Naruto: Sasuke Uchiha Returns from Soul Society

But without it, he has no way to stabilize the world.

"And what about you?"

Hyosube Ichibei looked at Sasuke, his own honest face reflected in Sasuke's Rinnegan eyes, and his voice was full of expectation, "Young man from another world, how do you plan to solve this problem?"

Sasuke raised his head, his purple Rinnegan eyes calm and still, and he did not answer immediately.

Instead, he turned his gaze to the magnificent palace that imprisoned Wedge, and after a long while, he slowly spoke.

"My path is yet to be formed."

This unexpected answer caused Aizen to raise an eyebrow slightly.

"But there's one thing I'm sure of."

Sasuke's voice was soft, yet resolute: "My world needs no wedges in the name of sacrifice."

Hyosube Ichibei paused for a moment upon hearing this, then burst into laughter.

"Good! Well done, no wedge needed!"

He hoisted the enormous brush back onto his shoulder, his face full of approval. "What a remarkable answer! Well then, let me show you the true form of the Spirit King!"

Ichibei turned around and gestured for the two to follow.

Ahead lies a long, cloud-covered staircase leading to the Spirit King's Palace.

However, Nimaiya Oetsu, who was standing to the side, was circling around Sasuke, his attention completely drawn to the long, black sword at Sasuke's waist.

"Hey, monk." Wang Yue was speaking to Ichibei, but his eyes were fixed on Sasuke's waist. "This is really unreal."

"All the 'Asauchi' swords in the entire Soul Society were made by me. I even have backup records of the ancient blades that those noble families hoard. But this one..."

He suddenly moved closer to Sasuke, his nose almost touching Indra's scabbard.

"This pitch-black thing is rejecting me. Not only was it not crafted by me, but deep within its soul, it exudes an aura that does not belong to this world at all."

“Its name is Indra,” Sasuke said calmly. “It is me, and I don’t need to be created by anyone.”

Wang Yue was not angry because of this cold attitude.

On the contrary, there was a certain fervor in my heart.

"Young man, you now possess two knives, but you should be able to sense that although they are in your hands, their power is canceling each other out at certain key points."

"What do you want to say?" Sasuke asked coldly.

"Give them to me!"

Wang Yue spread his arms wide, his tone impassioned, "With my skills, I can help you reforge these two swords and combine them into one!"

"I will forge for you a blade unlike any ever seen in this world! What do you think? This is an evolution that can only be achieved in my hands!"

Ichibei stopped and turned back to look at Sasuke with great interest.

Sasuke silently looked down at the two Zanpakuto at his waist.

To merge the two into one?

That certainly represents a greater power.

But if we hand them over to this unknown member of the Zero Division to forcibly fuse them, can we really control the outcome?

In Sasuke's view, this kind of evolution led by others is not fundamentally different from Orochimaru's pursuit of physical transformation.

In essence, it still means entrusting a part of one's fate to others.

"No need."

Sasuke spoke, his hands resting firmly on the hilts of the two swords.

"My path doesn't need anyone else to help me merge it."

"I will make further plans based on my own thoughts in the future."

"Now, let's go see the Spirit King."

Wang Yue opened her mouth, but the fervor on her face was immediately dampened.

He stroked his chin with a hint of regret, muttering, "What a stubborn brat, what a waste of talent, he really has no soul."

"Hehe..." Hyosube Ichibei let out a short laugh.

“Everyone has the right to decide the appearance of the knife in their hand. Since the young man has already made his choice, Wang Yue, you should leave it alone.”

Chapter 208 Spirit King: I saw your sun-like radiance in another world.

After passing through the last long staircase in the clouds, what appeared before everyone was the last Lingfan Li Palace.

It was an ancient shrine-style building full of wabi-sabi beauty, with black tiles and white walls, a simple structure, yet exuding a rustic charm that was as serene as heaven and earth in its details.

The other few minor detainees, regardless of their numbers, at least had some life in them.

This place seemed to consist only of "black and white," lifeless and gloomy. Based on its features, it was not difficult to determine that this was a monk's detached hall.

The monk stopped in front of the main hall, scratching his bald head with a simple and honest look on his face.

"Uchiha Sasuke."

"Hmm?" Sasuke responded calmly.

"Do you know why I went through all this trouble before finally bringing you to see the Spirit King?" the monk asked with a kind expression.

Sasuke's gaze swept over the desolate shrine, and he continued the previous topic, saying, "What is it for? Could it be that, like before, there is some training I need to complete here?"

"Cultivation?" Upon hearing this, the monk tilted his head, then smiled. "You no longer need to cultivate here."

"In fact, whether it's spiritual pressure, swordsmanship, demonic arts, or Zanpakuto..."

He counted on his thick fingers, one by one, and finally spread his hands, "You are already very mature. If you want to take another step forward, it is not something that can be done overnight. And we don't have that much time to wait for you."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow; the high praise from the other party was somewhat beyond his expectations.

"So, what exactly is the reason?"

"Because you have one more thing to do." The monk held up a finger, and his usually half-closed eyes opened wide at this moment, looking somewhat sincere. "Lord Spirit King wants to see you in person."

"..."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes slightly.

This answer is not surprising.

If even monks can discover their own unique qualities, then others can too.

If those records about the "Spirit King" are true, then this guy, who is the cornerstone of the world, must also know his own special status.

"I understand," Sasuke replied softly, accepting the answer.

Looking at Sasuke's calm demeanor, the monk's curiosity deepened: "Lord Spirit King once prophesied that although your existence is the biggest variable, it will not affect the balance of the three realms."

"Based on my limited understanding of you, I am willing to believe that you will not be like Yhwach a thousand years ago."

"Yhwach?" Sasuke frowned; it was yet another name he'd never heard of.

The monk offered no explanation, seemingly unwilling to dwell on the topic. Instead, he brought his enormous head closer to Sasuke, his eyes widening even further.

"You should have heard that every member of our Zero Division has created something for Soul Society."

He spoke of this with considerable pride and self-satisfaction.

"Hmm." Sasuke nodded slightly.

Sasuke nodded slightly without speaking, the introduction Yoruichi had given him already flashing through his mind.

Zanpakuto, Shinigami robes, Gitsu no Mi...

“But I am different from them.”

Hyosube Ichibei straightened his back, put his hands on his hips, and said, "What I created for this world is not a specific thing."

"It is a concept."

He pointed a finger in the air, his voice full of self-satisfaction, "Name."

"In the beginning of the Three Realms, there was no distinction between chaos and all things were nameless. It was I who gave all things in this world their true names."

"And so, I know the names of everything in this world, including the name of every Zanpakuto."

"Whether it's the initial release or the deeper Bankai."

“I know everything perfectly well.”

The monk continued, hands on his hips, his tone still proud and self-satisfied: "This old man is managing this world for Lord Spirit King."

Suddenly, his tone shifted abruptly, and his eyes filled with confusion.

"But strangely..."

"My ability is only ineffective on you."

The monk's gaze fell on the long, jet-black sword at Sasuke's waist, and he pointed at it.

“I know the name of your knife; it’s Indra.”

"But strangely, I can't see its true name after its 'Bankai'."

“You are the only exception I have ever encountered since I took control of the true name in this world.”

Hyosube Ichibei leaned forward and sized up Sasuke. "Even if you come from another world, as long as you exist within this Three Realms, you should be known to me."

"But you didn't."

"So, what exactly is going on with you?" His voice held a pleading tone. "Why do you possess such an ability?"

"Can you tell me?"

Faced with this curious question, Sasuke calmly met his gaze, and after a while, smiled gently.

"Can I interpret your statement as a request based solely on your personal curiosity, rather than an order from the Spirit King?"

Hyosube Ichibei nodded, which was taken as tacit agreement.

Sasuke shook his head, answering decisively: "I refuse."

The monk showed no change in expression or movement, as if this answer was already within his expectations.