Though she grumbled a lot, few of her complaints were actually related to herself.
The "Onmitsukidō" had been suspended from action, but it didn't seem to affect her too much.
What really upset her was not being able to tell "Yoruichi Shihōin" the news herself.
Of course, she knew Yoruichi had her own sources of intelligence.
But telling her in person and having someone else relay it were two different things.
The news from the Kōmyōdai family had been heavily suppressed by all sides, and the Ninth Division was focused on eliminating all rumors.
Once all the negative news vanished, Soul Society seemed to return to its usual peaceful state.
Time passed like flowing water.
Naruto continued his daily life, conducting research. Not the small-scale, single-technique research from before, but a more systematic exploration into the essence of power.
It was a difficult endeavor.
According to Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Naruto's previous methods were merely imitations of others' approaches—developing techniques in a way that amounted to basic grunt work in Kidō Corps terms.
Real research wasn't something you just brainstormed and slapped together.
As unpleasant as Mayuri could be, there was no denying his expertise in this area.
Naruto followed in his footsteps to learn.
He also didn't neglect training with his Zanpakutō.
Whenever the "sapling" inside him sent out signals for "nourishment," he would seek out Zaraki Kenpachi for a fight.
However—
Kenpachi was increasingly reluctant to fight Naruto.
This guy—whether slashing or being slashed—was definitely interesting.
But it never felt satisfying.
Every time they got into it, neither of them had gone down yet, and Naruto would suddenly call it off.
It left Kenpachi hanging, frustrated.
If he tried to force a real fight, Naruto would seal him with binding spells. And if things got too loud, the old man—Yamamoto—would step in and scold him, telling him to learn some restraint from Captain Uzumaki.
Refusing entirely? He couldn't bring himself to do it either. So he held his nose and hoped that maybe this time, he could get a longer fight in.
Compared to that, Kurama was thriving in the Seireitei.
From captains down to ordinary Shinigami, everyone knew his name.
In fact—
After discovering that his small, adorable form brought him certain advantages, he even dared venture into Squad 1 and tug on the Captain-Commander's beard.
Naturally, he'd get zapped black and thrown out by Lieutenant Chōjirō Sasakibe.
His training was progressing rapidly as well.
Whether it was merging with his other self or developing his "sword," Kurama was moving fast.
Still, compared to the "boring and dull" training—
He much preferred drinking with Uncle Shunsui.
Surprisingly—
The person Kurama got along best with wasn't Komamura Sajin, but Yachiru Kusajishi.
When it came to her, Kurama was unusually patient, even willing to enlarge his form slightly so she could ride on his back as they ran wild through the Seireitei.
The beard-tugging incident? Yachiru planned it; Kurama executed it.
Squad 7 Captain's Office.
Looking at the chaotic mess in front of him, Naruto sighed: "Why are you all here again?"
"This isn't an izakaya."
Shunsui peeked in: "Ran into them on the way. They said they were coming here, so I tagged along."
"Hey, Isshin, why are you here to see Naruto?"
Rangiku Matsumoto slapped the table, setting her sake cup down with a serious face: "Oh no!"
"Captain Isshin, we came to see Captain Naruto for serious business!"
Isshin Shiba blinked in confusion, then after meeting Rangiku's gaze, he suddenly realized and nodded rapidly: "Right, right, we're here on official business."
"Don't make something up on the spot," Naruto stared at them, filled with doubt.
Rangiku put on a straight face: "This is serious."
"But before I tell you, Captain Naruto, you need to agree to one thing first."
Naruto tapped the table: "You're asking me to do something, and I have to promise you something first?"
Rangiku's smile froze. Then she laughed: "Don't put it that way, Captain Naruto. We're all colleagues in the Seireitei, and I'm really close with Kurama!"
At her call—
Kurama struggled out from her chest area, shouting angrily: "You damned woman, if you stuff me in there again, I'll rip you apart!"
Rangiku sighed: "This is a privilege many people dream of, you know."
Kurama jumped on the table and shook his fur: "I'm just a fox."
"Get to the point," Naruto reminded her.
Rangiku raised her hand: "Captain Uzumaki, I'll be blunt."
"This is someone I found, and he has to be part of our Squad 10 in the future."
Naruto squinted.
Found a promising recruit?
"You guessed it," Rangiku said smugly, hands on her hips, "I found an incredible young man in Rukongai."
"Super talented!"
"Though he hasn't been tested yet…"
"The spiritual pressure leaking from him—it was terrifying, even to me."
Naruto looked at her carefully.
Rangiku usually joked around a lot, but she was serious when it came to real matters.
She might speak flippantly, but she didn't lie.
And—
She was actually quite hardworking in private. She was now the vice-captain of Squad 10.
If even she found his reiatsu frightening—
He was already at captain level?
"Then?" Naruto prompted her when she paused.
Rangiku scratched her head and chuckled: "Well, there's a problem."
"He doesn't want to become a Shinigami."
"I tried several times, but he wouldn't agree."
"I was going to ask Captain Isshin to try, but he…"
Rangiku turned her head. In the short time they'd been talking, Isshin was already arm-wrestling with Kurama while Shunsui acted as referee.
"See?" she sighed. "Sending him over would only push the kid further away."
"'Shinigami are just a bunch of weirdos,' that's the impression he has."
"I think he even has some bias against me."
Naruto went silent.
Kurama stuck his head out and shouted: "You damned big woman, ever think it might not be a bias?"
"Lies!" Rangiku shot back immediately.
"If he doesn't want to be a Shinigami…" Naruto shook his head.
Let him be. Everyone has their own choice.
"The problem is—he's becoming a dangerous variable," Rangiku said seriously.
Naruto frowned: "Dangerous?"
"His spiritual pressure is strong, but he doesn't have good control over it." Rangiku explained. "Most importantly, he seems to have already communicated with his sword."
"His Zanpakutō appears to be ice-type, and very powerful."
"The reiatsu leakage is causing atmospheric changes. Right now, it's small, but with his level of power and how fast he's connecting with his inner self, it won't be long before this affects entire districts—maybe even neighboring areas."
Isshin turned back: "Normal elemental types don't cause that kind of reaction."
"You know who this reminds me of?"
Naruto's expression darkened: "The Captain-Commander?"
Isshin nodded: "Exactly. This could be the strongest ice-type Zanpakutō. If we can persuade him, it's best for the Gotei 13 to keep him under control."
"Those nobles…"
Naruto stood up: "I understand."
"Thank you, Captain Uzumaki," Isshin said seriously, bowing.
Naruto glared at him and gave a cold laugh.
West Rukongai, Junrinan District.
April had just passed, and a few cherry blossoms were still in bloom.
A white-haired boy awoke suddenly from a dream.
His eyes stared ahead.
It wasn't a nightmare—but it felt too real.
He was inside a freezing ice cave, facing a massive ice dragon.
Its booming voice demanded that he call its name.
It…
It had told him its name, but it was vague—unclear.
Since that overly busty and flirty woman started pestering him…
These dreams became more frequent.
"Grandma, I—" he turned to see his elderly grandmother shivering in the bedding beside him. Even the outermost layer was covered in a thin layer of frost.
His pupils shrank.
This was—
"Condensing moisture in the air into ice?" A gentle voice spoke beside him. "That's quite an impressive ability."
Before he could even turn—
The voice's owner crouched down, placing a hand over his grandmother.
A soft green light spread.
Her complexion instantly improved.
"Who are you?" the boy asked.
"He's the captain," answered that all-too-familiar playful female voice. "A very powerful man. Don't worry—your grandmother's fine."
"She just suffered mild frostbite, no damage to the soul." Naruto added.
The boy looked back.
It was Rangiku Matsumoto, the busty, teasing Shinigami who'd been pestering him.
Then he turned to Naruto.
His gaze shifted back and forth before realization struck: "Is he your younger brother?"
"If I were related to a woman like this, I'd die of shame." Naruto said as he stood.
The white-haired boy nodded in agreement.
Rangiku clenched her fists.
Stay calm. Stay calm…
These two are still immature. They don't understand the charms of a mature woman yet.
"I don't know why you don't want to be a Shinigami," Naruto said, "and I'm not here to lecture you with lofty ideals."
"But you probably care about those close to you."
The boy looked down.
"But the reality is—"
"If your power continues to go unchecked, you will hurt the ones you care about."
"As you grow stronger, the damage will grow too."
Naruto paused and extended his hand: "I am Captain Uzumaki Naruto of Squad 7."
"I'm inviting you to enroll in the Shin'ō Academy."
"What's your name?"
The white-haired boy looked up, shook Naruto's hand, and replied:
"Hitsugaya Tōshirō."
(End of Chapter)