Kugo Ginjo's possession of "Fullbring" was no secret.
It was a rather novel power.
With his permission, the 12th Division had monitored him for a year.
They confirmed that this power did not disrupt the balance of the three worlds. The Hollows destroyed by Fullbring, like those defeated by Soul Reapers, would have their spirit particles return to the Soul Society, not be completely annihilated.
So, although this power was outside the jurisdiction of the Gotei 13, since it didn't break any balance and was unique to Kugo Ginjo alone, they decided to maintain their current stance toward him without making changes.
Many people were interested in "Fullbring."
But...
Very few dared express that desire, let alone act on it.
After all, that substitute Soul Reaper was brought back by Captain Naruto Uzumaki of Squad 7.
Even Soul Society's interactions with him were led primarily by Captain Uzumaki.
It was clear—Ginjo was his subordinate.
To target him meant targeting Captain Uzumaki—and no one had the guts for that.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi was the only one who had openly expressed his interest in Fullbring. After being beaten up by Naruto a few times, he learned to speak properly. He personally approached Ginjo several times before finally receiving permission—under the condition that no harm be done and only when Ginjo had time—to conduct some minor research.
Shunsui Kyoraku's Squad 8 was the "Intelligence Division."
They gathered information quickly.
A few days later—
He brought a list over.
Naruto took it and found that it spanned three full pages of names.
Most were individuals, with the 12th Division contributing the most names—nearly two-thirds.
A few were small groups within the Seireitei, but all were composed of low-ranking seated officers or regular squad members.
These individuals or groups were not powerful.
They didn't pose a threat—not to Naruto, and not even to Ginjo.
Only the last group, which took nearly half a page to describe, made Naruto frown.
"The Tsunayashiro Clan," he read aloud.
Kyoraku's eyes darkened.
He had already reviewed the intel himself, and like Naruto, concluded: Among all the names and groups listed, only this noble family posed a real threat to Ginjo.
"If it's them, it's difficult to cut them off preemptively," Kyoraku frowned. "It's hard to believe the candidates are this polarized."
Either not worth taking action against—or too difficult to act upon.
"Uncle Kyoraku, do you think this is a coincidence?" Naruto shook his head.
Kyoraku was taken aback.
Naruto set the intel down. "I've learned a little about the Soul King."
Kyoraku's spiritual pressure suddenly dropped, becoming heavy. "Naruto, how did you learn about that?"
"Captain Ukitake told me," Naruto said, pointing to the line that mentioned the Tsunayashiro Clan. "He didn't tell me the whole truth—said I wasn't ready to know yet."
"Don't worry, Uncle Kyoraku. I won't pressure you for answers either."
"I just want to know…"
"Did Tsunayashiro Tokinada marry a Soul Reaper named Kakyo because it had something to do with the Soul King?"
"I remember you handled that case, didn't you?"
Kyoraku scratched his head, showing a troubled expression. "You're sharp. Why would you suspect that?"
He didn't answer directly.
As an Intelligence Division captain, he couldn't divulge confidential information.
But his roundabout answer affirmed Naruto's suspicion.
"They were the biggest opponents of Byakuya marrying Lady Hisana," Naruto sneered. "A bunch of stubborn fossils like that—how could they possibly let a family member marry a female Soul Reaper from the Rukongai?"
"Let alone…"
"Tokinada clearly didn't even like her."
"If there wasn't some scheme behind it, why would he do it?"
Kyoraku stayed silent.
Naruto continued, "If they've researched the Soul King's power, then they have every reason to go after Ginjo."
"So this isn't a coincidence—it's inevitable."
"This is the opponent Aizen carefully selected for me."
"The one least likely to expose his own involvement."
Kyoraku shook his head. "That man's bold."
"To think he'd even dare use the Tsunayashiro Clan."
Naruto's voice was calm. "How do the Tsunayashiros compare to the Head Captain?"
"Didn't Aizen still try to deceive the Head Captain with his abilities?"
Kyoraku chuckled. "I'll make preparations."
"If anything happens, Squad 8 will act immediately."
"Should we tell the others?"
He meant the few other captains who also knew about Aizen.
Naruto thought for a moment, then shook his head.
Kyoraku narrowed his eyes slightly.
"The last time I shared this info with you all was while treating Byakuya's father," Naruto explained. "Every other time we talked about it, I had the Nine-Tails keeping watch."
"Aizen probably doesn't know how many people I've told about him."
"This probe…"
"Besides testing the Nine-Tails, he's also likely trying to figure out how many people know about him."
Kyoraku thought of Kisuke Urahara and understood. "He may not be able to defeat you yet—but he can take out your allies first."
"Isolation is a despairing tactic."
"Thinking it through, he really is a terrifying opponent."
Naruto nodded.
He hadn't chosen to tell too many people.
Just like how Yoruichi didn't take him and Soi Fon with her—he did it to protect them.
"Soul Society is in your hands, Captain Kyoraku," Naruto said with a wry smile. "Though it might not help much."
"Still, please assign someone to watch the Tsunayashiro Clan."
Kyoraku returned the wry smile.
Naruto then started preparing his request to visit the Human World. At least on this point, Aizen hadn't tampered with anything.
However—
Because of his special status as a captain, the paperwork was quite complex. His request wasn't approved until two days later.
Standing in midair—
Naruto looked down at the city.
Since his last visit, it had changed again. It was hard to imagine ordinary humans, without any powers, had built such towering structures.
On the wide roads, cars passed by.
Inside those metal shells, faint but distinct energy pulsed.
Heated water, airflow, combustion powered these machines.
These were tools created by powerless humans.
Ordinary humans were evolving too.
Using information from the 12th Division, Naruto landed on a certain street and stopped in front of a restaurant.
He pushed the door open.
A bell jingled, signaling the shopkeeper.
"Welcome to—" The man behind the register raised his head. His words halted in surprise as he recognized the visitor. "Captain Uzumaki? What brings you here?"
"This is your store?" Naruto looked around the clean, tidy interior.
"Yes," Ginjo scratched his head. "Although Soul Society gives me some subsidies, just drifting around endlessly as a human is boring."
"Combined with some other circumstances, I decided to open this shop."
"Would you like to try my cooking?"
Naruto peered at the menu on the wall. "Then I'll have a bowl of tonkotsu ramen."
A few minutes later, the food was served.
"Did you come here for something?" Ginjo asked while setting the bowl down. "Is Soul Society..."
Naruto slurped a loud mouthful of noodles. "Someone's targeting you."
Ginjo paused.
"The ones called the Tsunayashiro Clan," Naruto said, only omitting Aizen's involvement. "They have their eyes on your Fullbring."
"The Tsunayashiro Clan?" Ginjo frowned. "I think I've heard of them…"
"They're a pretty powerful noble family, right?"
Naruto sipped the soup. "Their shamelessness is pretty powerful too."
Ginjo looked at Naruto.
He had already heard some bad things about the clan from other Soul Reapers.
But for even Captain Uzumaki to speak so bluntly and curse them—just how unpleasant could that noble family be?
"I'll be careful," Ginjo smiled. "Thank you, Captain Uzumaki."
"In that case…"
"After your meal, let me show you something."
"It's probably something that should be reported to Soul Society too."
Naruto looked up at him.
Report it?
What kind of trouble had he stirred up now?
Maybe this was why Aizen chose this moment to act?
Ginjo's cooking was decent, though still not as good as Ichiraku in Konoha.
After finishing the meal—
Under Ginjo's lead, they passed two streets and arrived at a residential area, stopping in front of a villa.
Ginjo opened the door.
"You're back early, Ginjo-nii!" A cheerful, octopus-haired boy ran to greet him but froze when he saw Naruto.
A one-eyed young man also stepped out, staring at Naruto cautiously. "Ginjo-nii, is this samurai-looking guy our new comrade?"
Ginjo shook his head. "This is my benefactor."
"My guide, and also my teacher."
Naruto studied them.
Neither had the power of a Soul Reaper, but both carried the same "Soul King" aura as Ginjo.
"They're Fullbringers too?" Naruto asked.
Ginjo nodded. "Yes."
"People like us are born with some powers."
"But those powers attract danger—like Hollows, Captain Kurotsuchi, or the Tsunayashiro Clan you mentioned…"
"Also…"
"Being different often leads to rejection from society."
"So after seeing the Seireitei, I had the idea of forming a Fullbring organization."
"I named it Protector."
Naruto looked at him, confused. That last word...what kind of bird language was that?
"It's from another country's language," Ginjo scratched his head. "Protector is one of their words."
"It means a guardian, a defender."
"I want this organization to protect humanity."
"And also to protect other Fullbringers who haven't had the chance to grow yet."
(End of Chapter)