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Naruto nodded solemnly. He personally felt that getting shot of Mizuki was for the better, but his Jiji had to think about the military situation in Konoha as a whole, so the boy said nothing.
"Anyway, congratulations on graduating, Naruto-kun." The Hokage said warmly. "Given your performance today, I believe you will do well in our forces. Have this as a graduation present from me."
Reaching under the desk, Sarutobi pulled out a green haori with the kanji for wind emblazoned on the back.
"That's part of the Greater Fūjin set!" Naruto exclaimed in shock.
"Yes. I had a look through the Sarutobi clan's storehouse and found that one of our members ten years ago was a Fūton Primary and Doton Secondary much as you are. He wore this until he became a Chunin and gained access to better equipment." The Sandaime said. "I reimbursed the Clan for its value and had it checked over and repaired to its original glory before giving it to you. I think it'll suit you quite well."
"Thanks, Jiji!" the orphan exclaimed and used [Observe] on it.
[Greater Fūjin Haori]
Emblazoned with the kanji for wind in the centre of its back, this haori is perfect for one who aspires to use Fūton Ninjutsu, as it is said that the one who wears it will find their Fūton Ninjutsu to be greatly empowered. Part of the Greater Fūjin Set.
Level 17
Requires Level 5 Fūton Affinity.
Def +50
Effect 1: Fūton Assault Empowerment: Increase the Damage dealt by all offensive Fūton Ninjutsu by 5%.
Effect 2: Fūton Defensive Empowerment: Increase the durability of all Fūton Defensive ninjutsu and constructs by 5%.
Effect 3: Fūton Blade Enhancement: Increase the attack power and durability of all Fūton Ninjutsu that involve blades by a further 5% in addition to any other power ups.
Naruto grinned. He was just a short time away from gaining the fifth level of his [Natural Primary Fūton Affinity], so this was perfect.
"Also, take this." Sarutobi gave Naruto a square token with a 'C' carved onto it. "This Bounty Authorisation Token allows you to claim a bounty from the main desk. Neko-san should have posted Mizuki's bounty down there as she passed, so you can claim the reward. If you have any problems, tell me and I'll have Neko-san politely explain the situation."
The grimly amused expression on the Hokage's face told Naruto that Neko-san would be using her sword to do her talking if anyone was stupid enough to ignore an official token from the Hokage's own hand.
"Got it, Jiji." Naruto nodded.
"Before you go, I have something to tell you, Naruto-kun." Sarutobi said seriously. "As you know, you'll be put onto a team on Monday. Unfortunately, the last five years of your lessons at the Academy have been…sabotaged. Not just you, but your entire class. Iruka-kun is going through the old syllabus and comparing it with the one you were taught under to see exactly what parts have been altered and curtailed."
"Why would they weaken our training?" The Uzumaki boy didn't know whether to be angry or baffled.
"Civilians." The Sandaime shook his head in irritation. "A lot of them are indignant about the status that shinobi get in Konoha, so they wanted to have more of their children in positions of prestige and power to possibly enact changes at a later date. They didn't like their children's chances with the old curriculum, so they bribed key personnel at the Academy, including the Headmaster, to weaken it, letting more civilians graduate."
It didn't stop the Jonin from weeding out the unworthy with their tests, but to be fair to the better among the civilian-born, nine-tenths of them passed the test the following year.
"Indignant…about ninja having power and influence…in an actual ninja village." Naruto stated slowly, as if to enunciate the words aloud would have them make more sense to him. They didn't. "You should have the medics crack them open for research on how stupid people can get without having a brain, Jiji."
Sarutobi stifled a chuckle. "As fun as that sounds, Naruto-kun, that's only permitted in times of war and only on spies, traitors and particularly infamous enemy shinobi. Anyway, the point is that even as officially graduated genin; your class will have many holes in your education. You, just for an example, are the only one who has been blooded against chakra mutations, whereas the class should have been taken to a chakra-saturated training ground to get their first kills three months ago. You also lack sufficient training in regards to resisting and breaking genjutsu. Had Mizuki thought with his head rather than with his prejudices, he may have gained the upper hand against you."
Naruto winced. "Yeah…my chakra control just isn't good enough. It's called lesser chakra control for a start and it's barely at Level 20. Using any kind of weak genjutsu needs me to get an increasingly high amount of chakra control; the more chakra I get, the higher the requirement is. I might as well try juggling horses with one hand tied behind my back for all the good my chakra control does me."
"What about detecting and dispelling genjutsu?" the Hokage asked curiously.
"I have to max out [Lesser Chakra Control] in order to be able to detect and dispel genjutsu." Naruto almost growled in frustration. "I won't be using any kind of genjutsu in my life, barring some kind of super-awesome power-up."
"So long as you can defend yourself against it, that is enough." Sarutobi nodded. "Will it become a skill that you can level up, do you think?"
"I think it will." Naruto said uncertainly. "Most techniques that can be advanced like normal can be turned into skills; even something as mundane as [Dish Washing]."
"…there is still much that I fail to understand about your power Naruto-kun, and the part where you develop seemingly inane and useless skills like that is one of them." Sarutobi said with a shake of his head after a moment to mentally boggle at that example.
"Join the club." The boy grumbled.
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