Chapter 828 : Testing each other

With a puzzled expression, Fujin asked, "What do you mean?"

Tsunade explained, "Learning these things takes a lot of time… Spirit Transformation jutsu is just a single jutsu, so it's still understandable. However, Medical Ninjutsu is a very deep field. You need to devote a lot of time to become an acceptable Medical Ninja. It's the same with Fuinjutsu. Why did you take away the time you could have used to improve your Wind Release or other combat-oriented Ninjutsus further?"

Fujin thought, 'Ah, that's what she was referring to. It's understandable. I don't think anyone else learned Fuinjutsu and Medical Ninjutsu like I did.'

Fujin remembered the days when he used to feel like he needed 72 hours in a day. He had used Shadow Clones extensively for years to learn Fuinjutsu. As for Medical Ninjutsu, he made nearly every senior Medical ninja working in the Konoha Hospital devote several weeks to guide him. It had been so extreme that even Hiruzen had become worried. Tsunade, who had just returned to Konoha, was obviously unaware of such information.

Fujin smiled and took a seat as well. He said, "I never thought from this perspective. I always found Fuinjutsu interesting. I used to read and practice it whenever I was out of chakra after my training sessions. It didn't eat into my training time apart from some instances.

As for Medical Ninjutsu, my team once fell into a trap and we were almost wiped out. Only I managed to escape while carrying my injured team leader. It took me several hours to bring him to the Land of Fire and find a patrol camp where he could be healed properly.

That motivated me to learn a few basic healing jutsus like the Mystical Palm jutsu. Other than providing immediate treatment to any injured teammate, the jutsu also has a huge potential to change the tides of a battle. I'm sure no one knows more than you how much of an upper hand you will have in a battle if you can heal yourself while your enemy can't."

Tsunade nodded. It could turn a close battle into an easy victory if the ninja had sufficient chakra left. Fujin continued, "That said, you're correct. I didn't focus on other aspects of medical ninjutsu back then even though Yoshi-sensei pestered me continuously due to the limited time. I only accepted his offer after I reached a bottleneck in my Wind Release."

Tsunade's eyes twitched. She thought, 'So, instead of resting after exhausting his chakra from Ninjutsu training, he learnt Fuinjutsu while waiting for his body to regenerate chakra to train again? And, he hit a bottleneck in Wind Release in his early teens? Did he do nothing except train?'

Tsunade felt like she got a small insight into the reason behind Fujin's phenomenal capabilities. She thought, 'I guess he has also been abusing Multi Shadow Clone jutsu to learn faster. Only that can explain his expertise in so many time-consuming areas. No wonder Sensei held him in high regard. Over the years, I have seen several geniuses, but he might be the most hardworking of them all. Even Orochimaru, despite his obsession with Ninjutsu, wasn't this capable at such a young age. And, seeing how dedicated he has been today, he still hasn't stopped training.'

A smile appeared on her face as she wondered, 'How long would he keep this up?'

While children had a greater drive to train, their motivation would decrease as they grew older due to the repetitive nature and diminishing gains. Once they received responsibilities, the time they could devote to training would also reduce drastically. Tsunade herself had barely trained in the last couple of decades. Similar was the case with most rank S ninjas. Cases like Guy and Orochimaru, who continuously trained or experimented to strengthen themselves, were very rare.

Fujin continued, "Then again, I never thought of Fuinjutsu and Medical Ninjutsu as non-combat-based abilities. Both are more than handy in combat and complement my skills perfectly. Not to mention, the benefits don't end there…"

His answer intrigued her once again. She asked, "What other benefits?"

Fujin answered, "When I was young and weak, I heard stories and rumors of how strong the top ninjas were. Back then, it seemed impossible ever to reach such a level. I couldn't even imagine how some of those things were possible with a normal human body.

However, as I trained, my body somehow slowly strengthened itself to a level where I could compete with such ninjas. Since the change was gradual, I didn't notice it until I reached this stage, nor did I understand how my body went through such a change. Even though it has been a while since I reached this level, I am still amazed at times at how much my body has improved.

It's natural to feel curious about this. If I study and understand my body better, perhaps I could find ways to continue strengthening myself. What better way to do it other than Medical Ninjutsu?"

Fujin gazed at Tsunade, observing her body. Over her lifetime, Tsunade had been observed in such a way several times, one of her teammates being the biggest culprit. However, it was the first time she didn't feel lust or any sort of pervasive intent behind the gaze.

Fujin added, "Forgive me if I'm being impolite… Despite your age, you look like you are in your early twenties. Nothing I see tells me otherwise, which is quite remarkable considering my sensory skills. I can feel that it has something to do with the mark on your forehead. I can sense that Fuinjutsu is somehow involved in it. However, it should be only a part of the technique. The main reason behind it must be your expertise in Medical Ninjutsu, am I correct?"

Tsunade folded her arms and placed her chin on her hand as she observed Fujin. She replied, "I'm confused. Should I feel offended that you called me old, flattered because you said I look young or violated that you gazed at me in such a manner?"

Though her tone was playful, her gaze wasn't. For the first time since they met, Tsunade was displaying her seniority and the fact that she would be the Hokage soon. Had it been someone else, they'd be nervous. Yet, Fujin chuckled and answered, "That's an interesting question. I wonder what you'll choose."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you testing me?"

Fujin asked in return, "Do you want to claim that you haven't been doing the same?"

Tsunade replied, "It's different. I'm your senior and soon will be the new Hokage. Of course, I'd want to know how the next generation is."

Fujin nodded, "I understand. However, I had the fortune or misfortune of meeting your two teammates before you. Surely you'd understand my concerns."

Tsunade was immediately at a loss for words. Needless to say, she wasn't truly offended and was merely testing Fujin to get a feel of his personality. However, she didn't expect Fujin to mention her two teammates. One was an open pervert who snooped around in bathhouses and hot springs. The other had lost his mind, betrayed his village, tried killing his sensei and was doing weird experiments with his body. It wasn't unnatural for someone to make assumptions about her.

Since she couldn't defend her teammates, she counterattacked, "Do you think I'm like either of my teammates?"

Fujin smiled and answered, "Thankfully, it doesn't seem so yet. Talking with you has been rather pleasant so far."

Tsunade smirked and said, "I didn't know you had such a silver tongue."

Fujin shrugged and replied, "Now you know why I asked forgiveness for any impoliteness."

Tsunade could only chuckle in response.

——

While Fujin and Tsunade continued talking, the three elders were sitting in silence, contemplating how they should approach the future.

Suddenly, Danzo asked, "You said Fujin is currently working with Tsunade, correct?"

Homura nodded. Danzo asked, "Don't you two find it strange?"

His question surprised Homura and Koharu. Fujin was working with Tsunade to help heal Hiruzen. Neither could see anything strange about it. Koharu asked, "What do you mean?"

Danzo explained, "He has been at odds against the three of us from the very start for seemingly no reason. Yet, he is cooperating with Tsunade without any such ill will. From what I heard, he also cooperated with Jiraiya easily. So, it isn't something as naive as hating old people or people with authority. So, why is it that he always stood against us?"

His words forced Homura and Koharu to think. A few moments later, Koharu muttered, "You're correct. I too wondered several times why he is so opposed to us. However, I could never come up with a definite answer. Even though there were a few smaller flashpoints, there weren't enough to make him act this way. Not to mention, he acted like this even before those incidents."

Homura said, "I've always been under the assumption that you did something to set him off, Danzo. Do you want to say that you never did anything to antagonize him other than deploying spies around his house?"

[A/N: Quite a few dialogues in the last few chapters. It used to be one of my weak points and I still think there's plenty of room for improvement, but let me know if it's fine. There will still be some discussion between the elders, but Fujin and Tsunade will move onto their task quickly here onwards.]

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