Naruto: Sasuke Uchiha Returns from Soul Society

The giant tortoise's voice became somewhat ethereal, as if it were talking to itself, "Has my power declined to the point that even they can no longer sense it after it was devoured by that tree?"

He slowly shook his head.

"It's not your fault," Sasuke said calmly.

He knew that it wasn't because the giant tortoise's power had declined, making it unable to sense those souls, but because after that "war," the world had gained a place large enough to accommodate all the souls of the dead.

A cage called "Pure Land".

And the person who created this cage must be...

"The Sage of Six Paths..."

Sasuke silently repeated the name in his heart, his eyes becoming deep.

This legendary figure, like an omnipresent ghost, has shrouded the world's history for thousands of years.

What kind of person is he?

If only we could speak with him face to face, if only we could learn from him the method of creating a "Pure Land"...

Could it also solve the already rigid "soul cycle" system in another world?

perhaps......

"Ugh."

Sasuke sighed inwardly, forcibly suppressing those thoughts back into his heart.

That's it.

That world is ultimately too far away.

In comparison, it is this already decaying world that needs to be rebuilt.

He had obtained all the answers he wanted, and the stone tablets and scrolls he had plundered from Kirigakure had become worthless.

And it's time to leave.

Sasuke nodded slightly to the giant beast before him, preparing to withdraw from this sea of ​​consciousness.

"Human brat."

Just then, the giant tortoise's voice rang out again.

Sasuke paused slightly.

"If you have time, come back and chat with this old man again."

The giant tortoise's voice carried a barely perceptible hint of anticipation: "It has been far too long, far too long since there has been anyone who can speak to me."

"......Um."

Sasuke responded softly, which was taken as acquiescence, and his consciousness receded from this space like the tide.

Watching the disappearing figure, the giant tortoise let out a long sigh.

After a long while, he slowly sank the island-like head back into the darkness.

"I hope... this era can have a different ending."

In the real world, Uchiha Sasuke slowly opened his eyes.

"It seems Sasuke-kun is done." Orochimaru walked over with unhurried steps.

Kabuto Yakushi stood quietly under a tree not far away.

They had clearly emerged from the real waterfall, but Sasuke felt a completely different sensation than before.

It's like finding some kind of answer, and no longer feeling lost.

Is it because of that waterfall?

Sasuke's gaze swept over him briefly, then he paid him no further attention.

Orochimaru didn't seem to care about Sasuke's indifferent expression.

"Now that Sasuke-kun has finished his training, where should we go next?"

“The original plan was to find Naruto and decipher those scrolls,” Sasuke said calmly. “But now, there’s no need for that anymore.”

He obtained a truth from the giant tortoise that was far closer to the essence than what was recorded in the scroll.

"Oh?" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "So, Sasuke-kun has a new target?"

"Go and capture the remaining tailed beasts." Sasuke's voice was calm.

"That's a good idea."

Orochimaru licked his lips, approving of the plan. "However, we've been adrift at sea for so long, yet we haven't even found a trace of that Six-Tails Jinchuriki."

Sasuke frowned slightly, turned his head to the side, and sank his consciousness into the sealed space within his body.

The Nine-Tails, pinned to the ground, stiffened abruptly the moment it sensed Sasuke's will descending. Even its nine tails, which had been thrashing about, instinctively curled up.

"Hey, fox." Sasuke's voice echoed deep within its soul, "Did you sense the Six-Tails' presence at sea earlier?"

"..."

Yin Jiuwei's beastly eyes darted around, intending to habitually offer a few perfunctory words.

But then, it seemed to recall the miserable scene of itself being chopped to a crisp not long ago, and the huge fox's body subconsciously shuddered.

"...No." Kurama's voice came muffledly, full of reluctance. "That guy's aura has never appeared."

"Why didn't you say so before?" Sasuke's voice turned cold.

"......snort."

Nine-Tails grinned, her voice full of smugness, "You didn't ask before."

The moment the words left its mouth, it regretted them.

Above the once calm sky, the blood moon shone brightly once more, and countless black lightning bolts surged within the dark clouds.

Fortunately, Sasuke seemed too lazy to bother with it anymore, and just snorted coldly before his consciousness left his body.

"..."

Yin Jiuwei stared blankly at the sky that had returned to calm, a look of bewilderment at surviving a catastrophe appearing on the giant fox's face.

in reality.

Sasuke withdrew his consciousness and calmly said to Orochimaru, "In that case, let's go capture the other tailed beasts."

Orochimaru looked at Sasuke, his smile becoming even more playful. "Since Sasuke-kun has made his decision, I have a good suggestion."

"Gaara of Sunagakure, the Jinchūriki of the One-Tailed Beast."

“That kid’s strength isn’t that great. Plus, Sunagakure has just suffered a crushing defeat in the ‘Konoha Crush Plan,’ with the Kazekage killed in action. The village’s leadership is in a state of flux, and they are at their weakest right now.”

Orochimaru's snake-like eyes gleamed with calculation. "Now is the easiest time for us to succeed."

Sasuke pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly.

"can."

With the plan set, the three of them didn't linger any longer. With a few flashes, they disappeared into the forest.

On their way out, Orochimaru walked side by side with Sasuke, seemingly casually glancing at Sasuke's waist.

"Speaking of which, Sasuke-kun, I'm a little curious."

He licked his lips, making no attempt to hide the greed in his eyes. "Just now, the knife you tried to create with that eye..."

"Is it the same thing as the knife you're using now?"

Chapter 176 Zero Squad

"Just now, was the knife you tried to create with that eye the same thing as the knife you've always used?"

Orochimaru refers to the illusionary Zanpakuto that Sasuke briefly conceived outside the real waterfall to test his Mangekyou Sharingan abilities.

Sasuke calmly turned his head to the side, looking at Orochimaru with some surprise.

Is this guy trying to subtly get me to "create" a Zanpakuto for him too?

Sasuke saw through his thoughts, but didn't expose him immediately, simply replying, "Yes."

He then added, "They're all the same, they're all Zanpakuto."

"Zanpakuto..."

Orochimaru repeated the name he was hearing for the first time in a low voice, his snake eyes shining even brighter.

“What a beautiful name.” He licked his lips excitedly, praising it sincerely, then changed the subject, his voice carrying a hint of pleading.

"Speaking of which, Sasuke-kun, I've already gained some understanding of those two techniques you taught me before. The way that power is used is indeed completely different from chakra, and it's full of unique charm."

He looked at Sasuke and finally revealed his true purpose, "So, could you also create a Zanpakuto for me, so that I can study this unique sword more deeply?"

This question made even the pharmacist Kabuto, who was standing nearby, instinctively hold his breath.

"can."

To their surprise, Sasuke readily agreed.

This answer surprised Orochimaru slightly.

He had expected to spend even more time persuading Sasuke, and had even prepared himself for rejection, since he no longer had any bargaining chips that could interest Sasuke.

"But not now."

"Why?" Orochimaru asked instinctively.

Seeing Orochimaru's astonished expression, Sasuke added, "I don't know how Zanpakuto are forged, nor do I understand their internal structure."

He raised his hand and gently brushed it across his left eye.

"Forcing myself to conceive and create something beyond my comprehension without understanding the underlying principles would consume a tremendous amount of my eye power."

As he said this, his heart sank suddenly.

Although the feeling was vague and almost imperceptible, Sasuke knew it wasn't an illusion.

After using the kaleidoscope, my eyesight did indeed decline in an extremely slow but irreversible way.