Hiruzen Sarutobi Still Wouldn't Give Up

Bieshu Feifan cleared his throat and said solemnly:

"Listen carefully, bro. That book says the Will of Fire is about protecting young shoots or something.

I don't think that's quite right."

"What's wrong with it?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was a little impatient to hear more. That was the fruit of his painstaking efforts, and he really wanted to know where its flaws lay.

"The claim itself is wrong. Think about it, bro. Young shoots have only just sprouted. They're full of moisture and won't burn at all."

At that, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately lost interest.

He regretted it. He really did. He should never have taken an idiot seriously.

But Bieshu Feifan kept going.

"I only discovered this while lighting a fire to cook. Young shoots won't burn.

Since it's the Will of Fire, it's better to let old firewood burn.

Dry, thick, and flammable.

That's the first thing I found wrong.

Then there's the second point. Bro, you always talk about the Will of Fire, but the Uchiha are the best at playing with fire in Konoha.

Are you planning to groom an Uchiha to become the Fourth Hokage?

I'm afraid I can't agree with that.

I think..."

In the end, Hiruzen Sarutobi simply couldn't stand Bieshu Feifan's twisted arguments and endless chatter anymore. After promising Bieshu Feifan more time to study the Will of Fire, he kicked him out.

Having achieved his goal, Bieshu Feifan grinned.

Hiruzen Sarutobi cared far too much about his reputation. He was much easier to handle than that scheming old bastard Danzo.

Although he hadn't specified how many days this time, Bieshu Feifan had bought himself a little more time to develop.

He'd also milked Hiruzen Sarutobi for a free chakra nature test.

Wind and fire.

Bieshu Feifan was very satisfied. With two prominent chakra natures, he theoretically had the potential to become a Jōnin, too.

The two ninjutsu from before were a perfect fit.

Another dozen or so days passed in a flash, and Bieshu Feifan began to feel uneasy again.

By his reckoning, it was about time for that fellow Hiruzen Sarutobi to remember him again.

Bieshu Feifan racked his brains for the perfect excuse to buy himself more time to develop.

But this time, before Bieshu Feifan could go to him, the Hokage's deployment order arrived.

Knock, knock, knock.

Someone knocked on Bieshu Feifan's front door.

Bieshu Feifan, who was training, felt his heart jolt. He had a feeling something bad was about to happen.

He opened the door to find a masked Shinobi.

Anbu?

Or Root?

"Bieshu Feifan, Lord Hokage has ordered you to report immediately to receive a mission."

It was Anbu, bringing some very bad news.

Hiruzen Sarutobi really couldn't let go of Bieshu Feifan.

By the time Bieshu Feifan reached the Hokage's Office with a grim expression, quite a few Shinobi were standing inside.

Judging by their clothing, they were all Genin-even cannon fodder who had only graduated this year.

Bieshu Feifan frowned.

More cannon-fodder brats trickled in afterward, all of them young.

Once everyone had arrived, there were over a hundred people. Bieshu Feifan even spotted some of his former classmates.

His bad feeling had come true. Hiruzen Sarutobi had indeed started recruiting cannon fodder again.

At last, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke.

"Everyone, congratulations on successfully becoming Genin. Of course, some of you became Shinobi long ago through your own talents..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's speech had very little substance. After listening for ages, Bieshu Feifan remembered only one line:

Hello, cannon fodder. I'm the Hokage.

After that came the assignment of Chunin team leaders.

This time, Bieshu Feifan didn't make a fuss, because he couldn't change Hiruzen Sarutobi's decision.

Besides, he'd already rested for over a month. Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't let him rest any longer.

Not even to study the Will of Fire.

This time, Bieshu Feifan was assigned two teammates, both former classmates and both commoners.

One was called Dajirō, and the other was called Feng You.

Both were cannon fodder whose grades had been even worse than the original Bieshu Feifan's.

He hadn't expected even them to graduate.

Bieshu Feifan was certain that, at most, they had mastered just one of the Three Basic Jutsu.

They might not even have mastered a single one, graduating simply by writing an essay on the Will of Fire.

As they walked out of the Hokage Building, Dajirō and Feng You were both excited.

The two chattered nonstop, their eyes full of anticipation for life as Shinobi.

Bieshu Feifan walked ahead without a word.

His only hope now was that their Chunin leader would be somewhat reliable.

Seeing that Bieshu Feifan still wouldn't speak, Dajirō came over and slapped him on the shoulder.

"Hey, Bieshu Feifan, have you stopped taking us seriously just because you've been a Shinobi for a while? Say something. We're all teammates."

Looking at Dajirō's clear, foolish eyes, Bieshu Feifan felt deeply disappointed.

"Dajirō, Feng You, how many ninjutsu have you mastered? How did you graduate?"

At that, Dajirō immediately raised his head and said proudly:

"I've fully mastered the Clone Technique. I'm already a qualified Genin.

Unlike certain people who rely on showing off their knowledge of the Will of Fire, I have real skills."

Ignoring Dajirō's snide remarks, Bieshu Feifan immediately turned to Feng You.

Feng You was a girl, and her voice wasn't as loud.

"I recently crammed my theory lessons, and that's how I graduated. But I've also learned the basics of all Three Basic Jutsu. In another couple of years, I'll be able to use them in actual combat."

Sure enough, they were both cannon fodder Hiruzen Sarutobi had casually dragged in.

It was just as Bieshu Feifan had expected. They were like he'd been back then.

These two probably wouldn't survive two months.

"We've both told you, Bieshu Feifan. Why don't you tell us how you're doing now?"

Seeing that Bieshu Feifan didn't seem very interested, Dajirō said with a laugh:

"Are you having trouble getting used to life as a Shinobi?"

Do you need four years to learn how to be a proper Shinobi, too?

Hahaha."

"Dajirō."

Feng You tugged at Dajirō's sleeve, not wanting him to say too much to offend Bieshu Feifan. After all, they were teammates.

Dajirō didn't care.

"What? I'm just telling the truth. Bieshu Feifan only learned to talk when he was four-no, over four.

Look at him now. Doesn't he look like he still hasn't adjusted to life as a Shinobi?"

Feng You wanted to persuade Dajirō to stop, but couldn't find the words for the moment.

Bieshu Feifan shook his head inwardly. These two might die even sooner.

But right now, Bieshu Feifan wasn't in the mood to bicker with them.

He really wanted to see who their Chunin leader was this time. If he was unreliable, Bieshu Feifan could make plans early.

They arrived at the designated location, Training Ground Number Eleven.

Several Shinobi were training there.

They appeared to be Chunin, mostly practicing combinations of ninjutsu and taijutsu.

Following the arrangements Hiruzen Sarutobi had given him, Bieshu Feifan scanned the area and immediately identified their team leader.

It was the one doing physical conditioning on the far right of the training ground.

Black-haired, with an indescribably stern sort of ugliness, he wore an expression as if someone owed him hundreds of millions. He wasn't very likable.

Dajirō and Feng You were rookies, and ones with terrible grades at that.

Even after looking around Training Ground Number Eleven for ages, they couldn't figure out which Chunin was their team leader.

"Where is he? Hasn't he arrived yet? Or hasn't he noticed us? How lousy."

Dajirō sounded somewhat resentful. Their Chunin leader hadn't come to greet them, and that left him very displeased.

Just then, a breeze blew past. Dajirō's vision blurred, and a figure appeared in front of him before he knew it, frightening him so badly that he fell flat on his backside.

"What, do you have a problem?"

The newcomer spoke in an icy tone, as though Dajirō was the one who owed him hundreds of millions.

Dajirō was frightened into silence for a moment.

Bieshu Feifan and Feng You, however, greeted him almost in unison.

"Greetings, Chunin Qiongyue."

Hiruzen Sarutobi had told them their Chunin leader's name: Qiongyue.

"Mm. My name is Uchiha Qiongyue."

Bieshu Feifan was immediately shocked. Uchiha!

Hiruzen Sarutobi never mentioned that.

And Qiongyue-then his relationship with Uchiha Fugaku...

Just as Bieshu Feifan was reeling in shock, his thoughts running wild,

Dajirō also climbed to his feet, brushed the dust off his backside, and gave Uchiha Qiongyue a displeased look without speaking.

Uchiha Qiongyue showed no reaction and said:

"Introduce yourselves."

Feng You spoke first.

"My name is Feng You. I'm a Genin who graduated this year.

I'm good at answering test questions.

After a month of intensive studying, I can pass the exams now.

I like..."

"Enough. I don't care what you like. Also, you're not good at answering test questions, and even if you were, it would be useless."

Feng You immediately shut her mouth and lowered her head, her face full of hurt.

"Bieshu Feifan. I'm good at..."

"You're that idiot who's good at Expounding the Will of Fire?"

Before Bieshu Feifan could finish, Uchiha Qiongyue interrupted him as well.

"I'm not an idiot. And the Third Hokage is my big brother."

Uchiha Qiongyue sneered, then turned to Dajirō.

Dajirō chuckled.

"My dad is a relative of the Land of Fire's economy minister's butler."