Chapter 762 : A Deadly Infection!

While Fujin's presence excited the younger ninjas, it had a relieving effect on the older ninjas. Seeing Fujin made them feel confident about Konoha's future.

"With him, Konoha will be safe for another half a century."

"Hahaha, yeah. What I'm looking forward to is how much stronger he'll become. He is only sixteen."

"Indeed! He might even surpass the Fourth Hokage! Once he does, other villages will think ten times before starting a war against us or they'll be burned just like Suna!"

"While there is no doubt about his strength, I'm looking forward to how he'll lead us."

The ones present in the training ground weren't just strangers. There were several acquaintances of Fujin in the army as well. In one corner of the training ground, three men stood together while looking at Fujin.

Kimiyama Yasuoka muttered, "I knew he'd become strong, but I never imagined that he'd reach this level, let alone in just a few years."

Obake Kaneie recalled his memories while saying, "Yeah, I still remember that mission like it was yesterday. To think he was so modest back then."

Endo Tadao chuckled and said, "You know, we may never be promoted to Chunin, but how many Chunins here can say that they had Suzuki Fujin as their team leader? Already so many of our classmates are jealous of us, haha!"

The other two chuckled as well. Years ago, the three of them were the first group Fujin led on a mission. While they weren't talented enough to become Chunins nor had the drive to put in the effort, that mission became a source of pride for the trio. Outside of the Anbu ninjas, they were the only ones who could brag about this.

In another part, several young ninjas of the same age as Fujin were gathered together.

A boy sighed, "To think that Fujin would reach this stage and I'm still a Chunin…"

Next to him, Aoki Nora chuckled and said, "Why are you sighing? Even back in the academy, you could never compete with him. The only ones who could were Teru, Yori, Nobu, Hoka and Hana…"

As he spoke, his eyes landed on a girl not too far away from him. Hyuga Hana noticed his gaze and glanced back at him as Nora teased, "Now that I recall, you used to be quite competitive with him for the top rank. Do you still want to compete with Fujin?"

Hana immediately replied, "At least I am a Special Jounin, unlike you."

Nora chuckled and said, "You're still as sharp-tongued as ever, Hana."

Hana ignored him and said, "Besides, what's the point in comparing me with that monster? Just feel honored that we were lucky enough to be in the same class as him and know him so well. You may not know how strong he truly is, but I know it from Hoka. He is already far beyond a level we could reach."

Aoki Nora frowned and asked, "Hey, what do you mean by that? We're still young. Even though catching up with him is impossible, why can't we reach the level he is at?"

He wasn't the only one. Almost everyone around Hana looked at her with the same question running through their minds. After all, they were just in their teens. While they accepted that Fujin was far stronger than them, they still dreamt of eventually reaching the same level as him.

Hana glanced at Fujin as she answered, "You should visit the library more. Normally, Ninjas are divided into 3 ranks. They are Genin, Chunin and Jounin. There are some additional rankings, such as the Elite Chunin and Special Jounin ranks that are used for ninjas who are between the Chunin and Jounin ranks and Elite Jounins for ninjas who surpass the Jounin rank!

However, there is a rank beyond the Elite Jounin. It is called rank S. This is the rank that all Kages have. Fujin is currently at that rank. And, even among the rank S, there are weaker and stronger ninjas.

For instance, the Copy Ninja Hatake Kakashi, who is so talented that he was promoted to Chunin when he was merely 6 years old, is considered to barely be a rank S ninja. Darui from Kumogakure and Kitsuchi from Iwagakure, the two ninjas believed to be the ones who'll succeed their current Kages, are also believed to be at the same level as Kakashi.

On the other hand, Fujin, right now, is considered to be at the same level as the Sannins, who were recognized to be rank S ninjas decades ago during the Second Great War and are much stronger than Kakashi and the others. It's honestly incredible that he reached such a level so quickly."

Others around Hana were surprised by her words. While a few clan ninjas knew about it, the civilian ninjas were completely clueless. Hana's expression dulled a bit as she continued, "Even if I train day and night, reaching the Elite Jounin rank is difficult, let alone surpassing it and becoming rank S. As for Fujin's level, there is no point in even dreaming about it.

After the Legendary Sannins, only one ninja in Konoha reached that level. It was the Fourth Hokage. And now, Fujin has reached it too. Still feel confident in reaching his level?"

Hana chuckled as she asked the question. The chuckle wasn't to mock them. Instead, it was a helpless chuckle as Hana wanted to reach such a level too. Everyone around her understood it and their moods dampened a bit.

What they didn't know was that even Hana's knowledge wasn't complete. Konoha had two more ninjas who reached the levels of the Sannins after the Fourth Hokage. Unfortunately, very few knew how strong Shisui truly was. And, Itachi's actions were so outrageous that no one in Konoha talked about him.

"Eh, why are you so depressed? Did someone from our batch die yesterday?" Suddenly, everyone turned their heads to their left and saw that Hoka had just arrived. Seeing so many eyes staring at him, Hoka took a step back and asked, "Umm, what happened guys? Did someone really die?"

While Fujin's classmates caught up with each other, Fujin flickered in another location and muttered, "It's been a while, Sensei."

In front of Fujin was a middle-aged man. A few strands of white hair were visible on his head as he smiled and said, "You just keep getting faster and stronger every time I see you, Fujin. At this point, I shouldn't be surprised. Yet, you surprise me every time."

The person was none other than Genki, Fujin's sensei in the academy. Much like Renjiro and Hoka, Fujin met him once in a while. However, it was rare. Unlike Fujin, who rarely did missions, Genki was continuously on missions. It had been over 6 years since he had been promoted to the rank of Jounin and due to his excellent track record, he was now considered as one of the Veteran Jounins.

Fujin just chuckled, looked to Genki's right and said, "It's good to see you doing well, old man."

Next to Genki was Yamanaka Shin, the ninja who taught Fujin to become a sensor. Just like Genki, he was promoted to the Jounin rank as well. And, a few strands of white hair were visible on his blonde head. Shin immediately grumbled, "Who are you calling old man? Sigh, youngsters nowadays have no respect. Even though you refused to call me aniki, we settled on sensei!"

Genki chuckled and asked, "You are still salty about that?"

Shin looked at him and said, "It's all your fault for giving that lousy introduction!"

Genki grinned. Without even glancing at his friend, Genki began catching up with Fujin. The two talked, completely ignoring Shin who stood there awkwardly. After some time, Genki introduced his comrades to Fujin.

Seeing Fujin with Genki, all other acquaintances of Genki also showed up one by one. They wouldn't miss the chance to connect with someone who could become the next Hokage. For the next 20 minutes, Fujin was introduced to nearly 50 Jounins, Special Jounins and some Chunins!

As they talked, Genki chuckled and asked, "Does your offer still stand? I'm sure every squad would like you on a rank A mission."

Fujin raised an eyebrow and asked, "You remembered it after 5 years?"

Genki coughed awkwardly and said, "You can't blame me. You were a part of a couple of teams and joined the Anbu soon after."

Fujin chuckled, "I know, I was just messing with you."

Genji smirked and said, "I guess it's my turn now to ask you to take me on rank S missions."

The ones around Genki also began looking at Fujin, who was left completely speechless. Fujin couldn't help but wonder, 'Wasn't he alright? Since when did he become so shameless? Sigh, this damned village… Everyone is infected by Hiruzen's shamelessness!'

————————————

A/N : If you can, then please support me on P@treon.

Link - www.pat reon.com/DevilHex

(No space)

Alternatively you can support me on UPI (google pay) - patilsarvesh8@oksbi

Can read up to 50 chapters ahead on P@treon.

Thank You Grant, Dip, Josh, Shyamal, Qvintus, ArcticRaven, Cory and J. Hurtault for supporting me on P@treon.