Chapter 2: The First Meeting with the Nine Tails

...

Naruto was slightly uncomfortable with this new "genius" identity.

He was also unaccustomed to being watched by so many "friendly" and "enthusiastic" gazes. 

It was a completely different, polar opposite treatment from his time in Konoha.

The immense psychological gap left him inevitably anxious and insecure.

Worried that he might not truly have talent after all.

Worried that after the "truth is exposed," he would again be mocked by classmates and given cold looks by teachers.

But after enrolling...

Naruto learned his first idiom "Worrying over nonexistent troubles."

He was indeed a genius.

The four main courses at the Shin'ō Academy were "[Zanjutsu], [Hakuda], [Hohō], and [Kidō]."

["Zanjutsu"] refers to Swordsmanship, as Shinigami fight with Zanpakutō, the sword being another half of their life.

["Hakuda"] is Hand-to-Hand Combat, completely consistent with the Taijutsu Naruto knew.

["Hohō"] is a defensive style of fighting which relates to footwork. And "Shunpo" is a movement technique which allows the user to move faster than the eye can follow.

In these three aspects, Naruto excelled, especially in Shunpo - while other students were still struggling to grasp the basics, Naruto had already mastered it, the technique seemingly etched into his body, instantly activating upon contact.

His talents in swordsmanship and unarmed combat were not as obvious, with some surpassing him in those areas.

But Naruto was diligent enough.

And he had an absurdly fast physical healing ability from birth, which carried over to the Soul Society.

While others could only train 7 or 8 hours a day before their bodies gave out, Naruto could manage 14 or 16 hours!

He wanted to quickly realize the "talent" Headmaster Hogei spoke of.

Wanted to become a Captain quickly.

Wanted to find his parents and have a home as soon as possible.

Of the four subjects, only ["Kidō"] was an area where Naruto performed averagely, even poorly.

[Kidō] was a Demon Arts is a form of Shinigami combat based on advanced spells. [Kidō] spells are triggered by an incantation, similar to "Ninjutsu" with seals in Konoha.

These spells are produced with strong spiritualpower and fall into two categories [Hadō] for direct attacks, and [Bakudō] for battle support.

While his classmates were already learning ["Hadō"] and ["Bakudō"]. Naruto's unleashed ["Hadō #1: Shō"] was still laughably weak, its air pressure weaker than passing gas.

This troubled Naruto.

It wasn't that he lacked talent or was behind in his studies.

It was just... he couldn't manifest it.

Even when he was "alive," it was the same, he just didn't understand why at the time.

"After death" it was the same, but after learning about "spiritual power" in his courses, Naruto could clearly feel that there was a strange power within him interfering.

He didn't know how to explain it to the teachers, and feared his "worrying over nothing" concerns.

But not all schools were "Shinobi Academy," and not all teachers were "Shinobi Academy Teachers" - the people of the Soul Society were vastly different from those of Konoha. The Shinigami teaching [Kidō] did not scold Naruto, but patiently and gently advised him.

Upon understanding Naruto's situation...

The teacher did not think it was a lack of talent, but attributed the unusual power to Naruto's spiritual power being too immense, and that he had not yet fully mastered controlling it, leading to this interference.

It was a "prodigy's ailment," just needing more practice in spiritual control.

Reassured by the teacher and encouraged by his classmates, Naruto gradually regained his confidence, finding the same state of mind as when he studied the "Sexy Jutsu" - he wasn't incapable of any techniques, the ones he put great effort into, like the Sexy Jutsu, were excellent.

His [Kidō] progress, though slow, was visibly improving.

Academically, he was doing well.

Life was also smooth.

His classmates all liked Naruto and took care of him, unrelated to talent, but rather his young age. Naruto was the youngest in the class, whether when alive for 12 years or only 3 years in the afterlife.

...

Two months later.

The new students had settled, the dropouts left, and it was time for the Zanpakutō Ceremony.

In Class 1...

The lecturer spoke loudly "Finally, the time has come."

"The day you receive your Zanpakutō."

"From today onward, you can be called apprentice Shinigami, until your graduation."

He then rapped the desk.

"It's also time to explain the graduation requirements of the Shin'ō Academy."

"There are two ways to graduate."

"One is completing the full six-year curriculum, and even in our outstanding Class 1 here, this will be the only option for the vast majority of you."

"The other is by learning [Shikai], which allows early graduation."

"Geniuses of this caliber are rare."

"Those who master [Shikai] in their first year are even rarer sights."

"But... perhaps we will see one this year."

Almost the moment the teacher said this, all eyes unanimously turned to one person.

The blond little boy sitting in the front row.

"Teacher, I..." Naruto scratched his head sheepishly.

The lecturer ruffled his hair "I have high hopes that you'll become the youngest Captain!"

His other hand grabbed a Asauchi, placing it before Naruto. "The Zanpakutō distributed to you now don't have names yet, or rather, they only have the standard name of 'Asauchi' for now."

"Remember one thing."

"The Asauchi are not gifts given to you, but merely on loan from the Shin'ō Academy."

"Until you graduate and join the Gotei 13, or organizations like the Kidō Corps and Onmitsukidō, will they be officially bestowed upon you."

"Now, listen carefully to what I say next!"

"While on loan, the Asauchi cannot be given to others."

"They must not be lost."

"If any of the above occur, or the Asauchi are damaged or broken, you must report it to the Shin'ō Academy immediately."

"Otherwise... you will face severe punishment."

The teacher's expression and tone were unusually grave.

The students nodded solemnly in acknowledgement.

Only after the last person received their Asauchi did the teacher's face relax somewhat "Now, try the Jinzen as we've discussed in previous lessons."

"Use your spiritual power to feel the call of your swords."

Jinzen or also called as Sword Zen.

It was a Shinigami's practice.

In meditation, using spiritual power to resonate with the Zanpakutō, to the point of conversing with it.

Being able to communicate with the sword was the first step to releasing its [Shikai].

Only by knowing its name could its true power be wielded.

Naruto closed his eyes, placing the sword on his lap.

The moment his spiritual power touched the blade...

His consciousness was suddenly yanked, as if a deep chasm had opened beneath him, falling into weightlessness.

When he regained awareness...

He found himself in a damp, dark underground tunnel.

Naruto looked around, his gaze perplexed.

Where was this?

Another world?

But he soon dismissed that thought.

He could sense a familiar power here, the same one that interfered when he tried to use [Kidō].

This was likely the "inner world" the teacher had mentioned.

But...

Normally, just hearing the sword's voice was enough to master [Shikai]. Delving into the inner world was something only Shinigami who had learned [Shikai] and advanced further to [Bankai] could achieve.

Was his talent truly at such a level?

And where was the Zanpakutō's spirit?

Naruto stood up, walking down the path.

Soon he reached the end.

A towering, massive red gate barred the way, the darkness beyond it seeming to harbor something.

Heavy breathing, unbridled malice, a fleeting glimpse of crimson, like all-consuming flames.

"Hey, brat." Something stirred behind the gate, a booming voice calling out.

Naruto responded, "I'm here."

"Come a little closer." It beckoned again.

Naruto approached.

A gust of wind, a heavy pant.

A huge claw struck viciously, crashing against the gate with a loud clang, the razor-sharp claws protruding through the gaps, stopping just shy of Naruto's throat, nearly impaling him.

"You've got guts, brat..."

"Not even flinching."

Naruto grinned brightly, "Why would I dodge? You won't hurt me."

"I'm Uzumaki Naruto."

"What's your name? Can you tell me?"

...