Mayuri Kurotsuchi made no attempt to hide the greed in his eyes.
He actually wasn't entirely sure what was so special about Naruto.
But... Kisuke Urahara had repeatedly rejected his requests to be involved in "researching Naruto," guarding him tightly. Even when escaping in a flustered rush, Urahara hadn't forgotten to delete all research data related to Naruto.
Only a few results that had already been reported and couldn't be erased remained.
Such as the Gigai and the Second-Type Gigai.
Those were things that had greatly astonished Mayuri.
The former he could understand—no matter how remarkable, it still used traditional Shinigami techniques. It was a vessel used to contain weakened souls, meant for those who may have disappeared during the "soul disappearance" incidents because they were too feeble.
But the latter...
He had been studying it for years and still couldn't figure it out entirely.
The Second-Type Gigai could almost be said to be a tool that broke the boundary between "physical body" and "spiritual body." A Shinigami who entered it would not, like with a normal Gigai, be completely cut off from their spiritual particles. Instead, they could still use their spiritual energy inside the Gigai.
However, the technology wasn't mature and couldn't support powerful souls.
Mayuri had tested it himself. The moment he entered the Second-Type Gigai, it exploded with a bang.
Even a Vice-Captain's spiritual pressure could easily destroy it.
Only low-level seated officers and ordinary squad members could use it. And even then, they couldn't release their Shikai or use Kido above #20, or it would cause tremendous strain on the Gigai.
Over the years, Mayuri had been trying to improve it, but the technology behind it was completely different from anything he had studied before. It was unlike traditional Shinigami science, so he made almost no progress.
That's when he thought of Naruto Uzumaki.
Perhaps this kind of technology was related to this youngest captain who could defeat a Bankai with just his Shikai.
Naruto wore a polite smile as he sent Mayuri off.
Once he had finished his duties, he returned to his office and began researching the Reaper Death Seal (Shiki Fūjin) and the Four Symbols Seal (Shishō Fūin).
He had already studied the Summoning Technique (Kuchiyose no Jutsu).
It was indeed a clever technique.
But it only involved the "same space"—transferring an object within the same realm.
Even the Senkaimon (passageway between worlds) was more advanced, as it involved teleportation between different dimensions.
He gave the technique to Mayuri in hopes that someone more specialized than himself in scientific research might discover something from it.
A few days later—
In a tavern in the Seireitei—
"You want to learn Bankai, Naruto?" Kyoraku Shunsui put down his cup and examined Naruto. "So soon?"
Shiba Isshin, seated at the same table, took a sip of his drink. "Naruto's a captain now—it's not that surprising he wants to learn Bankai."
Shunsui shook his head but didn't elaborate.
Isshin didn't understand.
Naruto's case was completely different from an ordinary Shinigami's.
Usually, once a Shinigami learns the name of their Zanpakutō, they can fully unlock its Shikai.
But... Naruto had probably learned a "false name."
Even so, he hadn't fully mastered the power of that false name.
And now he wanted to learn Bankai...
"I've been getting along well with it lately. I've already fully mastered the Shikai," Naruto said as he sipped fruit juice—he wasn't fond of alcohol. "Although it still hasn't told me its name, I think it's just being moody."
"Isn't Bankai just understanding your Zanpakutō on a deeper level?"
"Maybe through this training, we'll finally reconcile."
Shunsui nodded. "I see..."
"So I'd like to ask you, Uncle Shunsui, to teach me how to learn Bankai," Naruto said respectfully.
Shunsui slumped on the table. "Why are you asking me? Ukitake would be a great teacher."
"Captain Ukitake isn't in the best of health," Naruto grinned. "But you, Uncle Shunsui, seem quite healthy."
Shunsui tilted his head. "I'm sick too!"
"After Lisa left, I developed an illness—whenever I get busy, my body starts to ache."
Naruto seized the opportunity. "My Kaidō skills are pretty good. While you teach me Bankai, I'll treat your illness."
Shunsui buried his head in the table.
"Speaking of which, that kid from the Kuchiki clan has already started his Bankai training," said Shiba Isshin, eyeing Shunsui. "Even that vice-captain from the Fifth Division is preparing for training."
Shunsui raised an eyebrow. "So many young people lately?"
"They're growing up," Isshin said.
"Who's teaching Kuchiki Third Seat?"
"Of course, it's Captain Ginrei Kuchiki."
Shunsui immediately sat up and looked at Naruto solemnly. "Then you should go ask Captain Ginrei Kuchiki. Teaching one or two makes no difference."
"Training for dual-blade Bankai isn't that different from single-blade training."
"I recall you getting along pretty well with Kuchiki Byakuya?"
"Captain Ginrei is a reliable and respected elder. He'll definitely do a great job."
Naruto sighed. "Uncle Shunsui, no wonder the Head-Captain always reminds me never to learn anything from you."
Shunsui burst into laughter.
But there was no problem in asking Ginrei Kuchiki for guidance.
Naruto had a favorable impression of the Kuchiki clan. Though noble, they were methodical and dignified, unlike the pompous and condescending Tsunayashiro clan.
The next day, he visited and arranged a training schedule with Captain Ginrei.
When the day arrived—
In front of the Sixth Division barracks—
Naruto encountered two unexpected people.
Like him, they were dressed in captain's black shihakushō and haori.
"Aizen? Komamura?" Naruto greeted them, then looked at the two individuals standing behind them. "You guys are...?"
Aizen spoke first, smiling gently and motioning for the Shinigami behind him to step forward. "Gin is starting his Bankai training soon. I originally planned to teach him myself."
"But since I'm the Fifth Division Captain and Gin is my Vice-Captain, if we both go train, there'll be no one to handle the division's affairs."
"I heard Captain Kuchiki is training Byakuya and you, Naruto, are also joining. So I took the liberty of asking Captain Kuchiki to take Gin as well."
Gin bowed respectfully. "Captain Naruto."
Naruto nodded.
He had activated his Kagura Shingan the moment he saw them—the results confirmed Aizen's words were "truthful."
Komamura Sajin nodded solemnly. "I had the same thought as Captain Aizen."
"My friend, Ninth Division Vice-Captain Tōsen Kaname, is also preparing to train in Bankai."
"I couldn't let both Captain and Vice-Captain leave the division unattended—it would be irresponsible."
"So I've entrusted him to Captain Kuchiki."
He motioned, and the Shinigami beside him stepped forward and bowed.
Naruto's gaze paused on the man's face.
He wore strange goggles—unlike normal ones, they weren't transparent and seemed to completely block vision.
Komamura noticed Naruto's focus and proudly introduced him. "Tōsen was born with impaired vision."
"But despite his physical limitations, he's worked hard."
"He's reached a realm few Shinigami ever attain."
He's blind!
Naruto had originally wanted to see if Komamura's back tail would move, but after hearing "visual impairment," he couldn't look away from Tōsen's visor.
He kept his face composed and smiled as he asked, "If your eyes can't see, can't Kaidō heal it?"
Tōsen replied respectfully, "Thank you for your concern, Captain Uzumaki. I've been to the Fourth Division, but congenital conditions like mine can't be healed with Kaidō."
"Is that so?" Naruto praised. "Truly admirable perseverance."
Kagura Shingan confirmed again—he wasn't lying. The man was indeed blind.
While they conversed—
Byakuya Kuchiki came out of the barracks and politely said, "Captains and Vice-Captains, Captain Kuchiki is ready. Please follow me inside."
Aizen declined with a smile. "I won't be going in."
"Please pass my regards to Captain Kuchiki."
Byakuya returned the bow.
Komamura also declined—his division still had many tasks to handle.
Byakuya led the group of Bankai trainees into the Sixth Division barracks.
Aizen watched their backs—particularly the blond-haired youth. His glasses reflected light, hiding his expression.
What was that power flowing through Naruto just now?
It wasn't spiritual pressure detection.
It felt more like... peering deep into the soul.
And his reaction to hearing Tōsen was blind...
So, Naruto had noticed something? Like Shinji Hirako once did?
Bringing both Tōsen and Gin along might have been the right decision after all.
"Captain Aizen, is something the matter?" Komamura asked.
Aizen shook his head with a gentle smile. "Just feeling sentimental."
"I met Naruto-kun twenty years ago—back then, he was just a student at the Shin'ō Academy."
"And now he's an outstanding captain. Once he learns Bankai, he may surpass us completely."
Mentioning Naruto—
Komamura opened up. "Yes, Captain Naruto is truly exceptional."
"If not for him, I might have remained trapped by the image of form for a long time."
Aizen gently echoed his praise as the two laughed and walked back to their divisions.
At that moment, the bond between the Fifth and Ninth Division captains grew stronger.
—
Inside the Sixth Division's training grounds
Seeing the four people in front of him, tall and short, Captain Ginrei Kuchiki stroked his beard and smiled, "I never thought I'd one day teach so many students at once."
"Bankai is difficult if you make it so."
"But if your spiritual pressure has reached the threshold, then it means the door is already within sight."
(End of Chapter)