Chapter 14: Human, Cat, Fox

Chōjirō Sasakibe left.

He had already received the answer the Captain-Commander wanted.

"Don't blame yourself," Dean Hakou walked to Naruto's bedside, placing two swords down and gently comforting, "And don't resist this power."

"Although it's a bit unexpected, you did give us quite a beating."

"However, I'm just a minor lieutenant. The Captains are much stronger than me, and they will surely resolve the major issues with your body."

Naruto lifted his head.

Their eyes met.

Dean Hakou was stunned. In those azure eyes, there was no retreat, fear, or terror as he imagined...

The expression was firm and determined.

And there was "apology" to himself and those teachers.

He was much stronger than he thought.

"I am not resisting, it's just..." Naruto clenched his fists, "I wish I could be a bit better."

"You kid!" Dean Hakou chuckled, ruffling Naruto's hair playfully.

Unohana Retsu and Kyoraku Shunsui were also surprised by his response.

It didn't sound like something a young man, who was not even twenty in total before and after death, would say.

It was a good answer.

Mature, strong, reliable.

They had enough patience and time to accompany a talented but immature young man in his growth.

However, if he could mature earlier, it would obviously be better.

"This is what being a man is all about," Shinji Hirako said. Though his words were fine, they sounded slightly off in his mouth, "I thought you would bury your face in Dean Hakou's chest and cry."

Naruto glanced at him, looking somewhat disdainful, then turned to Unohana Retsu: "Captain Unohana, what should I do to control the power of the Nine-Tails without losing control?"

"You need to continue your Zanpakuto training and see the soul of your Zanpakuto." Unohana Retsu smiled warmly, "Don't rush, you're still young. We can solve this problem slowly."

Naruto's tone was calm as he replied, "I have already done that."

Unohana Retsu was surprised.

"I have already seen it," Naruto pointed to his heart, "During my first Zanpakuto training."

"How many did you see?" Kyoraku Shunsui asked.

Naruto looked at him, puzzled, "Of course, just one."

Kyoraku Shunsui mused, "For those of us who use dual swords, it's different from those who use single swords."

"The number of Zanpakuto spirits, like the swords, is two."

"You can see it in the names."

"Like my Katen Kyokotsu and Jushiro's Sōgyo no Kotowari."

"The Nine-Tails might not be a false name, but perhaps incomplete, as Captain Unohana said, lacking half."

Two?

Naruto tilted his head.

But in that underground sewer, there was only the Nine-Tails fox.

"I think the reason you can only release one sword might be because the one you have released is too powerful," Kyoraku Shunsui continued.

He raised both hands, spiritual power gathering.

In both hands, a ball of light appeared, identical in size and strength.

"For Jushiro and me, the strength of the two swords is equal, allowing them to shine equally."

"Just now, Captain Unohana said the power sealed inside you has at least the strength of a Second Class spiritual pressure."

"And you, Uzumaki, have only Fourth or Fifth rank spiritual pressure."

"That is like this..."

The ball of light in Kyoraku's left hand grew large, emitting a scorching, dazzling light, while the right-hand ball remained unchanged, seemingly swallowed by the left-hand light, making it indistinguishable without effort.

"What do you see?"

Naruto, not foolish but very intelligent, replied, "The light of the Nine-Tails is too strong, overshadowing the other Zanpakuto's light, causing me to ignore it?"

"Exactly." Kyoraku Shunsui waved his hand, dispersing the spiritual power.

"So, Uzumaki, what you need to do now is continue your Zanpakuto training and find your other sword. This might balance the Nine-Tails' power or complete its name."

Naruto nodded thoughtfully.

To find another "inner power"...

"We will also figure out the strange curse mark on you as soon as possible," Unohana smiled, "Don't worry too much."

Naruto looked at them, then at Dean Hakou.

He let out a long breath, releasing the depression in his heart.

Indeed, the Soul Society was more comfortable.

He stayed in the 4th Division for half a month, and after Unohana Retsu confirmed that his emotions wouldn't affect his future, he was sent back to the Shin'o Academy.

Naruto wanted to help Unohana Retsu solve the "curse mark" issue, but he knew nothing about sealing techniques.

In the textbook of the Ninja Academy, only the most basic knowledge is included. Sealing techniques... That area is a blind spot.

Returning to school.

The process for early graduation has also begun.

Naruto needs to complete the entire six-year curriculum in less than a year.

In addition to the basic four subjects of "Swordsmanship (Zanjutsu), Hand-to-Hand Combat (Hakuda), Shunpo (Hoho)," there are also some lessons related to Shinigami duties, such as Secret Maneuvers, Rescue and Medical Aid, Intelligence Patrol, Combat Purification...

These are the most troublesome courses for students who are graduating early.

But for Naruto, these courses didn't pose too much trouble.

Many of them were similar to the content learned at the "Ninja Academy."

Of course...

Naruto has more to learn than just these.

Captain Unohana was specifically instructed to add a "Healing Arts" course for Naruto—usually, the Shin'o Academy only teaches basic healing arts. Only after confirming the aptitude and being assigned to the 4th Division after graduation would one formally begin studying it.

Naruto wanted to refuse.

But... whenever he tried to say it, he felt a spine-chilling sense of danger.

Captain Unohana was obviously so gentle, so beautiful.

Naruto also successfully learned the "Multiple Shadow Clone Technique" obtained in Konoha. Although he didn't like Sarutobi Hiruzen much anymore, he had to admit that his judgment was very good, as this technique suited him well.

Everything was getting better.

Except for the "other sword," which wasn't progressing much.

Every time he practiced Blade Zen, he could only hear the voice of the Nine-Tails.

Naruto even tried asking the Nine-Tails if it was hiding its true name, but whenever this question came up, the Nine-Tails would become uncontrollably angry and chase him out.

After several attempts, the Nine-Tails finally calmed down and spoke to Naruto.

"Nine-Tails" is indeed not its real name, but it refused to tell Naruto.

Half a year passed like this.

The Shinigami Naruto saw the most was the Vice-captain of the 5th Division, Sosuke Aizen. He was a very gentle person, coming over almost weekly to guide Naruto in his Kido practice, greatly improving Naruto's skills in this area.

However... their meetings were not long. Each time Sosuke Aizen came, shortly after, Captain Shinji Hirako would follow.

Although Sosuke Aizen was very gentle.

For some reason, Naruto preferred Shinji Hirako, who always cursed and acted weirdly.

Next was Captain Unohana of the 4th Division, who took good care of Naruto.

One day.

Naruto was still training alone in the gym.

Dean Hakou came to find him: "Naruto, a captain is looking for you. Come with me."

Naruto stopped training, puzzled: "Captain?"

If it were Unohana Retsu or Kyōraku Shunsui... Dean Hakou wouldn't specifically use the term "captain."

"It's the new captain of the 12th Division, Urahara Kisuke," Dean Hakou said. "He seems to have researched something."

"It's said that he's very capable, and he has good relations with the Shihōin Clan. He might be able to solve your problem."

They walked to the office.

After knocking and pushing the door open.

"Yo, Uzumaki boy, I've heard a lot about you, but this is the first time we've met."

The voice came first.

Naruto looked over.

It was a man with short pale-yellow hair, draped in a captain's haori.

Unlike the captains he had seen before—though those had their own unique characteristics, they undoubtedly had the presence of a "Captain."

But this one...

Had a weak-looking face.

Giving a feeling of being "frail" and "easily bullied."

There was not just one captain in the room.

Also present was a dark-skinned beauty sitting cross-legged on the table, yawning.

The pale-yellow-haired man walked over: "Let me introduce myself. I am Urahara Kisuke, captain of the 12th Division and head of the Technological Development Bureau."

"And this..."

"Well..."

He spoke with some disdain: "You might as well pretend she doesn't exist."

"Urahara, you jerk!" The dark-skinned beauty jumped over and punched him hard, "Introduce me properly."

Urahara Kisuke held his head: "This is Shihōin Yoruichi, Captain of the 2nd Division. She's very interested in your Fox's condition."

"Besides, we'll need her help for some upcoming matters."

As he spoke.

He paused, as if the next words involved his most confident field, and his demeanor became more imposing: "I have some clues about your seal and trouble."

"But it's not convenient to discuss it here."

"If you don't mind, could you come with us?"