Fujin's gaze landed on the peak of Mount Muteki. He thought, 'One easy way to break through this should be learning how to harness Nature energy. With Sage Mode, I'll be able to keep up with the best of the current ninjas.
The other alternative is learning Flying Thunder God. With it, I'll be able to teleport. It will make dodging my Vacuum jutsus almost impossible. And I will be able to retreat at will.
Unfortunately, when I learn either of them isn't in my hands. It depends on Ryu and Hiruzen. And I can't be sure whether I'd manage to learn them or not. If I end up failing to learn both, Senjutsu and Flying Thunder God, then my future prospects drop hard.
Apart from these 2, there are four other methods I can think of. The first is creating Scorch or Swift Release. Though in terms of difficulty, it might be even more difficult as I would have neither guidance nor any information and just have a book with unsuccessful attempts towards a different Kekkei Genkai to refer to.
The second method is to improve my speed even further. With the aid of Assassin's Rush jutsu and training my body even further, I could enhance my speed even further. That could allow me to crush Elite Jounins. In addition to this, I need to create a few original jutsus. Though they won't be as strong as the rank A jutsus in the library, I will have to create them such that they complement my high-speed style of combat.
The third method is likely the one that has the highest prospects. That is Fuinjutsu and Juinjutsu. Once I become a Grandmaster, I can make a list of seals that I can use on the battlefield. If I can use them as skillfully as Hiruzen did against Suna ninjas, it will be at the same level as my Vacuum jutsus.
The above two methods will need time as well but they are the ones I am most confident in achieving. However, if I'm not able to learn Senjutsu or Flying Thunder God, then they won't allow me to reach the top of this world. That would leave me with just one option. Learning Eight Inner Gates from Guy…'
Fujin let out a sigh and stretched. He immediately winced due to pain. He muttered to himself, 'This is so taxing. All these methods will need a lot of time. The time that I just don't have. I will need to quit Anbu soon. If I waste my time on long missions, I won't have enough time to train.'
Fujin let out another sigh. How to inform Hiruzen and convince him to let him quit Anbu was another headache. He stopped thinking about it and muttered, "My chakra has recovered a bit."
Fujin got out of the lake and sat down. A shadow clone appeared next to him and began healing him.
The cold water in the lake had soothed the burns on his body. The clone healed all the burn marks with ease and finally turned his attention towards Fujin's back. He poured chakra into his back and said, "3 ribs are cracked. Luckily the spine is not damaged. Though I can heal them, it's better to avoid training or fighting until we visit Konoha Hospital."
Fujin nodded. The clone healed his back before dispelling itself. Fujin got up and stretched his back once again. A loud and satisfying cracking sound was heard. Fujin muttered, "Finally, it feels better."
He looked up and said, "Goro, it's time to visit your father."
Goro was flying above. He immediately landed next to Fujin and asked, "Done healing?"
Fujin jumped on his back and said, "Yes."
Goro replied, "You humans need such a long time and complicated procedures to heal."
Fujin shrugged and replied, "Our physique isn't as strong as a Winged Sabertooth. And our bodies aren't infused with nature's energy. Obviously, we can't heal as quickly as you guys."
Goro chuckled and replied, "Sucks to be you."
He took flight. In less than a minute, they appeared outside Ryu's cave. Goro said, "You can go alone. Summon me some time to have some fun. But don't summon me if that dangerous beast is around."
Fujin chuckled and asked, "Why, wasn't that fun?"
He jumped off him. Goro angrily replied, "Hey! I am only 41 years old! I want to live up to at least 41 thousand years!"
Fujin chuckled and didn't reply. Goro flew away. Ryu opened his eyes and watched Fujin walking towards him. He asked, "So, what did you encounter?"
Fujin informed him about his encounter with Roshi and the Tailed Beast within him.
A frown formed on Ryu's face. He muttered, "A Jinchuriki… Humans managed to subdue the Tailed Beasts? I didn't expect that they would advance so much over the last few decades."
Fujin thought with a sigh, 'As I expected. Due to not having any summoner for so long, they aren't in touch with recent happenings in the Ninja world. Though I suppose they don't particularly care.'
Fujin asked, "How would you fare against the Four Tailed Beast?"
Ryu replied, "It's hard to say. I haven't fought any Tailed Beast yet. However, my grandfather did fight the one named Saiken. He said that they were quite evenly matched until Saiken used a technique that created a gigantic black ball of compressed chakra. It should be the Tailed Beast Bomb you stated. That forced my grandfather to retreat and run away.
As for the Four Tailed Beast, from what I heard, he could use lava. So I will likely be at an even greater disadvantage. But I will have to see him to say for sure. That said, Great-Grandmother has instructed that even I would have to retreat if I ever face one in battle."
Fujin nodded. It was as he had expected. Though Ryu was strong, against the Tailed Beasts, he wouldn't stand much of a chance. At max, he would be able to stall them for some time.
Seeing Fujin silent, Ryu asked, "Are you planning to go back?"
Fujin shook his head and replied, "No way. If he is still waiting for me, I'll be dead. Not to mention, his village has an even scarier old man."
He looked into Ryu's eyes and said, "I was hoping to stay here for a while and learn Senjutsu."
Ryu looked back and observed Fujin for a few seconds. He replied, "You aren't ready yet."
Fujin complained, "Come on! The world is so scary. I almost died today. With Senjutsu, I will be able to protect myself."
Ryu looked down at Fujin and said, "Stop being childish. Your body isn't strong enough to contain nature energy yet. Nor is your chakra reserve high enough. More importantly…"
He stared at Fujin for a few seconds before continuing, "You are restless. I can feel restlessness and impatience from your mind, body and will. In such a state, you will never manage to learn how to harness nature energy."
His words surprised Fujin. Ryu waited for Fujin to digest them and continued, "Stop being so impatient. For your age, you are very strong. Your attacks can even threaten me. Instead of worrying and taking needless risks, slow down and focus on all-round development. You still have a lot of time ahead of you."
Ryu's words made Fujin think. After a couple of minutes, he let out a sigh and thought, 'He is right. I have been too restless lately. I am too worried about the Fourth Great Ninja War and increasing my strength. However, my restlessness might become the biggest obstacle.'
He took a deep breath and said, "Thank you, Ryu."
Ryu nodded. In the last couple of years, he was quite impressed with Fujin's intelligence and maturity. He knew that he didn't need to say more. He said, "Rest here for as long as you want. You can fly back on Kaito."
Fujin nodded. He was about to leave when he recalled something. He said, "Ryu, I have created a new seal. I was wondering if I could leave one with you. It works on the principle that if I destroy my seal, it will cause the corresponding seal with you to catch fire. I can use that in times of danger and inform you to reverse summon me immediately."
Ryu replied, "That sounds handy. Unfortunately, we, Winged Sabertooths, sleep for long periods and at times engage in battles with other worthy foes. If it doesn't catch our attention, then you'll be left in danger with false hope. Stick to the traditional method with us as it doesn't take very long.
That said, leave the seal with me. If you can't even summon Goro for some reason, then you can use it as a last resort and pray that you are lucky."
Fujin agreed and handed him a paper tag similar to the one he had given his squad. He rested for a day on Mount Muteki. While Fujin rested, the situation in the elemental nations became turbulent once again. Ryoichi reached Kusagakure and reported all the events to Ashikaga Hiroshi, the leader of Kusagakure.
