Naruto: Sasuke Uchiha Returns from Soul Society

"Oh dear, how could that be?"

Kisuke Urahara quickly waved his hand, but the smile on his face did not diminish at all. "I just wanted to understand your swordsmanship level in the most direct way, Sasuke-kun."

"After all, for a genius like you, ordinary tests are meaningless, right?"

These words sound more like a compliment.

Sasuke stopped wasting words and responded with actions.

His figure left an afterimage in place, and in the next instant, he appeared behind Kisuke Urahara, his Zanpakuto silently thrusting straight for a vital spot.

Urahara Kisuke seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. Without turning around, he simply turned his body slightly to the side, unfolded his folding fan, and gently touched Sasuke's sword.

"Ding--"

With a soft sound, Sasuke felt a subtle force travel along the blade, causing his sword to slide uncontrollably to the side, grazing Urahara's clothes.

Kisuke Urahara teased, "Oh dear, Sasuke-kun, your sword technique seems a bit off-center. Are you trying to attack the air to my left?"

Having missed his first attack, Sasuke immediately withdrew and used Shunpo again, unleashing a storm of attacks around the small circle.

But no matter how swift his attacks were, Kisuke Urahara never strayed more than a step from the circle.

The folding fan in his hand seemed to have transformed into the most graceful butterfly.

Sometimes she would lightly deflect Sasuke's thrust, and sometimes she would guide his slashes.

Every encounter was perfectly timed.

"Hmm, not bad speed, but speed alone won't get you anywhere."

These words were like sharp needles, constantly provoking Sasuke's already tense nerves.

His attacks became increasingly rapid, and his breathing began to become erratic.

why?

Why can't I kill him?!

Even though the other person was right in front of me, and I had already pushed my speed to the limit, why couldn't I even touch the hem of his clothes?!

This feeling of powerlessness fueled his growing frustration and anger.

"Shut up!"

Sasuke let out a suppressed growl, his spiritual pressure erupting from within him without reservation, and his speed increased to another level!

This was his purest strike.

However, at the very moment he drew his sword, a glint of light flashed in Kisuke Urahara's eyes, which had been half-closed.

Instead of retreating, he advanced, his fan sliding upwards along Sasuke's blade at an odd angle.

Immediately afterwards, he flipped his wrist and used the end of his fan rib to tap Sasuke's wrist, which was holding the sword, with a light but firm touch.

Sasuke felt a numbness in his wrist, and a strange vibration spread from his arm throughout his body, causing him to instantly lose control of his Zanpakuto.

"Clang!"

A crisp sound.

Sasuke's Zanpakuto flew out of his hand, arced through the air, and stuck into the rocky ground outside the circle, the blade still trembling.

Time seemed to stand still at that moment.

Sasuke stood blankly in front of the circle, still in the posture of swinging his sword, but his hands were empty.

He looked at his empty right hand, then at the smiling man in the circle.

Kisuke Urahara slowly closed his fan, gently tapped his shoulder with the fan ribs, and wore a troubled expression.

"It seems I've won this first round, Sasuke-kun."

"It's not over yet!"

Sasuke let out a low growl, the humiliation of having his weapon taken away completely robbing him of his composure.

He doesn't agree!

If a knife won't work, then use your fists!

His figure disappeared again, abandoning the attempt to retrieve his Zanpakuto. Instead, he used Shunpo to dash directly in front of Kisuke Urahara and delivered a powerful punch imbued with spiritual pressure, aiming straight for the opponent's face.

Despite Sasuke's almost sneaky punch, Kisuke Urahara still wore that calm smile.

He simply raised his left hand, seemingly casually reaching forward to meet him.

Just as Sasuke's fist was about to strike his palm, Urahara's wrist twisted strangely, completely deflecting the force of Sasuke's punch.

"Interesting physical skills."

Kisuke Urahara's voice rang in his ear, his tone carrying a hint of research, "It seems that you rely too much on brute force, resulting in too many openings."

Sasuke was terrified. He forcibly twisted his body, and his left leg, like a whip, swept towards Urahara's lower body with a whooshing sound.

However, Urahara was faster than him.

He simply took a half-step back and easily dodged the sweeping kick.

The right hand, which had been behind his back, precisely grabbed Sasuke's sweeping ankle.

"Gotcha!"

He chuckled softly, then suddenly exerted force in his arm, using Sasuke's ankle as a pivot point, pulling and twisting in the process!

Sasuke was thrown out of control and crashed heavily onto the rocky ground outside the circle.

The white-hat test is over.

This time, Sasuke didn't even have the strength to get up.

From swordsmanship to hand-to-hand combat, his speed and strength, which he was so proud of, were utterly ineffective against his opponent.

The immense shock left his mind blank.

The underground training grounds fell silent once more.

Kisuke Urahara slowly walked to Sasuke's side, looking at the boy lying on the ground, exuding an aura of resentment.

"Shall we continue?" Urahara's voice was calm.

Sasuke gritted his teeth, did not answer, and tried to prop himself up, but eventually collapsed helplessly.

Seeing his appearance, Kisuke Urahara slowly squatted down to look him in the eye.

"Uchiha Sasuke."

This was the first time he had called out his full name so earnestly.

"Your talent is very strong."

Kisuke Urahara's tone was very sincere, "Whether it's your reaction speed or your combat intuition, they far surpass those of ordinary people."

He changed the subject, his tone becoming serious.

"However, your weakness is equally fatal. Your swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat are like unorthodox methods, all show and no substance, lacking the most solid foundation."

"The speed is fast, but not fast enough, which makes all your attacks seem crude and easy to see through."

"But what's even more deadly than that is your heart."

"You are too easily affected by anxiety. The battle just now is the best proof of that."

"A person who cannot control their emotions, no matter how talented they are, will never become a true strong person."

Chapter 25 The So-Called Family

He walked to the Zanpakuto that Sasuke had dropped, and with a light tap of his toe, the hilt sprang up and he grasped it in his hand.

"Next, you will start with the most basic sword swing, until every swing of your sword is no longer mixed with any unnecessary emotions."

This suggestion instantly ignited Sasuke's suppressed anger.

He abruptly raised his head, his eyes filled with resistance and incomprehension: "The most basic sword swing? I don't have time to waste on such boring things!"

What he needs is greater power, Bankai, and the skills to kill that man, not to repeat boring basic movements like a beginner.

“See, you’re getting anxious again.” Kisuke Urahara shook his head, a “I knew it” look on his face.

This calm demeanor, ironically, left Sasuke with nowhere to vent his anger.

He threw the Zanpakuto back in front of Sasuke.

“I am not denying your determination to pursue power, but you must understand that a tower without a solid foundation, no matter how high it is built, will eventually collapse.”

Sasuke wanted to retort, but the image of being easily defeated flashed through his mind, leaving all his words stuck in his throat.

He clenched his fist, but ultimately acquiesced.

Urahara's abilities convinced him.

Respecting those who are stronger is a consensus within the Eleventh Division.

Seeing Sasuke's struggling yet resigned expression, Urahara's lips curled slightly behind his fan.

"Then let's start with free fighting."

He changed the subject and walked back into the circle, saying, "The art of slaying requires absolute tranquility, which is too early for you right now."

He casually assumed a fighting stance, yet his entire aura subtly shifted.

"Watch closely, Sasuke-kun. The essence of Hakuda is not just about attacking with fists and feet, but about subtly attaching spiritual pressure to every part of the body."

The moment he finished speaking, Kisuke Urahara took a step forward and delivered a seemingly ordinary straight punch to a nearby boulder.

There was no earth-shattering noise; his fist simply landed lightly on the rock surface.

The next second—

Sasuke's pupils suddenly contracted.

"boom!!!"

The several-meter-high boulder seemed to be detonated from within, instantly shattering into countless fragments that collapsed to the ground.

"This is the Bengquan (崩拳) technique."