Fujin and Naruto walked over to Ichiraku Ramen. Once again, several eyes landed on the two of them. However, unlike the earlier times, the reaction of the watchers was mixed.
On one side was Naruto, someone whom everyone vilified as the demon brat! However, along with him was Fujin, someone who had recently become a Council Member. He was a person that no ordinary citizen wanted to offend for no reason. As such, not many dared to gaze unkindly at Naruto or gossip about him while he walked next to Fujin.
Of course, there were a few exceptions. A middle-aged lady whispered to the lady next to her, "Why is a council member hanging around that demon brat? Wouldn't it caus…"
Her words stuck in her mouth as she suddenly felt intense danger. She almost wanted to puke in fear. She didn't dare speak another word. The lady opposite was scared as well after looking at her expression. She asked, "Are you fine? What happened?"
Similar to that lady, several others who tried gossiping or gazing hatefully at the duo also felt an intense killing intent. As such, no one dared to hang around and quickly continued their work.
Fujin sighed internally and thought, 'Threatening civilians is not what I wanted to do. It could pose some trouble as ninjas aren't allowed to attack civilians. However, I should be able to deal with it as long as I don't overdo it. I doubt anyone, even Danzo, would bother trying to make a move against me for something like this. Unfortunately, this is unavoidable.
People, even civilians, are brutal. Though there are rules and laws, they become meaningless when too many people do it. Hiruzen has already issued a gag order. However, too many still openly discriminate against Naruto while sneakily passing comments that are just loud enough for him to hear and become depressed.
And it isn't just because he is weak. After all, even Hatake Sakumo, a top-tier ninja, fell prey to such gossip and blame games. Granted that the situation with him was different and there might have been some other factors involved, it doesn't change the fact that even civilians won't have any constraints in talking shit about a rank S ninja if the ninja doesn't retaliate in one way or another.
So, if I just let them speak, others will be emboldened to do so as well. Very soon, things will return to normal for Naruto where everyone openly displays their hostility, undoing all my good work so far. Worse, I might be subjected to that too. Granted that I am no Sakumo to take things lying down or become suicidal due to others' words, but it'll be too much of an inconvenience to let things reach that stage. It's better to just crush any such thoughts in the initial phase.'
Unlike Fujin, who was engrossed in his thoughts, Naruto was having a great time. For the first time in his life, he wasn't getting a look wishing that he would disappear from everyone in the streets. Though people were still avoiding him and maintaining distance, it was far better than receiving those looks all the time.
Naruto wondered, 'Are they treating me differently because I learnt a Wind jutsu? But why do they still avoid me?'
He looked at Fujin and asked softly, "Fujin, why is everyone avoiding me?"
Fujin replied, "They are probably avoiding me."
Naruto was surprised by Fujin's answer. He asked, "What do you mean?"
Fujin replied, "I just became a Council Member in the village. So they probably don't want to risk offending me."
Naruto asked, "Council Member? What's that?"
Fujin looked at Naruto and asked, "Didn't you learn that in the Academy? Don't tell me you didn't pay attention."
Naruto laughed nervously in response. He couldn't recall the last time he paid attention in class. Fujin explained, "Konoha's Council is a group of people who are involved in making the rules for the village. We help the Hokage in running the village. If you want to become the Hokage, then it is important for you to know such things, Naruto. Knowing strong jutsus and being able to fight is just one part of becoming the Hokage."
Naruto nodded obediently and said, "I will pay attention in class. Believe it!"
Fujin obviously didn't believe it. Focusing while learning an interesting jutsu that would allow you to do even more interesting things and focusing in a boring classroom were two completely different things. Even Fujin, despite his maturity, couldn't bring himself to pay attention in the classroom all the time and instead used that time to work on his Wind and Earth nature manipulation training.
Naruto said, "But I still don't understand why people need to fear a Council Member. I mean, you guys only run the village, right?"
Fujin shrugged and said, "They are just cowards. Look properly at the crowd. Not everyone is afraid. Some are just going about their day. Some are opportunistic and are probably thinking about how they can become friends with me. Some who need help and have courage will approach me."
Fujin's words surprised Naruto. He looked into the crowd and began carefully examining everyone. His eyes widened in surprise. He thought, 'It's true!'
As Fujin had said, there was a very small minority of people who didn't care much about Naruto. They didn't hate Naruto and hence didn't have any such hate in their eyes.
Fujin looked at Naruto's surprised look and thought, 'Though many hate him and have vilified him, it is unrealistic for every single person to hate him. After all, he is just a kid. None of the experienced and knowledgeable ninjas in the village hate him. Even among the ordinary civilians, there should be several like Teuchi who wouldn't hate a kid and perhaps even feel sorry for his situation.
But, since the majority hate Naruto and take the initiative to make their hate known, it is inevitable that a young kid will only notice those hateful people and will not be able to see the people who are in the background and have no hatred towards him and do nothing to convey that. After all, would a kid even dare to look at everyone in the crowd when all the ones he first looks at are looking at him hatefully?'
Naruto carefully screened through the crowd. Since everyone wasn't staring at him hatefully, he didn't feel nervous and depressed and could keep looking through the crowd. While most ignored him, a couple of people felt the gaze and smiled back at him in response before continuing with their work.
A smile appeared on Naruto's face as he smiled back. Fujin said, "Learn to ignore those who ignore you or are afraid of you. You'll then see the people who are good to you. Then you won't need to worry about the cowards around you."
Naruto nodded. The two finally reached Ichiraku Ramen. Naruto rushed in while Fujin followed at his normal speed. Naruto excitedly ordered in a loud voice, "One Miso Ramen for me!"
Immediately, Naruto turned his head and asked with stars in his eyes, "Can I order all I can eat once again?"
Fujin stared at Naruto and asked sternly, "You want to ask that question after eating 8 bowls last time?"
Naruto immediately became nervous. At the same time, Teuchi and Ayame smirked. Both recalled Naruto's expression the last time Fujin treated him to Ramen and his nervousness after eating too many bowls. Fujin chuckled and said, "You still keep getting nervous. Order as much as you want."
Naruto immediately lit up. Fujin sat down and ordered a few bowls for himself as well. He thought, 'I have finally completed the first step of the Flying Thunder God. And, I do not know whether I will succeed in step two or not. I might as well treat myself now that I am happy.'
The first step of the Flying Thunder God involved merely learning the seal and creating an imprint for it. With his expertise in Fuinjutsu, it was pretty much guaranteed that Fujin would learn it. However, the next step needed the ninja to have talent in Space-Time Ninjutsu. So, Fujin wasn't sure whether he would succeed at the next step. As such, he decided against worrying about it and leaving it to fate.
Fujin enjoyed his Ramen peacefully while Naruto kept telling Ayame and Teuchi about how he learnt a cool new jutsu. The duo stayed in the Ramen stall for quite some time until both were full. Fujin paid and both returned to the training grounds.
