Shinigami in the Ninja World

However, amidst her complaints, she rarely mentioned anything related to herself.

The cessation of the "Stealth Force" operations didn't affect her much. What truly upset her was not being able to personally deliver the news to Shihōin Yoruichi.

Of course, she knew that Yoruichi had her own channels of information. Still, hearing it directly from someone was different from getting it secondhand.

The news about the Tsunayashiro Clan was suppressed from all sides, with the 9th Division dedicated to eliminating various rumors. Once all the negative talk was silenced, the Soul Society seemed to return to its usual state of peace.

Time flowed like water.

Naruto continued with his life, diving into research—not the small, casual studies he used to do, focusing on a single technique, but rather attempting a systematic exploration of the "essence of power."

It was incredibly challenging.

According to Kurotsuchi Mayuri, Naruto's previous methods were merely imitations of others' ideas, developing "techniques" that were basic work, comparable to what the unremarkable members of the Kido Corps would do.

True research wasn't just about brainstorming a new technique on a whim.

Naruto followed him, learning along the way.

He also didn't neglect his training with his Zanpakuto.

Whenever the "sapling" within him signaled a need for "nourishment," he would seek out Zaraki Kenpachi for a fight.

But...

Kenpachi had become somewhat reluctant to fight Naruto.

Sure, the battles were fun—both cutting and being cut by Naruto was indeed interesting.

But it wasn't satisfying.

Every time they were in the middle of the fight, before either of them could fall, Naruto would call for a stop.

Leaving Kenpachi feeling unfulfilled.

If he tried to push the fight further, Naruto would use sealing techniques to suppress him. And if things got too intense, the old man—Yamamoto—would step in and scold him, telling him to learn some restraint from Naruto.

Refusing to fight altogether?

Kenpachi couldn't bring himself to do that either, so he just hoped that the next time, they could fight for a bit longer.

In contrast, Nine-Tails was thriving in the Seireitei.

From the captains down to the squad members, everyone knew his name.

In fact, after discovering that his small, cute appearance gave him certain advantages, Nine-Tails even dared to sneak into the 1st Division and tug on Yamamoto's beard.

Of course, Kyoraku Shunsui's lieutenant, Nanao Ise, would zap him black and throw him out afterward.

As for his training, Nine-Tails was making rapid progress.

Whether it was merging with his other self or developing his "blade."

But compared to the "boring and tedious" training, he much preferred drinking with Shunsui.

Surprisingly, the one Nine-Tails got along with the best wasn't Komamura Sajin, but Kusajishi Yachiru.

He was especially patient with her, even willing to enlarge his form slightly to let her ride on his back as they ran around the Seireitei together.

Tugging on Yamamoto's beard had been Yachiru's idea, with Nine-Tails carrying out the plan.

In the 7th Division Captain's office.

Naruto looked around at the smoke-filled room and sighed, "You're here again."

"This isn't an izakaya."

Kyoraku Shunsui peeked out, "We ran into each other on the way, and they said they were coming here, so I tagged along."

"Hey, Isshin, why did you come to Naruto's place?"

Matsumoto Rangiku slammed her hand on the table, setting down her cup with a serious expression. "Oh no!"

"Captain Isshin, we're here to talk to Captain Naruto about something important."

Shiba Isshin, confused, let out an "Ah?" and after meeting Rangiku's gaze, suddenly understood and nodded repeatedly, "Right, right, we have important business."

"Don't make something up on the spot," Naruto said, looking at them skeptically, full of disbelief.

Matsumoto Rangiku adopted a serious tone, "This is serious."

"But before I tell you, Captain Naruto, you have to promise me something."

Naruto tapped the table, "You're asking me for a favor and you want me to promise something first?"

Matsumoto Rangiku stiffened, then burst out laughing, "Don't say it like that, Captain Naruto. We're all comrades in the Seireitei, and besides, I have a good relationship with Nine-Tails!"

She gestured, and Nine-Tails wriggled out from her chest area, growling in anger, "Rangiku, you damned woman."

"If you stuff me in there again, I'll claw you up!"

Rangiku sighed, "But this is a privilege many would dream of having."

Nine-Tails jumped onto the table, shaking his fur. "I'm just a fox."

"Get to the point," Naruto reminded her.

Rangiku raised her hand, "Captain Naruto, I'll be blunt."

"I'm the one who found him, so he's going to be in our 10th Division."

Naruto narrowed his eyes.

So... she found a promising candidate?

"Exactly what you're thinking, Captain Naruto," Rangiku said, placing her hands on her hips, looking pleased with herself. "I found an extraordinary young man in Rukongai."

"He's incredibly talented!"

"Although he hasn't been formally tested yet…"

"The spiritual pressure he's leaking is enough to intimidate even me."

Naruto scrutinized Rangiku.

Though she often seemed frivolous, she was always serious about her duties.

She might speak casually, but she wouldn't lie.

Moreover, she was a hard worker behind the scenes, now serving as the Vice-Captain of the 10th Division.

If his spiritual pressure could make even her feel intimidated...

Could he be at the Captain level already?

"And then?" Naruto asked, noticing she was fidgeting but not saying anything. He prompted her to continue.

Rangiku hesitated, then scratched the back of her head with a sheepish laugh, "Well, there's a bit of a problem."

"He doesn't want to become a Shinigami."

"I've tried multiple times but haven't been able to convince him."

"I was going to have Captain Isshin talk to him, but he..."

She turned around to see Shiba Isshin and Nine-Tails already arm-wrestling, with Shunsui officiating the match.

"You see," she sighed in exasperation, "sending him would only make the guy more resistant."

"Shinigami are a bunch of weirdos."

"I feel like he might even be prejudiced against me."

Naruto remained silent.

Nine-Tails glanced over, "Damned woman, did it ever occur to you that it might not be prejudice?"

"Rubbish!" Rangiku instantly retorted.

"If he doesn't want to be a Shinigami, then…" Naruto shook his head.

If he didn't want to become a Shinigami, that was his choice. Everyone had their own path.

"The problem is, he's becoming an uncontrollable factor," Rangiku said, her expression turning serious.

Naruto frowned, "An uncontrollable factor?"

"His spiritual pressure is immense, but he can't control it well," Rangiku explained, shaking her head. "The key issue is, he seems to have already connected with his sword."

"It appears to be an ice-type Zanpakuto, and it's very powerful."

"The leakage of spiritual pressure is causing some weather changes. The range is small now, but with his spiritual pressure and the rate at which he's connecting with his inner self, it won't be long before it starts affecting the entire region, and possibly neighboring areas as well."

Shiba Isshin turned around, "A normal elemental-type Zanpakuto wouldn't cause that kind of change."

"This reminds me of someone."

Naruto's expression grew serious, "The Captain-Commander?"

Isshin nodded, "Exactly. If this really is the strongest ice-type Zanpakuto, it would be better to have him under the control of the Gotei 13."

"Those nobles…"

Naruto stood up, "I understand."

"Thank you for handling this, Captain Naruto," Isshin said, his tone sincere as he bowed deeply.

Naruto shot him a look and smirked.

West Rukongai, Junrinan District.

Though April had just passed, a few late-blooming cherry blossoms still dotted the landscape.

A white-haired boy woke from his sleep, eyes wide in shock.

It wasn't that he had a terrible nightmare, but the dream had felt too real.

He was in a frigid ice cavern, with an enormous ice dragon standing before him.

Its voice was deafening, demanding that he call its name.

It...

It had told him its name, but it was fuzzy, not entirely clear.

Ever since that overly muscular, frivolous woman started paying attention to him, these dreams had become more frequent.

"Grandmother, I…" He turned to find his elderly grandmother curled up under the covers, shivering, with a thin layer of frost forming on the outermost blanket.

His eyes widened in shock.

Is this...

"Condensing the moisture in the air into ice?" A soft, gentle voice spoke from nearby, startling him. "That's quite an impressive ability."

Before the white-haired boy could turn around, the voice's owner knelt beside him, placing a hand on his grandmother.

A soft green light spread out.

His grandmother's expression relaxed immediately.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"That's the Captain," answered the familiar, light-hearted voice of the woman who had been pestering him, Matsumoto Rangiku. "He's a very powerful person, so don't worry, your grandmother will be fine."

"It's just mild frostbite, nothing serious," Naruto said, getting to his feet.

The white-haired boy turned to look at him.

The orange-haired, muscular female Shinigami was Matsumoto Rangiku, who had been hounding him lately.

Then he looked at Naruto.

His eyes shifted back and forth before realization dawned on him. "Is he your brother?"

"If I were related to someone like her, that would be so embarrassing," Naruto said, standing up.

The white-haired boy nodded in agreement.

Rangiku clenched her fist.

Keep calm, keep calm...

These two are just immature men; they don't understand the allure of a mature woman.

"Although I don't understand why you don't want to become a Shinigami," Naruto said, turning to face the boy, "I won't bother you with lofty speeches."

"You must cherish the people around you, right?"

The boy lowered his head.

"But now the reality is staring you in the face."

"If you can't control your power, it will hurt those close to you."

"The stronger you get, the greater the damage."

Naruto paused, extending his hand. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto, Captain of the 7th Division."

"I invite you to join the Shin'o Academy for training."

"What's your name?"

The white-haired boy looked up and shook his hand, stating his name: "Hitsugaya Tōshirō."

~~~

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