Chapter 398: A Seat on the Council

Hiruzen noticed Shikaku's expressions. Though he was amused, his mind was still occupied by Fujin's resignation. He thought, 'Without Fujin creating trouble, Shikaku will become lazy again. I need to think of something to keep him busy now.'

Shikaku muttered, "Say it. What upheaval did that boy cause this time?"

Sorrow could be heard in Shikaku's tone. It was as if someone was about to steal his most precious belongings and he could do nothing but see it happening with his eyes.

Hiruzen looked at his Anbu Guards, who immediately left the room and locked all the doors and windows. Hiruzen activated the seals and said, "He encountered the Akatsuki organization as well as the Mizukage faction during the mission."

Shikaku was puzzled. He asked, "What was that mercenary organization doing there? Aren't they active in the West?"

Hiruzen replied, "Fujin couldn't figure that out. Our only guess right now is that they received a mission in the Land of Hot Water and encountered them fighting. Regardless, Biwa Juzo wanted to collect his bounty and was killed by Fujin."

Shikaku was shocked. He asked, "He killed Juzo?"

Hiruzen nodded. Shikaku immediately became serious as he analyzed the implications. He said, "Killing Juzo will imply that Fujin is a rank S ninja. And he is merely 15 years old."

Shikaku was stunned. Knowing all the shit Fujin pulled over the last year, Shikaku expected Fujin to reach that stage. But he didn't expect him to reach it so quickly.

Hiruzen nodded and said, "His victory wasn't a fluke. He also found out more information."

Hiruzen informed Shikaku about Fujin's analysis of Kisame and mentioned Zetsu's abilities. He even told him about the actions of the Mizukage faction.

Shikaku analyzed everything thoroughly and said, "The Mizukage faction is getting desperate. If the Fourth Mizukage falls, then their faction will collapse in no time. Kisame's power is a surprise. But we didn't hear much about him after the end of the last war. For his strength to rise significantly over the last decade, though difficult, isn't impossible.

That plant-like creature sounds like it will be good at spying and infiltration. We may need to upgrade our barriers considering that it was able to hide within Fujin's chakra field. The more important question is, would the mercenary organization retaliate?"

Hiruzen shook his head and answered, "Unlikely. It's not a hidden village. So they don't have the same sense of comradery. And this isn't the first time one of them has been killed. So it is very unlikely."

Shikaku didn't have much information about Akatsuki's movements and actions. He was worried about such high-level ninjas ambushing Konoha ninjas on the field. But since Hiruzen wasn't worried, Shikaku stopped thinking about it. However, he was puzzled.

He asked, "Everything sounds well. Why did you call me?"

Shikaku thought, 'I was expecting a lot of work, but so far, he has only given me good news. The Mizukage faction will retreat from the Land of Hot Water. One deadly rogue ninja is dead and no one will avenge him. And, Konoha has a new and young rank S ninja. This would make the village's position very stable. Did he call me here to just give me good news?'

Hiruzen sighed and said, "Fujin resigned from the Anbu. He will be taking a long break to train and rest."

Shikaku's eyes widened. He exclaimed in shock, "He resigned?"

Almost immediately, his shock changed into delight. He thought, 'Fujin retired from Anbu and will take a long break? Unbelievable! He indeed called me to give me good news!'

Fujin had been a huge headache for Shikaku. In fact, Suna was still sending ninjas to the Fire Capital occasionally. In addition, the situation with Iwagakure was continuously getting tense ever since Fujin and Roshi clashed.

Though nothing happened on the ground, the tensions always existed. So Shikaku was always very busy. He had to move around Konoha ninjas several times and had to recalibrate Konoha's strategy very frequently.

Considering Fujin's age, Shikaku had mentally prepared himself to be continuously tortured for at least a decade. This sudden news was like an unexpected blessing for him. With Fujin no longer taking missions actively, Shikaku felt like a large amount of pressure was lifted from his shoulders!

Hiruzen said, "You could at least act to not be so pleased."

Shikaku coughed and said, "I am just happy that our village has a new rank S ninja. It will make planning much simpler in the future. Kakashi and Guy should be close to or at the same level as Fujin as well. In a few more years, Konoha will regain the influence lost due to Minato's death and Orochimaru's betrayal."

Hiruzen nodded. What Shikaku said was completely true. He had increased the number of Konoha ninjas as well as the number of Jounins aggressively in the last few years. Once Konoha gained 3 new rank S ninjas, it would bring them closer to the strength they had during the previous war. However, he clearly knew that it wasn't the reason for Shikaku's happiness.

Hiruzen said, "I called you here because I need your opinion on a matter."

Shikaku became serious and asked, "What is it?"

Hiruzen said, "With Fujin no longer a part of Anbu, I can't use my previous method to increase his reputation."

Shikaku recalled the conversation he had with Hiruzen a year ago. He nodded. Hiruzen continued, "So I have decided to do that using two methods. The first one is promoting him to Elite Jounin officially. That shouldn't be an issue. However, I'm not sure what the impact would be of the second method. I want your opinion on it."

Shikaku listened carefully. Despite his intelligence, Hiruzen's next words surprised him. Hiruzen said, "I am planning to create a new seat in the Council. A council member who will represent the Civilian ninjas. And I want to give that to Fujin."

Shikaku hadn't expected Hiruzen to think of such a thing. He immediately began analyzing if it was feasible. After some time, he said, "Until now, civilian ninjas don't have a seat on the council. Though Jiraiya and Orochimaru participated at times, it was due to their status as the Sannins.

Fujin doesn't have the same reputation and influence as they did. But if you create a new seat, that won't be an issue. Creating a new seat should be fine as well as there are already a few non-ninja civilians on the council to handle the civilian matters.

The only issue is Fujin himself. He is still too young. And, we clan leaders represent our clans. But, can Fujin really represent all the civilian ninjas? Currently, the number of civilian ninjas far exceeds that of any clan.

Since he doesn't have any fame here apart from his bounty and his title, it will raise a lot of questions and perhaps some dissatisfaction from the civilian ninjas. Do you need to give him that post so impatiently? There is no harm in waiting for a few more years."

Hiruzen replied, "I have been sending him on almost all negotiations. If I don't give him a seat on the council, then other countries will think that I am sending the Spectral Swordsman to intimidate them during negotiations. But if he is an official council member, then it sends an entirely different message. At the same time, it gives him the authority to close deals.

As for his reputation and dissatisfaction from others, it isn't an issue. With time, as his strength gets slowly exposed, his reputation will grow by itself and the voices of dissatisfaction will disappear as well."

Shikaku nodded and said, "That's true. Alright, go ahead. I'll ask Inoichi and Choza to support your proposal. The civilians will support you easily as well. So there shouldn't be any trouble in passing the proposal to create a new seat even if some Clan Leaders or Elders oppose that.

Though Fujin's appointment might face some opposition, it can be easily resolved by informing the Clan Leaders about Juzo's death. None of the Clan Leaders would oppose him in that case."

Hiruzen nodded. He discussed a bit more with Shikaku before letting him go. As Shikaku appeared back in his office, a smile appeared on his face. He thought, 'That troublemaker finally quit. This was a good surprise. I can finally sleep no...'

Suddenly Shikaku's eyes widened as he realized something. He thought, 'Wait a minute! Why did Hiruzen allow Fujin to retire? Does that mean anyone can retire? Why does he keep blocking my retirement plans then? I need to know how Fujin convinced Hiruzen to let him go!'

Fujin was unaware of Hiruzen's plans. He was more concerned about Hiruzen's friend instead. He worked on the seal all night until an alarm rang. Fujin shut the alarm and thought, 'I lost track of time. It is 4:45 in the morning. Naruto should arrive soon.'