Sosuke woke to find the sun already high in the sky. For a boy who had always maintained a healthy routine, this was practically unthinkable.
"Crap, I'm late!" Sosuke thought anxiously, then quickly got dressed and ran for school.
Meanwhile, at the Ninja Academy.
Ninja teacher Onoki Kimura was explaining the ninjutsu lesson.
Below the podium, Tsunade gazed worriedly at Sosuke's empty seat.
"What's going on? Where is that Sosuke guy? He's famous for always following the rules. I can't believe he skipped class! Could he have gone to the Nogi Family bathhouse? It's bathing time for everyone right now, and he didn't even invite me!"
Jiraiya lay bored across his desk. Looking at Sosuke's empty seat, he pursed his lips and said,
"Bang!"
The instant he finished speaking, Tsunade punched him hard in the head.
"Do you think everyone's like you, idiot?"
Tsunade angrily scolded Jiraiya, while Orochimaru merely looked at Sosuke's empty seat, deep in thought.
"Slap!"
The classroom door was flung open.
"Sorry, I'm late!" Sosuke said, slightly out of breath.
"Sosuke, it's all right. Just don't be late again. Today we're covering the practical applications of some basic ninjutsu. For you newly graduated brats, this is a very important lesson."
Onoki Kimura looked at Sosuke and spoke amiably.
He liked this exceptional boy a great deal. After all, every teacher liked students who were both talented and modestly polite.
"Understood. Sorry for the trouble, Teacher Kimura."
Sosuke replied politely, then returned to his seat.
As soon as he sat down, Tsunade passed him a note.
"Did something happen?"
He turned to meet Tsunade's concerned expression, then gently shook his head and smiled to show her he was fine.
Jiraiya, on the other hand, had no such reservations. He tugged Sosuke close and whispered,
"Sosuke, how could you possibly be late? Be honest—did you go peeping at the Nogi Family bathhouse too?"
Hearing Jiraiya's question, Sosuke naturally refused to admit it. He shook his head with a smile.
"How could that be? Your imagination is so vivid, Jiraiya. You have the makings of a writer."
At his words, Jiraiya's eyes lit up, and he shouted excitedly,
"Really!? You think so? Let me tell you, every time I pass the Nogi Family bathhouse, my thoughts really do flow like a spring! I, Jiraiya, am destined to become a writer!"
"Jiraiya! This is a ninja classroom! If you want to be a writer, take the first left outside!"
"If you don't, then pay attention to the lesson right now!"
At the podium, Onoki Kimura glared furiously at Jiraiya and shouted!
That brat caused trouble for him every day. It was outrageous!
"Yes, Teacher Kimura."
Jiraiya drooped his head and answered dejectedly.
The children burst into laughter across the classroom.
Sosuke listened to Onoki Kimura's lesson in peace.
Suddenly!
His pupils contracted sharply!
Sosuke saw a girl standing all alone beside Teacher Kimura.
He rubbed his eyes and looked again!
He was sure he hadn't imagined it. A girl in a floral kimono really was standing beside Teacher Kimura.
With a bang, he stood up.
"Teacher Kimura! Beside you!"
He pointed at the kimono-clad girl standing next to Onoki Kimura and shouted.
"Beside me? Is something wrong here, Sosuke?"
Onoki Kimura looked at the empty space on the podium where Sosuke was pointing, puzzled.
"N-no... nothing. I'm terribly sorry for interrupting your lesson, Teacher Kimura."
After saying this, Sosuke sat down, but he was utterly shaken.
They can't see her! None of them can see that girl?
In Sosuke's eyes, the girl's profile was exquisite—almost perfect!
But her expression was so cold!
She turned her head slightly and glanced at him, then slowly faded away like mist.
The sight made Sosuke's breathing quicken.
Could this be the person that Hogyoku mentioned? Right, it must be. The changes started last night!
That must be why I've encountered something so strange again!
Who is she!?
Sosuke felt deeply uneasy. All these unknowns had thrown his life off balance.
He began to think hard about what exactly the thing that appeared last night had been.
When class ended.
Tsunade came over to him.
Her brown eyes looked at him with concern, and she parted her lips to speak.
"Sosuke, are you all right? You don't look well. Did something happen?"
Tsunade asked with concern.
"No, Tsunade. I just didn't sleep well last night. Thanks for worrying about me."
Sosuke spoke softly.
He didn't want anyone else to know about these things, nor did he want anyone to worry about him.
Just then, Orochimaru walked over, his voice slightly hoarse.
"This isn't like you, Sosuke. If something really did happen, it'd be better to tell us."
Then, after leaving those words behind, he walked out of the classroom.
Hearing him, Sosuke smiled faintly.
What a dependable group of friends, especially when it matters!
But I'm sorry. I really can't tell you about this.
If what that Hogyoku said is true... using the power of souls? Just thinking about it feels evil!
This is a secret I absolutely cannot tell anyone in the village!
Sosuke secretly buried all of this deep in his heart.
After a day of classes at the Ninja Academy, Sosuke declined Jiraiya's kind invitation to go eat barbecue and returned home.
The strange things he'd seen today weighed heavily on his mind, so he'd let out some of his frustration by going all out during Taijutsu class.
His callused fists now bore faint traces of blood, showing just how much the incident had unsettled him.
After all, Sosuke was a boy with tremendous self-control.
Lying in bed, physically and mentally exhausted, he couldn't help recalling what had happened the night before.
At the thought, he suddenly opened his eyes and sat up.
Looking at his chest, he called softly,
"Hogyoku? Are you there? If you are, come out. We need to talk!"
There was no response, which left him somewhat disappointed.
I guess that guy called Hogyoku has used up all his energy. Sosuke thought.
Just as he gave up calling for Hogyoku and prepared to rest,
"Lord Aizen! Were you calling for me?"
A faint blue light suddenly glowed on his chest.
Sosuke stared in astonishment at the brilliant blue glimmer on his chest and hurriedly asked,
"Why are you inside my body? And that person! Who was she? Was she a girl?"
Before you continue