The "Stealth Force" was halted, but that did little to deter her spirits.
What truly ruffled her was the inability to convey this news to Yoruichi Shihōin, leaving her discontented.
She was well aware that Yoruichi had her own channels of information, yet conveying a message personally carried a different weight than having it relayed by others.
News regarding the Gamimarutachi family was heavily suppressed by various factions, with the Ninth Division actively working to eradicate any rumors.
Once these negative reports were entirely obscured, the Soul Society seemed to regain its usual tranquility.
Time flowed like a river.
Naruto continued with his life and research, moving beyond his previous minor engagements focusing solely on single techniques, now embarking on a comprehensive study of the "essence of power."
It was a formidable task right from the start.
According to Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Naruto's previous methods were merely imitative efforts, adhering to others' thoughts in the development of "spiritual arts." This dimension of work was considered merely foundational by the standards of the unremarkable soldiers among the Kido Corps.
True research wasn't as simple as an impulsive idea leading to the exploration of a technique.
Despite Mayuri's abrasive tongue, his expertise in this field was indisputable, and Naruto diligently learned under his guidance.
Furthermore, his training with his Zanpakuto continued without interruption.
Whenever the "seedling" within him signaled a need for "nourishment," he would seek out Kenpachi Zaraki for a fight.
Yet, Kenpachi was somewhat reluctant to spar with Naruto.
The battles, whether wounding or being wounded by him, were indeed thrilling, yet they lacked satisfaction.
Before either of them could fall, Naruto would call for a halt midway, leaving him in a frustrating state of suspense.
If he tried to force an engagement, Naruto would deploy sealing techniques to subdue him, and if the commotion grew too loud, the Captain-Commander would appear to reprimand him, advising him to learn restraint from Captain Uzumaki.
Direct rejection wasn't an option either—Kenpachi couldn't bring himself to refuse outright.
All he could do was bite the bullet and hope this time, the battle would last a little longer.
In contrast, the Nine-Tails mingled freely in the Seireitei hierarchy.
Its name resonated from captains to soldiers.
Even, upon realizing that its "cute appearance" offered certain advantages in its smaller form, it dared to venture into the First Division to playfully tug at the Captain-Commander's beard.
Of course, being electrocuted by Vice-Minister Jiro Haname is unavoidable.
In terms of training, there's been rapid progress.
Whether it's merging with his other self or developing his "blade."
Compared to the "tedious and boring" training, he still prefers going out drinking with Uncle Shunsui.
Unexpectedly, the one with the best relationship with the Nine-Tails isn't Komamura Sajin, but rather Yachiru.
When facing her, the Nine-Tails is extraordinarily patient, even willing to slightly enlarge its form to carry her around, letting the two of them frolic through the Seireitei.
The whole prank of pulling the Captain-Commander's beard was Yachiru's plan, executed by the Nine-Tails.
In the Seventh Division Captain's office, Naruto sighed as he surveyed the smoke-filled room, "Why are you guys here again?"
"This isn't an izakaya."
Kyōraku Shunsui poked his head in, "I ran into them on the way here. They said they wanted to visit you, so I tagged along."
"Hey, Isshin, why did you come to see Naruto?"
Matsumoto Rangiku slammed the table, putting down her glass with a stern expression, "Oh no!"
"Captain Isshin, we're here to see Captain Naruto on official business."
Shiba Isshin let out a confused "Ah".
Then, after meeting eyes with Matsumoto Rangiku, he suddenly realized and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, we've got official business."
"Don't make something up on the spot," Naruto eyed them suspiciously, full of disbelief.
Matsumoto Rangiku asserted seriously, "This is serious business."
"But before we talk to Captain Naruto, you have to agree to one thing."
Naruto tapped the table, "You want me to do something, and I have to agree to a condition."
Matsumoto Rangiku's face froze for a moment before she laughed heartily, "Captain Naruto, don't put it like that. We're all colleagues in the Seireitei, and I have such a good relationship with the Nine-Tails!"
As she called out, the Nine-Tails squirmed out from around her chest, growling angrily, "Rangiku, you damn woman."
"If you stuff me back in there again, I'll dig my way out!"
Matsumoto Rangiku sighed, "Many could only dream of such a good opportunity."
The Nine-Tails hopped onto the table, giving its fur a shake, "I'm just a fox."
"Get to the point." Naruto reminded her.
Matsumoto Rangiku raised her hand, "Captain Uzumaki, let me make it clear from the start."
"I found this person, and in the future, he's got to be part of our Tenth Division."
Naruto squinted.
Has she discovered a promising talent?
"Just as you're thinking, Captain Naruto." Matsumoto Rangiku stood with her hands on her hips, smiling smugly, "Yes, I found an incredible young man in Rukongai."
"With immense talent!"
"Although not officially tested yet."
"But the spiritual pressure he leaks out is at a level that even terrifies me."
Naruto evaluated Matsumoto Rangiku.
This woman might usually seem laid-back, but she is always serious about her work.
She may speak flippantly, but she never lies.
Besides, she's a very hardworking person privately; she's already the lieutenant of the Tenth Division.
If she finds his spiritual pressure 'terrifying.'
Has he already reached the captain's level?
Matsumoto Rangiku was momentarily stunned, lowering her head and scratching the back of it with a silly smile, "Of course, there is a small issue."
"He doesn't want to become a Soul Reaper."
"I've tried several times, but I couldn't persuade him."
"Originally, I wanted Captain Isshin to go himself, but he—"
Rangiku turned around, glancing back, and within the brief moment they spoke a few words, Shiba Isshin was already sparring boisterously with Nine-Tails, with Kyōraku Shunsui refereeing on the side.
"See." She sighed helplessly, "Someone like him going over would only make the young man more resistant, right?"
"What a motley crew these Soul Reapers are."
"I even feel he might have a prejudice against me."
Naruto remained silent.
Nine-Tails shot a glance over, "Damn oversized woman, have you ever considered that it might not be prejudice at all?"
"Nonsense!" Matsumoto Rangiku immediately retorted.
"Since he doesn't want to become a Soul Reaper, then—" Naruto shook his head.
If he doesn't want to be a Soul Reaper, then so be it. Everyone has their own thoughts.
"The problem is, he has already become an uncontrollable factor." Matsumoto Rangiku's expression was serious.
Naruto frowned, "An uncontrollable factor?"
"His spiritual pressure is strong but lacks proper control," Rangiku shook her head. "The most crucial thing is that he seems to have communicated with his sword."
"His sword appears to be of the ice element, and very powerful at that."
"The leakage of spiritual pressure can cause some atmospheric changes. Right now, the area affected is small, but given his spiritual pressure and his pace of communicating with his inner self, it might not take long to affect the entire area, or even several neighboring regions."
Shiba Isshin turned back, "Ordinary elemental types wouldn't cause such changes."
"Who does this remind you of?"
Naruto's face grew serious, "The Captain-Commander?"
Shiba Isshin nodded, "Exactly. This could be the strongest ice-type Zanpakutō. Such power, if it can be persuaded, should ideally be under the control of the Gotei 13."
"Those nobles..."
Naruto stood up, "I understand."
"Then I leave it to you, Captain Uzumaki." Shiba Isshin straightened up and bowed sincerely.
Naruto glared at him, letting out a cold laugh.
In the eastern district of Soul Society, Rurikan.
April had just passed, with a few cherry blossoms still in bloom.
A boy with white hair woke up from a dream.
He stared ahead.
It wasn't that the dream was particularly bad, but it was too real.
Standing amidst a frozen cavern, an enormous ice dragon loomed before him.
The thunderous voice demanded he call its name.
It.
It had told him its name, but it was blurry, not entirely clear.
Ever since that well-endowed, flippant woman had set her sights on him, such dreams had been occurring more frequently.
"Grandmother, I had another—" he turned back, finding the elderly woman beside him curled up, shivering under the covers, with even the outermost layer of blankets glazed with a thin sheet of frost.
His pupils widened in shock.
"Condense moisture in the air into ice?" His disbelief was interrupted by a gentle, calm voice beside him. "That's quite an impressive ability."
The white-haired young man did not turn around.
Before he could react, the owner of the voice squatted down, placing their hands on his grandmother.
A soft green glow spread around them.
His grandmother's complexion immediately improved.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"He's the captain," replied a familiar teasing female voice. "A remarkable person, rest assured, your grandmother will be fine."
"She only suffered minor frostbite, no damage to her spiritual body," Naruto answered.
The white-haired young man finally turned around.
The orange, wavy-haired female Shinigami persisted over this period, Matsumoto Rangiku.
He glanced at Naruto and looked back and forth with an eye of realization: "Is this your brother?"
"It would be embarrassing to be related to such a woman," Naruto stood up.
The white-haired young man nodded in agreement.
Matsumoto Rangiku clenched her fist.
Stay calm, stay calm, these two aren't mature men yet—they don't appreciate the allure of a mature woman."
"Although I don't understand why you don't want to become a Shinigami," Naruto looked at him, "I'm not here to give you clichés."
"You must value the people around you."
The white-haired young man lowered his head.
"But now, facts are before you."
"If you continue to let your power lose control, it will hurt those around you."
"As you grow, the stronger your power becomes, the greater the damage."
Naruto paused, extending his hand: "I am Uzumaki Naruto, captain of the 7th Division."
"I invite you to enroll in the Shin'o Academy."
"What's your name?"
The white-haired young man looked up, shook his hand, and stated his name: "Tōshirō Hitsugaya."
This chapter does not include additional content and concludes the current narrative segment.
(End of Chapter)