The Plan(9)

"What about the iron we mined, can't it be used together with the ore" Akio asks as he looks at the ore already trying to come up with a solution in his head

"The iron will reduce the effectiveness of the ore, this ore has the potential to become a ninja sword, I don't want to waste such potential just because we need weapons" Fuji says staring at the half melted ore with stars in his eyes

"Clan master, I always go by a creed, and that creed is 'either make it well or don't make it at all' and I have followed that creed ever since I was taught by my master when I was shield and I am not planning to let go of it now when such a beautiful thing is in my presence"Fuji states reminiscing about his days with his master

Akio hearing Fuji's words just gave him a look of respect and admiration before falling into contemplation wondering how to solve the current situation

"it seems there is no current solution, we should set this aside for now" Akio finally says after not coming up with a solution for the current predicaments

"Fuji do you know how to make a kunai and other ninja tools" Akio asks as he looks at Fuji's direction where Fuji was playing with riku's cheeks

Fuji hearing Akio's question lets go of the embarrassed Riku and answers the question "Yes I do, my master worked for the Sarutobi clan and was responsible for making their ninja tools that was until..." Fuji says pausing at the end making Akio who was listening to have a somber expression

'it's either his master died or he was fired and kicked out" Akio thought as he feels bad from the situation Fuji and his master faced

"...until I accidently impregnated the daughter of the clan head resulting in us being kicked out and bounties to be on our head. my master disowned me after we were kicked out and Riku's mother died when Riku was born" Fuji says scratching his head embarrassingly "But I have to thank the clan head, if it weren't for my hair color changing I would have probably been hunted by some bounty hunters by now"

Akio hearing the full story didn't know whether to be sad or to admire Fuji's bravery ' to think he had the guts to sleep with the clan head's daughter, now that I look at him more clearly he does seem to have a playboy aura' Akio thought as he looks at Fuji carefully his admiration for him going down a level

"Then you can make all the remaining ninja weapons we need, I can't spend all our debt money to buy the ninja weapons" Akio instructs muttering the last part under his breath

"I will be going now, Riku you could stay here and assist your father," Akio says as he exits the open smithy walking straight to his residence A.k.a his tent

On his way to his tent Akio who originally had a smile on his from the laughs he was hearing from the clan members suddenly stops in his tracks and frowns

why?

because...

'someone is watching me' Aiko thought as he feels an intense and studying gaze on him

Despite not being a trained sensory expert, Akio's inherited memories as a nomadic ninja have also granted him a heightened level of experience and instincts. This enables him to sense the intense gaze that is fixed on him, showcasing his heightened awareness and perception.

'but why do I feel a connection with this stare like it is something I can control' Akio thought as the gaze that was staring at him suddenly vanishes without a trace leaving akio bewildered

'Why did it vanish, was I hallucinating all along' AKio thought as he continues on his journey to his tent ' I should probably increase the patrol cause i'm sure I wasn't hallucinating' Akio thought as he tells a nearby chunin to inform the ones on patrol to increase their patrol

Meanwhile

on a tree not too far away from Akio's position

There was a phoenix on the Tree looking intently at the retreating figure of Akio, with a intrigued glint in its eyes

(Author notes: In case you do not know this is the pheonix that appeared in chapter 7. Spar at the ending)

It had followed the traces of sage chakra that was left in the destroyed terrain and was led to this base where all the members had great and monstrous affinity with fire release but one thing that drew his attention was the one human who had a stench of sage chakra on him

When he studied the man he was left astounded and surprised as the man was like the owner of flames. when the pheonix went into a certain range of the man it felt like if he did not control himself well it will submit to the man and accept any commands

"I should probably mention this to the hell sage, this is big information" The Pheonix mutters to itself as it flies away seemingly disappearing in the clouds

While this was happening Akio had finally arrived at his tent with an expectant expression on his face oblivious to the predicament he had unconsciously put himself in

"This should be the scrolls I ordered" Akio mutters to himself, his eyes scanning the crates in the corner of the tents. He can't contain his excitement as he realizes that these must be the scrolls he had ordered. Without any hesitation, he eagerly makes his way towards the crates to open them. As he carefully opens the crates, he is met with a sight that fills him with awe and wonder. Inside were not just a few scrolls, but a vast collection of them, enough to fill a medium-sized library. "With this I will be able to write all the justu's that I keep creating in my head"