That Day

In a secluded corner of Konoha Forest.

"Boom!"

A deafening explosion rang out, sending a flock of birds soaring from the trees!

Sosuke stood panting as he stared at the vast stretch of trees ahead, charred black by the blast. A hint of satisfaction and relief touched his face.

After training day and night for the past few days, his strength had increased considerably once again!

It had been four days since he graduated from the Ninja Academy and became a Genin.

His battle with Morino that day had shocked everyone present!

It had only ended when the Third Hokage arrived in person and brought it to an abrupt close.

That day,

every Ninja Academy graduate learned that their class had a genius among them!

At the mere age of nine, he had defeated a Chunin—and had done so using only Taijutsu!

His ninjutsu and genjutsu abilities were still unknown.

That genius was Sosuke!

With such exceptional talent, almost everyone was certain that his future was boundless!

Then the announcement from the Third Hokage struck the Genin like a bomb, leaving a profound impact on them!

He was going to take three people as his students!

The Third Hokage's students!

Who wouldn't be envious!?

Everyone knew that under the guidance of a Kage Level teacher, even a failure might show the makings of a genius!

And this time, the teacher was none other than the Third Hokage himself!

Surely, with his talent and strength, Sosuke would be the first choice.

However, when the three names were announced, everyone was dumbfounded!

Tsunade, Orochimaru, and the third was... Jiraiya!!!!

Tsunade and Orochimaru made sense!

But why had the Third Hokage chosen someone like Jiraiya!?

Everyone erupted into a commotion.

What about Sosuke!?

Why hadn't the Third Hokage chosen someone as outstanding as Sosuke? Why had he chosen Jiraiya as his student instead!?

Everyone was privately astonished by the Third Hokage's decision.

When Tsunade and Orochimaru heard that they had been chosen as the Third Hokage's students, they were startled, then couldn't help showing a hint of delight!

But when they heard that the third student was Jiraiya, they both immediately looked toward Sosuke.

Even Jiraiya, who was usually oblivious to everything, was stunned. He couldn't understand what he had done to deserve the Third Hokage's notice!

It made him feel uneasy. He looked toward Sosuke, overcome with guilt and shame.

Of course, as the person at the center of the affair, Sosuke didn't care about it.

With Kyoka Suigetsu's help, his strength was now advancing by leaps and bounds.

Whether he had a Kage Level teacher or not made little difference to him.

After all, Kyoka Suigetsu's teachings held far greater appeal for him.

So when he heard the news, his expression remained calm and composed.

The Third Hokage had been watching Sosuke's expression the entire time.

Seeing no reaction from him only made the Hokage think more highly of him.

Danzo... You must take good care of this child...

Thinking about it... In the end, this was my mistake. No matter what, I can't let this child go astray because of what I did!

As it turned out, the Third Hokage had come that day less to stop Sosuke and Morino from continuing their fight,

and more to announce his decision about his students.

The Third Hokage then told everyone that the village had acknowledged Might Duy's strength, and that he could graduate and become a Genin!

The news shocked everyone. Might Duy was so moved that tears streamed down his face!

The village... acknowledged me? Father... I really did it... I became a ninja... I owe it all to Sosuke.

Standing at a distance, he watched Sosuke's upright figure, his tears blurring his vision.

The tears of a man poured down like water bursting through a broken dam.

At that moment, his heart was filled with deep gratitude and respect for Sosuke!

And the Third Hokage had not spoken to Sosuke at all, from beginning to end.

And so,

they graduated from the Ninja Academy after all.

As they walked along,

their group had grown from four to five, with Might Duy following Sosuke the whole way.

Silence and an awkward atmosphere hung over the group.

At last, Jiraiya stopped and stood there, looking at Sosuke as if he wanted to speak but couldn't.

Sosuke still wore that warm, easygoing smile. He turned his head slightly and gave Jiraiya a questioning look.

"What's wrong, Jiraiya?"

"I'm sorry, Sosuke. I didn't know the Third Hokage would choose..."

Jiraiya's voice had none of its usual boisterousness. It was heavy with guilt and regret.

But before he could finish, Sosuke interrupted him!

"What are you talking about, Jiraiya!?"

"Being chosen as the Third Hokage's student is something we should all be happy about. Why are you speaking as if you have something to feel guilty for!?"

Sosuke's smile faded, and he looked seriously at Jiraiya.

Tsunade watched Sosuke with concern, then parted her lips and finished what Jiraiya had been trying to say.

"Then why didn't the Third Hokage choose you? No matter how you look at it, Sosuke, your strength is clearly far greater than ours,"

"a-and Jiraiya thinks that you're the one who deserved this more."

Jiraiya fell silent, silently agreeing with Tsunade.

Orochimaru said nothing, but he agreed as well. He too thought Sosuke was a better choice than Jiraiya.

Sosuke's warm, gentle smile returned.

His eyes were deep and earnest behind his glasses. Looking at Jiraiya, he spoke in a gentle voice.

"Jiraiya, you don't have enough confidence in yourself. The strong are like flowers striving to grow on a cliff's edge. They never pass up an opportunity to improve their strength!"

"From the first time I met you, I believed you had what it takes to become strong."

"It has nothing to do with talent or status. Just looking at you, I can see how determined you are to become strong."

"Do you want to give up this opportunity? Or have you lost confidence in yourself, Jiraiya!?"

Sosuke's words rang like a great bell, awakening Jiraiya's heart as someone destined to become strong.

Suddenly, the dejection and guilt vanished from Jiraiya's face. All that remained was determination and confidence!

Tsunade and Orochimaru stared at Jiraiya in surprise.

"You think the great Jiraiya would say something like 'I'm sorry'!?"

"Being chosen by that old man is his good fortune! The world has finally recognized the incomparable talent of the great Jiraiya!! Hahaha!"

"Idiot!" Tsunade said, scowling.

"..."

Orochimaru silently walked away.

Sosuke looked at Jiraiya with a gentle expression and said softly,

"That's more like you!"

"Jiraiya, the strong shouldn't let any lack of confidence hold them back. Stay determined to succeed, become strong, and rise above the clouds. I've always believed you could do it."

His words were vague yet earnest, as though he were speaking to Jiraiya—and also murmuring to himself.

Might Duy watched the two of them, dumbfounded, and thought to himself,

As expected of Sosuke. He's amazing!

They parted ways, each heading home.

At the crossroads, Jiraiya watched Sosuke's back as he slowly walked farther and farther away, and thought,

Thank you... Sosuke.