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9th Division Barracks
The 3rd Seat barked loud commands, and the squad members lined up nervously.
Although it was still unclear what had happened, it seemed that Seireitei was once again under attack by a formidable enemy.
Suddenly, his voice halted as he looked up in astonishment.
A powerful spiritual pressure was rapidly approaching.
Just sensing its presence made his body tremble involuntarily.
It took tremendous effort to place his hand on his sword's hilt, and the other squad members were equally tense, on high alert.
Moments later, a golden figure landed, causing them to immediately relax.
Their demeanor became respectful as they greeted the newcomer one by one.
"Blonde hair" was the unique feature of Captain Uzumaki of the 7th Division. Despite his young age, he was one of the most popular captains in the Gotei 13.
Naruto looked around, unable to sense either Captain Komamura Sajin or Vice-Captain Tōsen Kaname.
It wasn't that he didn't know the way.
But rather than immediately heading to the 1st Division barracks, there was something more important he needed to confirm.
"Have Captain Sajin and Vice-Captain Tōsen already departed for the 1st Division barracks?" Naruto turned his gaze to the 3rd Seat.
"The Captain received the notice earlier and has already left," the 3rd Seat replied. "I'm not sure about Vice-Captain Tōsen; he probably went as well."
Naruto looked at him, "You're not sure?"
The 3rd Seat grew nervous, nodding as he stammered, "I haven't seen the Vice-Captain since this morning."
"The Captain doesn't know where the Vice-Captain is either."
"Earlier, the Captain instructed that if we saw Vice-Captain Tōsen, we should have him head straight to the 1st Division barracks."
Naruto then questioned the others.
Their responses were unanimous: none had seen Tōsen since the morning.
This made Naruto's expression grow serious.
Had this man disappeared after this morning?
The speculation that had emerged in his mind after hearing the 2nd Division's report was now becoming more plausible.
He turned and left.
He didn't head to the 5th Division barracks; at such a meeting, the 5th Division Captain, as the "Rescue Squad," would definitely be present.
1st Division Barracks
The vice-captains were waiting outside the meeting room.
Except for the 3rd and 9th Division vice-captains, the other eleven were all present. The 3rd Division still didn't have a captain, so the vice-captain was acting in that capacity and was presumably inside the meeting room.
Tōsen Kaname was still absent.
Accompanying the 6th Division Captain was the 3rd Seat, Kuchiki Byakuya, who stood alone, away from the crowd, his expression solemn and his brow furrowed.
Naruto pushed open the door and entered.
Inside, all the captains were present, none missing, including Sōsuke Aizen.
"Captain Uzumaki, you're late," said Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
Naruto apologized and took his place.
The Captain-Commander's face was stern, and his tone was grave: "This is utterly absurd. Another incident of the Senkaimon being sealed has occurred!"
"The last time this happened was twenty years ago!"
"And now, it's happened again so soon."
"This is a direct challenge to the dignity of the Gotei 13."
"It also concerns the Soul Society's control over the World of the Living, a matter of utmost importance."
"Therefore, I will select three captains to head to the World of the Living once the Senkaimon is repaired to investigate."
As he said this, he paused, his gaze lingering on the 6th Division Captain, Kuchiki Ginrei, before continuing, "Captain Sōsuke Aizen of the 5th Division, Captain Komamura Sajin of the 9th Division, and Captain Zaraki Kenpachi of the 11th Division."
Before the order was finalized, Naruto interrupted, "Captain-Commander, I request to join the mission."
The Captain-Commander's expression darkened slightly, "Captain Uzumaki, this is not the time for impulsiveness."
"I have valid reasons," Naruto's voice was firm. "I personally experienced the last time the Senkaimon was sealed."
"Moreover, I suspect that this incident is related to the Hollowfication event decades ago."
"As the one responsible for and investigating the Hollowfication incident, I believe it is necessary for me to go and provide support and conduct an investigation."
The Captain-Commander's eyes narrowed slightly.
Several captains were surprised.
Naruto glanced sideways; Sōsuke Aizen's expression remained almost unchanged.
Although the "Captain Hollowfication Incident" had been officially resolved by Central 46, placing the blame on Urahara Kisuke's research, many captains were still unconvinced by this "truth."
The Captain-Commander looked up at him, a slight smile at the corner of his eyes: "Given such solid reasoning, let Captain Uzumaki Naruto of the 7th Division replace Captain Zaraki Kenpachi of the 11th Division."
Zaraki Kenpachi frowned, "No more cutting people for me?"
The Captain-Commander merely glanced at him, completely ignoring his comment, and continued with the orders: "The 3rd and 11th Divisions should prepare to provide support."
The orders were issued.
The captains exited the meeting room.
Kuchiki Byakuya approached, silently looking at his grandfather.
"The Captain-Commander has already arranged for three captains to provide support," Kuchiki Ginrei said softly. "Among them is Captain Uzumaki."
Byakuya paused, a bit slow to turn his gaze to Naruto, who was shorter than himself.
"Byakuya, I've experienced something like this before," Naruto said to comfort him. "At that time, two Menos Grande appeared. This time should be similar. With Vice-Captain Kuchiki's abilities, two Menos Grande shouldn't be a problem for him."
Byakuya nodded but remained silent.
Naruto glanced at him, then at Kuchiki Ginrei.
"Captain Uzumaki, please proceed with your mission," said the elderly head of the Kuchiki clan, showing a faint smile at this moment. "My grandson is not a weak person."
"I will explain everything to him clearly."
Naruto nodded and left with Kotsubaki Jin'emon.
A few minutes later, in front of the Senkaimon.
The 12th Division and the Kidō Corps were still making repairs. Three teams were poised and ready to go.
"Has Vice-Captain Tōsen still not been found?" Naruto asked, looking at Komamura Sajin, who was accompanied by the 3rd seat officer Naruto had met earlier at the 9th Division's barracks.
Komamura Sajin frowned, his ears drooping slightly. "No, I have not been able to find Kaname."
"He also didn't leave any message explaining where he went."
Naruto muttered quietly, "Is that so?"
Komamura Sajin tilted his head. "I heard that when Captain Naruto received the order, he went to the 9th Division's barracks. Was he looking for Kaname?"
Naruto raised his head, locking eyes with the large dog. "Is Vice-Captain Tōsen a close friend of yours?"
Komamura Sajin nodded without hesitation. "Kaname is my best friend."
He paused, then added, "Captain Naruto, you are different from Captain-Commander Yamamoto. Both of you are people I greatly admire."
Naruto remained silent.
But Komamura Sajin had a sense of foreboding. His tone dropped. "Has something happened to Kaname?"
"I'm not sure yet," Naruto said, shaking his head, his voice heavy.
He turned his head and glanced at Aizen.
The Captain of the 5th Division was looking down, seemingly deep in thought.
Naruto frowned.
He hadn't had time to greet Aizen all day, and Aizen seemed unusually quiet.
Gin noticed Naruto's gaze, turned his head, and grinned at him.
Just then.
"The Senkaimon has been repaired," the 12th Division officer, Hiyosu, who bore a striking resemblance to a frog, announced. "Captains, please prepare."
As he spoke, the red gate began to open from both sides.
"Let's go," Naruto said softly, as a black Hell Butterfly fluttered in front of him, leading the way through the gate.
In the World of the Living.
Koyasan, Wakayama Prefecture.
This was the largest cemetery in the country, already heavy with an oppressive atmosphere. Today, it felt even more like "a dance of demons."
In the world invisible to ordinary people.
The situation was even more eerie.
Several Shinigami in black uniforms stood in a circle, backs to each other, anxiously scanning their surroundings.
But all that surrounded them was dense fog.
It seemed like they were facing off against the air.
Yet the scattered bodies lying among the trees and tombstones were unmistakable proof.
The enemy was real.
"Vice-Captain Kuchiki, we still can't send out a distress signal," one Shinigami said, trying to control his tone, but the fear was evident.
"Damn it, what the hell are we dealing with?" The emotions of the others were also fraying, teetering on the edge of collapse.
They had thought this was just a routine mission.
But from the start, something felt off.
There weren't many Hollows on this mountain, and those that were present were weak, newly born with little power.
This didn't align with the nature of a "High-Spirit Ground."
Then, they were suddenly attacked by an unseen enemy.
The wounded team members quickly began to manifest Hollow powers, soon going berserk, losing their sanity, and attacking their comrades.
And this condition was contagious; any Shinigami attacked by these "Hollowfied" members would also become Hollowfied.
They started to die off gradually in mutual attacks and madness.
In just a few minutes, dozens of them were reduced to a few survivors.
The man addressed as "Vice-Captain" had a much calmer expression.
"There have been incidents before where the Senkaimon was sealed." He bore a face similar to Kuchiki Byakuya's, but more mature, with softer features. His voice carried a calming influence. "The seal never lasts too long."
"It's already been almost half an hour. The Senkaimon should open soon."
"We just need to—"
He never finished his sentence.
Suddenly, one of the Shinigami's bodies began to ooze thick, bone-colored fluid from his nose and mouth, corroding his face.
He was Hollowfying!
"When? We confirmed he wasn't injured!" Kuchiki Sōjun was startled, waving his hand. "Spread out the formation!"
Just as the order was given, the Hollowfied Shinigami had already drawn his sword and lunged at the nearest person.
Kuchiki Sōjun frowned.
He raised his blade to parry but was easily knocked aside by the Hollowfied Shinigami.
The bone mask had fully covered his face.
The now-mindless Shinigami raised his sword high.
And in that critical moment, golden chains flew in, binding the Hollowfied Shinigami and smashing him away.
~~~
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