On the 7th day of this routine, when Fujin returned back to his home, he noticed an envelope attached to his door.
Fujin thought, 'That's new.'
He ripped it off and began reading. He thought, 'Oh, this is a notice to call me to the Mission office in the Hokage's office tomorrow at 8:15 AM. Did the Hot Water Daimyo send the bounty rewards?'
The next morning, Fujin began training once again. He ended his morning training an hour earlier and went to the Hokage building. On reaching, he saw Hoka and Mieko.
He went up to them. Hoka asked, "Hey Fujin, how have you been doing?"
Fujin replied, "Well. I got back to training. What about you guys?"
Mieko gave Fujin the stink eye and said, "Back to training already? You need to get a hobby, Fujin!"
Fujin smirked and replied, "Training is a hobby!"
Mieko scoffed at his reply.
Fujin looked at her and said in his mind, 'Unlike you, I have more than a year to live.'
Hoka said, "Stop arguing. Let's go inside."
The trio went inside. Fujin was thinking, 'Naruto and Sasuke should be 7 years old when the Academy starts. So I guess the Uchiha Massacre will happen in the next 12 months.
My transmigration shouldn't have affected the politics around this incident. The only thing that could be considered is Hiruzen teaching Mieko. But, I don't think it'll have much of an impact.'
They reached the Hokage's office and knocked on the door. Hatake Takao opened the door and looked at them and said, "The Bandit Exterminators?"
Just three words instantly annoyed the trio. All their faces became dark. He said, "Come in."
The trio entered the office with dark faces. Hiruzen stopped doing paperwork and looked at them. He wondered, 'Why do they look like they have come here to give me money instead of coming here to take money?'
Takao opened a drawer and grabbed 3 packets. He handed one to each one of them.
Hiruzen said, "You guys did a great job in the Land of Hot Water. The joint commander of the mission, Tokuhei, and their Daimyo praised your work a lot."
He looked at the package in their hands and said, "These are the bounty rewards that Daimyo has sent for you. Fujin, yours has 4.5 million Ryo. Mieko and Hoka, your packets have 2.5 million Ryo each."
Fujin saw his packet and thought, 'Rank A missions give a shitload of money!'
Hiruzen's eyes didn't miss Fujin looking at his packet. He thought, 'This brat is very greedy! I have to ensure that he doesn't pick up any bad habits.'
He asked, "What are you three planning to do with the money?"
Mieko answered, "Nothing. My Mom will take it all and put it in the bank. I can have access to it when I am older."
Hoka said, "Same here. Though I'll be asking my dad to get me more tools to improve my strength."
Hiruzen looked at Fujin, "What about you Fujin?"
Fujin thought for a bit and said, "I'll probably buy a new house… The one that the Academy assigned me is too small and kinda old."
Hiruzen was surprised. He never thought that Fujin would consider housing. Most orphans would live in their assigned houses for a long time. They would usually move out only when they get married.
Hoka and Mieko were surprised as well.
Hoka said, "That's good! Good luck Fujin."
Mieko added, "Yes, good luck Fujin. Invite us when it's ready."
Fujin nodded.
Hiruzen said, "Good. Takao, arrange for a proper contractor to meet up with Fujin. Good luck Fujin."
Fujin nodded and thanked him. They left the office. Takao followed Fujin. He said, "Fujin, follow me."
Mieko and Hoka said goodbyes and left for their respective homes. Fujin followed Takao. He led Fujin to a huge shop. It was quite close to the Hokage building.
Fujin observed the shop. Many workers were working here. And all seemed busy!
He entered and said, "Old man Eiji."
An old man looked at the entrance. He was around 60 years old. All his hair was white, but his back was still upright. Seeing Takao, he walked towards him. Takao began walking towards him. Fujin followed.
Eiji said, "Takao. To what do I owe the pleasure? Does Lord Hokage require my services?"
Takao shook his head. He said, "This young man is planning to buy a house. Lord Hokage sees a lot of promise in him. So he asked me to recommend you to this young man."
Eiji took a good look at Fujin. He suddenly realized and said, "Fujin-kun! I remember watching you in the Chunin Exams. No wonder Lord Hokage values your talent."
Fujin thought, 'Wow, I didn't think I'd be recognized. Does that make me a minor celebrity? Haha'
The old man continued, "I actually lost some money in the betting. But seeing promising young men like you was worth it! Hahahaha"
He began laughing loudly. Fujin watched him with a deadpan look.
Takao looked at Fujin and said, "Fujin, old man Eiji here is one of the best architects in Konoha. He has built many houses and usually has a few on sale too. He will give you the best deals. So choose the house you like."
Fujin nodded. Takao left. Eiji watched his back as he left. Though Takao spoke only a few simple sentences, which any outsider might think were casual, there were a lot of hidden messages in them. Even Fujin didn't notice any.
When he said that Hokage found Fujin promising, it meant that Fujin was someone with a bright future. Eiji shouldn't try to be underhanded with him or take advantage of his younger age.
When Takao told Fujin that Eiji would give him the best deals, it was actually a message for Eiji to give Fujin the best deal he could and only make minimal profits.
Eiji obviously picked up on them. This wasn't the first time he had interacted with Takao. While he was impressed with Fujin's dominance in the Chunin Exams, he was more impressed with the fact that he made Takao speak for him.
Usually, Eiji would give the job of showing houses to one of his employees. But since Takao brought Fujin, he decided to attend to him.
He looked at Fujin and asked with a smile on his face, "So Fujin-kun, have you decided on what type of house you want?"
Fujin thought for a bit and answered, "I haven't decided much. The only requirements I have are that it'd be big and spacious."
Eiji looked at Fujin for a second and thought, 'That is pretty much like saying nothing.'
Fujin looked at him and asked, "Can you show me some houses first?"
He said, "Sure. Can you tell me what your budget is?"
Fujin replied, "That will depend on the house."
Eiji was speechless by the reply. He sighed and thought, 'This will be a long day!'
He didn't know how right he was.
He nodded and said, "Alright. Follow me."
He began walking outside. All the prime area in Konoha was already sold and occupied. So no place near the Hokage's buildings was for sale.
They walked a few blocks away. After walking a bit, they reached a place where 5 houses had just been built.
Eiji said, "In this area, I have just constructed these 5 houses. Check if you like any of them."
Fujin observed the houses. From the outside, all looked great. All were built on an area of around 1,200 square feet. And all houses had a spacious living room on the ground floor along with a kitchen and a bathroom. On the upper floor, there were multiple master bedrooms.
Fujin thought, 'Not bad. The houses are good. Well, at least much better than my current one. But, none of them has a basement. I could try to build a basement using the Camp jutsu, but I am not sure that it won't harm the foundation of the house.
Also, the houses are kinda close to each other. Though they are separated by a fence, I'd like it if the houses were farther apart.'
Eiji stayed outside and watched Fujin. He just kept flickering from one house to another. He chuckled, 'Kids. So enthusiastic about everything. Though this one would not be in his budget. Unless of course Lord Hokage is paying for it.'
After a few minutes, Fujin left the house. He looked to be in thought. Eiji asked, "Did you like the houses Fujin-kun?"
Fujin looked at him smiling. He answered, "Yes, they are well built. But, do you have any houses that are not close to other houses? Also, it'd be great if they have basements."
Eiji didn't expect that reply. He thought, 'These are a few of my best houses. But he doesn't look impressed at all!'
