Chapter 153: The Man who Hates Himself

The 7th Division's office now had an extra desk, placed right next to Soi Fon's.

The 10th Division placed great importance on Tōshirō, much like how Naruto was treated in his early days. Upon joining, Tōshirō was immediately given the rank of Third Seat and groomed as a future captain.

However...

Unlike Naruto's experience in the 13th Division, where the captain and vice-captain handed over most of the duties to him, the 10th Division's leadership allowed Tōshirō to handle most of the division's affairs. Although they didn't let him fully exercise the captain's authority, a young and inexperienced "cub" suddenly dealing with so many responsibilities—though not difficult, they were tedious—left Tōshirō rather overwhelmed. He particularly struggled with decisions and judgments.

Soi Fon and Naruto patiently guided him.

During such times, Nine-Tails always wanted to escape but was invariably caught by Naruto and brought back.

It, too, needed to learn.

Five years later, Rukia and her class were about to graduate.

Naruto had been keeping an eye on this.

A few days before the "Konso" ceremony.

At the 7th Division barracks.

Accompanied by Kuchiki Byakuya, Rukia arrived at Naruto's invitation.

She was a bit puzzled.

She initially thought her brother Byakuya was bringing her to build a good relationship with the captain, but Byakuya had told her it was Captain Uzumaki who specifically invited her.

When they arrived at the 7th Division barracks.

There was another guest seated there, Captain Kyōraku.

"Come on in, have a seat," Naruto greeted them.

Kyoraku Shunsui glanced at Rukia and nodded approvingly. "She really does resemble Hisana-san."

Rukia quickly greeted him politely.

"I hear you're one of the top graduates this year," Kyoraku Shunsui said with a smile. "Have you thought about which division you want to join after graduation?"

"The 7th Division?"

Rukia shook her head. "I... I want to become an excellent Shinigami."

"So, I want to join the 13th Division."

Naruto looked at her and smiled slightly. "Being protected doesn't stop you from becoming excellent."

Rukia thought about it but still shook her head.

"Jūshirō is gaining an excellent subordinate," Kyoraku Shunsui remarked, reaching for his cup only to have Nine-Tails nip at his hand.

"And you, Byakuya?" Naruto turned to the other person. "I heard that Ginrei-senpai plans to retire soon, and you're going to take over the 6th Division?"

Byakuya nodded, his expression as cold as always, but his tone was warm. "Yes, that's likely to happen within the next few years."

"It seems that Gin is also preparing to apply for the position of 3rd Division captain," Naruto said with a smile.

Thinking of that snake-faced man, Byakuya's expression grew more stern.

"If that's the case, the 13th Division will be the only one without a vacant captain's seat?" Kyoraku Shunsui mused, shaking his head with a light smile. "It's been nearly two hundred years, hasn't it?"

For a long time, the 10th Division had been without a captain, waiting for Naruto to mature into the role. But after the major incident, when many captain positions became vacant, several replacements were selected in succession. Shiba Isshin filled the 10th Division captain's position, but then the 3rd Division captain's seat became vacant.

"Hopefully, nothing goes wrong this time," Naruto said, shaking his head.

This comment made Byakuya a little uneasy. "Naruto, why did you invite us here, and specifically ask for Rukia to be present?"

Naruto didn't immediately respond.

He was communicating with Nine-Tails within him, ensuring that there was no strange force nearby before continuing. "Rukia's class is quite remarkable. Besides her, there are others like Renji Abarai, Izuru Kira, and Momo Hinamori."

Rukia was confused.

Was this an attempt to get her to persuade these people to join the 7th Division?

But there's no need for that.

Captain Uzumaki is one of the most popular captains in the Soul Society. Although he rarely appears at the Shin'o Academy, his popularity surpasses even that of Captain Sosuke.

And with the small, beloved "Nine-Tails" in the 7th Division, the division is naturally popular.

Many students aspire to join the 7th Division.

"I tried to put myself in his shoes for a moment," Naruto continued. "This is a very opportune time."

"To see if these graduates..."

"Can be honed into sharp blades."

"Moreover..."

Given the many years that have passed, Aizen has likely made some progress in his experiments with Hollows.

This "Konso" ceremony would be the perfect opportunity to target Shinigami and find suitable subjects.

"The Senkaimon will malfunction again?" Kyoraku Shunsui asked lightly, swirling his drink.

"Tōsen is already dead," Naruto shook his head. "And I've been keeping an eye on it."

In the minds of most people, Tōsen Kaname was considered the main culprit behind the Hollowfication incident, and naturally, the "Senkaimon incident" connected to it was also believed to be Tōsen's doing.

Kyoraku Shunsui nodded.

Byakuya frowned. "Are you saying that person might target Rukia and the others?"

"It's just a possibility," Naruto shook his head. "I can't be certain."

Rukia was bewildered, looking at the others at the table.

Including that fox, they all seemed to know exactly what Naruto was talking about.

"That man"?

Who is he?

What kind of attack...

And to make three captains take it so seriously, what kind of target was this?

"But the only thing I'm sure of is that he won't act personally," Naruto said, placing a hand on the table. A formation appeared. "It's possible that only some Hollows, maybe a Menos Grande, might appear, which shouldn't pose too much of a threat to Rukia and her classmates."

Rukia was dumbfounded.

A Menos Grande...

And that's not considered a threat?

"So take this," Naruto said, summoning a scroll from the formation and handing it to Rukia. "If anything unexpected happens, open it."

Rukia quickly accepted it. "Thank you, Captain Uzumaki."

Naruto shook his head. "Be cautious, and stay alert to anything unusual around you."

Rukia, still somewhat confused, nodded in agreement.

The meal soon ended.

Naruto found some time to visit the human world.

At Urahara's shop.

"You suspect that Aizen might take action during the upcoming 'Konso' ceremony?" Urahara Kisuke asked thoughtfully, stroking his chin.

Naruto nodded, his expression serious. "That's the situation."

"I know what he wants to do."

"But I don't have a good way to stop him."

"I could only give Rukia a shadow clone as a precaution."

Urahara Kisuke asked, "How far do you think Aizen will go this time?"

"If he's really experimenting on Hollows," Naruto pondered, "he might release his test subjects."

"Hollowfication, Senkaimon..."

"He won't be able to interfere with those."

Urahara clapped his hands. "Then you should be able to protect them, right?"

Naruto nodded. "The scroll I gave to Rukia will open automatically if it senses a certain level of danger, even if she doesn't channel her spiritual energy into it."

"But..."

"That's not the result I'm hoping for."

Urahara waved his hand. "No need to be so anxious. Aizen is a tough opponent."

"The information you sent me..."

"Revealed some interesting insights."

Naruto tilted his head, looking at him.

"What kind of person do you think Aizen is?" Urahara asked.

Naruto thought for a moment. "He's a very proud, even arrogant, but undeniably capable guy."

"In my opinion, he's actually someone who despises himself," Urahara said, shaking his head, surprising Naruto with his unexpected statement.

The blond boy's expression stiffened. "Despises himself?"

"Him?"

Urahara nodded, flipping his hand to summon a file. "His ability to deceive the five senses comes from his Zanpakutō."

"Naruto, you should know that Shikai is a reflection of the Shinigami's inner power."

"So..."

"Someone with a Zanpakutō like Kyōka Suigetsu—do you think he's naturally good at deception?"

Naruto instinctively wanted to nod.

But...

He stopped halfway.

In all his interactions with Aizen, Kagura Shingan always confirmed that Aizen was telling the truth.

Even in his speeches to the students at Shin'o Academy.

"Noticed something off?" Urahara smiled, pulling his hat lower. "He's actually someone who disdains lying."

"From all the records you gave me, he's only committed two deceptions."

"One was manipulating Central 46 to frame me."

"In essence, that wasn't even really a deception, just a partial omission of the truth."

"I was indeed researching the powers of the Hōgyoku and Hollowfication."

"The other was a consistent, ongoing lie."

Urahara raised a finger.

He didn't elaborate, instead looking at Naruto with encouraging eyes.

"The ability of his Zanpakutō," Naruto quickly realized, voicing the answer. "He has always claimed that his Zanpakutō is 'water-type.'"

"Exactly," Urahara grinned, giving him a thumbs up. "Did you know that in the human world, there's a field called psychology?"

"I've been studying and categorizing it recently."

"Aizen's behavior may seem like he's protecting himself, but he could have hidden his Zanpakutō's ability in another way."

"He's not the only one with the power to manipulate the senses."

"Shinji Hirako's Zanpakutō has a similar ability."

"But he insists on telling such a big lie, completely changing the type of his Zanpakutō."

"This actually indicates that deep down, he rejects his Zanpakutō's ability."

Naruto frowned.

Rejects his Zanpakutō?

"There are more people like that, Yoruichi included," Urahara said with a smile. "Their Zanpakutō's abilities aren't what they wanted."

Naruto asked, puzzled, "But what's the point of that?"

"Even if he doesn't like it."

"Isn't he still using that power?"

Urahara leaned forward, speaking softly: "Aizen is a man of great ambition."

"He seeks to transcend the limits of a Shinigami, craving further evolution."

"Once he gains greater power."

"I believe he won't hesitate to discard his Zanpakutō."

~~~

Bonus Chapters later. Sleeping right now...

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