Chapter 483: The Cover Story
Fujin's figure suddenly disappeared. Shigeki couldn't see him but could still track his movements due to the splash he would create whenever he stepped on the water. He tried attacking, however, he was late every time. After missing 3 attacks, Shigeki realized, 'He is coming towards me. In close range, I'm no match for him!'
He immediately weaved hand seals and shot another Great Breakthrough jutsu in the direction that Fujin was last in. However, at the next moment, he felt a light tap on his back.
In an instant, various symbols covered his body. Shigeki became paralyzed! He couldn't move his body nor could he use his chakra. He immediately realized, 'Self-Cursing Seal! To be able to apply and activate it so quickly… He should be a Grandmaster in Fuinjutsu! No wonder no one could detect that cave!'
Without Shigeki's control, the water began spreading in all directions. Fujin deactivated the seal and said, "That's enough for now. Your skills have impressed me."
Shigeki smiled but didn't think much of it. He was already in his late thirties. Hearing such praises wasn't something that would make him happy. However, to his surprise, Fujin added, "That said, you are still some distance away from becoming an Elite Jounin."
Shigeki was surprised. He wondered, 'Even my combination jutsu won't allow me to fight against an Elite Jounin?'
Fujin continued, "Your chakra reserves are slightly lower and they are unlikely to increase much considering your age. And, you are still falling short in some aspects. Can you use the Body Flicker jutsu?"
Shigeki nodded and said, "Yes. I just didn't use it in the fight because there wasn't any chance to use it."
Fujin said, "Good. However, can you use it without any hand seals?"
Shigeki replied, "No."
Fujin advised, "The first thing you need to do is train yourself to use the Body Flicker jutsu without any hand seals. It will improve your mobility a lot and you can move around like how I did. Other than that, your Water manipulation and that combination jutsu is very impressive, but do you know any Wind jutsus stronger than the Great Breakthrough jutsu?"
Shigeki shook his head and answered, "No. Tanigakure doesn't have many Wind Release jutsus. Due to the high number of rivers in this country, Water Release is the one that has been focused on the most. So I only had access to stronger Water jutsus."
Fujin replied, "I see. In that case, I'll give you these."
Fujin grabbed a couple of scrolls and handed them to Shigeki. He said, "Your Water jutsus are sufficiently strong. I don't have anything that'll strengthen you in that aspect. However, your wind element can be strengthened.
These are two of the strongest Wind jutsus which are popular among the Sunagakure ninjas. The first is the rank B Pressure Damage jutsu. It is a wide-range jutsu that is far stronger than the Great Breakthrough jutsu. It will help you strengthen your combination jutsu.
The second is the rank A Blades of Wind jutsu. It'll provide you with a good option to use in close combat and will also make you versatile in battle."
Shigeki was surprised once again. He thought, 'What the hell? Suna ninjas take pride in those jutsus. He just brought them out like this?'
Fujin already knew about Shigeki's skills. Though he had trained for a long time by himself, Shigeki didn't have access to new jutsus. As for creating original jutsus, that was extremely complicated and required a great deal of luck, inspiration and skill.
So, he had prepared these two jutsu scrolls for Shigeki. The information was from Konoha's library. However, Fujin changed the wording and added some of his own insights to ensure that no one would recognize it came from Konoha even if someone from Konoha got their hands on it.
Fujin actually intended to go one step further and teach Shadow Clone jutsu. With Shadow Clones along with soldier pills, the speed of training could be increased by several times. It was especially helpful while learning chakra control, nature manipulation or studying Fuinjutsu and Medical Ninjutsu.
However, after analyzing it for a long time, Fujin decided against it thinking, 'Konoha is quite protective about some of the secret jutsus like the Shadow Clone. It might not be able to do much if a major village began practicing it on a large scale, but if a minor village or an upcoming organization were to know it, Hiruzen would send forces to eliminate them. Heck, he might deploy me to do the job.
Even if I'm able to save the organization, it'll restrict its movements heavily. Leave it. It's not as if I'm counting on anyone here to help me in a fight. There is no need to take such a needless risk. If I need a strong army in the future for some reason, then I'll reevaluate the situation.'
Shigeki looked at the scrolls again and said, "Thank you. I'll learn them immediately."
Fujin said, "Once you learn these 2 jutsus and become capable of using Body Flicker seallessly, then you should be able to contend against Elite Jounins from the major villages. Anyway, now onto the important topic. I'm sure you are curious about what organization I'm building and what our goals and purposes are."
Shigeki nodded. Apart from taking revenge, this was the matter he thought of the most.
Fujin said, "The organization I'm building is called the Phantom Haven Society. As I had said when we met the first time, this is just another branch I'm opening. It'll be independent of other branches. You'll be the one handling all matters here in my absence."
Shigeki thought for a bit and asked, "Why have I never heard of such an organization before? Also, what does the Phantom Haven Society do?"
Fujin answered, "It's simple. The Phantom in the name is to indicate our method of operation. We operate in absolute secrecy and stay elusive, rarely appearing in the light. Even when a member appears in the light, he or she shouldn't be mentioning the name of the organization. The same rules will apply here as well. This is why it is very unlikely for anyone to have heard of us. As for my goal…"
Fujin paused for a few seconds before continuing, "The goal of Phantom Haven Society is to save the innocent and the weak from the evils of society. A good portion of the world's population suffers due to torment inflicted by bandits, rogue ninjas, greedy Nobles or by becoming targets of schemes of the leaders of various hidden villages.
You, despite having decent strength and status, still fell prey to the schemes of an elder. The normal people who can't utilize their chakra have it far worse. They are entirely dependent on the whims of the strong. The Phantom Haven Society will work to get strong to be able to help such people."
Shigeki was stunned. In such a cruel world, he never expected there to be someone with such noble goals! In fact, even he himself wasn't that noble and only wanted revenge. Though Shigeki couldn't see Fujin's face, he could sense how serious Fujin was through his voice!
He thought, 'Such a noble goal. I was lucky to be saved by him. Once I complete my revenge, I'll dedicate my life to this goal. To ensure that no one else goes through the same suffering as my family. I'm sure my daughter and wife would want that as well.'
Shigeki had several doubts about who Shiden was and what his goals were. On learning the truth and realizing Fujin's seriousness, he was heavily influenced by the idea of making the world a better place. Fujin observed his expression and sighed in relief while thinking, 'Good. He bought it!'
While Fujin regularly played games with Hiruzen and at times with Shikaku and Danzo, this was the first time he tried it when something was at stake. He immediately became pleased after he tested what he learnt from them.
Shigeki said, "I'll be honored to help you make that goal a reality. However, such goals will harm the benefits of several Nobles and Leaders. We could be targeted by major and minor villages."
Though he was influenced, Shigeki understood how difficult the task was. Fujin nodded and said, "Yes. That is why it is necessary to be elusive and act in secrecy. If the word of our activities spreads, others will ignore us at the start. However, once we begin intruding on anyone's benefits, we will be opposed heavily. Even with my strength, I can't bear the force of an entire ninja village.
Even if we keep acting in secrecy, there is always a chance that details still get leaked. That is why, every branch is independent of each other. If one branch messes up and attracts trouble, the others will be safe. I'll dissolve that branch and have them help other branches or create another secret force that will secretly aid other branches."