Kimura Ono had also arrived at the scene.
Frowning as he watched what was happening, he learned the full story.
Then he scolded Morino.
"Morino, are you really going to duel Sosuke?"
"Don't forget, you're a Chunin, while Sosuke is only a student who just graduated!"
There was no doubt that he favored Sosuke.
After all, Sosuke was an excellent student in his eyes. It would be a terrible shame if anything happened to him.
Hearing this, Teacher Morino's face darkened with displeasure.
But he refused to heed Kimura's words and continued glaring furiously at Sosuke.
"Kimura! Don't try to talk me out of it. Since this brat wants to challenge me, I'll teach him to respect his teachers!"
"That way, he won't die from arrogance on a mission someday!"
Sosuke's expression didn't change at all. His gaze behind his glasses remained calm and composed.
He gently rested a hand on Kyoka Suigetsu at his waist and continued in a quiet voice.
"Then, Teacher Morino, are you ready?"
His words instantly enraged Teacher Morino. If Kimura Ono hadn't been there to hold him back, he would have been unable to stop himself from attacking!
They also worried Tsunade, Might Duy, and the others, who feared that Teacher Morino might suddenly attack Sosuke in his anger.
Honestly, they still couldn't quite believe that Sosuke could fight a Chunin!
On one side of the field stood Sosuke, straight-backed and composed as he looked at Teacher Morino. He didn't seem at all like he was about to face a fierce battle!
On the other side stood Teacher Morino, glaring furiously at Sosuke!
Being challenged in front of so many students had infuriated him!!
He was determined to teach Sosuke a lesson he would never forget!
Watching the two face off, Kimura Ono could only smile wryly. It seemed a fight between them was inevitable today!
With no other choice, he stepped aside, silently resolving to make sure Sosuke suffered as little harm as possible during the fight!
The other students, along with Tsunade and the others, gathered around the field, eyes wide as they watched the coming battle between Sosuke and Teacher Morino!
Might Duy was overwhelmed with frustration and regret!
He believed this was all his fault.
If it weren't for him, Sosuke wouldn't have been forced to fight Teacher Morino!
It's all my fault!!
He recalled his first meeting with Sosuke!
Sosuke had smiled and accepted him!
Sosuke had stood there with a smile, telling him to believe in the path of Taijutsu!
Those memories filled Might Duy with unbearable guilt!!
He squeezed his eyes shut, afraid he would start crying again, then shouted toward Sosuke on the field!
"I'm sorry, Sosuke! From now on, I'll never doubt my way of the ninja again!"
"I'll become the strongest Taijutsu ninja!! This is my path of Taijutsu!!"
The bushy-browed boy fought to control his facial muscles, doing his best to keep his tears from falling!
His voice was hoarse with emotion!
It rang across the entire field!!
His conviction moved everyone present!
At that moment, no one doubted that this boy could become an outstanding ninja!
Hearing him, Sosuke's lips curved into a faint smile. He turned his head slightly to look at him.
"Then watch closely, Dai! As long as you're strong enough, even Taijutsu alone can carve out a place for you in the world."
With that, Sosuke slowly rested his hand on Kyoka Suigetsu and closed his eyes.
No one understood why he was doing this.
But after hearing Sosuke's words to Might Duy, Teacher Morino looked disdainful.
"Big words from a brat like you, who's never even tasted blood! How could a little kid like you understand what it means to be a shin... a ninja..."
He hadn't finished speaking when the scene around Sosuke left him stunned!
Everyone watching was stunned as well!
Even Kimura Ono's pupils contracted as he stared in disbelief at the spot where Sosuke stood.
Might Duy stared at the scene, eyes wide. It seemed to have shaken him to his core!
Th-this was Taijutsu too?!
Sosuke stood motionless with his eyes closed!
Dust trembled and lifted around him, as if gravity had stopped affecting it!
A terrifying wave of chakra slowly swirled around Sosuke!
All around him was a deep, oppressive silence!
A stillness that chilled the soul!
This was Slash Path, which he had comprehended during his training some time ago. It was his most powerful ability apart from releasing Kyoka Suigetsu.
Within the range of his Slash Path, he could clearly sense the movement of every presence!
He had decided on this fight on the spur of the moment, wanting to test just how strong he had become.
Teacher Morino watched Sosuke standing there, his expression grim!
As a Chunin, he wasn't a fool. Sosuke's presence made his heart sink.
Could someone this young really have comprehended the way of the sword?
But his dignity as a teacher wouldn't let him back down in front of so many students.
So Morino put aside his earlier contempt and watched Sosuke with utmost seriousness and caution, as if facing a genuine enemy!
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Three Morinos appeared on the field at once, charging at Sosuke from three different directions.
One of them immediately threw several kunai!
As the incoming kunai reached him, a flash of white light gleamed at Sosuke's waist!
"Clang!" "Clang!"...
Kyoka Suigetsu deflected the kunai one after another, sparks flying.
At that moment, the Shadow Clones reached Sosuke and engaged him in close combat.
But Sosuke had trained in Hakuda, the strongest fighting style. He was no easy opponent!
With his eyes closed, he remained perfectly calm as the three clones attacked him from all sides.
He maneuvered effortlessly through their dazzling attacks. One hand wielded Kyoka Suigetsu, while his other arm—elbows, shoulders, and fists alike—was a deadly weapon!
He displayed every Hakuda technique to perfection!
In no time, he had easily dispatched all three clones!
They vanished in a cloud of smoke!
Might Duy stared in amazement, as if he had discovered an entirely new realm of Taijutsu!
His face was full of yearning!
So... there were such refined Taijutsu techniques!
Watching Sosuke's superb fighting skills, the crowd broke into cries of astonishment!
"That Sosuke guy was hiding this much strength!"
"No wonder he defeated Uchiha Tokino! He probably wasn't even using his full strength when he fought Tokino before!!"
Watching Sosuke move across the field with effortless grace and speed, Tsunade's beautiful eyes held a trace of admiration.
She probably hadn't even noticed it herself.
"When did Sosuke get so strong?"
Jiraiya watched Sosuke on the field in amazement, his voice full of shock.
Orochimaru's snake-like eyes remained fixed on Sosuke.
He had... already reached this level of strength...
Kimura Ono was just as astonished to see how effortlessly Sosuke had dealt with Morino's Shadow Clones.
"This boy!! He has such talent and strength!"
Just then!
Hands suddenly appeared beneath Sosuke and grabbed his feet.
"Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique!"
Before Sosuke could react, they dragged him deep underground, leaving only his head above the surface.
Morino's real body stood on the ground and formed another set of Hand Seals.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
A blazing inferno surged toward Sosuke like a vast curtain of flame!
"Don't!! Sosuke!!"
Tsunade cried out anxiously.
"Stop, Morino!"
Teacher Kimura shouted as well, ready to leap in and block the jutsu.
Everyone watched the sudden reversal with worried expressions.
"Too slow..."
At the sound of the soft murmur, Sosuke suddenly appeared behind Morino!
He thrust Kyoka Suigetsu forward, gripping it in reverse!
"Thud!"
Morino, who had thought the fight was already over, watched in shock as the immense pain that followed left him unable to move!
A katana had pierced straight through him from his shoulder blade!
Inside the Hokage Office.
The Third Hokage stared silently into the crystal ball at Sosuke, who stood with his eyes closed and a faint smile on his face.
For a long time, he said nothing...
Before you continue