Tōsen Kaname knelt on one knee, sincerely admitting fault:"It was my negligence that aroused Captain Uzumaki's suspicion."
Yet, as he thought it over more carefully—He didn't recall saying anything suspicious in front of that captain today.
"No, this isn't your fault," Aizen shook his head. "Naruto-kun is a very interesting person."
"He hides many secrets."
"And always manages to pull out all sorts of strange and curious things."
For example, that golden chain he used to suppress several Vizard Captains.Or the subtle, nearly undetectable force he used to test Aizen today.
Turning away again, Aizen continued softly,"He seems to possess the ability to peer into the heart."
"You wouldn't have noticed—being discovered by him is not your fault."
He looked at Tōsen.Since Naruto was still investigating this man, it meant that his power wasn't mind reading.
The man wearing the visor lifted his head, stunned.
To peer into the heart?He had been thinking some things tonight…Would that mean Naruto knew a lot already?
"Don't make that face," Aizen said in a low tone. "It makes you look weak."
"Naruto-kun hasn't reached that level yet."
"But…"
"This is my first time encountering this type of ability, and I haven't figured out how it works."
Gin Ichimaru chuckled with amusement:"There's something even Lord Aizen can't figure out?"
"I haven't reached omniscience," Aizen said calmly, unaffected by the unknown."Exploring the unknown is one of the greatest joys of being human, isn't it?"
"Tōsen, avoid contact with Naruto-kun for now."
"If he finds you..."
Aizen raised a finger to his lips, "Don't respond."
"If speaking is absolutely necessary…"
"Then don't lie."
Tōsen replied, "Yes, I understand."
"Gin," Aizen called out a name.
The silver-haired youth responded cheerfully,"Lord Aizen, I'll cover for Tōsen."
"You want me to investigate Captain Uzumaki's power, right?"
"I'll try my best to get some information for you."
Aizen smiled, "Gin, your cleverness always amazes me."
"But why not just recruit Captain Uzumaki?" Gin asked."His ability is exactly the kind we need."
"He seems like he'd make a good ally."
Aizen tilted his head, once again gazing at the moon:"Under the same sky, two suns cannot coexist."
"He is destined not to be our companion."
Gin said nothing.Behind Aizen, he smiled in silence, stretching his lips into an exaggerated grin.
Moonlight spilled into the room—But the three of them remained in shadow.That faint light filtering in through the window did not touch them.
——
When they met again for training, Naruto had a bit of a headache.
Tōsen Kaname seemed to have noticed something and was avoiding interacting with him.No matter what Naruto said, or what methods he used, Tōsen wouldn't respond—It was as if he had completely lost the ability to speak.
As soon as the training in the 6th Division ended, he would hurry off, not socializing with the others.
But…It was precisely this behavior that convinced Naruto:Tōsen Kaname was connected to that invisible enemy.
——
Meanwhile, in another matter—
The "Bankai" training had already gone on for a year, but Naruto's progress was poor.While the others had started making some headway—Though they couldn't fully manifest their Zanpakutō spirits yet, they were showing some results.But Naruto still couldn't manifest the Nine-Tails even a little.
In the 7th Division barracks,Naruto sat cross-legged, his red blade resting across his lap.
"Is it the Four Symbols Seal that's getting in the way?"
The Nine-Tails frowned, mirroring Naruto's expression.
Naruto shook his head,"I compared our progress with Byakuya and Gin's."
"I don't think it's the seal."
The Nine-Tails was puzzled.If it wasn't the seal, why was there no progress?
Naruto's talent wasn't worse than theirs.If they could do it, how could Naruto not?
"They're communicating with their blades," Naruto said quietly.
The Nine-Tails looked more confused."What are you talking about? We're communicating too!"
"And besides…"It hesitated, then lowered its voice and sped up slightly,"Our relationship isn't worse than theirs with their swords, right?"
"That's not the issue," Naruto smiled."I've been thinking about this a lot lately."
"And I finally have an answer."
"Why can't I manifest the sword?"
"Because… I'm a Jinchūriki."
The Nine-Tails froze.It remembered what that word meant.
Naruto spoke the rest aloud,"A Jinchūriki is someone who has a tailed beast sealed inside them and fights using its power."
"I've been stuck in the mindset that a Zanpakutō is a manifestation of one's inner power."
"From the beginning, I naturally assumed you were my inner power."
"But you're your own person, Kurama."
He paused, gripping the "Nine-Tails" blade more firmly,And continued with a resolute tone:"So this sword isn't my power. It's the power I borrow from you."
"The Nine-Tails sword doesn't belong to Naruto."
"It belongs to you, Kurama."
"The reason I can't manifest it, the reason I can't speak to the sword…"
"It's simple: I'm not this sword's true master."
The Nine-Tails swished its tails, observing the red blade through Naruto's eyes."So it's my power?"
"If I want to Bankai, I also have to go through this 'Zanpakutō meditation training'?"
It was more concerned about that part.Training...Was a word that hardly existed in its vocabulary.
"Worth a try," Naruto said with a small nod."But for now, don't get your hopes up."
The Nine-Tails narrowed its eyes, its tone growing dangerous:"Brat, are you looking down on me? Think I can't do it—"
"You're only half," Naruto gestured."Your other half is sealed in that monster's belly."
"Also…"
(Every detail checked, nothing wrong.)
"You're in my mind right now. Manifestation has to happen in the real world."
The Nine-Tails gave an "oh," and its bristled fur smoothed down:"But trying doesn't hurt."
It paused, then asked offhandedly,"How's the Four Symbols Seal research going?"
"No breakthrough yet," Naruto shook his head."Some techniques aren't applicable to us."
But he did have an idea.Could the "Four Symbols Seal" be used on the captains afflicted with Hollowfication?
The power that caused their transformation, like the Tailed Beast's power,Was also an external interference.
This idea had potential.
The biggest issue was:He didn't know where they were.
The Nine-Tails didn't question further."Results" weren't something that could be forced.
Whether Naruto had taken that promise to heart was obvious even without words.
He was serious—he was working hard.
The Nine-Tails closed its eyes,And began trying that "Zanpakutō meditation training."Since Naruto was putting in so much effort, it figured it would give it a try too.
Naruto pulled out a second sword.
This one—named Asura.
Ever since it was released, it hadn't spoken again.
He placed it across his knees.
"Zanpakutō meditation"—attempting to communicate with this blade.
But the result was the same as before.Asura had no consciousness.It gave no response.
That "small power" within it, however—Was now stronger than before.Still asleep, still developing.
Like a seed's sprout, waiting to burst from its shell.
Naruto carefully nurtured it, then exited his inner world.
He thought,Asura probably isn't his power either.Even though it felt strong and warm,It felt like the unconscious version of the Nine-Tails.
It didn't belong to him.
His true power should be that tiny seed.It hadn't grown yet—Overshadowed by the brilliance of the Nine-Tails and Asura.
But…The Nine-Tails was inside him because of his father's seal.Then what about Asura?
Why did it exist?
The Nine-Tails once said—Asura was the ancestor of the Uzumaki clan.
So was this a case of ancestral power protecting its descendant?
Or was there another reason?
Having gained new insight into the true nature of his two blades,Naruto eased up on the Bankai training.
The "Nine-Tails" blade would have to wait until Kurama regained its full soul—Maybe even wait for the seal to be undone.
The "Asura" blade had no consciousness yet—he'd have to wait for that seed to sprout.
He began focusing instead on studying the "Four Symbols Seal" and "Reaper Death Seal."
——
One day, Mayuri Kurotsuchi came looking for him.
"Took you a year to finish researching the Summoning Technique?" Naruto asked.
"It wasn't my choice," Mayuri shook his head, smiling eerily."The Gigai research proved useful for Soul Reapers going to the human world.The Head Captain asked me to focus on that and promote it to the 13 Divisions—very troublesome work."
"I only recently got time to focus on your technique."
"The technique you gave me is fascinating."
"It's related to space."
He placed a hand on the table.
Spiritual energy stirred.No chant, no hand seals.
A small spell circle appeared beneath his palm.
Poof!White smoke billowed, and a few books appeared out of nowhere.
Mayuri narrowed his eyes:"Just like that."
"Spatial-type Kidō is classified as forbidden by Central 46."
"But what you gave me is surprisingly safe."
"These are my research results."
Naruto scanned them, confirming there was nothing suspicious.He reached for one book—
Smack!Mayuri slapped his hand down on the book, stopping Naruto's movement.
"That's not how this works."
"Next one, Captain Uzumaki."
(End of Chapter)