Chapter 629 : A New Student (Patreon)

Fujin's clone chuckled and said, “That is the other reason for my visit.”

Shigeki was surprised. However, his surprise soon changed into glee. Shigeki had benefitted heavily due to Fujin's guidance. He could now be considered an Elite Jounin even in the major villages. In addition, Fujin was extremely resourceful and had single-handedly built the entire library and created the entire base. If he intended to help improve the strength of other members, then Shigeki didn't doubt the results at all.

He said in excitement, “That's great! Will you be guiding them like you guided me?”

Fujin's clone replied with a hint of amusement, “That was my plan initially. However, seeing how much you've improved over the last year, I got another idea. You'll test all Field Agents and Captains except Karin and guide them just like how I guided you. Help them reach the next level.”

Shigeki's smile faded away in an instant. He became hesitant and said, “This… I don't think I can guide them as well as you can.”

Fujin's clone chuckled and said, “Consider it as a test. I want to see how well you can do this task. Besides, even though you are unsure, I'm confident in you.”

Hearing those words, Shigeki couldn't refute him. He could only accept the task and said, “I'll do my best.”

Fujin's clone nodded approvingly and said, “That's what I expect as well. Anyway, don't take a lot of pressure. Just test out their strengths, identify their weaknesses and analyze what they should work on to become considerably stronger.

Of course, I won't leave you without any assistance. Read this.”

He handed Shigeki a scroll. Puzzled, Shigeki opened it and began reading. The scroll had a list of jutsu names with their basic descriptions. Fujin's clone explained, “This scroll contains a list of the jutsus I will add to our library.”

Shigeki's eyes widened in shock. He looked at Fujin's clone and asked, “There are hundreds of jutsus mentioned here. Many of them are rank A and B. Will you add this many scrolls???”

Shigeki didn't believe it. Fujin's clone wasn't surprised by his reaction. This time, he had created jutsu scrolls for nearly every jutsu that existed in multiple villages. In addition, he also created scrolls for several jutsus that were known only to Kiri, at least on the surface. Needless to say, he had obtained all of them from Raiga's memories.

Combined with their previous collection, Phantom Haven Society's library would exceed that of every minor village by a large degree. It would be just under the 5 major villages. In fact, it could even compete with some of them! So, Shigeki's shock was completely justified.

Fujin’s clone replied, “Of course, I will. While it is true that strengthening older ninjas isn't easy, it is important to remember that all of you grew up in Tanigakure which didn't have as many jutsus as we do.

Though these jutsus won't promote them to the next rank, they would at least become far more formidable within their current ranks. Along with your recommendations, they might just be able to make a breakthrough.”

Shigeki nodded and replied, “Yes. That should be enough.”

Fujin's clone added, “I'll let them improve themselves in this way. Once they hit their next bottleneck, I'll guide them like I guided you.”

Shigeki was relieved to hear that. Fujin's clone got up and said, “Go through the list in the scroll once. Let me know if you have any queries. I'll place the scrolls in the library while you do so. When I return, we'll head out to apply the Phantom Seal on our new recruits.”

Shigeki replied, “Alright.”

The two immediately got to work. Within the next couple of hours, Fujin added over a couple of hundred scrolls to the library before applying the Phantom Seal on all the new recruits and 'influencing' them with the Phantom Will.

As they returned back to the main base, Shigeki asked, “How long will you stay this time?”

Fujin's clone replied, “Not too long. I've done most of the things that I wanted to. I'll guide Karin for a bit before leaving so that she gets on the right track. I'll check on Ranmaru and the other current students as well to encourage them to work harder.”

Shigeki replied, “That's good. I'm sure the kids will be happy to see you. Ranmaru always keeps asking about you.”

Fujin's clone nodded and replied, “Yeah, I'll meet with him as well. Has he progressed any further in the last month?”

Shigeki immediately updated him on Ranmaru's progress. The two chatted until they returned to the main base before splitting up. Fujin's clone flickered behind Karin, who was standing on her balcony while staring at the night sky, and asked, “Feeling comfortable here?”

Karin was startled and quickly looked back. She relaxed on seeing him and said with a smile, “Yes. This place is very peaceful. Elder Hayato showed me all the important places.”

Fujin's clone said, “That's good. Did h…”

Karin cut him off and asked nervously, “Is it true that you won't stay here for long?”

Fujin's clone was surprised by that question. A smile formed on his face as he patted her head to comfort her. He said, “Don't worry. I trust everyone here. You can as well.

I know that your life in Kusa was hell. However, that is in your past. You won't suffer here. Meet new people and make friends here. The ones in charge are probably too old for you to make friends, but there are also a lot of young kids here. They are being trained as students.

If you'd like, you can help them out in their training. They'll be much more comfortable with someone just a few years older than them. In time, you'll completely forget about Kusa. As for me, I'll keep visiting occasionally.”

Karin smiled and replied, “Alright.”

Fujin's clone nodded and said, “That said, even though I asked you to leave Kusagakure in your past, don't ever forget the pain you and your mother had to suffer. Even though you are safe here today, I can't say what will happen a few years from now. The only way to ensure that you never suffer like that again is by making yourself so strong that no one will dare to mistreat you.”

His voice was extremely serious as he said that. Karin realized it and became serious as well. She promised, “I'll train hard.”

Fujin's clone said, “Good. Before I leave, I'll guide you and set you on the right path. Tell me all your abilities except your healing one.”

Karin nodded and answered, “I can use Substitution, Transformation and Clone jutsu and can use shuriken and kunai properly.”

Fujin's clone thought, ‘Hmm, that's not much to work on. If not for her healing ability, she wouldn't be much different from an average Genin. Then again, considering that Kusa only exploited her healing ability, it is to be expected. And given her depressing circumstances, I doubt she'd have the heart to train in Kusa.

Now that I think about it, she didn't have many good skills apart from healing and sensing even in the future until she unlocked that chain ability of the Uzumaki clan. Though good in that particular role, it'd be a waste to keep her limited to that.’

Karin became nervous about seeing him in deep thought. She thought, ‘I should have practised more in the village. However, they always drained all my chakra…’

Fujin's clone finally spoke, “Don't take it the wrong way, but that's very basic. You'll need to work very hard to become strong enough to protect yourself from anyone and help others.”

Karin became depressed after hearing that. Luckily for her, Fujin's clone continued, “The good thing is that since you have only done the basics, you haven't gone down any wrong path. So, you can train the right way. Are you ready?”

Karin's mood became better. She smiled and said, “I am!”
She immediately bowed slightly and said gratefully, "Thank you, sensei."

Behind his mask, Fujin's clone raised an eyebrow and thought, 'I didn't expect her to become cheeky so soon. I guess she has become comfortable with the new environment. Then again, this isn't bad by any means.'

Fujin's clone handed her a chakra paper and said, “Run your chakra through it.”

Karin sighed in relief internally as Fujin didn't reject her. She accepted the paper and followed his instructions. Fujin's clone saw the chakra paper becoming wet and wondered, ‘Why do nearly all my students have an affinity to water?’