Naruto's eyes showed doubt.
Shihouin Yoruichi smiled slightly before continuing the topic about "Urahara Kisuke":"The Central 46 Chambers are a bunch of even more rigid traditionalists than Captain-Commander Yamamoto."
"Their stance on this matter is unusually firm."
"The charges have already been decided."
"The force dispatched from the 2nd Division is the Punishment Corps, not the gentler Patrol Corps or Internal Affairs Squad."
Naruto clenched his fists. "I didn't receive any orders to cooperate with an investigation."
Yoruichi ruffled his hair. "That's exactly what worries me most."
"They don't need you."
Naruto widened his eyes in disbelief.
Only then did he understand what Yoruichi meant.
The Central 46 Chambers didn't need his testimony or cooperation.
It wasn't negligence.
They were simply eager to pin the "crime" on Urahara Kisuke.
They were eager to eliminate those captains and vice-captains who had been "Hollowfied."
"Even the Soul Society has people like this?" he asked.
"People who feast on flesh, only caring about their own knives and forks," Yoruichi nodded slightly, gazing into the distance."They need a result."
"And that result doesn't necessarily have to align with the truth."
"That's why I hate the nobles."
Naruto clenched his fists even tighter. "Are we just going to watch as Captain Kisuke and the others..."
Yoruichi decisively interrupted him. "Of course not. If the worst happens—"
"I'll break them out."
"But if that happens, we'll probably have to flee the Soul Society."
Naruto spoke without hesitation, "Yoruichi-nee, I want to go too."
"No." Yoruichi immediately rejected him.
Naruto argued, "I unlocked my second sword last night! I won't be a burden to you."
"I'm strong!"
"It's not about strength," Yoruichi turned to look at him with a bright smile,"It's about identity."
"Though I dislike my status as head of the Shihouin Clan—"
"Right now, it's really useful."
She paused and reorganized her words."The Soul Society is ruled by nobles."
"The Central 46 is elected by nobles."
"If I rescue Urahara and the others, it's nothing much."
"But for you, it would be different."
Naruto lowered his head.
"Little fox, stay here," Yoruichi said softly."Though there's an enemy we don't know by name or appearance—"
"The Soul Society is still safer for you."
"That guy hides in the shadows."
"Manipulates the Central 46."
"These actions prove he's afraid of someone."
Naruto's mind immediately conjured a name: "The Captain-Commander?"
Yoruichi nodded. "Yes. You're safer by his side than ours."
"I understand, Yoruichi-nee." Naruto replied with a downcast tone.
Yoruichi patted his head forcefully. "Don't sound so gloomy!"
"Like I said, this is only if the worst happens."
"Even if it does—"
"Every goodbye is for a better reunion."
"When that unseen enemy reveals himself, we'll come back."
Naruto forced a smile. "I just didn't expect this kind of... persecution to happen in the Soul Society."
He had a good impression of the Soul Society.
The people he met were kind and gentle.
But this incident...
The stench of black ink sprayed from some unknown place, tainting it.
"Where there is sunlight, there is shadow," Yoruichi withdrew her hand and gazed out from the high tower over the Seireitei."Light and darkness are opposites, yet they coexist."
"The stronger the sun, the smaller the shadows."
"But no matter how bright the light, shadows will always exist."
Naruto stood beside her, gazing into the distance.
"Become a man like the Captain-Commander," she smiled warmly and added,"He is the sun of the Gotei 13."
"He shelters us."
Become the light that banishes the shadows.
Naruto nodded, remaining silent for a while."For that invisible enemy who is a Shinigami but can't be seen... Yoruichi-nee, or rather, does Captain Kisuke have any guesses?"
"I'll stay in the Soul Society."
"I'll find him!"
Yoruichi hesitated.
She glanced at Naruto.
Then spoke cautiously:"Hirako once told us—"
"Be wary of Aizen Sōsuke."
An unexpected name.
Naruto was stunned.
The image of that gentle, kind face appeared in his mind.
—Spot on, not a single detail missed!
"How could it be him?" His voice sounded a bit dazed.
Yoruichi shook her head. "You'll have to judge everything yourself."
A silent breeze passed them by.
The Nine-Tails yawned in boredom.
Naruto left and returned to Squad 13.
That afternoon, the news came.
The worst-case scenario Yoruichi feared had come true.
The Central 46 Chambers sentenced Grand Kido Chief Tessai Tsukabishi for "unauthorized use of forbidden techniques," ordering his imprisonment in the Third Prison.
For "researching and performing forbidden techniques, causing severe harm to comrades," Urahara Kisuke was sentenced to have his powers stripped and be permanently exiled to the Human World.
As for the eight captains and vice-captains who had been "Hollowfied," the Central 46 made a chilling decision and classified them as "Hollow."
And how do Shinigami deal with Hollows?
Only one answer: execution.
But during the sentencing—
The head of the Shihouin Clan and captain of the 2nd Division, Yoruichi Shihouin, forcefully barged in and broke out "Urahara Kisuke," "Tessai Tsukabishi," and the others.
The Captain-Commander was enraged.
He ordered the 8th Division Captain, Kyoraku Shunsui, to pursue the lawless fugitives.
Back at Squad 13...
"Old man really is a headache." Kyoraku Shunsui poured himself a cup of sake, gazing into the distance."And he wants me to handle this mess."
He didn't look too happy.
Not because he bore a grudge against his teacher.
But because among the escapees was his own vice-captain, Yadomaru Lisa.
"Sorry, Captain Shunsui." Naruto spoke, full of guilt.
Kyoraku was stunned, then after a beat, chuckled and shook his head."Don't be like that, Naruto. Haha, I'm not blaming you."
"You're quite impressive."
"If not for you..."
"Lisa probably wouldn't have returned to the Seireitei."
Ukitake Jūshirō lifted a cup of water and took a sip."Speaking of which, the old man is probably having a hard time now."
"This is the most serious power vacuum the Seireitei has ever faced."
Kyoraku nodded.
The captains of Squad 2 and Squad 12 had fled.
The captains of Squads 3, 5, 7, and 9 were Hollowfied.
Plus, Squad 10's captain seat was already vacant.
At this moment, the Gotei 13 had over half its captain positions empty.
"Seven captains..." Kyoraku set his cup down."I thought the old man was too hasty promoting Naruto last night."
"But now..."
"Turns out he's always been a master strategist."
"By the way—"
"Naruto, have you decided which squad you'll lead?"
Naruto paused and answered honestly,"The Captain-Commander said he plans to assign me to Squad 10."
Wait, you get to choose?
"That was before," Kyoraku waved it off."Back then only Squad 10 had an opening."
"Now there are seven."
"Squad 10 doesn't really suit you."
"And I doubt the old man will keep you there."
Naruto respectfully responded:
"Please guide me, Captain Shunsui."
(End of Chapter)