Indra.
The moment Sasuke's fingers touched the blade, an ancient name, like a brand of fate, resonated directly within the depths of his soul.
He gripped the hilt.
The feeling was completely different from when he had held the 'Asauchi'.
Breath, flesh and blood throbbed.
If Takemikazuchi was born from the fusion of his soul and Reishi, then this Zanpakuto was the extension of his soul's hatred and Chakra.
Without a doubt, this was the Shikai form of this Zanpakuto after learning its name.
Sasuke's gaze fell on the tsuba. It was an incomplete, seemingly fire-scorched Uchiha Clan's fan emblem.
Though incomplete, the connection stemming from bloodline could not be faked.
"Indra..."
Sasuke murmured the name softly, inexplicably feeling that this name had some indescribable connection to the Uchiha Clan and to himself.
He instinctively tried to sink his mind, to re-enter the world of Zanpakuto Meditation and demand the origin of this name.
However, as his consciousness began to sink, he felt an awkward, repelling force. It was clear the other party was temporarily unwilling to receive him, its 'King'.
"Tch."
Sasuke let out a cold snort and reluctantly gave up.
He stood up, slowly raising 'Indra' before his eyes.
The method of using this blade surfaced in his mind along with its name, like an innate instinct.
He focused his will.
Bzztt…
A wisp of black flame ignited silently along the blade. It had no temperature, only a pure darkness capable of devouring everything.
The black flames, like a living thing, spread along the blade's edge, enveloping the entire sword.
Sasuke could sense that any object touched by this blade would be ignited by these unquenchable black flames, burning until it turned to nothingness. This greatly enhanced the lethality of its slashes.
He left the cemetery and went to a desolate area in the back mountains. Facing a massive rock in the distance, he swung the blade casually.
A crescent-shaped slash of black-red flame shot from the blade. The moment the flame slash touched the giant rock, it completely consumed it, as if it had never existed, leaving not even a trace of dust.
And this, was not all.
Sasuke's eyes turned sharp. He recalled the final, strongest technique that had appeared in his mind after the Zanpakuto's release.
He pointed the tip of 'Indra' at the ground, pouring all of his Reiatsu and Chakra into it without reserve.
"Naraku Abyssal Blazing Bloom."
With his cold whisper, over a dozen massive pillars of black flame erupted from the ground around him, shooting into the sky, intertwining and blooming like a death flower blossoming in the depths of hell.
A pure desire for destruction flooded into his mind from the hilt, gnawing at his reason.
'Burn everything to ashes. Erase all existence that has caused you pain!'
The impulse was so intense, so seductive.
"Heh heh..."
Sasuke's body trembled slightly. His other hand, seemingly of its own accord, covered his left eye, as if suppressing something.
He slowly raised his head, looking up at the cold moon, a grin spreading across his face as he let out a burst of near-maniacal laughter.
"New power... I never imagined... it would be this strong!"
The laughter echoed through the dead-silent cemetery, filled with exhilaration.
He laughed for a long time before gradually stopping.
He abruptly tightened his grip on 'Indra', forcibly cutting off the output of power.
The black flames on the blade quietly receded, returning it to its deep, matte black appearance.
Sasuke gasped for breath violently, cold sweat beading on his temples.
For a moment there, he had almost been completely assimilated by this power.
He stared incredulously at 'Indra'.
'So this is what it meant by the King and the Mount...'
…
Training Ground 3. The morning mist had not yet dissipated, carrying a hint of moisture.
Whoosh…
A sharp sound of something cutting through the air rang out.
The blade sliced through the air, stopping precisely before a falling leaf. The gust of wind it carried split the leaf cleanly in two.
Sasuke slowly sheathed his sword, 'The power of a released Zanpakuto was undoubtedly formidable, but swordsmanship was the foundation that allowed this power to be perfectly utilized.'
'This point could not be neglected.'
Just as he was immersed in his training, a familiar figure appeared silently at the edge of the training ground.
It's Kakashi.
Sasuke merely glanced at him but did not stop his movements, continuing his cycle of drawing and slashing.
But Kakashi was different today.
He wasn't leaning lazily against a tree trunk reading his Icha Icha Paradise like usual. Instead, he stood there quietly, his entire being exuding an unprecedented gloominess.
The always half-droopy, dead-fish eye was now shrouded in an abysmal haze.
Sasuke stopped his sword practice.
He slowly turned around, looking at the man who seemed to have had his soul sucked out, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.
Kakashi seemed to notice Sasuke's gaze. He took a deep breath, jumped down from the tree, and tried to force his usual easygoing smile.
"Yo, Sasuke. You're here early."
His voice carried a weariness even he himself hadn't noticed.
Sasuke didn't respond to his greeting, just looked at him calmly.
Kakashi grew somewhat uncomfortable under his gaze, instinctively avoiding it as he scratched his head, forcibly steering the conversation back on track.
"Well, since you're already here, let's start the final stage of learning the Raikiri today."
"Hn."
Sasuke responded indifferently and withdrew his gaze.
Sasuke could probably guess what Kakashi had done after leaving yesterday.
'Most likely, he went to investigate the truth of what happened back then.'
'But judging by his despondent appearance, he probably hadn't found any results.'
'However, this is none of my business.'
Sasuke thought, gripping his sword hilt again.
Just as the oppressive atmosphere was about to spread, a voice full of vitality broke the silence.
"Sasuke! Kakashi-sensei! I'm here!"
Naruto ran over energetically from the distance, his face wearing his trademark silly grin, seemingly completely unaware of the strange atmosphere.
He ran up to Kakashi, looked up at his clearly troubled face, and his smile faltered slightly.
"Uh... Kakashi-sensei, what's wrong with you today? You look really out of it." Naruto tilted his head, asking with some concern.
Kakashi's eyes glazed over for a moment before focusing on Naruto. He forced a smile, "Ah, it's nothing. Probably just didn't sleep well last night."
"Really..."
Naruto scratched his head, half-convinced, but he quickly came up with a brilliant idea.
He patted his chest, looking proud as he said to Kakashi, "In that case, let me perform a new Ninjutsu I just learned for you, Kakashi-sensei! Guaranteed to perk you right up!"
"A new Ninjutsu?" Kakashi was somewhat surprised.
"Watch this!"
Naruto took a few steps back, forming hand seals with an extremely lewd posture.
"Sexy Technique!"
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