Uchiha Tokino (Seeking Collection!)

Waking up in the early morning, Sosuke gazed at the katana resting beside him.

After pondering for a long while, he still could not discover anything unusual about it.

He could only conclude that its appearance must be related to the Hogyoku or Kyoka Suigetsu!

Since he could not figure it out, he decided to stop thinking about it altogether.

Sosuke resolved that if he were to see Kyoka Suigetsu again, he would definitely demand a clear explanation!

After a simple wash and a quick meal, Sosuke rose and set off for the Ninja Academy.

On the way, Tsunade happened to run into Sosuke. Her brown eyes suddenly lit up with surprise, and she called out happily.

"Morning, Sosuke!"

"Morning, Tsunade."

Sosuke replied with a smile.

The two walked side by side.

Tsunade looked curiously at the katana tucked diagonally behind Sosuke's waist and asked in confusion, "Sosuke, when did you start practicing swordsmanship?"

Seeing the puzzled look in Tsunade's eyes, Sosuke naturally fabricated an excuse to brush it off.

Hearing Sosuke's explanation, Tsunade did not suspect a thing; she simply continued with excitement, "Today is the day of the taijutsu test! Are you carrying that sword for the exam!? You'd better show me your swordsmanship properly."

Hearing this from Tsunade, Sosuke suddenly realized!

It seemed today really was the day of the Ninja Academy's taijutsu test!

I suppose I've been so muddled by the Hogyoku and Kyoka Suigetsu these past two days that I actually forgot something so important!

With that, the two arrived at the Ninja Academy together.

At this moment, a group of boys and girls were already prepared in the academy plaza.

Seeing Sosuke and Tsunade, Jiraiya and Orochimaru walked over to them.

The boisterous Jiraiya was the first to shout loudly upon seeing the katana at Sosuke's waist.

"Sosuke!? When did you get such a ninja sword! It's so cool! Can I try it out?"

Sosuke replied with a smile, "Of course... not."

Hearing Sosuke's reply, black lines appeared on Jiraiya's forehead!

"Sosuke! You guy... forget it! Ninja swords and the like have nothing to do with Lord Jiraiya anyway. Sooner or later, I'll create the ninjutsu that suits me best. When that time comes, you'd better watch out! Hahaha!"

"Idiot."

A single soft sentence from Orochimaru once again left Jiraiya with black lines across his forehead.

"Orochimaru, you guy! I'm going to duel you!! Come on! Let's fight to the death!!"

Jiraiya was held back tightly by Tsunade as he shouted angrily at Orochimaru.

However, this display was completely ignored by Orochimaru. He simply looked at Sosuke and Tsunade and said softly, "Let's go. The teacher just said we should gather at the training ground, where today's taijutsu test will begin."

With that, he walked step by step toward the Konoha Training Ground.

Sosuke and Tsunade exchanged a glance and followed him.

Jiraiya was left behind, looking thoroughly indignant!

How dare he ignore Lord Jiraiya! Orochimaru! You guy!!

When the time comes, Lord Jiraiya will definitely make you see how powerful I am!! Ahahahahaha!

"What is that guy laughing like a fool about?"

"Don't worry about him. Look at his white hair; he might actually be an idiot. Stay away, lest it be contagious."

At the Konoha Training Ground, the Ninja Academy's taijutsu instructor, Suzuki, had already been waiting for a long time.

Finally, once all the students of this year had arrived, Instructor Suzuki announced that the grand taijutsu test had officially begun!

After a series of draws, the testing commenced.

Sosuke had also learned the identity of his opponent: Uchiha Tokino!

The Uchiha clan?

That legendary clan with the bloodline limit, a family possessing terrifying ocular techniques, said to be as ancient as the Senju clan to which Tsunade belonged.

A helpless smile could not help but appear on Sosuke's face.

Was it his luck or his misfortune to have drawn such a formidable opponent?

Just then!

Sosuke suddenly felt a gaze fixed upon him!

Turning his head, he saw a cool, handsome boy with black hair staring at him coldly, his eyes radiating a look of utter contempt.

To this, Sosuke merely reached up to adjust his glasses, a cold glint flashing in the depths of his eyes.

Another troublesome fellow, is it... Since you are full of hostility toward me... then... I shall accompany you to the end!

Even if you are of the Uchiha clan!

"Sosuke! Who are you fighting?"

At that moment, Tsunade approached Sosuke happily, her eyes fixed on his face as she asked.

Out of the corner of his eye, Sosuke noticed that Uchiha Tokino's expression of disdain grew even more pronounced after seeing Tsunade approach him.

Sosuke wore a helpless expression in response.

He pointed in the direction of Uchiha Tokino and said to Tsunade.

"Well, it's that guy, the one called Uchiha Tokino. He seems to have some hostility toward me."

"Ah! Someone from the Uchiha clan!? Their family is just a bunch of weirdos! How could the teacher assign you to fight him!"

"Besides, I think I've heard the name Uchiha Tokino before. It's said that even within the Uchiha clan, he is a famous genius of this generation! Let's go tell the teacher; this is too unfair!"

Hearing Sosuke's words, Tsunade was surprised, then spoke with some indignation.

The grudge between the Senju clan and the Uchiha clan had existed since ancient times.

Thinking of what Sosuke had said, Tsunade worried that the inexplicable hostility was because of her, and that Tokino might even deal a heavy hand to Sosuke during the fight!

In response, Sosuke stopped Tsunade. He didn't move, but looked into her eyes and said softly.

"Don't you believe in me, Tsunade?"

"I know you're strong, Sosuke, but you have to understand that those Uchiha guys are terrifying existences."

"And in an exam like this, they might not know how to hold back. No one would be able to blame him if something happened. I'm worried you'll get hurt, Sosuke!"

Tsunade said anxiously, full of concern.

"So you still don't believe in me. Don't worry, no matter what, I won't be defeated!"

Sosuke said with his usual smile.

Soon.

The taijutsu duels officially began!

This was the final exam for them as graduating students of the Ninja Academy!

The results of the taijutsu assessment would be recorded as important information.

Tsunade and the others were matched against very ordinary opponents and finished their fights with ease.

Sosuke stood on the field, looking at Uchiha Tokino opposite him.

A smile remained on his face, his thick glasses acting like a protective shell, seemingly blocking his true thoughts.

"You're the one called Sosuke, right?"

At this moment, Uchiha Tokino, who had been standing with his arms crossed, spoke up, looking at Sosuke with a contemptuous smile.

"What a self-important guy, actually hanging around with someone from the Senju clan. Of course, a commoner like you—no, that's not quite right. I should say, an orphan like you who was luckily picked up by the village can only hang around with people from the Senju family."

Uchiha Tokino spoke to himself, seemingly ignoring Sosuke's existence entirely.

"People like you will never understand how small and lowly you are in the eyes of the Uchiha clan."

"Come on, let me see the strength you've gained by clinging to the Senju clan."

He said lightly, his face full of sarcasm and mockery.

Hearing his words, Sosuke did not move.

"What!? Are you scared? If you won't come over, then I'll come to you!"

"I'll let you see just how pathetic the strength you worked so hard to get from the Senju is, under the eyes of the Uchiha!"

With that, he suddenly lunged toward Sosuke.

In response, Sosuke, who had been standing there, no longer wore a smile.

Beneath his thick glasses, a cold light flashed in the depths of his eyes.

"So-called... prestigious clan... boring... arrogance, is it... Then today, I will shatter it for you to see!"

No one has stood in the heavens from the very beginning.

Neither you, nor I, not even the gods.

But the vacancy on the throne of heaven is about to end.

From this moment on, I shall stand at the summit.

--Sosuke Aizen