Naruto: Sasuke Uchiha Returns from Soul Society

It was still that spotless white expanse, with no corpses, no Zanpakuto, and no bloodstains whatsoever.

"I see," Sasuke realized.

It's not that it doesn't exist, but rather that you yourself "can't see it."

Is it a large-scale, collective illusion?

His brows furrowed even more.

A crimson three-tomoe Sharingan quietly appeared, attempting to detect the abnormal flow of spiritual energy from the surrounding Shinigami.

But the result puzzled him even more: everyone's spiritual energy was stable, with no signs of being forcibly interfered with or thrown into chaos by external forces.

This is completely different from all the illusions he knew in terms of their principles.

"Sir?" The middle-aged squad member asked tremblingly when he saw Sasuke staring blankly at the wall.

Sasuke ignored him, understanding the situation, and his last trace of doubt vanished.

Aizen is indeed not dead.

This was a play he orchestrated himself to deceive the entire Seireitei.

He could almost picture the man hiding in some dark corner, enjoying the chaos he had orchestrated.

What was the purpose of faking death?

In order to break free from the constraints of the identity of "Captain of the Fifth Division" and secretly carry out the next plan?

Or is this play itself part of a plan, designed to stir up trouble and throw some people off balance?

Sasuke's gaze swept across the crowd subtly, taking in the expressions on everyone's faces.

Just as he was pondering, a flippant voice rang out from behind him without warning, carrying a perfectly timed hint of surprise.

"Oh my, Sasuke-kun, you're here too."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, and he slowly turned his head to the side.

Gin Ichimaru had somehow appeared behind him, his face still bearing that foxy smile, seemingly unconcerned about the commotion before him.

Sasuke didn't speak, he just looked at him calmly.

"It's really lively here."

Gin Ichimaru looked past Sasuke's shoulder and down at the commotion in the crowd. "Don't you want to go up and get a closer look?"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly.

Is this guy in league with Aizen?

The implication in his words sounded almost like the mockery of an accomplice.

But Sasuke did not refuse. He was also very curious about Aizen's purpose in putting on this show.

When Sasuke stepped onto the platform, the sight before him still stunned him for a moment.

Several vice-captain-level Death Gods were gathered there, each with a different expression.

At their center, a petite figure, as if her soul had been ripped away, was walking step by step toward the "blood-red" wall.

She is the vice-captain of the Fifth Division, Hinamori Momo.

She was trembling violently, tears streaming down her face like broken pearls, and she was unconsciously murmuring to herself.

"It's a lie... Captain Aizen... how could he possibly..."

The despair that seemed to be crushing her completely caused a fleeting hint of pity to cross Sasuke's eyes.

It wasn't out of pity.

It was because he saw a trace of his past in this woman.

And this despair stems from a lie, which is truly pathetic.

"Oh dear, why is it so noisy so early in the morning?"

Gin Ichimaru's relaxed voice rang out again, breaking the oppressive atmosphere on the high platform.

All eyes instantly turned to this uninvited guest.

Gin Ichimaru seemed oblivious to the gazes around him, tilting his head to look at the wall, his tone revealing just the right amount of surprise.

"Oh my, isn't this Captain Aizen of the Fifth Division? How did he end up hanging here? This is a momentous event."

As soon as he finished speaking, Hinamori Momo, who had been on the verge of collapse, suddenly turned around.

She stared blankly at Gin Ichimaru, at the fake smile on his face, and the warning Hitsugaya had given her the night before flashed through her mind.

Be careful of the Third Division, especially when Captain Aizen isn't around.

why?

Why is he laughing?

Captain Aizen is dead, so why can he still laugh?!

An overwhelming rage instantly consumed all of Hinamori Momo's reason.

"It's you..."

Her voice was hoarse, and her once gentle eyes were now bloodshot as she stared intently at Gin Ichimaru.

"Did you do this?! Gin Ichimaru!!!"

She let out a shrill roar and, gripping her Zanpakuto, charged towards Gin Ichimaru without regard for anything else.

However, just as her blade was about to touch Gin Ichimaru.

A figure appeared even faster, blocking her path.

"Clang!"

The clang of metal rang out, and sparks flew everywhere.

The third division lieutenant, Kira Izuru, blocked Hinamori's attack with his Zanpakuto.

"Ji Liang..."

Hinamori Momo froze, staring incredulously at her former friend. "Why? Why did you stop me?!"

"I am the vice-captain of the Third Division."

Kira Izuru lowered his head, his voice muffled, "No matter the reason, I will not allow anyone to point a knife at our captain."

"Oh my, he's so full of youthful vigor."

Gin Ichimaru still wore that foxy smile, but seemed completely uninterested in the impending internal strife.

He nodded slightly as a greeting, then turned and gracefully walked away with those light, frivolous steps.

"stop!"

A hoarse roar burst from Hinamori Momo's throat.

"Kira, please..."

She looked at the figure blocking her way, tears blurring her vision. "Get out of the way!"

Sasuke stood on the other side watching this farce, a rare hint of speechlessness flashing in his usually calm eyes.

How foolish.

He scoffed inwardly.

The guy named Kira stopped her at that moment, undoubtedly protecting her in his own way.

With Hinamori Momo's limited strength, rushing up to challenge Ichimaru Gin would be no different from a moth drawn to a flame. She had no chance of surviving.

But this woman saw this protection as an obstacle.

Because of her captain's so-called "admiration," she completely lost her judgment and turned her blade on the only comrade who tried to save her.

That's... pathetic.

Kira Izuru gripped the hilt of her sword tightly: "I can't do it, Hinamori."

"Get out of the way!"

As she watched Gin Ichimaru walk away, Momo Hinamori's reason was completely consumed by despair and rage.

If you don't move aside...

She raised her Zanpakuto high, and a surge of pure spiritual pressure erupted!

"Bounce away—Feimei!!!"

"Hinamori!" Kira's exclamation was drowned out.

The Asauchi in Hinamori Momo's hand instantly deformed, the blade became straight, and the guard also changed into a shape similar to a trident branch.

Without the slightest hesitation, he swung his sword fiercely at Kira in front of him.

A massive fireball composed of highly concentrated spiritual pressure shot out, carrying a scorching shockwave that melted the ground between the two into a charred black.

Kira Izuru's face instantly turned extremely ugly. He pushed off with his feet and jumped backward in a sorry state to avoid the fatal blow.

The fireball missed its target and slammed heavily against the solid wall behind him, creating a deafening roar and leaving a deep gash in its wake.

"Idiot! You actually unleashed your Zanpakuto in a place like this!"

Kira Izuru steadied herself, abruptly raising her head, her eyes blazing with genuine fury. "Do you even know what you're doing?!"

"Of course I know!"

Hinamori Momo's chest heaved violently, tears mingling with sweat as they streamed down her face. "All I know is that you stood in front of me!"

"Don't mix business with personal matters, Hinamori!"

"I don't!"

Hinamori Momo raised "Hibiki" again, the tip of the blade pointing at the figure that should have been her best friend, her voice trembling, "What I'm doing now is the 'official business' of the Fifth Division!"

"Avenging Captain Aizen is the only thing I, as the vice-captain, must do now!"

"you......"

Kira Izuru looked into her eyes, which were completely consumed by hatred, and knew that any words would be useless.