Seeing the confusion in Naruto's eyes, Shihouin Yoruichi chuckled softly before continuing the topic related to 'Urahara Kisuke': "The Central 46 are a bunch even more obstinate than Head Captain Yamamoto."
"Their stance on this matter is unusually rigid."
"They've already made up their minds."
"What they've dispatched from Squad Two is the military police, not the more lenient patrol or internal teams."
Naruto clenched his fists. "I haven't received any order to assist with the investigation."
Yoruichi ruffled his hair gently. "That's what worries me the most."
"They don't need you."
Naruto's eyes widened in disbelief as he finally understood Yoruichi's implication.
The Central 46 didn't need his testimony or cooperation.
It wasn't an oversight.
They were eager to pin the 'crime' on Urahara Kisuke.
Ready to dispose of the captains and vice-captains who had 'hollowfied.'
"Are there such people even in the Soul Society?" he asked, bewildered.
"Leeches, only concerned with their own knives and forks," Yoruichi nodded slightly, gazing into the distance. "They need a result."
"And that result doesn't necessarily have to correlate with the truth."
"That's why I dislike the nobles."
Naruto's fists tightened further. "Are we just going to stand by and watch Captain Urahara and the others…"
Yoruichi decisively cut him off: "Of course not, if the worst happens."
"I'll rescue them."
"But if it comes to that, we'll likely have to flee the Soul Society."
Naruto spoke without hesitation: "Yoruichi, I'm going too."
"No." Yoruichi immediately refused.
"I unlocked my second Zanpakuto last night," Naruto insisted. "I won't hold you back, Yoruichi-nee."
"I can handle this!"
"It's not about strength," Yoruichi turned to him with a bright smile. "It's about status."
"Even though I dislike being the head of the Shihouin Clan,"
"Right now, it's very useful."
She paused, reorganizing her words, "The Soul Society is governed by nobles."
"Central 46 is chosen by the nobility."
"If I break Urahara out, there won't be much consequence."
"But it's a different matter for you."
Naruto lowered his head.
"Little fox, stay here," Shihouin Yoruichi said softly. "Even though there is an unknown, unseen enemy out there."
"The Soul Society is safer for you."
"That person hides in the shadows."
"Manipulating Central 46."
"These actions prove they fear one person."
A name flashed in Naruto's mind, "The Head Captain?"
Yoruichi confirmed, "Yes, you'll be safer near the Head Captain than with us."
"I understand, Yoruichi-nee," Naruto said, his tone filled with sadness.
Yoruichi vigorously patted his head, "Don't take it like that!"
"I said, only if the worst happens, then we'll plan like this."
"Even if it does happen."
"Every farewell is just a chance to meet again under better circumstances."
"Once that invisible enemy reveals their shortcomings, we'll return."
Naruto managed a weak smile. "I just didn't expect such persecution could occur even in the Soul Society."
His impression of the Soul Society was one of respect.
The people he met were all good-natured, kind-hearted individuals.
But this incident...
A foul stench of ink, spewed from the unknown, had tainted that belief.
"Where there is sunlight, there will always be shadows." Shihouin Yoruichi removed her hand, gazing into the distance, the Seireitei stretching out beneath the towering heights, "Light and dark, they oppose yet coexist in tandem."
"As long as the sun burns brightly, the shadows shrink."
"But no matter how bright the light, shadows remain."
Naruto stood by her side, looking into the distance with her.
"Aim to become a man like the Head Captain." She smiled warmly, and continued, "He is the sun of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads."
"He shields us all."
Naruto nodded, falling silent for a moment. "Do you or Captain Urahara have any theories about this enemy, the unseen Shinigami?"
"I will remain in the Soul Society."
"I will uncover him!"
Yoruichi hesitated.
She glanced at Naruto.
Speaking with uncertainty, she said, "Hirako mentioned it to us once."
"Be wary of Sosuke Aizen."
An unexpected name surfaced.
Naruto was taken aback.
The image of a gentle, friendly face flashed through his mind.
"Why him?" he asked, sounding a bit lost.
Yoruichi Shihouin shook her head, "Naruto, everything depends on your own judgment."
The wind swept past them without a sound.
The Nine Tails yawned, bored.
Naruto departed, returning to the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.
That afternoon, news reached him.
The worst-case scenario Yoruichi feared had unfolded.
The Central 46 had accused Mr. Tessai of "using forbidden techniques" and planned to imprison him in the Third Barracks.
Kisuke Urahara was charged with "conducting and exercising forbidden research, causing serious injury to colleagues" and was to be stripped of all spiritual power and exiled permanently to the Human World.
As for the eight Captains and Lieutenants who had undergone "Hollowfication," the treatment by Central 46 was harsh; they were regarded as "Hollows."
How do Shinigami handle "Hollows"?
Only "execution" remains their fate.
And during the trial, Yoruichi Shihouin, the current head of the Shihouin family and the Captain of the Second Division, stormed in, rescuing the accused "Kisuke Urahara," "Mr. Tessai," and others.
The Head Captain was furious
and tasked Kyoraku Shunsui, Captain of the Eighth Division, to chase down this lawless group.
Then
at the Thirteen Court Guard Squads' quarters.
"That old man is a real troublemaker," Kyoraku Shunsui grumbled, pouring himself a cup of sake and gazing into the distance, "leaving me to handle this matter."
His expression was far from pleased
not due to any grievance against his mentor, but because among those on the run was Lisa Yadomaru, the Vice-Captain of his own Eighth Division.
"I'm sorry, Captain Shunsui," Naruto spoke up, filled with remorse.
Kyoraku Shunsui was momentarily surprised, then realizing something, shook his head and laughed heartily, "Don't be like that, Naruto. Ah, I'm not blaming you."
"You've done something amazing."
"If it weren't for you,"
"Little Lisa probably wouldn't have made it back to the Seireitei."
Ukitake Jushiro lifted a glass of water and took a sip, "Speaking of which, the teacher must be having quite a headache right now."
"This is the first time since the Seireitei's establishment that we've experienced such a severe loss in strength."
Kyoraku Shunsui nodded.
The captains of the Second Division and Twelfth Division are on the run.
The Third, Fifth, Seventh, and Ninth Division captains have undergone Hollowfication.
Add to that the already vacant Tenth Division captain's position.
At this moment, the Gotei 13 has more than half of its posts vacant.
"Seven captains, huh," Kyoraku Shunsui placed his cup back on the table, "I thought the Head Captain acted too hastily by pushing Naruto forward last night."
"I didn't expect things to turn out this way."
"As expected, his insight and foresight were unparalleled."
"Speaking of which,"
"Naruto, have you decided which squad's captain you want to be yet?"
Naruto was taken aback and answered honestly, "The Head Captain told me he plans to appoint me as the Tenth Division captain."
Can I actually choose these things myself?
"That was before," Kyoraku Shunsui shook his head, "At that time, the Tenth Division was the only vacancy."
"Now there are seven complete openings."
"The Tenth Division might not be the best fit for you."
"The Head Captain probably won't send you there after all."
Naruto respectfully replied, "I seek your guidance, Captain Shunsui."
(End of Chapter)