Shinigami in the Ninja World

The courtyards of both the 1st and 5th Divisions are adorned with Karesansui, but their styles are completely different. The Captain-Commander's courtyard exudes a sense of *wabi-sabi*—an aesthetic that finds beauty in imperfection and transience.

"The one who got caught doesn't seem worried at all," Naruto remarked quietly, carefully watching every subtle expression on Aizen's face.

Aizen remained calm and composed. "A shadow was stepped on. Are you worried you can't move forward?"

As they spoke, they reached the entrance to the division quarters. Aizen paused, nodded in farewell, and said, "Keep pushing forward, Naruto-kun. The only way you might catch up to me is by moving faster."

Naruto stopped in his tracks and stared at him. But Aizen didn't engage further; he called for Gin Ichimaru and turned to leave.

What does he mean by that? What does he mean by "have hope of catching up to him"? Did he let himself get caught on purpose?

Naruto frowned as he made his way back to his division, turning over the implications in his mind.

No... Aizen always has a clear purpose. Letting himself get caught would only give him the satisfaction of provoking the Seireitei. But what other benefits could there be? He can't even shift the blame onto someone else.

Yet, from the beginning, Aizen's demeanor suggested he was fully prepared for this.

Aizen had tried to recruit all the top graduates from this year's Shin'ō Academy, but with Naruto's intervention, the only one he managed to recruit was Renji Abarai.

And now... rumors were circulating that Renji would soon be transferred out of the 5th Division. Despite his excellent performance, there was no suitable position for him within the division.

Supposedly, Captain Aizen didn't want to hinder Renji's growth and was arranging for his transfer to another division.

Of course, that's the official story.

In reality, Naruto knew a bit about Renji. Though he might seem impulsive, he was actually quite clever, ambitious, and determined. He was a warrior who wielded his sword to move forward and would never become someone else's tool.

Aizen likely realized that Renji couldn't be easily manipulated. And since Renji's intellect and strength could potentially become a hindrance, Aizen was probably just using this as an excuse to get rid of him.

So, how many allies does Aizen actually have?

Naruto suspected the number might be very small—perhaps even none. Thanks to his sensory abilities, Naruto had probed everyone who had regular contact with Aizen, including his own friend Gin Ichimaru. Aizen himself had high standards; he wouldn't accept fools or incompetents as his companions.

Despite the considerable trouble Aizen has caused for Naruto and the Seireitei—despite being a "terrifying monster" lurking in the shadows—the reality is that Aizen is in a rather precarious situation. Within the Soul Society, he lacks allies. And with Naruto's interference, it will only become more difficult for Aizen to find a suitable ally in the future.

Furthermore, with Kisuke Urahara recently revealing his position, the Hōgyoku is now within reach.

Aizen isn't trying to send a message by getting caught. The slip-up is simply the price he has to pay for pursuing his ambitions. He knew this would happen and was prepared for it, which is why he remained so composed when Naruto exposed the situation.

As Aizen said himself, what was revealed was merely a shadow.

While the shadow points to him, it doesn't definitively prove his involvement.

But now that his shadow has been revealed, how much longer can he remain hidden?

Meanwhile, attacks by Hollows on Shinigami have become more frequent, though the "special Shinigami power" rarely appears. However, this isn't entirely good news, as the Hollows appearing in the Human World are becoming increasingly powerful.

Moreover, some Hollows that shouldn't be in the Human World are frequently showing up in reports.

At the 10th Division quarters, Kaien Shiba laid out the information on the recent deaths of Shinigami before Isshin Shiba: "In Naruki City and the surrounding areas, there are suspected sightings of Menos Grande."

"These reports come from the 13th Division's Shinigami and the Fullbringers in the Human World."

"And it's not just any Menos Grande."

"At least... Adjuchas."

Isshin Shiba scratched his head, looking troubled. "An Adjuchas, huh?"

"That's unusual."

"Sounds like the work of the enemy Naruto mentioned."

Kaien Shiba shook his head. "Uncle Isshin, Captain Ukitake also suspects it's that person."

"But there's no evidence."

"The reiatsu and spiritual wave monitoring data from the 12th Division have confirmed that there's no trace of Shinigami power on that Menos Grande, nor are there any signs of a Hollowfication process."

"We can't just dump everything on the 7th Division."

The 7th Division is only responsible for internal security. Naruto investigated those matters because he was the one most familiar with the intelligence.

But now... the appearance of this Menos Grande doesn't have any clear connection to that incident.

Historically, incidents like this have happened before.

Hundreds of years ago, a Vasto Lorde-level Menos Grande even attacked the Seireitei.

These emotionless creatures can do anything, no matter how unpredictable.

"I regret taking the position of Captain of the 10th Division," Isshin Shiba sighed, but despite his complaint, he dutifully picked up the report. "I get it. Since it's a Menos of this level, I'll have to handle it personally."

He stood up, grumbling under his breath.

"It'd be great if Naruto could be my Lieutenant."

Kaien Shiba sighed helplessly. "Uncle Isshin, don't say such unreasonable and nonsensical things."

"If Aunt Masaki hears that, she'll beat you up."

Isshin Shiba slumped his shoulders and was about to call for Rangiku, but when he found that the orange-haired beauty wasn't around, he had no choice but to prepare for his mission to the Human World on his own.

An hour later...

High above Naruki City, a gate between worlds opened, and Isshin Shiba stepped through it, landing with Shunpo. As he extended his hand, a Hell Butterfly landed on his fingertip.

"The smell of the Human World..." He was about to sigh nostalgically, but then his brow furrowed. "Why does it feel so strange?"

"Forget it."

He reached up to touch the seal on his neck. Even though this was an official mission, the restriction was still in place.

"10th Division Captain Isshin Shiba?" A voice called out from behind him.

Isshin Shiba turned to see a black-haired man in a Shihakushō. "Substitute Shinigami, Kūgo Ginjō?"

"Are you here to assist me?"

Kūgo Ginjō nodded. "Yes, Naruki City doesn't have a stationed Shinigami anymore, so Captain Ukitake has entrusted me with full responsibility."

"Have you faced the Hollow?" Isshin Shiba asked.

Kūgo Ginjō shook his head. "I haven't."

"But my organization has had encounters with it."

"The situation is dire."

"In our organization, there's someone with the ability to map everyone's locations. If anyone's reiatsu is disrupted, we're alerted immediately."

"But even with that, whenever something happens, by the time I arrive, both my comrades and the Hollow have completely vanished."

"That thing is terrifyingly strong, able to instantly kill even those who are highly skilled at self-defense."

Isshin Shiba scratched his head. "So that's why they sent me."

"Where's Captain Uzumaki?" Kūgo Ginjō asked cautiously.

He had heard of the 10th Division's Captain, Isshin Shiba. Of course, what he heard wasn't necessarily good.

Ginjō thought Captain Naruto would have been a better choice for this mission.

"Don't trust me?" Isshin Shiba frowned, letting out a long sigh.

Kūgo Ginjō quickly shook his head. "No, it's just that Captain Uzumaki might be more familiar with the Human World and our situation."

"Don't worry," Isshin Shiba reassured him, patting Ginjō's shoulder. "I'm strong too."

"Maybe..."

"I'm about as strong as that kid."

Kūgo Ginjō froze.

His strength is comparable to Captain Naruto's? This scruffy-looking guy?

If there was any trust left, it was now completely gone. How reliable could someone who brags like this really be?

"Oh?" Isshin Shiba suddenly turned his head, looking in a certain direction. "There it is."

Kūgo Ginjō, reacting a moment later, looked in the same direction, his expression growing serious.

A heavy and overwhelming spiritual pressure filled the air.

The sky was tainted with an "evil and chaotic" aura.

"Go back," Isshin Shiba said as he bent down, ready to use Shunpo to rush over.

Before he could finish his sentence, Kūgo Ginjō interrupted, his tone firm and resolute: "I'm coming with you."

"Naruki City is our home now."

Isshin Shiba paused and then laughed heartily. "Alright then, come with me."

"But if it gets too much, run."

"Running isn't shameful."

Kūgo Ginjō nodded in agreement.

The two of them used Shunpo.

Isshin Shiba was impressed by how capable this Substitute Shinigami was. Even though he had only been a Shinigami for a few decades, Ginjō was already at the level of a Lieutenant—despite growing up in the Human World, no less.

Most importantly, Ginjō also had a "Substitute Shinigami Badge," which restricted his spiritual power.

To the southwest of Naruki City...

By the riverside, a Hollow wandered.

It was highly aware of the two spiritual pressures approaching it and made no attempt to flee. Instead, it stood its ground, waiting.

"Is that a Menos Grande?" They landed on a bridge over the river. Kūgo Ginjō frowned, staring at the Hollow in confusion.

A Menos Grande... isn't it supposed to be massive?

But this Hollow was smaller than the ones Ginjō usually encountered. It had a full, human-sized body, with four limbs and a torso, covered in black, armor-like skin. Its face was concealed behind a smooth, featureless mask.

A hole in its chest was plugged with a mass of milky white "substance."

"That's not an Adjuchas; it's a Vasto Lorde," Isshin Shiba said gravely.

This Hollow looked almost entirely human, even having a thick mane of white hair. The only non-human feature was the pair of bull-like horns on its head.

Kūgo Ginjō was puzzled.

"It's a Menos Grande, alright—the highest class of Menos Grande," Isshin Shiba explained as he slowly drew his Zanpakutō, his expression serious and stern. "This is really bad."

"You might be able to handle an Adjuchas."

"But with this one..."

"You should run. Go back and request reinforcements from the Seireitei."

~~~

Okay, okay, okay. Vasto Lorde is appearing! The previous chapters were just mid, but now the story is finally going to move forward.

Also, Aizen removing Renji because of his intelligence is classic.

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