Standing at the Apex of the World (Seeking Collection!)

Late at night.

Sosuke returned to his small cabin.

He had donned a new pair of heavy, black-rimmed glasses, which masked the sharp edge in his eyes.

He had transformed back into that seemingly steady and humble youth.

Standing in the room, Sosuke carefully examined the dark green katana in his hand, his eyes flickering with excitement.

Kyoka Suigetsu, is it... what a terrifying blade... to think it could grant me such power.

Sosuke carefully recalled his performance on the field today, pondering his battle against Uchiha Tokino and earnestly searching for his own shortcomings.

He realized that if he hadn't released Kyoka Suigetsu at the critical moment, he never would have defeated Uchiha Tokino!

That Uchiha fellow's strength was likely approaching that of a Chunin...

A genius raised in such a clan... he was truly far stronger than a commoner like me!

Whether in physical stamina or raw strength, he had nearly crushed me in every aspect!

However, from today on, with the existence of Kyoka Suigetsu, I surely won't fall behind them anymore!

Sosuke thought to himself.

Just then!

A cold yet alluring voice suddenly echoed through the room.

"Sosuke, do you like my power?"

On one side of the room, Kyoka Suigetsu had appeared out of nowhere.

She was now wearing a red and black mottled kimono, looking at Sosuke with a seductive charm, her eyes shimmering with an unusual light.

Startled by the sudden sound of her voice, Sosuke turned to look at her in surprise!

He had previously assumed that Kyoka Suigetsu, like the Hogyoku, had lost her power and vanished.

Seeing the beautiful and moving Kyoka Suigetsu, Sosuke couldn't help but blush again; thanks to the cover of his glasses, he was able to speak calmly.

"It's you, Kyoka Suigetsu. I like this power very much. Thank you."

Sosuke lowered his head to look at the dark green blade, a trace of longing for power revealing itself in his eyes as he spoke involuntarily.

Seeing Sosuke's reaction, the alluring smile on Kyoka Suigetsu's face deepened.

Her figure suddenly vanished from where she stood!

When she reappeared, she was already behind Sosuke.

Her body pressed tightly against his, and the girl's slightly enchanting form beneath the kimono leaned forward.

Her vibrant red lips parted slightly by Sosuke's ear, whispering softly.

"You're welcome. As long as you like it, Sosuke, you can use it to your heart's content."

Such close contact made it impossible for Sosuke to maintain his composure; after all, he was only an eight or nine-year-old boy.

Sosuke hurriedly took a step forward to put some distance between them, blushing as he asked.

"By the way, Kyoka Suigetsu, why does this blade share your name? You didn't answer my question last time. What exactly are you...?"

Ignoring Sosuke's slight resistance, Kyoka Suigetsu maintained her captivating posture, still smiling as she looked at his youthful face, her eyes appearing somewhat unfocused.

Such an Aizen-sama seems even more heart-stirring. I wonder, once Aizen-sama awakens, will you mind Suigetsu's current disrespect? It truly becomes more interesting the more I think about it...

"Because... I am the blade in your hand, Sosuke. Every time you stroke me, I feel it just as you do."

Kyoka Suigetsu was like a combination of a girl's innocent face and an enchanting, seductive heart.

Her narrow eyes squinted slightly as she looked at Sosuke, her incredibly tempting red lips parting to speak words that shocked him.

"What! You are this blade?"

Hearing her words, Sosuke couldn't help but be shocked.

A blade that could transform into a human!?

In his understanding, this was unheard of, and it left him astonished because it completely defied common sense.

Like a lazy cat batting at a ball of yarn, Kyoka Suigetsu watched Sosuke, her eyes crinkling into a smile.

"Mm, to be precise, I am the power within your heart. This blade, too, is a manifestation of your inner strength, which is why I exist!"

"So, Sosuke, I know all of your secrets."

This shocked Sosuke even more, even bringing a sense of shame at having his privacy pried into.

He looked at Kyoka Suigetsu with a somewhat cold expression.

Across from him, Kyoka Suigetsu raised her sleeve to cover a giggle, though her eyes remained remarkably clear.

Truly... even though you have lost all your memories... the pride in your bones has not diminished in the slightest...

You are still unwilling to let anyone see into your heart... Aizen-sama.

"Sosuke, do you wish to stand at the pinnacle of this world?"

Kyoka Suigetsu looked at Sosuke, that same bewitching smile still gracing her face.

Without dwelling on whether her words were true or false, Sosuke felt a sense of confusion upon hearing her question.

"The pinnacle? Are you referring to... the Kage?"

"The Kage? Pfft! Perhaps so. Well then, Sosuke, do you wish to stand at that height?"

Seemingly amused by his words, Kyoka Suigetsu continued to ask with a smile.

Sosuke pondered this question for a long time.

If he possessed the strength of the Hokage, his village would never have been destroyed by the flames of war!

If he possessed the strength of the Hokage... he could protect the people he cherished! If he possessed the strength of the Hokage, he could pass judgment on those who wantonly plundered the lives of others!

Yes!

If he could stand at the pinnacle of the world and possess the strength of a Kage, then everything would be different.

Thinking of this, Sosuke's eyes couldn't help but brighten.

In this moment, perhaps it was the village destroyed by war, perhaps it was that golden ponytail he had seen, or perhaps it was Uchiha Tokino's words about geniuses and commoners that stirred a deep desire within Sosuke.

He!

Perhaps he could attempt to stand at the pinnacle of this world and change everything he despised!

"I do. I want to stand at the pinnacle of this world."

Sosuke said softly, yet the gaze behind his black-rimmed glasses was incomparably firm!

It had nothing to do with Kyoka Suigetsu; it was simply because he had finally discovered the desire within his own heart. He wanted to stand at the pinnacle of this world!

He wanted to change everything he did not wish to see!

Perhaps sensing Sosuke's emotions, Kyoka Suigetsu, who had been watching him quietly, curled her lips into an incredibly enchanting smile.

Lord Aizen, no matter where you are, mediocrity is a word that has never had anything to do with you!

This time, let Suigetsu be your most loyal assistant and guide you toward that Throne of the Firmament.

The reason we find flowers on a precipice beautiful

Is because we stop our feet at the edge of the cliff

Instead of being like those fearless flowers

That can take a step out into the sky.

--Aizen Sosuke