Complete Hypnosis

The arena.

Uchiha Tokino stared at Sosuke with his blood-red Sharingan as Sosuke shakily got to his feet. He sneered.

"Under these eyes, your movements are as slow as a turtle's. Even if you pick up that sword, what good will it do you?"

"Today, I'll show you the difference between a civilian and someone like me!"

Sosuke had shakily risen to his feet across from him, his eyes hidden beneath his tousled hair and his clothes covered in dust.

But the corner of his mouth curled into a smile.

So... this was the sword's true purpose... Thank you... Kyoka Suigetsu...

He raised the blade upright in front of him.

Then he murmured softly,

"Shatter, Kyoka Suigetsu."

Suddenly, the sharp katana with its dark green hilt shattered into pieces like a broken mirror.

An invisible energy drifted over everyone who saw it, as gentle as a breeze.

Below the arena.

A group of boys watched Sosuke and couldn't help but stare in astonishment. They immediately began whispering among themselves.

"What's he doing? Did he destroy his sword because he's planning to surrender?!"

"Sosuke doesn't seem like the type to beg for mercy. Maybe he has something else in mind."

"Exactly! Sosuke wouldn't just give up! He must have a plan. I hope he beats that arrogant Uchiha guy. What did he mean, calling us civilians?!"

Tsunade and the others watched Sosuke with concern, completely baffled by what he was doing.

Only Orochimaru seemed thoughtful, his snake-like pupils fixed on the scene. The sword... why had it broken...? This was getting more and more interesting, Sosuke.

Nearby, Suzuki-sensei also watched in astonishment as everything unfolded around Sosuke.

His presence... had completely changed. This kid could actually hold his own against a Uchiha prodigy... What terrifying talent.

The arena.

Uchiha Tokino's eyes widened as he stared at Sosuke, standing amid the scattered fragments of the blade.

Suddenly, he clutched his stomach and threw his head back, laughing. He pointed at Sosuke, his voice dripping with contempt.

"You made all that fuss just to surrender? Or did you think destroying your sword would be enough to beat me?!"

As he spoke, his face twisted with anger. He suddenly sprang forward!

That bastard!

He was using this trick to stall for time and toy with me. I'll finish him off quickly!

I'll teach that good-for-nothing leech who depends on the Senju Clan a lesson he'll never forget!

As Uchiha Tokino charged straight at him, Sosuke remained where he was, still holding the dark green sword hilt.

A smile suddenly curled across his lips, and joy filled his eyes beneath his tousled hair.

So that's how it works!

Complete Hypnosis... Once someone has seen Kyoka Suigetsu's release, I can completely hypnotize all five of their senses... What a terrifying ability.

Sosuke slowly raised his head and looked through the strands of hair over his forehead at Uchiha Tokino, charging toward him in a fury.

He took a light step, shifting to a spot one pace away from where he'd been.

Then he stood still, smiling faintly as he watched it all unfold.

Uchiha Tokino acted as if he couldn't see Sosuke at all!

He leaped into the air.

"Konoha Whirlwind!!"

His powerful leg came crashing down from above toward where Sosuke stood!

"Bang!"

His kick left a shallow crater in the ground.

Yet Uchiha Tokino, the one who had caused all this, was filled with shock!

He'd missed!

How was that possible! That guy's speed!? How could someone like him evade my Sharingan? I didn't catch even the slightest trace of his movement!

Did he use the Body Flicker Technique?!

But before he could think any further, more happened.

The dust billowing across the ground did nothing to disturb the smile on Sosuke's face. He was only a pace away from Uchiha Tokino!

One pace was close enough to throw a punch.

So Sosuke gave him a faintly contemptuous smile and swung a fist at Uchiha Tokino's face!

Hearing movement behind him, Uchiha Tokino hurriedly turned around. Through his Sharingan, he could see every one of Sosuke's movements clearly!

But his body couldn't react at all. He could only watch Sosuke's fist grow larger and larger!

"Bam!!"

The full-force blow slammed into Uchiha Tokino's face!

His entire body flew sideways as if he'd been hit by a truck!

In midair, his face was nearly unrecognizable, and one of his teeth had even fallen out. Blood sprayed from his mouth!

Before darkness overtook him, the last thing he remembered was Sosuke's contemptuous smile and his fist, as big as a cooking pot!

"Thud!"

Like a piece of garbage, Uchiha Tokino's body tumbled across the ground and fell to one side!

He was unconscious!

The winner: Sosuke!

Suzuki-sensei flashed to Uchiha Tokino's side. After confirming that he had only passed out, he let out a long breath of relief.

Then he turned to look at the boy standing straight in the middle of the arena, his expression complicated.

He'd actually beaten a Uchiha Clan prodigy. At that age, this boy already had such incredible talent and strength! He was truly extraordinary!

At the final moment, how had he dodged Uchiha Tokino's attack!? That kind of speed...

Unfortunately, no one could answer the questions in Suzuki-sensei's mind.

Below the arena.

The boys and girls were all thrilled by Sosuke's victory!

"See? I told you Sosuke would win! I've hated that arrogant Uchiha guy from the start!"

"Sosuke really is amazing. I wish I could be like him!"

"Give me a break. I once saw Sosuke practicing Taijutsu all by himself in Konoha Forest, his hands covered in blood. You were still sleeping at home then, weren't you?!"

At that moment, Tsunade and the others came over to Sosuke.

Tsunade looked at him happily.

"Congratulations, Sosuke."

Jiraiya, meanwhile, clutched his head and shamelessly declared,

"What a shame you stole the spotlight from me this time. But Sosuke, your strength is terrifying!"

"You actually beat Tokino after he awakened his Sharingan. Looks like you can become my rival someday, and earn a place among the five hundred great achievements of my life!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Tsunade punched him on the head, her face dark with exasperation.

"Jiraiya's always saying strange things. Don't mind him, Sosuke."

Tsunade spoke to Sosuke with an embarrassed smile.

Sosuke naturally responded with a smile. He looked at Tsunade and the others and spoke happily.

"Sorry for making you worry. But after this, I think I finally have the strength to fight alongside you."

"Come on! My treat today. We're going to Ichiraku Ramen. Let's eat our fill!"

"You'd better count me in! It's not every day I get to eat on your tab. I'm going to eat as much as I can!"

"Jiraiya, could you stop embarrassing yourself? Sosuke, don't listen to him."

The four of them walked down the road.

Sosuke noticed Orochimaru watching him.

He turned and looked at him questioningly.

"What is it, Orochimaru?"

Orochimaru gazed at Sosuke with keen interest in his snake-like eyes, but said nothing more.

"Nothing. I've just realized you're quite interesting, Sosuke."

With that, he continued walking.

Without his glasses, Sosuke's tousled hair fell slightly over his eyes, revealing his handsome, delicate features and an unusual charm.

Tsunade kept glancing at him from time to time, her heart beating a little faster.

And so, they walked along Konoha's streets.

What would the future bring?