Chapter 12: 12.Friend
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On the empty space above,
A young man with thick eyebrows, wearing a green bodysuit and a bowl-cut hairstyle, was kneeling in front of the teacher in charge of the ninja art test.
Amidst the mocking gazes of the other youths around him, the young man with thick eyebrows blushed but still spoke without hesitation.
"Please, give me another chance, Teacher Morino!"
The teacher named Morino wore an impatient expression on her face and waved her hand dismissively at the kneeling young man.
"Might Dai, you're not cut out to be a ninja. It's clear that you lack the fundamental skill of even performing the basic Clone Jutsu. Do you plan on relying solely on your physical abilities to fight enemies in the future?"
"Just give up on your foolish dream of becoming a ninja!"
After Morino finished speaking, she completely disregarded Might Dai, who was kneeling on the ground, and called the next candidate to continue the ninja art test.
No one paid any attention to Might Dai, nor did anyone sympathize with him. They all coldly watched him on the ground, their eyes filled with ridicule and mockery.
"That guy thinks he can get by just by excelling in physical tests. What a joke! He can't even perform ninja techniques!?"
"He should've become a porter with his strength. Kaede Flour Shop could use some extra help, haha!"
"He can't even release a simple ninja technique. It's destiny that he's not meant to be a ninja. Why is he wasting his time here? Just leave already!"
Various sarcastic and mocking remarks filled the air, further dampening Might Dai's spirits.
At that moment!
The noisy discussions abruptly ceased.
All the youths turned their attention to Sousuke, who was walking towards them.
Sousuke paid no mind to the gaze of others.
He calmly walked towards the despondent figure kneeling on the ground.
*Pat, pat!*
As the sound of footsteps grew closer, Might Dai, who had a downcast expression on his face, stirred slightly. He looked up, wanting to see who it was.
Sunlight streamed through the window glass, illuminating Sousuke's face as if he were bathed in holy light.
With his black-framed glasses and his gentle smile, Sousuke looked at the kneeling Might Dai and softly spoke.
"Are you giving up on your youth so easily, Might Dai?"
In Might Dai's eyes, Sousuke appeared like an angel from heaven—pure, noble, and divine.
"S-Sousuke... Sousuke!?"
Seeing himself in such a pathetic state before Sousuke, Might Dai's face instantly turned red, feeling utterly embarrassed.
Ignoring Might Dai's astonishment, Sousuke maintained his warm smile and continued speaking to him.
"The so-called rules exist for those who cannot survive without them. Might Dai, do you truly believe in the power of your physical abilities? If you believe in their strength, why do you need validation as a ninja?"
As Sousuke spoke, Tsunade, who was standing behind Sousuke, looked at him with a perplexed expression. Her eyes held a hint of concern. Orochimaru observed Sousuke pensively.
Upon hearing Sousuke's words, Might Dai suddenly had a revelation. He felt as if his fighting spirit had been reignited, burning intensely!
He stood up abruptly from the ground, and from his body!
A fierce chakra burned violently, causing the air around him to move rapidly. The entire area felt like a whirlwind!
With a serious and respectful expression, Might Dai looked deeply at Sousuke and bowed.
"Thank
you, Sousuke! You saved me. Youth shouldn't be wasted like this, and I shouldn't be brought down by such a minor setback. You made me understand all of this. Thank you, Sousuke!"
Upon hearing Might Dai's words,
Sousuke smiled deeply and his eyes twinkled. He spoke softly with a kind and gentle voice, "No need to be polite, Might Dai! We are friends."
Those words almost made Might Dai unable to believe it. After a moment of confusion, an excited expression couldn't help but appear on his face. His face turned red, and he shouted loudly, "I... I'm extremely honored! To be your friend, Sousuke!"
The other students at the Ninja Academy started discussing and whispering among themselves.
"Isn't that the genius Sousuke who defeated Uchiha Shino from the neighboring class? Why is he with that ninja technique idiot?"
"Didn't you see who was behind Sousuke? That's Princess Tsunade! How could that kid Might Dai know someone like that?"
"He actually approached that ninja technique idiot. It seems that Sousuke's genius reputation is just a rumor, right?"
....
Tsunade frowned as she watched the students talk nonsense and gossip. She was somewhat angry for Sousuke's sake. But just as she was about to speak, a white-haired figure stepped forward ahead of her!
"You guys! Do you even know the full name of Lord Jiraiya-sama? As fellow graduates, if you have something to say, don't talk behind people's backs. Step up and face Lord Jiraiya-sama head-on in a proper fight! From now on, since Might Dai is Sousuke's friend, he is also Lord Jiraiya-sama's friend! If anyone speaks ill of my friend, come out and fight me!"
Jiraiya stood confidently in front of everyone, ignoring the furious gazes of the group of teenagers who wanted to beat him up.
Both Tsunade and Sousuke were momentarily surprised by Jiraiya's actions but couldn't help but laugh.
"This guy... sometimes... unexpectedly reliable!" they said.
Jiraiya turned back, showing his teeth as he made a thumbs-up pose. This gesture warmed Might Dai's heart.
Although he felt the urge to cry on his face, he managed to hold back the tears with great effort.
But in his heart, he kept thinking.
Friend... Thank you... Sousuke... and thank you... friend named Jiraiya.
After that, the group of people left.
But as they were about to leave, Sousuke turned his head slightly and glanced at Morino-sensei, who stood there with an indescribable expression on her face. Her expression was blank, and her voice was cold as she spoke.
"Arrogantly attempting to confine everything within the understanding of ordinary people. Little did you know that even the most beautiful butterfly blossoms from its cocoon. Morino-sensei, your ignorant and fearless actions today, you have no idea how many outstanding ninja you have left behind for this village!"
Upon hearing Sousuke's words, everyone stopped and looked at him.
Morino-sensei, after hearing those words, became furious and her face turned angry.
"Kid, just because you have Princess Tsunade backing you, you think you can disregard everything! Just based on him? A ninja who can't use ninjutsu? Are you kidding me? Kid, come back and talk to me after you've experienced real combat!"
"Combat, huh..."
Sousuke lowered his head and murmured softly, the black-framed glasses obscuring his true thoughts.
"I want to challenge you, Morino-sensei! To prove how insignificant your words are before me, and to prove that a ninja doesn't necessarily need ninjutsu."
Sousuke spoke again, this time with a slightly solemn expression but more
of an eager look.
Upon hearing Sousuke's words, the other students at the Ninja Academy were astonished!!!!
They were all speculating whether this guy had gone crazy!?
Even Tsunade and Might Dai tried to dissuade him!
"Sousuke, Morino-sensei is a chuunin-level ninja! How can you possibly defeat him? Don't act impulsively," Tsunade anxiously advised Sousuke.
Jiraiya also looked at Sousuke with a heavy gaze, devoid of his usual playfulness. But he didn't try to dissuade him; instead, he asked him.
"Sousuke, how confident are you? Remember, Morino-sensei is a chuunin!"
Upon hearing their words, Sousuke smiled and replied softly, "Don't worry, I know my limits."
Then he turned his head towards Morino-sensei behind him, and a cold gleam flashed in his eyes beneath the glasses.
Meanwhile, Morino-sensei, looking at Sousuke, wore a disdainful expression.
"Kid, it seems that defeating Uchiha wasn't enough to make you sober. Do you really think a recent graduate like you can fight me? Today, I will teach this so-called genius a lesson and show you that a genius, even before growing up, must still abide by the rules!"