Chapter 23

I have just received a report from Urahara-Taichou that is most disturbing. Not five minutes ago, the relatou of a powerful Hollow was detected in West Rukongal District Three" Yoruichi's eyes widened, her heart feeling as if it had suddenly gone painfully still within her breast as she took an unconscious step towards the center of the room. 

"It has been classified as being beyond Captain Class, and has been reported to be attacking someone within the area. As I know of only one prominent individual who calls this district his home and is currently residing within the area, we can be certain that it is not his reiatsu that drew the Hollow to him. For now, I need three Captains to move out immediately to confront this Hollow and support Namikaze immediately, 

Shihouin-Taichou I am assigning you command for the time being as you are the only Taichou present who is aware of the location of the Namikaze Clon Estate

Yoruichi nodded and pointed her thumb towards the door, Urahara already falling into step behind her as she made her way out, with isshin following along less than a moment later. The three of them vanished from sight the second the doors had opened, meeting up with a waiting Sui-Feng along the way, who followed them out of Seirellel

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If only they knew what they were about to see, maybe they would have been better prepared.

With Shunpo, it hadn't taken them longto reach the clearing where Naruto's residence was located, though they all stopped

in their tracks in complete and utter shock at the sight of the once regal home, now a mass of blackened wood and raging

flames. More than half of the house simply wasn't there anymore, the ground having been cratered by what must have been massive force, seemingly obliterated by the force behind what they could only They could only guess to be the signature move of hollows above Adjuchas Menos, the Cera.

Beyond the house, what used to be a beautiful lake shore, was scarred by a massive trench in the earth, stretching along the shore of the lake for over one hundred yards before terminating in a buming pile tle of fallen trees. There was blackened earth and smoldering debris strewn about the clearing, along with several more craters, shattered earth and crushed timber, all of it telling the story of a fierce battle that had taken place here

The one thing that worried them the most though, was that there no sign of Naruto in sight.

Yoruichi turned to the three behind her, her visage serious, a far sight different from her usual more lighthearted expressions. "Spread out and search the area, he might be in need of medical attention. If not, then we'll need to know exactly what happened here, and if the Hollow is still around

The three nodded and went about doing just that, Sui-Feng making her way over to the woods to the far side of the clearing where a corpse of fallen trees had cleared an area of nearly fifty square meters, while Isshin turned to the pile of still buming lumber at the end of the t huge trench in the lake-shore. Kisuke t had made his his wa way towards the largest space int the clearing which was littered with craters and upturned earth, and Yoruichi made her way over to the burning remains of Naruto's

home

The group searched the area for over an hour, finding nothing of any great importance other than a charred piece of fabric from Naruto's hakama and the broken scabbard of his Zanpakutou, it around this time that Urahara had been about to return to the Seireltei for help with the search, before a shout from Sul-Feng drew their attention to the Northern mast edge of the

clearing.

When they arrived at Sui-Feng's last known location, Yoruichi immediately went in search of her, calling out to her as she neared. Using Sui-Feng's subdued replies as a guide, the trio of Captains finally found Sui-Feng on her knees on the ground, holding something in in her arms, her shoulders trembli trembling and her head bowed.

Yoruichi wearlly approached the younger woman. Sur-Feng what's wrong, what have you found?"

it they all Sui-Feng shiffled weakly, tuming slightly to reveal the item in her arms to the others, and when they caught sight of it froze in shock. There in Sul-Feng's arms, clutched tightly to her chest, was the tom and bloodied remnants of Naruto's prized Haori. The distinguishing item of clothing that he wore at all times, that had become recognized as the Signature dress of the Namikaze Clan Head.

There was very little of it left, the edges charred by extreme heat, with a large dark stain over what would have been the shoulder. In over and hour, these rags, and a broken scabbard had been all that they had found in their search; with each passing moment it was becoming clearer. Until it suddenly hit them all with the force of a hammer.

Yoruichi immediately dropped to her knees, her eyes wide and tears already streaming down her cheeks. She shook her head and spoke her denial repeatedly; but to the sombre Isshin and Urahara, both of whom wearing grim expressions, it was more clear than they wanted to admit

Namikaze Naruto, was gone.

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