Chapter 644 : Just beat them up! (Patreon)

“What exactly is your training plan with those three?” Fujin asked Kakashi. He was truly curious about why Kakashi had trained them in such a manner.

Kakashi answered, “I could normally but the training I intend to put Sasuke through will require all my focus. I won't be able to guide Naruto or Sakura at the same time.

As for my training plan, it's rather straightforward. I want their basics to be rock solid before they move up to more advanced stuff. Hence, my focus was more on teamwork and formations rather than their individual strength…”

A weird expression appeared on his face as he continued, “To be honest, I didn't expect that all three of them would end up reaching the finals. I just wanted them to gain some experience and I planned to start their Ninjutsu and Genjutsu training after the Chunin Exams. However, this year's batch of Genins was quite weak with a few exceptions. So, they are a bit under-prepared for the real event.

Anyway, you don't need to keep that in mind. Just focus on raising Naruto's strength as much as you can without teaching him any new forbidden jutsus. So, will you train him?”

Instead of answering him, Fujin's clone replied, “Teamwork over individual strength, huh?”
Kakashi asked, “You don’t agree?”

Fujin’s clone answered, “Not entirely. Though teamwork is essential, how useful will the teamwork between three Genins be against a Jounin or even an Elite Chunin? I would have gone with personal strength as the main focus while ensuring that their teamwork stays acceptable.”

Kakashi shook his head and said, “You are wrong. For any squad, teamwork is the most essential aspect. Without it, no matter how strong the squad is, it has no future.”

Fujin's clone raised an eyebrow and asked, “It's true that without teamwork any squad is dead, but they are ninjas. They should understand its importance as well and would work together at least when circumstances demand so. If they can't even do that, then it's better to just make them quit as ninjas.

Besides, why does individual strength have to be sacrificed for teamwork? On the contrary, stronger individuals would be able to work better together as they'll have more ways of cooperating and using combination jutsus.

Not to mention…”

Fujin's clone paused, looked into his eyes and added, “A couple of your students have some amazing potential. Sasuke's talent is extraordinary while Naruto's potential seems as limitless as his chakra. Had you focused on increasing their strength and jutsu arsenal, both would have likely already been strong enough to go up against any Chunin. They might have even been able to resist a Jounin for a short time.

Once they faced off against stronger opponents, their teamwork would have automatically improved.”

His words made Kakashi think for a bit. However, he still shook his head and said, “No, trying to make them improve their teamwork at that stage would have been too difficult. It's best to teach it to them when they are still Geni…”

Before Kakashi could complete his sentence, Fujin's clone chuckled and said, “What's so difficult about it? Just make them fight as a team against you and beat them up until you feel their teamwork is acceptable. Even if they are complete blockheads, they would eventually figure it out.”

Kakashi was speechless as he looked at Fujin's clone. His right eye twitched as he wondered, ‘Just beat them up until they work together? Who puts such weird ideas in this kid's head? However, that just might be effective when dealing with Naruto and Sasuke…’

Fujin's clone smirked at Kakashi's expression and said, “Anyway, they are your students. So, it’s none of my business. Considering the recent events, I'll be busy as well. However, I should still be able to handle Naruto. So, I'll prepare him for the finals.”

Kakashi nodded thinking, ‘That's true. Now that he has displayed the ability to restrain Orochimaru, he'll become far more busy. Hmm? I'm missing something…’

Kakashi's eyes turned towards Fujin's clone again. Fujin's clone said, “Anyway, I'll take my leave and inform Lord Hokage about it. With four Anbu squads and you, it's unlikely for Kabuto to return here.”

Kakashi nodded as Fujin's clone flickered away. He continued looking at the spot where Fujin's clone was standing in confusion and wondered, ‘His power shouldn't have increased in the blink of an eye. Even though I wasn't aware of it, Lord Third should be aware of his prowess.

So, why has he sent Fujin on missions so rarely? From what Naruto said, he has gone on only 2 or 3 missions in the last 6 odd months. That's very strange…’

Kakashi and his father had both been the leading active ninja in the village at some point. And both had been given missions constantly without any break. Both rarely spent any time inside the village. So, Kakashi couldn't comprehend why Fujin was rarely sent on missions. He stopped thinking about it and thought about his words as he wondered, ‘Was I really mistaken in putting so much emphasis on teamwork?’

As Fujin's clone rushed back to the tower in the forest of death, he thought, ‘As I expected, Kakashi dumped Naruto on me instead of Ebisu. That's understandable considering that Naruto's basics are much better and he is close to me.

I wonder if he'll dump Sakura on Ebisu now. Or would he ask someone like Kurenai or someone from that Kurama clan to train her in Genjutsu like he expects me to train Naruto in Wind Release?

Though I suppose it depends on the matchups. He might directly ask her to quit if she is paired against Gaara or Neji. That said, even in that case, not arranging for her training would be unfair.

Oh well, it's not my concern. I'll just train Naruto for a day or two before Jiraiya shows up with some excuse. Then I'll turn my focus to completing that seal and mastering the important techniques I will learn from Kabuto's memories.

Even without considering the forbidden techniques, just his knowledge about Medical Ninjutsu and studying corpses and their abilities would be extremely useful for me. And, if he knows how to perform even the basic Edo Tensei, I can revive the bishop who did the ceremony for Zankoku and learn Blood Manipulation with little effort.

That would allow me to improve my power to another level. I might be able to fight against the likes of Hiruzen, Ay and Onoki without needing to rely on Flying Thunder God jutsu. And, that'll just be the start!’

With those thoughts, he reached the tower. Hiurzen was done with his long speech and the Genins were about to leave. He glanced at his other clone, who dispelled himself and sent the memories to him. He looked at Sakura with a weird expression and thought, ‘Poor girl. Kakashi will likely just ask her to quit and stay peacefully…’

Renjiro noticed him and asked, “Is everything alright?”
Fujin's clone answered, “Not really, though there is no immediate danger. Orochimaru appeared again and we had an Elite Jounin level spy among our ranks.”

Renjiro and Hoka's eyes widened as he continued, “Come with me. I need to report it to the old man.”

He disappeared and appeared next to Hiruzen and said softly, “I need to report something.”

Hiruzen nodded. He immediately left along with his Anbu Guards and met with Fujin's clone at the top floor where Fujin's clone informed him about the events. Hiruzen's expression became serious on learning that Kabuto was a spy and how strong he was. Of course, what alerted him the most was that Kakashi could have been killed had Orochimaru intended to do so and if Fujin wasn't present there.

He muttered, “This is a problem. Orochimaru knows the village too well. Even if I modify the barrier, I don't think that'll stop him from entering without alerting us. And as long as he can enter, he can threaten the lives of nearly every ninja.

Kabuto is troublesome as well. I didn't think that someone of his level would hide inside Konoha as a Genin. It seems like too many spies have infiltrated our ranks. We need to clear them out as well.”

Hiruzen's tone was extremely serious as he said it. Renjiro chuckled and asked, “Time for another massacre, eh?”

Hiruzen didn't say anything and massaged his forehead. He said, “I'll discuss it with Shikaku first. Since Orochimaru is involved, it'll have a lot of complications.”

Everyone nodded. Shikaku was the best one to handle such complicated tasks. Hiruzen looked at Fujin's clone and said, “You did a great job again, Fujin. I'll leave for now to start making the arrangements. Meet me tomorrow evening. I have something for you.

Renjiro, have Hiromasa start preparing the Senju clan for a war but ensure that others don't catch a whiff of it. Hoka, pass the same order to Hiashi. The coming times might not be as peaceful as I would have liked.”

Fujin's clone nodded and said, “Alright, I'll be there.”
Renjiro replied, “I'll take care of it, old man.”
Hoka said respectfully, “Yes, Lord Hokage.”