"Do you want to kill him?" He repeated, gazing at the silver-haired teenager seated across from him, "What is your reason?"
Gin Ichimaru shook his head, "I'm sorry, Captain Naruto, I can't tell you."
"It's not that I don't trust you."
"It's just that this matter is a secret more crucial than my life."
Kagura's Mind Eye feedback confirmed that he was telling the truth.
Naruto nodded slightly.
He cared little about what secrets Gin Ichimaru might be concealing.
As long as his allegiance wasn't with Aizen, that was a relief.
"Be wary of Sosuke Aizen," Naruto shifted the focus of his words, offering a warning, "He's very dangerous."
Gin Ichimaru responded, "I've always been cautious of him."
He watched Naruto.
Remembering what Aizen had once said: "The sky cannot have two suns coexisting."
This Seventh Squad Captain was younger than him, yet he was already radiating his own vigorous light, dispelling some of the shadows.
If only...
he had met him earlier.
Within the Seireitei.
The Sixth Squad, severely crippled, immediately underwent personnel changes.
Former Vice-Captain Kuchiki Ginrei retired.
His son, Byakuya Kuchiki, assumed the position of Vice-Captain.
Inside the Sixth Squad quarters.
Kuchiki Ginrei, bare-chested, lay in bed, surrounded by a circle of people.
Among them, five captains, including Naruto, Unohana Retsu, Kyoraku Shunsui, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, and the Sixth Squad's leader Kuchiki Ginrei himself.
"I didn't expect my son's matters would alarm so many captains," Kuchiki Ginrei softly said, bowing in greeting, "I am deeply ashamed."
Kyoraku Shunsui leaned in, "I can understand having Captain Unohana and Captain Mayuri here, but Naruto, why was I summoned as well?"
"I'm neither skilled in calling people back nor in research," said one, unsure how they'd manage this situation.
The other captains shared the same confusion.
Kyoraku Shunsui wasn't exactly the type to appear on such occasions either.
This wasn't a casual pub gathering.
"If Captain Ukitake weren't in poor health, I'd have invited him too." Naruto shook his head, his gaze settling on Mayuri Kurotsuchi. "Aside from Captain Mayuri, you're all the people I trust most in the Seireitei."
"I've invited you here today not only to discuss the troubling condition of Vice Captain Kuchiki but also to share some crucial information."
Mayuri Kurotsuchi merely sneered.
Naruto paused, "It's related to the true culprit behind the Hollowfication incident."
"But isn't Kaname Tōsen already dead by your hands?" Mayuri's tone dripped with greed. "I heard you didn't hand over his body to the Kaname family, so why not let me study it?"
Naruto shot him a look, but chose to ignore the comment.
Unohana Retsu and Kyoraku Shunsui knitted their brows.
So Naruto was insinuating that Kaname Tōsen wasn't the real villain?
"Kaname Tōsen wasn't the mastermind," Naruto stated firmly, without beating around the bush, "The real guilty party is Captain Sōsuke Aizen of the Fifth Squad."
Kyoraku Shunsui's frown deepened, "Do you have evidence?"
Naruto shook his head, "No."
"If I did, I'd have already arrested him or informed the Head Captain."
Unohana Retsu questioned, "Without evidence, how are you so sure it's him, Naruto?"
"I possess a unique ability that lets me discern the truthfulness of a person's words," explained Naruto. "He didn't expect I had this capability, but Kaname Tōsen's slip revealed the truth to me."
"Thus, he had no choice but to stop hiding before me."
Naruto had considered recording or using other methods.
Yet, only the Nine-Tails could glimpse the truth.
Anything Naruto shared would only appear as he intended for others to perceive it.
Kyoraku Shunsui stroked his chin, "In order to prevent you from catching more slips, he flaunted evidence against Tōsen."
"So he decisively abandoned Tōsen, making everyone think Tōsen was the perpetrator."
"Meanwhile, he hides in the shadows."
"However, in this case," Naruto shook his head and locked eyes with Kyōraku Shunsui, his gaze earnest. "The reason I brought this up with you esteemed captains is not because I'm recklessly trying to convict him with your help."
He couldn't present any evidence, and even though he wanted to, he couldn't persuade them to take such action.
He paused briefly and continued, "I hope you captains will be vigilant and pay more attention to him."
"If you could catch any slip-ups, that would be even better."
Unohana Retsu seemed lost in thought, "But how did he manage to pull this off right under the noses of so many captains without being discovered?"
"It's only when you're present that he's exposed."
She had no doubt about Naruto's words.
Through years of interaction, she knew this child's character intimately.
Moreover, before this, Naruto and Aizen were both known as the nice guys in the Seireitei, never having had any conflicts between them.
The possibility of Naruto framing Aizen was exceedingly low, almost nonexistent.
Furthermore, Naruto emphasized that he wasn't asking for them to speak for him or collaborate in convicting Aizen; he merely wanted to remind them to be cautious.
If it weren't true, speaking ill of someone behind their back would be nothing but harmful.
But could anyone really commit such deeds flawlessly?
"He has the ability to manipulate the five senses," Naruto explained, "As long as you see him, his ability will deceive you."
Kyōraku Shunsui couldn't hide the surprise in his tone, "Right under the teacher's nose?"
Naruto nodded.
"Even the Head Captain has been caught off guard?" Unohana Retsu's brows furrowed even tighter. "So, how does that ability activate?"
"Our interactions with Captain Aizen seem rather limited."
Byakuya Kuchiki and Mayuri Kurotsuchi also began pondering.
They were all very intelligent, quickly recalling past events and arriving at a conclusion.
"Have you all seen the release of his Zanpakutō?" Kyōraku Shunsui remembered suddenly.
The remaining members nodded.
For most Shinigami, the ability of their Zanpakutō determined their own capabilities.
Many Reapers prefer to keep the abilities of their Zanpakutō to themselves.
However, Sōsuke Aizen was an exception.
The capabilities of his Zanpakutō were known by everyone across the entire Seireitei. Even students who had studied for six years at the Shin'ō Academy could recite his abilities.
Even the four noble guards of the Seireitei gates had witnessed its release.
"If what Naruto says is true," Kyōraku Shunsui continued in a low voice, "then there's an issue with his sword."
He was more inclined to trust Naruto, albeit without any solid evidence.
His words remained conservative.
"To be able to trap even a teacher..."
"That man is indeed terrifying."
The essence of a Reaper lies in their spiritual pressure.
With Head Captain Yamamoto being the oldest and most powerful of the Reapers, the strength of his spiritual pressure is unquestioned.
To affect him, such spiritual pressure, even if not identical, wouldn't fall short by much.
"I ask all the captains to be cautious and to help me keep an eye on him," Naruto bowed.
Kyōraku Shunsui scratched his head, "Since you're asking, Naruto, then for such a troublesome task, why not treat me to a drink tonight?"
"I haven't been in a while," Unohana Retsu smiled as she spoke.
Ginrei Kuchiki glanced at Byakuya.
In response, Byakuya quickly stepped forward, slightly awkward, "We'll leave it to you, Naruto-kun."
Mayuri Kurotsuchi "tsk'ed" as he walked up to Kuchiki Ginrei, "Once your eyes see, your five senses will be controlled."
"Is Urahara that guy who got caught by such a power?"
"What an intriguing subject."
Even though his approach differed from others, his response was equally affirmative. More than "Aizen," Mayuri was captivated by the current developments.
He eagerly extended his hand, channeling spiritual energy.
Spell markings unfolded immediately on Kuchiki's abdomen.
"The Four Symbols Seal," Mayuri Kurotsuchi's eyes widened in realization. "So, what you've asked me to research before was intended for this?"
Naruto explained to the others, "The Four Symbols Seal is a sealing technique that I have mastered."
"Its purpose is to seal the power of the 'Hollow' within Vice-Captain Kuchiki's body."
"While it temporarily resolves the problem of 'Hollowification', it also means the 'Hollow's' power coexists with Vice-Captain Kuchiki."
"If we were to remove this power, Vice-Captain Kuchiki would die as a result."
Byakuya Kuchiki's face momentarily showed panic.
"I've had Captain Kurotsuchi working on a solution for over a year, but there hasn't been a successful breakthrough yet," Naruto said with a glance at Mayuri. "Which is why we need Captain Unohana's assistance."
"My level of healing and Captain Kurotsuchi's research might not be enough to solve this problem."
Mayuri's black-and-white painted face twisted. "It's not that I can't solve it."
"It's just that the time has been too short, and we've only had some preliminary results so far."
Lying on the bed, Kuchiki Ginrei shook his head, his voice calm. "If we can't extract this power, it's completely fine."
"Being able to survive under the erosion of 'Hollowification',"
"and not being affected by this power in the future, I'm already very satisfied."
Naruto's provocation was still within Mayuri Kurotsuchi's tolerance.
He understood what this young brat was thinking.
As long as Urahara Kisuke wasn't involved, he would not take it to heart.
But Kuchiki Ginrei's sincerity was undeniable.
Mayuri then squinted his eyes and slapped his stomach. "Don't underestimate me like that."
"Before you stands the Director of the Research and Development Institute."
"Even if you include that cursed traitor, I'm still the most capable researcher in all of Soul Society."
"There's nothing I can't do!"
Unohana Retsu stepped forward, learning more about Kuchiki Ginrei's physical condition through Naruto and Mayuri's introduction.
Ginrei Kuchiki left to handle matters related to Squad Six.
Byakuya Kuchiki stayed behind, complying with the arrangements of those present.
The long-time author has a new romance novel, guaranteed quality.
(End of Chapter)