Chapter 203: Death and Strawberry

Naruto looked at him with a warm smile. "Ichigo, Isshin's kid, huh?"

Ichigo Kurosaki nodded nervously. "Yes."

This uncle had a gentle and bright face, much like his mother's.

He even looked younger than Ichigo himself.

But why…

Did Ichigo instinctively feel such respect?

Where did this strange feeling come from?

And his appearance...

He looked young, much younger than Ichigo's father, and for a moment, Ichigo even thought he might be the same age as him.

But his clothes were old-fashioned, outdated, and he wore two swords at his waist, just like a samurai in an old movie.

It was kind of cool...

But wouldn't it be better for a young guy to dress more modern?

"You really don't resemble them at all," Naruto shook his head. "How did those two end up with a kid like you?"

Ichigo chuckled awkwardly.

Inside the house, Isshin lazily called out, "Naruto, what do you mean by that?"

"Are you saying Masaki and I couldn't have an adorable kid?"

Naruto raised his hand and lightly patted Ichigo on the head, ruffling his hair. "He's much cuter than you."

"And much more serious."

Ichigo didn't shy away from the gesture.

Even though he wasn't a fan of this kind of interaction, when this uncle did it, Ichigo found that he didn't mind.

And, to be honest,

He couldn't agree more with what Naruto said.

His dad, except when working, never acted like an adult.

He was never serious.

Ichigo still couldn't wrap his head around how someone as beautiful as his mom could fall for such a sloppy old man.

"What's going on with Ms. Kurosaki?" Naruto asked as he sat down on the sofa. Suddenly, a fox jumped out from his right shoulder and headed straight for the kitchen.

The Nine-Tails had had enough of staying in Seireitei.

It felt like it had spoiled the little girl named Yachiru too much.

Now she wasn't content with just playing pranks with the fox; she had started pranking the fox itself.

The mighty Nine-Tails, wearing a skirt?

Ichigo rubbed his eyes, incredulous.

A fox?

That flash of red—it had to be a fox, right?

But when?

Karakura Town was a modern city; there hadn't been any wild animals nearby for a long time.

And just now, Ichigo saw it clearly.

That fox seemed to have jumped out of Naruto's arms.

Of course,

What caught Ichigo's attention more was the question.

What did he mean by "What's going on with Ms. Kurosaki"? Was something wrong with his mother?

Naruto had noticed something as soon as he arrived in Karakura Town.

So after settling Rukia in, he came here right away.

The former "captain-level" strength of Ms. Masaki Kurosaki was now completely gone, with no trace of "Quincy" spiritual pressure left in her body. Only the mixed powers of "Shinigami" and "Hollow" were struggling to stay in balance.

"A few years ago, it suddenly happened," Isshin shook his head, his expression serious. "There was no warning."

"It almost led to disaster."

"Fortunately, Ginjo and the others were around, or the consequences would have been unimaginable."

Naruto frowned. "No warning?"

"What about the Ishidas?"

Isshin shook his head again. "For Masaki's sake, I contacted them."

"But..."

"The situation is a bit strange."

"In the Ishida family... only Uryu's mother was affected; the rest of the family members with the 'Ishida' name are fine."

"But other people... are just like Masaki."

In the kitchen, Masaki Kurosaki emerged, holding the Nine-Tails and smiling as she covered her face. "It's not so bad now. Even though I can't protect Isshin anymore, the city is safe, and the Gotei 13 are doing their best."

"And Ginjo and the others occasionally come over from Naruki City."

Ichigo tilted his head, puzzled.

What...

What were they talking about?

Why couldn't he understand any of it?

The Ishida family—wasn't that his mom's cousin's family?

What happened to them? Weren't they the most famous medical family in Karakura Town?

And Ginjo...

Wasn't he that thick-browed, loud uncle?

Did something happen between them?

"You haven't told Ichigo?" Naruto tilted his head, noticing the confusion on the teenager's face.

Isshin scratched his head. "There's no point in telling him now."

"But my son is pretty amazing, isn't he?"

Naruto nodded. "Yes, he's excellent, much better than Ginjo."

"His instincts are sharp, too."

Isshin struck a pose, hands on his hips, tilting his head. "That's the result of my hard training."

"Impressive, right?"

Naruto ignored him. "How are the Ishidas dealing with this?"

"According to you, they're the only survivors."

Isshin shook his head. "I think Ryuuken has figured something out, but he's keeping it to himself."

Naruto nodded, deep in thought.

The changes happening to the Quincy...

Seireitei might not care, but maybe he could persuade Mayuri Kurotsuchi?

Ichigo obediently sat there, listening to them talk about things he couldn't understand at all. His father seemed surprisingly serious this time.

It wasn't until after dinner...

"Aren't you staying the night?" Isshin asked, inviting him to stay.

Naruto shook his head. "I have a ton of things to take care of, no time. Maybe next time."

He turned his head, smiling at Ichigo. "By the way, I'm looking forward to the day we meet in a different capacity."

"See? My son is awesome, right?" Isshin grinned, giving a thumbs up.

Naruto didn't give him the chance to boast further: "The only one who's awesome is Ichigo, not you."

"What's there to be proud of?"

"By the way, has Urahara taken care of Ichigo?"

Ichigo Kurosaki was a unique existence.

Back when Naruto learned about the existence of the "Soul King," he had jokingly thought, there's no way someone could possess the powers of "Hollow," "Quincy," and "Shinigami" all at once, right?

But...

With Isshin's son, this joke seemed like it could become a reality.

Ichigo had Quincy blood. The power of that lineage was within him, though it hadn't yet awakened. Now, with the disappearance of Quincy powers, it was hard to say whether he would still have the potential to become a Quincy, but... the possibility remained.

He also had the power of a Hollow.

Perhaps it was because the "Hollow" inside Masaki Kurosaki had infected Ichigo while she was pregnant, leaving behind some residual power.

However...

That power wasn't very evident.

If he could become a Shinigami after death, he would be the first person in history to possess all three powers.

Isshin pouted. "That guy's been busy with something lately. I haven't been able to reach him."

"It feels like..."

"He's sensed some danger and is trying to hide himself."

Danger?

"I just came from his place," Naruto frowned. "He didn't mention anything to me."

Isshin shook his head.

"Kisuke-niisan might have his own plans," Naruto continued calmly. "He's a smart man. If he doesn't want us to know, he must have his reasons."

"I'll be going now."

"Take care."

The Kurosaki family bid him farewell.

Once Naruto was out of sight...

Ichigo tilted his head. "Dad, what does Uncle Naruto do?"

"Him? How do you feel about him?" Isshin asked with a grin.

Before Ichigo could answer...

Isshin's two daughters chimed in.

"He's a very reliable big brother," Karin nodded, her face serious. "I want to be just like him when I grow up."

"I definitely don't want to be like Dad."

Isshin clutched his chest, looking heartbroken. "Isn't Dad good enough?"

Karin made a face of disgust. "Of course not. You're nothing like Uncle Naruto."

Yuzu's eyes sparkled, filled with admiration. "If I could marry someone like Uncle Naruto, that would be the perfect life."

"Isn't Dad good enough?" Isshin looked to his youngest daughter for support, hoping to find some comfort in the kindest, sweetest child.

Yuzu bluntly replied: "No, not at all."

"You're lazy and messy. I don't know what Mom saw in you."

Isshin sighed. "Uncle Naruto was once Dad's colleague."

"Dad used to be just as cool, you know."

"Really?" Yuzu was shocked, unable to imagine what her dad would look like when he was cool.

Ichigo was lost in thought.

Dad's former colleague?

So mysterious.

He was curious, but Uncle Naruto seemed very busy. Since that visit, he hadn't shown up again, not even calling.

Nearly a year passed...

A shadow flickered in Ichigo's vision.

He looked up, surprised: "A black-tailed swallowtail butterfly?"

At this time of year...

Is it butterfly season?

And why is it in the house?

Did it get lost...

He was about to catch it...

Following the butterfly was a short-haired girl dressed in a black kimono.

There was something strangely familiar about her.

She stood on his bed, frowning as she stared ahead.

Her voice was low and serious: "It's close..."

Ichigo gritted his teeth and kicked her. "Close to what? Are you crazy?"

"Breaking into someone's house and spouting nonsense."

"What exactly are you trying to do?"

"Since when did thieves get so bold?"

The girl, knocked to the ground, turned her head to look at Ichigo, shocked. "You can see me?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Ichigo put his hands on his hips, confident. "Do you think I'm blind?"

He stared at the sword at her waist.

Suddenly, it clicked, and he realized where that strange sense of familiarity had come from.

It was like...

The outfit Uncle Naruto wore under his white haori—a similar black kimono.

"Who are you, and why are you wearing those clothes?" Ichigo immediately asked.

The short-haired girl got up, brushing the dust off her clothes. "I'm a Shinigami."

"A guide for souls."

"And as for these clothes..."

She looked down, puzzled as to why the boy was so focused on her outfit.

But she explained anyway. "This outfit is called 'Shihakushō.' It's the symbol of us Shinigami."

~~~

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