[Sponsored] Chapter 49: Escape and 7 Vacant Captains

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Seeing the confusion in Naruto's eyes.

Shihōin Yoruichi smiled and continued discussing the topic related to "Urahara Kisuke": "The Central 46 is a group of old-fashioned individuals, even more so than Captain-Commander Yamamoto."

"Their stance on this matter is exceptionally rigid."

"They have already determined the charges."

"The squad dispatched from the 2nd Division is the Stealth Force, not the more lenient Patrol or Intelligence forces."

Naruto clenched his fist: "I haven't received any orders to cooperate with the investigation."

Yoruichi ruffled his hair: "That's what worries me the most."

"They don't need you."

Naruto stared in disbelief.

He then realized what Yoruichi meant.

The Central 46 doesn't need his testimony or cooperation.

It's not an oversight on their part.

They are simply eager to pin the "charges" on Urahara Kisuke.

They are eager to dispose of the Captains and Vice-captains who have been "Hollowfied."

"Even in Soul Society, there are such people?" he asked.

"Those who feast on flesh, only caring about their knives and forks." Yoruichi nodded slightly, gazing into the distance, "They need a result."

"And this result doesn't necessarily have to be related to the truth."

"That's why I dislike nobles."

Naruto clenched his fists tighter: "Are we just going to watch Captain Urahara and the others..."

Yoruichi interrupted him decisively: "Of course not. If the worst-case scenario happens."

"I will rescue them."

"But if it comes to that, we will likely have to flee Soul Society."

Naruto spoke up without hesitation: "Yoruichi-neesan, I also want to..."

"No." Yoruichi immediately refused.

Naruto insisted: "I already released my second sword last night. I won't drag you down, Yoruichi-neesan."

"I am capable!"

"It's not about ability." Yoruichi turned to look at him, smiling brightly, "It's about identity."

"Although I don't like the status of being the head of the Shihōin family."

"But in this situation, it's very useful."

She paused, organizing her words: "Soul Society is ruled by Nobles."

"The Central 46 is elected by the nobles."

"If I break out Urahara and the others, it won't be much of an issue."

"But for you... it's different."

Naruto lowered his head.

"Little Fox, stay behind." Yoruichi said softly, "Even though there's an unknown enemy."

"Soul Society is still safer for you."

"That enemy hides in the shadows."

"Manipulating the Central 46."

"These actions prove he is afraid of someone."

A name immediately flashed in Naruto's mind: "The Captain-Commander?"

Yoruichi confirmed: "Yes, you will be safer by his side than with us."

"I understand, Yoruichi-neesan." Naruto's tone was downcast.

Yoruichi patted his head forcefully: "Don't act like this!"

"I said, only in the worst-case scenario will this happen."

"Even if it does..."

"Every departure is for a better reunion."

"When that invisible enemy reveals his hand, we will come back."

Naruto managed a weak smile: "I just didn't expect such... persecution to happen in Soul Society."

He had a good impression of Soul Society.

The people he met were kind and gentle.

But this incident...

Stinky ink sprayed from an unknown place, polluting it.

"Where there is sunlight, there will be shadows." Yoruichi removed her hand and gazed into the distance, taking in the view of Seireitei from atop the high tower, "Light and darkness oppose and coexist."

"When the sun is hot enough, the shadows will shrink."

"But no matter how bright the light, they still exist."

Naruto followed her, gazing into the distance together.

"Become a man like the Captain-Commander," she said with a gentle smile, then continued, "He is the sun of the Gotei 13."

"He protects us."

Become the light that dispels the shadows.

Naruto nodded, staying silent for a while before speaking: "For that enemy who is a Shinigami but invisible, does Yoruichi-neesan, or should I say Captain Urahara, have any guesses?"

"I will stay in the Soul Society."

"I will find him!"

Shihōin Yoruichi hesitated.

She glanced at Naruto.

After a pause, she spoke: "Hirako once told us."

"Be wary... of Sosuke Aizen."

An unexpected name appeared.

Naruto was stunned.

A gentle, kind face appeared in his mind.

"Why him?" he asked, his tone somewhat lost.

Shihōin Yoruichi shook her head: "Everything depends on your own judgment, Naruto."

The wind silently swept past them.

The Nine-Tails yawned, bored.

Naruto left and returned to the 13th Division.

That afternoon, news arrived.

The worst-case scenario that Yoruichi-neesan feared had happened.

Central 46, on the charge of "unlawful use of forbidden techniques," decided to imprison the Grand Kido Chief, Tsukabishi Tessai, in the Third Prison.

On the charge of "researching and practicing forbidden arts, causing severe harm to colleagues," Urahara Kisuke was stripped of all spiritual power and permanently exiled to the human world.

As for the eight Captains and lieutenants who underwent Hollowfication, Central 46's judgment was unusually harsh, considering them as "Hollows."

How do Shinigami deal with "Hollows"?

There is only one path: execution.

During the trial.

The current head of the Shihōin family and the captain of the 2nd Division, Shihōin Yoruichi, forcibly broke in and rescued the criminals, including Urahara Kisuke and Tsukabishi Tessai.

The Captain-Commander was furious.

He dispatched the captain of the 8th Division, Kyoraku Shunsui, to capture the lawless group.

Then...

At the 13th Division headquarters.

"The old man is really troublesome." Kyoraku Shunsui poured himself a cup of sake, gazing into the distance. "He wants me to handle this matter."

His expression was not very pleasant.

Not because he had any complaints about his teacher.

But because... among the fugitives was the Vice-captain of the 8th Division, Yadomaru Lisa.

"Sorry, Captain Kyoraku." Naruto spoke, full of apology.

Kyoraku Shunsui was stunned, a bit slow to understand, then shook his head and laughed: "Don't be like that, Naruto, ah, I don't blame you at all."

"You are remarkable."

"If not for you..."

"Lisa-chan might not have returned to the Seireitei."

Ukitake Jushiro picked up a glass of water and took a sip: "Speaking of which, the teacher might have a headache."

"This is the first time in so long that the Seireitei has experienced such a severe power deficit."

Kyoraku Shunsui nodded.

The fugitive captains of the 2nd and 12th Divisions.

The Hollowfied captains of the 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th Divisions.

Plus the already vacant position of the 10th Division Captain.

At this moment, more than half of the positions in the Gotei 13 were empty.

"Seven Captains." Kyoraku Shunsui placed his cup back on the table. "I thought the old man was too hasty in appointing you yesterday."

"Didn't expect this."

"As expected, he was thinking ahead."

"Speaking of which..."

"Naruto, have you decided which division you will Captain?"

Naruto was stunned and answered honestly: "The Captain-Commander told me he plans to appoint me as the captain of the 10th Division."

Can this even be chosen?

"That was before." Kyoraku Shunsui shook his head. "At that time, only the 10th Division was vacant."

"Now there are seven."

"The 10th Division isn't quite suitable for you."

"The old man probably won't send you there anymore."

Naruto responded respectfully: "Please advise me, Captain Kyoraku."