In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen was sitting in his chair while reading something. He had a complicated expression on his face. Even though he expected Onoki to do this, when it truly happened, he couldn't help but feel a bit gloomy.
After a couple of minutes, he exhaled the smoke and said softly, "Bring Fujin here. He should be in Training Ground 23."
Immediately, an Anbu Guard disappeared from the room. Fujin, who was training his Vacuum Gatling, stopped because he sensed a ninja entering the training ground. After getting the messenger, he left to see Hiruzen.
He entered the office and before he could ask anything, Hiruzen pushed forward the book on his desk and said, "Take a look at this."
Fujin picked up the book while muttering, "Bingo book?"
As soon as his eyes landed on the page Hiruzen had opened, his eyes widened. He sighed and muttered, "Iwa finally decided to do this..."
Hiruzen nodded. Iwa had increased Fujin's bounty from 20 million Ryo to 50 million Ryo. Surprisingly, his summon and Fuinjutsu skills weren't mentioned in the report. But they labelled him as the 'Spectral Swordsman'!
Fujin said, "Exposing this identity will cause a lot of trouble. I have killed way too many people in the last 3 years."The original appearance of this chapter can be found at Ñøv€lß1n.
Hiruzen replied, "Yes. It will be a diplomatic disaster. To avoid this, you won't ever accept this title."
Fujin nodded and said, "That goes without saying. But I doubt the neighbouring countries will accept that so easily."
Hiruzen replied, "It doesn't matter. Iwa can give no proof. I can just deny everything they say. And considering the recent movements in the other 4 major villages, these smaller countries don't want any trouble with Konoha. They can only accept their losses and move on.
But, they might try something against you when you are on missions. Be it for revenge or the 50 million Ryo. There are a few bounty hunters as well who would be tempted."
Fujin replied, "Yeah. I will be careful. But, why didn't Iwa mention all my details?"
Hiruzen chuckled and answered, "They want others to suffer losses against you just like they did."
Fujin was surprised. He thought, 'That's smart! And so fucking shameless! Irrespective of whether I'm dealt with or if I deal with the attackers, they will benefit.'
Ao nodded and got to work.
Sitting in his office, Rasa had a thoughtful expression on his face as he read Fujin's information for the umpteenth time. A frown appeared on his face as he thought, 'I remember Iwagakure sending information regarding him and speculating that he was the troublemaker. This sudden increase in his bounty should be Iwa's work. But, is he worthy of such a bounty or does Iwa hate him for some reason?'
He fell into deep thought. After a few minutes he shook his head and concluded, 'Regardless of whether he is worthy or not, I can't overlook him. For Iwa to be so troubled, he should at least be at the Elite Jounin level. And at such a young age too. Not to mention, his skillset is too similar to the culprit who created so much chaos in my country. It doesn't matter if it was the copy ninja or him, I need to eliminate him if I get the chance.'
Kumo and Iwa leadership didn't have much reaction towards this news for obvious reasons. However, the information caused a lot of chaos in the minor villages that were allied with Konoha. Their leaders immediately called for council meetings and sent a scroll to Hiruzen asking for an explanation.
The people who took this news seriously weren't limited to other countries. In an office under the Konoha, Danzo sat with a thoughtful face as he read Fujin's bounty and information.
He thought, 'The boy I asked Hiruzen for less than 4 years ago has already reached this stage? No wonder Hiruzen refused to tell us who the Spectral Swordsman was no matter how many times I asked him.'
Danzo was genuinely surprised. However, he curbed his surprise and wondered, 'Who exposed him? And who did he offend to get such a huge bounty?'
Danzo thought about the recent events and realized, 'Recently, Iwagakure created a mess in the Land of Waterfall. Hiruzen didn't tell me or the other elders what happened, but according to my information, one of our Anbu squads clashed with Iwa there. So it should be his squad. But why would that make Iwa so alarme...'
Danzo's left eye widened as he recalled, 'Wait, around half a year ago, the Four Tails' Jinchuriki, Roshi, went on a rampage in the Land of Grass. Information regarding that incident was buried as well. I thought we benefited only due to Iwa's folly.
But if I assume that Roshi clashed with him, then it would make sense for Kusa to trust Konoha so much and for Iwa to attach so much importance to him. But, can Fujin go up against Roshi?'
Danzo looked at his bounty and a frown appeared on his face. He thought, 'No wonder Iwa put up such a huge bounty. He must have survived against Roshi and they probably set up a trap for him in the Land of Waterfall.
I should have been more forceful and inducted him in the Root. Such a talent will now be corrupted by Hiruzen's naive thoughts. But, this can be an opportunity as well.'
Danzo entered into deep thought. He analyzed, 'For an Anbu, maintaining their disguise is the most important. If their identity is leaked, then everyone who they targeted and their families will try to get back at them. Hiruzen has failed him by failing to protect his identity. I can use this to try and recruit him.
In addition, the Spectral Swordsman is known to be very ruthless and efficient. His method seems to be very similar to mine. I could try to influence him with my ideology as well.'
He looked at a Root ninja in his office and instructed, "Call the two elders here."
Due to his analysis, Danzo was upbeat about his chances of recruiting Fujin. However, if he was to know that Hiruzen was planning to pass the Root to Fujin in the future, one would wonder what Danzo's expression would be.