Shinigami in the Ninja World

When he first saw it, he had thought it was the result of a war incited by Aizen, and that the battlefield had spread to Las Noches, causing such devastation.

But it was all caused by a single fox?

And the most incredible part was, this fox was merely Naruto's lieutenant.

How strong was the captain himself?

"It's not like I'd just casually use that technique," Kurama wagged its tail, clearly in a good mood. Being called terrifying by someone who used to be No. 3 in the Espada was, in a way, a compliment.

Naruto chuckled, his gaze lingering on the crack in Nel's mask. "So it was the damage to your mask that caused all of this?"

Nel tilted her head, her expression confused.

She understood what the "Espada" were—important figures in Hueco Mundo.

But was she really one of them?

"She has amnesia," Harribel answered for her. "The situation might be more complicated than it seems."

Naruto nodded, contemplating.

"If you're interested, you could take her back with you," Harribel said, tossing Nel toward him.

Nel shrieked in surprise. "Ah?!"

"Wasn't it enough just to record my name? Why are you giving me away to a Shinigami like a gift?"

She turned her head, and though she was fine when she looked at Naruto, the moment her eyes landed on Kurama, she burst into tears. "I'm doomed!"

"Nel is going to become a Shinigami's toy."

Naruto smiled as he reached out to touch her mask, trying to use basic healing techniques to smooth over the damage.

But it was useless.

Such simple methods had no effect on the "cracks in the mask."

"What kind of person was she before she lost her memory?" Naruto asked, lifting her up.

Nel was still crying.

Kurama leaned in, baring its teeth. "If you keep crying, I'll eat you!"

Nel immediately stopped crying, her body trembling, tears still flowing down her cheeks, but she made no sound.

"She's an odd one," Harribel said coldly. "She was a peaceful person, a bit soft-hearted."

"It's hard to imagine..."

"That a Hollow would ever hold a 'peaceful' ideology."

Naruto was surprised.

Peace?

A Hollow seeking peace?

That was truly hard to believe.

"She once said that Hollows who regain their rationality after falling from being human shouldn't engage in meaningless battles," Harribel continued. "None of the other Arrancar shared her views, but she was too strong for anyone to oppose her."

Naruto nodded.

Harribel then revealed her true purpose. "If possible, I hope Uzumaki-sama can heal her."

Nel blinked her big eyes, looking up at the tall, mature, and somewhat intimidating woman beside her.

"For a Hollow like her to rule Hueco Mundo would be more suitable for what you Shinigami need," Harribel said softly.

Naruto looked at her. "You're very rational."

Harribel didn't respond.

In the yellow sands, there was only the sound of the wind howling, crashing into the petrified branches of quartz trees, producing eerie wails.

This suggestion seemed feasible.

Naruto's senses told him that everything Harribel had said was true.

This Arrancar named "Nel" might really be different.

"Will you come with me to the Soul Society?" Naruto asked, lifting Nel up to meet his gaze. "I'll find someone to try and heal you."

Nel thought for a moment and then turned her head to look into the distance.

Over there, a bull-horned Hollow and an insect-like Hollow were watching her nervously.

Were those her brothers?

But...

"If I'm healed, will I regain my memories?" she asked in her small, clear voice.

Naruto nodded. "It's possible, but since I don't fully understand your situation, I can't promise anything."

Nel focused on the words "It's possible."

"Can I say goodbye to my brothers and pets first?"

Naruto nodded and casually tossed her into the air.

Nel screamed, her tears flowing again as the fear she had just suppressed came rushing back.

"I almost died!" Nel patted herself, feeling as though she had narrowly escaped death.

Her life now wasn't so bad.

She was happy spending time with her "brothers" and "pets."

But she also wanted to recover her lost memories.

Her "brothers" and "pets" didn't stop her. Upon learning about the situation, they even encouraged her. They hoped Nel would regain her strength, and if she couldn't recover her memories, that was fine too.

After contacting Mayuri Kurotsuchi, a Garganta opened.

In the 12th Division, underground laboratory.

"Captain Kyōraku and the others have been eagerly waiting for your return," Mayuri grinned. "They've been waiting..."

"Oh? This little thing?"

"A gift you brought back from Hueco Mundo?"

Nel clung to Naruto's leg, her wide eyes staring at Mayuri.

This black-and-white painted guy was terrifying!

Especially his eyes...

They gleamed with a desire to devour her like a piece of food.

"She's not research material," Naruto shook his head, rejecting the idea and briefly explaining Nel's situation.

"A damaged mask?" Mayuri mused, intrigued. "A peace-loving Hollow? No wonder Aizen didn't use the Hōgyoku's power to heal her."

"Someone with such conflicting beliefs wouldn't be worth saving."

"I'll take care of healing her," he waved his hand, agreeing without hesitation.

This was an interesting case.

If he could figure it out...

He might even be able to create Hollows or Arrancar without using the Hōgyoku's power.

Nel looked up pitifully. "Naruto, are you leaving me here?"

"Don't worry, I've warned him," Naruto crouched down, patting her head. "He won't dare do anything to you."

"Though he looks scary, when it comes to serious matters, he's reliable."

Nel turned to study Mayuri.

Reliable?

Really?

Mayuri let out a sly grin.

Nel cried out loud again.

Even Kurama couldn't bear it, growling at Mayuri to stop scaring the child.

It was hard to imagine a Hollow being so cute and innocent.

Nel nodded, though not particularly clingy. There was something about Naruto that made her feel reassured.

After leaving her with Mayuri, Naruto headed to the 1st Division's headquarters.

In the meeting room.

"Naruto's finally back," Shunsui Kyōraku tilted his head, watching the blonde figure walk in from the doorway. He let out a sigh of relief. "Captain Kurotsuchi should have explained the situation to you."

Naruto nodded, returning to his seat. "Is the Captain-Commander really sealed?"

"It's hard to say for sure," Kyōraku spread his hands and shook his head. "We asked the vice-captains, and none of them sensed any unusual spiritual pressure."

"But indeed..."

"The Captain-Commander has not been seen."

Naruto frowned. "We should prepare for the worst-case scenario."

"Does Muramasa have sealing abilities? Or does he have the power to seal others?"

This sounded strange.

Sealing the Captain-Commander...

That wasn't an easy task. Even with Naruto's current strength, the chance of sealing the Captain-Commander was slim. Even without *Ryūjin Jakka*, the Captain-Commander's own spiritual pressure and Hakuda abilities were terrifying in their own right.

Byakuya Kuchiki shook his head. "No."

"I asked my grandfather and father when I returned. The Zanpakutō that belonged to Kōga Kuchiki doesn't have any sealing abilities."

Naruto nodded but remained silent.

He was beginning to suspect...

Whether the Captain-Commander had truly been sealed, or if Muramasa had really done it.

After all, if someone else were to gain control of *Ryūjin Jakka*, it would be terrifying. The Captain-Commander might have sealed himself as a precaution. It wasn't impossible for him to take such a step.

But regardless of the possibility, the outcome remained the same.

Which was...

The absence of the Captain-Commander as a combat force.

"Did only Rukia and Kaien go to the World of the Living?" Naruto asked quietly.

Ukitake nodded. "Only the two of them. That should be enough..."

Through the Shiba family, they could contact the Shihōin family.

Rukia had a good relationship with Ichigo, which would also allow them to get in touch with Ginjo and the Visored.

He suddenly realized something. "You're worried they might be ambushed."

Naruto hadn't yet nodded when—

"Beep-beep—"

An urgent beeping sound rang out from Mayuri's pocket, drawing everyone's attention.

He pulled out a device resembling a modern phone. "It's a distress signal."

"From Karakura Town."

"From... Rukia Kuchiki."

All eyes immediately turned toward Naruto, awaiting his orders.

"Captain Kuchiki of the 6th Division, Captain Kenpachi of the 11th Division, and I will head to the World of the Living," Naruto thought for a moment before giving his command. "The other divisions should prepare for battle."

"Captain Kyōraku..."

Kyōraku nodded. "Don't worry, leave Seireitei to me."

"Be careful, Naruto."

"If possible, it might be best to seal your own sword."

Naruto acknowledged the advice.

Central 46 hadn't had time to reorganize itself yet, and even when they did, their authority wouldn't easily extend back into the Gotei 13 after being destroyed once.

Given the special circumstances, Naruto allowed himself to leave without any restrictions.

In the World of the Living, Karakura Town.

Rukia was running, fleeing forward.

Behind her, a woman with long white hair and a snowy kimono was pursuing.

It was her Zanpakutō.

The manifested form of "Sode no Shirayuki."

"How pitiful," Sode no Shirayuki laughed lightly. "Have you become this weak after losing my power?"

"No wonder you've been so repeatedly embarrassed."

Rukia Kuchiki gritted her teeth, panting heavily.

The streets were familiar.

She was almost there.

Since the moment she had landed, she had been attacked. Now, her stamina was almost completely drained.

Sode no Shirayuki was gradually closing the distance, raising the white blade in her hand.

"It seems this game of chase has come to an end," her voice was sharp, filled with malice, leaving no room for mercy. "Farewell, Rukia Kuchiki..."

Clang—

The sword struck, but it did not meet flesh or bone. Instead, it collided with another sword.

A black-bladed, white-edged sword.

Rukia looked up at the owner of the blade: "Ichigo."

The orange-haired boy frowned: "Is the Soul Society always this chaotic?"

"Aizen's matter was just settled, and now so many people are showing up out of nowhere."

"Let me finish dealing with her, then we can catch up."

He swung his sword to strike.

Sode no Shirayuki raised an eyebrow, her voice cold: "You're a nuisance."

With a flick of her wrist, she elegantly countered his attack.

Ichigo Kurosaki stared at her.

This sword... looked familiar, as if he had seen it not long ago.

Where the blade pointed, a circle of white light appeared beneath his feet, glowing brightly and exuding an icy chill.

"Some no mai, Tsukishiro (初の舞・月白, First Dance, Moon White)"

This technique!

Ichigo Kurosaki was surprised and used *shunpo* to escape the range of the light before it erupted.

Now he remembered. No wonder it had felt familiar.

"Isn't that Rukia's move?" he exclaimed. "How do you know that move?"

"I remember that being Rukia's Zanpakutō's ability."

Rukia and Sode no Shirayuki spoke simultaneously, their words nearly identical.

"She is my Zanpakutō."

"I am her Zanpakutō."

The only difference was the subject of the sentences.

A Zanpakutō?

Ichigo Kurosaki's eyes widened. "Are you training for Bankai?"

"It's a rebellion of the Zanpakutō," Rukia shook her head, beginning to explain, but she cut herself off abruptly: "Watch out!"

Sode no Shirayuki gave them no time to reminisce.

With a flip of her palm, she thrust her sword downward.

"Tsugi no mai, Hakuren (次の舞・白漣, Next Dance, White Ripple)."

Ice and frost surged, sweeping down upon Ichigo Kurosaki like a tidal wave.

Ichigo raised his sword to block, preparing to leap upward.

A gentle breeze swept by.

The cold air dispersed along with the wind, swirling away and gradually dissipating.

The attack was neutralized.

Ichigo and Rukia both looked up at the sky.

A golden figure stood in the air, an irregular crescent moon beneath his feet, and the wind dancing at his side.

"Rukia, you'll need to train harder when we get back," the black-haired man in a captain's haori standing beside the golden figure spoke, his voice cold. "Just because you lost the power of your Zanpakutō, you've been reduced to this state?"

"A Shinigami's abilities shouldn't rely entirely on their Zanpakutō."

Sode no Shirayuki also looked up, her expression cautious: "Byakuya Kuchiki."

"And—"

"Naruto Uzumaki."

Naruto gazed at the woman in the kimono, smiling slightly: "Rukia, is this your sword?"

"It's beautiful."

"No wonder it's known as the most beautiful Zanpakutō in the Soul Society."

Rukia pouted. "Thank you for the compliment, Captain Naruto."

"But is this really the right time to say something like that?"

"Besides... that didn't sound much like a compliment."

Kurama grinned. "It wasn't really a compliment..."

Before it could finish, its head turned, its gaze fixed behind Sode no Shirayuki.

There was a slow, rhythmic clap of hands, clear and deliberate.

"I was just hoping to deal with a few troublesome Shinigami."

"But it seems I've caught a much bigger fish."

~~~

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