Shinigami in the Ninja World

Ichigo Kurosaki's expression hardened instantly. "Is this a special situation?"

Naruto waved a hand, smiling. "No need to be so tense. Rukia's much safer than you think."

"She's a member of the Kuchiki family."

"As the head of the nobility, her status means that Central 46 wouldn't dare touch her."

"Besides, with Captain Ukitake and me, we'll make sure she's safe and sound."

Ichigo's shoulders relaxed a bit.

"But I... Byakuya-niisan, he..." Rukia stammered, her anxiety evident. "Shouldn't this be handled by the 6th Division or the 13th Division?"

That was what troubled her.

Why...

Why was the 7th Division Captain involved?

"It's because of this kid," Naruto said, pointing at Ichigo Kurosaki. "That's why Byakuya isn't the right person for this."

The orange-haired boy blinked, pointing at himself. "Me?"

"Because of me?"

Naruto nodded, still smiling.

"They're really related?" Rukia picked up on the hint, a little surprised.

Ichigo was completely in the dark. "Related? How?"

"If it's because of me, I'm willing to cooperate with the investigation," Ichigo offered. "But I need to go to school tomorrow, so I should at least—"

Naruto shook his head, cutting him off. "Ask Isshin, and you'll understand—he's the real culprit."

The 6th Division handles noble affairs.

If Byakuya came and found out about Isshin Shiba, who knows what might happen.

Having me, the 'accomplice,' deal with this is actually the most appropriate.

Ichigo nodded slowly, still trying to piece it all together.

"I'm taking Rukia with me," Naruto said, waving to him.

Rukia blinked in surprise. "Aren't you taking Ichigo with us?"

"He's someone like Ginjo Kugo."

Naruto shook his head, the smile fading slightly. "No rush to give him the Substitute Shinigami status."

"Besides, there's another situation."

"Haven't you noticed something unusual?"

"Even after all this time, the spiritual energy within you is still very thin."

Rukia nodded. It was true, but she'd never used a Gigai before. She thought it was normal, given that Shinigami lifespans are counted in centuries. It seemed reasonable that this special restoration process would take years.

"Someone tampered with your Gigai." Naruto's voice was calm, but his words were heavy. "It's likely that man."

A gentle face flashed in Rukia's mind.

Captain of the 5th Division, Aizen Sōsuke.

"How did he do it?" Rukia felt a chill down her spine.

Naruto replied softly, "I don't know."

"Let's return to the Soul Society and investigate it thoroughly."

Rukia nodded obediently.

Ichigo, still baffled by their conversation, tried to focus on what was clear: "So I don't need to go with you to the Soul Society?"

Naruto nodded. "Not for now."

"And..."

He looked at the orange-haired boy thoughtfully, his expression growing more serious. "There's something special about you."

"It's not just because of Isshin."

"It's also due to your unique constitution."

"These things can't be explained quickly."

"Once the trouble in the Soul Society is resolved, I'll explain it to you in detail. For now, you just need to understand one thing."

"Stay in the living world. Don't even think about coming to the Soul Society."

Naruto lightly knocked Ichigo on the head.

This kid's body was unusual.

Likely...

Aizen's interest in Rukia was probably because of Ichigo Kurosaki.

He already had three powers within him. If a fragment of the Soul King were added, awakening his Fullbring, he could fuse all the powers of the world within himself, even the smallest, most insignificant "power of the living."

If we ignore the weakness of his powers...

Conceptually speaking, Ichigo Kurosaki might be the closest thing to the Soul King in this world.

However, if I can figure this out, Kisuke Urahara certainly can too.

With him around, Aizen would find it difficult to lay a hand on Ichigo.

Hmm...

I should remind him, just to be safe.

Ichigo Kurosaki pouted. "I'm not a kid."

"And I'm busy with school."

"I don't have time to go to another world."

Naruto smiled. "That's good."

The Nine-Tails jumped down from his shoulder, drew its sword, and opened the Senkaimon.

Back in the Soul Society...

13th Division...

Ukitake frowned, puzzled. "There was something wrong with the Gigai? Someone deliberately wanted Rukia to stay in the living world."

"We don't know what their goal was." Naruto shook his head. "But it's a good thing we discovered it in time."

"And it's thanks to that boy."

"If he hadn't grown strong enough to repel a Menos Grande in just a few months, discovering Rukia would have been much harder."

Kaien Shiba looked up. "My brother..."

He swallowed the rest of his words and stiffly corrected himself. "That Substitute Shinigami?"

"Naruto didn't bring him back?"

Naruto tilted his head, stretching lazily. "His situation is a bit special. He's probably one of that man's targets."

"I'm just the Captain of the 7th Division. Shouldn't tracking down suspects be the responsibility of the 2nd Division?"

"And if it's related to the Substitute Shinigami, isn't this the 13th Division's duty?"

"Take your time finding him."

Kaien Shiba pondered for a moment.

Understood.

He glanced at Jūshirō Ukitake.

The white-haired man coughed twice at the perfect moment and smiled. "Kaien, I'm feeling unwell again."

"The division's affairs will be in your hands."

Kaien's face grew "solemn." "Understood."

"What's Central 46's decision regarding Rukia?" Naruto asked. "Soi Fon didn't tell me."

Ukitake shook his head. "It hasn't been decided yet."

"Although..."

"We all believe Rukia is innocent."

"But without a key witness to corroborate her story, it's hard to prove it was truly a special case with just her testimony."

"Moreover, part of the recording in the surveillance room is missing, so it can't be verified."

Naruto frowned.

Aizen being able to influence the living world was understandable, as it wasn't fully under the Shinigami's control.

But the 12th Division?

That guy is under "house arrest" now, with the Nine-Tails watching him day and night, and Mayuri Kurotsuchi is also extremely cautious.

How could he have done this?

"So Central 46 has decided to temporarily place Rukia under house arrest in a secluded residence," Kaien Shiba continued with a smile. "I checked it out; the living conditions aren't bad."

"There's also someone to take care of her, and the garden isn't as bleak as those in the 1st Division."

"Think of it as a period of rest and recovery; she could use an environment like this right now."

Naruto nodded. "Those stubborn old folks."

"And Byakuya too..."

He sighed.

Kaien Shiba scratched his head.

This situation could have been resolved easily if Byakuya had intervened. Central 46 would have quickly found a reason to release Rukia.

But he didn't step in.

Ginrei Kuchiki agreed with this decision as well.

After all, it wouldn't harm Rukia, and a small "punishment" for her actions wouldn't hurt.

At most, she'd be "resting" for a year or so before being released.

Naruto didn't say anything further.

He simply looked out the window, where the expansive lake shimmered under the bright spring sunlight.

But for some reason, he felt a vague sense of unease.

It seemed like something about this situation...

Wasn't quite right.

Could Aizen really accomplish all this alone?

There must be someone in Seireitei, hidden away, helping him—a person with considerable status and power.

But who could it be?

In the living world…

Karakura Town High School...

Ichigo Kurosaki stared out the window, frowning.

It had been almost a week since Rukia left. Without her, he no longer had to transform into a Shinigami and fight those strange creatures.

And since the Menos Grande incident, there had been far fewer signs of Hollows.

Peaceful days were nice, of course.

But...

They felt a bit unsettling.

More importantly, apart from his close friends, everyone else seemed to have forgotten that there was once a classmate named "Rukia."

This only made him feel more isolated.

At lunchtime, on the rooftop...

Orihime Inoue, with hair the same color as Ichigo's, held a rice ball. "Do you think Rukia will really be okay?"

"She definitely will be," Ichigo nodded. "My uncle promised me."

"A Shinigami uncle, huh?" Uryū Ishida lightly pushed his glasses up. "Have you asked Uncle Isshin for an explanation?"

"No," Ichigo pouted.

His dad had been hiding things from him from the start. Now that he knew some of the truth, he felt too awkward to bring it up.

"And you? Didn't you try to get anything out of Uncle Ryūken?" he asked, turning to Uryū.

Ishida shook his head.

"It really makes me miss Rukia," Orihime looked down.

A voice suddenly called out from above them.

"There you are." It was a cold, sharp male voice.

They looked up.

It was someone dressed differently, wearing a tight black Shihakushō, their face completely covered.

"Are you a Shinigami too?" Ichigo asked in surprise, dropping his food and standing protectively in front of his friends.

Uryū Ishida bent his waist slightly.

"2nd Division, Onmitsukidō," the masked Shinigami spoke, his tone icy. "Under orders from Central 46."

"I'm here to execute the 'Kurosaki Ichigo' who unlawfully possesses Shinigami powers."

Ichigo pointed to himself, shocked. "Execute... me?"

"What about Rukia?"

This was completely different from what Uncle Naruto had told him.

Execution?

Was this really happening?

The masked Shinigami sneered. "She violated the rules by giving Shinigami powers to a regular human. Her fate is, naturally, also execution."

~~~

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