Shinigami in the Ninja World (Re-upload)

Indra fully merged with Sasuke.

He acknowledged the talents and abilities of his descendant.

Yet, because of this, his existence faded away, along with the techniques he had unleashed. The bluish barrier of ethereal light dissipated, leaving only Sasuke Uchiha standing there.

The Zanpakuto in Sasuke's hand didn't appear to have undergone any significant change.

"Did he succeed?" Yoruichi frowned, her heart sinking. "Or did he fail?"

She had a bad feeling.

Typically, a Bankai significantly alters a Zanpakuto's appearance compared to its Shikai form. There were almost no exceptions.

But the blade in Sasuke's hand looked exactly the same. From the blade to the hilt, everything was identical to before.

"It was a success," Kisuke Urahara interjected, his tone much lighter.

Yoruichi turned to him.

"Look at his eyes," Kisuke said, pointing ahead.

Yoruichi studied Sasuke carefully and finally noticed the change—the pattern in his eyes. What was once the 'Three Tomoe' was now a 'Six-Pointed Star.'

Sasuke raised his hand and covered his eyes.

'So this is the Mangekyō Sharingan?'

The surging power of his ocular abilities filled his body. He sensed two techniques manifest in his mind: one named 'Amaterasu' and the other, 'Kagutsuchi.'

And then… a third technique called 'Susanoo.'

The Mangekyō Sharingan's power was overwhelming—even without activating it fully, its potency was undeniable.

"Well done!" Yoruichi exclaimed joyfully, throwing her arms around Sasuke's neck. "You scared me! I thought you failed. But you pulled it off at the last moment."

Kisuke removed his hand from the hilt of his own blade and smiled. "Congratulations, Sasuke-kun."

"What's your Bankai's ability?" Yoruichi asked, patting Sasuke on the head.

"It's a fire-based ability," Sasuke explained. "And it includes a technique to manipulate an armored puppet construct."

"Can you demonstrate?" Yoruichi tilted her head.

Sasuke shook his head.

"Don't worry," Yoruichi said reassuringly. "No one outside will notice any disturbances here."

"My Bankai damages my eyesight," Sasuke admitted.

As he spoke, the 'Mangekyō Sharingan' in his eyes gradually reverted to the 'Three Tomoe.'

"A Bankai with side effects?" Yoruichi was astonished, shaking her head in disbelief. She had never heard of a Bankai that could harm its wielder.

"It does," Kisuke interjected before Sasuke could respond, providing an explanation.

"It's not because of the blade itself," Kisuke began.

Sasuke and Yoruichi both turned toward him.

"It's because the blade's power is too immense, and Sasuke-kun is still quite young," Kisuke continued. "When he uses it, his body struggles to handle the strain. In simpler terms, the blade is too powerful, and his current physical state can't fully support its abilities."

"But this is a good thing," Kisuke added cheerfully.

"As Sasuke-kun grows stronger and gains better control over his abilities, these issues will disappear."

Yoruichi nodded thoughtfully, seeming to understand. It did make sense.

Nearly all Shinigami who attained Bankai were already mature. Sasuke was the only exception—achieving Bankai before his body had fully developed.

Power, after all, could also be a heavy burden.

Yoruichi gave a relaxed smile, interpreting Kisuke's words as reassurance, and sought no further explanation.

However, Sasuke knew better.

The Mangekyō Sharingan's drawback wasn't simply due to a lack of physical maturity. The Sharingan's evolution wasn't complete yet. It required another piece to eliminate its drawbacks entirely.

Still, it was better for them to misunderstand. And their misunderstanding wasn't limited to just this.

His Zanpakuto…

It didn't truly have a 'Bankai.' In fact, it seemed to have lost even its 'Shikai.' Or rather, "lost" wasn't the right word.

It had become part of his body—a fusion of his own essence and the blade. The Zanpakuto was no longer a weapon; it was instinct.

Now, Sasuke was powerful.

So powerful that if he faced his former self, he could end the fight in one move. So powerful that if Orochimaru appeared before him again, the rogue ninja wouldn't dare leave unscathed. So powerful that he was ready to exact vengeance on that man.

Sasuke was eager to return to the ninja world, find Orochimaru, and confront 'that man.'

But…

The world wasn't governed by his desires.

Time continued its relentless flow.

Sasuke bid farewell to Yoruichi and returned to the 2nd Division.

Thanks to Yoruichi's intervention, the Captain-Commander, though furious, did nothing. The Central 46 Chambers remained silent, unwilling to confront one of the Five Noble Houses.

The matter was left unresolved.

As for Sasuke's position as acting captain of the 2nd Division?

By the time the Central 46 reacted, Sasuke had already consolidated his authority within the division.

Some nobles, emboldened by the Central 46's backing, attempted to challenge his leadership. Perhaps Yoruichi's easy-going demeanor and close relationship with Sasuke had given them the false impression that he shared her temperament.

But Sasuke wasn't Yoruichi.

His methods and demeanor aligned far more closely with the expectations of a 2nd Division captain.

Direct and ruthless. Cold and resolute.

Those who opposed him were executed under his orders.

Even the Central 46 struggled to find a suitable replacement for his role.

The Captain-Commander turned a blind eye. Everything Sasuke did adhered strictly to 2nd Division protocol. The Captain-Commander saw no reason to interfere in another division's internal matters, especially when it was entirely by the book.

It was clear to all…

Yamamoto Genryūsai supported Sasuke and seemed eager to see him become the official captain of the 2nd Division.

It happened far sooner than anyone anticipated.

Once opposition to Sasuke's acting captaincy dissipated, he formally requested to be appointed as the 2nd Division's captain.

Everything followed the proper procedures.

Yamamoto Genryūsai conducted a meticulous evaluation, leaving no room for anyone to find fault with Sasuke.

And Sasuke excelled.

In the wake of the Soul Society losing nearly half of its captains, he became the first to step into the role.

The next to rise was…

Sōsuke Aizen, former lieutenant of the 5th Division, who was promoted to captain at the recommendation of his division.

…

5th Division Courtyard

The newly appointed lieutenant, Gin Ichimaru, stood quietly behind Aizen.

"Sasuke Uchiha has already become a captain," Gin remarked.

"He hasn't even been a Shinigami for fifty years. Truly remarkable."

Aizen looked down at him and said, "With your talent, Gin, catching up to him wouldn't be difficult, would it?"

"You two are similar in many ways."

He paused, locking eyes with Gin's ever-smiling ones.

"You're both diligent and hardworking."

Several seconds passed in silence, Aizen's words weighted with significance.

Gin chuckled softly. "I thought Captain Aizen would say something more... interesting."

Aizen's expression turned enigmatic. "What would you like me to say?"

Gin smiled again. "But now that Uchiha-kun is a captain, wouldn't recruiting him be much easier?"

"Not at all—it's even harder now," Aizen replied, shaking his head.

Gin tilted his head in confusion. "Why is that?"

"Because Sasuke's hatred isn't directed at the nobles," Aizen explained, his gaze shifting toward the sky.

"And now, he has stood against them and emerged victorious. A victor has no need for anyone's help—especially when it's optional."

"They've already achieved the results they sought."

Gin nodded thoughtfully.

"Sasuke-kun is indeed exceptional," Aizen continued. "But it's a pity—he's destined never to be one of us."

"What do you think of Sasuke, Gin?"

Gin pondered for a moment before answering, "Talented. Hardworking."

Aizen tilted his head slightly. "Such a simple answer won't suffice."

"Talented..."

"That word alone cannot encapsulate him."

"In my eyes, do you know what Sasuke resembles?"

Gin shook his head.

"He's like the clouds in the sky," Aizen said, extending a hand. "Lofty and untouchable, ever-shifting, never revealing a clear shape."

"People like him are best admired from afar."

"Get too close, and you'll be ensnared by the mysteries woven into his very being."

"But don't worry—someone like him will never become our enemy, either."

Gin tilted his head, pondering the remark.

'Sasuke Uchiha… not a friend, but not an enemy either?'

...

After Sasuke and Aizen became captains, the vacant positions in the other divisions were gradually filled over the following decades.

Even the long-empty captaincy of the 10th Division was eventually occupied by a new Shiba family member.

...

Life in the 2nd Division wasn't particularly busy.

In fact, for a captain, the workload was surprisingly light.

Due to the 2nd Division's unique nature, most tasks didn't require a captain's involvement unless they specifically pertained to the captain themselves.

This left Sasuke with ample time to focus on his swordsmanship.

He was determined to unravel the mysteries surrounding his Zanpakuto.

Something about it seemed off.

The name 'Indra' no longer seemed effective.

On one occasion, while activating his Mangekyō Sharingan, Sasuke thought he faintly heard a new name whispered in his ears.

But that name...

It was indistinct, difficult to grasp.

No matter—having the power of the Sharingan and Mangekyō Sharingan was sufficient for now.

...

Time passed swiftly.

The turmoil caused by the "Hollowfication Incident" and Yoruichi's defection had almost faded into obscurity. Few Shinigami even remembered those events.

The reputation of the 2nd Division grew increasingly fearsome within the Gotei 13.

No one wanted to be targeted by the 2nd Division.

...

As usual, Sasuke finished reviewing the day's sparse paperwork, trained until exhaustion, and fell asleep on a tatami mat.

When he next opened his eyes, sunlight streamed through a window.

He was back in the decrepit Uchiha compound.

The worn walls, the decaying structure, and the crooked 'Uchiha crest' he had painstakingly set upright greeted his sight.

Clenching his fist, Sasuke took a deep breath.

'I'm back.'

Finally,

Now, all he needed was to find Orochimaru and extract Itachi's whereabouts.

Revenge was within reach.

...

Sasuke spent the next month wandering Konoha, attempting to trace Orochimaru's movements.

But the rogue ninja had taken extreme care to conceal his presence. Without further intelligence, Sasuke's search was painstakingly slow.

During this time, Kakashi Hatake made several attempts to contact Sasuke but failed every time.

Kakashi bore a mix of admiration for Sasuke's talent and guilt toward the Uchiha clan. Under orders from the Third Hokage, he was tasked with teaching Sasuke new techniques—granting him the power he desired.

No one in Konoha was better suited to mentor Sasuke than Kakashi.

...

On the eve of the third round of the Chūnin Exams, Sasuke stood atop Konoha's tallest structure, gazing into the distance.

Below, the village bustled with activity.

The arena was adorned with lanterns and decorations, brimming with festivity in preparation for the next day's competition.

The village's residents were abuzz, confident that the 'Uchiha prodigy' would secure victory.

For them, everyone else was competing for second place.

But Sasuke's mind was elsewhere.

'Should I even participate in this exam?'

It seemed utterly meaningless.

Yet, after careful consideration, he decided he would.

Why had Orochimaru chosen this specific time to appear in Konoha?

Targeting Sasuke was an obvious motive.

But if Orochimaru's goal was Sasuke, there was no need to wait for a specific event. He could have struck during missions or other opportunities.

Choosing the Chūnin Exams—a high-profile, heavily guarded event—made no sense unless there was another reason.

There was only one explanation.

Orochimaru's true objective was tied to the Chūnin Exams themselves.

He must be planning something significant.

And since he had already revealed his intentions toward Sasuke, he must be confident in his plan's success, certain it would go unnoticed by others.

This meant Orochimaru would undoubtedly appear in the arena.

'He will participate.'

...

The Next Day

The third phase of the Chūnin Exams had officially begun.

Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't wait to showcase Konoha's strength to the other villages and reaffirm its value to the nobility. For the first match, he had arranged a major highlight:

[Sasuke Uchiha vs. Gaara of the Sand.]

If Sasuke represented the pride of Konoha in this joint Chūnin Exam, then Gaara was undoubtedly the star of the Land of Wind.

Now, the clash of these two "protagonists" was set to determine whether Sasuke would dominate the stage or if Gaara would steal the spotlight.

As the announcer droned on, Sasuke and Gaara stepped into the arena, standing face-to-face.

The crowd erupted into a cacophony of cheers, jeers, and speculation.

Sasuke glanced upward, his crimson Sharingan eyes scanning the audience. The noise abruptly quieted. The sheer intensity of his gaze left the spectators breathless, as if they had forgotten they were mere onlookers.

With that single look, he made it clear: 'You're not above me.'

Gaara, however, remained unfazed. He clenched his fists, his voice dripping with venom and intent.

"Finally, Sasuke Uchiha… I get to fight you."

His eyes gleamed with bloodlust. "I want to kill you! Your blood will be delicious."

Sasuke ignored him, turning his head to scan the stands. The commotion of the crowd was an irritation, but more importantly, he was searching for 'Orochimaru.'

He didn't find him—neither among the audience nor among the Anbu guards or the participating shinobi.

Was Orochimaru absent?

Or…

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. Sitting beside the Third Hokage, laughing and chatting, was the 'Kazekage.'

No—'Orochimaru.'

The man had taken the Kazekage's place. Whatever his plans were, Sasuke had no doubt Orochimaru was scheming something.

'But that was fine.'

Sasuke didn't care about the details. Confirming Orochimaru's presence was enough. Part of him even anticipated whatever the snake had planned.

Whether Orochimaru succeeded or failed, Sasuke was confident he could extract the information he needed.

"You're ignoring me," Gaara growled, his tone unhinged, rage seeping into his words.

Sasuke finally turned his gaze toward him.

"Do you need my attention?"

Gaara raised his hand, sand spilling from his gourd like an unleashed arrow, tearing through the air toward Sasuke with explosive speed.

"Don't you dare look down on me!"

The sand's velocity roared like thunder, leaving visible ripples in the air.

The audience gasped in awe.

'So fast!'

Even the non-ninja civilians of Konoha, accustomed to watching ninja sparring, were stunned. Could Sasuke handle such a powerful attack?

Faced with Gaara's ferocious assault, Sasuke's response was—

'Silence.'

He didn't react, didn't counter—he simply vanished.

'Shunpo.'

Silent and swift, he left nothing but a faint swirl of displaced air in his wake.

The sand projectile pierced a fading afterimage, striking the ground and creating a small crater.

Gaara froze.

His attack had neither been blocked nor destroyed. But his target—where had he gone?

How could someone vanish so suddenly?

As that thought crossed his mind—

'Slash!'

A blade swept horizontally across Gaara, shattering the sand armor protecting his face and sending him flying.

Fragments of sand scattered, revealing Gaara's shocked expression.

As he soared backward, his mind reeled.

'The sand didn't defend me.'

Sasuke's speed rivaled—or surpassed—Rock Lee's.

His attack had been swift and devastating, strong enough to break the sand armor with a single strike.

Gaara quickly waved his hand, summoning his sand. Some formed a cushion behind him to stop his fall, while another layer swirled in front of him as a shield against any follow-up attacks.

But the shield proved useless.

A crimson glow blasted through the sand barrier, scattering it into the air.

"Hadō #31. Shakkahō (赤火砲, Red Fire Cannon)."

The explosion's heat and force melted the sand into gleaming glass, tainted with faint black scorch marks.

Gaara staggered, struggling to regain his footing.

Before he could recover, a piercing beam of white light struck his chest.

"Hadō #4. Byakurai (白雷, Pale Lightning)."

It was a low-level Kidō, but it served its purpose.

The audience gasped again. The simplicity of Sasuke's attacks belied their effectiveness—precision over power.

Sasuke stood with his hands in his pockets, casting a sidelong glance at the stunned proctor.

"Declare the result. He's incapacitated. If this continues, he'll…"

His words trailed off as his gaze shifted back to Gaara.

The Sand Ninja, despite the precision of Sasuke's attacks, was attempting to rise. Sasuke had deliberately targeted non-lethal areas to render him unable to fight, but Gaara's willpower was extraordinary.

At first, it seemed he was struggling to stand, but soon it became clear that wasn't his goal.

'He was adjusting his posture.'

Slowly, Gaara raised his hands, forming a 'seal.'

…

In the spectator stands—

"This is bad. He's about to use 'that' move," the blonde kunoichi from Sunagakure said, furrowing her brows. "We haven't sent the signal yet!"

"There's no helping it." The bandaged man beside her raised his head, taking a deep breath. "He holds the initiative. If he's doing this now, then we'll proceed early."

"What about the timing—"

"As soon as 'that thing' is released, send the signal immediately."

The blonde kunoichi nodded in understanding.

...

Down below—

Gaara closed his eyes and tilted his head. Once the technique began, he fell asleep.

"Feigning Sleep Jutsu!"

Genma Shiranui froze, uncertain of the situation.

Was Gaara...

Was he so severely injured that he decided to use a jutsu to avoid the pain by sleeping through it?

'Clever.'

In that case, should he declare victory for Sasuke, just as Sasuke had suggested?

He leaped into the arena, and the crowd erupted in cheers.

The Sand Village nobles and ninja turned their heads, their expressions filled with disdain.

But just as Genma Shiranui was about to announce the winner, something began to change.

Gaara's body released an ominous, ferocious chakra, swirling and condensing around him. In mere moments, the chakra expanded massively, forming the outline of a creature's body.

The beast's sandy-yellow form emerged, covered in intricate blue patterns resembling tribal tattoos.

A maniacal laugh echoed through the arena.

"Hahaha! I'm finally free!"

But the laughter was short-lived. The enormous creature scanned its surroundings, its mirth turning to rage.

"Damn brat! Where the hell did you bring me?!"

The beast's surroundings—towering trees and lush greenery—were unlike anything it had seen in the Land of Wind.

This was... Konoha.

...

Meanwhile, feathers began falling from the sky, blanketing the arena in a wide radius. Those who saw the feathers and lacked the strength of a Jonin or sufficient resistance to genjutsu fell into a deep sleep.

Sasuke, of course, was unaffected.

He turned, his gaze locking onto the chakra's source—and the familiar spiritual pressure accompanying it.

There stood a figure in a hooded cloak and mask, exuding the aura of an Anbu operative.

But...

'This wasn't an Anbu operative.'

Sasuke quickly concluded this wasn't one of Konoha's. Having spent two months in the Anbu, he hadn't memorized every member's spiritual pressure, but he was certain he knew the active personnel in the village.

This one didn't belong.

Moreover, this spiritual pressure was familiar.

It was...

The same as the figure who had surrendered during the second phase of the Chunin Exams.

At the time, Sasuke had sensed this person's unusual strength. Now it was clear—the individual was formidable, capable of deploying a genjutsu of this magnitude, enveloping the entire arena.

This was the work of someone with Jonin-level skill in genjutsu.

...

But Sasuke's focus remained on Orochimaru.

That colossal golden beast now rampaged across the arena, causing wanton destruction. For it, whether in the Land of Wind or the Land of Fire, the difference was irrelevant—ninja were equally detestable.

Sasuke paid the beast no mind. The Anbu and sealing teams were already on their way, and even if they weren't, it wasn't his concern.

Instead, Sasuke leaped toward where the two Kage were located.

Their battle had already begun.

A purple barrier enveloped the rooftop, sealing within it Orochimaru and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Finally, Orochimaru revealed his true purpose.

As much as Sasuke was a convenient target, Orochimaru's real goal was far greater: to kill his former teacher with his own hands.

Hiruzen Sarutobi fought valiantly despite his age. His mastery of the five elemental releases was unparalleled, blending techniques into powerful combinations that rivaled the might of bloodline limits.

But he was old.

And Orochimaru had the forbidden technique 'Edo Tensei,' summoning the First and Second Hokage to aid him. The relentless onslaught left Hiruzen overwhelmed.

In the end, he resorted to 'Reaper Death Seal,' sacrificing his soul to seal Orochimaru's arms.

Sasuke witnessed the Shinigami itself, visible only to those who invoked the jutsu.

But he didn't care.

Such mysteries could wait until after he had achieved his revenge.

...

With his arms sealed, Orochimaru's composure shattered. He screamed in frustration as the barrier ninjas rushed to protect him and began retreating from the village.

Anbu gave chase.

Kakashi, leading a group of ninja, joined the pursuit.

Yet unexpectedly, someone blocked their path.

"Hawk, your mission is complete. Return to the squad and assist in capturing the S-Class rogue ninja Orochimaru," the Anbu Captain ordered.

Hs tone heavy, added, "Come with us. With your help, we can definitely stop him."

But Sasuke leveled his blade and said calmly, "Orochimaru belongs to me now."