For the next week, almost all ninjas in Konoha were discussing the Guidance Hall. Several Veteran ninjas who were enthusiastic to teach the younger generation signed up. At the same time, nearly every young ninja from the civilian background expressed interest in getting their guidance.
It wasn't just Konoha ninjas who were trying to get into the Guidance Hall. Spies placed by the other villages wanted to know everything about the Guidance Hall as well. One of those spies had successfully managed to secure guidance under a Jounin.
Even though nothing could be seen on his face, Kabuto was extremely serious internally. He wondered, 'Konoha made such a huge move just before Orochimaru-sama would make his move. It's almost like they are preparing for a war. Could it be that our plans have been leaked? But how?'
Kabuto analyzed for a bit before concluding, 'No, if they knew about our plans, then they wouldn't have made such a show and would have instead prepared in the dark. There was no reason to make the youngsters pay to get guidance. Instead, they should have just guided talented ninjas secretly and we wouldn't have known.
Still, this is a very good method. Now, several hundred ninjas will master one or two additional jutsus by the time our invasion starts. Their strength will be slightly higher than what we calculated initially.
This makes matters more complicated considering how outnumbered we will be. Sigh, all will depend on whether Orochimaru-sama is able to kill the Third Hokage quickly enough. Once the high-level battle is won, the numerical disadvantage will be meaningless.'
He adjusted his spectacles while looking around and thinking, 'Suzuki Fujin… There is very little information available about him. Even though everyone in the village is discussing him, the normal ninjas don't know anything about him. Everything about him is just a rumor. Even I thought that it was just Konoha's tactic of raising his reputation.
To think that he is someone who killed Juzo and escaped from Kisame… If Orochimaru-sama hadn't informed me, I'd have been completely oblivious to his real strength as well.
We will have to treat him as someone at the same level as Hatake Kakashi and Might Guy. Considering that he specializes in eliminating weaker ninjas at a rapid speed, he can't be left unchecked during the war.
Under normal circumstances, it'd have been best if we eliminated him before the war began. However…'
Kabuto gulped his saliva as sweat rolled down from his forehead. Seeing his expression, the Jounin asked, "Kid, are you understanding? If you have any doubts, ask me."
Kabuto immediately asked a random doubt related to the jutsu the Jounin was teaching them. The Jounin didn't find anything odd and cleared his doubt. As for the reason for Kabuto's reaction? It was rather simple.
After understanding Fujin's threat, Kabuto immediately gathered all information related to Fujin. He was already aware that Fujin lived on the outskirts of the village. It created some ideas in his mind, making him wonder whether he or Orochimaru could sneak attack Fujin in his house and eliminate him before Hiruzen could react.
As a result, he went to check Fujin's house and casually passed by his compound pretending that he was going somewhere. What he witnessed made him decide on the spot to never go anywhere close to Fujin's house. It still gave him the creeps whenever he recalled that sight.
As the Jounin went back to explaining, Kabuto thought, 'Which lunatic inscribed tens of thousands of seals on that little compound? I initially thought that it was a trap. However, no one is blind enough to walk into that trap. Whoever inscribed those seals is definitely a lunatic! Even if I and Orochimaru attacked his house, he'll easily be able to stall us until the reinforcements arrive.'
As for the one whom Kabuto was cursing, he was currently in Hiruzen's office along with 3 other ninjas. Hiruzen looked at Fujin, Ibiki, Anko and Hayate and said, "The next Chunin exams will start soon. Ibiki, you'll be the proctor of the first round. Fujin, you'll be the proctor of the second round. Anko will assist you. Hayate, you'll be the proctor of the last round. Any questions?"
All the ninjas shook their heads. Hiruzen had already informed Anko about his decision to make Fujin the proctor for this particular exam. On hearing his reasoning, she didn't have any complaints. She was also interested in seeing the one who everyone was talking about lately.
Hiruzen said, "Good. You can discuss among yourselves how to conduct the exams. If you want to make any changes to the schedule, let me know within the next 3 days."
Everyone nodded and left. As they exited Hiruzen's office, Ibiki looked at Fujin meaningfully and said, "I didn't expect that you'd be assigned as a proctor, Fujin. Is your training completed?"
Fujin chuckled and said, "It's good to see you again as well, Ibiki. I guess a little vacation won't hurt. Right, Anko?"
A tick mark appeared on her forehead as Fujin's remark implied that he didn't intend to do much work and would treat the 5 days as a vacation. She muttered, "For someone who recently made such a huge change, I expected you to come up with something innovative for the Chunin exams as well."
Fujin waved his hand dismissively and said, "That's too much work for too little returns. You can't compare it with the Guidance Hall. Besides, if I made any changes, I doubt anyone would reach the third round. Poor Hayate might lose his job."
Hayate coughed as he looked at Fujin and thought, 'So he was Yugao's Anbu Captain. She still speaks very highly of him.'
He replied, "It's fine. I'll settle for a sword fight with you if that happens."
Fujin looked at Hayate with a deadpan expression and replied, "I was kidding. Do you think Lord Hokage would allow no one to qualify for the last round? The last round is pretty much why the Chunin exams are conducted."
Hayate coughed awkwardly and replied, "I was kidding as well."
Fujin replied with a teasing tone, "Sure didn't sound like it. Anyway, are you planning any radical changes to your round, Ibiki?"
Ibiki replied, "Nothing that'll affect the schedule. You can plan accordingly."
Fujin said, "Alright, I'll see you later then."
Fujin looked at Anko and said with a chuckle, "I'll be in your care then, Anko."
More tick marks appeared on Anko's forehead as she said, "Follow me. I'll show you everything about the second round."
The two of them flickered towards the Forest of Death. En route, Anko asked, "Are you really not planning to make any changes?"
Fujin replied, "Yup. If you want to make any, feel free to do so. The exam will be just like how it was conducted the previous year. The only difference will be that I'll be addressing the Genins."
Anko muttered, "What a bummer… I was hoping to see something interesting!"
Fujin replied with a deadpan expression, "Don't get your hopes up high for no reason. Besides, how much fun can you even have from the Genins? Send a couple of your snakes and enjoy their reactions to pass the time."
Anko immediately replied, "I did that last time. It became boring after a few hours!"
Fujin chuckled and replied, "I should have guessed."
They reached the central tower in the Forest of Death. Anko said, "As you know, this will be our base for the exam. I'll first introduce you to all the instructors here and show you all the arrangements."
Fujin nodded and followed. Anko first called everyone in the tower together and introduced them to Fujin. Fujin already knew most of them as it hadn't been too long since he took the exam. There were only a few new faces. Of course, even if he remembered their faces, he didn't remember any of their names nor knew their abilities.
After meeting everyone, Anko brought Fujin to the monitoring room. There were several displays in that room. Anko said, "There are several security cameras placed in the forest. We can use them to monitor the situation.
Of course, this is still very limited. The beasts in the forest regularly break them and any ninja can easily avoid or destroy them without arousing any suspicions. The only cameras you can count on are the ones in the building."
Fujin replied, "Hmm, I didn't expect that there would be cameras in the forest… But yeah, even Genins would avoid them. It is sort of pointless. Only someone who is very cocky will arouse suspicion."
Anko chuckled and said, "You don't know how many ninjas become cocky."
Fujin shrugged and replied, "It's hard to say when they die too soon."
Fujin's reply immediately made Anko recall the rumors about Fujin. She turned around and looked at him, only to find Fujin staring at her. Seeing where his gaze was, a tick mark appeared on her forehead once again!
————————————
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 hh, adilzhan, Drakun, Leonardo, GodlyShade and Xylneir for supporting me on P@treon.