Shinigami in the Ninja World (Re-upload)

An hour isn't a long time.

Yet, within that short span, Ichigo Kurosaki kept his promise—he successfully mastered Bankai.

His innate talent was extraordinary. Once he understood what his heart desired, he advanced without hesitation or obstruction.

However...

An hour was also far too long.

By the time Ichigo emerged from the underground training ground, everything was already over. The area lay in disarray, but there was nothing left—no bodies, no living souls, not even traces of the battle. The place had been cleaned up thoroughly.

A lone member of the 2nd Division, tasked with staying behind, informed Ichigo that he should head to the 4th Division barracks.

Ichigo didn't know the way.

Yoruichi, aware of this, led him through Shunpo, moving at lightning speed, leaving the 2nd Division member far behind.

…

At the 4th Division Barracks

Orihime Inoue stood nervously, surrounded by nearly ten captains, their gazes fixed intently on her as she displayed her ability. She couldn't understand why her meager power had drawn the curiosity of such important figures.

Compared to Ichigo, or even Chad, her abilities seemed insignificant—she was clearly the weakest member of their small group.

Still, she earnestly demonstrated her skill, healing an injured 4th Division member who had been hurt during the earlier chaos.

"It's not Kaido," Unohana Retsu judged with a single glance. "Just as Captain Urahara described, it's a form of rejection."

The Captain-Commander stood at a distance, saying nothing. His presence alone was heavy, the weight of the revelation sinking in.

It was a terrifyingly powerful ability—one they had nearly overlooked because of Orihime's seemingly unremarkable presence.

Rejection...

It was a concept.

"What's wrong with my ability?" Orihime asked nervously, still not understanding what "rejection" meant. To her, it was simply healing.

Shunsui Kyōraku leaned forward with a gentle tone. "Don't worry, young lady. We were merely verifying a theory."

"You're special. For now, please remain here in the Soul Society. It's the safest place for you."

Orihime, however, wasn't comforted by his words. The cheerful, slightly awkward girl, who secretly nursed a crush, felt a strong aversion to his oily charm.

Her voice grew quieter, more fearful. "Am I... being imprisoned?"

"It's for your protection," Jūshirō Ukitake said, gently pulling his friend Shunsui back and stepping forward himself.

"Aizen—the one who targeted Rukia—is likely to set his sights on you next."

Orihime's confusion deepened. "Because of my ability?"

Jūshirō nodded. Compared to Shunsui's teasing tone, his genuine and kind demeanor made his words far more convincing.

…

As they discussed, Ichigo Kurosaki finally arrived.

After confirming Rukia's condition and learning of Orihime's precarious situation, he didn't hesitate to declare his decision: he would stay in the Soul Society alongside Orihime to protect her.

Uryū Ishida, however, had no choice but to return to the World of the Living. He had paid too great a price in the earlier battles and lost his Quincy powers. As an ordinary soul, remaining in the Seireitei would be a slow death—a fate similar to that of Rukia's sister.

Chad decided to stay.

His strength was still respectable, roughly on par with a high-ranking seated officer. While he might not be able to contribute significantly in the coming war, he wouldn't be a complete liability either.

But things are never as simple as they seem.

When one goal becomes unattainable, switching to a secondary objective is a standard tactic in any game of strategy.

The Gotei 13 naturally assumed that Aizen's target was the Soul Society and the Seireitei itself.

However, the truth was quite different.

…

Aizen's interests seemed far more focused on the human world.

Having been exonerated, Kisuke Urahara now felt safe enough to make an appearance—not in person, but through a video link facilitated by Yoruichi.

Of all the captains, Urahara clearly had the most insight into Aizen.

He understood that the man's supposed interest in the noble families was merely a ploy to manipulate Sasuke. Aizen's true objective was the Royal Palace, and more specifically, the Soul King—the enigmatic, omnipotent entity reigning above all.

But ascending to the Royal Palace was no simple feat.

It required a special key known as the Ōken. And to forge such a key, using the resources Aizen currently possessed, there was only one way: sacrifice an entire Reishi-dense area.

There was no doubt which area Aizen had chosen: Karakura Town—the city tied to Ichigo Kurosaki and Orihime Inoue.

With no other option, the Gotei 13 resolved to send Ichigo, Orihime, and Chad back to the World of the Living.

To ensure their safety, they assigned three captains as their protectors: Sasuke Uchiha, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, and Byakuya Kuchiki.

…

A Month Later

The Soul Society had finished its preparations and launched a preemptive strike against Aizen.

Leading the mission was Sasuke Uchiha, who had previously dealt Aizen a significant blow, accompanied by several other captains to invade Hueco Mundo.

This was an opportunity for the Gotei 13—and also for Aizen.

It seemed he had anticipated this move. The moment Sasuke and his team entered Hueco Mundo, Aizen sealed it off and, alongside his Arrancars, headed to the World of the Living.

Prepared for such contingencies, the Seireitei, under Kisuke Urahara's guidance, had built a replica of Karakura Town. The illusion successfully deceived Aizen, leading him to an empty, lifeless model city.

"I thought you'd cling to protecting that girl," Aizen said with a calm smile. "Muscle-brained fools..."

"But this… this is impressive."

"This makes things far more interesting. Otherwise, taking my prize from a group of incompetents would have been dull."

Raising his left arm, Aizen casually swiped the air.

The sky tore open, revealing a pitch-black rift.

"However, your opponents…" Aizen said, stepping aside, "are not me."

From the rift emerged a group of Arrancars, their aura overwhelming. What stood out most was the Zanpakutō strapped to each of their waists.

The captains of the Gotei 13 were not surprised. They had already been informed by Kisuke Urahara that the Hōgyoku had the power to break the boundaries between Shinigami and Hollow, and vice versa.

Now that Aizen possessed two Hōgyoku and their combined power was complete, these transformations were no longer as unstable as they had been a century ago.

There was no doubt...

These Arrancars had truly acquired the power of the Shinigami.

Aizen's Kyōka Suigetsu was an extremely troublesome ability in one-on-one combat, but in large-scale battles, it became outright terrifying.

If allowed to use his Zanpakutō's power freely, no one could guarantee that their opponent wouldn't suddenly become their own ally.

The Captain-Commander made the wisest decision.

Using his Zanka no Tachi, he imprisoned Aizen within a wall of flames, isolating him from the battlefield and preventing his escape.

However...

Sometimes, what seems like the most logical choice is not necessarily the correct one.

Aizen knew Yamamoto Genryūsai's abilities intimately and had prepared a countermeasure. He had created a specific Arrancar called the Imperial Prince of Perished Flames.

The creature wasn't strong but had one unique ability: it could absorb flames.

This was specifically designed to counter Yamamoto's Zanka no Tachi.

But a true power is never one-dimensional.

Even without his Zanpakutō's abilities, Yamamoto's mastery of Hakuda (hand-to-hand combat) was extraordinary. He easily tore the Imperial Prince of Perished Flames to shreds.

Yet this, too, was part of Aizen's plan.

By exploiting this distraction, Aizen delivered a severe blow to Yamamoto, gravely injuring him.

With his greatest obstacle out of the way, Aizen effortlessly captured Orihime Inoue and launched an invasion into the Soul Society.

Kisuke Urahara, realizing the severity of the situation, unsealed Hueco Mundo. Sasuke immediately rushed back to the Soul Society, where he arrived just in time to witness an unexpected scene: Gin Ichimaru attempting to assassinate Aizen.

The snake-like man, true to his deceptive appearance, had been lying in wait for years, perhaps since his childhood. Every skill and preparation he had cultivated led to this moment.

Gin nearly succeeded in killing Aizen.

But "nearly" wasn't enough.

The miraculous power of the Hōgyoku rendered Gin's efforts useless.

The Hōgyoku revived Aizen, who underwent further evolution. His appearance began to change—almost grotesquely.

Aizen's chest bore a hollow-like hole, and his back sprouted wings resembling those of a butterfly.

"Sasuke-kun, we meet again," Aizen said, his voice low but filled with amusement. "How do you like my new form?"

Sasuke's tone was ice-cold. "Disgusting."

"Evolution always looks this way," Aizen replied, unconcerned, nodding slightly. "During the process, there will always be changes that ordinary beings cannot accept."

"To the eyes of a mere Shinigami, of course, this form would seem incomprehensible."

"Let me show you," Aizen said with a mocking smile, "the vast difference between my power and yours."

Unfazed, Sasuke drew his blade and used Shunpo to close the distance instantly.

Interestingly, Aizen didn't rely on Kyōka Suigetsu.

He had long disliked his own Zanpakutō, only using its basic powers for the simplest combat scenarios.

Techniques like Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu still caused Aizen damage, but they were far less effective than before.

Breathing deeply, Aizen looked at Sasuke with a relaxed smile. "Do you see now, Sasuke-kun? This is the power of evolution."

"By surpassing the limits of a Shinigami..."

"No matter how intriguing your abilities, they are no match for me."

Raising his blade high, Aizen exuded overwhelming confidence.

But Sasuke, unfazed, stared back coldly.

"So, you think what you've seen is my full power?" Sasuke asked.

Aizen hesitated, momentarily thrown off.

Sasuke smirked faintly. "The power of the Sharingan… far exceeds your imagination."

The Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan spun in Sasuke's eyes.

"Susanoo!"

A massive, armored purple giant rose from the ground, equipped with twin blades, its presence exuding an oppressive aura.

Aizen's surprise was evident, though not panicked. "Your Zanpakutō… what kind of blade is it, exactly?"

The abilities Sasuke displayed thus far encompassed three distinct types:

Elemental: The black flames of Amaterasu.

Kido-like: The illusionary space of Tsukuyomi.

Physical: The colossal, armored Susanoo.

It was almost as if this Zanpakutō defied the rules, possessing nearly all categories of abilities save for a biological or summoning type.

Sasuke offered no explanation. Without hesitation, he swung the massive sword downward.

Aizen chuckled, unimpressed. "Size alone is meaningless, Sasuke-kun. At our level, you should know better—bigger doesn't mean better."

Releasing his spiritual pressure, Aizen raised his blade to intercept the attack.

His expression quickly shifted as he was overwhelmed—the force of the strike drove him out of the air and deep into the ground below.

It wasn't just the size.

The attack carried an increase in power, speed, and spiritual pressure—far beyond what Aizen had anticipated.

And it wasn't just a slight boost.

Sasuke's strength had doubled.

"Perhaps I underestimated you," Aizen admitted, brushing off the dirt as he stood. "An offensive-type Zanpakutō can indeed elevate its wielder to heights they would not otherwise reach."

"But…"

He did not hesitate, abandoning his sword and pointing his arm at Sasuke.

Without incantation, he uttered:

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

The same technique that had demolished the penitence tower of Sōkyoku Hill—made entirely of spiritual energy-repellent Sekkiseki—now surged toward Sasuke without resistance.

Aizen wasn't particularly concerned about Sasuke's abilities. To him, this type of power wasn't unique within the Gotei 13. Someone else possessed a similar ability: Sajin Komamura, Captain of the 7th Division.

Komamura's Zanpakutō, Tenken, could summon the massive armored construct Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō in its Bankai state, granting overwhelming size, strength, and spiritual pressure.

It was undoubtedly powerful.

But where there are strengths, there are also weaknesses.

Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō's fatal flaw was that its damage mirrored onto Komamura. Whatever harm the giant endured was also inflicted on its wielder.

Aizen assumed that Sasuke's Susanoo, with its massive armored form, must have similar limitations.

But Sasuke didn't bother to defend.

The thunder cannon struck Susanoo head-on, blasting against its protective armor.

However…

This purple construct's defensive power was extraordinary. Even Aizen, in his current form, couldn't break through its armor entirely. The attack left only a visible crack—grotesque but shallow.

And then Aizen realized—

Susanoo was nothing like Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō!

The damage inflicted on Susanoo wasn't reflected on Sasuke. The purple armor was an independent construct, fully protecting its wielder.

Incredible...

For something that was supposedly just a fragment of Sasuke's power, it was already far stronger than the specialized Bankai of other captains.

Their battle exposed Aizen's greatest flaw.

His unmatched confidence stemmed from the immense gap between his spiritual pressure and that of his opponents. Against those with weaker spiritual pressure, he seemed invincible.

But now, Sasuke—empowered by Susanoo—was different.

While his spiritual pressure still fell short of Aizen's, the gap wasn't insurmountable.

This meant Aizen's advantage in spiritual pressure was neutralized, leaving his offensive options limited to swordsmanship and Kidō.

While formidable, those techniques lacked the innovation and unpredictability needed to handle a foe like Sasuke.

At the same time, Sasuke found it equally difficult to deliver a decisive blow to Aizen.

The Hōgyoku granted Aizen near-immortality, allowing him to heal from even the most severe injuries.

Aizen had grown significantly stronger since his time in the Seireitei. Even with Susanoo, Sasuke could only match him.

Their fight reached a deadlock—a contest of endurance and attrition.

It was at this moment that a Senkaimon opened.

Stepping through was Ichigo Kurosaki, arriving to rescue Orihime Inoue.

But this Ichigo was different.

His height seemed to have increased slightly, his hair now longer and nearly reaching his shoulders. His Zanpakutō exuded no detectable spiritual pressure—an eerie and silent blade.

Ichigo had entered a new realm, a higher state of being.

In his own words, he had become one with his Zanpakutō.

His power was overwhelming, almost boundless.

Even without Sasuke's assistance, Ichigo alone could overpower Aizen.

Facing both Sasuke and Ichigo, Aizen's composure faltered for the first time.

He had evolved, sacrificing even his appearance for greater strength. And yet, these two stood before him as insurmountable obstacles.

What was the point of his evolution?

Doubt crept into Aizen's mind.

And where doubt takes root, it grows rapidly.

The Hōgyoku responded to Aizen's doubt.

In an instant, all the so-called "evolution" and "power" it had granted him disappeared.

Kisuke Urahara seized the opportunity, activating the sealing technique he had planted within the Hōgyoku, binding Aizen completely.

With the mastermind captured, the war ended.

In the fake Karakura Town, the fighting subsided, and the Gotei 13 emerged victorious.

The Arrancars were either killed or captured, and peace was restored.

…

High above, beyond the sky, and deep within the Royal Palace, the true Soul King watched silently.

Mutilated beyond recognition—his limbs severed, internal organs removed, and tongue and ears cut away—he existed as a mere torso, with only his eyes left intact.

And those eyes, filled with apathy, gazed down upon the events below.

For countless eons, he had grown weary of his imprisonment, longing for release.

The Soul King had been searching for a suitable candidate to liberate him.

"Ichigo Kurosaki," he thought, was the most fitting candidate in this world.

In Ichigo, the Soul King saw a potential savior—someone who could bring about his release while preserving the stability of the three worlds.

But this was not guaranteed.

The future's greatest enemy, wielding the power of "Almighty," posed a significant threat.

Thus, the Soul King expanded his search to other worlds.

He dismissed the alien-like Otsutsuki clan that wandered the cosmos. While powerful and skilled, their cruelty and disregard for the balance of worlds made them unsuitable.

Instead, his gaze fell upon a world of ninjas—the Ninja World.

Among its inhabitants, the Soul King found individuals of exceptional potential.

He admired a man named Hashirama Senju, though it was a pity he had died too early for the Soul King to act. The Soul King could only influence his own world.

Now, two new figures caught his attention:

Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha.

These two were unlike any others.

At first, the Soul King's focus was on Sasuke.

His tragic past, remarkable talent, and resolute nature made him a fascinating candidate.

Thus, the Soul King subtly manipulated Sasuke's chakra, drawing it into his world to observe its potential.

Everything Sasuke experienced in the Soul Society—from his arrival to his battle with Aizen—was not reality but a glimpse of a future the Soul King foresaw.

While Sasuke excelled, his deeply personal motivations disqualified him as a savior.

The Soul King needed someone who could fight for greater ideals, someone capable of preserving the balance of worlds.

And so, the Soul King turned his gaze toward Naruto Uzumaki.

"What would Naruto do?" he wondered.

With his lifeless eyes, the Soul King began reaching for Naruto's chakra, attempting to bridge the vast divide between their worlds.

…

Kaguya Ōtsutsuki was defeated, and a new moon was created by Naruto.

Sasuke restructured the world, dismantling the old nations, abolishing the use of ninjas as mere tools, and transforming chakra into a resource to improve human life.

After a long day of managing affairs, Sasuke woke up at his desk.

His head felt groggy, as though he hadn't rested well.

Instead of resuming his work, he turned his gaze toward the window.

It seemed he had just had a dream...

In the dream, he traveled to a place whose name he could no longer remember. There, he met various people, some of whom became acquaintances, while others brought him trouble and conflict.

But the details were hazy.

The only thing he clearly recalled was meeting a man encased in amber—a being with no limbs, ears, or voice, only a pair of eyes filled with four-pointed stars in place of pupils.

The man had spoken to him, though no sound emerged.

"Sasuke Uchiha, you are exceptional. But Naruto Uzumaki is better suited."

Sasuke pondered the meaning of this statement.

"Exceptional?"

The word felt oddly mocking. Perhaps in his childhood, back in Konoha and at the ninja academy, he had indeed been more exceptional than Naruto. But that was a long time ago.

Now, Naruto was undoubtedly the one who shone brighter.

Naruto had single-handedly changed the world. The ease with which Sasuke could implement his reforms now was thanks to the foundation Naruto had laid. Without that groundwork, resistance would have been much greater.

Perhaps the dream was born of lingering emotions.

Sasuke sometimes found himself wondering—why Naruto?

He smirked at the thought and lowered his head back to the pile of work on his desk.

But deep inside, he felt fortunate.

It had to be someone like Naruto.

…

In the Pure Land

A wind blew, causing the flames of a campfire to flicker.

This was no ordinary breeze; it seemed to dispel some of the eternal darkness blanketing the Pure Land.

"I don't need your permission to do this. Isn't that right?"

Naruto's voice lingered in the air.

The Sage of Six Paths remained silent.

Naruto extended his hand, palm open.

The Sage exhaled deeply before touching Naruto's palm with his own.

Symbols of the sun and moon appeared in Naruto's hand, formed from pure chakra.

This was his access key—permission to alter the Pure Land.

Though it was a realm created by the Sage, Naruto now had the authority to reshape it. However, since the Pure Land was entirely composed of chakra, major alterations still required the Sage's blessing.

Naruto thanked him for his cooperation and set to work.

He began reforming the Pure Land, following the vision he had laid out.

The Pure Land could not function as a parallel realm to the living world. It needed a fixed point of entry and exit, similar to the Summoning Realms of the Three Great Sage Lands.

Naruto established this point in the Land of Whirlpools. He restored the island's shrine, drove out pirates, and rekindled normal life on its shores—with Sasuke's help.

Sasuke relocated a group of civilians and ninjas to the island, allowing them to rebuild a community. Though the lives of ninjas were far from ordinary, they brought a sense of vitality back to the island.

Once the shrine was restored, the Seireitei—the Court of Pure Souls—was formally established.

Situated between two worlds, it had one foot in the Pure Land and the other in the physical world.

With the Seireitei in place, Naruto began organizing its forces.

The first division he established was the Purification Corps, a vital squad.

Unlike the Soul Society, souls in the Pure Land did not degrade into Hollows, as the realm itself captured them. However, the chakra contained within these souls still needed to be extracted.

Naruto decreed that the Pure Land would no longer allow the existence of chakra within its boundaries. Death marked a final severance from the influence of chakra.

Rather than relying on the Pure Land's automated systems, Naruto believed it better for Shinigami to handle purification and guide souls onward.

The second division confirmed was the Research Corps.

Naruto brought Orochimaru to the Pure Land but tightly controlled his movements, both as a precaution and as punishment for Orochimaru's past betrayals during the war.

Other critical divisions, such as the Medical Corps and Intelligence Corps, were also established.

The Intelligence Corps was entrusted to Minato Namikaze. Knowing his son's grand ambitions, Minato set aside his desire for a peaceful afterlife to lend his aid.

Eventually, when Sasuke's mortal life came to an end, leadership of this division would pass to him.

The Ninja World and the Pure Land

Both worlds began to change in an orderly fashion.