Reflecting carefully, it seemed that he hadn't said anything suspicious in front of that captain today.
"No, it's not your fault," Aizen shook his head. "Naruto-kun is quite an interesting person."
"He hides many secrets."
"And can always pull out strange and peculiar things."
For instance, the other day, the 'golden chains' he used to suppress several Hollowfied captains.
Or today, that almost imperceptible force probing him.
Aizen turned back, continuing softly, "He seems to possess the ability to glimpse into one's heart."
"It's not your fault for failing to notice. If he finds any doubts, it's not your fault."
He looked at Tōsen Kaname.
Since Naruto-kun is still investigating him, it indicates that this power is not 'mind reading.'
The blindfolded man raised his head in shock.
Glimpsing into one's heart?
He had some thoughts tonight.
Didn't that mean Naruto knew many things?
"Don't show that expression," Aizen's voice was low. "It makes you look like a weakling."
"Naruto-kun isn't that powerful yet."
"But—"
"It's my first time encountering such an ability, and I haven't figured out what it's about yet."
Gin Ichimaru's voice was gleeful, "Even Lord Aizen has things he can't understand."
"I haven't reached an omniscient and omnipotent state," said Aizen calmly, showing no emotional change to the 'unknown'. "Exploring the unknown, isn't it one of mankind's greatest joys?"
"Tōsen, you should limit your interactions with Naruto-kun."
"If he finds you—"
Aizen raised his hand, pressing an index finger to his lips, "Do not respond."
"If you must speak,"
"Then don't lie."
Tōsen replied, "Yes, I understand."
"Gin," Aizen called out a name.
The white-haired boy responded cheerfully, "Lord Aizen, I'll have Tōsen's back."
"So you want me to understand Captain Uzumaki's abilities, is that it?"
"I'll also do my best to gather information for Lord Aizen."
Aizen smiled, "Gin, your cleverness never ceases to amaze me."
"But why not bring Captain Uzumaki over to our side?" Gin asked, "His abilities are exactly what we need."
"He seems like he would be a great teammate."
Aizen tilted his head and looked once again at the moon, "Under the same sky, there cannot be two suns."
"He is destined not to walk the same path as us."
Gin didn't reply, instead, he silently smiled behind Aizen, stretching his mouth in an exaggerated grin.
The moonlight streamed into the room.
Yet all three remained in shadow, the faint light filtering through the window unable to reach them.
When the time came for training again, Naruto found himself with a headache.
Tōsen Kaname seemed to sense something, resisting any communication with him.
No matter what Naruto said or tried, Tōsen Kaname wouldn't speak, as though he'd lost the ability to converse entirely.
As soon as practice in Squad Six ended, Tōsen Kaname quickly left, avoiding interaction with the trio.
But it was this very behavior that assured Naruto of Tōsen Kaname's connection to the 'unseen' enemy.
On another note, he'd been training for his Bankai for a year now, but with little success.
While others began to show some progress, albeit unable to fully materialize their zanpakuto's spirits, they had small achievements.
Naruto, however, struggled to manifest even the slightest bit of the Nine-Tails.
Inside the Squad Seven barracks, Naruto sat cross-legged, with his red blade resting on him.
"Is it the Four Symbols Seal that's the issue?"
The Nine-Tails, wearing an identical frown, pondered deeply.
Naruto shook his head, "I've compared our training progress with Byakuya and Gin over the year."
"I think the issue might not be with the Four Symbols Seal."
The Nine-Tails was perplexed.
If not the seal, then why was there no progress at all?
Naruto's talents were on par with those two brats.
If they could do it, there was no reason Naruto shouldn't be able to.
"They communicate with their zanpakuto." Naruto softly noted.
The Nine-Tails was even more puzzled, "Naruto, what do you mean, we communicate too!"
"Moreover."
It paused for a moment, its voice lowered slightly, and its pace quickened, "The relationship between us can't be worse than the relationship between them and their swords, right?"
⁃"It's irrelevant." Naruto chuckled, "I've been pondering this issue for a while now."
⁃"Now I have an answer."
⁃"Why can't I achieve materialization?"
⁃"Because I'm a Jinchūriki."
⁃Kurama was stunned.
⁃It recalled the definition of 'Jinchūriki'.
⁃Naruto expressed what he was thinking, "Sealing a Tailed Beast inside oneself and using its power for battle is what being a Jinchūriki is."
⁃"Before, I was trapped in the mindset of 'the Zanpakuto is inner strength'."
⁃"From the start, I naturally considered you as part of my inner power."
⁃"But, Kurama, you're an independent entity."
⁃He paused, grasping "Kurama", the sword, then firmly continued, "Therefore, the Kurama sword isn't my power, but a power I've borrowed from you."
⁃"The Kurama sword doesn't belong to Naruto."
⁃"It belongs to you, Kurama."
⁃"Simply put, I'm not the owner of this sword."
⁃Kurama swished its tail, observing the fiery red blade through Naruto's senses, "So, it's my power?"
⁃"If I want to achieve Bankai, do I also need to undergo that Death God's 'Zen study'?"
⁃It was more interested in the latter.
⁃Training
⁃was a word nearly nonexistent in its life.
⁃"You can give it a try." Naruto nodded with a smile, "But for now, don't set your hopes too high."
⁃Kurama narrowed its eyes, its tone turning menacing, "Brat, do you underestimate me? Think I can't do it."
⁃"You're only half right." Naruto gestured with his hand, "Half of your soul is sealed in that demon's belly."
⁃"Moreover..."
⁃"You're in my consciousness now; materialization is for the real world."
⁃Kurama let out an "Oh," the bristled fur smoothing down, "But trying won't hurt."
⁃It idly inquired, "How's the Four Symbols Seal research going?"
⁃"There haven't been any breakthroughs yet." Naruto shook his head, "Some things don't apply to us."
⁃He had an idea now.
"Can the Four Symbols Seal be applied to the captains who have been hollowfied?
The power that hollowfied them, much like the power of the tailed beasts, is an external disturbance."
This idea has a high chance of success.
But the biggest problem is that he can't find where they are right now.
The Nine-Tails no longer questioned.
"Achievements" aren't something that can be forced.
Whether Naruto truly cares about that promise can be observed with the naked eye.
He is serious! He is trying hard.
The Nine-Tails closed its eyes and began to attempt "Blade Zen" training. If he's working so hard, it might as well give it a try.
Naruto took out the second sword.
This sword, named "Ashura," hasn't uttered a sound since it was released.
Placing it on his lap.
Attempting to communicate through "Blade Zen" training.
But the result was the same as before.
Ashura lacks consciousness and will not respond.
And that "feeble strength" was tightly embraced by Ashura's powerful and warm aura.
Oh.
That "feeble strength" is not so feeble anymore. It has grown much stronger than before, but it's still asleep, still brewing.
Like a sprout in a seed.
Accumulating strength, preparing to break through its shell, waiting to sprout.
Naruto nurtured it carefully and returned from the world of consciousness.
He thought, "Ashura" too isn't his power. Although it's powerful and warm, the feeling is somewhat similar to the "unconscious Nine-Tails"; it doesn't belong to him.
His power should be that "seed."
It hasn't grown yet.
Shrouded by the brilliance of the "Nine-Tails" and "Ashura."
But the "Nine-Tails" resides within him because of his father's seal.
Then what about this power called "Ashura"?
Why does it exist?
Kurama spoke. "Ashura is the ancestor of the Uzumaki clan."
"So, is this the power of the ancestors protecting the children of the Uzumaki clan?"
"Or could there be another reason?"
After gaining a deeper understanding of the essence of the two swords in his hands, Naruto slowed down his training of "Bankai."
The sword "Kurama" requires the Nine-Tails to restore his soul completely; perhaps it will also be necessary to break the seal.
The sword "Ashura" lacks any conscious response and awaits the germination of that "seed."
He devoted himself to studying the "Four Symbols Seal" and "Reaper Death Seal."
That day, Mayuri Kurotsuchi came to find him.
"Did it really take you a year to study the Summoning Technique?" Naruto looked at him.
"I didn't plan on it taking this long," Mayuri shook his head and replied with a playful smile, "The Gigai technology is proving very useful for those Shinigami going to the human world. The Head Captain asked me to focus on researching it and promote it to the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. It's quite a troublesome task."
"It's only recently that I've had time," he continued.
"The technique you gave me is indeed fascinating."
"Who would have thought it involves 'space' technology?"
He stretched out his hand over the table.
With a burst of spiritual energy, there was no incantation, no hand seals.
Underneath his palm, a tiny spell formation appeared rapidly.
With a faint "poof," white smoke emerged, and several books materialized from nowhere.
Mayuri squinted. "Just like this."
"Any Kido involving space has been classified as forbidden by Central 46."
"However, the one you brought from Uzumaki Squad was surprisingly safe."
"These are the results of my research."
Naruto sensed and confirmed that there was nothing peculiar about the books. He reached out, intending to pick one up.
With a swift slap, Mayuri's hand landed on the book, stopping Naruto's action. "That's not how it works."
"Next time, Captain Uzumaki."
Chapter 89 - Lies and Truths
Mayuri Kurotsuchi was eager and driven.
Although there wasn't much to be explored about the 'Summoning Jutsu,' and it wasn't particularly challenging, as a 'research project,' its value was not very high.
Yet, from it, one could glimpse the tip of a vast, unfamiliar knowledge iceberg.
No 'scientist' can resist the allure of knowledge.
"I have a problem," Naruto thought for a moment, taking his hand off a book, "Wait here for a moment."
He stood up and left. It wasn't long before he returned with a rabbit in his hand.
Mayuri squinted his eyes.
Although the Soul Society was the world of the 'dead,' it had a proper ecosystem, naturally with animals.
But, what sort of research project could a rabbit possibly be?
His studies had always started with 'souls.'
"I've placed a seal on this rabbit," Naruto said, setting the rabbit on the table, "It contains stored energy."
"I want Captain Mayuri to undo the seal and extract the energy without harming the rabbit."
Naruto had just gone out to temporarily make this rabbit akin to a 'Jinchuriki.'
"The life of a mere rabbit," Mayuri clicked his tongue, "Captain Uzumaki is truly merciful."
"However,"
"Does this seal have something to do with you?"
Naruto replied softly, "Captain Urahara wouldn't ask such irrelevant questions."
Mayuri clicked his tongue even louder.
"Oh, by the way, a little reminder," Naruto tilted his head and looked at him, "I'm not hopeful about your success in breaking the seal."
"After all,"
"This is something even Captain Urahara couldn't achieve."
Suddenly, Mayuri's demeanor became sharp, his voice harsh, "Captain Uzumaki has quite the faith in that man."
"If he were capable, he wouldn't have fled the Soul Society like a rat."
"His failure doesn't imply mine."
He lifted the rabbit by its ears. "Just wait, Captain Uzumaki. Next time, what I want won't be just this little bit."
"If you fail, feel free to come back for a new rabbit anytime," Naruto cheerfully offered him in greeting.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi left with an imposing air.
Watching his retreating figure, Naruto contemplated.
Kisuke Urahara hadn't delved deeply into breaking the "Four Symbols Seal." It was merely a casual mention.
However, as expected, by exploiting people's "competitive spirit," one can indeed motivate a lot of effort.
Picking up a book, he began to read.
Only on the first page, Naruto was already struck by the accuracy of Urahara's past assessment: Mayuri really was a clever and capable individual.
He modified the "Summoning Technique," casting it through Kido, making it about as challenging as the mid-ranked "Binding Kido," somewhere in the twenties or thirties.
He further simplified the "technique," making it even more minimalist than before.
And subsequently, in the next book, he deduced the "Reverse Summoning Technique," combining it with the "Shunpo" technique to develop a way to utilize the "Summoning Technique" for "rapid spatial transfer" within the same space. Yet, given it's only been a year, this technology is not yet fully perfected.
Mayuri candidly acknowledged the technique's flaws in his book. Although it's spatial transfer, the initiation time is too long, diminishing its significance.
Moreover, it requires extremely delicate control over spiritual power and a strong reaction capability. Throughout Mayuri's writings, it's clear he's not particularly eager to harness this power, as further research would consume enormous time, hence he stopped there. However, he also noted that if Naruto were interested, he could continue the research if Naruto could offer him something he wanted.
Truly a man acknowledged by Kisuke Urahara.
These books benefited Naruto greatly.
The prolonged lifespan of a Shinigami results in a life relatively unchanged.
Naruto's life revolved around managing internal team affairs and then repeatedly researching the "Four Symbols Seal" and "Reaper Death Seal."
Occasionally, Kurama would complain, blaming Minato for sealing his other half away, leaving him unable to train "Bankai."
Or Mayuri would come, with a grim face, reaching out to demand a new rabbit.
Breaking the "Four Symbols Seal" is a daunting task.
The duty of a sealer is simply to seal. For those who break seals, there's much to consider.
Without realizing it, the days of cherry blossoms blooming have arrived once more.
Sosuke Aizen came looking for him.
After exchanging greetings.
"Naruto-kun, you don't seem to have anything urgent going on lately, right?" Aizen asked.
Naruto shook his head.
"Would you like to attend the entrance ceremony of the Shin'ō Academy?" Aizen extended an invitation.
Naruto was taken aback, looking out the window: "So it's that time of year again."
"But why would you suddenly think to invite me, Sosuke?"
Aizen smiled, "Naruto-kun, you know me. I attend the entrance ceremony every year."
"Every year, I hear the students talking about wanting to meet Naruto Uzumaki, the youngest captain."
"They're so eager."
"I wanted to fulfill their wish, so I came to invite you."
Naruto nodded.
The emotions reflected back by his Kagura's Mind Eye showed that this statement was very sincere.
"Since Sosuke put it that way, I have no reason to refuse," Naruto agreed.
Aizen lifted his head, also gazing out the window, where a cherry tree stood in the courtyard of the Seventh Division, its petals cascading like rain with the breeze: "That's wonderful, Naruto-kun."
"If only the Soul Society could always be this way."
Naruto was momentarily stunned.
His Kagura's Mind Eye fed back that this statement was a 'lie.'
The day of the entrance ceremony arrived swiftly.
Having two captains present brought joy to Principal Houga.
Naruto was already accustomed to such grand occasions and recited the speech he had prepared the night before.
After he spoke, Sosuke Aizen took the stage immediately afterwards.
His speech content was different from the last time; it seemed he crafted a new speech for each new class every year.
At the end.
Aizen smiled at them, "I hope you all become exceptional Soul Reapers."
"In previous years, I've always demonstrated the release of my zanpakutō to the new students as a blessing."
"But this year, Captain Uzumaki is also here."
He turned his head, looking at the blonde figure in the audience, "Naruto, would you like to demonstrate the release for them?"
Naruto shook his head, as his sword wasn't suitable for display.
Aizen raised his hand, placing it on his sword, "Then it'll be me, as usual."
He drew his sword, chanting the release.
"Shatter, Kyōka Suigetsu."
A reflection of flowing illusions was born, casting false images. The students gasped in amazement.
Naruto's gaze pierced through the illusory shadows before him, smiling as he fixed his eyes on Aizen standing at the podium. He was no longer affected by this level of "illusion."
"Every person's zanpakutō has different abilities," Aizen said softly, "This is mine."
After a moment, he sheathed his sword. ☜ Wo Academy's Dean scratched his head. Something seemed to be missing this year.
After seeing off the two captains and agreeing with Naruto that they'd meet at the izakaya when time allowed, it suddenly dawned on him. During the final release of his zanpakutō, Captain Aizen hadn't said the usual things.
In previous years, when he demonstrated his zanpakutō to the new students, he always introduced the specific abilities of his "water-type" zanpakutō, which, while not powerful, was one of the few in the Soul Society with an "illusion" ability. But this year, there was no introduction. Was it forgotten? Or perhaps because the speeches by the two captains went long, he omitted this part.
Naruto returned to the barracks.
The lie that slipped out of Sōsuke Aizen's mouth that day was something he took note of. But... it seemed like that was the only "lie."
Whether it was during his speeches to the Shin'ō Academy students or his everyday interactions, Sōsuke Aizen remained the same sincere and gentle Captain Aizen.
Kaname Tōsen had always remained a subject of interest for him.
Despite his unchanged demeanor of keeping to himself and refusing to interact with fellow practitioners, disappearing right after training sessions ended, Naruto managed to gather information about Kaname Tōsen's "Shikai" from the Ninth Division members.
It was a zanpakutō named "Suzumushi," which possessed the ability to hypnotize.
"Hypnosis"—this was a power that piqued his interest.
However, even though he had learned about its effects, he still couldn't ascertain how exactly Tōsen's blade functioned.
Was it by merely seeing with one's eyes that caused the hypnosis?
Or was there another method?
As Naruto maintained his vigilance towards them, he continued with his own research.
He had deciphered the outcome of "Reaper Death Seal".
It was similar to the conclusions deduced from the scroll Orochimaru had given him.
Indeed, it was a technique akin to a "Summoning Technique".
Benefiting from Orochimaru's findings and the complete "Reaper Death Seal" technique, he had also reverse-engineered a method to unlock the seal.
It required finding the "occult object" of that wicked spirit and using it to cast the technique, summon the Death God, and when it appears, cut open its stomach to release those souls, allowing them to find their rightful places.
Fragments of souls would return to their bodies.
The departed souls would head back to the Pure Land.
While he progressed smoothly, Mayuri Kurotsuchi faced some hurdles.
The challenge of safely releasing the power within the "Jinchuriki"'s body troubled him deeply.
Despite significant progress over time, evolving from being unable to guarantee the rabbit's life to now being able to keep the rabbit alive for up to a week after releasing its power, both Naruto and Mayuri find the result of significantly shortened lifespan unacceptable.
Another year passed.
Naruto was handling affairs within the barracks when the Vice-Captain, Kotsuba Jinryūemon, hurriedly entered, "Captain, we have an intruder who has forcefully defeated the gatekeepers of 'Seireitei' and is advancing with apparent hostility, having defeated several seated officers without causing any fatalities yet."
"An intruder?" Naruto rose to his feet.
"He is a man with long black hair and a little girl with pink hair on his shoulder," reported Kotsuba Jinryūemon. "He possesses considerable strength."
"We couldn't gather any more information."
"We couldn't even force him to reveal his Shikai."
(End of Chapter)