[Sponsored] Chapter 52: Naruto is very busy...

[This chapter is proudly sponsored by "Shawn Muradzi." Please join me in expressing your thanks in the comments! If you're interested in sponsoring a chapter, consider joining the Patreon.]

Emotions are invisible and intangible, yet they can be clearly perceived.

Especially those who are subjected to long-term negative evaluations.

They become more sensitive.

Komamura Sajin could sense the thing called "sincerity" emanating from Naruto.

"Thank you for your concern, Captain Uzumaki," he said slowly, "but I do have reasons why I cannot serve as captain."

"I..."

As he spoke, he raised both hands to support his "helmet" and removed it.

Short fur bristled.

What was revealed was a dog's head.

The upper part was reddish-brown, and from the nose down, starting from the mouth and extending to the chest, it was covered in white fur.

"An Akita dog?" Naruto's eyes widened.

Komamura Sajin took a deep breath and continued, "Captain Uzumaki, as you can see, I am not in human form."

"Such an appearance is not suitable to be shown to others."

"Hence, I am not suitable to serve as captain..."

"Why are you like this?" Naruto suddenly asked.

Komamura Sajin paused.

Naruto gestured, "I mean no offense, it's just the first time I've seen someone like you in the Soul Society."

"Is there a special reason?"

Komamura Sajin nodded, "Captain Uzumaki, are you a soul that died in the real world and was buried?"

Naruto responded, "You could say that."

"How fortunate. Therefore, Captain Uzumaki, you might not understand," Komamura Sajin lamented, "I am from the tribe of human wolves in the Soul Society."

"Our tribe..."

"Committed grave sins in our previous lives in the human world. By luck, we did not fall into becoming Hollows. After being buried as souls, we fell into the animal path, resulting in our beastly appearance."

Naruto's heart sank.

So that's it...

He thought it was a curse or the effect of a technique.

"This is the reason," Komamura Sajin said, picking up his helmet and slowly putting it back on, "I endured contempt, and it was only Captain-Commander Yamamoto who did not distance himself from me because of my appearance, who was willing to take me in and train me."

The helmet completely covered his head, and his voice became muffled again.

"To serve the Captain-Commander."

"I am content."

"I dare not ask for more. This appearance, if exposed, would only bring more trouble to the Captain-Commander and the Seireitei."

He bowed respectfully and took his leave, "Forgive my rudeness, Captain Uzumaki."

Watching the silently retreating figure.

Naruto was somewhat dazed.

He hadn't expected this reason.

At this moment, he could somewhat understand Komamura Sajin's feelings.

He used to be somewhat similar.

Komamura Sajin's situation was likely much worse than his own...

After all, he only bore the "notorious" label.

But Komamura Sajin literally wore the reality of being a "dog demon" on his head.

Not to mention the cause of "falling into the animal path."

Naruto was deep in thought.

The man at the door suddenly turned back, "By the way, Captain Uzumaki."

"There is one thing that I must correct you on."

Naruto responded with a sound.

Komamura Sajin solemnly said, "I am a wolf."

"Not an Akita dog."

Although he suffered discrimination because of his appearance.

But the matter of race... is very serious.

He didn't consider wolves and dogs to be the same species.

Naruto scratched his head.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto really gave him a big problem to solve…

After becoming the captain, life was completely different from the days when I served as the third seat in the 13th Division.

Even though the 7th Division's duty is merely to "defend the inner court."

There were still many matters to handle every day.

Within a week of assuming his new position, Naruto was widely welcomed by the 7th Division.

The "Shadow Clone Technique" is very useful in a ninja's combat.

But in a Shinigami's battle, this technique is useless and can even have negative effects.

Shinigami combat relies on spiritual pressure.

Whether it's with a sword or kido, sufficient spiritual pressure is required to affect the enemy.

However, the Shadow Clone Technique...

Divides spiritual pressure evenly.

Quantity means nothing; no matter how many clones there are, weak spiritual pressure cannot harm strong spiritual pressure in the slightest.

Yet, this technique is exceptionally useful for handling internal affairs.

Each shadow clone is a relatively independent entity.

When they disappear, their memories return to the original body.

This allows Naruto to review reports within the division while appearing in other squad barracks and other areas of the Seireitei.

He is involved in almost everything personally.

No matter how small the matter, he is always willing to lend a hand.

Such a life is somewhat exhausting.

But Naruto finds great enjoyment in it.

He occasionally confides in Komamura Sajin, but this wolf-headed man, who constantly refers to himself as "this old man," has a very rigid personality, making it difficult to persuade him with mere words.

This continued for six months.

Naruto has become well-adjusted to his current role.

One day.

"Captain Uzumaki," Vice-Captain Kotsubaki Jinemon pushed open the door and walked into the barracks.

His face was serious.

"Is something the matter?" Naruto raised his hand, habitually preparing to create a new shadow clone.

Jinemon shook his head: "No, sir. I wanted to invite you to have a drink tonight. Do you have time, Captain?"

"Me?" Naruto blinked.

Jinemon nodded.

"Then tonight," Naruto replied with a smile, "see you then."

He didn't lower his hand, forming two more shadow clones.

Since he was going out to socialize in the evening...

He needed to handle these tasks quickly.

Jinemon looked deeply at Naruto, sighed, and closed the door as he left.

In the evening.

On the commercial street of the Seireitei, in an izakaya.

This was not Naruto's first time in such a place.

Back in Konoha, he and Karin often entered these places looking for Jiraiya.

However, the izakayas in Seireitei and those in Konoha are very different in style.

It's quieter here.

Without the indulgence of "debauchery."

"Captain Uzumaki, over here," Jinemon stood up and greeted him.

Naruto walked over.

By the table, quite a few people had gathered unexpectedly.

His Vice-Captain Jinemon.

Also, Kyoraku Shunsui and Shiba Isshin, the captain of the 10th Division.

And a red-haired female Shinigami, whose neckline was rather indecently open.

"Naruto, long time no see," Kyoraku Shunsui greeted.

Naruto nodded with a hint of apology: "The division's affairs have been a bit busy, and I haven't had time to visit Captain Kyoraku."

"Don't make me sound like a lonely old man," Kyoraku Shunsui said lazily, tapping his cup on the table, "But I'm surprised you accepted Jinemon's invitation."

Shiba Isshin scratched his head and laughed heartily: "Captain Uzumaki knows how to relax now?"

"If I come to drink, I won't get scolded by Kaien."

Naruto smiled, feeling a bit restrained, and picked up a cup of sake.

"Captain Uzumaki, I am Matsumoto Rangiku, the fifth seat of the 10th Division. You can call me Rangiku," the cheerful, orange-haired woman greeted warmly, "Is this your first time in an izakaya, Captain Uzumaki?"

Naruto shook his head: "Not the first time, but it's my first time as a customer."

"In this regard, you should learn from Captain Kyoraku," Matsumoto Rangiku wrapped an arm around Naruto and took a sip from her cup, "Don't always stay in the barracks."

"Come out and relax with everyone."

"Jinemon has complained more than once that the captain works too hard, making the rest of the squad too idle."

Kyoraku Shunsui smiled and replaced Naruto's drink with a low-alcohol one: "Don't be so tense, Naruto."

"It's good to be hands-on."

"The old man probably loves captains like you."

"But a captain who is too responsible might distance himself from his subordinates."

He said, smiling at Jinemon.

~~~

AN: Just to clarify, the previous release incantation indeed had significant issues.

This has been changed to "Roar With Lamentation, Sing With Compassion, The Cycle Of Rebirth, Nine-Tailed Ashura." (Probably Fix this... Or not?)