Naruto didn't disclose everything.
He only spoke about the part related to his father.
"Minato, even in death, he's always striving." Jiraiya sighed lightly, "Naruto, what are your plans now? Are you continuing to search for the Death God and Pure Land, or..."
Naruto pondered for a moment: "I think I'll find a suitable place to stay for a while."
"There are some new ideas I want to try."
"Once those ideas are solidified, I'll continue my travels. I might head to the Land of Lightning. My father's matter needs addressing."
The technique "Reaper Death Seal" he inherited from his father requires research.
The method mentioned by Orochimaru also needs to be verified.
And with the key to the "Four Symbols Seal," he can contemplate releasing the Nine-Tails without harming himself—a promise he once made to it.
As for the True Waterfall, he's not in a hurry.
The Zanpakuto is a manifestation of inner strength.
Training for a "Bankai" in the Soul Society should yield similar results.
With mastery over the Nine-Tails' abilities, it's time to walk the path every captain must tread.
Jiraiya mused, "The Land of Lightning, huh?"
"That nation... be cautious when you visit."
"Is there something wrong with the Land of Lightning?" Naruto questioned.
Jiraiya, with a solemn tone, replied, "Kumogakure is a very combative village. They're bold and capable."
"Be careful. If they discover your presence in the Land of Lightning, they might act against you."
"They have quite the formidable track record."
Naruto nodded slightly, unfazed, his tone calm: "Then let's hope they're strong enough to bear the consequences."
Jiraiya was momentarily taken aback.
The confidence in Naruto's words was a reminder that this blond boy before him had become a figure that the entire ninja world now looks up to.
He nodded, inviting him for a meal.
As night fell, they settled at an inn in town.
Naruto and Karin were engrossed in researching the sealing techniques in their room. As for Jiraiya, he claimed he was going to bed early, but before long, they sensed him stealthily sneaking out through the window, heading straight for the town's only tavern.
In the deep of night, Naruto finally returned to his room to sleep.
Upon waking again, he was greeted by the familiar scent of "iris."
Had he returned to the barracks of the 7th Division?
He opened his eyes and sat up in bed.
"It seems we're in the Soul Society now?" Kurama noted the change in the environment, speaking softly. Ever since it was partially unsealed, it no longer resisted communication.
Naruto nodded.
"This place isn't bad," Kurama spoke with an expectant yet reserved tone. "I believe it would be beneficial for you to spar with that big canine again; its abilities seem quite formidable."
Naruto chuckled.
He understood Kurama's intentions.
In the world of shinobi, where they are surrounded by people hostile to the Tailed Beasts, Kurama's mere presence would incite tumult, making it unsuitable to appear.
However, in the Soul Society, people do not harbor malevolence towards "Tailed Beasts."
Furthermore, Kurama's appearance would simply be perceived as Captain Uzumaki's release of power, not as a threat.
It was the perfect opportunity to let loose.
But
"Apologies, Kurama, I'm afraid we cannot achieve full release just yet," Naruto said gently, shaking his head.
Kurama was momentarily stunned, fur raising in frustrated surprise.
What did that mean?
No going outside?
Naruto soothed it, "Do you remember the night Shuhei was in trouble, how you noticed an enemy I couldn't perceive?"
Kurama recalled.
"Previously, I couldn't quite fathom the nature of that ability," Naruto continued, "but during our encounter with Uchiha Itachi in the Land of Whirlpools—"
"His genjutsu is truly extraordinary."
"Without you, I'd have been in serious trouble."
Kurama nodded, a hint of disdain flashing across his memory as he recalled the Uchiha and their Sharingan, and those particular men he found so distasteful.
This reflection manifested in his expression, causing him to grimace and shake his head in dissatisfaction.
"So, I've been thinking, perhaps what clouded my senses was some kind of illusionary technique." Naruto pondered aloud, "It deceived my senses, rendering me unable to detect that enemy."
Kurama seemed pensive.
Adjusting his seating position, Naruto posed a new question, "But we've always been together, and our senses are nearly integrated.
"How did I fall into an illusion while you did not?"
Only recently having tasted freedom, Kurama quickly deduced, "It's the eyes!"
"The difference between seeing and not seeing!"
"Otherwise it's the chakra. I've always resided within you, and that person's chakra couldn't affect me, just like those Uchiha illusions."
The key difference in sensory capability between him and Naruto lay in the eyes.
"It doesn't seem like a spiritual power issue." Naruto shook his head, clutching Kurama, "After you were released, your spiritual power was also revealed."
"That day, I achieved my initial release."
"I lean more towards it being the eyes."
"It's precisely because of seeing, trusting one's vision, that we can be deceived."
Kurama growled annoyed, "So I'm stuck in here for the moment?"
"Why are there always such infuriating people everywhere?"
Kurama shook his head, his voice slightly somber, "When you went to perform those souls' burials in the Living World, fighting those creatures called Hollows, I sensed a powerful presence very close by, maybe less than a hundred meters away."
Naruto froze.
Living World, souls' burials?
Was that around the time when I had just graduated from the Shin'o Spirit School?
Back then, I hadn't released 'Asura' yet, my sensory abilities weren't as strong as now.
Could it be that even someone so close went unnoticed by me?
Or had I been under an illusion since then?
Kurama continued, "That powerful presence, I also sensed it when you were in the Thirteenth Division, invited to give a speech to new students at the Shin'o Spirit School."
A chill went down Naruto's spine.
"Jin'ou Reijutsuin's new student speech?"
His mind immediately conjured up an image of a gentle, mature man with black-framed glasses.
Sōsuke Aizen.
He had been present back then too. Shihouin Yoruichi's warning echoed through time, reaching his ears once more: "Be careful of Sōsuke Aizen."
Could it really be him?
Such a kind, reliable person didn't seem like someone who would do such a thing.
Besides, how and when did he perform that illusion technique?
"Naruto, have you already made a guess?" Kurama asked.
Naruto sighed, "Yoruichi once warned me to be careful of Sōsuke Aizen."
"He was there at the Jin'ou Reijutsuin event. I'm starting to suspect, could it really have been him?"
"Kurama, I need you to bear with this for a while."
"If it's truly due to the observation of the eyes, you might be the only one unaffected by that illusion. You need to ensure you stay unaffected."
Kurama reluctantly agreed, "Understood."
Naruto got up, dressed in new clothes, and stepped out of the dormitory towards the office.
Along the way, fellow officers and colleagues greeted him warmly.
"Captain Uzumaki, good morning!"
"Good day, Captain Uzumaki!"
Hearing their energetic greetings, Naruto couldn't help but grin, feeling much better, nodding back in response with a smile.
Just as he reached the office door.
"Captain Uzumaki, waking up so late, showing a bit of slack, aren't we?" A man draped in a captain's haori, with black and white patterns masking his face, stood at his office door, grinning as he greeted in what he believed was a friendly manner.
He was a familiar face.
Formerly the Third Seat of Squad 12, now the Captain, Mayuri Kurotsuchi.
"Captain Kurotsuchi, what brings you here?" Naruto asked gently.
After encountering Orochimaru and facing this seemingly pathological "scientist," Naruto had gained some experience dealing with such types.
"Urahara's defection is truly regrettable," Mayuri Kurotsuchi began, "I hadn't yet had the chance to start research on him or the Hollowfied Shinigami."
"Of course—"
"And your collaborations with him." Naruto looked at him, remaining silent.
Mayuri, unperturbed, continued, "When I first took the position, I didn't have the chance to formally greet you. During this period, I've been reviewing the findings Kisuke Urahara left behind."
"Unfortunately, everything related to you has been destroyed by him, leaving nothing behind."
He paused, extending his hand, "Though Kisuke called me a genius second only to him—"
"I don't think I am much inferior."
"What he could achieve, I can also achieve."
"So, Captain Uzumaki, let's collaborate."
Naruto did not shake his hand; instead, his reiatsu surged, breaking through everything forcefully: "If you want to show sincerity, put away the thing in your hand first."
"Captain Urahara wouldn't use such an obvious and ugly trick to test a captain."
Mayuri chuckled, his eyes intense, retracting his hand: "No wonder you're someone Urahara valued so highly."
Naruto's reiatsu was easily neutralized by him.
This man, who was also promoted from the position of "third seat," had the qualifications to fully assume the role of a captain.
"As for collaboration," Naruto spoke softly, "someone as genius as Captain Urahara is rare."
"I need to test the quality of your skills."
"Whether you truly are second to him,"
"Or merely an unremarkable pebble."
Mayuri grinned: "Such a description is quite unsatisfying."
"Captain Uzumaki, I am not inferior to him."
Naruto walked into his office, writing down the "Summoning Technique" formula on several sheets of paper: "Use this to prove your capabilities."
Mayuri peered over: "What a strange subject, completely different from Kido."
"It's a technique involving space," Naruto explained concisely. "I hope you can produce some results."
Mayuri Kurotsuchi extended his hand to accept the paper. "It looks intriguing."
"But I still wish to take on Kisuke Urahara's research project as soon as possible."
"I'm more interested in you, Captain Uzumaki."
(End of Chapter)