Chapter 202: Uncle Naruto

Sasuke Uchiha decided to become the leader of a new country.

Konoha Ninja Village—no, the "Ninja" in the name was to be removed, making it simply "Konoha Village."

Ninjas would be sent out in batches, spreading throughout the former Land of Fire and even beyond its borders.

Dismantling an organization can be both challenging and straightforward.

"I didn't expect Sasuke Uchiha to take this approach," Shikaku sighed. "Is he trying to break the barrier between ninjas and ordinary people with this method?"

"His idea is commendable."

"But I'm not sure…"

He trailed off, furrowing his brow.

In his view, most ninjas might lose their livelihood once separated from the "ninja system."

These were people who had been trained as ninjas from a young age...

Their understanding of the world was vastly different from that of ordinary citizens.

Take Konoha, for example.

Aside from medical ninjas, the Inuzuka clan, and his own Nara clan, most ninjas would likely lose their means of income immediately after the "ninja system" was dismantled.

If this issue isn't addressed...

Even with Sasuke Uchiha or Naruto Uzumaki leading them, those desperate, hungry ninjas might resort to drastic measures and end up causing more harm than good.

Kakashi looked up, smiling slightly: "Maybe so."

"But compared to before, this is definitely a change."

"Now, we have a chance to live like ordinary people."

For most ninjas, living like ordinary people was a luxury.

Of course...

Not many cooperated as willingly as Konoha.

Most ninja clans had no intention of relocating to other areas, let alone being dispersed as Sasuke intended.

They were hoping to gain more during this time of change.

The younger generation might not have strong opinions on the matter.

But the older ones...

Now, they wanted to become the new "Daimyo."

They didn't care about the intangible "power" the Daimyo once wielded—they had real strength, enough to lord over ordinary people.

Even a Genin could rule a town and wield authority.

Why should those Daimyo live a life of luxury?

Why couldn't they?

Resistance was constant.

But it posed no real threat—just small pockets of clan power that Sasuke could suppress on his own, though it did wear him out.

Meanwhile, Naruto was searching for Madara Uchiha's whereabouts.

They had disappeared near the Land of Rain.

Several days passed, and Kabuto had yet to send any information.

It likely wasn't due to space-time ninjutsu.

But rather, they were under the control of some technique.

Madara Uchiha, that cautious man...

After another day of searching, in a residence within the Land of Rain.

"Did you find them?" Karin asked as she handed him a cup of hot tea.

Naruto took the cup and nodded slightly, "Not yet, but I did find something interesting."

"It's almost merged with this world, yet it stands apart."

"If I hadn't been searching so thoroughly, I wouldn't have found it."

Karin thought for a moment. "A trace?"

"I'm not sure if it belongs to Madara Uchiha," Naruto said, sipping his tea, deep in thought.

"Or if it was left by the Sage of Six Paths."

Karin tilted her head. "The Sage of Six Paths... Naruto, are you thinking that place might be connected to the Pure Land?"

Naruto didn't respond.

He recorded his observations for the day and didn't sleep until late into the night.

When he woke and opened his eyes again, he caught a faint scent of iris in the air.

He was in an elegant Japanese-style room, with bright light streaming in from outside the window.

He had returned to the Soul Society.

At a time like this?

Unlike the chaos in the ninja world, Seireitei, with its long history, seemed to have leisure embedded into its very essence.

Naruto continued to seek out Mayuri Kurotsuchi for research.

He still had questions about "Sage Mode." The techniques he used in the ninja world were certainly different from the abilities of the Quincy.

He was eager to get help from someone reliable in research.

Of course, he also didn't neglect his surveillance of Aizen.

The ever-suspicious Captain of the 5th Division remained fully cooperative with all investigations.

These tasks, which might seem tedious to others...

Naruto handled with patience, never tiring.

The issues that once troubled Seireitei now barely surfaced.

Naruto paid close attention to this.

The "Shinigami" didn't resist changes in the living world; in fact, they embraced new things with enthusiasm.

The 9th Division's Hisagi Shūhei might look gentle, but his actions were quite bold.

Somehow, he had acquired a motorcycle from the living world.

But he only managed to get the bike without learning how to operate it.

He caused chaos throughout Seireitei, prompting Captain-Commander Yamamoto to personally reprimand him, and Naruto had to confiscate the motorcycle.

Rock music, favored by Shinji Hirako, also started to gain popularity.

Yachiru Kusajishi, following the example of the living world, established the "Shinigami Women's Association," which only accepted female Shinigami—except for the Nine-Tails. Yachiru insisted the Nine-Tails join, arguing that since it was a fluffy fox without a gender, it was cute enough to be their mascot.

A "Male Shinigami Association" was also established.

But compared to the highly popular "Shinigami Women's Association," the male counterpart struggled to attract members, with almost no one joining.

In the daily routine of Seireitei...

At the 6th Division...

"Rukia still hasn't become a seated officer?" Naruto asked in surprise, observing the short-haired girl in black.

She nodded timidly.

Naruto turned to Byakuya Kuchiki.

With Rukia's current spiritual pressure, though not at the level of a "Lieutenant," it was at least that of a high-ranking seated officer.

Was this...

An arrangement between him and Captain Ukitake?

"A steady and solid growth is a necessary experience," Byakuya Kuchiki said calmly.

Naruto responded with a simple "Oh" and nodded.

"Rukia is about to be dispatched to the living world," Byakuya continued. "The area she will be stationed in is Karakura Town."

"Naruto, you have a good relationship with the Fullbringers in Naruki City."

"So I'd like to ask you to look after Rukia."

The short-haired girl bowed nervously. "I would appreciate your help."

Naruto nodded. "It just so happens I need to visit the living world too, so let's go together."

With the application approved, the Senkaimon opened.

For Rukia, this was her first time back in the living world since the "Soul Burial Ceremony."

It had changed a lot compared to decades ago.

"This is Karakura Town," Naruto smiled. "If you run into the folks from Naruki City, just mention my name."

"I'll take you to meet someone."

"If you face any trouble or difficulties you can't solve, you can seek his help."

He led the way as he spoke.

Finally, they stopped in front of a shop.

Rukia looked up, staring at the sign that read "Urahara Shop."

She was a bit lost in thought...

This place?

Before leaving, some senpais who had been stationed in Karakura Town told her about a mysterious man in this city who sold all sorts of strange Shinigami tools. The prices were high, but the effects were excellent.

The address they gave her was right here—this "Urahara Shop."

Is this someone Captain Naruto also knows?

The door opened.

A man wearing wooden sandals and a hat walked out. "Well, well, isn't it Captain Naruto?"

"It's been a long time."

"And this young lady is...?"

Naruto turned his head slightly and looked at him. "This is Rukia Kuchiki, Captain Byakuya Kuchiki's adopted sister."

"She'll be stationed in Karakura Town starting today."

"I'll leave her in your care."

He then addressed the short-haired girl. "This is Kisuke Urahara. You might have heard of him; he was the former Captain of the 12th Division, currently in exile with Yoruichi Shihōin."

Rukia froze.

She stopped mid-bow, just about to greet him.

Exile?

But...

Wasn't the charge against them already lifted by Seireitei?

"Is it really okay to bring that up?" Kisuke Urahara pressed down on his hat, his tone subdued. "You Kuchiki people aren't going to arrest me, right?"

Naruto patted Rukia on the head. "Don't be fooled by his current appearance; he's actually a very reliable person."

"With few exceptions, he can solve any problem you encounter."

Rukia nodded, snapping out of her daze, and greeted loudly, "I'll be in your care, Shopkeeper Urahara."

Meanwhile, at another location in Karakura Town...

In the "Kurosaki Clinic"...

A blond-haired teenager, just home from school, looked over the table full of delicious dishes in the living room.

"Why is there such a feast today?" he asked, peeking around.

Isshin Kurosaki grinned widely. "Today, we have a very important old friend visiting."

"We haven't seen him in a long time."

The blond-haired boy looked at his father curiously.

In all these years...

He had never heard of his father having any friends, apart from some neighbors or patients.

"He was the witness to your mother's and my marriage," Masaki Kurosaki called out from the kitchen, smiling as she peeked her head out. "Without him, I wouldn't have been with your father, and you wouldn't exist."

The blond-haired boy sighed, frowning slightly. "Please don't say things that could be easily misunderstood."

His family was great.

But there was just one thing...

His parents were a bit too unconventional.

One was a fool; the other was naturally ditzy.

Compared to them, he, as their son, acted more like the adult.

He was still pondering this when the doorbell rang, and the blond-haired boy went to answer it.

The moment he opened the door, he instinctively looked away as the sunlight was too bright.

"Excuse me, is this the home of Isshin Kurosaki and Masaki Kurosaki?" A gentle yet powerful voice greeted him.

The blond-haired boy looked up and responded, "Yes, it is."

In front of him stood a man with a kind face, who spoke, "I'm their friend, Naruto Uzumaki. Have they mentioned me?"

"They just did," the boy nodded, bowing politely. "I'm their eldest son."

"Ichigo Kurosaki."

"Uncle Naruto, it's a pleasure to meet you."