Chapter 97: Chapter 97: Kuchiki Sojun Hollowfication Situation
Before Ichimaru Gin spoke, Naruto found it hard to imagine that he would harbor such feelings toward Aizen.
"Do you want to kill him?" Naruto repeated, looking at the silver-haired youth sitting across from him. "Why?"
Ichimaru Gin shook his head. "I'm sorry, Captain Naruto, I can't tell you."
"It's not that I don't trust you," he added, "but this matter is a secret more important than my own life."
Mind's Eye of the Kagura confirmed that he was telling the truth.
Naruto nodded. He didn't care what secrets Ichimaru Gin was hiding. As long as his stance wasn't aligned with Aizen's, that was all that mattered.
"Be careful of Sosuke Aizen," Naruto cautioned. "He's very dangerous."
Ichimaru Gin responded, "I've always been careful of him."
He looked at Naruto, recalling Aizen's words: "There cannot be two suns in the sky." This young Captain of 7th Division, even younger than himself, was already shining brightly enough to dispel some shadows.
If only... I had met him sooner.
Within the Seireitei, after suffering severe losses, 6th Division underwent immediate personnel changes. The former Vice-Captain, Kuchiki Sōjun, retired, and his son, Kuchiki Byakuya, who held the third seat, was promoted to Vice-Captain.
In the 6th Division barracks, Kuchiki Sōjun, bare-chested, lay on a bed surrounded by people. Among them were five Captains, including Naruto, Unohana Retsu, Kyōraku Shunsui, Kurotsuchi Mayuri, and the head of 6th Division, Kuchiki Ginrei.
"I didn't expect my son's situation would alarm so many Captains," Kuchiki Ginrei spoke softly, bowing. "I am deeply ashamed."
Kyōraku Shunsui leaned forward, "I understand calling Captain Unohana and Captain Kurotsuchi, but Naruto, why did you summon me as well? I'm not particularly skilled in healing or research."
The other Captains were also puzzled. Kyōraku Shunsui didn't seem like someone who belonged in such a situation—this wasn't an izakaya.
"If Captain Ukitake weren't unwell, I would have invited him too," Naruto shook his head, his gaze falling on Kurotsuchi Mayuri. "Besides Captain Kurotsuchi, you are the ones I trust the most within the Seireitei."
"I called you here not only to discuss how to resolve Vice-Captain Kuchiki's condition but also to inform you of something else."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri sneered.
Naruto paused. "It's related to the real culprit behind the Hollowfication incident."
"Wasn't Tōsen Kaname already killed by you?" Mayuri asked, his tone greedy. "I heard you didn't hand the body over to the Tsunayashiro Clan. Why not give it to me for research?"
Naruto glanced at him but didn't respond. Unohana Retsu and Kyōraku Shunsui frowned. They had already discerned the underlying message in Naruto's words—Tōsen Kaname was not the real culprit?
"Tōsen Kaname wasn't the true mastermind," Naruto said bluntly, without hesitation. "The real culprit is Captain Sosuke Aizen of 5th Division."
Kyōraku Shunsui's frown deepened. "Do you have any evidence?"
Naruto shook his head. "No. If I did, I would have already taken him down or reported it to the Captain-Commander."
Unohana Retsu questioned, "Without evidence, how can you be sure it's him, Naruto?"
"I have an ability that allows me to discern whether a person is telling the truth," Naruto explained. "He didn't anticipate that I had this ability, and Tōsen slipped up in front of me. Afterward, he couldn't keep hiding from me."
Naruto had considered recording or using similar methods. But only the Nine-Tails could glimpse the truth. If he presented this information to others, would they see the reality he intended to show them?
Kyōraku Shunsui rubbed his chin. "To prevent you from uncovering more, Aizen abandoned Tōsen, letting others believe he was the mastermind. Meanwhile, Aizen hides in the shadows. But if that's the case..."
Naruto shook his head and looked into Kyōraku Shunsui's eyes, his gaze sincere: "I'm not recklessly asking you all to join me in convicting him."
He lacked evidence, and even if he wanted to, he couldn't persuade them to take such action. He paused briefly, then continued, "I just hope you Captains will be cautious and keep an eye on him. It would be even better if you could catch him making a mistake."
Unohana Retsu pondered, "But how did he manage to do all this in front of so many Captains without being discovered? And why did he only expose himself to you?"
She didn't doubt Naruto's words. After years of interaction, she knew well what kind of person this young man was. Moreover, before this, Naruto and Aizen were both known in the Seireitei as two of the most amiable individuals, with no known conflicts between them.
The possibility of Naruto framing Aizen was very low—almost nonexistent. Especially since Naruto had clarified that he wasn't asking them to take sides or convict Aizen, only to be cautious. If it weren't true, speaking ill of someone behind their back like this would only harm him.
But can someone really execute something so flawlessly?
"He has the ability to manipulate the five senses," Naruto explained. "As long as one witnesses his actions, they will be deceived by his power."
"And the Sosuke Aizen in the 1st Division's quarters on the night of Vice-Captain Kuchiki's incident was actually Tōsen Kaname in disguise."
Kyōraku Shunsui couldn't suppress the surprise in his voice. "Right under the teacher's nose?"
Naruto nodded.
"Even the Captain-Commander was affected?" Unohana Retsu frowned even more deeply. "So, how exactly does his power activate?"
"It seems that our interactions with Captain Sosuke are rather limited."
Kuchiki Ginrei and Kurotsuchi Mayuri also began to ponder.
These individuals were highly intelligent. Reflecting on the past, they quickly reached a conclusion.
"Have you all seen his Zanpakutō's release?" Kyōraku Shunsui suddenly recalled.
The others nodded.
For most Shinigami, the abilities of their Zanpakutō largely determine their capabilities.
As such, many Shinigami are reluctant to reveal the nature of their Zanpakutō's abilities to others.
But Sosuke Aizen is an exception.
The abilities of his Zanpakutō are known to everyone in the Seireitei, and even students who have studied for six years at the Shin'o Academy can recite them by heart.
Even the Four Noble Guards who protect the gates of Seireitei have witnessed his release.
"If what Naruto says is true," Kyōraku Shunsui continued in a low voice, "then there must be something wrong with his sword."
Of course, he was inclined to believe Naruto, but without evidence, he remained cautious.
"To deceive even teacher..."
"This man is truly terrifying."
The essence of a Shinigami lies in their spiritual pressure (reiatsu).
As the oldest and most powerful Shinigami, Captain-Commander Yamamoto's reiatsu is unquestionably formidable.
For someone to affect him, that level of reiatsu must be nearly equal to his own, or at least not much weaker.
"I ask all of you captains to be careful and to help me keep an eye on him." Naruto bowed.
Kyōraku Shunsui scratched his head. "Naruto, since you're asking so nicely, how about treating me to a drink tonight? This is quite the troublesome matter."
"I haven't gone out in a long time either," Unohana Retsu smiled.
Kuchiki Ginrei glanced at Byakuya.
Byakuya immediately stepped forward and responded with restraint: "I leave it in your hands, Naruto-kun."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri clicked his tongue and walked over to Kuchiki Sojun. "As long as your eyes see it, your five senses will be controlled."
"Is that how Urahara got tricked by this ability?"
"This is quite an interesting subject."
Although his response differed from the others, it was clear he too acknowledged the situation.
Compared to Aizen, Mayuri was more interested in the current predicament.
He couldn't wait as he reached out, manipulating his spiritual power.
A sealing formation immediately appeared on Kuchiki Sojun's abdomen.
"Four Symbols Seal," Mayuri realized. "So, this is what you wanted me to study earlier?"
Naruto explained to the others, "The Four Symbols Seal is a sealing technique I have mastered."
"It seals the 'Hollow' power within Vice-Captain Kuchiki's body."
"Although it temporarily resolves the problem of 'Hollowfication,' it also means the 'Hollow' power coexists with Vice-Captain Kuchiki."
"If we extract the 'Hollow' power, Vice-Captain Kuchiki will die as a result."
A flash of panic crossed Byakuya's face.
"Over a year ago, I asked Captain Kurotsuchi to attempt a solution, but so far, no solution has been found," Naruto glanced at Mayuri, "So I had to ask Captain Unohana for help."
"My healing skills and Captain Kurotsuchi's research might not be enough to resolve this issue."
Mayuri's black-and-white mottled face twisted. "It's not that I can't solve it."
"It's just that time is too short, and there are only some preliminary results."
Kuchiki Sojun, lying in bed, shook his head, his voice calm: "If this power cannot be extracted, it doesn't really matter."
"To survive the erosion of 'Hollowfication'..."
"And to ensure that this power will no longer affect me in the future, I am already very satisfied."
Naruto's provocation was still within Mayuri's tolerance.
He knew what this little brat was thinking.
As long as he didn't involve Urahara Kisuke, he could let it go.
But Kuchiki Sojun's sincerity...
Mayuri narrowed his eyes and slapped his abdomen hard. "Don't underestimate me."
"The person before you is the head of the Technological Development Bureau."
"Even counting that damn traitor, I am still the most capable researcher in the Soul Society."
"There's nothing I can't do!"
Unohana Retsu stepped forward and, with Naruto and Mayuri's introduction, learned more about Kuchiki Sojun's condition.
Kuchiki Ginrei left to handle matters related to the 6th Division.
Byakuya stayed behind, following the arrangements of the others.
~~~
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