Kyoraku Shunsui began to explain slowly.
The Gotei 13 each have their specific roles to play.
Currently, there are seven vacant positions.
Among these, the Second Division, known as the "Stealth Force," serves as the eyes and ears of the nobility. It has traditionally been led by the Shihouin family. Even with Yoruichi of the Shihouin family committing such a "great transgression," this position is still reserved for her family. The only question is whether it will continue to be held by a "Shihouin" or a subordinate noble of the Shihouin family.
Naruto, don't even think about it.
The upper echelons of the nobility, particularly the oldest of the Five Great Noble Clans, take power very seriously, with the exceptions of the "Shiba" family and "Shihouin Yoruichi."
The remaining six captaincy positions:
The Third Division is for support, the Fifth for rescue, the Seventh for the Inner Court Guard, the Ninth for the prisons, the Tenth for patrol and security, and the Twelfth Division oversees monitoring spiritual pressure fluctuations in the World of the Living, Hueco Mundo, and the Soul Society, as well as technical development.
"The Tenth Division is a tough job; they handle all the patrols in Seireitei and the Rukongai," Kyoraku Shunsui noted while enjoying a cup of sake, his cheeks slightly flushed. "You're still young, with plenty of room to grow. If not necessary, the old man thinks it's best for you to focus more on enhancing your strength during this time."
"Naruto, you're a good kid," he continued.
"So, the Ninth Division isn't suitable for you either.
Only the most ruthless guys excel at interrogation and coercion."
Naruto pondered to himself.
The Third, Fifth, or Seventh Division?
He never really considered the "Twelfth Division," feeling he wasn't suited for technical development duties.
"Speaking of which, the Fifth Division doesn't really suit Naruto either," Jushiro Ukitake remarked softly, gently halting Kyoraku Shunsui's hand as he was about to refill his cup.
Naruto looked over, "Is it because of Sosuke Aizen?"
He thought of that man.
He also recalled what Yoruichi had said.
"Lieutenant Aizen is well-loved by his peers," Ukitake nodded, "Even someone like me, who seldom steps outside, often hears praise of his good character. It wouldn't be surprising if he applies for the captaincy assessment soon."
Kyoraku took a sip from his cup, savoring the faint taste of the sake, "Come to think of it, I saw him that night when the incident occurred."
"Right outside the Fifth Division quarters."
Naruto tilted his head, "Captain Kyoraku, you saw Sosuke Aizen?"
Kyoraku nodded slightly, "But that night, Lieutenant Aizen seemed somehow different from his usual self."
"Perhaps I was just overly worried about Lisa."
"Not being very familiar with him, I might have simply imagined things?"
Different from usual?
Uncle Kyoraku may seem carefree, But as the captain of the Eighth Division, a master of intelligence gathering, his instincts in these matters are reliably sharp.
Naruto frowned.
Something occurred to him.
In the ninja world, techniques like transformation and clone jutsu can easily allow one to impersonate another person.
But in the Soul Society...
It seemed like he hadn't encountered a technique quite like this before.
He felt as though he had grasped something, yet he couldn't clearly articulate what it was in his hands.
"Enough about that," Kyoraku Shunsui said, staring wistfully at the wine glass on the table. "Between the Third and the Seventh Division, Naruto, which one are you more inclined towards?"
He deliberately steered away from discussing the Twelfth Division.
Naruto was a traditional kind of genius.
Unlike the enigmatic style of Urahara Kisuke.
"Which division should I lead to make sure the Head Captain entrusts me with the mission to pursue Urahara and the others?" Naruto asked earnestly.
He wanted to take this task upon himself.
Kyoraku Shunsui gave a knowing smile.
Ukitake Jushiro shook his head, smiling gently as he spoke, "As long as you wish, Naruto, you can take on this task no matter which division you lead."
Naruto was taken aback.
"The old man entrusted this task to me, rather than delegating it to the Second Division," Kyoraku patiently explained, "because he needs to uphold the dignity of the Gotei 13 and the Seireitei."
He turned his head to look outside at the vast lake, where the wind stirred gentle ripples, speaking with a tinge of regret: "Miss Yoruichi and her group were caught red-handed, and the evidence against them is solid."
"But acknowledging something on the surface doesn't mean there are no ways to oppose it."
"For instance, even if the old man knows I'm hiding here at Jushiro's, drinking, at most he'll just scold me," he added with a chuckle.
Naruto nodded, thoughtful: "So the Head Captain isn't entirely in agreement with that sentence?"
"There are still other doubts," Ukitake shook his head. "Like the invisible enemy."
"Both our teacher and us are more keen on uncovering what the truth really is."
Naruto gazed at Ukitake Jushiro. "If you're still unsure, just take your time to learn," said his captain with a gentle smile.
"Sooner or later, you will have to stand on your own," he continued.
"You used to be the one protected, but now you are the guiding light." The words spoken to him before his parting with Yoruichi Shihoin echoed in his mind.
Kyoraku Shunsui seized the moment while Ukitake was distracted and discreetly poured himself half a cup of sake. "I have no desire to handle such troublesome matters. If you want to take over, Naruto, do so quickly," he remarked.
"In that case," Ukitake said, "let's proceed to the 7th Division."
Naruto nodded in agreement.
Several days later, at the 1st Division headquarters, Head Captain Yamamoto spoke with his usual calm demeanor. "The criminal Urahara Kisuke has caused turmoil in the Seireitei."
"Former 2nd Division Captain Yoruichi Shihoin defied Central 46 and absconded with the criminal."
"Currently, there are seven captain vacancies."
"5th Division Lieutenant Sosuke Aizen applied yesterday for a captain examination."
"Regarding other divisions, are there any suitable candidates?"
He briefly shifted his gaze to Ukitake Jushiro.
The white-haired man coughed twice, raising his right hand. "In the name of Ukitake Jushiro, Captain of the 13th Division, I recommend former 3rd Seat Naruto Uzumaki for the position of Captain of the 7th Division."
Kyoraku Shunsui also stepped forward. "In the name of Kyoraku Shunsui, Captain of the 8th Division, I recommend former 3rd Seat Naruto Uzumaki for the position of Captain of the 7th Division."
Unohana Retsu gave them a glance. "So, the final choice is the Seventh Division?"
She stepped forward herself, recommending Naruto Uzumaki in her own name.
None of the other captains from the Sixth or Eleventh Divisions objected.
A month later.
In the barracks of the Thirteenth Division.
Naruto was awakened early in the morning by Kaien Shiba. "I thought it would take decades more, and yet it's so soon."
The dark-haired man looked at Naruto draping the pristine long-sleeved haori on his shoulders, unable to hold back a sigh. "Congratulations, Captain Naruto."
"I'll surely miss you, Lieutenant Kaien," Naruto said, standing before the mirror, studying his reflection.
"It's not like we won't see each other again," Kaien Shiba said, stepping forward and ruffling Naruto's hair playfully. "I've looked into your lieutenant at the Seventh Division, Kotetsu. Seems like a reliable man."
"Otherwise, I wouldn't have felt at ease," Naruto said with a broad grin.
"By the way, what's this insignia on your back?" Kaien Shiba reached out, gently tapping the spot.
On the back of the captain's haori, right below the "seven" in the diamond-shaped frame, a red circle encompassed swirling black lines, resembling a "vortex."
"Oh, this?" Naruto turned, smiling brightly.
In the sunlight, his blonde hair glowed brilliantly.
"That's the totem of the Uzumaki, a legacy from my mother."
He did not make any changes to the captain's haori, only adding this additional pattern.
(End of Chapter)