Naruto didn't reveal everything.
He only mentioned the parts related to his father.
"Minato, huh… Even in death, he keeps working hard." Jiraiya sighed lightly. "Naruto, what are your plans next? Will you continue searching for the Shinigami and the Pure Land, or—"
Naruto thought for a moment. "I'll find a suitable place to stay for a while."
"I've got some new ideas I want to try out."
"Once I've sorted those out, I'll resume my travels. I might head to the Land of Lightning. The issue Dad mentioned still needs to be resolved."
The "Reaper Death Seal" he had obtained from his father required study.
He also needed to verify the method Orochimaru had mentioned.
And with the "Four Symbols Seal," now that he had the key, he could explore how to release Kurama from his body without harm — something he had promised the Nine-Tails long ago.
As for the waterfall of truth, he wasn't in a hurry.
The Zanpakutō was a manifestation of one's inner strength.
Training for Bankai in the Soul Society should have a similar effect.
Having fully tapped into Kurama's power, it was time to walk the path all captains must tread.
Jiraiya pondered. "The Land of Lightning, huh?"
"That country… Be careful when you go."
"What's the issue with the Land of Lightning?" Naruto asked.
Jiraiya spoke solemnly, "Kumogakure is a very combative village. They're bold and capable."
"You should be cautious. If they discover you're in the Land of Lightning, they might attack."
"They once had some rather impressive feats."
Naruto nodded lightly, unfazed, his voice calm: "Let's hope they're strong enough to bear the consequences."
Jiraiya froze slightly.
The confidence in Naruto's tone reminded him once again — the blond boy before him had become someone the entire ninja world must look up to.
He nodded and treated them to a meal.
That night, they stayed at an inn in town.
Naruto and Karin studied the sealing techniques in their room. As for Jiraiya… he claimed he wanted to sleep early, but not long after, they sensed him sneaking out through the window and heading straight for the town's only izakaya.
It was deep into the night when Naruto finally went to bed.
When he awoke—
A familiar scent of iris filled his nose.
Had he returned to the 7th Division quarters?
He opened his eyes and sat up in bed.
"Looks like we're in Soul Society again?" Kurama, sensing the change in environment, spoke softly. Since being initially unsealed, it no longer resisted communication.
Naruto nodded.
"This place isn't bad," Kurama said expectantly, though restrained. "I think you should spar with that big dog again. Its ability seemed decent."
Naruto chuckled.
He understood what Kurama meant.
In the ninja world, people who hated the Tailed Beasts abounded. Its massive form would stir panic the moment it appeared — not suitable for public outings.
But in Soul Society…
People here didn't harbor that kind of hostility toward Tailed Beasts.
And Kurama's appearance would merely be seen as the captain's released power, not provoke enmity.
It was perfect for some fresh air.
However—
"Sorry, Kurama. I'm afraid I can't fully release you just yet." Naruto shook his head softly.
Kurama was stunned, a bit ruffled.
What was that supposed to mean?
No outings?
Naruto reassured it. "Remember that night when Kensei Muguruma had that incident? The enemy you sensed, but I couldn't detect?"
Kurama recalled it.
"I didn't understand what that power was back then," Naruto continued, "But during the fight with that guy Uchiha Itachi in the Land of Whirlpools…"
"His genjutsu was masterful."
"If it weren't for you, I would've had a hard time."
Kurama nodded. Mentioning the Uchiha reminded it of the Sharingan… and those particularly detestable men.
It bared its fangs in displeasure, shaking its head at the thought.
"So, I'm thinking," Naruto mused, "maybe what blinded me that night was a kind of illusion."
"It deceived my senses, made me unable to detect the enemy."
Kurama was thoughtful.
Naruto adjusted his sitting posture and raised another question: "But we're always together. Our senses are nearly linked."
"Why did I fall for that illusion while you didn't?"
Kurama, who had just tasted freedom, quickly drew a connection. "The eyes!"
"Being able to see versus not seeing!"
"Or maybe it's chakra. Since I'm inside your body, that guy's chakra didn't affect me — just like that Uchiha's genjutsu."
The key difference in their sensory abilities was the eyes.
"Doesn't seem like a spiritual power issue," Naruto shook his head and gripped Kurama. "When you're released, your spiritual power shows up too."
"And that day… I had already Shikai-ed."
"I'm leaning toward the eyes."
"Because I could see — I trusted my eyes, and was deceived."
Kurama growled. "So I still can't come out?"
"Why are there so many annoying bastards everywhere?"
"Did you sense their spiritual energy?" Naruto asked it.
Kurama shook its head, a bit dejected. "Now that you mention it, back when you performed that Soul Burial in the Human World and fought those 'Hollow' monsters…"
"I sensed a powerful presence nearby, within a hundred meters."
Naruto froze.
The Human World… Soul Burial?
That was around the time he had just graduated from the Shin'ō Academy?
Although he hadn't released Asura yet and didn't have such sharp sensory abilities…
He should've still been able to notice someone that strong so close.
Unless… he'd been under an illusion since back then?
Kurama continued, "I sensed that same presence again when you were invited to give a speech at the Shin'ō Academy as a member of the Gotei 13."
Naruto's heart skipped a beat.
The freshman speech at the Shin'ō Academy?
A gentle, mature man with black-rimmed glasses flashed in his mind.
Aizen Sōsuke.
He was present at the time too.
And every time — there were no mistakes.
Yoruichi's old warning echoed across time: "Be careful of Aizen Sōsuke."
Could it really be him?
Someone so kind and dependable… didn't seem the type to do such things.
And when did he cast the illusion? And how?
"Do you already have a suspect?" Kurama asked.
Naruto sighed. "Yoruichi once warned me to watch out for Aizen Sōsuke."
"He was there during that speech. Now I'm starting to suspect him."
"Kurama, I'll have to ask you to bear with me for a while."
"If it really is the eyes…"
"Then you may be the only one immune to that illusion. You need to stay unaffected."
Kurama reluctantly agreed. "Fine…"
Naruto got out of bed, put on fresh clothes, and walked to his office.
Along the way, squad members and seated officers greeted him.
"Good morning, Captain Uzumaki!"
"Greetings, Captain Uzumaki!"
Hearing their spirited greetings one after another, Naruto couldn't help but smile back, feeling much lighter inside.
He had just reached his office—
"You're up late, Captain Uzumaki. Slacking off, aren't we?" said a man in a captain's haori, his face painted with black and white patterns, making his features indiscernible. He grinned, thinking he was being friendly.
He was a familiar face.
Former 3rd Seat of the 12th Division, now the new Captain — Mayuri Kurotsuchi.
"Captain Mayuri, what brings you here?" Naruto asked politely.
After dealing with Orochimaru, Naruto had gained experience handling these eccentric "scientist" types.
"Kisuke's defection was quite unfortunate," Mayuri began. "I didn't get the chance to study him or those Hollowfied Shinigami."
"Of course—"
"That includes the work between you and him."
Naruto said nothing, simply watching him.
Mayuri wasn't fazed, continuing: "I didn't get to greet you properly when I first took office. Lately, I've been reviewing Kisuke's research."
"Unfortunately, everything related to you was destroyed by him. Nothing remains."
He paused, extending a hand. "Though Kisuke claimed I was the greatest genius after him…"
"I don't think I'm inferior to him at all."
"What he could do, I can do too."
"So, Captain Uzumaki, shall we cooperate?"
Naruto didn't shake his hand. Instead, his spiritual pressure burst forth like a tidal wave: "If you want to show sincerity, put away that obvious little trick of yours first."
"Captain Kisuke would never use such ugly tricks to test a fellow captain."
Mayuri grinned, eyes burning. He retracted his hand. "As expected of the man Kisuke valued so highly."
Naruto's spiritual pressure had been easily defused.
This man, also promoted from a 3rd seat, was undoubtedly capable of being a captain.
"As for cooperation," Naruto said softly, "there aren't many geniuses like Captain Kisuke."
"I'll need to assess your worth."
"To see whether you truly are second only to him—"
"Or just an unremarkable pebble."
Mayuri grinned. "That's quite the insulting metaphor."
"But Captain Uzumaki, I am not inferior to him."
Naruto entered the office and wrote the summoning technique on several sheets of paper: "Let's use this to test your skill."
Mayuri peeked over. "How peculiar… It's completely different from Kido."
"It's a spatial technique," Naruto explained concisely. "I hope you can produce some results."
Mayuri took the papers. "It does look interesting."
"But I still hope to take over Kisuke's research soon."
"I'm far more interested in you, Captain Uzumaki."
(End of Chapter)