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In another place, Sosuke had already returned to his own room.
After two consecutive days of travel, he couldn't help but feel a bit exhausted. However, he didn't rest immediately because there was still one thing left to resolve.
He sat gently cross-legged on the wooden floor, closing his eyes to focus his mind.
"Hōgyoku, are you awake?"
He spoke softly, as he had felt a strange sensation in his body earlier. Throughout the journey back, he had been pondering the reason behind it.
Thinking back to how he had killed so many people, the word "soul" immediately flashed through his mind.
Soon after he spoke, a voice as innocent and childlike as ever suddenly rang anxiously in Sosuke's mind.
"You've discovered it, Lord Aizen!!"
Sosuke couldn't help but feel speechless upon hearing this. This little guy has been secretly absorbing my chakra within my body these past two days. Did it really think I wouldn't notice something so obvious?
However, Sosuke didn't really mind. After all, Hōgyoku was like a child.
He patiently asked, "Hōgyoku, when did you wake up? Why are you absorbing my chakra?"
Upon hearing Sosuke's question, Hōgyoku's voice sounded crisp and childish as it replied.
"When you killed those people two days ago, their souls were enough to awaken me. However, the quality of those souls was really poor. Compared to them, Hōgyoku much prefers the power inside Lord Aizen's body."
Sosuke had no doubt about this. After all, this fellow had been clamoring to devour souls since it first woke up inside his body.
Thinking that it not only devoured souls but also absorbed his chakra, Sosuke couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
Even he himself currently found chakra to be extremely scarce, barely enough for his own use!
Now that this little guy had awakened from its slumber, if he had to set aside a portion specifically to feed it in the future, that would be too extravagant.
As for souls, that goes without saying. He couldn't possibly go out killing people just to feed it!
Although he personally killed many bandit ninjas, they were a group of wretched individuals tainted with blood, and Sosuke didn't feel the slightest psychological burden for killing them.
If he had to kill many innocent people just for Hōgyoku's sake, it would not only contradict Sosuke's ninja way, but it was also unrealistic.
Seemingly sensing Sosuke's troubles, Hōgyoku spoke with a hint of grievance and pleading.
"Is Hōgyoku causing trouble for Lord Aizen? If Lord Aizen doesn't want it, Hōgyoku won't absorb your power anymore."
Upon hearing its pitiful voice, Sosuke couldn't possibly refuse. He replied softly.
"It's okay, Hōgyoku. If you like my chakra, then feel free to enjoy it. I'll find a way."
Upon hearing Sosuke's agreement, Hōgyoku's voice was clearly filled with excitement and joy.
"Really!? Hōgyoku likes Lord Aizen's gentle nature the most. Then, I won't hold back."
Immediately, Sosuke felt a part of his chakra draining within his body.
The sudden loss of a small portion of his chakra made him feel a pang of pain. No, this won't do! I must find a way to increase my chakra capacity!
Then, he heard Hōgyoku's satisfied voice.
"Lord Aizen, the power imbued with your aura is the most delicious! In the past, you always made me consume those Shinigami's spiritual energy, which, although of high quality, didn't suit my taste at all. But it's okay, this time, Hōgyoku will grow quickly and continue to assist you just like before."
"These powers are so filling, Lord Aizen. Hōgyoku will go back to sleep now."
And with that, Hōgyoku's voice faded away.
The sound disappeared, presumably going back to sleep once again.
Inside the room, Sosuke, who had just been drained of a significant amount of power, had a somewhat helpless expression on his face. Feeling that he still had half of his chakra remaining, he couldn't help but smile bitterly.
Although chakra could recover after a night's rest, no one could withstand being suddenly drained like that!
Sosuke pondered for a moment but couldn't think of any other solution for now. He could only take it step by step and see how things unfolded.
It seemed that Kyōka Suigetsu didn't have a solution to this problem either.
Soon, he immersed himself deeply in meditation.
Outside, the night was quiet.
......
Still in that lush and vibrant palace.
The soft green shade covered the floor of the main hall, giving a comfortable and cushiony feeling when stepped upon.
On the high stone platform, on the throne surrounded by flowers, a figure was reclining at the moment, lazily like a cat. Her clothes were slightly thin, and her fair skin was as delicate as beautiful jade, completely unconcerned about the revealing beauty of the spring scenery.
Only a slight frown appeared on her delicate face as a beautiful pair of eyes opened slightly.
Hidden within those eyes was a sharp and piercing gaze that disrupted the lazy posture!
"Awake again!! This guy dares to shamelessly demand Sosuke's power even at this point!!!"
Her face turned dark, and a cold, bone-chilling voice slowly emerged from her mouth!
With her anger, the entire palace underwent a transformation in an instant, as if time had passed in a blink of an eye!!
All the vibrant life withered away!
The flowers wilted, and the green grass fell into slumber.
The once vivid world was covered in a retro pattern.
Desolation and silence filled the entire hall!
On the high stone seat, the girl, Kyōka Suigetsu, sat with a cold face, her body stiff and upright. Her traditional clothing was dignified and tightly wrapped around her. Her fingertips lightly tapped the armrest, brows furrowed, seemingly lost in thought.
....
Outside.
After a night of rest, Sosuke had already fully recovered.
Although he now had to deal with the fact that Hōgyoku might often take a sip of his chakra!
However, Sosuke didn't harbor any resentment. For some reason, he seemed to have given Hōgyoku his utmost patience.
Now, finding a way to increase his chakra capacity was the most urgent matter for Sosuke. Otherwise, with his current chakra level, he feared that even the advanced Kidō users would struggle to cast their spells.
Let alone using them!
There was no choice. His current chakra reserves were truly thin.
Having just completed a mission in Konoha, he had a relatively free day.
Early in the morning, he headed to the Konoha Forest!
Great strength doesn't come out of thin air. Whether it's extraordinary talent, exceptional innate abilities, if one lacks the perseverance to train diligently, their achievements will be no different from ordinary people, fading away in the dust of time.
Sosuke still maintained a rigorous daily routine, showing no signs of relaxation!
He diligently trained his Taijutsu here!
If Kyōka Suigetsu's teachings in unarmed combat techniques were the epitome of exquisite martial arts, then the physical training of a shinobi was a solid foundation!
Without surpassing the physical capabilities of an ordinary person, even with exceptional unarmed combat skills, it would be nothing more than an illusion.
Sosuke was well aware of this, so he dared not slack off!
Just as he was immersed in
practicing the fundamental punches and kicks, hoarse voices shouting came from outside the forest again!
"... If you can't walk on your hands for 10,000 steps, then squat 5,000 times while carrying a log!!..."