggle and became happy for him. Many began to congratulate him. A few thanked Fujin as well. Fujin waited for a few minutes for the commotion to settle down before saying, "Everyone, I need to talk with Ranmaru about his condition. Could you give us a few minutes alone?"
The villagers nodded and left. Within a minute, only Ranmaru and Fujin were left in the room. Ranmaru thanked Fujin for healing him. Fujin smiled and said, "For someone who walked for the first time in his life, you sure don't seem happy. Mind telling me what it is that is weighing on your mind?"
Since his abilities were sealed, Ranmaru couldn't detect that Fujin was using a Genjutsu on him to make him trust Fujin more easily. In addition, he had just healed Ranmaru's legs. As a result, Ranmaru felt that Fujin could be trusted. However, even then, he shook his head and said, "It's nothing."
Fujin was surprised. He wondered, 'Even in this situation he isn't willing to open up? Looks like staying with Raiga made his mentality quite strong. Oh well…'
Fujin said, "Nothing? I wouldn't call such a complicated seal on your body nothing, kiddo. When I first saw you, that seal shocked me. I never thought that someone would put such a complicated seal on a little child. So, can you tell me what it is? Perhaps I might be able to help you."
Ranmaru was surprised. Ever since Fujin woke him up after killing Raiga, he hadn't been able to use his abilities. As a result, everyone thought that he was an ordinary kid. He didn't imagine that he'd meet a Fuinjutsu expert just a few days after the seal was applied to him.
His expression became dejected as he admitted, "I unknowingly did some horrible things. Things I thought were good for the people but were actually harmful. As a result, someone sealed my abilities and said that my abilities will stay sealed until I do good work."
Fujin acted like he was surprised and said, "That's a surprise. I thought someone had some ill intentions towards you. I don't know what you did, but it's good to see that you have identified your mistakes. Do you want me to break this seal?"
Ranmaru was surprised by the offer. He thought for a couple of minutes before shaking his head. He answered, "No. I can't do anything for the people who suffered due to me. However, I want to do good for the people in the future. I am afraid that my abilities might put me on the wrong path again."
A wide smile appeared on Fujin's face as he said, "Good attitude. You might just be suitable to be a part of my organization. Let me check your seal first."
Ranmaru wondered, 'His organization?'
Fujin placed his palm on Ranmaru's forehead and inserted some chakra into it. For the next couple of minutes, he pretended to check the seal. With every passing second, his smile reduced and a frown appeared on his face.
He muttered, "This seal is a very high-level one. The one who put it on you is probably among the best Fuinjutsu Grandmasters in the world. Unless he lifts the seal himself, it looks like doing good will be the only way to get rid of it."
He looked at Ranmaru and asked, "How are you planning to do good work?"
Ranmaru thought for a bit before answering, "I don't know."
Fujin nodded and said, "As I thought. Would you like to come with me? The organization I created helps civilians who are being attacked by rogue ninjas and bandits. It will give you an opportunity to help the weak. The main reason why I came here is because I heard that this village was being tormented by one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and his goons. However, it looks like someone already killed them."
Ranmaru was surprised to hear that his benefactor was hear to deal with Raiga and the Kurosuki family as well. He thought, 'It seems like we were extremely tyrannical for so many people wanting to deal with us. Should I tell him that I was working with Raiga?'
Fujin continued, "If you come with me, you'll be trained properly for a few years. Once you become strong enough, you'll be able to help out people with your own strength."
Instead of giving his answer, Ranmaru said, "I don't want to hide things from you. Until a few days ago, I was working with Raiga."
Surprise appeared on Fujin's face again. He said, "I see. Can you tell me what circumstances made you work with him and what happened to him?"
Ranmaru explained to Fujin about his background, his Kekkei Genkai, how he met Raiga and how Raiga and the Kurosuki family were killed a couple of days ago. Fujin heard him patiently.
When Ranmaru was done, Fujin sighed and muttered, "Such a complicated life at such a young age. In any case, there is no reason to not give you an opportunity to redeem yourself. My offer still stands."
Ranmaru immediately replied, "I would be honored to be a part of your organization."
Fujin smiled and said, "Good."
Fujin explained to him the details of the organization and applied the Phantom Seal on Ranmaru's back. He informed the villagers that he would be taking Ranmaru as a disciple and taking him on his journey. The villagers were surprised but seeing that Ranmaru had agreed, no one stopped him. They bid their farewells to Ranmaru.
Fujin carried Ranmaru to the Phantom Haven Base. En route, he wore a mask and instructed, "Ranmaru, don't tell anyone that you saw my face. Also, don't tell anyone about your past with Raiga or your sealed abilities."
Ranmaru nodded. Fujin reached the Phantom Haven Base, handed Ranmaru to Shigeki and said, "He'll be joining here as a student. Raiga and his subordinates were dealt with by someone. He won't be harming anyone else."
Shigeki was surprised to hear that someone as strong as Raiga was dealt with by someone else so soon after he informed Fujin about him. He nodded and arranged for Ranmaru to be placed with other students.
Following Fujin's advice, Ranmaru tried making friends with the kids. Fujin and Shigeki observed them from some distance away. Shigeki asked, "Is there anything special about him, Shiden?"
The reason why Shigeki asked the question was because this was the first time Fujin recruited someone other than him. Fujin answered, "The circumstances he grew up in were very bad. Though life in our base isn't exactly normal, it'll still be a great improvement for him.
Anyway, he is quite talented. I anticipate that he'll manage to become an Elite Jounin in a couple of decades."
Shigeki was surprised to hear Fujin's evaluation. He remembered how strict Fujin had been while categorizing the ranks. What Shigeki didn't know was that Fujin believed that Ranmaru should be able to become a Rank S ninja if he didn't slack off. Though it was unlikely for him to reach that level before the Fourth Great Ninja War, he might reach it a few years after the war.
Even though Fujin didn't have any concrete plans for the organization after the Fourth Great Ninja War, there was no reason to not recruit a possible Rank S ninja who could heal him within moments especially considering how little time he personally invested in Ranmaru.
Seeing Shigeki's expression, Fujin instructed, "Don't treat him differently from other kids for that reason though. Other kids won't like it if someone gets special treatment. Just train him like anyone else."
Shigeki nodded. Fujin gave some more instructions and took his leave. On leaving the Phantom Haven base, he muttered, "Time to complete the mission that Hiruzen assigned me."
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