Trust and Longing

With the help of the Hogyoku, Sosuke had successfully and permanently opened the Opening Gate and the Rest Gate of the Eight Inner Gates.

For him, this was undoubtedly joyous news.

At this moment, Sosuke's strength had once again ascended to an unfathomable realm, and he was only nine years old.

Sosuke stood in the center of the room with his eyes closed, surrounded by a scene of utter devastation.

His expression remained calm as he meticulously controlled the chakra within him—which had been surging and restless—guiding it through his meridians time and time again until it finally settled.

Only then did Sosuke slowly open his eyes, a sharp glint flashing beneath his black-rimmed glasses.

A smile slowly curled onto his face as he muttered to himself.

"The power of the Hogyoku... it is truly shocking. With its existence, it seems that reaching the Kage level will not require much effort at all."

Without a doubt, the gains this time were immense!

Sosuke's chakra reserves had increased by at least tenfold compared to before, and his physique, which had been somewhat frail, had also been greatly enhanced!

At this thought, a glimmer flashed in his eyes, as if hiding some unknown secrets.

He stood where he was and called out softly.

"Kyoka Suigetsu, come out."

As his voice fell, a beautiful and exquisite figure slowly emerged from the messy floor around him.

A tight-fitting kimono elegantly wrapped around her slender frame, while her fair skin and vibrant red lips accentuated a face as perfect as a deity's.

Kyoka Suigetsu looked at Sosuke quietly without saying a word, yet her beautiful eyes held an unspoken emotion, perpetually tinged with a hint of sorrow.

Seeing her looking at him with such resentment, the calm expression on Sosuke's face couldn't help but reveal an awkward and helpless smile as he asked softly.

"What is it, Suigetsu? Is there something about me that you are dissatisfied with? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Hearing Sosuke's words, Kyoka Suigetsu's eyes flickered slightly as if she were debating whether to speak. After a moment of thought, she said softly.

"Sosuke, why did you borrow its power again?"

Her voice was melodious, yet it carried a sense of grievance that was truly heart-wrenching.

Only then did Sosuke realize that the Hogyoku was the source of the trouble.

Thinking back, it seemed that from the moment the Hogyoku appeared, it had warned Sosuke to be wary of Kyoka Suigetsu. However, after spending this time together, Sosuke understood that Kyoka Suigetsu's relationship with him was one that would never betray him.

In the beginning, Kyoka Suigetsu had also disparaged the power of the Hogyoku, advising him not to rely on it, claiming that with her power alone, Sosuke could reach the pinnacle.

But this time, Sosuke had to be grateful for the Hogyoku's power; the success of the Eight Inner Gates and the explosive, manifold increase in his chakra had saved him years of effort!

It seemed now that both of them were likely lying, each disparaging the significance of the other's existence.

"Suigetsu, you are blaming me for using the Hogyoku's power, aren't you? But as you can see, with its help, my chakra reserves have increased many times over. This is extremely important to me."

"Although I don't know what conflict you two have, I still hope that for my sake, you can forgive it."

Sosuke looked at Kyoka Suigetsu tenderly and spoke in a gentle voice. He did not want Kyoka Suigetsu and the Hogyoku to continue this feud, as it was undoubtedly disadvantageous to him.

"Aizen-sama... I dare not blame you, but that thing!! That thing is not reliable. At a critical moment, it might be the most dangerous existence for you, Aizen-sama! You used to..."

Kyoka Suigetsu's face flushed slightly as she spoke anxiously, even changing her address to Aizen, but her crisp voice came to an abrupt halt when she mentioned the past.

She looked at Sosuke with hesitation and regret, seemingly blaming herself for her own words.

But Sosuke just smiled at her, his voice full of magnetism as he spoke.

"Suigetsu, no matter what happened in the past, I trust you now, and I trust the Hogyoku just the same. As for the danger you speak of, with you by my side, I believe that with your abilities, such a thing will never happen. Don't you agree, Suigetsu?"

Having said that, he turned slightly to tidy up the messy room, his back to Kyoka Suigetsu, and said softly.

"Also, Suigetsu, compared to Aizen, I still prefer you to call me Sosuke."

After hearing Sosuke's words, Kyoka Suigetsu's face flushed a deep red, her chest heaving slightly, and her delicate mouth could barely control her light gasps.

Her black eyes gazed at Sosuke's back with a doting, infatuated look, as if they were filled with ripples of spring water.

Her voice trembled slightly as she said.

"Ye... yes, as you say. I will never let that happen again, So... Sosuke."

Yes... I failed once before. This time, I will definitely protect you. Even if it means cooperating with that detestable thing, I must help you fulfill your ideals... Sosuke, is it? What a gentle master.

Hearing her words, Sosuke did not turn around, continuing to tidy the room, but a happy smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Whether it is Aizen or Sosuke, to the real me, you and the Hogyoku are the most important people. I will take on the heavy responsibility of ascending the throne...

Night fell, silent and still.

The sleeping Sosuke did not know that the beautiful figure stood by his bedside, staring at his face with fascination, as if she could never tire of looking at him.

The smile on her lips suggested that, for her, this was her entire happiness, the entirety of her life.

Morning.

A ray of sunlight fell upon Sosuke, signaling the start of a new day.

Inside the room, that beautiful and moving figure had already vanished.

Sosuke gently opened his eyes, feeling the abundant chakra and active physical energy within him as a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Life felt so surreal; he had gone from a child picked up by the village who barely survived, spending years growing up, to reaching this current level in just a few short weeks!

He had met several reliable friends, taken a mysterious and influential figure in the village as his teacher, experienced a rapid surge in strength, and endured a brutal slaughter. Perhaps this life, filled with such turbulence, was exactly what he had wanted to attain.

Thinking of this, the smile on Sosuke's face deepened.

Hokage, huh... If the opportunity arises, I truly yearn for that position as well.

From that vantage point, the sky one sees must be far more vast.