The Team

Only Sosuke was in the empty room.

He sat cross-legged in the middle of the room, lowered his head to look at his chest, and spoke softly.

"Hogyoku, begin."

"Of course, Lord Aizen," a childish voice replied.

A brilliant blue light flashed.

Sosuke, sitting calmly in the middle of the wooden floor, suddenly changed expression!

As his face twisted in pain, a vast surge of chakra burst from his body!

In an instant!

A powerful current of air began swirling violently through the room. Fortunately, there was nothing else inside, though the doors and windows creaked under the raging wind.

The intense pain made it difficult for Sosuke to stay calm. His brows drew together, and he clenched his teeth, enduring the agony that seemed to reach into his very bones!

An astonishing amount of chakra gathered above him, taking tangible form like a swirling tornado!

The situation lasted for quite some time.

Sosuke, who had been enduring the agony, was drenched in sweat!

Suddenly!

He opened his eyes, the pained expression on his face replaced by calm.

To gain even greater power, Sosuke had asked the Hogyoku to permanently open another of the Eight Inner Gates—the Gate of Life.

The violent winds swirling through the room and the vast chakra had vanished without a trace.

He looked over his body with deep, thoughtful eyes. Feeling his power and chakra reserves surge once more, a glint flashed in his eyes.

Then the childish voice spoke again.

"Lord Aizen, I used up too much energy permanently reinforcing this gate. The Hogyoku needs your power."

It then greedily devoured a mouthful of Sosuke's chakra, leaving him feeling drained.

Sosuke didn't mind. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he said softly,

"Thank you, Hogyoku. This is the reward you deserve."

By this point, Sosuke had successfully opened three permanent gates, gaining chakra reserves beyond those of an ordinary Jonin and strength completely out of keeping with his age!

The next day.

After a simple meal, Sosuke went to report to Shimura Kazumi.

When Kazumi saw him, she put on a nonchalant expression and said,

"Well, Sosuke, you're back?"

She glanced at his left arm, wrapped in bandages. A flicker of concern crossed her mind, and she asked suspiciously,

"What!? Was the mission that difficult? You actually got hurt!?"

In her heart, though she was reluctant to admit it, there was no doubt that Sosuke was incredibly strong. How could someone with his abilities get injured!? Shimura Kazumi found it unbelievable!

What kind of mission had her uncle assigned him!? An S-rank mission!?

"Ah, something unexpected happened during the mission. I got a little hurt, but it's nothing serious," Sosuke said softly.

Of course, Shimura Kazumi didn't believe him. Her voice turned icy.

"As a ninja, you need to stay fully alert during missions if you want to complete them successfully. With such a careless attitude, you'll need several more years of experience before you can stand on your own."

After a moment's thought, she continued,

"I'll explain the situation to Lord Danzo. Until you're capable of becoming a truly competent ninja, I won't let you take on any more missions beyond your abilities."

Hearing this, Sosuke was helpless in the face of Kazumi's cold tone, but he could tell she meant well. He could only nod in agreement.

"Thank you, Captain Kazumi."

Seeing Sosuke's warm, sun-bright smile, Shimura Kazumi froze for a moment.

She nearly lost her icy composure, but quickly changed the subject.

"By the way, the Might Duy you recommended is now a member of our team. But I don't think someone with his personality could join Root, so we have to keep Root's secrets from him."

"Mm, I thought of that. But I'm sure Captain Kazumi has already seen what he can do," Sosuke said with a soft laugh.

At that, Shimura Kazumi fell into thought, recalling the first time she'd met Might Duy.

That day, she had gone straight to meet Might Duy. Her years as a ninja had allowed her to assess him at a glance.

Thick eyebrows, a ridiculous green jumpsuit, and little to distinguish him besides the determination in his eyes.

Of course, the thick calluses on his hands also proved that he had some skill in Taijutsu.

But!

What did that have to do with that brat Sosuke!?

It was hard to imagine that Sosuke, who excelled in every respect, would think so highly of the Might Duy standing before her!

Though she had only skimmed Sosuke's file, Shimura Kazumi knew very well that he was far more than the ordinarily gifted student described in his Ninja Academy records!

He was a genius ninja who, at nine years old, had fought several elite Chunin on his own!

Sosuke's strength was probably no less than a Jonin's.

And yet he had recommended an utterly ordinary Genin!?

Afterward, she had taken Might Duy to the Konoha Training Ground.

Under the effects of her powerful genjutsu, she had witnessed a jaw-dropping scene!

The ordinary boy before her had seemed to transform from a regular lamb into a colossal beast with blood blazing through its veins!

His terrifying speed and immense destructive power had left the entire Konoha Training Ground in ruins!

She had been driven back again and again by his lightning-fast assault!

Shimura Kazumi couldn't help being astonished by the boy's terrifying Taijutsu!

After a great deal of effort, she had finally managed to stop Might Duy. He then became one of the team members under her command.

Just then, Might Duy arrived.

When he saw Sosuke, his face instantly lit up with joy. He broke into a sudden sprint and rushed over, kicking up a thick cloud of dust!

"Sosuke! You're back? Did the mission go smoothly!?" Might Duy asked cheerfully, his face full of delight. He was thrilled to see Sosuke!

But when he noticed the bandages on Sosuke's arm, he froze and asked blankly,

"Sosuke... are you hurt?"

Sosuke smiled gently.

"It's all right, Duy. Something unexpected happened during the mission, that's all."

Only then did Might Duy relax. Brimming with youthful enthusiasm, he told Sosuke all about what he'd been doing lately and his training schedule.

Sosuke listened to his endless chatter with a smile.

Meanwhile, Shimura Kazumi stood beside them, her face cold and a black line hanging over her head!

That little brat!! How dare he ignore me!?

So she said coldly,

"Duy! I've come up with a training regimen tailor-made for you!"

Only then did Might Duy notice Shimura Kazumi! His eyes lit up at her words.

"Really!! Teacher Kazumi!! No wonder you're a Jonin, Teacher Kazumi—you came up with something so quickly!"

"Please tell me what it is! No matter how harsh it is, I'll do my best! Youth! I won't let myself grow lazy!"

"Is that so... Then let's—"

Shimura Kazumi glanced at Sosuke. He was smiling, so she said,

"...fight!! You'll grow faster through battle! Sosuke is back, and I'm sure someone as strong as him can give you some pointers. Starting now, fight him!"

Hearing this, Might Duy hesitated. He couldn't bring himself to attack Sosuke.

"But Sosuke's arm is injured."

Just then!

Sosuke interrupted Duy with a smile and said softly,

"It's all right, Duy. Go ahead. Teacher Kazumi is right; this really is a good way to train."

After saying this, Sosuke smiled and nodded at Shimura Kazumi.

Might Duy had no doubts about Sosuke's words. He trusted that Sosuke wouldn't do anything he wasn't confident about.

Then!

He moved some distance away and assumed a fighting stance.

Shimura Kazumi watched the scene in a daze.