Naruto: Sasuke Uchiha Returns from Soul Society

When he transforms this area into a perfect environment, he can guide the power of heaven and earth.

This is the "Qilin".

It was the strongest lightning release technique he had mastered in the ninja world.

However, in that moment of stunned silence...

A cold voice echoed through every corner of Seireitei via some kind of demonic path.

"--Emergency notice, to be conveyed to all members of the Gotei 13."

Sasuke's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"All the wise men of the Central 46th Chamber have been confirmed dead."

"Preliminary investigation has led to the preliminary conclusion that these heinous crimes were committed by the Fifth Division Captain—"

"It was done by Aizen Sousuke."

"..."

Uchiha Sasuke stood there, stunned, a rare look of speechlessness flashing across his face.

From the moment Aizen issued that illogical order to "advance the execution," the flaw was already revealed, even though it was something he deliberately showed.

But any captain with a modicum of sense could smell the conspiracy in this “hasty” action.

Without further thought, Sasuke turned around and focused his gaze on the center of the ruins.

There, a figure covered in blood lay sprawled on the ground.

The captain's haori she wore was already tattered, and the star-patterned headband and silver-white wind-flower gauze on her head had also disappeared.

Only faint breathing proved that he was still alive.

"Cough...cough cough..."

He coughed weakly, trying to lift his head, but he couldn't.

Sasuke took Indra back into his hand, which had been sent flying by the aftershocks of Kirin and was stuck diagonally in the ground.

He walked step by step toward the figure that had collapsed to the ground.

Byakuya's consciousness was already blurred, his eyes had lost focus, and he could only let out intermittent gasps from his throat.

"ended."

Sasuke's voice was very soft, and a wisp of black flame quietly rose again on the pitch-black "Indra".

However, just as he was about to deliver the final blow...

A petite figure staggered and stood in front of Byakuya Kuchiki.

"stop!"

Rukia, who had somehow emerged from the prison, spread her arms wide and stood firmly in front of Byakuya, her purple eyes filled with determination.

Sasuke's movements suddenly stopped.

Looking at the woman who had suddenly appeared in front of him, he frowned deeply.

"Get out of here."

Sasuke's voice was cold. "This is between him and me."

"Do not......"

Rukia shook her head, tears mingling with the rain, streaming down her pale cheeks. "Please, Sasuke, don't do it again..."

She looked at Sasuke, her voice trembling almost pleading, "He has already lost."

"Lost?"

Sasuke chuckled, the black flames of "Indra" in his hand pulsating even more intensely. "In my opinion, as long as you're still alive, you haven't lost."

"I'm asking you, Rukia Kuchiki."

Sasuke's voice was filled with incomprehensible confusion, "He's your brother who watched you die, why are you protecting him?"

This question made Rukia's body tremble violently.

she does not know.

She really doesn't know.

All she knew was that when that devastating lightning struck, and when she saw that always aloof figure fall so pathetically for the first time, her heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, the pain making it hard for her to breathe.

"...He is my older brother."

After a long while, Rukia finally managed to squeeze out these weak and feeble words from her throat.

"Does this kind of person even deserve to be called a big brother?"

Sasuke Uchiha's eyes turned icy cold at that moment.

Without further ado, he bypassed Rukia, raised his sword once more, and prepared to end the figure that had long since lost the ability to resist.

"don't want!!!"

Rukia Kuchiki let out a piercing scream and clung tightly to Sasuke's arm, which was about to swing his sword.

"I told you to get out of my way!"

Sasuke's patience finally ran out, and he thrust the hilt of his sword backward, preparing to shake the troublesome woman away.

However, just as the hilt of the sword was about to touch Rukia's body, a flippant voice rang out behind them without warning.

"Oh my, what a touching display of brotherly and sisterly affection."

Sasuke and Rukia froze at that moment, turning around abruptly.

On the desolate ruins, three figures had appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.

Leading the group was Aizen.

He maintained his gentle and refined demeanor, with a warm smile on his face.

Behind him, Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tosen stood quietly on either side.

"It seems I've arrived just in time."

Just then, a staggering figure appeared from a distance, following closely behind.

It's Hinamori Momo.

The vice-captain's haori was already tattered, and his face was covered in soot and tears, but his eyes were filled with the ecstatic joy of something lost and found again.

Her gaze pierced through the rain, past everyone, and locked onto the figure wearing black-rimmed glasses.

"Aizen... Captain..."

Hinamori Momo let out a whisper, her eyes, already blurred with tears, suddenly widening.

"You...you really..."

Her voice trembled with extreme excitement, "You really... didn't die..."

Aizen Sousuke slowly turned around, looked at the petite figure stumbling towards him, and softly responded.

"Yes, as you can see, he's still alive."

"Captain Aizen!"

This affirmative answer completely shattered Hinamori Momo's mental defenses. She could no longer maintain her composure and threw herself into Aizen's arms without hesitation.

"Captain Aizen... Captain Aizen..."

Hinamori buried her face deeply in Aizen's captain's haori and cried out loud, as if she wanted to release all the sadness and despair of the past few days.

Aizen didn't speak, but simply raised his hand and gently placed it on the back of Hinamori Momo's head, soothing her gently.

"Feel sorry."

Aizen's voice was soft and full of apology, "I'm sorry to have worried you."

"Captain Aizen's hands... are so big, so warm..."

Only this one thought remained in Hinamori Momo's mind.

That familiar, reassuring gentleness dispelled all the gloom in her heart.

She slowly raised her head, gazing up at the face so close to hers, her voice filled with boundless longing.

"I knew it... I knew Captain Aizen, you would never abandon me..."

"Ah."

Aizen smiled and gently wiped away the tears on her cheeks with his fingertips. "You've lost some weight. I'm so sorry to have hurt you so deeply."

"It's so great to have a subordinate like you who cares about me so much."

His voice was full of doting affection, and with his other hand, he slowly wrapped his arms around Hinamori Momo's back, pulling her into his embrace.

Then, in the gentlest tone, he whispered in her ear.

"Goodbye."

"...Huh?"

Hinamori Momo's pupils dilated slightly.

She didn't understand the meaning of those words, and simply lowered her head instinctively.

Then, she saw it.

She saw Aizen's Zanpakuto, which was piercing through her chest and protruding from her back.

Her own warm blood was still dripping from the tip of the knife.

"What...what...what......"

Hinamori Momo's pupils widened suddenly, her eyes filled with incomprehensible pain.

I wanted to look up, to see that face one more time, but all my strength had been drained away.

Aizen's face still wore that gentle smile as he slowly and gently drew the sword.

Then, she gently pushed away the body that had lost all support.