Chapter 48: Urahara and Tessai get arrested!

Headquarters of 12th Division.

A slight dizziness accompanied the spatial transfer.

Naruto shook his head and looked ahead.

The people he had sealed and suppressed, along with the land beneath them and the solidified time, returned together.

Urahara Kisuke removed his cloak and explained to the two of them: "Hollowfication..."

"It is a result I obtained while researching the enhancement of Shinigami souls."

"I created something that can..."

"Destroy the boundary between a Shinigami and a Hollow."

He extended his hand and retrieved a dazzling gem from his laboratory, which radiated a blue-black glow.

"I originally thought I was the only one researching this."

"I didn't expect that others in the Seireitei were also attempting it."

"And they even used ordinary souls and captains as test subjects."

"Tessai-san, I need your assistance. I am going to use this to heal Captain Hirako and the others."

Urahara Kisuke looked up at Naruto.

"Naruto, be careful."

"Go find the Captain-Commander and report the situation. It's safest by his side."

"That invisible person's target might be me."

"Or it could be you."

Naruto responded, glanced at the people who were frozen in time and unconscious, and nodded heavily.

He returned to the headquarters of 1st Division.

He reported the situation to the Captain-Commander.

He mentioned the "invisible enemy."

Of course, he did not elaborate on the phenomenon of "Hollowfication," only stating that several captains had been poisoned and injured, and he had sent them to 12th Division for treatment.

"Is that so?" Captain-Commander Yamamoto's face showed no change in emotion.

He agreed to Naruto's request to stay temporarily.

The 1st Division dormitory.

It was a completely different environment from 13th Division.

Naruto couldn't sleep, sitting on the veranda, staring at the lifeless dry landscape under the moonlight.

"Nine-Tails, why did you suddenly remind me?" He thought of something and spoke to the fox in his inner world.

They had been together for nearly ten years.

Their relationship had somewhat improved.

But there was still a barrier.

Naruto couldn't let go of his "parents."

As for the Nine-Tails... it extremely hated sealing techniques and had cursed Urahara Kisuke countless times over the past year.

"Do I need a reason to remind you?" Nine-Tails bared its teeth, sounding irritated, "I just felt that thing would affect me too."

"What a dreadful power."

It paused, sounding extremely casual: "Consider it a compliment for pleasing me."

"Leaving those guys from Konoha was a good choice."

"But if it were me..."

"I would have destroyed Konoha and killed them all!"

Naruto remained silent, drawing the "Ashura" sword and placing it on his lap: "Nine-Tails... you aren't as you appear."

Nine-Tails froze, its body stiffening, its fur bristling: "Kid!"

"Are you questioning my strength?"

Naruto shook his head, placing his hand on the scabbard: "It's just a gut feeling."

"The Ashura sword seems to bring me more than just power."

"There's also..."

"A strange feeling, like something inside me is awakening."

"It allows me to vaguely sense your emotions."

He had just tried to communicate with the sword.

But there was no response.

Unlike the Nine-Tails, which somewhat resisted communicating with him.

It was a very strange state.

The powerful force called "Ashura" remained silent, while the weaker voice that made him feel closer was enveloped by Ashura's power, seemingly falling into slumber.

It was like...

A baby falling asleep peacefully after being fed.

"Kid!" Nine-Tails, struck by something, became somewhat flustered and exasperated.

Naruto smiled.

"Ashura's power is more than you think," Nine-Tails said softly, "Though the reason is still unclear."

"But cherish this power."

Naruto was somewhat surprised and asked him, "Do you know a lot about Ashura's power?"

"You little kid, hehe." The Nine-Tails sneered, "You are a descendant of the Uzumaki clan."

"Ashura is your ancestor."

Ancestor?

Naruto's hand, which was stroking the sword, suddenly paused.

In the inner world.

The Nine-Tails curled up into a circle, resting its head on its own tail.

Like a real fox.

It was still puzzled.

Why did Ashura's power appear in this kid?

But on closer thought...

This kid named Uzumaki Naruto indeed bears some resemblance to Ashura.

"Uzumaki Naruto..." the Nine-Tails muttered the name, recalling that other blonde man.

This father and son.

Seems to be not too bad.

It awkwardly turned its head to the side.

But if they think this way, they will learn my name...

Naruto didn't sleep all night.

Whenever he felt a bit sleepy, the faces of Shinji Hirako and the others, corroded by the mask, would invade his mind.

He wondered...

If Urahara Kisuke could save them.

The next morning.

Naruto hurriedly left the 1st Division barracks.

At the entrance of the 12th Division barracks, he couldn't get in.

It was heavily guarded by the Stealth Force.

Those hundreds of Shinigami in tight-fitting clothes and masks were standing guard.

"Naruto." Someone called his name.

Naruto looked and saw Shihoin Yoruichi, wearing her Captain's haori, with an unusually serious expression on her face.

"Yoruichi-neesan." He opened his mouth, about to ask what was going on.

Yoruichi shook her head, "Don't speak here, follow me."

She led Naruto to a high tower beside the barracks.

"Why is the Stealth Force here?" Naruto impatiently asked.

Yoruichi softly replied, "Orders from Central 46."

"On charges of persecuting the Captain, they have arrested Captain Urahara Kisuke of the 12th Division and Kido Chief Tsukabishi Tessai."

Naruto's pupils dilated.

Central 46 is the highest judicial authority in the Soul Society.

Any crimes committed by Shinigami would be judged and dealt with by them.

But... this charge.

Persecuting the Captain?

Arrest?

He felt something heavy land on his head.

"I didn't tell the Captain-Commander about Captain Urahara. I only mentioned that Captain Shinji and the others were poisoned, and I sent them to the 12th Division for treatment..." Naruto took a deep breath.

Yoruichi forced a smile, patting Naruto's shoulder, "I don't blame you."

"And I don't believe it was you."

"That night, besides you all, there was another invisible enemy."

Naruto clenched his fist, "Is it that person who reported to Central 46?"

Yoruichi nodded slightly, "At least we can derive some good news, that invisible enemy is also a Shinigami and is within the Gotei 13."

Naruto lowered his head in silence.

After a while, he lifted his head again, "What will happen to Captain Urahara, Captain Shinji, and the others in Central 46?"

Yoruichi gazed into the distance, her tone heavy, "Next, I have to tell you the worst-case scenario."

"Naruto."

She lifted her hand from Naruto's shoulder and placed it on his head, "Be careful."

"Kisuke said, you and he are the greatest threats to that invisible enemy."

"If he is dealt with and you are not..."

"That invisible enemy must have other plans for you."

"Be very careful from now on."

Naruto stared into Yoruichi's golden eyes.

His heart felt heavy.

He was clearly asking about Captain Urahara and the others.

Why did it turn to his own safety?

What is Yoruichi-neesan planning to do?

~~~

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