Naruto: Just Want To Be A Death God

That one sentence silenced the entire group.

"The most noble family in the Soul Society."

Just the title alone was enough to make it hard for them to breathe.

Especially for those students who came from Rukongai.

They were weeds, stray dogs, a breeze drifting across the wilderness.

When the stars in the sky reached out, even the touch of their scorching brilliance was too much to bear.

Asanjin clenched his fist and said in a low voice, "So this is what nobles are like..."

"They take an interest in someone and just demand them."

Everyone's gaze shifted to him.

Those who knew Asanjin sighed.

They knew he was stubborn, and the thread in his head ran straight—it didn't bend.

Those who didn't know him...

Had complex and strange expressions in their eyes.

What was this guy thinking?

To any shinigami, being chosen by the Kuchiki family was an extraordinary fortune. As long as one's ability was acceptable, the path to promotion would be smooth.

"Asanjin-kun, I think you might have misunderstood something," Ibuki Kazuyoshi stepped forward.

Asanjin frowned.

"Vice-captain Kuchiki married a few years ago," Ibuki said gently, glancing at Rukia. "His wife came from Rukongai. According to her, she has a long-lost younger sister."

Rukia froze.

That was clearly referring to her.

Asanjin looked back at her in confusion. "You have an older sister?"

Rukia shook her head, baffled.

She didn't know.

From the time she could remember, she had always lived with her little group of companions.

As for an older sister—there was no memory of such a person.

The next day.

Rukia was taken away by the Kuchiki family.

Asanjin stood at the school gates, watching her fading figure in the distance, and sighed.

Among their small group, Rukia wasn't the best at fighting, but she was smart. Though she was reluctant to admit it and never made it explicit, it was obvious—she was the leader of their group.

Until Shin'ō Academy.

That's when his own potential was finally recognized as capable of catching up to her.

He had thought their distance was finally narrowing, that soon he would have the power to protect her.

But suddenly, that distance became vast again.

He spaced out for a while before turning around and heading back into school to continue his training.

The buildings in Seireitei stood tall and majestic, as though gods themselves were overlooking the world.

The Kuchiki residence was no exception.

Rukia was led through the estate, crossing several walkways before stopping in front of a traditional tatami room.

The door was slid open.

Inside were only three people.

One was the blond youth she saw yesterday—the captain of Squad 7, Uzumaki Naruto.

The other two...

One was a man—distant, aloof, the image of an untouchable flower atop a snowy peak. But he was unusually gentle to the woman next to him. Each time he looked at her, the ice in his eyes melted into flowing spring rivers.

But what caught Rukia's attention the most was the third person—the only woman in the room.

She looked almost exactly like Rukia.

Only her features were even softer.

This woman... was her sister?

"Rukia, is it?" Byakuya spoke, gesturing with his hand. "Please sit."

Rukia sat down formally, mimicking their posture.

"You probably know the situation already," Byakuya said gently. "You are the long-lost sister of my wife."

"Hizumi has never stopped thinking about you."

"So..."

"Would you be willing to become a member of the Kuchiki family, as my wife's adoptive sister?"

Rukia looked up, disbelief in her eyes.

But she quickly lowered her head again.

"I..." she murmured, her tone struggling, a bit hesitant.

In every way, this was a good thing.

But...

Something felt off inside her.

Even if it was like what Asanjin Renji feared—if the Kuchiki family had simply been interested in her appearance—somehow, that reason would have been easier to accept than this sudden kindness from a sister she had never known, never met.

Byakuya tilted his head slightly, a bit puzzled.

Why would this young girl hesitate?

There was no harm in this for her.

Naruto tilted his head and then spoke: "Miss Hizumi, I have to say something."

The atmosphere was stifling. Someone had to break it.

They were all involved, and some things were difficult for them to say themselves. So he would do it.

Hizumi looked up, surprised.

"You've probably noticed I've been acting a bit differently toward you lately," Naruto said gently.

Hizumi nodded sadly.

Rukia watched the three carefully, confused.

"I understand the decision you made," Naruto continued. "I've visited District 79. The conditions there are harsh."

"Naruto—" Byakuya tried to interrupt.

Their eyes met.

The serene man's gaze was filled with earnestness.

Hizumi gently tugged at her husband's hand and shook her head. Her tone wasn't very firm, but she still spoke: "Byakuya, let Naruto speak."

"There's no need to hide it."

"After all, it was my mistake."

Rukia froze, holding her breath.

Naruto continued, "You, without any spiritual power, could barely survive there."

"Especially while raising a child who did have spiritual power."

"Leaving Rukia behind to survive... is understandable."

Rukia froze. Her fists clenched.

She...

Was abandoned?

"I've experienced what that feels like," Naruto said, shifting his gaze to the girl in the academy uniform. "You're a good person, Miss Hizumi."

"Otherwise, I wouldn't have helped you and Byakuya get together back then."

"But in this, you were wrong."

Naruto paused a moment.

"Rukia."

The black-haired girl immediately raised her head. "Yes."

"Whether you forgive or not is your right," he smiled. "Don't feel pressured."

"As long as I'm here, you don't need to worry."

"Forget the Kuchiki name. Forget the vice-captain title."

"There's only one thing that matters—an older sister and a younger sister."

Rukia looked at Byakuya. He turned his head away but showed no displeasure, no resistance.

Looking back—

The Kuchiki retainers standing at the door didn't move a muscle, as if they heard nothing.

Just a sister and a sister?

"I lived in District 79 too," Rukia said crisply, her tone full of strength unlike her earlier timidity. "It's true the environment is cruel."

"I only have one question."

She glanced at Naruto.

His golden hair gave her a bit of strength and courage.

"Madam Kuchiki... did you ever try to find me?"

Hizumi replied, "Yes."

Naruto cut in: "I asked Captain Soifon to investigate."

"Miss Hizumi, once she got out of District 79 and could support herself in a safer place, she started searching for you."

"But she was alone, just a normal soul. Though she tried, she found nothing."

"After marrying into the Kuchiki family—"

"The very first day of the wedding, she requested a search for you."

Hizumi nodded.

Byakuya added calmly: "The Kuchiki family did not ignore the request. However—"

"Years ago, I sent people to thoroughly search District 79, but found no trace of you."

"We expanded the search outward, but still found nothing."

Rukia lowered her head. "About six years ago, I left the area with Renji—someone I met in District 79 and really trust. We came to Shin'ō Academy to become shinigami."

"If it was around then..."

"Of course you wouldn't have found us."

The three in the room fell silent, waiting for her response.

"You were really trying to find me?" Rukia lowered her head. "If there were reasons that forced your hand... I can understand."

Hizumi looked relieved and happy.

"I'll make it up to you," she said softly but firmly.

Byakuya added, "I will too. The Kuchiki family will provide you the best resources."

He paused.

"Unlike regular shinigami, nobles don't have to pass the Academy exam to join the Gotei 13."

"Is there a division you prefer?"

"How about Squad 7?"

Rukia blinked in confusion.

She had only just expressed a single thought, and now they were already trying to rush her into graduating and joining the Gotei 13?

"That's Naruto's squad," Byakuya said gently. "He's very kind."

"And Squad 7 handles inner-court security—much safer than the others."

Rukia hesitated, unable to respond.

"It's just one option," Naruto added, speaking for her. "This is just what Byakuya thinks would be best for you."

"But you don't have to accept it."

"You can—and should—have your own plans."

Rukia looked up and asked Byakuya tentatively, "Really?"

Byakuya was about to answer, but Hizumi tugged on his hand, and he closed his mouth.

"I want to keep studying at the Academy," Rukia said firmly. "I don't have much talent. I was only placed in Class 2 and am still not ready to take on a shinigami's duties."

"Also..."

"I still don't understand the Gotei 13 well enough."

She spoke seriously, with conviction.

Naruto smiled and added, "And she can't bear to leave the bonds she's made in school."

Rukia's eyes widened as she looked at him.

That was a reason...

But was it really okay to just say it out loud?

Byakuya nodded, showing no objection.

Hizumi also smiled, feeling closer to Rukia now that she wasn't being rejected.

Rukia returned to the Academy.

Nothing changed—she stayed in Class 2, continued worrying about sword technique, still anxious about advancing to Class 1.

Only now, her name carried the Kuchiki family title.

A year later.

Hitsugaya Tōshirō, after passing the preliminary exams, graduated as a first-year student.

(End of Chapter)

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