Shinigami in the Ninja World (Re-upload)

The Vice-Captain of the 5th Division, Sosuke Aizen, was widely recognized by the students of the Shin'o Academy as the kindest, most patient, and most compassionate of the captains.

But what did he mean by that comment?

Hatred…

"Vice-Captain Aizen, I'm not sure I understand what you're talking about," Sasuke said, shaking his head slightly.

Aizen adjusted his glasses with a gentle push. "Is that so?"

"You don't have to be so guarded with me, Sasuke. Though I'm a captain, I also came from Rukongai," he said, pausing as his gaze rested on Sasuke's calm face. "I understand how harsh life there can be."

After a moment, he smiled softly. "Perhaps I was a bit forward."

"But…"

"Sasuke, you're quite an impressive prodigy and mature for your age."

"If you ever need anything or find yourself in difficulty, you're welcome to seek my help."

With that, Aizen turned and walked away, leaving both minds—one large and one small—churning with thoughts.

Sasuke frowned.

Hatred?

Was he that obvious?

He hadn't shared his thoughts with anyone in the Soul Society, so how had even a captain who rarely visited the Academy picked up on it?

What a mess.

Aizen's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

As a recently appointed captain, he was privy to some baffling facts.

These facts had inspired some very intriguing ideas in his mind.

But to execute them…

He'd need a few useful tools.

This was why, even after finishing his teaching duties at the Shin'o Academy, he stayed closely connected with the school, hoping to discover "gems."

The established members of the Gotei 13 weren't what he was looking for.

Those who'd been through experiences had rigid thinking. Their resources weren't yet worth the effort it would take to break down their mental walls.

As for captains with enough skill…

It would simply be too dangerous to make a move on them.

New "gems" were ideal—ones that could be shaped to serve his purpose.

Sasuke Uchiha was the first such gem he'd found.

Talented, with hatred in his heart… and just the right mix of ambition and youth. A target like this, with strength still developing and dreams still forming, would be easy to mold.

Yet there was something strange…

He couldn't quite pinpoint the source of Sasuke's hatred.

Did he despise the Shinigamis?

No—the mention of Shinigamis hadn't caused any change in his expression.

Was it the nobility?

No, that wasn't it either. When he'd intentionally hinted at his own background as a commoner, Sasuke didn't show any hint of solidarity. In fact, his demeanor suggested he placed himself above the status of a commoner.

So what was it that he hated?

Could it be something from the world of the living?

If so, that would complicate matters. Sasuke had never discussed his life in the world of the living, and his slightly unusual accent, along with his strict, predictable routines, made it difficult to guess where he might be from.

But that was a positive sign.

Sasuke was a determined young man with a firm sense of purpose.

This meant…

If given the chance, he would surely pursue his vengeance.

For a Shinigami to kill a human would be a grave sin.

It would serve as an effective "rein," a tool to guide and control him.

…

A year flew by.

Just as the teachers had predicted, Sasuke's year was more than enough for him to master everything covered over six years at the Shin'o Academy.

He trained for Soul Burials alongside the upperclassmen.

There were a few minor incidents, but nothing out of the ordinary. Just some issues with the Senkaimon malfunctioning—the part in the Soul Society was in poor condition, some parts were damaged, and the 12th Division spent an entire night repairing it, forcing the students to stay in the world of the living for an extra day.

During that time, a conflict broke out between a few students, and even the two upperclassmen ended up in a brawl.

If Sasuke hadn't intervened, their fight would have likely involved the lower-year students as well.

At the graduation ceremony.

As the Academy's most talented and youngest student, Sasuke enjoyed certain privileges. With the exception of the 1st and 4th Divisions, the remaining eleven Divisions extended offers to recruit him.

In addition to the captains of Divisions 10 and 13, all other captains personally attended the ceremony.

The 10th Division had no captain at the moment, so they couldn't send a representative, while the 13th Division's captain was unwell, so only their lieutenant could attend.

Students from the Shin'o Academy, and even the younger instructors, looked on with envy at Sasuke Uchiha, who stood there, shining before the captains like a star.

Everyone understood the 1st and 4th Divisions' absence—they knew why those two divisions hadn't extended an invitation to Sasuke.

It had been a long time since the Academy had seen a talent like this.

Aizen narrowed his eyes, observing Sasuke.

The disturbance during the soul burial was his doing. The Senkaimon's malfunction and the tensions among the upperclassmen had all been carefully orchestrated to give Sasuke an opening, yet he hadn't taken any action.

Was it because the distance was too great?

Or…

Had he deemed it an insufficient opportunity, too risky, perhaps, and thus chose to wait for a more favorable, discreet moment?

If so, he had incredible self-control.

An admirable trait in a recruit.

"It's surprising to see so many people here," said Ginrei Kuchiki, Captain of the 6th Division, glancing around. "How unexpected. Even Vice-Captain Aizen is here. I thought I'd be the only old man here personally."

Standing next to him, Shinji Hirako chuckled and gestured toward the man behind him. "Even if the other captains hadn't come, Captain Kuchiki, I doubt you'd be alone."

"Aizen's popularity among the students is exceptionally high."

"Barring any surprises, it's likely Uchiha will join us in the 5th Division."

The 6th Division had the least interest in Academy students, as most of its members were from noble families.

The only reason Ginrei himself had come…

Was because his preferred son-in-law candidate had encountered trouble, his own son was unfit to become captain, and his grandson, while having talent in spiritual pressure, had yet to show other promising abilities. He needed a reliable talent to shield his grandson from potential harm.

"Sasuke is different from other young people," Aizen countered with a polite smile, calmly disagreeing with his fellow captain. "I doubt he'll choose the 5th Division."

"Oh?" Ginrei shook his head, clearly not convinced.

Shinji let out a lazy laugh. "So little faith in your own charm?"

"If that's the case, why even invite me here?"

"One can never be too careful." Aizen's voice was soft. "Such talent—who wouldn't want it?"

"Where do you think Sasuke will go?" Shinji asked, leaning forward inquisitively.

Aizen Sosuke glanced thoughtfully toward the last seat where the 13th Division's lieutenant, Kaien Shiba, was sitting. "I believe Sasuke will choose the 13th Division."

"Captain Ukitake's division?" Shinji Hirako raised his eyebrows in surprise, and the others seemed equally puzzled.

Among all the divisions, the 13th Division was the least likely option.

After all, how could a lieutenant compete with captains?

As the captains whispered among themselves, Yoruichi Shihōin strode up to Sasuke, stopping in front of him. "Sasuke Uchiha, how would you like to join the 2nd Division?"

"You seem quite suited for it."

Sasuke looked up at the tall, spirited, dark-skinned woman.

"When you were in Rukongai, you operated as a ninja, didn't you?" Yoruichi asked, her hands on her hips. "I reviewed surveillance footage from that time and observed your movements."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed.

Surveillance?

Had he been monitored the entire time? He hadn't sensed it at all.

"Your techniques were a bit raw, and you lacked experience, but you have a solid foundation," Yoruichi continued. "I also reviewed your academy records. You excelled, particularly in the practical courses."

"The 2nd Division focuses heavily on fieldwork, and in that area, we're unparalleled among the Gotei 13."

She leaned closer, a sly smile on her face. "Do you want to become a captain?"

"I'm not talking about any division captain…"

"I mean the 2nd Division."

Sasuke didn't respond, sensing that Yoruichi's mention of the captaincy carried a weight of its own.

"It's hard to explain in this setting," she said with a knowing smile. "But believe me, it's no small responsibility."

Sasuke replied in a low voice, "And if I agree, what will I gain?"

"What do you want?" Yoruichi asked, looking him straight in the eye.

"To grow stronger," Sasuke replied without hesitation.

Yoruichi raised an eyebrow, looking both amused and challenged. "A vague answer, but…"

"I have one of the smartest men in all of Soul Society by my side, and the resources of the Shihōin family. Does that sound tempting?"

Sasuke remained silent.

Yoruichi ruffled his hair, her tone playful. "Are you waiting for a better offer?"

"Fine by me."

"Just remember, what I've promised won't change." She waved and walked away.

One by one, other division leaders approached, each making their own "offers."

After Kaien Shiba finally left, Sasuke thought it over.

The best offer by far was from the 2nd Division, though the "weighty responsibility" Yoruichi mentioned left him cautious.

Something that even a high-ranking noble like Yoruichi Shihōin considered "burdensome"… Was he, a new graduate, capable of handling it?

Another intriguing proposal came from Aizen, who hadn't offered any specific rewards but extended an open invitation to seek his help anytime.

What was he after?

There was little time to dwell on these thoughts—strength was the priority. Sasuke made his decision and walked over to Yoruichi.

"Captain Shihōin, I'll be in your care." Sasuke bowed respectfully.

A heavy responsibility… No matter the cost, it was worth it if it made him stronger.

Yoruichi smirked, nodding. "Uchiha, I can't say if this is the right choice, but it'll certainly be the most interesting—and the most challenging."

Sasuke raised his head. "Captain Shihōin, I'll hold you to your promise."

...

At the 2nd Division Barracks

In the captain's office, Kisuke Urahara looked at Yoruichi. "You're really going through with this?"

"Since you're not interested, I'll have to consider someone else," Yoruichi replied, sitting cross-legged on her desk. "Lucky for me, this Uchiha is far better suited than you."

Kisuke sighed. "Did you explain it to him?"

"I only hinted at the 'weighty responsibility' but didn't go into detail," she replied, smiling. "It was a graduation ceremony, Kisuke. How could I reveal my plans with so many people around?"

At that moment, the door opened.

A short-haired girl led Sasuke, now dressed in the stealth uniform of the Onmitsukidō, into the room.

"Captain Shihōin, Sasuke Uchiha has arrived," the girl said, kneeling respectfully, almost reverently.

Yoruichi raised her hand. "Looks good. He's got the right spirit."

She glanced at Kisuke. "See? Much sharper than you."

Kisuke nodded, resigned. "Yes, yes, Yoruichi-sama is always right."

Sasuke looked over at Kisuke.

This man seemed unremarkable, but his speech hinted at a sly, mocking tone. He was clearly the "brilliant mind" that Yoruichi had mentioned earlier.

After sending the girl away, Yoruichi turned to Sasuke. "Now that we have some privacy, I can tell you more about that 'heavy responsibility.'"

"What do you know about the 2nd Division?"

"Only what I read in textbooks."

The 2nd Division was shrouded in secrecy. Rumors circulated about every other division, but the 2nd Division remained enigmatic.

"I'll explain, then," Yoruichi said, leaning back. "The 2nd Division handles assassinations, infiltration, and covert investigations—primarily internal investigations. Our job is to eliminate any dangerous elements or destabilizing factors within the ranks."

Sasuke nodded thoughtfully. That sounded… a lot like the ninja profession. No wonder she'd said he was suited for it.

Yoruichi paused, her expression serious. "The 2nd Division is unique among the Gotei 13. Two divisions are led by noble families. The 6th Division is overseen by the Kuchiki family, and the 2nd Division by the Shihōin family. However, unlike the 6th Division, the 2nd Division also controls another group called the Onmitsukidō, which typically operates alongside it."

She leaned forward, her expression intense. "In other words, until recently, there technically wasn't a 2nd Division at all. I'm currently restructuring things to integrate the Onmitsukidō into the 2nd Division."

Sasuke's eyes widened as he looked at Yoruichi with newfound respect.

To his surprise, the brash, easygoing woman before him was working on something of this magnitude. She was essentially surrendering her family's monopoly on the division to the Gotei 13.

"This involves complicated matters that I can't disclose yet," Yoruichi said, chuckling. "But… if you still want to take this on after hearing the whole story, I might just let you in on more details."

Sasuke nodded.

Yoruichi continued, "Even with these reforms, it's only a temporary solution. As long as the Shihōin family remains in control of the 2nd Division, it's only a matter of time before it reverts to being the Onmitsukidō. That's why… I need someone outside the Shihōin family to become the 2nd Division captain."

She pointed at Kisuke. "Initially, I'd hoped he'd take the position, but he'd rather avoid the hassle."

Kisuke chuckled awkwardly.

"You, however, showed up just at the right time," Yoruichi continued, tossing something from her desk to Sasuke. "You're well-suited for the job, both in talent and personality. So, what do you say?"

Sasuke looked at her intently. "So, what's the 'weighty responsibility'? Pressure from the nobles?"

Yoruichi nodded.

"I see." Sasuke folded his arms, his tone cold. "If that's all, then I have no problem."

Yoruichi grinned. "Stay that confident, Uchiha. Because from here on… the training is going to be brutal."

And brutal was no exaggeration.

Yoruichi was a "creative" trainer, if you wanted to put it politely; others might call her eccentric. Luckily, Kisuke's inventive mind enabled her wild ideas to come to life.

But Sasuke embraced the challenge.

Each day, he felt himself growing stronger. Swordsmanship, assassination techniques, infiltration—Yoruichi spared no detail, imparting her vast experience to him, including rare skills like flash step.

…

Ten years had passed.

Sasuke had grown into the position of 3rd Seat in the 2nd Division and was also Vice Commander of the Onmitsukidō.

The reason he wasn't Vice Captain was not that Ōmaeda, the current Vice Captain, was better than him, but due to the longstanding tradition within the Onmitsukidō: the captaincy belonged to the Shihōin family, while the vice-captaincy was held by the Ōmaeda family.

However…

Sasuke's position as Vice Commander stirred up some discontent among the noble families. Even if someone from Rukongai was exceptionally capable, they shouldn't hold such a prominent position. Nobles could accept someone from Rukongai as a high-ranking officer or even as a captain in other divisions, but not in the 2nd or 6th Division, which were traditionally noble domains.

Recently, though, Sasuke had taken action against a lower-ranking noble family, wiping them out with ruthless efficiency. His unrelenting, no-holds-barred approach silenced many critics.

This guy… he had no family, no attachments, and his talent was undeniable. In time, he was destined to become a captain. And ultimately, he was only a "Vice Commander." In a few years, he'd be promoted to captain in some other division, maybe the 10th, so they could tolerate him for now. Besides, the head of the Shihōin family had always been a bit unconventional. Allowing two highly capable individuals some leeway to cause a bit of chaos wouldn't be the end of the world.

…

Inside the 2nd Division barracks, in the captain's office.

"Mission complete," Sasuke said, taking off his mask and tossing a wrapped package onto the desk. "I retrieved the item."

"Nicely done, Uchiha." Yoruichi grinned approvingly.

Sasuke replied coolly, "The next mission…"

"Oh, honestly, why am I always stuck with the most intense people?" Yoruichi interrupted him with an exaggerated sigh. "In this respect, you should take a lesson from Kisuke. Don't stay so tense all the time. There are no upcoming missions. You're on leave for the next month."

Sasuke shook his head slightly and replied immediately, "That won't be necessary. I need…"

Yoruichi cut him off again, "You need it. At the very least, think about Kisuke. Captain Hikifune has been promoted, and I've recommended Kisuke as his replacement. Despite his laid-back appearance, he should pass the exam without any trouble. Show up to celebrate, at least."

Sasuke paused, then nodded. "Understood."

After reporting his mission, he returned to his quarters, freshened up, and lay down on his bed.

'Captain…'

A word that once felt far off, but now was within reach. If that slacker Kisuke Urahara was now a captain, his own promotion didn't seem far off either.

Becoming a captain… That would mean he was strong enough to defeat 'that' man.

Wondering when he would return to the ninja world again, he closed his eyes.

When he opened them once more, the smell of fresh earth and a gust of cold wind greeted him.

Sasuke opened his eyes and took in his surroundings.

He had been wondering last night when he would return to the ninja world—and here he was.

Now, what was he supposed to do…?

Oh, right.

The survival training.

He had just graduated from the Ninja Academy and was assigned to Team 7, with two rather unreliable teammates.

After breakfast, he headed to the training field.

Kakashi Hatake, as he remembered from their first meeting, was late.

"It's 11:15 now," Kakashi said as he placed an alarm clock on the ground and pulled out two bells from his pouch. "Your task is to grab one of these bells before noon."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. Two bells for three people, which meant…

Kakashi continued, "All you need is one bell each. This means that one of you three will be eliminated and sent back to the Academy."

As expected.

Sasuke's expression remained steady. Meanwhile, Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno both visibly tensed. In their minds, they were already certain that the most outstanding of the group, Sasuke Uchiha, would pass. So one of them would inevitably be eliminated.

A fifty percent chance…

"Use shuriken, use swords, do whatever you can," Kakashi said with his usual deadpan expression. "But unless you're prepared to kill me, you won't get the bells."

The statement didn't have much impact. Neither Naruto nor Sakura, who lacked real combat experience, fully understood its weight. Kakashi's laid-back attitude didn't make him seem like a threat to them.

Provoked by Kakashi, Naruto tried to throw a weapon, but before he could move, Kakashi subdued him effortlessly. If Kakashi wanted to, Naruto would already be lying dead on the ground.

Speed… So fast!

Sasuke narrowed his eyes, taking this as a reference point.

This is the speed of a jōnin?

If that was the standard, then it seemed he wasn't too far off.

"The task begins!" Kakashi said, releasing Naruto.

As soon as he finished speaking, Sakura immediately concealed herself.

Three people remained in the training field.

Standing before Kakashi were two figures, one with blond hair and the other with black.

"It seems we're thinking the same thing, Sasuke. Let's settle this with a showdown." Naruto smirked, looking exhilarated.

Kakashi tilted his head. "You're not going to hide? As a ninja, concealing yourself is a fundamental skill."

Sasuke glanced at Naruto, his hand moving to the hilt of his sword. "When the enemy is aware of your presence and has prepared accordingly, hiding won't be very effective. Getting trapped in the mindset that you must hide could be fatal."

Kakashi clapped his hands. "Good reasoning. But facing an opponent head-on…"

Sasuke drew his sword, the blade flashing. "That's only part of the reason. The main reason I chose to face you directly is that I believe I can take you down."

His eyes turned crimson, the three tomoe of the Sharingan swirling into view.

"A three-tomoe Sharingan?" Kakashi's tone became cautious.

"With these eyes, your physical advantage means little." Sasuke pointed his sword toward him. "In the name of the Uchiha, you've already lost, Hatake-sensei."

Kakashi scratched his head. "If you're underestimating me this much, I suppose I'd better get serious. And… having an exceptional kekkei genkai is impressive, but it's not everything. You know, neither the Fourth Hokage nor the current Third possesses a Kekkei Genkai."

He disappeared in a flash, reappearing behind Sasuke with his hand reaching for Sasuke's neck.

But Sasuke's reaction was even quicker. The instant Kakashi moved, he twisted around, swinging his sword with a cold reply to the earlier comment, "A mediocre kekkei genkai is nothing compared to the bloodline of the Uchiha. What's more… I'm the one wielding these eyes."

The blade sliced down.

Kakashi, seemingly taken aback, didn't dodge in time, and the sword struck, slicing him cleanly in half.

Naruto gaped, stunned. "Sasuke, you… you… you just killed Kakashi-sensei!"