Naruto: Just Want To Be A Death God

"Hollow?" Hisagi Shūhei struggled with both arms to sit up, eyes wide as he looked into the distance—but all he could see was a pitch-black sky. "Can it still turn invisible?"

"Run, I've already notified—"

He shouted toward the others, but before he could finish, a hand pressed down on his head.

"Don't move."

"I already dealt with that Hollow."

"Let me heal you first."

Hisagi turned his head toward the voice. Golden hair gleamed under the moonlight, casting a soft halo, as if the light was emanating from it.

"Captain Uzumaki," he said, staring in awe, instinctively bowing in respect.

Naruto pointed his finger, and a healing technique activated. A faint golden glow enveloped Hisagi's body.

His wounds slowly began to heal. Even his fractured ribs started to mend and reconnect.

"I can't sense that Hollow's spiritual pressure," Hisagi said quickly once he regained some strength. "There might be more—"

"I can sense it," Naruto said, pressing him down and casting a binding spell, skipping the incantation. "Bakudō—this rope." It avoided the injuries, tightly restraining him. "You're injured. Don't move."

"You're making healing more difficult."

With a precedent set, when it came time to treat Kira, he stayed completely still, barely even breathing.

Renji stood holding his sword, completely at a loss.

So this is a Captain?

He hadn't known much about Hisagi before, but he was very familiar with Hinamori and Kira's abilities.

They were slightly weaker than himself, but not by much. In terms of offensive power, Hinamori was even the strongest among their small group.

Yet, even they couldn't scratch that Hollow. But the Captain took it down with ease.

The academy instructors always said they were good enough to be seated officers upon graduation.

Renji's eyes dimmed.

There were only a dozen meters between him and Captain Uzumaki, but to him, it felt like there was an invisible wall standing tall between them.

A barrier like a "heavenly moat."

He had already attained Shikai, and the next step was Bankai.

But even if he mastered Bankai—could he really catch up to Captain Uzumaki?

Could a Bankai bridge such a gap?

"Renji, what are you thinking?" A gentle push came from behind, followed by Rukia's voice. "Why are you zoning out? Go thank Captain Uzumaki."

Renji quickly nodded and went over with Rukia to express their gratitude.

Rukia wanted to thank him personally, but everything about this situation seemed cloaked in mystery. Even the Captains spoke cryptically in private. She wasn't sure if this was the right time to say anything.

While she was still conflicted…

A fluctuation in spiritual pressure filled the sky.

A shōji-style portal opened.

Hell butterflies flew out, and then, two figures emerged.

Captain Aizen Sōsuke of the Fifth Division, and his lieutenant, Gin Ichimaru.

"Oh my, Captain Uzumaki is here too," Gin said with an exaggerated grin, voice laced with mock surprise—but his acting left much to be desired, giving off a rather sarcastic tone. "We weren't notified of your deployment."

"Captain Aizen, you're late," Naruto replied, ignoring Gin and smiling calmly at the brown-haired, bespectacled man. "The issue has already been resolved."

Aizen floated in the sky and responded gently, "It's a good thing you resolved the danger early and reduced casualties."

"However, are we missing someone?"

"The number of students who participated in the 'Soul Burial' seems off from what I was told."

Hisagi looked down, his voice trembling slightly. "That Hollow... we couldn't sense any spiritual pressure. We didn't even know how it appeared."

"No one was prepared."

"It wasn't until it attacked one of our classmates that we realized it was right beside us!"

He shivered at the memory.

That Hollow had been silent and invisible.

"Is that so? A Hollow that could conceal its presence, and not one of you noticed?" Aizen asked gently.

Hisagi nodded, about to reply.

"The investigation is a matter for the Second and Twelfth Divisions," Naruto interjected, cutting him off. "I already scanned the area—no other Shinigami spiritual pressures are nearby. Let's send the students back."

Aizen looked down and met Naruto's gaze.

The Fifth Division members who had followed began herding the students toward the Senkaimon gate, maintaining order.

Once all the students had returned to Seireitei—

Naruto glanced coldly at Aizen.

The shaken students were just about to thank Captain Uzumaki for saving their lives when—

Poof!

The golden figure in front of them suddenly vanished.

Several students jumped in surprise.

"Shunpo?" Renji muttered, scanning the area for spiritual pressure. But with his level of ability, he couldn't sense anything.

"Not Shunpo~," Gin said, shaking his head and suddenly leaning close, smiling eerily at Renji.

Renji flinched.

Rukia's reaction was even more exaggerated—she took a full step back.

"Am I that scary?" Gin asked, still smiling, waving his hand. "That reaction kinda hurts, you know?"

Renji quickly straightened up and bowed seriously. "I apologize, Lieutenant Ichimaru."

Rukia did the same.

Both spoke loudly and clearly.

"You're both so serious," Gin sighed, pulling back. "No fun at all."

"But I'll still explain it to you."

"That technique Captain Uzumaki used wasn't a Kidō spell—it's his own jutsu."

"A clone technique."

Renji and Rukia froze.

"I can see ambition in your eyes," Gin said, locking eyes with the red-haired man and smiling in an exaggerated arc. "You want to catch up to Captain Uzumaki, don't you?"

Renji neither nodded nor shook his head.

"Do you feel there's a huge gap between you and him?" Gin pressed.

This time, Renji nodded.

"Then let me tell you something depressing," Gin said, chuckling and spreading his hands. "That clone Captain Uzumaki used? It has the same power as the original."

"But there's one fatal flaw."

"It splits his spiritual pressure evenly."

Renji's pupils widened.

Gin read his mind. "So what you saw earlier—was only half of Captain Uzumaki's true strength."

"Feeling a bit hopeless?"

"Captain Uzumaki's talent…"

"Is as towering as a mountain."

He mocked and jeered, visibly affecting Renji's emotions.

"All right, Gin. That's enough," Aizen stepped in, smiling gently and cutting him off. "It's natural to have differences in talent."

"People like Naruto-kun are extremely rare, even in Soul Society's long history."

"Renji, may I call you that?"

Renji's expression eased a little. He stood straight and bowed. "It's an honor, Captain Aizen."

"To follow in his footsteps, you'll need to work steadily," Aizen said with a gentle smile. "With your talent, why not set a goal first?"

"Start by becoming a lieutenant."

Renji looked surprised and pointed to himself. "Me?"

He had set goals—but nothing as high as "lieutenant." He was aiming for a high-ranking seat officer.

"Lacking confidence?" Aizen shook his head, still gentle.

Renji shook his head. "Of course not."

"I have high expectations for you," Aizen said, waving at him. "Gin is preparing for the Captain's qualification test. Once he passes, the lieutenant position will be vacant."

"If you're willing…"

"Please consider joining the Fifth Division."

"I truly hope you'll be our next lieutenant."

Renji stood stunned, staring at Aizen, unable to believe what he was hearing.

A Captain had personally offered him a position.

He felt truly moved.

Aizen smiled, greeted Kira and Hinamori as well, and then turned to leave.

Gin muttered dramatically, "My, my, Captain Aizen. What a coincidence."

"Almost like Captain Uzumaki predicted this would happen."

"Gin, don't speak ill of another Captain behind his back," Aizen scolded gently.

"I'm just curious," Gin said, grinning and waving it off.

"There was also a Kuchiki girl among the students today," Aizen added quietly—as if trying to keep his voice low, though the surrounding Shinigami heard him clearly. "Since Captain Uzumaki went through something similar himself, it's understandable he'd prepare in advance."

"Especially when it involves the Kuchiki clan."

He didn't say more, but…

His words already made several students frown.

Rukia watched the two walk away, her expression tense.

Those two—

The one she disliked most was "Gin Ichimaru."

She'd heard unpleasant rumors from her brother, Byakuya, and now that she'd met him, he gave her a feeling like a venomous snake.

An extremely dangerous person.

Captain Aizen was as gentle as ever, but why did he say what he did at the end?

It felt like…

He was expressing discontent toward the "Kuchiki clan."

And between him and Captain Uzumaki—there was an undercurrent of suppressed tension.

The Second Division took over the investigation.

The students remained gathered at the plaza in front of the Senkaimon gate.

"You all finished the Soul Burial, right?" Rukia asked their small group, "None of you were affected?"

They all nodded.

Hisagi was also there, pulled over by Kira.

The two were "comrades in misfortune"—the only ones injured during the incident.

(End of Chapter)

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