Byakuya Kuchiki and Naruto locked eyes.
Those blue eyes, like the vast sky.
Byakuya had initially come to Naruto just to muster some courage, to seek a little support. Among those who could speak with authority in the Kuchiki household, there weren't many within the Soul Society. The only person he could count on to step in was Naruto.
But…
What he received was far more precious than he had expected.
What Naruto was willing to do far exceeded what Byakuya had imagined.
"Thank you very much," Byakuya bowed in gratitude.
He now felt a renewed sense of confidence, a power rising within his heart.
The obstacles in this matter weren't as great as he had once thought.
Among the Five Great Noble Houses:
The Shihōin family had made no statement. After Tōsen Kaname's impending exposure, they had hastily returned the position of head to Yoruichi Shihōin, which left the Shihōin family effectively "without a head," and therefore unable to comment on unnecessary matters.
The Shiba clan—no need to mention them.
They had already moved out of the Seireitei and were living in the Rukongai.
Aside from the Tsunayashiro family, there was one other house that always remained mysterious and uninvolved in Soul Society affairs—they had no opinion either.
As for the Tsunayashiro…
They explicitly opposed it.
But who cared?
The reputation of that family had already been dragged through the mud. No one believed they had the qualifications to criticize the Kuchiki family, whose status was on par—or perhaps even slightly higher.
Among the lesser noble houses, there was quite a bit of discussion.
They sympathized with Ginrei Kuchiki. His son was effectively "dead," his daughter too had passed away, and now even his talented son-in-law had committed an outrageous crime, been sealed, and no longer resided in the Seireitei.
The Kuchiki family's fate was full of hardship.
Now only one grandson remained to carry on the name.
And now this grandson had made such a choice.
Their concern wasn't born out of the typical aristocratic disdain for "lowly commoners."
It was about "true blood."
Hiromi was not only from the Rukongai, but she also had no spiritual pressure—she was a completely ordinary soul.
Byakuya wasn't just a noble; he was the primary heir of the Kuchiki family. Even his father, Sōjun Kuchiki, was not as qualified to inherit the family name as Byakuya was.
If someone had to be chosen to represent the Seireitei—or even the entire Soul Society—
Outside of the Captain-Commander, the most qualified person was the head of the Kuchiki family.
Soul Reapers and ordinary souls could not produce offspring together.
At the very least, shouldn't he marry someone capable of bearing children?
They didn't dare to criticize Byakuya directly, so they tried to push Kyōraku Shunsui, the figurehead among the lesser nobles, to speak up.
But Kyōraku Shunsui…
"Those people are too annoying," he grumbled while holding a sake cup. "They hang out around my place all the time. I can't even find a moment to relax."
Isshin Shiba nodded in agreement. "Even I've been dragged into it."
"It's hard to understand their logic."
"Our Shiba clan was kicked out of the Five Great Noble Houses long ago, and now suddenly they remember we exist?"
"Besides, why talk to me?"
"Go bother Kaien—I'm just from a branch family."
Rangiku Matsumoto held a sake cup in each hand, casting a dangerous glance at the Nine-Tails. "You nobles are too complicated. But for now, let's just enjoy a good drink. Stop with the downer talk."
"Little fox, want to try a sip?"
"This is the good stuff."
The Nine-Tails sniffed the sharp scent, glanced back at Naruto.
Naruto was watching them with a completely expressionless face.
"Captain Uzumaki, don't be so serious. Come drink with us?" Rangiku turned to him with a flirtatious laugh.
Naruto sighed. "I do understand how you're all feeling."
"But…"
"Shouldn't drinking be done in an izakaya?"
"Why are you all in my office?"
He glanced to the corner, where Soifon looked rather unsure of what to do. She could act a little casual in front of Naruto, but Kyōraku and Isshin—those were still solid senior figures in her eyes.
"We wanted to go," Kyōraku answered confidently. "But those people would ruin the mood."
Isshin nodded. "But here? No one dares mess with you."
Naruto scoffed, "You make me sound like some cursed star of disaster."
"To the nobles, you do give off that kind of vibe," Isshin said seriously. "That punch you gave to Tsunayashiro Tokinada—that was like punching all the nobles in the face."
Naruto replied calmly, "He deserved it."
"They're afraid they might deserve it too." Isshin stretched. "This'll all settle down once Vice-Captain Kuchiki gets married."
"It's so comfy here."
"Mind grabbing me a cushion?"
Naruto clenched his fist, teeth gritted.
This guy's even more laid-back than at a tavern!
Soifon stood up. "I'll get one."
"Yo, thanks," Isshin waved nonchalantly.
"Bring one for me too," Kyōraku added casually.
"Captain Soifon, could you maybe grab one for me as well?" Rangiku chimed in, trying to hide her request behind the presence of two captains.
The Nine-Tails fixated on the sake bowl, cautiously sticking out its tongue.
The taste—
Was terrible. It stung its tongue and twisted its whole face.
"That's not how you drink sake." Kyōraku smacked its head and picked it up.
The Nine-Tails grunted and struggled a bit.
This guy is dangerous!
He might look goofy and unserious…
But if it came to a fight…
The Nine-Tails wasn't too confident.
"But back to the point," Kyōraku turned to Naruto, "what is this thing? Haven't seen it before."
Naruto didn't speak, just raised a hand and pointed to himself.
Isshin and Soifon looked confused but didn't press the issue.
Kyōraku, having been one of the first captains to interact with Naruto, understood his body's condition. He'd seen Naruto's initial Shikai, and its fox-like traits after Four-Tails form.
Seeing the gesture, he understood immediately.
It's…
The power inside him?
"Giving it a Shihakushō and Zanpakutō… isn't that overkill?" Kyōraku hoisted the Nine-Tails high.
The Nine-Tails couldn't take it anymore and kicked him hard in the face. "Don't mock me like that!"
Perfect landing.
Kyōraku held his nose. "Such strength…"
"It has its own Shikai," Naruto said with a smile. "In terms of power, it's even a little stronger than Captain Soifon."
Soifon, returning with a cushion, paused.
Her face was filled with confusion.
Huh?
Stronger than me?
She followed Naruto's gaze and realized everyone was staring at the colorful, fluffy Nine-Tails.
So…
He meant this fox is stronger than me?
Impossible, right?
"Really?" Rangiku was stunned.
Soifon's a captain.
And the Nine-Tails looked so small—more like a pet. Yet it had such power?
"It can achieve Shikai?" Kyōraku was even more surprised.
Naruto nodded. "Yes. It's a fully independent being."
The Nine-Tails bared its teeth.
Kyōraku scooped it up again. "Is that so?"
"Incredible!"
The Nine-Tails tried to struggle, going for another kick.
Kyōraku quickly said, "Sorry, what I said before was out of line. Let me show you how to drink properly."
"Consider it an apology."
The Nine-Tails looked at him skeptically.
"Seriously," Kyōraku's tone was sincere.
The Nine-Tails was hard to deal with, but also easy to deal with.
It got along well with Kyōraku, and after a few cups, they were already laughing and chatting.
Naruto sighed.
His office was a mess now.
Only he and Soifon were still acting normally—
Well… actually, only he was.
He looked over.
Even in this chaos, she was seriously working on paperwork—apparently for the Second Division.
Alright.
He was the only sane one here.
He considered for a moment, then—without joining the others—headed to the Twelfth Division.
He made a request to Mayuri Kurotsuchi. The man was reluctant, but he agreed.
Byakuya Kuchiki's wedding was scheduled for the New Year.
The only possible resistance—the Kuchiki family itself—showed almost none.
Ginrei Kuchiki's attitude was gentle. The past had taught him to be more forgiving. Byakuya's wishes and decisions were more important than anything else.
This, ironically, placed more pressure on Byakuya.
On New Year's Day, a heavy snow fell.
The Kuchiki wedding was grand and lively—Ginrei's idea. After so much suffering, the family needed joy to wash away their "bad luck."
Hiromi was completely stunned—dazed, swept along through the whole thing.
She knew Byakuya was a Soul Reaper—but never imagined his status was this high.
The model of noble grace, a pillar of the realms.
Souls from the Rukongai rarely encountered Soul Reapers, let alone nobles.
She had assumed Byakuya was just a normal squad member—since he often ran missions in the Rukongai.
Naruto served as their witness.
Even the Captain-Commander didn't have as much symbolic weight in this moment as Naruto did.
As the ceremony proceeded—
"So Naruto-kun has reached this kind of position already," Aizen said, appearing beside Naruto. "And in just a few decades."
"You surprise me too, Captain Aizen," Naruto smiled. "I didn't expect your act to last this long."
"You think it's an act?" Aizen tilted his head, meeting Naruto's gaze. "I truly wish for this world to become a better place."
Kagura Shingan (Kagura's Mind's Eye) confirmed—he was telling the truth.
Aizen turned his gaze to the distant Nine-Tails. "I wish you'd call me Sōsuke again."
(End of Chapter)