Twelve Division Barracks.
The spatial transfer caused a slight feeling of dizziness.
Naruto shook his head and looked ahead.
The individuals he had sealed and suppressed, along with the land beneath them and the frozen time, all returned together.
Kisuke Urahara removed his cloak and explained to the two of them: "Hollowfication."
"It was something I discovered during my research on strengthening the souls of Shinigami."
"I created something that can destroy the boundary between Shinigami and Hollows."
He reached out his hand and retrieved a brilliant gemstone from his lab, radiating a blue-black glow.
"I had thought I was the only one researching this."
"Turns out others in the Seireitei were also attempting it."
"And they even used ordinary souls and Captains as test subjects."
"Mr. Tessai, please assist me. I want to use this to heal Captain Shinji and the others."
Kisuke Urahara looked up at Naruto.
"Naruto, you must be careful."
"Go to the Head Captain and report the situation. It's safest by his side."
"That invisible guy may be targeting me…"
"Or he might be targeting you."
Naruto nodded after glancing at those unconscious and frozen in time.
He returned to the First Division Barracks.
He reported the situation to the Head Captain.
He mentioned the "invisible enemy," but did not elaborate on the "Hollowfication" phenomenon—only that several Captains had been poisoned and injured and were taken to the Twelfth Division for treatment.
"Is that so?" Head Captain Yamamoto's face showed no visible emotion.
He agreed to Naruto's request to temporarily remain.
First Division quarters.
The environment here was completely different from the Thirteenth Division.
Naruto couldn't sleep. He sat on the veranda, staring at the lifeless rock garden under the moonlight.
"Kurama, why did you suddenly warn me?" he thought, communicating with the fox in his inner world.
He had been with Kurama for nearly ten years.
Their relationship had somewhat improved.
But there was still a barrier between them.
Naruto couldn't let go of his "parents."
As for Kurama, it absolutely hated sealing techniques. In fact, in the past year alone, it had cursed Kisuke Urahara countless times.
"Do I need a reason to warn you?" Kurama bared its fangs and growled irritably. "I just sensed that thing might affect me too."
"It's an ominous power."
It paused for a moment, speaking casually: "Consider it a reward for amusing me."
"Leaving those Konoha people behind—wasn't a bad choice."
"But if it were me—"
"I would've destroyed Konoha and killed them all!"
Naruto remained silent. He drew the sword Ashura and laid it across his knees.
"Kurama… you're not exactly how you pretend to be, are you?"
Kurama froze, its body tense and fur bristling. "Brat!"
"Are you doubting my ferocity?"
Naruto shook his head, resting his hand on the sheath. "It's just a feeling that you're not."
"This sword, Ashura, seems to give me more than just strength."
"There's also…"
"A strange feeling—like something inside me is awakening."
"It lets me vaguely sense your emotions."
He had just tried to communicate with the sword.
But there was no response.
It wasn't like Kurama, who simply resisted communication.
It was a very strange state.
That overwhelming power called "Ashura" remained silent, while the weaker but closer presence seemed to be asleep, wrapped in Ashura's power.
Like…
A baby who had eaten its fill and fallen soundly asleep.
"You brat!" Kurama growled, clearly flustered.
Naruto chuckled.
"Ashura's power is more than what you think," Kurama said softly. "Although I don't fully understand why…"
"But treat this power kindly."
Naruto was surprised and asked, "Do you know a lot about Ashura's power?"
"Brat, heh." Kurama sneered. "You're a descendant of the Uzumaki clan."
"Ashura is your ancestor."
Ancestor…?
Naruto's hand paused on the sword.
In the inner world,
Kurama curled into a ball, resting its head on its tail.
Like a real fox.
It was still puzzled.
Why would Ashura's power appear in this brat?
But thinking carefully…
This kid named Naruto Uzumaki really did resemble Ashura in some ways.
"Uzumaki Naruto…" Kurama muttered the name, and thought of that golden-haired man.
This father and son—
Maybe they weren't so bad after all.
It turned its head aside awkwardly.
But just knowing this doesn't mean you deserve to know my name…
Naruto didn't sleep that night.
Every time he got a little drowsy, the visored faces of Shinji and the others would flash into his mind.
He didn't know…
Whether Kisuke Urahara could save them.
The next morning.
Naruto hurriedly left the First Division Barracks.
But at the entrance to the Twelfth Division, he couldn't get in.
It was under heavy guard by the Detention Corps.
Those Shinigami in tight uniforms and masked faces numbered in the hundreds.
"Naruto." Someone called his name.
He looked over—it was Yoruichi Shihouin, wearing a captain's haori and bearing a solemn expression unlike her usual self.
"Yoruichi-nee…" he began, about to ask what had happened.
Yoruichi shook her head. "Not here. Follow me."
She led Naruto to a high tower beside the barracks.
"Why is the Detention Corps here?" Naruto asked anxiously.
Yoruichi said quietly, "By the order of Central 46."
"Captain Kisuke Urahara of the Twelfth Division and Grand Kido Chief Tessai Tsukabishi have been arrested for the crime of harming fellow Captains."
Naruto's pupils widened.
Central 46 is the highest judicial authority in Soul Society.
Any crimes committed by Shinigami are judged and dealt with by them.
But… this accusation…
Harming Captains?
Arrested?
He felt something clamp down on his head.
"I didn't tell the Head Captain about Urahara," Naruto said, taking a deep breath. "I only said that Captain Shinji and the others were poisoned, and I took them to the Twelfth Division for treatment."
Yoruichi gave a forced smile and patted his shoulder. "I'm not blaming you."
"And I don't believe it was you."
"On that night…"
"Besides you all, there was also an invisible enemy."
Naruto clenched his fists. "That person… was the one who reported it to Central 46?"
Yoruichi nodded. "At the very least, we can deduce something good from this—the invisible enemy is also a Shinigami, and they're within the Gotei 13."
Naruto fell silent, head lowered.
After a long while, he looked up again. "Then… what will happen to Captain Kisuke and Captain Shinji?"
Yoruichi looked into the distance, her tone heavy. "Now I have to tell you the worst-case scenario."
"Naruto."
She moved her hand from his shoulder to his head.
"Be careful."
"Kisuke said—you and he are the greatest threats to that invisible enemy."
"He's been dealt with, but you haven't…"
"That invisible enemy likely has other plans for you."
"From now on, be extremely cautious."
Naruto stared into Yoruichi's golden eyes.
His heart felt heavy.
He was asking about Urahara and the others—
Why did this suddenly turn to his own safety?
What is Yoruichi-nee planning?
(End of Chapter)