Naruto hasn't been enjoying his time in the office recently.
Soi Fon is very curious about everything he does.
Having someone by his side, even without speaking but just staring at him constantly, feels strange—so much so that even the Nine-Tails feels uncomfortable.
Whenever he has time, Naruto sneaks out of the squad quarters to hang out with Uncle Shunsui at the izakaya.
"Has Naruto had any dealings with Vice-Captain Kuchiki recently?" Shunsui leaned in to glance at his glass, which still contained milk, and couldn't help but frown.
The "Vice-Captain Kuchiki" he mentioned wasn't referring to Kuchiki Sojun, but rather Kuchiki Byakuya, who had taken over from his father.
Naruto shook his head. "Isn't Byakuya already at the final stage of Bankai training? I haven't gone to bother him."
Shiba Isshin shook his head, took a sip of his drink, and said with a half-smile, "He probably doesn't have much time for Bankai training lately. After all, he's been spending all his free time in Rukongai."
Naruto frowned, his tone serious, "Has something happened?"
Shunsui lightly tapped his head, "Don't always think of the worst-case scenario. This time, it's a good thing."
Naruto tilted his head, puzzled, "A good thing?"
To be honest, "Kuchiki" and "Rukongai" are two words with completely opposite connotations.
If it weren't for a mission, Naruto couldn't imagine Kuchiki Byakuya going to Rukongai—let alone, as Shiba Isshin said, "going there every chance he gets."
Especially at this critical point in time, when his Bankai training is at its most crucial stage.
"The only thing that can make a man linger is a woman," Shunsui sighed after taking a sip of his drink. "Even a man like Vice-Captain Kuchiki is no exception."
Shiba Isshin nodded in agreement, "I just wonder what kind of woman could make Vice-Captain Kuchiki so deeply infatuated."
Naruto was stunned. He realized from the words of these two old men: "Byakuya's in love?"
The two exchanged a knowing smile and nodded.
"It's hard to imagine," Naruto sighed.
Kuchiki Byakuya has always been cold, even when interacting with him; his expression only softens slightly. What would he be like with someone he likes?
"Does Naruto have someone he likes?" Shunsui suddenly changed the subject.
Shiba Isshin put down his glass, "I heard that Naruto has been getting quite close to Captain Soi Fon of the 2nd Division recently. Whenever she has time, she heads to the 7th Division."
As an old pervert, Shunsui thought for a moment and gave his opinion, "Captain Soi Fon, huh. If she weren't so cold, she'd be quite cute. But she lacks a bit of femininity. Still, she's young."
Naruto replied earnestly, "Captain Soi Fon has been coming to me because of matters concerning Yoruichi-neesan. There's nothing going on between us."
Seeing him respond so seriously, the two old men lost their interest in teasing him. How boring! This is the time to act shy and play hard to get! Being so serious ruins the fun of teasing!
"It seems that Byakuya's situation has become widely known," a voice suddenly spoke as the two old men drank, waiting for their other friends to finish work.
The three of them looked over.
"Captain Kuchiki?" Even Kyoraku Shunsui was a bit surprised.
Kuchiki Ginrei waved his hand, "May I sit here?"
They nodded, and Naruto shifted inward to make room.
"Thank you," Kuchiki Ginrei sat down and smiled slightly, "Don't look at me like that. Is it really so surprising to see me here?"
Naruto wanted to nod but forced himself to resist.
Apart from the occasional visit from Kuchiki Byakuya, who Naruto brought along, members of the Four Noble Families rarely show up here. They don't usually like coming to places like this.
"I'm here to find Captain Uzumaki," Kuchiki Ginrei got straight to the point.
Naruto was puzzled, "Me? What's the matter?"
"You all seem to know about Byakuya's situation," Kuchiki Ginrei continued, "so I won't repeat it. His condition hasn't been good lately, though he's still diligent in handling his duties. But his progress in Bankai training has stalled. I suspect this has something to do with whatever is holding him back in Rukongai."
He paused, then bowed solemnly to Naruto, "So, I'd like to ask Captain Uzumaki, as Byakuya's friend, to find out the specifics and help him resolve the issue that's troubling him."
Naruto quickly helped him up, "If it's really as Uncle Shunsui said, and Byakuya has fallen for a woman from Rukongai…"
In this world, the divide between nobles and ordinary Shinigami is vast. Only those who can hold high-ranking positions, such as Vice-Captain or Captain, can stand on equal footing with nobles. This is true even for minor nobles, not to mention the Kuchiki family, one of the Four Great Noble Families.
"Byakuya is the future head of the Kuchiki Clan," Kuchiki Ginrei didn't answer directly, "He needs to learn to make his own decisions. His decision will be the decision of the Kuchiki Clan."
Naruto nodded, agreeing to help.
Three days later, after completing a day's training, Kuchiki Byakuya left the 6th Division quarters, burdened with worries.
As soon as he reached the entrance, he encountered someone he hadn't expected.
"Captain Naruto?" He was somewhat surprised but still greeted him politely.
Naruto raised his hand and pointed outside. "Mind if I join you?"
Kuchiki Byakuya nodded slightly. "Of course."
He led Naruto to Rukongai.
The two stopped on a rooftop. In Byakuya's line of sight was a black-haired woman with a gentle and graceful appearance, smiling warmly as she greeted the neighbors on the street.
"Is she the girl you've fallen for?" Naruto asked, following his gaze.
Byakuya spoke softly, "Did Grandpa send you to persuade me?"
"Don't worry, I'll adjust soon."
Naruto didn't answer his question. "Why don't you go down and say hello?"
Byakuya shook his head, his tone controlled and calm. "That would only deepen the bond between us."
"We're from different worlds."
Naruto turned and looked at him. "Because of the difference between nobles and commoners?"
Byakuya nodded, his tone as cold as ice. "Yes."
"A woman from Rukongai might make me linger for a while, but the gap in status won't lead me to act irrationally."
Naruto interrupted him, "That's a lie."
With his perceptive ability, Naruto could tell that every word he had just heard was filled with falsehood and deceit.
Byakuya was stunned.
"It's not because of her status that you don't want to greet her," Naruto said with a sly smile.
Byakuya fell silent.
Naruto continued to stare at the black-haired woman, suddenly realizing something. "She doesn't have spiritual power; she's just an ordinary soul."
"Is that the reason?"
Byakuya didn't respond.
"Your lifespan is unknown, while an ordinary soul's lifespan is at most a hundred years," Naruto softly continued.
Byakuya stared intently. "So it's better to just watch her like this. After a few decades, when she passes away—"
Naruto interrupted him again, "That's also a lie."
Byakuya finally shifted his gaze from the black-haired woman to Naruto, his tone firm. "What I said just now wasn't a lie."
Naruto corrected him, "It was."
"You can deceive others, and even deceive yourself, but you can't deceive me."
"The words you just said, 'It's better to just watch her like this,' are a lie. You're not content with that."
Byakuya remained silent.
Naruto returned his gaze to the street below. "Although I don't have anyone I like now, I've had someone before."
"When I saw her talking to someone else, I'd get jealous, I'd feel upset."
"When she spoke to me, I'd instantly be very happy."
"I wanted to get close to her, wanted to have a home with her."
"So, Byakuya, your feelings are probably the same."
Byakuya took a deep breath. "Captain Naruto, your ability to sense the truth in others' words is truly annoying."
Naruto smiled. "Byakuya, tell me the real reason why you don't dare to approach her."
Byakuya remained silent, unwilling to speak. Lies wouldn't work, so he could only tell the truth if he spoke.
Naruto urged him.
After a long while, unable to resist Naruto's persistence, Byakuya finally said, "She's an ordinary soul, but I'm the heir of the Kuchiki Clan."
"If I marry her, it would tarnish the honor and tradition of the noble house."
"And, Captain Naruto, you should know about 'True Blood.'"
Naruto nodded.
"True Blood" is a term used to describe the bloodline of Shinigamis, and it's not without real significance. Ordinary souls, and even ordinary Shinigami, don't have the ability to bear children. Only Shinigamis who have reached a certain level of power can have offspring. Children born from the union of two Shinigamis are collectively known as "True Blood."
"True Blood" Shinigamis possess more stable talents than souls who have reincarnated. Almost every "True Blood" can become a seated officer. This is the origin of the so-called "lesser nobles" of the Seireitei.
"If this absurd reason is what's holding you back," Naruto said softly, shaking his head, "then Byakuya, I'm truly disappointed in you."
Byakuya's expression didn't change. He hated this part of himself as well.
After a pause, Naruto continued, "Let's bring up someone we both dislike—Tsunayashiro Tokinada."
Byakuya's expression shifted slightly at the mention of that name.
"Although he's extremely annoying, he isn't bothered by the views of the nobility." Naruto said softly. As he spoke, he lightly tapped his foot and instantly moved.
He landed in front of the black-haired woman.
Byakuya instinctively reached out to stop him but was too late.
The sudden appearance startled the black-haired woman, and the bucket in her hand wobbled and fell.
Naruto reached out and caught it.
The black-haired woman immediately bowed in thanks. "Thank you, Shinigami-sama!"
"No need to be so formal," Naruto replied gently. "I'm a friend of Byakuya."
The woman's eyes lit up instantly. "A friend of Byakuya-niisan!"
"May I ask how I should address you?" Naruto inquired.
The woman smiled softly. "You can call me Hisana."
~~~
Kyahhh~ The Cool Ikemen Byakuya is in love?!!!
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