However, after coming into contact with puppetry, Sasori indeed developed a liking for it.
Puppets don't die and won't mysteriously disappear, and can be repaired if broken. Such eternally existing things are what Sasori considers true art.
So Sasori often gets so absorbed in researching puppetry that he forgets himself, skipping meals and sleep frequently.
"It's about time, you should wash up and sleep." Nagato, who was cultivating in the adjacent cultivation room, walked into the research room to remind him.
Sasori, who was swimming in the ocean of puppetry technology, was suddenly forced out and couldn't help but glare at Nagato.
It was like being rudely awakened in the middle of sleep or having your bowl smashed when you were about to eat while starving; how could Sasori not be angry?
"There's still Sosuke-sensei's class tomorrow, and the day after is a rest day."
Sasori's momentum weakened a bit, but he still said, "Even if I research for four more hours, I can still get up early without feeling tired!"
Sasori wasn't particularly fond of Sosuke's class to the point of always needing to attend; he just thought it was not bad.
The crucial thing is, Sasori worries that if he skips class, Sosuke might not find the need to use Transformation Jutsu and take back that little benefit, which means he wouldn't be able to use it to make puppets.
"Mm, I believe you. Head back," Nagato nodded and said.
Sasori frowned, forming a tic-tac-toe mark on his forehead; the insincerity was too obvious.
However, thinking about his little benefit, Sasori didn't continue to argue, snorted coldly, and walked away by himself.
"Just ordinary human wisdom. Once I've transformed myself into an eternal being, what will it matter if I go without sleep for a week?" Sasori thought to himself.
The more Sasori thought about it, the more he felt the physical body was too useless. Spending seven to eight hours a day sleeping was a dreadful waste. If this time could all be spent studying and researching, the increase in efficiency would be remarkable.
...
Happy times always seem short, and soon it was the last day of the second series of unlimited lectures.
This day, Mokgetsu arrived not ten minutes ahead of the lecture, as usual, but thirty minutes before at the training ground.
"Huh, did time pass that quickly, and it's almost time for class?" A ninja seeing Sosuke appeared somewhat shocked.
Because Mokgetsu's punctuality made them instinctively associate Sosuke's arrival with only ten minutes before class starts.
"Did everyone wake up late today?"
Someone noticed fewer people were present than usual.
"Why is it now thirty minutes early?" Roshi felt a bit puzzled.
Most of the time, he was around at this time, so he immediately knew Sosuke arrived earlier than usual.
"Perhaps because it's the last class? After all, wasn't it said to be only an eight-day course?" The Four-tails thought for a bit and said.
"So, it's already the eighth class?" Roshi was slightly stunned.
His days in Six Paths City were fulfilling, attending classes when available, and visiting the Ninja Sect's classrooms to read and listen to Ninja Sect ninjas' discussions when not, hardly noticing the passage of time.
"There are thirty minutes left until the start of the class; next, I'll randomly select some ninjas…" Mokgetsu began drawing lots to answer questions as usual.
For the last day, something different should happen. To give more ninjas a chance to ask questions, Mokgetsu came to the training ground earlier.
Hearing that there were still thirty minutes before class started, the ninjas below revealed joyful expressions.
Previously, usually five to six people were drawn within ten minutes; today, with thirty minutes, the chance of being selected significantly increased.
Ninjas arriving later who saw Sosuke already on the podium were stunned, thinking they were late, only to learn from others that Sosuke arrived earlier.
About fifteen minutes before class started, the attending ninjas were almost all there.
Since Sosuke usually arrived ten minutes early, many had the idea that if one day Sosuke came earlier, the chance of being drawn would be higher.
Good news: Sosuke indeed came early.
Bad news: He came much earlier than expected, catching everyone off guard.
However, no one seemed to mind as they focused intently on Sosuke's answers.
Because most of the ninjas' questions were quite similar, solving one person's question was beneficial for many others.
"Can he answer my question?" Hanzo wondered as he watched Sosuke easily clarify the ninjas' doubts from the podium.
He was very curious about Sosuke's Water Release level, wondering if it was stronger than his.
Nonetheless, Hanzo didn't want to be selected by Sosuke.
Asking Sosuke for answers in front of everyone, what would it look like?
Hanzo was also aware that Sosuke wouldn't pick him, as he had previously warned Sosuke.
The thirty minutes before class quickly passed, and indeed, Hanzo was not selected.
"If I were to challenge him privately, only using Water Release, would he agree?" Hanzo thought of a simpler, more straightforward approach.
How skilled someone is with Water Release can be fully revealed in a fight.
It was indeed a good approach, but Hanzo's face showed a rare hint of hesitation.
Hanzo had to admit, during his time knowing Sosuke, even comparing only their strongest Water Release skills, Hanzo wasn't confident he could surpass Sosuke.
Moreover, this would be a futile battle for Hanzo.
If he defeated Sosuke, boasting about it would be meaningless and might even tarnish his reputation.
Hanzo was famed in the Ninja World as the strongest Water Release user. Challenging a Fire Release specialist in Water Release and winning, what would that even prove?
But losing would be even worse, as the strongest Water Release ninja title would pass to Sosuke.
"Today's topic is…"
As Sosuke's lecture reached Hanzo's ears, Hanzo calmed down and focused on paying attention, just like everyone else.
"All courses have now concluded; I hope everyone has gained something."
Hanzo was brought back from the course's content by Sosuke's voice.
"It's over already? It felt so fast, as if it was just yesterday when it started," a ninja sighed.
The months without Sosuke's lectures felt like years, but the ten-odd days of classes seemed to fly by.
"Indeed, it always feels like a day passes too quickly here," another ninja empathized.
Sosuke's classes almost seemed to possess a mysterious ability to speed up time.
"Finished all eight classes." Roshi also expressed some emotion, with a hint of excitement.
Like other ninjas, he felt the class time passed quickly, leaving him wishing for more.
But the end of the lectures also meant that Roshi would finally meet Sosuke, stirring some excitement within him.
Before setting out, Roshi merely respected Sosuke's deeds, wanting to witness the legendary Ninja Master.
Traveling from the south to the north of the Land of Rain finally reaching Six Paths City, these experiences gave Roshi a deeper understanding of Sosuke.
Yet, Sosuke was an intriguing person; the more Roshi learned about him, not only did his interest not wane, but his anticipation grew stronger.
Hanzo glanced at Sosuke and eventually did nothing or said anything, just turned around and left.
A Rain Ninja saw Hanzo leave quietly and immediately used body language to alert the surrounding, unreactive Rain Ninjas, then followed him.
After the lecture activity concluded, most ninjas dispersed, while a few remained for various reasons.
Roshi was one of those who stayed behind.
After class, Roshi ate at a restaurant near the inn and then stayed leisurely at the inn, reading while awaiting news from the Ninja Sect.
Roshi estimated it would take about two days to receive news from the Ninja Sect, and about a week to meet Sosuke.
After all, Sosuke had just finished hosting a large-scale lecture activity, so taking a short rest seemed reasonable.
"Do you have time tonight? If so, an hour later, I can take you to meet Sosuke-sensei." Nagato approached Roshi to ask.
Roshi was somewhat surprised. He didn't expect Sosuke would choose to meet on the evening of the conclusion.
"Yes." Roshi quickly replied.
He was utterly free, available at any time.
PS:
The year xx of Konoha is nonexistent in the original work; it is a product sorted out based on the age of the original characters and official books.
Since the original work did not include years, only xx years were recorded; Nagato and Sasori were indeed born in the same year.