Naruto: Sasuke Uchiha Returns from Soul Society

If he wanted to fight to the death, even Yhwach would never have been able to kill him so easily.

But he gave up all resistance.

Because, in the instant he lost his Bankai, he suddenly became acutely aware of a terrifying truth.

That was his knife.

That's the "Broken Flame Katana".

If he were to fight back now, if he were to use his crippled body to pressure Yhwach...

Therefore, in order to finish the battle quickly, Yhwach will definitely use the Bankai that he stole.

Yamamoto Genryusai knew all too well the power of his sword.

If a Quincy who doesn't care about the fate of Soul Society were to unleash the Great Fire Sword without any restraint or scruples...

The entire Soul Society, along with the balance of the three realms, will vanish instantly under that terrifying heat.

He can't let that happen.

The old man closed his eyes, lost in thought.

Chapter 278: Heaven’s Imperial Palace

"It's over, Yamamoto Shigekuni."

Yhwach's lightsaber gleamed, swift and ruthless, tearing through the air.

But even faster than that lightsaber was a streak of silvery-white light.

"Heavenly Hand Power".

Uchiha Sasuke disappeared in mid-air, spatially teleported, and then appeared in front of Yamamoto Genryusai.

"Takemikazuchi" hovered in mid-air, blocking the descending spirit beam sword.

A violent shockwave swept outwards from the two of them, blowing away all the burning ruins around them.

"Ok?"

Yhwach felt the force from the blade, his eyes narrowed slightly, and his gaze fell on the silver-haired boy blocking his way.

"What's the point of Sasuke Uchiha saving this old man who's already lost his claws?"

His voice was soft, revealing neither joy nor anger, as he pressed the lightsaber in his hand down slightly.

"You grim reapers have suffered a crushing defeat."

Yamamoto Genryusai slowly opened his eyes and lowered his head: "How embarrassing. I never expected that you would save me."

"But you shouldn't have saved me."

"Next, Soul Society will probably have to bear the full power of my Bankai."

"Enough with the nonsense." Sasuke scoffed dismissively, not even turning his head. "He doesn't have the ability to kill someone in front of me."

While they were talking, Yhwach took a half step back, creating a relatively safe distance.

Then he turned his head and looked up at the sky.

"Hasward, why didn't you stop him?"

Haschwald descended slowly, stopping in mid-air beside Yhwach, bowing slightly, his tone respectful, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

"In my estimation, his actions just now were not enough to pose a threat to His Majesty."

"I believe it would be safer to let him come before you and let you judge him personally."

Yhwach's lips curled into a smile: "Is that so? Not enough to pose a threat to me."

"It seems you haven't made any real progress during this time, Uchiha Sasuke."

Yhwach shook his head, his tone regretful.

"To be honest, I didn't expect to be on the opposite side of you so soon."

"In my opinion, your role as a variable should only truly come into play later."

"You talk too much nonsense." Sasuke's expression remained unchanged. He reached out and clenched his fist, black flames taking shape in his hand. His eyes were mocking. "In the end, you're just afraid of me."

“Fear?” Yhwach shook his head, then chuckled. “You’re quite confident, kid.”

“I do have some concerns about you, but it’s far from being fear.”

"But since you've stepped forward and blocked my way..."

"Then let's just take care of you and Soul Society right here."

As soon as he finished speaking, Sasuke's spiritual pressure surged.

Just as tensions were rising, Haschward suddenly spoke up to remind him: "Your Majesty, it's time for our activities outside the Shadow Realm."

"Please return to the Invisible Empire."

"Hmm?" Yhwach frowned slightly. "How is that possible? There should still be time to spare."

He had precisely calculated the timing for this surprise attack.

But Hasward would never make a mistake on a matter of time.

He paused briefly, and the scene of their brief conversation in the underground abyss came to mind.

"Is that so? I see." He gave a self-deprecating snort. "Aizen Sousuke..."

"He's really an amazing guy."

He then suddenly realized what was going on.

That man, who seemed to be sealed away and had lost all ability to resist, actually interfered with my senses silently in just a few words of conversation!

He casually toyed with his own concept of "time".

This makes you mistakenly believe that you have plenty of time to stay.

"Never mind, it doesn't matter."

Yhwach quickly calmed down and did not intend to pursue this minor mistake.

Since it's time to retreat, let's make our move.

Once the protection of the Shadow Realm is lost, the army of the Unseen Empire will be in a very passive position.

"Let's go."

He sheathed his lightsaber, turned around, and faced away from Sasuke and Yamamoto Genryusai.

Hasward reached out and stabbed into the void, twisting and contorting the space, from which a large number of shadows spread.

"..."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes, a hint of surprise flashing through his mind.

They just withdrew like that?

Is it because the time for "Shadow Realm" has come?

This Quincy King is far too cautious in his actions.

"Uchiha Sasuke, you're really lucky."

Yhwach stopped in mid-air, turned his head, and glanced at Sasuke out of the corner of his eye.

"Even in times like these, they manage to survive."

"However, now is certainly not a good time to deal with you."

He raised his head, gazing up at the Soul Society sky still shrouded in dark clouds, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“I will give you, this special fellow, a death ritual befitting your status.”

Cherish the little time you have left.

Sasuke watched the thick shadows spreading from the void, watching them writhe and intertwine like living things, trying to engulf the figures of Yhwach and Haschward.

"Trying to run this way again? Did you get my permission?"

Sasuke formed a hand seal with one hand, held it upright in front of his chest, and then his eyes flashed with a brilliant golden light.

"——Misfortune day!"

An invisible and intangible terrifying power of vision instantly locked onto the writhing shadow.

"Um?!"

Yhwach froze, looking down in astonishment at his feet.

The "Shadow Realm" suddenly began to surge violently, with shadows constantly emerging in the void, attempting to form the shape of a passage.

But in the next instant, it is constantly annihilated and dissipated.

Emergence, annihilation, re-emergence, annihilation...

This brat actually managed to interfere with and block the invisible empire's spatial jump?!

"Are you still trying this futile resistance?"

Although Hasward was equally surprised by this change, he remained arrogant.

"Uchiha Sasuke, it seems you haven't come to terms with reality yet."

"You should cherish the time you still have to eke out a living, instead of doing this pointless obstruction..."

Before Haschward could finish speaking, the surrounding space began to distort violently, and everything in sight began to spin wildly.

Suddenly, pale white snowflakes began to fall.

"His Majesty?!"

Hasward turned around abruptly, only to find that there was no one around him.

The King of the Invisible Empire and the silver-haired Uchiha boy both vanished completely from his perception in that instant.

"What a strange technique..."

Hasward frowned, his eyes scanning his surroundings rapidly, trying to find traces of the two men.