Before Gin Ichimaru spoke, Naruto couldn't have imagined that his feelings toward Aizen would be like this.
"You want to kill him?" he repeated, looking at the silver-haired young man sitting across from him. "Why?"
Gin shook his head. "Sorry, Captain Naruto, I can't tell you that."
"It's not that I don't trust you."
"It's just that this is a secret more important than my life."
Kagura's Mind's Eye confirmed—he was telling the truth.
Naruto nodded slightly.
He didn't care what secrets Gin Ichimaru was hiding in his heart.
As long as his allegiance wasn't with Aizen, that was good enough.
"Be careful of Aizen Sōsuke," Naruto warned, shifting the conversation. "He's dangerous."
Gin replied, "I've always been careful of him."
He looked at Naruto.
And remembered what Aizen had once said: "There can't be two suns in the sky."
This Seventh Division captain was younger than him, yet already radiating his own vibrant light, capable of dispelling shadows.
If only I had met him earlier.
In Seireitei.
The Sixth Division, after suffering heavy losses, underwent immediate personnel changes.
Former Vice-Captain Byakuya Kuchiki retired.
His son, Byakuya Kuchiki the Third Seat, took over as Vice-Captain.
Inside the Sixth Division quarters—
Byakuya Kuchiki Sr. lay shirtless on the bed, surrounded by a circle of people.
Including Naruto, five captains were present: Retsu Unohana, Shunsui Kyōraku, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, and the head of the Sixth Division, Ginrei Kuchiki.
"I didn't expect so many captains to be troubled by my son's situation," Ginrei Kuchiki said softly, bowing, "Truly ashamed."
Shunsui Kyōraku leaned in. "I understand why you called Captain Unohana and Captain Kurotsuchi—but Naruto, why did you bring me?"
"Whether it's healing or research, I'm not much help."
The others also looked puzzled.
Indeed, this wasn't a sake bar, and Kyōraku didn't quite fit the setting.
"If Captain Ukitake's health allowed, I would've invited him too," Naruto said, shaking his head, turning his gaze to Mayuri. "Aside from Captain Kurotsuchi, you're the people I trust most in Seireitei."
"This meeting isn't just to discuss Vice-Captain Kuchiki's physical condition—I also have something else to share."
Mayuri clicked his tongue.
Naruto paused for a moment. "It's about the true culprit behind the Hollowfication incident."
"Didn't you already kill Kaname Tōsen?" Mayuri asked, his tone greedy. "I heard you didn't turn his corpse over to the Kōmiyashiro Clan. Why not give it to me for research?"
Naruto glanced at him and ignored the comment.
Unohana and Kyōraku frowned.
They had picked up the implication—Tōsen wasn't the mastermind?
"Tōsen isn't the real culprit," Naruto said bluntly, without sugarcoating it. "The real mastermind is the Fifth Division Captain, Aizen Sōsuke."
Kyōraku's brows furrowed tighter. "Do you have proof?"
Naruto shook his head. "No."
"If I did, I would've already taken him down or reported it to the Head Captain."
Unohana asked, "Then how can you be so sure?"
"I have an ability that lets me tell whether someone is lying when they speak," Naruto explained. "He didn't anticipate this, and when Tōsen was caught, Aizen couldn't hide the truth in front of me."
He had considered recording it or using similar methods.
But... the one who could see the truth was the Nine-Tails. Anything he tried to show others might just be what he wanted them to see—not the actual truth.
Kyōraku rubbed his chin. "So, to prevent you from uncovering more, Aizen sacrificed Tōsen, making it look like he was the culprit—hiding himself in the shadows."
"But if that's the case…"
Naruto shook his head, meeting Kyōraku's gaze sincerely. "I'm telling you this not to demand you join me in accusing him."
Without evidence, even if he wanted that, he couldn't convince them to act.
He paused, then continued, "I just want you all to be careful. And if possible, watch him closely."
"If any of you find evidence, that would be ideal."
Unohana looked thoughtful. "But how could he do all this under the noses of so many captains?"
"And only slip up in front of you?"
She didn't doubt Naruto's words.
After years of working together, she knew his character well.
Besides, Naruto and Aizen were both known as good-natured men in Seireitei—there had never been any conflicts between them.
Naruto framing Aizen seemed almost impossible.
And Naruto had already said—he wasn't asking for help convicting Aizen, only that they be vigilant.
If it weren't true, spreading rumors behind someone's back like this would only bring harm, not benefit.
Still, could someone really execute such a flawless scheme?
"He can control the five senses," Naruto explained. "As long as you see a certain action, his power will take effect and deceive your senses."
"And that night, the Aizen Sōsuke at First Division headquarters was actually Kaname Tōsen in disguise."
Kyōraku couldn't hide the shock in his voice. "Under the Head Captain's nose?"
Naruto nodded.
"Even the Head Captain was fooled?" Unohana's frown deepened. "So how is his power activated?"
"I don't recall many interactions with Captain Aizen."
Ginrei and Mayuri also fell deep into thought.
They were smart—thinking back, they soon reached a conclusion.
"Have all of you seen his Zanpakutō's release?" Kyōraku asked, a realization dawning.
The others nodded.
For most Shinigami, their Zanpakutō abilities defined their strength.
That's why many were reluctant to reveal their Zanpakutō's true power.
But Aizen Sōsuke was the exception.
His Zanpakutō's ability was widely known throughout Seireitei—students could recite it after six years at Shinō Academy.
Even the four guardians of the Seireimon had seen it in action.
"If what Naruto says is true," Kyōraku continued in a quiet voice, "then there's something wrong with his sword."
He clearly leaned toward believing Naruto—but without evidence...
His words had to remain cautious.
"To fool even the Head Captain…"
"This man is terrifying."
A Shinigami's foundation was their reiatsu.
The Head Captain, the oldest and strongest Shinigami, had unimaginably powerful reiatsu.
To deceive even him... the reiatsu needed must not fall short.
"Please, all of you, be cautious—and help me watch him," Naruto bowed.
Kyōraku scratched his head. "Naruto, since you're asking so sincerely… but this is such a hassle—how about you treat me to drinks tonight?"
"It's been a while for me too," Unohana smiled.
Ginrei looked at Byakuya.
He immediately stood and responded formally, "We're in your hands, Naruto-kun."
Mayuri clicked his tongue and walked up to Byakuya Sr.
"See something with your eyes, and your five senses get controlled…"
"Did Urahara fall for this ability too?"
"What an interesting subject."
Unlike the others, Mayuri showed his approval in his own way.
Compared to "Aizen," his curiosity about the situation was stronger.
He eagerly pointed at Byakuya Sr., spiritual energy surging.
On the man's stomach, spell marks appeared.
"Four-Symbol Seal," Mayuri realized, "So that's what you wanted me to research earlier?"
Naruto explained to the others, "The Four-Symbol Seal is a sealing technique I mastered."
"It seals Hollow energy inside Vice-Captain Kuchiki's body."
"While it solves the Hollowfication problem for now, it also forces him to coexist with Hollow energy."
"If we extract it, he'll die."
Byakuya Jr. looked visibly shaken.
"I asked Captain Kurotsuchi over a year ago to try solving this, but there's still no solution," Naruto said, glancing at Mayuri. "So now I've turned to Captain Unohana."
"My healing and his research aren't enough."
Mayuri's face twisted with black-and-white stripes. "It's not that I can't solve it."
"It's that time has been too short, and I've only made partial progress."
Lying in bed, Byakuya Sr. shook his head, voice calm. "If it can't be removed, it's fine."
"To survive the Hollowfication…"
"And never be influenced again—I'm already satisfied."
Naruto's provocations were still within Mayuri's tolerance.
He understood what this kid was trying to do.
As long as Urahara Kisuke wasn't brought up, he didn't mind.
But Byakuya Sr.'s sincerity—
Mayuri narrowed his eyes and smacked his stomach. "Don't underestimate me."
"Before you is the Head of the Research and Development Institute."
"Even counting that damn traitor, I'm still the most capable researcher in Soul Society."
"There's nothing I can't do!"
Unohana stepped forward. With Naruto and Mayuri's explanations, she studied Byakuya Sr.'s condition more carefully.
Ginrei Kuchiki left to handle division matters.
Byakuya Jr. stayed to follow everyone's instructions.
(End of Chapter)