That Day (Seeking Collection!)

In a secluded corner of the Konoha Forest.

"Bang!"

A violent explosion rang out, startling a flock of birds in the woods into flight!

Sosuke stood panting, looking at the vast expanse of charred, blackened trees before him, a trace of relief and satisfaction hanging on his face.

Through these past few days of day-and-night training, his strength had increased significantly once again!

Four days had passed since he graduated from the Ninja Academy to become a genin.

His battle against Morino that day had truly shocked everyone present!

In the end, it was only when the Third Hokage arrived in person that the matter was hastily brought to a close.

That day.

Every graduate of the Ninja Academy learned that there was a genius among their class!

At the mere age of nine, he had managed to defeat a chunin, and that was relying solely on taijutsu!

His ninjutsu and genjutsu remained an unknown quantity.

That person was Sosuke!

With such exceptional aptitude, almost everyone was convinced that this guy's future prospects were limitless!

And the news subsequently announced by the Third Hokage acted like a bombshell, leaving a deep impact on this group of genin!

He was actually going to take three people as his disciples!

The Third Hokage's disciples!

Who wouldn't be envious!?

Everyone knew that under the guidance of a Kage-level teacher, even a waste could potentially display the strength of a genius!

Not to mention that this time, the teacher was Lord Third Hokage himself!

Surely, someone with the talent and strength of Sosuke would be the first choice.

However, when the list of the three was announced, everyone was stunned!

Tsunade, Orochimaru, and the third one was actually... Jiraiya!!!!

Tsunade and Orochimaru were one thing!

But why would even a guy like Jiraiya be favored by the Third Hokage!

The crowd was in an uproar.

What about Sosuke!?

Why did Lord Third not choose the outstanding Sosuke, instead selecting that guy Jiraiya as a disciple!!

Everyone was secretly astonished in their hearts at Lord Third Hokage's decision.

Upon hearing that they had been accepted as disciples of the Third Hokage, Tsunade and Orochimaru were also startled by the news, and a hint of joy could not help but appear on their faces!

But after hearing that the third person was Jiraiya, both of them instantly looked toward Sosuke.

Even the usually thick-skinned Jiraiya was dumbfounded, unable to understand what virtue or ability he possessed to be favored by Lord Third!

This made him feel somewhat apprehensive, and he looked toward Sosuke, his heart filled with deep guilt and shame when facing him.

Of course, as the protagonist of the incident, Sosuke did not care about this matter at all.

Nowadays, with the help of Kyoka Suigetsu, his strength could be said to be advancing by leaps and bounds.

Whether or not he had the guidance of a Kage-level teacher was a matter of no consequence.

After all, to him now, the things Kyoka Suigetsu taught him held a much deeper appeal.

Therefore, upon hearing the news, his face remained calm and natural.

Lord Third Hokage had been observing the expression on Sosuke's face the entire time.

Seeing that he had no reaction, his assessment of Sosuke in his heart grew even higher.

Danzo... you must treat this child well...

Come to think of it... it was ultimately my mistake... regardless... I cannot let this child go astray because of my error!

Just like that, the Third Hokage's arrival that day was less about stopping the battle between Sosuke and Morino.

It was more like coming to inform everyone of his decision regarding the disciple slots.

Subsequently, Lord Third also told everyone that Might Duy's strength had been recognized by the village, and he could successfully graduate to become a genin!

This news also surprised everyone, and it caused Might Duy to instantly burst into tears of gratitude!

The village... has recognized me... Father... I really did it... I became a ninja... all of this is thanks to Sosuke.

He stood in the distance, watching Sosuke's straight figure, his eyes blurred with tears.

A man's tears flowed down like a collapsed dam.

At this moment, his heart was filled with nothing but deep gratitude and respect for Sosuke!

As for the Third Hokage, he had not exchanged a single word with Sosuke from beginning to end.

Just like that.

In the end, they still successfully graduated from the Ninja Academy.

Walking along the road.

The group had grown from four to five, with Might Duy following Sosuke the entire way.

A silent and strange atmosphere permeated the group.

Finally, Jiraiya stopped in his tracks, standing still and looking at Sosuke as if he had something to say but was holding back.

Sosuke still wore that same generous and gentle smile on his face, turning his head slightly to look at Jiraiya with an inquisitive gaze.

"What is it, Jiraiya?"

"I'm sorry, Sosuke. I didn't know the Third's choice would be..."

Jiraiya's voice lacked its usual boisterousness, sounding heavy and filled with self-reproach.

But before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by Sosuke!

"What are you talking about, Jiraiya!?"

"Being chosen as the Third's student is something we should all be happy about together. Why use such a self-reproachful tone!?"

Sosuke slowly faded his smile, looking at Jiraiya earnestly.

Tsunade also looked at Sosuke with concern, her red lips parting slightly as she finished the words for Jiraiya.

"Then why didn't the Third choose you? In any case, Sosuke, your strength has clearly surpassed ours by now."

"Furthermore... it's even more so for Jiraiya. He believes this qualification should have belonged to you, Sosuke."

Jiraiya remained silent, tacitly agreeing with Tsunade's words.

Orochimaru, standing to the side, did not say a word, but he also acknowledged the statement; in his heart, he also believed that Sosuke was more suitable than a guy like Jiraiya.

To this, Sosuke resumed his original generous and gentle smile.

His eyes, hidden behind his lenses, were deep and serious as he looked at Jiraiya and said in a gentle voice.

"Jiraiya, you lack confidence in yourself. The strong are like flowers struggling to grow on the edge of a cliff; they will not let any opportunity to improve their strength pass them by!"

"From the first time I met you, I believed you had the aptitude to become a strong person."

"It has nothing to do with talent or status; it is simply because seeing you is like seeing that obsession with becoming strong."

"Do you intend to give up this opportunity? Or have you lost confidence in yourself... Jiraiya!?"

Sosuke's words rang out like a great bell, awakening Jiraiya's heart of a warrior.

Suddenly, the dejection and self-reproach on his face vanished, replaced by nothing but pure obsession and confidence!

Tsunade and Orochimaru both looked at Jiraiya in surprise.

"Do you think the great Jiraiya would ever say something like an apology!?"

"Being chosen by the old man Third is his good fortune! The great Jiraiya's unparalleled talent has finally been discovered!! Hahaha."

"Idiot!" Tsunade said with a dark expression.

"..."

Orochimaru walked away in silence.

Sosuke watched him with a gentle expression, speaking softly.

"That's more like you!"

"Jiraiya, the strong should not be held back by any behavior born of insecurity. Be obsessed with success, become a powerhouse, and ascend above the clouds. I have always believed you would do so."

His words sounded hazy yet earnest, as if he were speaking to Jiraiya, or perhaps murmuring to himself.

Might Duy watched the two of them blankly from the side, thinking to himself in admiration!

As expected of Sosuke, how amazing!

The group parted ways, each heading home.

At the crossroads, watching Sosuke's back as he slowly walked away step by step, Jiraiya thought to himself.

Thank you... Sosuke.