Naruto: Sasuke Uchiha Returns from Soul Society

The leader of the team scratched his head, a matter-of-fact expression on his face. "He's probably out looking for trouble with Vice-Captain Yachiru, just like always."

This answer was exactly what Sasuke expected.

He nodded, asked no further questions, and walked straight towards his own room deep inside the barracks.

Just as he was about to step onto the corridor steps, a slightly flirtatious voice came from under the cherry blossom tree next to him.

"Oh my, isn't this our little Sasuke who's been away from home for so long? You've finally decided to come back?"

Sasuke paused slightly and turned his head to the side.

There he was, the fifth seat of the 11th Division, Yumichika Ayasegawa, leaning against the trunk of a cherry blossom tree, covering half of his face with his sleeve, his long, narrow phoenix eyes scrutinizing him with great interest.

"You've grown quite a bit taller in such a short time!"

Yumichika slowly walked forward, circled Sasuke once, as if admiring a work of art, and finally sighed in a tone that was almost regretful.

"What remarkable growth! Both your spiritual pressure and your face are almost catching up with mine."

He paused, pointed to the corner of his eye with his finger, and gave a slightly regretful smile.

"However, you are still far from reaching my level of 'ultimate beauty'."

Sasuke's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.

It's been over four years since I last saw him, and his narcissistic tendencies haven't changed at all.

He ignored Yumichika's "aesthetic theory" and said calmly, "You don't seem to be surprised at all why I suddenly grew up."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Ayasegawa Yumichika chuckled softly, "Aren't there enough strange things in this Soul Society already?"

“Unlike that idiot Yijiao, I don’t pry into things I can’t understand.”

He paused, his phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and his tone became somewhat meaningful, "I'm more interested in something else than why you suddenly grew up."

Ayasegawa Yumichika's gaze subtly swept over Sasuke's empty side.

"The girl from the Kuchiki family in the 13th Division who went to the human world with you on the mission was the one."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed.

"Yes."

"That would be terrible."

Ayasegawa Yumichika's smile remained unchanged, but his tone carried a hint of anticipation. "I've heard that the young girl from the Kuchiki family was arrested from the human world a few days ago by the captain and vice-captain of the Sixth Division for committing a serious crime."

He reached out and patted Sasuke's shoulder with a smile, as if comforting a junior who was about to have a bad day.

"Unauthorized transfer of the power of the Grim Reaper to humans, and collusion with humans to attack the vice-captain who came to arrest him, this is a serious crime among serious crimes."

"And you, as her 'companion' who went to the mortal world with her and never reported it during her stay..."

Ayase Gyumichika trailed off, a gloating smile on his face.

"You can't escape the crime of harboring a criminal."

He looked at Sasuke's still calm face and continued, "However, you don't need to worry too much."

Ayase Gawa Yumichika's smile carried an absolute confidence.

"After all, you are the captain of our Eleventh Division."

"Even if those old fogies in the Central 46 want to cause you trouble, Captain Kenpachi will definitely protect you."

He withdrew his hand, covered his mouth with his sleeve, and chuckled softly.

"At most, he'll just be dragged into a few matches by the captain."

"..."

Sasuke neither agreed nor disagreed with these words, but calmly raised his eyes and looked directly at Yumichika.

"Where is she?"

"Huh?" Yumichika's smile faltered slightly, as if he hadn't quite grasped the situation.

Sasuke repeated, "Where is Rukia Kuchiki being held now?"

This question finally made Yumichika's flippant expression lessen.

He re-examined the boy before him, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, as if trying to discern the true intentions behind Sasuke's words.

"Oh dear, how could I know so much detail?"

Yumichika shrugged, reverting to his usual nonchalant demeanor. "Our Eleventh Division has never been interested in such internal affairs involving nobles."

He paused, noticing Sasuke's increasingly cold gaze, before slowly adding, "However, the official news has already spread throughout the entire Seireitei."

Yumichika extended a finger and gently waved it in the air.

"The verdict from the Central 46 has been handed down. The execution will take place in half a month at the Double Punishment Hill, where Rukia Kuchiki will be subjected to the 'Double Punishment' punishment."

Double Killing Hill...

Sasuke silently recited the place name in his mind.

Seeing his expression, Yumichika's interest grew even stronger.

"As for her exact location where she is being held, I really don't know."

He covered his mouth with his sleeve, as if sharing a secret, and lowered his voice, "However, according to custom, serious criminals are imprisoned in the Penitentiary before their execution, which is the most heavily guarded place in the Seireitei."

Yumichika paused, as if he had thought of something, and added, "Of course, she is, after all, a member of the 13th Division, so Captain Ukitake should know more details."

"I understand." Sasuke nodded, as a way of expressing his gratitude.

Without saying another word, he turned and prepared to leave.

However, just as he was about to brush past Yumichika.

"Hey, Sasuke."

Yumichika's voice rang out without warning, but this time there was no mockery in his voice; his tone was very serious.

Sasuke paused slightly in his steps.

Yumichika did not turn around, remaining leaning against the cherry blossom tree, his voice somewhat muffled by the wind.

"You found out so much about it..."

"Are you trying to save her?"

Sasuke remained silent for a moment.

The air seemed to freeze at that moment.

Finally, he slowly turned his face to the side, his dark eyes calmly looking back at Yumichika.

"If so, what do you plan to do?"

This question caused Yumichika's smile to vanish.

He slowly straightened up, and his phoenix eyes, which always carried a smile, were now as sharp as knives.

"I?"

Yumichika chuckled softly, a laugh that carried the 11th Division's unique disdain for the rules.

"I can't do anything."

He looked at Sasuke, a hint of amusement flashing in his phoenix eyes. "If you have the ability to rescue someone from the hands of the Sixth Division Captain and the entire Gotei 13, that's your strength."

"I will just be a beautiful spectator and applaud your 'powerful beauty' that is enough to shake the rules."

He paused, his smile vanished completely, and his tone turned icy.

"but......"

Yumichika's gaze fell on the Zanpakuto at his waist.

"If orders come in from above, and our Eleventh Division is also required to participate in the pursuit..."

He slowly raised his eyes and looked directly at Sasuke, a hint of excitement for battle igniting in them.

"When the time comes, I won't go easy on you just because you're my 'comrades'."

"After all, I am also a member of the Gotei 13. This is my duty, and also my... aesthetics."

After saying that, he didn't linger. He turned around and disappeared with elegant steps at the end of the team dormitory corridor, leaving only the cherry blossoms on the tree, silently falling in the breeze.

Sasuke stood quietly in place for a long time before letting out a soft, knowing hum.

Chapter 98 The Strongest Death God, Old Man Yamamoto, and the Strongest Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi

Unlike the ruggedness and clamor of the Eleventh Division, the Thirteenth Division's barracks were exceptionally quiet and elegant.

A faint fragrance of grass and trees filled the air, and the sound of flowing water came from the depths of the courtyard.

Sasuke's figure appeared silently in front of the team barracks.

The two Grim Reapers on guard immediately became alert upon seeing the suddenly appearing young Grim Reaper, instinctively gripping the hilts of their swords at their waists.

"Halt! This is the 13th Division barracks. Who goes there?"

Sasuke ignored their wary looks and calmly raised his head.

"Sixth Seat of the Eleventh Division, Uchiha Sasuke."

He paused, his gaze passing over the two men and looking into the depths of the barracks. "I request an audience with Captain Ukitake."

Upon hearing this name, both guards showed expressions of surprise.

The Eleventh Division Commander?

They exchanged a glance, still puzzled as to why a commander of a combat squad would suddenly visit, but they suppressed their hostility.

After all, in Soul Society, almost no one dares to impersonate a member of the Gotei 13, as that would be tantamount to courting death.

One of them bowed slightly to Sasuke: "Please wait a moment, I will go in and inform him."

"Ah."

Sasuke gave a faint reply, then crossed his arms and leaned against the pillar by the door, waiting quietly.