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Chapter 577: Changing Konoha\'s Image!

It\'s not surprising for other villages to think that. After all, we suffered innumerable losses post the Third Great Ninja War. The Kyubi assault and the Uchiha Massacre caused grave losses to our combat power. On the other hand, our diplomatic potential took a great hit due to the Hyuga incident.

Even though we were recovering, the recent massive attack in the middle of our village where we failed to even identify the culprit caused another blow to Konoha\'s image.

These losses have changed the perception that other villages had towards Konoha and might make them think that it is easy to push us around. While we can\'t stop them from thinking in this manner, it is important to let them know how bad the consequences will be if they act while thinking along those lines."

Fujin\'s words surprised the diplomats and Homura. All of them were aware that Konoha\'s diplomatic powers had waned drastically after Minato\'s death. They had to keep it in mind while negotiating. It was after a long time that someone had negotiated like Konoha was still the strongest village! Even so, not everyone agreed with his viewpoint.

One of the diplomats immediately argued, "While I understand your point of view, it is the truth that we are no longer as strong as we once were. Even though Lord Hokage has done a lot, we are still far from our peak strength. If we go to war with Iwa now, we will be in a very difficult spot."

Fujin chuckled and said, "True. But that is if we go to war with Iwa. Don\'t worry, it was the first thing I considered when Lord Hokage gave me this mission. There is no chance that Iwa would act unless we show that we are weak."

Some of the diplomats agreed with Fujin\'s confidence due to Onoki\'s reputation. Some were still doubtful but didn\'t say anything as there wasn\'t any point in doing so. Fujin had already threatened Kusa and there was nothing anyone could do to reverse that. If anything went wrong, Fujin would be the one to shoulder the responsibility.

Only Homura was stuck in deep thought as he analyzed Fujin\'s words. After thinking for a while, he muttered to himself, \'I now see what you were aiming for, Hiruzen. You wanted to use him to change Konoha\'s perception in the eyes of other countries. From a gentle and patient image that we were forced to project to a fierce one, indicating that our weak phase has already passed.

As long as this matter plays out properly, Fujin will become the face of our negotiation team whenever we have to make tough decisions. He is already a rank S ninja. Once he grows older and stronger, he could even negotiate with other Kages on equal grounds.\'

Homura glanced towards Fujin and couldn\'t help but wonder, \'Are you planning to raise him as your next successor, Hiruzen?\'

Homura didn\'t voice out his thoughts. The group continued their journey towards Konoha.

In the Land of Waves, Kakashi\'s eyes snapped open and he immediately sat upright, scaring Naruto and Sakura who were trying to peek under his mask. Kakashi didn\'t pay any attention to their antics and thought, \'What\'s this odd feeling? I know that Zabuza is dead. But I can\'t shake the feeling that I\'ve overlooked something Something big!\'

Kakashi\'s brain went into overdrive as he recalled and analyzed his clash against Zabuza. Very soon, he realized the peculiarities in the hunter-nin\'s actions. He quickly speculated, "Zabuza is most probably still alive!"

His words shocked everyone in the room. He explained to them his analysis causing Naruto, Sakura and Tazuna to freak out. They only calmed down after Kakashi informed them that Zabuza wouldn\'t be able to move around for over a week. Or rather, the other two calmed down. Naruto, on the other hand, became excited at the prospect of facing Zabuza once again.

Kakashi informed the group that they would prepare which made Sakura enquire how he would do so when he couldn\'t even move due to having overused his Sharingan. Kakashi answered, "I can\'t move much, but you three can. I will conduct a special training session for you three to prepare you for the battle."

Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura shivered on hearing Kakashi\'s words! They were still very fearful of the training Kakashi was putting them through. And now he was saying that the training session would be even more \'special\'!

Sakura complained, "Sensei, we won\'t be able to fight if our bodies are aching and we don\'t have any energy."

At the same time, her inner self cursed, \'Do you want to kill me, old man? Why don\'t you know the difference between training and torture?\'

Naruto and Sasuke didn\'t say anything but silently agreed with her. Kakashi looked at the trio and said, "Don\'t worry, you three will like this training."

The three Genins doubted their sensei\'s words. Unfortunately, they didn\'t have any other option and could only hope that it was true. None of them wanted to face Zabuza when every single muscle in their body was aching.

The next morning, team 7 had assembled in the woods near Tazuna\'s house. Naruto asked, half in excitement and half in fear, "Sensei, what will our special training be?"

Kakashi explained, "We don\'t have a lot of time to train. So, I can\'t teach you something entirely new. Hence, we will focus on increasing your chakra control. We will do so by climbing trees."

Sakura wondered, \'Climbing trees? How will that be training?\'

At the same time, Naruto\'s eyes widened, \'Climbing trees? Does he mean the same exercise that Fujin taught me?\'

Kakashi observed Naruto\'s reaction and thought, \'Fujin seems to have already taught Naruto this. I have seen him walk a bit on walls while chasing that cat. However, his chakra control is still quite bad. I guess I\'ll teach him water walking.\'

Kakashi said, "This won\'t be normal tree climbing. You\'ll do it without using your hands. Watch and learn."

In front of the three Genins, Kakashi walked up a tree, causing Sakura and Sasuke to be surprised. On the other hand, Naruto felt excited as he already knew it.

Sakura asked, "But Kakashi sensei, how will climbing trees in this way make us stronger?"

Kakashi explained to the trio about chakra control and also informed them about how it could help them build their stamina. Naruto listened carefully as well as he didn\'t know about it either as Fujin didn\'t bother wasting his time doing something as meaningless as teaching theory to Naruto. Naruto realized, \'So this is why Fujin made me learn this and Water Walking!\'

Kakashi added, "The only way you can learn this is by doing it. Use the kunai blades to mark your progress."

Naruto didn\'t bother picking a kunai and instead claimed loudly, "I already know this, Kakashi sensei!"

His words surprised Sakura and Sasuke. Though Naruto had used this skill at times, he had used it for extremely short durations as none of the rank D missions required that skill in particular. As a result, neither of them had noticed it.

Naruto immediately ran up the tree and said, "See, I told you! Big brother Fujin already taught me this when I was in the academy! Hehe!"

Sasuke and Sakura were surprised once again. Neither expected Naruto to do something that would look so cool! Sakura\'s inner self shouted, \'Since when did Naruto become this cool? Even my Sasuke-kun seems a bit upset!\'

Meanwhile, Sasuke frowned and asked softly, "Who is this Fujin that he keeps talking about every time?"

Though Naruto mentioned Fujin\'s name several times, neither Sakura nor Sasuke had paid much attention to him. It was only when he learnt that Fujin had taught Naruto this technique that Sasuke became interested in knowing about him.

Sakura looked at Sasuke and said, "I am not sure. I never heard anyone other than Naruto speaking about him."

[A/N: A small note, none of these three are particularly well informed. They hadn\'t heard of Guy and didn\'t know how famous Kakashi was until Zabuza spoke about Kakashi.]

Hearing their words, Naruto, who was now standing upside down on a branch, said loudly, "Fujin is an extremely strong and cool ninja, believe it!"

Both just stared at Naruto with a deadpan expression. Kakashi couldn\'t help but chuckle as Naruto spoke about Fujin while not giving any information.

[A/N: Hey guys. I\'ll be taking a break for a couple of days. Chapters will resume as usual from Monday. Have a nice weekend!]