A Voice in the Darkness

In the twenty-third year of Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi succeeded as the Hokage.

The First Shinobi World War had just concluded, and the village was now entering a period of vigorous development.

At this moment, the young Hokage still possessed abundant energy. As he looked out at the village under construction, a trace of nostalgia flashed through his eyes.

Teacher, the Will of Fire in Konoha will continue to spread forever.

Where the leaves dance, the fire will burn; the light of the fire will illuminate the village, and the leaves will sprout once more.

Just then, he caught sight of several children emerging from the entrance of the Ninja Academy.

Is that Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya? What gifted children. They are all seeds that have inherited the Will of Fire. Perhaps I could take them on as disciples. Hm? And that child is?

Inside the room, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into deep thought.

On the street.

"Sosuke! I really performed well today! I got a perfect score on shuriken throwing! How about that? Much better than that guy Orochimaru, right? Tsunade, you say something too, am I right?"

A child with white, spiky hair spoke to a handsome youth beside him who had messy bangs, slightly wavy hair, and wore glasses.

The youth named Sosuke merely offered a gentle smile upon hearing this, offering no evaluation.

A boy with long black hair walking nearby heard the remark, wore a look of disdain, and muttered, "Idiot!"

Then, he walked away on his own.

"Jiraiya, is there any point in you always bragging like that? Have you forgotten how Orochimaru knocked you flat in taijutsu class last time? I really don't know what's inside that head of yours. Sosuke, don't hang around with a guy like Jiraiya; idiocy is contagious. Let's go!"

The girl with a golden ponytail spoke with an impatient expression, walked over, and pulled the youth with messy hair away from the white-haired boy.

"Bragging... knocked flat... Tsunade!! I'll prove it to you! I'll definitely be stronger than that guy Orochimaru!"

Stung by the blonde girl's words, Jiraiya's fighting spirit was reignited, and he shouted loudly.

By now, Tsunade had already walked some distance away with Sosuke.

A crow flew over his head.

Caw... caw...

"Sosuke, how is it? Are you getting used to life in Konoha?"

The two walked quietly along the road, Tsunade's hands clasped behind her back.

Suddenly, she stopped, leaned in toward the youth with messy hair, and asked abruptly.

Faced with this suddenly encroaching face, the youth was clearly unaccustomed to it and hurriedly took a step back.

Looking at her beautiful face, his own face, hidden behind his black-rimmed glasses, couldn't help but flush red.

"Sosuke? Are you... blushing? Haha, what are you being shy for? Don't tell me you secretly like me?"

Tsunade caught his blush, and her mood soared!

As if she had discovered a new continent, she teased the youth incessantly.

"No, life in the village is very good. I like this environment very much."

The youth's quiet nature only allowed him to be flustered for a moment.

By now, he had calmed down, spoke softly, and that gentle, refined smile appeared on his face once again.

"Is that so? I really love this village too. I'm going to become the female Hokage, just like Grandpa, and protect this village!"

Hearing Sosuke's words, Tsunade also revealed a happy smile.

She turned to look at the river nearby and shouted her inner thoughts aloud.

Sosuke simply stood behind her, watching quietly. On his lenses, the girl's silhouette and the glow of the setting sun composed a beautiful picture.

At night.

Sosuke returned to his home.

It was a very ordinary house; although small, the furniture inside was arranged very neatly.

He skillfully prepared a dinner for himself. The portion was small, but it was enough for one person.

After dinner and washing up, Sosuke began to meditate to practice what he had learned today, while simultaneously refining the chakra within his body.

His village had been destroyed in the flames of war. He always remembered the kind and amiable people of his village being cruelly slaughtered by ninjas—among them, his parents.

Just as that ninja was about to kill him, a Konoha ninja had arrived. Having lost consciousness, he did not know what happened afterward.

It was said that the man who saved him was named Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was already known at the time as the Third Hokage.

This made him very grateful to the village of Konoha, and he also grew to love this village filled with kindness.

Afterward, he entered the Ninja Academy and met three strange friends.

Even though they often argued incessantly, their friendship was very firm, and he often stood from the perspective of an observer, watching them.

Training at the Ninja Academy was very arduous.

The obscure and difficult-to-understand curse seals and the control of chakra flowing through his body left him exhausted from his studies.

Yet, he continued to study tirelessly.

He always remembered the scene of his village being destroyed.

At that moment, he realized that weakness was a sin; only by becoming strong could he protect the things he cherished.

For this, he sacrificed much. His three friends all possessed immense talent for cultivation, and although they treated him as a friend, he did not want to be protected by them simply because he was weak.

Thus, he never let a single moment go to waste. His hands were covered in calluses from honing his taijutsu, and every night he refined his chakra until late, falling into a deep sleep only when he could no longer stay awake. He wanted to become stronger.

The night grew deep, and the exhausted Sosuke finally decided to sleep.

Lying on his bed, he quickly drifted off into slumber.

"Lord Aizen, I have finally recovered enough strength to communicate with you."

"Who are you?"

Hearing this voice in his daze, Sosuke could not help but ask.

"I am the Hogyoku, have you forgotten me?"

Hearing the voice speak again, Sosuke asked once more.

"Hogyoku? What is the Hogyoku? Where are you speaking to me from, and why can't I see you?"

"Lord Aizen, it was I who protected you as you came to this world. My energy is low; in this world, I require sufficient souls to recover."

"Come to this world? What are you talking about! What souls? You want me to kill people!?"

Hearing its words, Sosuke could not help but exclaim in agitation.

"Yes. Not just human souls, but those of any living creature will do. Lord Aizen, what is wrong with you? It seems you have lost your memories."

"I don't need this kind of power! And I am not the Lord Aizen you speak of! Get out of my body immediately!"

Sosuke shouted aloud.

The voice fell silent for a moment before sounding once again.

"You are Lord Aizen, and you will awaken me once more. Please remember, I am the Hogyoku, and I will fulfill any of your desires. You used to love me the most."

"Also, Lord Aizen, since my power has recovered, I believe that fellow will soon awaken as well. Facing you in this state, it might harbor other intentions. You must not show any mercy."

"My power is running low and I must fall into a slumber. Goodbye, Lord Aizen."

After saying this, everything returned to silence.

Sosuke suddenly jolted awake!

He clutched his chest, gasping for air.

In the darkness, he looked down at his chest, where a blue light was gradually fading!

Sosuke could not help but be shocked!

That wasn't a dream!?

It is inside my body... the Hogyoku? And who is that "fellow" it spoke of?