The students of the Shin'o Academy all hold Sosuke Aizen in high esteem.
Yet, it is Naruto Uzumaki whom everyone aspires to become.
Who wouldn't want to be the dazzling prodigy of the Gotei 13?
But becoming a "genius" is a threshold so high it's beyond imagination.
A year later, Gin Ichimaru graduates from the academy and joins Squad Five. Much like Naruto in the past, he immediately takes up a high-ranking officer position.
However, no one ever compares "Gin Ichimaru" to "Naruto Uzumaki."
Matched with "Gin Ichimaru" is Byakuya Kuchiki, who entered Squad Six in the same year and also assumes a high-ranking officer role.
This future heir of the prestigious Kuchiki noble family is another rising star.
They both possess unparalleled talent, similar ages, and equal starting points.
As for Naruto,
in the eyes of many, he is already seen as someone at a higher level.
Everyone eagerly anticipates when this genius will finally become a true captain.
Ten years?
Twenty years?
In Squad Twelve, the underground training grounds,
Naruto clambers out of a deep pit, looking rather disheveled.
Yoruichi, clutching a wound on her arm, smiles warmly at him, "Your blade is truly powerful. Even at the Seven-Tails level, it has such might."
"But it's too easy to lose control of," Naruto replies with a shake of his head, stepping forward to perform healing Kido.
Over the past year
Kisuke Urahara and the chief researcher of Kido, Hachigen Ushōda, have been closely studying sealing techniques.
The results have been significant.
In addition to the original seal, a new layer has been added.
Naruto has leaped from his "Four-Tails Transformation" to the level of "Seven-Tails Transformation."
However, though he has achieved "Seven-Tails Transformation," it is not yet perfectly mastered, and has a time limit.
If he stays in this form too long, he risks losing control of his senses.
"It's already impressive." Yoruichi grinned, "You even managed to injure me."
"In a few more years, I might just have to call you Captain Uzumaki."
Naruto sighed helplessly, "Yoruichi-nee!"
Nearby, Kisuke Urahara raised his arms in celebration, "Alright, data recording complete."
"But compared to last time, it doesn't seem much different."
Hiyori Sarugaki closely watched the screen, nodding emphatically.
"To achieve such progress in just a year, I'm already very satisfied," Naruto responded with a smile, "Captain Urahara's research is truly outstanding."
"Haha, of course." In his field of expertise, Kisuke Urahara was unsurpassed, "However, regarding your research, I'll have to pause for a while."
He scratched his head, looking troubled.
"There's something quite tricky I need to deal with," Naruto inquired, "Is it about the incidents in Rukongai?"
Kisuke Urahara nodded slightly.
Over the past month, there have been several mysterious disappearances in Rukongai.
The number of souls lost approximates an entire "district."
"Is something affecting their lifespan?" Naruto spoke softly.
Souls, like the "living," have a lifespan.
Souls with spiritual energy tend to live longer.
Ordinary souls without spiritual energy do not live much longer than "normal humans," and when they can't maintain their form, they disperse into spirit particles.
In a sense, it is a complete end.
"Yoruichi continued, 'It's not that simple.'
'The Captain-Commander is paying close attention to this.'
'The entire Ninth Division has been mobilized, even the captain is stationed there.'"
""I initially thought it was a matter of lifespan," Kisuke Urahara shook his head, his face solemn. "During this period, I developed a device called a 'Gikon,' which can seal unstable spiritual forms within it.""
"'But,'
'Just before you arrived, Naruto, someone from the Ninth Division brought me something.'"
"Naruto tilted his head in confusion."
"Yoruichi Shihouin was equally intrigued."
"Kisuke Urahara walked towards another table and picked up a black garment."
"Naruto's eyes widened in disbelief: 'A Shihakusho?'"
"'This—'
'Could it be that a Shinigami's spirit has disappeared too?'"
"In the realm of the Soul Society, possessing a black uniform carries a unique meaning."
"This is attire reserved exclusively for Shinigamis."
"Kisuke Urahara nodded, his expression extremely grave: 'Yes, it's truly unbelievable.'"
"'A Shinigami's spirit disappearing.'"
"'Under normal circumstances, that shouldn't happen.'"
"'I've already assigned Hiyori to assist the Ninth Division in their investigation to gather information. We'll likely be preoccupied with this for some time.'"
"Hiyori Sarugaki, the lieutenant of the Twelfth Division."
"A female Shinigami who appears somewhat out of sync with the overall vibe of the Twelfth Division, not much taller than Naruto, yet with a far hotter temper and a naturally sullen face. When Naruto first met her, he mistook her for a member of the Fifth Division."
"That sour expression on her face, worse even than the Fifth Division Captain Hirako Shinji."
"'The safety of Seireitei is our top priority,' Naruto said softly. 'I'm ready to help if needed.'"
He couldn't even finish his sentence before he felt it – spiritual pressure overwhelming them.
Everybody in the training ground immediately looked up towards the source of the sensation.
The aura was unmistakable; it belonged to the Vice-Captain of Squad One.
The technique being used was one they recognized well.
"Bakudō No. 77, Tenteikūra," a form of Kido used for transmitting messages over long distances.
"Emergency assembly! Emergency assembly!"
"All captains, proceed to Squad One headquarters immediately!"
"Captain Kensei Muguruma and Lieutenant Mashiro Kuna of Squad Nine have vanished!"
"I repeat, emergency assembly."
In the training field, three captain-level figures swiftly rose to their feet.
"Naruto, head back to the Squad Thirteen barracks immediately." Yoruichi Shihouin's voice was grave as she gestured with her hand. "Something serious has happened."
"The Captain's spiritual pressure has disappeared!"
"It might be a terrifying enemy invading the Soul Society."
Naruto nodded, "Understood."
He sheathed his sword and vanished in an instant.
Yoruichi Shihouin and Tessai Tsukabishi also departed quickly.
Kisuke Urahara glanced upstairs worriedly, but Hiyori Sarugaki had already set off.
Squad One's headquarters.
A serious incident had unfolded, yet the Captain-Commander's face remained stoic, almost unchanged from its usual demeanor.
His voice was steady.
"Up until yesterday, these incidents were confined to the streets of Rukongai."
"But now, it has escalated to a direct provocation against the Thirteen Court Guard Squads."
"I will dispatch six individuals to investigate."
"Captain Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi of the Third Division, Captain Shinji Hirako of the Fifth Division, and Captain Love Aikawa of the Seventh Division,"
"These three will depart immediately for the scene of the incident."
"Second Division, notify Third Seat Naruto Uzumaki of the Thirteenth Division to also proceed there as soon as he receives the notice."
A surprising name echoed in the ears of all the captains.
"Naruto Uzumaki, that genius from the Thirteenth Division?" Love Aikawa frowned, "But he's just a Third Seat."
Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi's expression remained unchanged.
Kisuke Urahara reacted strongly, "Captain-Commander, allow me to replace Naruto."
"I am a captain, and besides, my subordinate is—"
Captain-Commander Yamamoto cut him off, "No."
Kisuke Urahara tried to say more.
Yoruichi Shihouin sternly interjected, "Don't be disgraceful; calm down."
"Truly lacking in resolve, Kisuke," Shinji Hirako grinned mockingly, "You're acting like a mother panicking over her lost child—like a hen."
"If you doubt your own chosen subordinate, so be it."
"Do you not trust that boy Naruto as well?"
Bent over with a tilted head, his taunt made his sour face even more unpleasant.
"Naruto is a legendary blade."
"But even the finest blade must prove its worth by vanquishing foes."
"Is this not the perfect time for the blade to face the enemy?"
Captain-Commander Yamamoto lifted his staff, decisively proclaiming, "All aforementioned, depart!"
Hugging the Idiot!!
(End of Chapter)