Naruto: Sasuke Uchiha Returns from Soul Society

"..."

Yoruichi stared at him blankly, her mind completely empty.

She considered many possibilities: seizing power, or even colluding with Aizen...

But I never imagined it would be this answer.

Liberate the Spirit King?

This is completely different from Aizen's purpose.

Aizen's goal was to kill and replace the Soul King, who was already a mere figurehead, and to ascend the throne that had been vacant for ten thousand years.

But the boy in front of me was talking about... liberation?

They may appear similar, but their essence is completely different.

"Don't you know?"

Yoruichi Shihouin's voice turned serious, "You should have seen it in the Great Spirit Book Corridor as well. The Soul King is the 'wedge' that maintains the balance of the three realms. Once he is lost, the entire Soul Society, the Human World, and even Hueco Mundo will collapse!"

"To liberate him is tantamount to destroying the world."

However, Sasuke simply glanced down at his feet and then calmly shook his head.

"We'll figure something out when the time comes."

"The world continues to function normally even without a 'wedge,' doesn't it?"

This world? Without a wedge?

Yoruichi froze for a moment, then her breathing became rapid. She suddenly raised her head, her voice urgent.

"You mean, the world we live in now..."

She paused, as if confirming a crucial fact, "It's that other world you mentioned before?"

Sasuke nodded slightly, which was taken as acquiescence.

"I see."

Yoruichi nodded knowingly, explaining the strong sense of unease Sasuke had just experienced. "No wonder you were so exhausted just now."

Sasuke did not deny it.

"Then how does this world maintain its balance without a Spirit King as a wedge?"

If we can find the fundamental workings of this world, perhaps we can find a way to solve the balance problem of our own world.

Yoruichi stepped forward, her eyes shining brightly, and asked excitedly, "What is the cycle between souls like...?"

A barrage of questions rained down on Sasuke like a machine gun.

But Sasuke simply shook his head calmly.

"I do not know."

He turned his face away, avoiding Yoruichi's burning gaze. "However, there will be plenty of opportunities to explore in the future."

Yoruichi was somewhat disappointed, but she quickly remembered another crucial question: "Speaking of which, why did you call me here this time?"

"I remember one second I was still in Soul Society, watching you disappear into the membrane, and the next second I was pulled back by a force that was completely irresistible."

"Completely different from last time, this time I didn't even feel any 'invitation,' it was like I was being forced..."

"I need more power. I want to unleash its Bankai." Sasuke interrupted her directly, raising his hand and drawing the black "Indra" sword from his waist.

"what?"

Yoruichi's breath hitched slightly, but she immediately understood what was going on and a speechless expression appeared on her face.

"So, you went through all this trouble, making yourself half-dead, just to ask me for...?"

"Transform into a divine body." Sasuke's answer was crisp and decisive.

"..."

Yoruichi Shihouin fell completely silent.

She stared blankly at Sasuke's matter-of-fact face for a long time before speaking incredulously.

"I said, kid..."

A vein seemed to throb on Yoruichi's forehead. "Are you out of your mind? Who would carry around such a forbidden item for no reason?!"

Sasuke looked at her silently, his brow furrowing slightly, as if wondering why she had reacted so strongly.

He knew, of course, that the chances of making this request were extremely slim, but it was the only way he could think of to activate Bankai the fastest.

Seeing that Sasuke remained silent, Yoruichi sighed helplessly, just about to say something to comfort him.

But then he saw that Sasuke had already sheathed "Indra," then squatted down and pressed his still pale hand to the ground once again.

"Hey! What are you doing?!" Yoruichi's expression changed instantly.

"Dispel the summoning." Sasuke's answer was crisp and decisive.

Since there's no need to transform into a divine body, there's not much point in staying here.

"Wait! Don't do anything rash!"

She swiftly moved, firmly pressing down on Sasuke's hand as he prepared to activate the jutsu. "In your current state, if you do it again, do you want to be completely drained and turned into a dried-up corpse?!"

However, Sasuke calmly raised his head and glanced at her.

"That's none of your business."

"you......!"

Yoruichi was so angry at his stubbornness that she gritted her teeth, but she didn't dare to loosen her grip on his hand.

She took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, and her voice softened slightly.

"Alright, alright, I give up. Just let me stay a little longer and take a good look at this world."

Sasuke didn't answer immediately, but just looked at her quietly.

After a long while, he slowly spoke, his voice very soft.

"You were trying to kill me just now, weren't you?"

Yoruichi's body stiffened abruptly as she saw his calm eyes.

Sasuke continued, "When you asked me what I really wanted to do earlier..."

"Although it was only for a moment, I couldn't be wrong about that murderous aura."

A rare, extremely subtle hint of embarrassment flashed across Yoruichi's face. She gave a dry laugh and subconsciously avoided Sasuke's gaze.

"Oh dear, how could that be? I'm your teacher."

"is it?"

"Of course!"

Sasuke didn't press further, but simply watched her quietly, waiting for her to continue.

Looking at his appearance, Ye finally sighed.

She sat down cross-legged again, resting her chin on her hands, a complex light flashing in her golden eyes.

"Okay, I admit it..."

Yoruichi's voice turned low, "Before I knew what you were thinking, I did have the idea of ​​eliminating you."

"The balance of that world is too fragile. Although I also hate those old fogies in Seireitei, I'm not crazy enough to gamble with the entire Three Realms."

Sasuke listened quietly, his face remaining expressionless.

But now...

Yoruichi's lips slowly curved into a smile. "I've changed my mind."

She slowly crouched down, looking Sasuke in the eye: "I have to admit, your claim about a 'world without wedges' successfully convinced me."

Or rather...

Yoruichi Shihouin's tone became somewhat excited, "It showed me another possibility for that world."

"A world without any constraints..."

Yoruichi's voice was full of longing, "Just thinking about it makes my blood boil."

"I'm increasingly eager to stay and see for myself."

She leaned forward slightly, her pretty face slowly magnifying in Sasuke's vision. Her long purple hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and a few strands even gently brushed against Sasuke's cheek, causing a slight tickle.

"Hey, Sasuke."

Yoruichi's voice became like a cat's whim, with a lazy nasal tone, "You can't just throw a teacher who's so curious about the world back like that, can you?"

"That's too heartless."

Sasuke leaned back slightly, trying to create some distance between them.

But Yoruichi followed him again like a leech, even poking his taut chest with her index finger.

"Besides, didn't you say that your ultimate goal is to 'liberate the Spirit King'? How can such a grand plan be accomplished by you alone?"

Her voice was full of self-righteousness, "By staying, I can not only help you explore how this world works, but also become your most reliable helper. It's a sure-fire deal."

"..."

Sasuke Uchiha looked at her silently. Of course he knew that Yoruichi was right.

With her unfathomable strength and rich life experience, if she could stay here, it would be an irreplaceable asset to her future plans.

He avoided the scorching gaze, turned his head to think for a moment, and finally chose to acquiesce.

"......what ever."

"Oh dear, what a dishonest little brat."

As soon as Ye Yi saw his awkward expression, the corners of her mouth curved up even more, and she could no longer suppress her teasing urge.

Immediately afterwards, that pretty face rapidly magnified in Sasuke's vision without warning.

Sasuke felt a warm, soft touch on his cheek that was gone in an instant.