After returning home, Fujin began writing the report. He finished it before having dinner and meditated for a bit before sleeping.
The next day, Fujin submitted the report and got back to training. He began practicing the Vacuum Bullet jutsu. He had two aims. The first was to decrease the amount of time needed to form and shoot the Vacuum Bullet. The second was to create two Vacuum Bullets at the same time.
While Fujin was training, his report, along with a few others, landed on Hiruzen's table. Hiruzen's expression wasn't good. There were quite a few people in his office. And most were waiting for the thoughts of one person.
Nara Shikaku said, "It looks like someone isn't happy with the trade boom that we experienced recently. And seeing the jutsus used, these ninjas are most likely from Kumogakure. I believe that Kumogakure is using its prisoners to do this suicidal task. They should be unaware of the seals on their body."
Hiruzen nodded. He too had reached the same conclusion. He asked, "What do you suggest we do?"
Shikaku said, "It's quite easy. We will analyze the data of bandit groups and see which bandit groups rose abruptly. We will dispatch Anbu squads to crush those bandit groups. Jounin squads who are moving out to perform rank A and S missions will also be tasked to clear out such bandit groups if they are near their route."
Hiruzen nodded and said, "Alright. I'll hand the command of this mission to you Shikaku. Clear them out."
Shikaku thought, 'I analyzed the information and strategized so that you could assign them missions. Why are you handing me the command?'
Unfortunately, it wouldn't look good if he complained in front of so many people. So he agreed. In the next week, every single of these groups was eliminated by Shikaku with the help of Anbu, Root and Jounins. Though A's goals were successful initially, they didn't affect Konoha much overall.
After a week of training, Fujin analyzed, 'I managed to improve my control over the Vacuum bullet and decrease the time needed to use it considerably. But, I had no success at all in forming the 2nd Vacuum Bullet. I guess Hiruzen was right.'
Since he couldn't create another Vacuum bullet at the same time, he decided, 'Alright. From now on, I'll focus entirely on Fuinjutsu!'
He created a Shadow clone with 10% of his chakra. The clone flickered to the library.
Fujin created a bunch of more clones. Four of them split in four different directions and began and activated their chakra field.
Fujin sensed the chakra fields and thought, 'I would have loved to master Fuinjutsu at home. But, my house doesn't have enough space for my clones. Oh well, it's not like my house can hide me from Byakugan or that perverted crystal ball.
Besides, the training ground rarely has any visitors. The only two who visited me here so far are Renjiro and Tadao. So it should be safe. Anyways, if someone does see me, I'll just say that my grandpa asked me to learn it to prepare for Flying Thunder God jutsu, haha. My skill at Fuinjutsu becoming public shouldn't have any effect on me now. Only the surprise element will be lost.'
While his clone went to the library, Fujin started with the Finger Carving Seal. It was very easy and he mastered it within a few minutes.
He opened a scroll and summoned the items that will be needed to practice and waited while meditating.
Fujin's Shadow Clone entered the B section of the library. He grabbed the Advanced Fuinjutsu theory and Sealing Tags scroll.
He sat down and read how to create the Sealing Tag. He also checked the new symbols that he would have to learn to create it. After 15 minutes of careful reading, he made a hand sign.
A shadow clone appeared next to him. As soon as the new clone appeared, the new clone dispelled itself.
As soon as the clone dispelled himself, Fujin received the memories. Knowing all the information needed to learn the Sealing Tag, Fujin made a hand sign.
He used Shadow Clone jutsu repeatedly until he created 10 clones. He thought, 'This is my first time. So I'll limit myself to 10 clones. If my head is fine, I'll create more.'
Fujin and the 10 clones began creating the Sealing tag individually. The 4 sensor clones kept an eye out for any intruders while the clone in the library began reading information on other seals.
Fujin and his 10 clones practiced for half an hour. Fujin dismissed his clones. Memories of the clones rushed into his head causing a small headache.
Fujin thought, 'That wasn't bad. Working on the same thing reduces the impact of sudden memories. I can try with 15 this time.'
Fujin meditated for a few minutes to properly understand the gains of all 10 clones and combine all information into one. After 5 minutes, he began using Shadow Clone jutsu again.
While making the clones, he thought, 'I need to get the Multi Shadow Clone jutsu. Creating them one by one is kinda tedious. That said, how do I ask Hiruzen or Renjiro for a forbidden jutsu?'
He thought for a bit, but couldn't come up with anything reasonable. He thought, 'Leave it. I'll ask when the opportunity presents itself. Till then, I will consider this as a form of training to master the Shadow Clone jutsu. I still can't do it without that last hand seal.'
Fujin continued learning Fuinjutsu in this manner. Eventually, he increased the number of Shadow Clones to 20. For three whole months, no one disturbed him!
In these three months, Fujin managed to learn to create the Explosion Tag, Sealing Tag, Chakra Suppression Seal, Barrier Tag, Five Elements Tag, Cloth Binding technique, Silence Seal, Anti-Byakugan Seal, Anti-Sharingan Seal, Stealth Seal, Light Absorption Seal, Training Seal, Resistance Seal, Gravity Seal and a bunch of other seals.
While he didn't learn all the seals, he learnt enough to be able to replicate the Meditation room from the tower. He also managed to create storage seals that can store living beings and tested them with some rats. While he couldn't be considered a Fuinjutsu Master yet, he was very close.
In these 3 months, he also kept increasing the difficulty of his morning physical workout. He had increased the training seal's power to 68%. In addition, he also practiced his Ninjutsu once a week.
During this period, Eiji contacted Fujin twice to view the two times when the Fuinjutsu master that he invited inscribed seals on his house. Fujin observed the process carefully. He didn't recognize the Fuinjutsu master. But, the Fuinjutsu master was definitely more skilled than him. However, Fujin recognized all the seals he inscribed. There wasn't any funny business.
While Fujin made massive progress, one thought popped up often in his mind, 'Why am I not being called for any missions? I expected that I would be assigned to a few B rank missions at least. After all, shouldn't wind element ninja be in demand in a village where most have the fire element?'
However, he never did anything about it. He was very happy with the progress he was making with Fuinjutsu.
Finally, Fujin's training in isolation was disturbed. While he was practicing a seal, a chunin entered Training Ground 23. One of Fujin's clones sensed him and dispelled himself.
Fujin and his clones received the memories. In a few seconds, all items were packed and stored in the scroll. Fujin kept the scroll back and dispelled his clones.
The chunin didn't realize that he was sensed. In a few seconds, he arrived where Fujin was. Fujin saw him. He looked like in his late teens. The chunin said, "Hey Fujin, I am Hatake Ryota. You have been assigned to our squad for a mission. Come with me."
Fujin nodded and followed him. He dispelled his clones that were sensing. Fujin wondered, 'Why exactly did I not get any mission for 3 months? Did Hiruzen spy on me learning Fuinjutsu and decide to give me a break? But, that doesn't sound like him at all!'
Fujin's analysis couldn't have been farther from the truth!
Two days ago in the Hokage Office -
Hiruzen asked, "Takao, can you tell me the status of Renjiro's students?"
Takao answered, "I'll have to check Lord Hokage. I'll let you know later."
A few hours later, Takao entered the Hokage office. Hiruzen saw that he had a rather strange expression.
Takao said, "Lord Hokage, I checked the information about Renjiro's students.
Hyuga Hoka joined a Chunin squad arranged by his father. He fulfils the typical Hyuga role in a squad. He has led in 7 rank C missions and participated in 3 rank B missions.
Uchiha Mieko joined the Uchiha Police Force. In addition, she has led in 3 rank C missions and participated in 5 rank B missions. Both Mieko and Hoka have shown great promise.
Hiruzen was looking forward the most to Fujin's performance. But he wondered, 'What exactly did Fujin do for Takao to make such a strange face?'
Takao said, "Fujin has led in just one rank C mission about 2 weeks after that rank A mission. The mission got upgraded to rank B, but he completed the mission without any casualties. But, after that, he took no mission at all."
Hiruzen was surprised. He didn't understand Fujin's behavior. He asked, "What has Fujin been doing?"
Takao said, "I did some research. He booked Training Ground 23 for 9 months. He has been visiting it daily and spends most of his time there."
Hiruzen said, "I can understand Fujin training. But why didn't he take any missions?"
Takao said, "I am not sure."
Hiruzen thought for a bit. Suddenly, it hit him! He said, "Wait, don't tell me!"