Mayuri toyed with his dark humor, teasingly withholding information.
"I really don't want to tell Captain Uzumaki about this news."
"Once you find out, you'll definitely be upset."
"Radiant, sunny, beaming Captain Uzumaki—" He almost sang the last words in a celebratory tone.
Naruto tapped the table lightly.
The spiritual pressure shook, causing the area to crumble.
Mayuri took a step back.
Only now did he notice,
in the few short months since they'd last met, Naruto had grown taller. Previously, Naruto had been half a head shorter, but now he surpassed him by that much.
"The material for forging a Zanpakutō," Mayuri grinned, "is souls."
Naruto narrowed his eyes.
This answer was expected and logical.
He had guessed as much.
After all, the peculiarity of the 'Nine-Tails' blade was evident.
Borrowing the Nine-Tails' power, which possessed a soul of its own, meant that even without the 'Asauchi,' it could become a blade.
"You have quite the fortitude," Mayuri murmured, "I thought someone like Captain Uzumaki would be utterly devastated to hear such news."
Naruto glanced at him indifferently.
Had it been before witnessing Aizen, upon hearing this news, he might have agonized over it for a long time.
But now, he was calm enough to ask, "What types of souls? How are they made?"
"Who knows?" Mayuri shrugged, his indifference glaring, "Humans, Soul Reapers, or Hollows?"
"Perhaps something more niche, like the soul of your little friend Ginjo Kugo?"
"And as for how they are made,"
"That is forbidden, strictly prohibited."
He had only researched his own Zanpakutō, never delving into the study of 'Zanpakutō' as a whole.
Naruto stared at him, "You don't strike me as someone who cares about taboos."
"If the Head Captain were to find out." Mayuri looked unperturbed, "He wouldn't easily forgive me."
Naruto tilted his head, "If it were Captain Urahara, he'd be taking out the forging blueprints right about now."
Mayuri's expression grew rigid.
Naruto grabbed the scroll on the table and declared, "Since I've already learned this technique from you, I won't go back on my word."
"I'll give you what you want."
"As for Urahara,"
"that coward doesn't have the guts to do something like this."
Naruto flashed a bright smile. This method always worked. Mayuri impatiently shoved him out. This guy always did this.
Whenever he wanted to express any form of refusal, he would always bring up 'that man.'
Yet, there was no way to deny it completely.
After all, there was no telling what 'that man' wanted to do.
Upon leaving the 12th Division headquarters, Naruto headed to the Shin'o Academy to request a Zanpakutō.
Principal Pakkan looked at Naruto with some surprise, "You want a Zanpakutō?"
"For what purpose would you need a Zanpakutō, Naruto?"
For those students who hadn't become Soul Reapers yet, such an item was indeed valuable, but within the context of the entire "Seireitei," the importance of a "Zanpakutō" wasn't particularly high.
As long as the system of storing and retrieving Zanpakutōs remained intact, the loss or disposal of a few was within acceptable limits.
After all, quite a number of Soul Reapers found their swords outside.
Zaraki Kenpachi of the 11th Division was the most typical example of this.
"A friend of mine needs a Zanpakutō," Naruto said with a wave.
Yang Kyuubi emerged promptly, appearing on his shoulder.
"That's..." Pakkan was pleasantly surprised, startled by its sudden appearance, yet even more so by the spiritual pressure emanating from its small form, which, although not overwhelming, seemed to represent a fraction of a much deeper, unfathomable power, like an abyss with no end in sight.
"This is my friend," Naruto nodded his head.
Pakkan scrutinized the Nine-Tails, pondering, "Is it something akin to Captain Komamura?"
Komamura, Captain of the 9th Division, was quite famous, not for his strength but for his appearance.
In the Soul Society, where everyone bears human forms, a "dog head" indeed stands out distinctly.
Yang Nine-Tails reluctantly nodded its head.
It never considered itself akin to that big dog.
Yet, in the Soul Society devoid of peculiar creatures, this simple interpretation was easier for others to accept, avoiding lengthy explanations.
"Let me register where this Asauchi will be assigned," said Bōgang with a cheerful tone.
A few minutes later, the Asauchi was secured.
Yang Nine-Tails proceeded solemnly, strapping it across its back.
Naruto observed it, feeling something amiss. As they neared the Seventh Division barracks, he suddenly realized, "I say, aren't you missing something? Would you like me to make you a Shihakushō?"
"No, thanks," Yang Nine-Tails declined, "Wearing clothes feels quite odd."
Yet, as soon as those words left its mouth, it turned its gaze toward Naruto, scrutinizing him.
For over a thousand years, it never wore clothes; it wasn't a habit.
But here in the Soul Society, from the Head Captain to the ordinary soldiers, everyone donned the Shihakushō, although captains wore an additional haori.
In the Shinobi World, it had no allegiance.
In the Soul Society, it too was now... a Shinigami!
Naruto chuckled in response.
Soon, the members of the Seventh Division noticed a change within their barracks.
Beside the captain was an adorable nine-tailed fox, sporting a tailored Shihakushō and having a Zanpakutō strapped to its back, strutting about openly.
Initially assumed to be the captain's pet, some female members even sourced pet food from the world of the living, hoping to win Yang Nine-Tails over.
But soon, harsh reality struck them hard.
This fox, only outwardly cute, had a real sharp tongue.
Despite Captain Uzumaki's gentle demeanor, the fox, who had been with him for so long, was adept at scolding people.
Not only could it scold, but it was also powerful.
Ordinary seated officers couldn't approach it; high-ranking seated officers couldn't last more than a few moves.
Although it hadn't yet sparred with the vice-captain, the Seventh Division regarded the fox's strength as being on par with that of a vice-captain.
Most crucially, it bore a sword on its back, undoubtedly an Asauchi.
In other words, the fox wearing a Shihakushō isn't just for looks; it truly possesses the "power of a Shinigami."
Captain Uzumaki mused to himself, "Where did this ancestor come from?"
During the time Yang Nine-Tails displayed his might and reveled in freedom, Naruto completed reading Mayuri Kurotsuchi's research notes on the Zanpakutō.
Of course, Mayuri's research direction greatly differed from what Naruto aimed to achieve.
Mayuri's interests focused more on "the essence of the Zanpakutō's power."
"The Shikai is the reflection of the Shinigami's own power, manifested in the sword," he noted in his studies.
"Bankai is the manifestation of the sword's self-cultivation."
These insights were enlightening for Naruto, at least solving a perplexing question of his.
Why couldn't the sword "Asura" undergo Bankai training?
"Asura" is an energy within himself that contains consciousness but lacks a "soul" and "self."
Thus, he mused, perhaps only by expecting Nine-Tails to complete Bankai training could he potentially borrow its Bankai.
As Naruto delved deeply into these contemplations, some individuals grew impatient and sought him out.
In the Seventh Division's captain's office,
Soi Fon sat quietly in a corner, her presence nearly invisible.
Byakuya Kuchiki stormed in furiously, remaining silent but staring coldly at Naruto.
"Byakuya, is something the matter?" Naruto asked, puzzled.
Byakuya's tone was calm, yet an undeniable chill seeped through, "Captain Uzumaki hasn't sought me out for almost three months."
Startled, Naruto reflected, recalling how the last time he stayed in the Soul Society, he had taken Byakuya to meet someone.
"Haven't you gone to see them during this time?" he scratched his head and counter-questioned.
Byakuya remained silent.
Only now did he sense the not unfamiliar spiritual pressure lurking in the corner,
the captain of the Second Division, Soi Fon, was indeed present here.
"Does it really take Captain Uzumaki's coercion for you to finally become a bit more proactive?" Naruto chuckled, opening up the conversation.
Byakuya Kuchiki took a deep breath, turning to leave.
In front of Soi Fon, there were some things he simply couldn't articulate.
"Byakuya, I need to remind you of something," Naruto called out to stop him, "How long do ordinary souls live?"
"And how old is Hisana this year?"
"She's been a soul for, seems like sixty years now."
Byakuya's steps faltered, his breath becoming heavier.
He knew exactly what Naruto's reminder implied.
"Do you need me to accompany you?" Naruto stood up, "Or are you planning to go alone?"
Byakuya said nothing, nor did he show any response, leaving the room on his own.
Four months later.
He found Naruto again.
Confirming the absence of Soi Fon in the office, he looked grave, as if preparing to announce something utterly heartbreaking.
Naruto's expression tightened as well.
He worried that perhaps his preoccupation with researching Zanpakutōs had prevented him from visiting Rukongai, and something had happened to Hisana.
Byakuya began, indeed concerning Hisana, yet the content was unexpected.
"Hisana confessed her feelings to me."
Naruto paused, slapping the table, "Isn't that a good thing? Why the gloomy face?"
"I thought something had happened to Hisana."
Byakuya's expression grew even more solemn, "When I saw her, I could no longer control my feelings."
"Naruto."
He lifted his head, his voice unconsciously firm, though his gaze slightly faltered, "I want to marry her."
"You both are willing." Naruto smiled, "Then get married."
Byakuya opened his mouth.
Naruto preemptively interrupted him, "Don't bother with those outdated concerns."
"It's tedious and dull."
"If you're worried about any obstacles, I'll support you."
"Captain Kuchiki surely would grant me this favor."
"Even if others oppose it, even if it's the Head Captain himself, I would still draw my sword against him."
Byakuya Kuchiki's expression wavered.
(End of Chapter)