Naruto: Sasuke Uchiha Returns from Soul Society

"Then how did you beat him?" Kuchiki Byakuya's cold voice rang out, voicing the question on everyone's mind.

I didn't win.

Sasuke's gaze swept over everyone present, finally settling on the Captain-Commander.

"Perhaps because his body could not withstand the immense power of his first release, he collapsed on his own."

Sasuke paused for a moment before giving his final conclusion.

"I'm only here temporarily to assume the role of captain and attend this meeting."

The council chamber fell into a deathly silence.

All the team captains were processing this overwhelming amount of information.

Kenpachi Zaraki has learned his Shikai.

The boy in front of us, who was only fifteen years old, not only forced Kenpachi to use his Shikai during the battle, but also survived afterward.

They found it hard to believe that Kenpachi had been forced to use his Shikai, because no one had ever done that before.

"How did you do that?" Soi Fon's icy voice broke the silence.

Her eyes were filled with scrutiny and incomprehension.

"Swastika."

Sasuke paused, looking at the faces filled with shock, and added, "My Bankai is just the right counter to him."

"Bankai?"

A knowing glint flashed in Captain-Commander Yamamoto's cloudy eyes.

He nodded slowly.

If it's specifically designed to counter Kenpachi's Bankai, then it can be explained to some extent.

He didn't ask for more details, but simply tapped the ground lightly with his cane.

"Since you're only temporarily taking over as captain, then stand where you're supposed to be."

An aged voice echoed in the council chamber.

"Uchiha Sasuke."

Sasuke nodded and stood next to Kaname Tosen, the captain of the Ninth Division.

He was pondering what kind of emergency required the chief commander to summon all the captains.

Was it for the execution of Rukia?

Or has Yoruichi and the others arrived?

Just as Sasuke was pondering, the huge chrysanthemum-patterned wooden door was slowly pushed open once again.

The newcomer was wearing a pure white captain's haori, with wide sleeves that almost completely concealed his hands.

Her short silver hair reflected a cold luster in the light, and she always wore a fox-like smile, her eyes narrowed into slits.

They walked very slowly, with light, unsteady steps, as if strolling in their own backyard.

The captain slowly opened his tightly closed eyes.

"Are you here?"

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's voice remained authoritative, "Third Division Captain, Ichimaru Gin."

"Oh dear, that really startled me."

The man known as "Gin Ichimaru" stopped and looked around, his tone carrying just the right amount of surprise. "What's wrong? Isn't it a bit much to suddenly call me here?"

His gaze swept across the faces of the captains, finally lingering a moment longer on Sasuke's unfamiliar face.

"It is a great honor to have all the captains who manage Soul Society gathered here for me."

Gin Ichimaru bowed slightly, performing a seemingly respectful but actually perfunctory greeting, then tilted his head as if he had suddenly noticed something.

"But... the captain of the 13th Division doesn't seem to be here. What happened to him?"

"Captain Ukitake has taken sick leave due to illness," Captain Tosen Kaname of the Ninth Division replied coldly.

"Is it not ready yet?"

Gin Ichimaru's surprise seemed to deepen, and his tone was full of concern, "Then please ask him to take good care of himself."

This affected act caused Sasuke to furrow his brow almost imperceptibly.

"Stop playing the monkey trick, Gin Ichimaru."

A hoarse voice rudely interrupted him, "You don't actually think we were gathered here just to gossip like this, do you?!"

Mayuri Kurotsuchi stared intently at Gin Ichimaru, making no attempt to conceal his malice.

"Didn't you take matters into your own hands and go to deal with those wandering monsters? And you even let them get away."

Travel disaster.

Upon hearing this word, Sasuke's eyes flickered slightly.

This is the Soul Society's general term for those outside souls that illegally invade.

So it must be Yoruichi and Ichigo who have arrived.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi's smile grew increasingly sinister, and his voice suddenly became accusatory: "With your strength, this shouldn't be the case, right?"

This question caused the air in the entire council chamber to freeze.

"Oh?"

Gin Ichimaru's smile remained unchanged, but the slits in his narrowed eyes seemed to have become even narrower. "Captain Kurotsuchi, are you saying that I deliberately let them escape?"

“That’s exactly what I meant,” Mayuri Kurotsuchi retorted without any politeness.

"Here we go again, the pointless argument of a few stupid old men."

On the other side, Hitsugaya tilted his head to one side and let out an impatient groan.

"Oh dear, oh dear, you're so full of youthful vigor." Kyoraku Shunsui pulled the brim of his straw hat even lower.

"quiet!"

The captain slammed his cane heavily on the ground. "What kind of behavior is this, arguing in the council chamber!"

Captain-Commander Yamamoto slowly opened his eyes and fixed them on Gin Ichimaru.

"The reason for asking you to come has already been communicated to you beforehand."

"This time, you acted alone without any orders and failed to capture the target. As the captain, this behavior is extremely inappropriate."

"So, do you have anything to say in your defense?"

The entire council chamber was completely silent.

All eyes were focused on the silver-haired man who still maintained a smile.

"Oh dear..."

Gin Ichimaru scratched his short silver hair as if in some trouble, and his eyes, which had been squinting, curved even more.

"I have nothing to say."

This answer surprised all the team captains present.

The captain's eyes narrowed, and a dangerous glint appeared in his voice: "What did you say?"

"I have nothing to say in my defense."

Gin Ichimaru shrugged, bowed slightly, and said in a very humble manner, "This was indeed my oversight, and I will not make excuses for myself."

"So, no matter what punishment they want to give me, I will..."

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Just then, a sharp and piercing alarm sounded out of the room without warning, interrupting his words.

"Emergency alert! Emergency alert!"

A voice, a messenger of death, echoed through the air above the barracks via some kind of amplified demonic channel: "Intruders detected in Seireitei! Repeat, intruders detected!"

"All teams, please return to your respective defensive positions immediately!"

"Intruder?"

Aizen Sousuke adjusted his glasses, a hint of surprise in his voice.

"It must be those traveling disasters." Hitsugaya Toshiro frowned, muttering to himself, a hint of seriousness flashing in his emerald eyes.

For some reason, he had a very ominous feeling.

There's no other way.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto slowly stood up, slammed his cane down heavily, and gave his final order.

"The captain's meeting is temporarily adjourned! We will notify you later regarding the handling of Gin Ichimaru!"

"All teams, return to the courtyard immediately and take your positions!"

"Yes!"

The captains responded in unison and turned to leave.

Uchiha Sasuke didn't linger either. He only glanced subtly in the direction of Ichimaru Gin as he turned around before following the crowd and preparing to leave.

Aizen's steps suddenly stopped, right next to Gin Ichimaru.

"The alarm, it really knows how to pick its timing." Aizen's voice was soft, but the gentle smile on his face disappeared.

"Huh? Captain Aizen, I don't quite understand what you mean." Gin Ichimaru tilted his head, his smile unchanged.

"Do you think you can get away with this?"

Aizen didn't look at him again, his voice carrying a faint warning, "You'd better... not underestimate me."

Having said that, he didn't linger and started walking.

Gin Ichimaru, however, maintained his foxy smile as he watched him leave.

This brief exchange was witnessed by Sasuke and Toshiro Hitsugaya, who happened to be walking at the back.