Naruto found Komamura Zajin and shared his thoughts with him.
"Captain Naruto, you want to have a match with me?" Komamura Zajin was surprised.
Naruto nodded, "Yes."
"Why?" Komamura shook his head in puzzlement.
Naruto chuckled sheepishly, "I'm not very eloquent, and I can't express myself as persuasively as the other captains."
"I'm still young, and my words lack the same power."
"I can't rely on words to convince you."
"But—"
"During this time, Vice-Captain Yūemon taught me one thing."
"And that is to trust the people close to you."
Speaking of this, Naruto tilted his head, studying the person sitting across from him, "Zajin, you're clearly an excellent officer and a very responsible seated officer."
"Many people in the squad respect you."
"Yet, in this aspect, you're too reserved."
Komamura Zajin remained silent.
The respect and admiration were obvious to the naked eye.
He merely hid behind his helmet, not his heart.
He thought, however, that this respect stemmed from his perceived human appearance.
If he revealed his true 'beast face,' the outcome might not be as favorable.
"But if I were to question you about not trusting them because of this, it wouldn't be fair," Naruto continued. "Letting go of what protects you isn't easy."
"But I believe in you."
"And I also believe in my squad."
"So, if you're unwilling to remove your helmet yourself, let me break it with my own hands."
"I believe in them. They won't disdain Komamura Zajin, who has already proven himself to be reliable and strong, just because of his appearance."
"And regardless of the outcome this time, as your captain, I will support any choice you make."
"We always need to witness things with our own eyes to confirm what's in our hearts."
Komamura Zajin remained silent.
He pondered for a moment and then nodded, "Captain Naruto, I shall accept."
It is quite challenging to arrange a duel between two individuals with "captain-level spiritual pressure" within the Seireitei.
Especially with the request that Naruto submitted.
The request to be allowed to use "Bankai"—Naruto has yet to learn it, but Komamura Zajin has already mastered it.
This added complexity to the matter.
Head Captain Yamamoto gladly approved.
The Central 46 hesitated but ultimately agreed under pressure from the Head Captain, with the condition that at least three other captains be present to prevent any mishaps.
News of the "duel" spread quickly.
In the barracks of the Seventh Division.
"Captain Naruto is going to duel with Third Seat Komamura?" a squad member expressed incredulously.
"I heard Third Seat Komamura has the strength to be a captain," someone explained, "but it seems he himself is not willing."
"That's becoming a captain! If I had that ability, I'd have applied long ago."
"It must be because of that."
Although Komamura Zajin conceals himself thoroughly, he actively participates in the division's activities. A secret, no matter how well guarded, is difficult to hide once it's exposed to the public eye.
Ordinary squad members don't have much interaction with him, assuming he merely has unique preferences.
However, The seated officers have some guesses in their minds.
This news isn't just stirring within the Seventh Division; it quickly spread through the entire Seireitei.
Especially the Third and Ninth Divisions, they are particularly attentive to this matter.
They still haven't appointed a new captain yet.
If "Komamura Zajin of the Third Seat" could be persuaded, he could become the captain of one of these two squads.
Naturally, they wanted to know more about their prospective future captain.
On the day of the duel.
In the training grounds of the Seventh Division's quarters.
There weren't many onlookers present.
"I thought Naruto would let more people in," Shiba Isshin sat cross-legged, glancing around the crowd, "Didn't expect only the seated officers from each squad."
Naruto had given orders.
The Seventh Division's quarters were under lockdown.
Only registered seated officers were allowed to attend and watch the battle.
Even the internal members of the Seventh Division had to adhere to this rule.
"Naruto is a gentle person," Unohana Retsu whispered, shaking her head slightly.
"If too many people come, it might pressure Komamura of the Third Seat into feeling obligated to take on the captaincy," Kyoraku Shunsui took out a sake flask from his robe, giving Shiba Isshin a knowing look.
Isshin nodded with a smile, accepting the offered cup, "But what's the deal with Komamura of the Third Seat?"
Unohana Retsu and Kyoraku Shunsui shook their heads, not elaborating further.
"Just watch," Kyoraku Shunsui said softly.
The three of them were invited by Naruto to attend the battle as a precautionary support force.
On the training grounds.
Naruto and Komamura Zajin stepped forward.
"Captain Naruto," Komamura Zajin spoke softly, "I have great respect for you."
"But I am very strong!"
"Before joining the Gotei 13 to serve under the Head Captain, I had wandered the Soul Society for decades."
"And unlike Captain Naruto, I have even mastered Bankai."
From within his body, spiritual pressure erupted.
The observing officers' expressions changed. This kind of aura...
Naruto remained calm, "Then give it everything you've got to stop me."
In the blink of an eye, he used a flash step.
A golden light traced an arc.
He swung his sword, aiming for the head.
Clang!
Komamura Zajin raised his sword to meet the attack, his wrist twisting as he pushed down to thrust.
At the same time, he began chanting the release command.
"Roar, Tenken!"
Spiritual pressure surged.
A giant armored hand, larger than himself, formed behind him, gripping a massively enlarged Zanpakutō.
With a rumble, the hand loomed, casting a vast shadow.
Crashing down with simple yet overwhelming force.
Combining sheer size, power, and ferocity!
Naruto clapped his hands together, golden chains shot out from behind him, binding the giant hand, wrapping it tightly, rendering it immobile in mid-air.
Komamura lifted his other hand.
Spiritual pressure gathered, ready to strike.
With two swift movements—
The golden chains whipped around, catching the other hand as well.
Like a snake slithering, they coiled around his entire body, tying him up tightly.
Naruto looked up, meeting Komamura Zajin's gaze, "This won't be enough to stop me."
"Zajin," he said calmly, "Although I haven't mastered Bankai—"
"I'm still a captain."
The chain swung through the air, striking towards the helmet.
Three captains observed intently.
Isshin Shiba held his cup, eyes glued: "Is this the technique Naruto used that day to suppress the Hollow transformations of those captains?"
"Impressive," he murmured.
Unohana Retsu softly added, "Naruto has made even more progress."
"But this Komamura Third Seat is indeed surprising."
They had known of his "captain" level abilities for some time.
Yet, their previous assumptions had underestimated him.
Komamura Zajin's spiritual pressure ranks as "third class."
However, even within the "third class," he is exceptional. Perhaps, in a few decades, he could rise to "second class."
His talent is remarkable.
It's no wonder the Head Captain values him so much.
"If I don't release my power, I'd also be at a disadvantage against this move of Naruto's," Kyoraku Shunsui mused softly. "However, Naruto hasn't released his power either."
"It's said that his second blade can amplify Kido techniques."
As they discussed,
The golden chain neared the helmet.
Komamura Zajin lowered his voice: "Captain Naruto!"
"This is far from my limit."
He tightened his grip on the sword.
Spiritual energy surged like a volcanic eruption.
"Bankai!"
"Kuroshunki Tenjin Myouou!"
(End of Chapter)
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