Chapter 617 : Fame Explodes! (Patreon)

“Is it true that Fujin defeated Orochimaru?”

Anko's voice wasn't soft. Most of the Anbu and other ninjas who had helped extinguish the fire heard it and paid attention to Renjiro. Even though they had already heard it, they were still in disbelief. Knowing Renjiro's reputation and the fact that Fujin was his student, they wanted to hear it from him.

To their surprise, Renjiro nodded and said, “That's true. Fujin defeated Orochimaru and forced him to escape using the Reverse Summoning jutsu.”

A stunned silence appeared in the burnt forest. For a few seconds, no one said anything. Due to the fire, all birds and animals had escaped or died. So, other than the breeze, no sound could be heard. Hoka looked at everyone and wondered, ‘Why are they so suspicious? Is it really so hard to believe? Also, why is everyone silent?’

Among the ones present there, Hoka was the youngest at just 16 years old. He hadn't seen the horrors of the Great Ninja Wars. Nor did he know how terrifying Orochimaru was. So, he couldn't understand their emotions. However, Renjiro could clearly understand what was going through their heads. A smile appeared on his face.

“Oh my god! I still can't believe it! This means that all those rumors were true!”
“This is such amazing news! We have a ninja who could force that fucking traitor to escape!”
“Hell yeah! Since he defeated Orochimaru, Suzuki Fujin is definitely a rank S ninja! We have another rank S ninja!”
“Forget rank S, he defeated Orochimaru, the Sannin! Fujin should be extremely strong even among the rank S ninjas! He is at least in the same league as Lord Jiraiya and Lady Tsunade!”
“He might be even stronger! Even if he isn't, don't forget that he is only 16 years old! He'll keep getting stronger!”
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Hoka looked dumbfounded as the silence was broken by the excitement coursing through the experienced ninjas in front of him! Even the feared and disciplined Anbu ninjas weren't an exception. They were celebrating like ordinary citizens!

Hoka looked at Renjiro in confusion and asked, “Sensei, why are they so happy? And why are you smiling like this?”

Renjiro explained without looking at him, “For every village, a rank S ninja is someone who they could rely on to protect the village. As long as a rank S ninja exists, they wouldn't worry about their safety.

If something happens to Lord Hokage, we will have another leader available to take charge. And on the battlefield, a rank S ninja can take command of entire armies. They can roam on the battlefield with no fear of being killed.

Hence, it is a joyous occasion whenever we get a new rank S ninja.

Orochimaru became a rank S ninja over two decades ago. He was trained by none other than Lord Third. By defeating him, Fujin has established that he is one of the stronger rank S ninjas. Just like Lord Hokage and the Sannins, he is now someone who'll deter the other villages from daring to start a war against us.

If they dare to do so without considering his threat, he'll cut down through their ranks and turn the battle in a day or two. Even if they make a plan for him, they'll be forced to move forces away from elsewhere. That will save the lives of a few hundred Konoha ninjas. So, it would be weird if they weren't so happy and excited.”

Hoka was surprised. He looked at the joyous ninjas again and said, “I didn't think that it'd be such a huge deal. Now I understand.”

He chuckled and said, “It looks like Fujin is a big shot now, haha.”

Renjiro chuckled and said, “He definitely is. First that Guidance Hall and now this. His reputation will far exceed mine. It'll be only under the old man and the two Sannins.”

Standing just a few meters from them, Anko heard all of Renjiro's words. Disbelief could still be seen on her face. Unlike the others, she knew Orochimaru very closely and had suffered due to him.

For nearly a decade, she wanted to kill Orochimaru with her hands. The fact that Orochimaru was defeated by someone far younger than her while she was still nowhere close to being able to do that was hard to digest.

Even so, a smile appeared on her face as she muttered softly, “He really did it…”

One of the Anbu Captains arrived next to Renjiro and asked, “Is it fine if we inform others about this good news or has Lord Hokage ordered to keep this news under wraps?”

Even though they were in the Anbu, they were also a part of the ninja clans in Konoha. They wanted to inform their clan about such news without any delay.

Renjiro answered, “Lord Hokage didn't say anything. It should be fine if we tell others. After all, such news can't be kept under wraps. However, it's better if we first wait for Lord Hokage's instructions…”

The Anbu Captain replied, “Alri…”

“Renjiro is right. Such news can't be covered up.” Everyone immediately looked towards the source of the voice. They were surprised to see Hiruzen there.

After talking with Fujin, Hiruzen sent a Shadow Clone to move the forces around and give commands. He finally had an opportunity to completely explode Fujin's reputation. He didn't intend to let it go to waste.

A smile appeared on Hiruzen's clone as he continued, “Besides, this is extremely good news for Konoha. We have no reason to cover it up. If you want to send clones to inform others, feel free to do so. However, keep your main bodies here and get back to your duties.”

Everyone nodded. A few excitedly said, “Thank you, Lord Hokage!”

They immediately made Shadow Clones and sent them to inform their respective families and clans.

Hiruzen's clone looked at his Anbu Guards and said, “You four return to the tower.”
He looked at another couple of Anbu squads and said, “Gather the sensei of all the Genins together in the academy. I'll meet with them and inform them about this incident.”

The Anbu ninjas nodded and quickly dispersed. Hiruzen's clone disappeared as well and moved towards the Academy at a high speed while thinking, ‘If Suna is allied with Orochimaru, then I would like to see Baki's reaction.

Even if he manages to hide his emotions, this news will shock Sunagakure. It’ll deter them from making a pointless move. I'll call Jiraiya back as well to deter them even more. With the three of us here, they would be forced to drop their plans and the peace wouldn't be disturbed.’

Hiruzen's clone reached the Academy. Within 15 minutes, the Anbu ninjas gathered all 26 sensei in a room in the academy. The sensei were surprised to see Hiruzen present there.

Guy asked softly in surprise, “Kakashi, do you know what this is about?”
Kakashi shook his head and said, “No idea. This is the first time I have seen something like this as well.”
Kurenai looked at Asuma, who shook his head indicating that he didn't have any idea either.

Everyone looked at Hiruzen's clone curiously, wondering what this meeting was about. Seeing that everyone had appeared, Hiruzen's clone said without getting up from his chair, “An unforeseen situation happened during the second stage of the Chunin exam.”

Many sensei became nervous on hearing that. The one who was the most nervous was none other than Baki. He thought, ‘Shit! Don't tell me that they caught wind of our plans and dealt with the children of Lord Kazekage! We can't lose any of them!’

Hiruzen paused for a few seconds to make everyone as nervous as he could. He especially paid special attention to Baki's reactions. He continued, “Orochimaru, the rogue Sannin, infiltrated the training ground 44.”

Baki relaxed internally on hearing that. However, his expression showed that he had become even more nervous. Everyone else, apart from Orochimaru's clone who had disguised as the sensei of Oto Genins, was nervous as well. After all, they weren't confident in dealing with Orochimaru. What could their young students do?

Hiruzen's clone continued, “Thankfully, before he could harm anyone, he was intercepted by the proctor of the second round, Suzuki Fujin. After an intense fight, Fujin injured Orochimaru, broke his Sword of Kusanagi and forced him to escape. None of the Genins were harmed. The exam will continue as usual.”

Baki's eyes widened involuntarily. He shouted in his head, ‘Suzuki Fujin defeated Orochimaru? That's impossible! How could that happen?’

Immediately, Baki felt like someone was looking at him. He cursed, ‘Shit!’ Baki quickly took control of his emotions.

Others weren't able to control their mouths like him. A few exclaimed loudly.
“How can that happen?”
"No way!"
“Is that true?”

They quickly controlled their emotions. After all, they were in front of the Hokage. Even Kakashi, Guy, Asuma and Kurenai were shocked and left speechless.

Elsewhere in Konoha, the clones sent by ninjas reached their respective clans and quickly rushed to their clan leaders, forcing them to stop whatever they were doing.

With a visible bump on his head, Shikaku walked with an annoyed expression and asked, “What was so important that you made my wife wake me up?”