Naruto: Sasuke Uchiha Returns from Soul Society

My thoughts, however, drifted uncontrollably back to a long time ago.

That was shortly after he joined the Eleventh Division.

At that time, he was filled with murderous intent, and as usual, he was practicing his slashing techniques outside the barracks.

A gentle voice, carrying a hint of concern, came from not far away without warning.

"Are you the kid who graduated from the True Spirit Arts Academy in just one year? I heard your swordsmanship is amazing..."

That voice...

That voice, that tone, was exactly like the nightmare imprinted deep in his soul.

Sasuke's grip on the sword tightened suddenly.

"Itachi..."

He didn't even turn around to see the person's face clearly before hatred instantly overwhelmed his reason.

The knife in his hand was already crackling with lightning as he slashed fiercely towards the source of the sound.

Sasuke doesn't remember much about what happened next.

All he remembered was that his seemingly inevitable strike was easily neutralized by his opponent in an extremely clever way, without him even sensing the slightest bit of killing intent.

When I came to my senses from that rage, I saw a face that was somewhat pale due to years of poor health, and eyes as gentle as spring lake water.

That was his first meeting with Jushiro Ukitake, the captain of the 13th Division.

In a very bad and rude way.

Logically speaking, drawing a knife against a captain is a serious crime punishable by imprisonment in a maggot's nest.

Captain Ukitake simply smiled gently, as if it were nothing more than a harmless joke.

Afterwards, he not only did not pursue any responsibility for his actions, but also seemed to have forgotten about the incident. Occasionally, when they met, he would take the initiative to greet him and inquire about his cultivation progress.

even......

Sasuke's eyes darkened.

The reason I was able to get the opportunity to go to the human world to carry out a mission was not because I was part of the regular rotation of the Eleventh Division.

The Eleventh Division is a purely combat division and almost never participates in "trivial tasks" such as soul burial.

It was Captain Ukitake who, upon learning of his obsession with going to the human world, applied to the Captain-Commander under the pretext of "assisting the 13th Division," thus creating an opportunity for himself.

Otherwise, as a Shinigami of the 11th Division, he would never be able to step into the human world under special circumstances.

why?

Sasuke still can't figure it out.

Why would this man, a complete stranger to me, whom I had even attacked, show me such kindness?

He sensed a long-lost emotion from this man, an emotion he had almost forgotten.

It was a kind of tenderness that came from an older brother, asking for nothing in return.

like...

Many, many years ago, there was that older brother who would smile, carry me on his back, and gently tap my forehead with his finger...

This thought felt like a sharp stab to Sasuke's heart.

I subconsciously clenched my fist, forcibly suppressing that excess emotion back into my heart.

Just then, a series of unhurried footsteps came from inside the barracks, interrupting his thoughts.

The team member who had gone in to report earlier has reappeared at the door.

He bowed respectfully to Sasuke.

"Sasuke is the sixth seat. The captain invites you in."

......

Deep inside the 13th Division's barracks, in an elegant Japanese-style room.

Pushing open the paper door, a faint scent of incense wafted into my nostrils.

The room was simply furnished with only a low table and a few cushions.

Jushiro Ukitake knelt on the main seat of the low table, wearing a plain haori, his face still pale with a sickly pallor, his head facing the window, looking at a certain place.

"Please sit down, Sasuke-kun."

Sensing the movement, he turned his head, smiled, and gestured for Sasuke to sit down on the futon opposite him, then poured him a cup of hot tea.

Sasuke didn't stand on ceremony. He silently sat down cross-legged, gently placed the two swords beside him, and accepted the cup of fragrant tea.

There was no unnecessary small talk between the two, only the soft sound of tea leaves unfurling in the water.

Ukitake, seeing this, didn't take it to heart. He picked up his teacup, gently blew away the steam, and then broke the silence.

"I heard from the team members that Sasuke-kun just returned from the human world not long ago. Is he here specifically because of Rukia?"

Sasuke paused slightly in his teacup, raised his eyes, and nodded gently.

"Ah."

Upon seeing Sasuke's admission, Ukitake smiled slightly, as if he had misunderstood something.

"You don't need to worry too much, Sasuke."

He put down his teacup and said in a reassuring tone, "After Vice Captain Abarai returned, he gave the Captain-Commander a detailed report on everything that happened in the present world."

Ukitake paused, as if recalling something, and continued.

"Although the process was somewhat tortuous, you acted in time to kill the human who stole Rukia's power and turned his blade against the pursuit team, preventing the situation from escalating further."

He looked at Sasuke and said with certainty, "From this point of view, you are not only innocent, but also meritorious, so this matter will definitely not involve you."

It turned out to be the case.

Sasuke understood.

It seems that Renji Abarai, that red-haired idiot, in order to cover up his shame of being defeated by humans and to lessen Rukia's guilt, has shifted all the blame onto Ichigo Kurosaki.

And he himself became a hero in defeating the criminals.

Captain Ukitake, standing before him, had clearly misunderstood the purpose of his trip.

He thought he was trying to find out information because he was worried about being implicated.

Sasuke didn't pay attention and followed Ukitake's words, asking the question he was concerned about.

"If that's the case, then what about Rukia Kuchiki? Why was her sentence so severe?"

Sasuke frowned slightly. "To transfer the power of the Shinigami to humans is indeed a grave crime."

"But she is, after all, the captain of the Sixth Division and the younger sister of the head of the Kuchiki family. Based on that alone, she shouldn't be sentenced to death, right?"

Upon hearing this question, the gentle smile on Ukitake's face gradually froze.

He picked up his teacup, but didn't drink it; he just stared blankly at the tea leaves floating in the cup.

Silence fell over the room.

After a long while, Ukitake let out a sigh of confusion.

This question, too, is the source of his confusion that he has been pondering for days.

He had known Byakuya Kuchiki for many years. Although he knew that Byakuya was cold-hearted and valued rules above all else, he always believed that family members were different in his heart.

At the recent captain's meeting, he didn't even plead for Rukia, let alone defend her.

"perhaps......"

Ukitake spoke slowly, his voice tinged with weariness, "It's because of the rules, isn't it?"

"Regulations?" Sasuke frowned.

"Ah."

Ukitake nodded, as if explaining, or perhaps convincing himself, “The Kuchiki family is the head of the four noble families and the model for all Shinigami in Seireitei. As the current head of the Kuchiki family, Byakuya values ​​the rules more than anyone else.”

"Therefore, in order to uphold the dignity of the nobility and the laws of the Seireitei, he had to take the most severe stance."

These words were reasonable, but Sasuke sensed a hint of helplessness in them.

"Was the verdict of the Central 46 also based on this reason?" Sasuke continued to press.

"......Um."

Ukitake responded, his tone becoming even lower, "The Central 46 is the highest judicial body in Soul Society; their judgments are absolute."

"This time, they seem to believe that Rukia's actions have severely disrupted the balance between Soul Society and the Human World, and are extremely heinous, so..."

He didn't say anything more, but the meaning was already clear.

Sasuke remained silent.

Looking at the gentle man in front of me, and those helpless eyes.

He could sense that Ukitake wasn't lying.

But he could also sense that Ukitake hadn't told the whole story.

Sasuke didn't press the matter further, because he knew he wouldn't get any more information.

He slowly stood up and nodded slightly to Ukitake.

"I understand."

"Thank you for clearing up my doubts."

After saying that, he didn't linger and turned to leave the elegant Japanese-style room.

Just as he was about to pull open the paper door.

"Wait, Sasuke-kun."

Ukitake's voice came from behind without warning.

Sasuke paused slightly, quietly waiting for what was to come.

"The verdict of the Central 46th Bureau is absolute."