Naruto: Just Want To Be A Death God

The device to detect "special Shinigami powers" was soon developed and installed in the screening room.

After the incident with the Kōmyōdai family, Mayuri Kurotsuchi decisively used the opportunity to purge the personnel placed in this department by the Kōmyōdai family.

Although Kōmyōdai Tokitada is currently appealing to Central 46, for at least the next few decades, control of the department remains with Mayuri.

Naruto returned to the squad quarters.

Kotsubaki Jirōbō had already prepared the relevant documents.

These weren't classified materials. While ordinary squad members had no authority to access them, given the status of the other two people in the office, there was no issue.

When Naruto came back, Hitsugaya Tōshirō looked up, his expression serious."Momo just graduated. Captain Naruto, are you trying to recruit her?"

"Mhm," Naruto nodded with a smile, glancing at Tōshirō. "Is Squad 10 interested in her too?"

"She's an excellent graduate," Tōshirō replied earnestly.

"Oh? Just because of that?" Naruto smiled.

Tōshirō nodded firmly, "Of course."

Naruto sat across from him. "I thought it was because you couldn't bear to be separated into different squads from her."

"It's not like that!" Tōshirō raised his voice, then paused and added more calmly, "She can be a bit troublesome sometimes."

"Of course I hope I can look after her more."

Naruto took the file from Tōshirō's hands.

Sure enough, it was about "Momo Hinamori."

"You really are a good guy, Shiro," Naruto smiled as he read. "But..."

"I heard that Momo never considered joining Squad 10?"

Tōshirō's face darkened, and he nodded stiffly.

He had already heard it directly from Momo.

Her top choices were Squad 7 and Squad 5.

Next came Squad 4.

Only if all three squads rejected her would she consider Squad 10.

"It's all because of Ichimaru and Rangiku!" he gritted his teeth. He didn't even bother using honorifics for those with higher seats. "The captain and lieutenant are both shameless flirts!"

"Now the only ones willing to come to Squad 10 are drunks and perverts."

Tōshirō was genuinely frustrated—he was the one handling squad affairs, after all.

Naruto chuckled and continued reviewing the files.

A few days later.

The graduation ceremony at the Shinō Academy.

Graduates gathered in the hall, quietly whispering to each other.

"So many captains came today."

"Not just Aizen—Captain Uzumaki is here too."

"Captain Unohana as well."

"Damn! Why is Squad 10 led by a white-haired kid? I heard the lieutenant is a fiery-haired beauty!"

The top graduates went on stage and began choosing their preferred squads.

According to academic rank, Hinamori Momo was third.

She ran up energetically, heading directly and nervously toward Aizen.

"Captain Aizen," Momo bowed deeply.

Aizen smiled gently, eyes squinting. "Miss Hinamori, are you choosing Squad 5?"

"I—" Momo shook her head while maintaining her bow. "I came to apologize to Captain Aizen."

"Apologize?" Aizen asked softly.

"I like Captain Aizen very much," Momo took a deep breath and spoke firmly. "You are a kind person and a very good captain."

"I seriously considered your invitation to join Squad 5."

"But..."

"Captain Aizen, you're a good man!"

"Thank you for your invitation."

"But I would rather join Squad 7."

"I'm sorry, Captain Aizen."

She hurriedly blurted everything out and ran away before Aizen could reply, heading toward Naruto.

She found it strange—she was just an ordinary top graduate. Sure, she had some talent, but why did two captains personally come to recruit her?

Well...

There was a bit of pride in her heart.

But it had also left her conflicted for days.

It wasn't until the ceremony began that she finally made her decision: she wanted to join Squad 7 and follow Uzumaki Naruto.

Captain Aizen was a good man...

But the golden figure from that night was etched deeply in her heart, unforgettable.

Compared to the man who had saved her...

All she could do was offer her apology to Captain Aizen.

Gin Ichimaru snickered from behind Aizen, failing to hold back a laugh.

Aizen turned to watch Momo run off.

Naruto looked up as well, smiling warmly as their eyes met—an exact mirror of Aizen's own expression.

In the end, among this year's top graduates, the only one who chose Squad 5 was Abarai Renji.

Kira and Momo both chose Squad 7.

After the ceremony.

Outside the main hall, as the crowd dispersed.

Aizen and Naruto stood side by side.

"I'm truly surprised Captain Aizen lost in charm to Captain Uzumaki," Gin chimed in teasingly. "I thought for sure Momo Hinamori would pick Squad 5."

"Captain Aizen even invited her personally, after all."

Naruto looked at him. "I invited her personally as well."

"But Captain Aizen had far more interaction with her," Gin added softly.

Aizen wasn't just present at the academy's opening ceremony.

He also taught there.

Although it was just "calligraphy," a subject that had little to do with being a Shinigami.

Naruto walked ahead. "Captain Aizen, do you know why?"

Aizen didn't reply.

"In the Human World, there's a concept called 'counterfeit,'" Naruto spoke gently but frankly. "A skilled craftsman can make a replica nearly identical to the real thing."

"If shown on its own, even experts might be fooled."

"But placed next to the genuine article, it's bound to be exposed."

"Captain Aizen, you lack sincerity."

Aizen responded softly, "Is that so?"

"Then—until next time, Captain Aizen, the good man." Naruto waved and vanished with a flash step.

Gin sighed dramatically.

Aizen smiled, saying nothing.

Naruto was in a good mood.

He returned to Squad 7 with the new recruits.

After a simple initiation ceremony—

"Momo, come with me," Naruto called out to the black-haired girl, leading the way.

She followed nervously, heart pounding.

Was Captain Uzumaki really this serious about her?

He brought her to this kind of place?

Naruto pushed open the door with a smile: "Shiro, look who I brought to see you."

Inside the room—

Two people looked up.

Momo entered and was stunned: "Shiro, why are you here?"

"Aren't you in Squad 10?"

After greeting her friend, she noticed the other person. "Captain Soi Fon!"

She gasped and quickly bowed in greeting.

She was puzzled.

What was going on?

Both Squad 10 and Squad 2 officers were in Captain Uzumaki's office?

"You know what kind of people the captain and lieutenant of Squad 10 are," Hitsugaya said expressionlessly. "They dumped me here to study."

Soi Fon didn't explain anything to Momo either.

"You want to dump Momo on me?" Tōshirō looked up at Naruto.

Naruto still smiled. "Didn't you say you wanted to take care of her?"

"I'm giving you that chance."

Momo looked at Tōshirō in surprise.

The white-haired boy slammed the table in frustration. "When did I ever say that?"

"Captain Uzumaki, stop slandering me!"

Soi Fon interjected dryly: "I have it recorded, would you like to see it, Third Seat Hitsugaya?"

Tōshirō whipped his head around.

That serious short-haired face...

Wait, seriously, Captain Soi Fon? When did you even record that?

And now you're rubbing salt in the wound?

Even Captain Soi Fon's been corrupted by him?

"Shiro, if that's how you feel, you should just say so," Momo grinned. "There's nothing to be shy about."

Tōshirō clenched his fists, grinding his teeth.

Naruto gently said, "Momo, you've already unlocked your Shikai, so you can take on a seated officer's role."

"Learn from the person I just introduced you to."

"I think you have the potential to become a high-ranking officer."

"Shiro will be here nearly every day. If you miss him or need anything, just come directly."

Momo shook her head. "Who would miss him?"

Tōshirō also turned away.

"But if I have other questions, can I ask Captain Uzumaki for help?" When the topic wasn't about Tōshirō, Momo's voice and tone softened, becoming sweet and shy again.

Naruto nodded. "Of course."

"I'm your captain."

Momo smiled sweetly and nodded. "Please take good care of me from now on, Captain Uzumaki."

After she left—

Kira looked somber. "Captain Uzumaki brought you somewhere..."

He was a bit resentful.

His scores were even higher than Momo's.

But...

On their very first day, Momo already received special treatment.

"Captain Uzumaki brought me to meet a friend," Momo said happily. "That famous prodigy, Hitsugaya Tōshirō, Third Seat of Squad 10."

"I didn't expect him to be working in Squad 7."

Kira was confused.

Squad 10 working in Squad 7?

After Momo's explanation, he finally understood and felt a bit more at ease.

This batch of elite recruits quickly stood out.

In just six months, Renji had already become a high-ranking seated officer in Squad 5.

Momo and Kira lagged slightly behind, but they were already top-tier among the lower seated officers.

In comparison—

Rukia from Squad 13 was still just a regular member.

This was partly due to "Byakuya Kuchiki's" intent, but also because Rukia had yet to unlock her "Shikai."

But more concerning for Squad 13 than Rukia's situation—

Was how rapidly they were losing manpower lately.

Hollows in the human world seemed unusually active.

The newly recruited Shinigami still hadn't undergone proper training and weren't ready to be stationed outside.

(End of Chapter)