Friends

There, in that open space.

A boy with a bowl cut, thick eyebrows, and a green, skin-tight outfit was kneeling before the teacher in charge of the ninjutsu test.

As the boys around him looked on mockingly, the thick-browed boy's face flushed red, but he still spoke with unwavering resolve.

"Please give me one more chance, Morino-sensei!"

The teacher named Morino looked impatient. He waved dismissively at the thick-browed boy kneeling before him.

"Might Duy, it's already clear that you're not cut out to be a ninja!"

"You can't even perform the most basic Three Body Technique. Do you plan to rely on your Taijutsu to fight enemies in the future?!"

"Forget it. Give up on your foolish dream of becoming a ninja!"

After Morino-sensei said this,

he paid no attention to Might Duy kneeling on the ground and called the next examinee forward to continue the ninjutsu test.

No one paid Duy any mind, and no one felt sorry for him.

Everyone watched him kneel there to no purpose with cold, indifferent eyes and mocking amusement.

"That guy thinks winning the Taijutsu test is enough? What kind of ninja can't even use ninjutsu!?"

"He deserves it. He's so strong, he might as well become a porter. Jiu Nai's family's flour shop could use an extra pair of hands, hahaha!"

"He can't even use ninjutsu. The heavens have decided he'll never become a ninja, so why waste any more time here? Get lost!"

The cruel taunts flew back and forth, leaving Might Duy kneeling on the ground utterly disheartened.

Just then!

The noisy chatter fell silent.

All the boys turned to look at Sosuke, who was walking toward them!

Sosuke paid no attention to the others' gazes.

He simply walked calmly toward the dejected figure kneeling on the ground.

"Tap!" "Tap!"...

Hearing the footsteps draw closer, the crestfallen Might Duy stirred slightly.

As a pair of shoes came into view, he slowly raised his head to see who it was.

Sunlight streamed through the window and fell upon Sosuke's face, as if he were bathed in holy light.

He wore black-rimmed glasses and his usual gentle smile.

Looking at Might Duy kneeling on the ground, he parted his lips and spoke softly.

"Are you really going to give up on your youth, Might Duy?"

In Might Duy's eyes, Sosuke looked like a messenger from heaven, both pure and noble.

"S-Sosuke...!!?"

Having Sosuke see him in such a pitiful state made Might Duy's face turn crimson. He felt utterly ashamed!

Ignoring Might Duy's surprise, Sosuke maintained his warm smile and continued speaking as if to himself.

"Rules exist for those who can't survive without following them."

"Might Duy, do you believe in your Taijutsu? If you truly believe in its strength, why do you need a ninja's certification?"

Behind Sosuke, Tsunade watched him with a strange expression, a hint of worry in her eyes.

Orochimaru, meanwhile, gazed at him thoughtfully.

Might Duy had been too ashamed to face Sosuke, but after hearing his words, he suddenly understood!

It was as if his burning fighting spirit had been rekindled!

He sprang to his feet!

A fierce layer of chakra blazed around him, stirring the air and sending it rushing through the area until the whole place seemed to be swept by a whirlwind!

He looked at Sosuke with earnest admiration and bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Sosuke! You saved me. Youth should never be wasted!"

"I shouldn't have fallen just because of such a small setback! You helped me understand all of this!"

"Thank you, Sosuke!"

Hearing Might Duy's words,

Sosuke smiled warmly, his eyes glimmering, and replied in a gentle voice,

"Don't mention it. We're friends, Duy."

The simple words left Might Duy almost unable to believe his ears!

After a brief daze, an excited expression spread across his face. Flushing red, he shouted,

"I-I'm deeply honored to be your friend, Sosuke!!"

The Ninja Academy students nearby began whispering among themselves.

"Isn't that the genius from the class next door who defeated Uchiha Tokino? Why is he hanging around that ninjutsu idiot!?"

"Didn't you see who's behind Sosuke!? That's Princess Tsunade!!"

"That Might Duy kid actually knows someone like him!?"

"He's going out of his way to associate with that ninjutsu idiot. Maybe Sosuke's reputation as a genius is just a rumor after all!?"

Tsunade frowned at the students' senseless chatter, annoyed on Sosuke's behalf.

But just as she was about to speak,

a white-haired figure stepped forward before she could!

"You lot! Do you even know the name of the great Jiraiya!?"

"We're all graduating in the same class. If you've got something to say, don't do it behind our backs. Step up and fight the great Jiraiya fair and square!"

"If Might Duy is Sosuke's friend, then he's my friend too!"

"If anyone has anything bad to say about my friend, come out and fight me!"

Jiraiya stood before the group and spoke boldly, ignoring the boys' fury as they itched to beat him to a pulp.

Tsunade and Sosuke were both taken aback by his actions, then smiled despite themselves.

This guy... sometimes... was surprisingly dependable!

At that moment, Jiraiya turned back.

Grinning broadly, he flashed his white teeth and gave a thumbs-up. His gesture warmed Might Duy's heart.

He felt tears welling up again, but somehow managed to hold them back...

All the while, he kept thinking,

Friends... Thank you, Sosuke... And thank you too, my friend named Jiraiya.

Then everyone left together.

But just before they went,

Sosuke turned his head slightly and glanced at Morino-sensei, who stood nearby with an unreadable expression.

His face blank, he spoke in a cool voice.

"Arrogantly trying to limit everything by the standards of ordinary people, you fail to realize that even the most beautiful butterfly must first emerge from its cocoon!"

"Morino-sensei, your ignorant actions today may cost this village an outstanding ninja. Do you even realize that?"

When Sosuke spoke, everyone stopped and looked at him.

After hearing those words, Morino's face turned pale, then red. His embarrassment gave way to anger.

"Kid, don't think Princess Tsunade's backing means you can look down on everyone!"

"Him!? A ninja who can't use ninjutsu!? Are you trying to make me laugh? Kid, come back and say that after you've experienced a real battle!"

"A battle, huh..."

Sosuke murmured, lowering his head. His dark glasses hid his true thoughts.

"I want to challenge you, Morino-sensei!"

"I'll prove with my strength just how laughable your words are."

"And I'll prove that a ninja doesn't necessarily have to rely on ninjutsu..."

Sosuke spoke softly again, his expression serious.

But deep in his eyes, excitement was bubbling.

Hearing Sosuke's words, the Ninja Academy students nearby looked at him in astonishment!

They all wondered if the guy had gone crazy!

Even Tsunade and Might Duy tried to dissuade him!

"Sosuke, Morino-sensei is a Chunin! How could you possibly beat him? Don't be reckless."

Tsunade urged Sosuke anxiously.

Jiraiya also looked at Sosuke gravely, no longer his usual carefree self.

But rather than trying to talk him out of it, he simply asked,

"Sosuke, what are your chances? You know Morino-sensei is a Chunin!"

Hearing their words, Sosuke smiled and answered simply,

"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."

Then he turned toward Morino-sensei behind him, a cold glint flashing beneath his glasses.

Morino-sensei looked back at Sosuke with open contempt.

"Kid, it seems beating a Uchiha genius has gone to your head."

"Do you really think you can fight me when you've only just graduated from the Ninja Academy? I'll teach you a good lesson today, so-called genius!"

"So you'll learn that even a genius has to follow the rules before he's grown up!"