Shinigami in the Ninja World (Re-upload)

This was a form of Kidō Sasuke had never encountered before.

He unsheathed his blade and thrust it straight toward the center of the swirling energy. Though he didn't fully understand the technique, Aizen's earlier words had hinted at its purpose—spatial transference.

Aizen was escaping.

Escaping to reach Rukia Kuchiki.

The blade moved swiftly, piercing through the spiral strands of energy as Sasuke followed closely behind.

But it struck nothing.

Aizen was gone.

Sasuke halted, retrieving the severed arm. He began weaving spiritual threads, his hands etching intricate lines of energy across his body. He spoke the incantation:

"Silken net of black and white! Twenty-two bridges, sixty-six crowning sashes; footprints, distant thunder, pointed peaks, revolving grounds, nightly prostrations, sea of clouds, the pale ranks of troops, complete the grand circle and surpass the heavens."

Spiritual energy coalesced into a sigil surrounding him as the spell activated:

"Bakudō #77. Tenteikūra (天挺空羅, Heavenly Rickshaws in Silken Air)."

Despite being classified as a binding spell, this technique wasn't designed for combat. Instead, it was a utility Kidō used for tracking spiritual pressures, selecting targets, and transmitting messages.

And it was secure. While others could sense the spiritual fluctuations of the transmission, no one else could intercept or eavesdrop on its contents.

With Sasuke's current level of spiritual pressure, he could locate and communicate with every captain of the Gotei 13 without issue.

He also understood something crucial: among these captains, there might be Aizen's allies.

If Aizen had attempted to recruit Sasuke, it was certain he had succeeded with others.

It might be the Captain of the 7th Division, whose non-human appearance made him seem impressionable. Or perhaps the Captain of the 3rd Division, a cunning manipulator. If the Hōgyoku could mend his condition, his allegiance was almost guaranteed.

It could even be others…

But no matter who they were, Aizen's collaborators were few in number. If he had managed to sway a majority, he wouldn't have needed to act so covertly or cautiously.

More importantly, this confirmed that Aizen himself believed his power was still insufficient to face the Gotei 13 directly, particularly Yamamoto Genryūsai.

Sasuke prioritized communication. The situation was urgent—there was no room for delay.

Throughout Seireitei, the captains perked their ears as Sasuke's voice resonated:

*"This is Sasuke Uchiha, Captain of 2nd Division.

The Central 46 has been massacred—no survivors remain.

The perpetrator is Captain Aizen Sōsuke of 5th Division.

His next target is Rukia Kuchiki. All captains are advised to proceed to her location immediately.

Be warned: there may be collaborators among the captains."*

"Repeating: the Central 46…"

He kept his message concise, avoiding unnecessary details about how events had unfolded. Such explanations wouldn't change the urgency of the current situation and would only waste precious time.

Right now, clarity and direction mattered more than perfect accuracy.

…

1st Division Barracks

The Commander-General opened his eyes, his expression darkening as he absorbed the message.

Its veracity was uncertain, but Yamamoto was inclined to believe it.

"The Central 46 has been massacred, no survivors." That was no trivial claim. Pinning such a grave accusation on a "dead man" defied logic. Sasuke Uchiha was far too intelligent to fabricate such a reckless lie.

Moreover, the implication was strange. Yamamoto couldn't see any strategic benefit for Sasuke in orchestrating this situation. As the Captain of 2nd Division, there were few places within Seireitei that he couldn't access with ease. The restricted zones that remained would still be beyond his reach, even if all the other captains were distracted.

And then there was Unohana.

As someone Yamamoto deeply trusted and respected, she had already expressed her doubts about Aizen's alleged death, noting an indescribable sense of unease about the situation.

"Feigning death, perhaps?" Yamamoto murmured.

He called out: "Chōjirō."

A figure instantly appeared at his side, standing silently behind him.

"I'm leaving 1st Division in your hands," Yamamoto ordered. "I must go see for myself... whether this is Sasuke Uchiha's deception or Aizen Sōsuke's treachery."

Chōjirō Sasakibe bowed in acknowledgment. "Understood."

A gust of wind swept through the room as Yamamoto disappeared, vanishing with a shunpo.

…

Underground Training Ground

Yoruichi Shihōin looked up. Sasuke hadn't forgotten her when he used Tenteikūra.

"Ichigo," she said after carefully listening, glancing toward the orange-haired youth sparring with the black-coated old man. "There's good news for us—but it might not be so good for you."

Ichigo Kurosaki lifted his head. "What is it?"

Yoruichi explained calmly, "Sasuke, the captain of 2nd Division, has uncovered evidence against the mastermind behind Rukia's execution. All the captains are now heading toward her location.

Ichigo's eyes widened as Yoruichi's words sank in. "Does that mean Rukia's safe now?"

For a moment, relief softened his features, and his stance visibly relaxed. But that momentary lapse was costly.

With a snap, the blade in his hand shattered as the black-coated elder moved effortlessly, his attack landing without hesitation.

"Not necessarily," Yoruichi added, her tone measured but firm. "Things might even become more dangerous."

Ichigo froze, staring at his broken blade. "Why? Didn't you just say Captain Sasuke found the mastermind?"

"A clue, not the mastermind himself," Yoruichi clarified. "Let me explain."

"The mastermind is none other than Aizen Sōsuke, Captain of 5th Division. His power allows him to deceive everyone—almost no one can see through his disguises or schemes." She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. "The fact that Sasuke managed to uncover even a trace of Aizen's plan is nothing short of miraculous."

Her gaze sharpened. "The only person capable of helping him now… is you."

Ichigo blinked, confusion and determination blending in his expression. "Why me? Why am I the only one who can help?"

Though his moment of relief had just passed, Yoruichi's words reignited his resolve, stronger than before.

"Because you've never encountered Aizen before," she said, her tone thoughtful. "You've never seen his Zanpakutō. That means you're untouched by his illusions."

Ichigo's grip tightened around a new blade. "I see… I understand now."

He turned back to the black-coated elder, who was already poised for another strike. "An hour, right?"

"At most," Yoruichi confirmed.

"I'll make it," Ichigo vowed, lunging forward to resume the clash.

…

Outside the Palace of Penitence

Gin Ichimaru tilted his head, his ever-present sly grin stretching across his face. "Well, looks like Captain Sasuke spilled Aizen-sama's secrets."

"All the captains know now and are heading straight here."

Beside him, Kaname Tōsen frowned, his calm aura breaking slightly. "Don't use that tone—this isn't good news."

Gin chuckled lightly, his narrowed eyes shifting toward the severed arm Aizen had lost earlier. "Aw, I'm just surprised. I didn't think anyone could hurt Aizen-sama to this extent."

He squinted in mock thought. "I remember... Didn't Captain Sasuke also fall for Aizen-sama's illusions?"

Aizen remained unperturbed, his faint smile unwavering. "Gin, you of all people should know that's the mark of a true genius."

"Geniuses are capable of achieving the impossible," Aizen continued. "Catching up to me isn't entirely unthinkable."

Gin's grin widened slightly, though his tone sharpened. "What a shame. That'll only last for a day."

Standing on the long walkway leading to the palace, Aizen raised his remaining hand, pointing toward the grand, white structure. "As long as Sasuke remains bound by his identity as a Shinigami, he'll never surpass me."

Without another word, he extended his palm, forgoing incantations. A radiant surge of lightning burst forth.

"Hadō #88. Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō (飛竜撃賊震天雷炮, Flying Dragon-Striking Heaven-Shaking Thunder Cannon)."

The bolt tore through the air, striking the structure with explosive force.

A thunderous roar echoed as the building collapsed in an instant.

The palace, constructed from Sekkiseki, was designed to block spiritual particles, prevent spiritual pressure from penetrating, and even resist spiritual attacks. Even low-ranking officers struggled to damage it.

But against Aizen, it fell as though it were made of sand.

…

Inside the Palace of Penitence

Rukia Kuchiki looked up, startled. The once-impenetrable structure had been destroyed, revealing the radiant sky above her.

How…?

Was it Ichigo? Could he have grown this strong?

Maybe… she clung to the faint hope.

Until—

"You're making quite the sour face," a mocking voice interrupted her thoughts.

Aizen approached, lifting her chin gently with his remaining hand. "Rukia, are you afraid of your fate?"

Rukia gasped. "Captain Aizen?"

Her gaze darted to the two figures standing behind him.

Her mind reeled, unable to comprehend.

What did this have to do with Captain Aizen? Though he was known for his warmth, they weren't particularly close. And yet here he was, accompanied by Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen.

Most troubling of all was the timing. The palace had just been destroyed.

Aizen himself was injured, missing an arm.

"Don't worry, Rukia. It's all over now," Aizen said softly, his voice dripping with tenderness.

His tone calmed her, easing the tension in her body.

Perhaps she had overthought things. Even if Gin was unpleasant, they were still captains—pillars of Seireitei.

And Aizen was always kind.

"Captain Aizen, what—" Rukia began, but her words turned into a pained gasp.

Her body seized, agony radiating from her abdomen.

Looking down, she saw Aizen's hand piercing her stomach.

There was no visible wound, but a black, swirling void had opened at her core. It was as though… a Hollow's Garganta had formed within her.

Aizen reached deeper, gripping something inside her. When he withdrew, he held it aloft: a black gem encased in a transparent shell.

"What a shame," he murmured with genuine warmth. "In the end, I had to retrieve it myself."

The gem radiated an ominous power.

Rukia stared, lifeless and hollow.

What Aizen had taken wasn't just her power—it was what she had thought was her own strength all along.

Her already weakened spiritual energy was drained to its limit. Her vision blurred, and questions swirled in her mind.

When had that thing entered her body? Why had Aizen, the kindest captain she knew, done this to her?

She wanted to ask, but the words wouldn't come.

Aizen discarded her casually, no longer warm or gentle.

"Finish it, Gin," he ordered with a wave.

Gin drew his Zanpakutō without hesitation, grinning. "So ruthless, Aizen-sama. Abandoning anything without value, huh?"

He leveled the blade at Rukia.

"Ikorose, Shinsō!"

The short blade extended in an instant, streaking toward the defenseless woman on the ground.

At that moment, petals of sakura blossoms danced in the air, shimmering as they floated in front of Rukia, forming a shield that blocked the attack meant to kill her.

Perhaps because Gin Ichimaru hadn't taken the attack seriously, believing she was already as good as dead, the light blow was deflected by the thin layer of sakura blossoms.

This was unmistakably the power of a Zanpakutō, one of distinctive elegance and precision.

The identity of the wielder required no guesswork.

"Captain Kuchiki?" Gin turned his head to see the man walking in from outside the Palace of Penitence. "You arrived quicker than expected."

"Claiming to uphold the honor of the Kuchiki clan and pretending you don't care about Rukia, yet here you are, saving her after all."

Byakuya Kuchiki's voice was cold, chilling in its composure: "If she is to be executed, it should be by order of Central 46 or 6th Division. As far as I recall, the 3rd Division has no such authority."

He paused, his gaze shifting to the man with the severed arm.

"And perhaps an explanation is in order as well—why does Captain Aizen, supposedly dead, appear here?"

It seemed Byakuya had not believed Sasuke's earlier claim.

But the truth before his eyes dispelled all doubt.

"An explanation?" Aizen raised his head, giving a casual wave of his hand. "Isn't it meaningless to discuss such things now? I've already obtained what I came for."

He lifted the small, black gemstone in his hand.

"So that's Hōgyoku?" came a cold voice from above the palace.

Sasuke stood atop it, his voice cutting through the tense air. "It doesn't look like much."

Aizen smiled. "Yes, Sasuke-kun. This is Kisuke Urahara's Hōgyoku."

Sasuke's voice sharpened: "So you manipulated Central 46, issuing endless orders in secret, all to quietly kill Rukia and retrieve that object."

Byakuya's eyes shifted toward Sasuke.

Aizen shook his head lightly. "Don't make it sound so unpleasant. If not for Kisuke Urahara, Rukia would never have been subjected to such suffering."

He paused, speaking in a tone almost tender: "Kisuke Urahara is a genius, no doubt about that. Upon discovering my Hollowfication experiments, he understood how dangerous the Hōgyoku was."

"I suspect he spent years trying to destroy it."

"But he couldn't."

"So, he devised another method—embedding it inside Rukia. Stripping her of her powers as a Shinigami, reducing her to an ordinary soul, all to completely conceal the Hōgyoku."

"But he couldn't hide it from me."

Aizen turned to Byakuya, his tone calm yet maddeningly self-assured. "In a sense, I've saved Rukia."

"Compared to you, her cruel older brother, I care for her far more."

Byakuya's tightly clenched jaw betrayed the turmoil beneath his stoic exterior.

So Rukia didn't have to die.

This was all a result of Aizen's manipulations.

"Is that a confession?" A new voice interjected from behind Aizen.

It wasn't Sasuke—he remained atop the palace, unmoving.

It was the other captains.

Several figures appeared in rapid succession, arriving via Shunpo.

The Captain-Commander stood beside Soi Fon.

Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku flanked Aizen.

Rangiku Matsumoto, her orange hair flowing, pressed her blade against Gin Ichimaru's neck.

Gin raised his hand, his voice lighthearted yet tinged with tension: "I'm sorry, Captain Aizen. I've been restrained."

Lowering her voice, Rangiku muttered to Gin, "What are you doing?"

Gin did not answer.

"Aizen," Kyōraku said quietly, his hands resting on his Zanpakutō. "You've run out of options."

Ukitake remained silent but readied his blade.

One after another, more captains arrived.

Leading the reinforcements was Unohana Retsu, bringing other captains and vice-captains with her.

Aizen surveyed the scene and let out a faint laugh.

"What's so funny, Aizen? Have you finally realized how ridiculous your actions are?" Hitsugaya Tōshirō demanded.

Aizen shook his head gently. "This is wonderful. I thought I would only have time to say goodbye to Sasuke-kun and Captain Kuchiki."

"I didn't expect to bid farewell to everyone."

"Unfortunately, it's too late now."

"Apologies. Time's up."

A faint golden light descended from the sky, enveloping Aizen.

Simultaneously, Gin pushed Rangiku away with a forceful shove, stepping into the golden light himself.

An immense spiritual pressure began to gather overhead.

All eyes turned skyward.

A rift opened in the sky, and the golden light poured forth from within.

"That's… a Garganta," Soi Fon whispered.

The Captain-Commander's voice was firm: "No one moves."

He stopped Hitsugaya, who was already preparing to attack.

The white-haired youth ignored the order, swinging his blade. The heavens shifted, and frost descended.

Hyōrinmaru's Shikai unleashed a fierce assault toward the golden light.

But it was futile.

The light remained unshaken, not even rippling from the impact.

The spiritual pressure pulsed with unsettling power.

"That's a Negación," the Captain-Commander explained, his voice heavy. "An ability used by Hollows to rescue their own."

"The moment that light appeared, Aizen became untouchable. Not even I can harm him now."

From the Garganta, a massive pull of energy engulfed Aizen and Gin, lifting them skyward.

Rangiku looked up, her gaze meeting Gin's.

Gin smiled faintly. "Ah, Rangiku. If only you had held on a little tighter."

She clenched her teeth but remained silent.

Aizen glanced at Gin, then turned his gaze to Sasuke, who sat unmoving atop the palace.

"Sasuke-kun, you've surprised me greatly."

"Not since mastering my Zanpakutō have I experienced such bold defiance."

"But as of today, a chasm will exist between us—one you cannot cross."

Ukitake growled, his voice sharp. "Why, Aizen? Why are you doing this?"

"To pursue greater heights," Aizen replied nonchalantly, casting Ukitake a fleeting glance.

"You've fallen, Aizen," Ukitake said through gritted teeth.

Aizen chuckled softly. "You're too ignorant, Ukitake."

"No one is born standing in the heavens—not you, not me."

He reached up and removed his glasses, holding them above his head.

"Not even gods."

"But the vacancy on the throne of the heavens will soon be filled."

He crushed the glasses in his palm, scattering the shards into the wind.

With his free hand, he slicked his hair back.

His appearance changed subtly, but his entire aura shifted—cold, imposing, and exuding a godlike arrogance.

"Farewell, Shinigami."

"Farewell, Sasuke-kun."

He paused at the edge of the Garganta, his gaze unwavering. "Take care of those eyes of yours. Soon, they will belong to me."

Sasuke said nothing, his cold eyes locking onto Aizen.

He was no stranger to people coveting his Sharingan.

Aizen waved slightly before stepping into the Garganta. Gin followed close behind.

The Negación dissipated, and the rift in the sky slowly closed.

Only after Aizen's departure did the courtyard erupt into activity.

The healers of 4th Division rushed in, tending to Rukia's injuries.

…

1st Division Barracks

A meeting was underway.

"I never would have thought that Aizen would turn out to be someone like that," Shunsui Kyōraku remarked, shaking his head.

To the outside world, Aizen Sōsuke had always appeared to be a gentle and approachable person, someone who carried none of the airs of a captain. Even those who had little interaction with him naturally held him in high regard.

But who could have imagined…

That such a gentle man would quietly orchestrate such a massive upheaval?

"What's done is done. Talking about it now serves no purpose," Sasuke said coldly.

The Captain-Commander's eyes swept across the room. "Captain Uchiha, since you were the one to uncover this, you shall provide the explanation. Tell us what happened."

Sasuke remained silent for a moment, carefully organizing his thoughts. Then he began recounting everything from start to finish, without omitting a single detail.

However, he deliberately left out any mention of his contact with Yoruichi Shihōin.

The other captains, understanding the delicate nature of the matter, tacitly avoided bringing up her name as well.

After all, Aizen had already revealed during the confrontation at the Palace of Penitence that the Hollowfication incident, which had led to Yoruichi's exile, was entirely his doing.

In other words, Yoruichi and Urahara were innocent.

If this matter were to be pursued further, it would undoubtedly create significant complications.

"Noble families?" the Captain-Commander scoffed, furrowing his brow. "So that's what Aizen was targeting."

The captains who came from lower noble families remained silent.

Byakuya Kuchiki spoke softly, his tone loaded with implication. "There are indeed some who are unworthy of their positions."

"Well then, let us focus on fortifying our defenses…" The Captain-Commander began to outline their strategy.

But Sasuke interrupted him, shaking his head. "Are those Ryoka still in the Seireitei?"

"Of course, they're at the 4th Division barracks," Unohana Retsu replied.

The Captain-Commander remained silent, scrutinizing Sasuke closely.

With such a grave matter at hand, the Ryoka seemed like a trivial concern.

After all, their intentions were not malicious—they had come to rescue Rukia. Apart from some structural damage, the Seireitei had suffered only minor casualties, and even those were mostly caused by Kurotsuchi Mayuri of the 12th Division.

Bringing up the Ryoka now seemed unnecessary.

They could decide how to deal with them after determining how to handle Aizen—or even work on repairing relations with them.

"Aizen's next target may very well be the human girl among the Ryoka," Sasuke stated calmly.

Unohana's eyes flickered with understanding. "You mean Orihime Inoue?"

Sasuke nodded.

"A mere human?" The Captain of 7th Division, Sajin Komamura, snorted dismissively. "Aizen's goals can't possibly be that shallow."

Sasuke explained in a detached tone: "I severed one of Aizen's arms."

"With his ambitions and personality, he will undoubtedly seek to repair that arm."

"After all…"

"Someone aspiring to become a god would never tolerate such a glaring imperfection in his body."

Hitsugaya Tōshirō frowned. "But what does that have to do with the girl?"

"Because she can restore severed limbs," Sasuke said bluntly. "Has anyone here reviewed her profile?"

Most of the captains shook their heads.

Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake, however, appeared thoughtful.

"Her ability is versatile—it can be used for offense, defense, and healing," Sasuke continued. "But these are merely surface-level functions. Her true power lies in rejection."

The captains were momentarily stunned.

Her ability is… rejection?

What does that mean?

Sasuke raised a hand, clarifying: "Her attacks fundamentally reject the existence of her target."

"Her defense rejects any attack aimed at her."

"And her healing is simply the rejection of injuries on someone's body."

With this explanation, everything became clear.

"So, even something as severe as a severed limb—if she rejects it—could be undone?" Unohana mused aloud. "They are still at the 4th Division barracks. Perhaps we should test this to verify if her abilities are truly as extraordinary as you say."